Daughter of the Tarot: A dazzling, historical read from Clare Marchant

by Clare Marchant, Antonia Beamish (Narrator)

Let a multiple Earphones Award–winning narrator whisk you away with this dual-timeline mystery! London, 1644: A tarot reader leaves coded messages for women who need an escape. In the present day, Beatrice finds an old tarot deck missing the Devil — a card tied to a series of 17th-century murders. What long-kept secrets will she uncover?

Brand new from the bestselling author of THE HOUSE OF THE WITCH. Perfect for fans of The Midnight House and The Square of Sevens.

Two women, linked by the cards, unravel a secret spanning the decades...

1644: Portia is living in London, having escaped an abusive man in Italy, with just baby Vittoria and the clothes on their backs. Making her living reading tarot cards, she starts to realise there are other women like her – who need help. As she delivers the Devil card to their door, each has the chance to escape… But to what future? Because Portia is a woman with secrets. And they are about to come back to haunt her.

After her mother’s death and father’s hasty plans to remarry, Beatrice has left home to open a tarot shop in London. But when she’s unpacking, she finds a set of cards she’s never seen before, one that’s evidently been handed down through generations of her family. It’s a set that is missing a card though… the Devil’s Card. She begins to search for the lost card, but she also starts to hear rumours of that very card being linked to a series of murders of women in 17th century London…

Will she find the truth… or will she only see the illusions the cards are suggesting?

Genres: Historical Fiction, Audiobook, Fiction, Mystery, Historical, Tarot, Romance

Audible Audio

Published August 18, 2025

Reviews

[Srivalli Rekha · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

One Liner: Got its moments!

1644: After escaping an abusive man in Italy, Portia is living in London with baby Vittoria. She makes a living by reading tarot cards and realizes there are women like her who need help. Portia delivers the Devil card to each door as a chance to escape. But where do they go when their secrets will continue to haunt them?

Now: Beatrice moved to London to open a tarot shop after her mother’s death and her father’s plans to remarry in haste. She finds a strange pack of tarot cards, clearly a family set passed from one generation to another. But the Devil is missing, and Beatrice begins to search for it. This leads her to rumors about a series of murders of women in the 17th century. Can she find out the truth?

The story comes in Portia and Beatrice’s third-person POVs.

My Thoughts:

I grabbed this book mainly for the tarot appeal. In that context, the book delivers well. The interpretations are accurate, and the story uses tarot reading seamlessly. We see both FMCs giving readings to others, which I enjoyed.

The dual timeline in the third-person POV made it easier to keep their voices separate, though it shouldn’t have been hard since the characters are different from each other in many ways.

The core premise in the past timeline was interesting, even if it wasn’t something new. Still, the idea of using the Devil card to help women escape from abusive homes was well done.

The contemporary timeline was easy to read and had a bit of a love track (doesn’t dominate the plot). I wish my tarot business (side hustle) grew as quickly as hers. I’d love it if I earned enough from it one day to commission a custom-designed deck. Sigh!

There were a couple of revelations that added to the intrigue, though a few developments were guessable. My issue was with how a certain character was made to act to suit the plotline. It felt a bit contrived and hard to believe at times. Frustrating at other times. No parent ever saved a child by hiding the truth from them if it meant life or death.

Luckily, both tracks had a positive ending, so that was a relief. Still, a certain thread didn’t go anywhere or seemed like it didn’t matter towards the end. I wish it were also tied up with the rest.

To summarize, Daughter of the Tarot is an engaging read with some dark themes contrasted by hopeful developments in another timeline. This keeps the pace steady.

Thank you, NetGalley and Boldwood Books, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

#NetGalley #DaughterOfTheTarot

[ABCme · Rating 3 out of 5]

In 1629 Portia and her baby girl Vittoria flee Milano for London.
In 2025 Beatrice runs an esoteric shop and finds an antique tarot deck when unpacking her late mother's possesions. It's missing one card though and Bea is determined to find it.
What follows is a dual timeline, London in 1644 and 2025, the stories of both women and the journey of the missing card.
Daughter of Tarot is a fast paced cosy read, exploring family, freedom and spirituality in different centuries. An exciting story set in beautiful surroundings. I felt a bit let down by the abrupt ending.

