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Death Card
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Expected 11 Aug 26Win a free print copy of this book!
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A dark contemporary fantasy featuring witchcraft, tarot, death, and a bit of romance that's perfect for fans of Immortal Dark and Cinderella Is Dead.
On an ordinary Monday morning, eighteen-year-old Mikaela Broussard receives the shock of her life. During a customer’s tarot reading at her family’s occult shop, she turns over the Death card and envisions the beautiful stranger stabbing her in the heart.
In order to determine why the girl, Joelle, wants to kill her, she’ll have to keep her close. But the more time Mikaela spends with her soon-to-be murderer, the more irresistible she finds her.
As if imminent death isn’t worrisome enough, witches are turning up with their magic stolen. And it’s clear some very dark magic is at work. Mikaela, as the next Witch Queen of her coven, is tasked with figuring out who’s behind the horrific acts—a mystery that will put her and her power to the test.
Death Card is a dark, pacy, and romantic fantasy about one witch’s journey to find the strength to fight for herself, her future, and her beloved community.
On an ordinary Monday morning, eighteen-year-old Mikaela Broussard receives the shock of her life. During a customer’s tarot reading at her family’s occult shop, she turns over the Death card and envisions the beautiful stranger stabbing her in the heart.
In order to determine why the girl, Joelle, wants to kill her, she’ll have to keep her close. But the more time Mikaela spends with her soon-to-be murderer, the more irresistible she finds her.
As if imminent death isn’t worrisome enough, witches are turning up with their magic stolen. And it’s clear some very dark magic is at work. Mikaela, as the next Witch Queen of her coven, is tasked with figuring out who’s behind the horrific acts—a mystery that will put her and her power to the test.
Death Card is a dark, pacy, and romantic fantasy about one witch’s journey to find the strength to fight for herself, her future, and her beloved community.
304 pages, Paperback
Expected publication August 11, 2026
About the author
Jasmine Smith
2 books129 followersJasmine Smith has been daydreaming of new worlds and characters since she learned to hold a pen. Born and raised in North Carolina, she earned her Bachelor’s degree in English from North Carolina State University. When she isn’t writing, Jasmine can be found with a camera in her hand or her nose in a book.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 146 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The start of the book was very enjoyable and kept my interest but sadly as the book progress I started losing the send interested. Don’t get me wrong the book is written beautifully but it has two main plot points. One of them being what the synopsis describes and the other being current politics being not even sprinkled in but also main focus of the book. I wouldn’t have mind the politics if I were told before hand that it would be the main plot as well. The magic plot point personally in my opinion was there in the background like I was expecting so much more from it especially since she become the Witch Queen. I was hoping that we would get to see her magic develop fully and to see her struggled with it but yeah the magic isn’t the main plot.
Can we told about the romance being nonexistent? Like was I meant to be rotting for them?? If so then the romance was done so badly. They only actually fully interacted twice (in my personal opinion) and I’m meant to believe that they liked each other?? How can their emotions for each other be so strong at the end?? There’s no way they love each other.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this arc in exchange for an honest review.
——————————————-
𐙚⋆°. preread
We all know that I have to read multiple books at once and this one is my next victim. The premise of this book honestly sounds so intriguing. Also it’s finally time that I read more sapphic books.
Can we told about the romance being nonexistent? Like was I meant to be rotting for them?? If so then the romance was done so badly. They only actually fully interacted twice (in my personal opinion) and I’m meant to believe that they liked each other?? How can their emotions for each other be so strong at the end?? There’s no way they love each other.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this arc in exchange for an honest review.
——————————————-
𐙚⋆°. preread
We all know that I have to read multiple books at once and this one is my next victim. The premise of this book honestly sounds so intriguing. Also it’s finally time that I read more sapphic books.
they-told-me-to-read-it
November 6, 2025
April 1, 2026
I teetered back and forth with this one on whether I liked the story. The overall premise of a witch coven trying to figure out who’s responsible for the deaths of their fellow coven members was an interesting one. It’s a race against time to find the one helping a demon and vice versa.
I’ll admit, I got frustrated multiple times while reading. I had to remind myself that the MCs were 17-18 years old, so I can’t hold their decisions and actions against them, but I seriously wanted to yell at them. Mikaela chose to ignore what was right in front of her, even when she was TOLD she was wrong. Unfortunately even the adults were the same way. We all know how assuming goes, and these characters LOVED to assume.