Thank you Netgalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading "Daughter of the Tarot" on a rare, rainy day felt like a wonderful gift. Clare Marchant has worked her magic once again, transporting me to another continent and a different century. This is the story of two women, separated by 500 years but connected through time by a set of Italian tarot cards. Death and betrayal were the catalysts for both Portia and Beatrice to make drastic changes in their lives. As Beatrice searches for the lost Devil card missing from the ancient pack, she unknowingly traces the life of her Italian ancestor. The writing is flawless, with each piece of the genetic puzzle falling into place until the final one is put in its rightful position. In Portia's story, we learn of an underground sisterhood of women helping each other escape abusive marriages. For Beatrice, the journey is learning how to move beyond grief to find the life she was meant to have. For both women, reading the tarot cards and accepting their message is at the center of who they are. This story will resonate with women of all ages because the struggles are universal. I highly recommend Daughter of the Tarot, even if you don't have a rainy day.

My thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC. The review and all opinions are entirely my own.

[Celine Weir · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was... ok? The premise of the story was good but it was ultimately let down by stiff dialogue and lukewarm characters. I did enjoy the 1644 side of the story more as the formal character conversations suited the period more and I felt the relationship between the characters were more fleshed out.

The 2025 sections were a hard read and I felt myself starting to skim over it so I could get it done quicker. I found Beatrice to be quite stiff and the dialogue between her customers felt cold for someone who's set up their business to help others. More so, the conversations between her and Jack were so business like I don't understand at all how they ended up together?

I'm also a little confused how she seemed to have endless time and money to spend searching for the card when she consistently says she has neither? Also what happened to the other person chasing the card? did the author forget about that plot line?

Not for me but I can see why others may like it.

[Sonja · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was a cute story idea, a little fast paced, though I really wish the main character (early 30’s) wasn’t portrayed with the emotional maturity of a teenager throughout 99% of the story.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review to follow nearer publication date.

5 stars
I loved this story by Clare Marchant, another great historical dual timeline book. I have an interest in Oracle and Tarot cards myself so I loved finding out about the different cards and their meanings.
Portia was my favourite character, her helping other women touched me. I really enjoyed the way the story took shape through one of the missing cards.
I enjoy Clare Marchants books and this is my favourite.
Thank you to Netgalley and the author for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Published yesterday, I recommend this book highly.

[Alisha Weston · Rating 5 out of 5]

(4.5 Stars) Tarot, historical fiction, girls helping girls, mysteries from the past, finding out the truth about said mysteries in the present and two wholesome love interests - I enjoyed a lot of themes in this book.

In 2025 we follow Beatrice who has just moved to London to open a tarot shop, after her dad has decided to get married a few years after the death of her mum and has sold the family home. Beatrice is also on a mission to recover a missing tarot card from an old deck, passed down by the women in her family for hundreds of years.
In 1644 we follow Portia who, 15 years prior, escaped the plague and a bad man in Italy, taking with her, her baby daughter Vittoria as well as Maria - a friend and help. She has made a life for herself in London giving tarot readings to anyone interested, and unbeknownst to Vittoria and Maria, she is helping other women escape dangerous situations just as she did, giving them a replica Devil card from her tarot deck to show to the man who helps grant them safe passage to their new life.

The situations from the past and present reflected each other in ways, both women going through life lessons, centuries apart.
Both Portia and Beatrice learned things about themselves and their own lives through doing tarot readings for their customers.

I really loved this book, I found the modern day story almost as interesting as the historical story. I loved the romantic interests for Portia and for Beatrice, I liked that there were no difficulties in their love lives, but instead had support through the men they cared about during other problems they faced.

I also really enjoyed learning more about the different tarot cards and how each woman interpreted them. As well as the story slowly unfolding from the past and present.
The character progression was good for them both, Beatrice, I thought, was a bit too harsh with her views on her dad moving on after the death of her mother. I like as well that Jack was real with her and didn’t agree with her when she mentioned her opinion but gave her a reality check in a kind and caring way.
Portia was keeping so many secrets from her family and loved ones, I’m glad that by the end the secrets were revealed, even though I think it would have been better for her to own up to them. I can see why she was afraid though.

Overall I really liked this book, I kept wanting to read it to find out what happened next. I liked Beatrice’s adventures and learning about Portia’s life.

[Rick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mettons 2.5. J’ai pas full aimé comment c’était écrit. L’histoire aurait pu être bonne mais… je sais pas

[Mohammad Anas · Rating 4 out of 5]

[NetGalley Read #47]
4.25 ⭐️

"People like to have something nobody else does."

Brilliant.

This was a slow burn. Quite an enjoyable one. This one story has elements of historical fiction, romance, mystery, and thriller. And that isn't evident as you start reading, because, in the earlier chapters, a lot of it just feels like a small snippet of two people's lives, in different times, that you've been allowed to look through, but then it unfolds quite beautifully. Takes its time, raises the stakes in one story and the mystery in the other and eventually reaches a satisfying conclusion.

Characters are great. Whether it's Bea, coping with change and loss, or Portia, dealing with fear, secrets and love and helping women with her tarot cards, these characters were a joy to read. Also liked the little stories both Portia and Bea's customers brought with them.

The dialogue didn't work for me at times. It was fine in other chapters and quite good in the last few chapters. Anyway, it's not that big of a problem. There are other elements of the story I found more enjoyable that made up for any shortcomings I felt there were in the dialogues (exposition-heavy or just felt...unnatural).

There are tons of elements to like in this story. The contrast between Bea and Portia's stories. At one point, things were going at an upward trajectory for one character and a downward one for the other. And reading that in alternative chapters with elements of a thriller in one story and the potential unfolding of a mystery in the other, sprinkled with a bit of romance in both stories was quite an experience. And alternating chapters are handled quite well. I didn't find myself wishing to skip or hasten through a chapter to get to the next.

If you, like me, find yourselves wanting to DNF this book in the earlier parts or think the story isn't going anywhere, don't. Stick with it. I don't generally DNF books and this is the second time I'm really glad I didn't. It rewards you with its intricately woven tale of two women in different times, their relationships, and themes of love, fear, loss, and redemption.

It's a short-ish book (270+ pages). Easy to read.

Recommended. 👍

[Cheyenne Wildt · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a tarot reader of over 10 years, I really wanted to love this book. I was excited by the concept, but its execution didn't live up to my expectations. While the "past" sections of the book were colorful and interesting, the "modern-day" narrative couldn't quite capture my attention. We're told that Beatrice's family history is steeped in tarot and that it connected her with her late mother, yet she "hadn't realized" that tarot cards were originally playing cards until she did a quick Google and cracked open a couple of books? Huh??? She has a shop that ONLY sells tarot cards and readings, including antique sets, yet somehow doesn't know any of the history behind the thing she's set up her whole life around. While I think the book does a pretty good job with its interpretations of the cards during scenes with readings, this part was frustrating for me. I understand that authors often communicate information that readers may not already know in this way, but there are other ways to do it. She could have already known the history of tarot and explained this fact to her boyfriend.

There is also the issue of believability when it comes to the way she runs her very new small business. Again, Beatrice ONLY sells tarot, unlike many metaphysical/witchy/spiritual shops who sell a range of items (not only tarot but books, crystals, incense, etc.) and draw in customers of various beliefs and backgrounds. I struggled to understand how her business was staying afloat with the amount of times she closed the store to take a trip to talk to some antiques dealer. We're told numerous times that her boyfriend (I have already forgotten his name) can't accompany her because he's needed at his bookstore. He already has an established business with staff to help him run it. Beatrice is running a brand new small business by herself. So how is it that she can afford to take all of this time off? I know that she opened the business with money she got from her father after the sale of their family home. But surely that money is not enough for her to be spending so much throughout the book Commissioning an entire set of custom tarot cards, which will take at the very least around 80 hours to produce but probably much more, is not cheap. And at one point she is planning on offering at least five grand to buy back her missing tarot card.

I really enjoyed Portia's story but the ending was very anticlimactic for me after the somewhat glacial pacing of other parts of the book. I'm not sure what I was expecting to happen, but I didn't think the reason for the missing card would be what it was. I don't even understand why Caterina stole the card and then passed it down through her family. Why would you steal this card and then pass the story down through generations? What's the point? It seemed like it was just a convenient way for Beatrice to learn the full history of the cards, but it doesn't make sense why it happened the way it did.

[De Rijdende Boekenwurm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Als het verleden zijn geheimen niet zomaar prijsgeeft…

‘Dochter van de tarot’ van Clare Marchant is een sfeervol en intrigerend verhaal waarin historische fictie, mysterie en tarot op een heerlijke manier samenkomen.

Portia en Beatrice zijn sterke hoofdpersonages die ieder vanuit hun eigen tijdlijn een belangrijke rol spelen. Hun verhalen vullen elkaar goed aan en zorgen ervoor dat de nieuwsgierigheid steeds verder wordt aangewakkerd. Vooral de manier waarop beide verhaallijnen langzaam met elkaar verbonden raken, is erg mooi uitgewerkt.

Portia weet als personage vooral indruk te maken door haar kracht en vastberadenheid. Beatrice vormt daar in het heden een mooie tegenhanger van. Beide vrouwen hebben hun eigen uitdagingen en geheimen, waardoor er voldoende diepgang in de personages zit.

De historische setting zorgt voor een prachtige sfeer en de tarotkaarten geven het verhaal een mysterieus en soms zelfs onheilspellend randje. Vooral de rol van de Duivelkaart past perfect bij de donkere ondertoon van het verhaal.

De twee verhaallijnen zorgen ervoor dat er steeds nieuwe vragen ontstaan. Iedere onthulling brengt weer een stukje van de puzzel, maar roept tegelijkertijd nieuwe vragen op. Dat maakt het lastig om het boek zomaar weg te leggen.

Niet iedere wending komt volledig onverwacht, maar de geheimen, onderlinge verbanden en de vraag hoe alles uiteindelijk samenkomt, houden de spanning goed vast.

De schrijfstijl leest prettig en beeldend, waardoor vooral het historische Londen mooi tot leven komt. De combinatie van historische fictie, sterke vrouwelijke hoofdpersonages, tarot en een duister mysterie werkt ontzettend goed.

Een sfeervol verhaal vol geheimen, moedige vrouwen en een mysterie dat langzaam wordt ontrafeld. Voor liefhebbers van historische fictie met een duister en mysterieus randje is ‘Dochter van de tarot’ absoluut een aanrader.

Bedankt, Xander Uitgevers, voor het beschikbaar stellen van het recensie-exemplaar. Dit heeft uiteraard geen invloed gehad op de eerlijke mening en beoordeling.

Historical Fiction | Dual Timeline | 17th-Century London | Tarot | Murder Mystery | Strong Female Characters | Women Helping Women | Family Secrets | Missing Tarot Card | Serial Killer | Italian Protagonist | Secrets of the Past | Witchcraft & Superstition | Mystery & Intrigue

[Alayne Emmett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, this was such a a good story. I got immersed straight away. It was a dual time line which ticked all the boxes and had romance as well. My thanks to netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

[Peter Davies · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! 🔮✨ I really enjoyed the back-and-forth between the different eras and how the two timelines gradually came together. The story kept me guessing, and I was genuinely shocked by the twist — I definitely didn’t see it coming!

The atmosphere, mystery and historical elements all worked so well together, making this a really enjoyable read. It even had me thinking that perhaps I need to get my own deck of Tarot cards! 🃏

A fascinating and gripping story that I’d definitely recommend to anyone who enjoys historical fiction, mystery and a touch of the supernatural.

[Inspiredbypmdd Fiona · Rating 4 out of 5]

With Tarot in the title I just had to dive into this story by Clare Marchant. I have a vast collection of Oracle, Fortune and Tarot cards, so this element was always going to pull me in.
It’s told in two time lines, 1600s Italy and England and 2025 London.
Portia’s story takes place in the former and Beatrice’s in the latter time frame.
I was gripped by the strength and determination that Portia shows in running from her old life to her new life with Marie and Vittoria by her side and the lengths she goes through to protect women from abuse with the help of her trusted tarot cards and the often misrepresented Devil card.
Beatrice took herself off to London to escape her fathers’ decisions and embrace the dream her deceased mother had carried within; in her honour she really makes a go of it. Whilst unpacking she discovers a maternal family heirloom handed down from one female to another, it’s there she discovers a mission card.
A search for the missing card begins and a quest to uncover the trust about the dead women linked to the card. Along the way she forms a strong bond with Jack who is a book-seller and totally engrossed in the mystery of the card.
Will both women find the present they deserve, whilst dreaming of a future and running from the past? Interesting, page turning and informative.

[Cindy Spear · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again Clare Marchant dazzled me with her incredible skill in writing a dual timeline historical mystery in Daughter of the Tarot. What a mesmerising story! The descriptions as always transported me to the heart of the setting and I felt very much a part of the scene. Atmosphere galore pulled me in, too. It was effortless moving between past and present making it a seamless and enjoyable experience as I learned about these two women divided by time.

I love that fact that one woman has been saved and she goes on to help others achieve the same freedom. For one, she knows what it is like to live in fear of an abusive husband. In 1644 there weren’t many options so Portia puts her heart into helping those who have fallen to the same horrors as herself. She has a gift of reading tarot cards and she uses her skill to make a living. At the same time she gives other women courage to pursue a new life. It is interesting that the card she delivers to those who need to escape is the Devil card. When she turns it over for a woman who seeks her direction and answers, the woman recoils when she sees the horns and fiery tail but Portia reassures her, ‘This is not a terrible card…It tells us of a new life. What is the truth in your world, and what is shown to others, the illusion.’

A number of women go missing in the middle of the night while husbands are away or out in taverns, etc. What has happened to each of them? For their beds appear to be slept in but their clothes are still in the wardrobes? Mystery and suspicion surround these women of 1644 as a pattern is realised.

Fast forward to 2025 and we meet Beatrice, a future generation relative of Portia. She has lost her mother and dealing with grief and the fact her father is remarrying (which she does not approve of as nobody can equal her mother). She moves to a new location, gets a shop and begins her new life. While unpacking boxes she finds a package of unique Tarot cards that are unlike any she has seen before. They are very old, from Italy, and although she has heard they had been packed away in the attic, she never saw them previously. But her mother talked about the tarot cards, and others in general, how she learned to use them from her own mother and grandmother: a skill passed down from mother to daughter for many years and generations. Beatrice also has the gift and offers readings in her shop. When asked if she gives lessons, she says, 'No'. ‘Reading the cards was something in her blood, as though she’s always been able to do it. She could not teach that to someone else, it was part of who she was, and that wouldn’t happen with just anyone.’ It is quite interesting to read of the descriptions of the connections that Beatrice feels with her pack of tarot cards.

Beatrice consults a tarot card historian, about her find. He writes to her of an ancient pack with a missing Devil card. Various sightings have been recorded over the years. This card has been ‘reputed to have the power to make people disappear.’ And that it caused women to be murdered. The mystery begins and Beatrice cannot help but follow the trail of clues to find the answers and missing card. Some lead to even more mystery and illusion (like the card itself). The more she digs, the more secrets unfold—including information about Portia. But one thing Beatrice knows is that tarot cards are meant as an aid for people and not meant to bring about death. So what is going on here?

Two good men, one in each timeline, play a gentle part as support to these two women. A romance blossoms for each which adds a sweet ingredient to the mix of tragic events. Nothing else matters to Jack but books, coffee and friends and he surrounds himself in their beauty. But he falls for Beatrice and is on the journey with her to find the truth about the card she seeks to re-join with her pack. In the past, John is a wonderful kind man who would do anything for Portia. There is a particular heart-warming scene I loved that shows his dedication when Portia is in danger.

As with all of Clare Marchant’s dual timeline books, I truly enjoyed the journey through past and present and how the two stories come together. And what a tense lead up to the climax in 1644 and an exciting resolution in 2025! This is another exceptional delivery that pulled me in with its mystical theme, stunning plot, vivd descriptions and believable characters. This book will resonate with many and I am so glad I read it! Highly recommend. 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for a review copy.

[Linsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wanneer Milaan geteisterd wordt door de pest, vlucht Portia samen met haar pasgeboren baby Vittoria naar Londen, weg van haar gewelddadige man en op zoek naar veiligheid. Haar geliefde set tarotkaarten neemt ze mee en al snel gebruikt ze deze niet alleen om in haar levensonderhoud te voorzien, maar ook om andere vrouwen in nood te helpen.

Eeuwen later vindt Beatrice precies deze tarotkaarten tussen de spullen van haar overleden moeder. Ze is naar Londen verhuisd om een tarotwinkel te beginnen, maar worstelt ondertussen met het verlies van haar moeder en de nieuwe relatie van haar vader. Wanneer ze het kostbare erfstuk, dat al eeuwenlang van moeder op dochter wordt doorgegeven, bestudeert, ontdekt ze dat de duivelskaart uit het dek ontbreekt. Beatrice voelt het verdriet van de kaarten en besluit op zoek te gaan naar de ontbrekende kaart. Al snel ontdekt ze dat de symboliek van de vermiste kaart – wat is echt en wat is een illusie? – zeer toepasselijk is op haar eigen zoektocht.

De duivelskaart loopt als een rode draad door het verhaal en de symboliek ervan is mooi in het verhaal verwerkt. Het boek leest vlot en ik zat al snel helemaal in het verhaal. Hier en daar vond ik het wat zoetsappig, maar dit is passend bij het genre en daardoor ook wel weer een kracht. Sommige plotwendingen zag ik al van tevoren aankomen, omdat bepaalde details nogal nadrukkelijk werden benadrukt. Toch vond ik het een erg leuk boek om te lezen.

Er is een groot geheim dat naar mijn mening wat lang wordt opgebouwd, maar uiteindelijk had ik kippenvel op het moment dat alle puzzelstukjes op hun plek vielen. Dat maakte het voor mij zeker de moeite waard om door te lezen. De afwisseling tussen de hoofdstukken die zich afspelen in het Londen van 1644 en de hoofdstukken in het heden vond ik een leuke toevoeging. Ik heb een zwak voor duale tijdlijnen. 😉

Ik heb deze historische roman met veel plezier gelezen. Het boek heeft me bovendien meer geleerd over tarot en de kunst van het tarotlezen. Dat vond ik persoonlijk erg interessant!

Bedankt Xander Uitgevers voor dit mooie recensie-exemplaar! Wat een fascinerende wereld is wereld de tarot! 🃏

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clare’s books are always an absolute joy to read and lose myself in.
Having been a huge fan since her first book, The Secrets of Saffron Hall, I eagerly await each new release.
Daughter of the Tarot is another fantastic dual timeline novel, where Clare’s talent for writing absorbing, meticulously researched historical fiction shines through the pages. I absolutely loved it, both the historical part set in 1644 and the part set in the present.

My heart was in my mouth as in 1644 Portia, who herself escaped a dangerous life, helps married women with abusive husbands escape their life threatening lives with the help of her tarot cards. A chance meeting puts her own life in danger again, but can she escape a second time?
In the present timeline, Bea has opened a shop selling tarot cards and offering readings. She finds an antique set of hand painted cards in her mother’s possessions but the Devil card is missing. She sets out on a mission to find it and make the set whole again, and at the same time finds romance.

I paced myself as I wanted this book to last as long as possible but I couldn’t resist finishing it today!

Wonderful!

Huge thanks to the publisher for my advance copy of the book.

[Tonya Gillon · Rating 5 out of 5]

The characters were well developed and the scenes so splendidly drawn, I couldn’t help but feel I was there. The dual time line and the plot timeline were handled perfectly.

This was a good story and I enjoyed it.

[Natalie Rudd · Rating 3 out of 5]

i needed more depth to the characters but the premise of the story was really good and has got me fascinated with tarot cards.

[Monique de Lange · Rating 4.25 out of 5]

Titel mwoah.
Boek, dikke okay!

[Sharon | Boek en Thee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ik vond dit een heel fijn boek om te lezen. Het leest makkelijk weg, het is spannend en ik vond het leuk om wat meer over tarotkaarten te weten te komen. De afwisseling tussen heden en verleden vond ik ook erg fijn, omdat je graag wil weten wat er nou precies gebeurd is in het verleden en in het heden kom je hier steeds wat meer over te weten. Ook vind ik het altijd leuk om te lezen over het leven lang geleden en in dit boek kom je veel te weten over hoe het was in 1644. Erg interessant.

Als je houdt van historische romans dan is dit zeker een aanrader. Ook als je het leuk vindt om wat meer over tarot te weten is dit een aanrader om te lezen.

[Julie Paget · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intrigued by tale of the tarot deck and the historical timeline linking it with the people involved. Overall it proved to be an interesting read, and I enjoyed how it all came together.

[Staceywh_17 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved Marchant's The House of the Witch, so when I saw her latest release had a tarot theme I knew I had to read it!

It's a timeslip read that takes place across dual timelines, 1644 and modern day.

I found the story to be absolutely captivating and before I knew it I'd finished. I did like how the two different threads of the story wound seamlessly together with the p̶i̶e̶c̶e̶s̶ cards complete together at the end.

Fabulous.

[tinalouisereadsbooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

1644, Portia is living in London with her daughter Vittoria after fleeing Milan and her abusive husband. For a living she reads tarot card. With the turn of The Devil card she helps women escape their own abusive husbands. In the present Beatrice has left home to open a tarot shop. She uncovers a pack of tarot cards but The Devil card is missing.

This is the third book which I have now read by Clare Marchant. The House of the Witch is still my favourite. This book I found just ok.

The format of this book is very much the same as the other two I've read. The story is told in both past and present with both time periods having a connection. For me I again enjoyed reading Portia's story the best but found it did drag on slightly. The story with Bea had a romance but nothing too much. As I've found with the other two books the present story has been my least favourite parts.

I quite enjoyed the tarot aspect of the story. Having an interest myself and having my own cards I did enjoy the readings in the story both in the past and the present.

I didn't dislike the book by all means but I did find that this one did drag slightly. I would read more by the author in the future.

[Tracey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Clare Marchant’s House of the Witch, so I was excited to see a new book from her featuring the world of tarot. Huge thanks to Boldwood Books for providing me with a copy to read and review.

Daughter of the Tarot is a dual-timeline story set in 1644 and the present day. As someone interested in tarot, I appreciated the historical details about the cards and their meanings, as well as the readings woven throughout the story. I especially liked the way the Devil card was used symbolically to help women find the courage to escape abusive situations. I found this a thoughtful and empowering touch.

That said, I found Beatrice a little difficult to warm to; she came across as somewhat spoilt and self-centered at times. I also struggled to believe how quickly her shop became such a success. It just felt a bit too convenient.

Overall, this was an enjoyable read with an intriguing premise and some lovely historical detail, but it didn’t quite capture the magic of House of the Witch for me.

[Alison · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was painfully boring, the dialogue atrocious, and the characters wildly unlikeable. The characters talked in long paragraphs, and made ridiculous choices. I don't understand why the author spent so much time describing the most mundane things that were irrelevant to the story. Like I really didn't care where her landlord bought his coffee from or how the furniture looked in every room of a minor characters house. And why did Portia wait around so long while her killer was in town and knew she was there? Why keep using the same devil card unless you wanted to be the prime suspect in the "murders?" Why was a grown woman mad her dad remarried years after his wife died? So ridiculous. The romantic relationships were also as awkward and strange as the dialogue. could go on....but yeah....I only finished this book because it was for a book club. I honestly want the hours back I spent reading this. I wanted to like it, but it was just really, really not an enjoyable read.

[Blair Kalivati · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 ⭐️

I loved the historical fiction side of this book and honestly felt like the modern/contemporary parts ruined it for me.

It dragged in sections, felt a lil' repetitive and overall was poorly executed and unpolished in a lot of sections and felt more like a rough draft.

I would have been happy to just chill with Portia in 1644 🤷‍♀️

[Sophia Khan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was definitely a slow burner for me. I usually love a dual timeline when it’s done well, but in this case I found myself impatiently waiting to return to the 17th century storyline, which I found far more gripping overall. The historical context and narration had a richness and sense of intrigue that kept pulling me in, whereas the present day storyline struggled to hold my attention in the same way. Part of this came down to the main character: unfortunately I didn’t warm to her as a person. I found her quite emotionally immature and at times frustrating which made it hard for me to fully invest in her journey.

Whilst this wasn’t a standout book for me, the historical elements were compelling enough to keep me turning the pages and it had it had its moment which resonated with me.

[Michelle Hammersley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was ok. I liked the premise and it was an easy quick read. Nothing particularly wrong with it, just kind of vanilla. The historical part of the story was the most interesting piece. The ending was a bit uneventful. I was also convinced something weird was up with Jack and then it just turned out he was just a boring, perfect love interest. Him being secretly evil would have made a good twist 😜

[Naomi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh. It was fine. Wouldn’t pickup anything else from this writer again. Too thin of a story although it had a lot of potential.