I was disappointed by the relationship between Mikaela and Joelle, I mean it was practically non-existent, yet their emotions were so strong at the end? I don’t like relationships where there’s no sustenance.
I’m giving it three stars because I enjoyed the story itself and the action, but it did lack in a lot of aspects. I think details are everything and there just wasn’t enough of it.
Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Young Readers for the ARC.
I’ll admit, I got frustrated multiple times while reading. I had to remind myself that the MCs were 17-18 years old, so I can’t hold their decisions and actions against them, but I seriously wanted to yell at them. Mikaela chose to ignore what was right in front of her, even when she was TOLD she was wrong. Unfortunately even the adults were the same way. We all know how assuming goes, and these characters LOVED to assume.
I was disappointed by the relationship between Mikaela and Joelle, I mean it was practically non-existent, yet their emotions were so strong at the end? I don’t like relationships where there’s no sustenance.
I’m giving it three stars because I enjoyed the story itself and the action, but it did lack in a lot of aspects. I think details are everything and there just wasn’t enough of it.
Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Young Readers for the ARC.
2026
April 16, 2026Black History Month TBR
Halloween TBR
Pride TBR
📱 Thank you to NetGalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers
Halloween TBR
Pride TBR
📱 Thank you to NetGalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers
June 21, 2026
not my favourite but still enjoyable!
Want to Read
June 15, 2024June 14/24: Black and Queer fantasy..... YESSSSSSSS!!!!
Want to Read
August 18, 2024A contemporary fantasy about a Black bi witch who's got a massive crush on the girl who's destined to kill her
NEED IT
NEED IT
April 3, 2026
I was honestly a bit conflicted about this book during my reading experience & I kept going back and forth on wether I was enjoying it or not. It was one of my most anticipated reads of this year & while I liked some aspects, overall I found it lacking :(
The stakes are technically high but the characters don’t always act like it which weakens the tension. On top of that most of the conflict is built on assumptions which was annoying. I feel like this also plays into Mikaela’s role as the protagonist which wasn’t fully working for me. She lacks basic survival instincts & it’s frustrating that she only starts questioning obvious thing so late in the story. It makes her feel behind rather than actively driving the plot.
The biggest issue for me is the lack of depth across the board. The romance between Mikaela & Joelle feels underdeveloped & I wasn’t invested in it. It was really hard for me to believe that they were so in love by the end of the story. The same goes for Mikaela’s friend group, some of the side characters, & even the antagonists. Big moments don’t hit as hard as they should because there isn’t enough buildup or emotional connection. There’s potential for surprise but it fell flat because I couldn’t spend enough time with anything to really care.
I also wish there was more development of Mikaela’s magic. Early on we’re told she’s not as skilled as others especially her brother but by the end she’s suddenly very powerful with nothing to show for it. That progression felt skipped over & not earned.
With all that being said, the book is very easy to read & kept my attention the entire time. I just wish it had gone deeper because with more development & stronger pacing it could’ve been a lot more impactful.
PUB DATE: August 11th 2026
Thank you so much to G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers & NetGalley for the ARC of Death Card in exchange for an honest review
The stakes are technically high but the characters don’t always act like it which weakens the tension. On top of that most of the conflict is built on assumptions which was annoying. I feel like this also plays into Mikaela’s role as the protagonist which wasn’t fully working for me. She lacks basic survival instincts & it’s frustrating that she only starts questioning obvious thing so late in the story. It makes her feel behind rather than actively driving the plot.
The biggest issue for me is the lack of depth across the board. The romance between Mikaela & Joelle feels underdeveloped & I wasn’t invested in it. It was really hard for me to believe that they were so in love by the end of the story. The same goes for Mikaela’s friend group, some of the side characters, & even the antagonists. Big moments don’t hit as hard as they should because there isn’t enough buildup or emotional connection. There’s potential for surprise but it fell flat because I couldn’t spend enough time with anything to really care.
I also wish there was more development of Mikaela’s magic. Early on we’re told she’s not as skilled as others especially her brother but by the end she’s suddenly very powerful with nothing to show for it. That progression felt skipped over & not earned.
With all that being said, the book is very easy to read & kept my attention the entire time. I just wish it had gone deeper because with more development & stronger pacing it could’ve been a lot more impactful.
PUB DATE: August 11th 2026
Thank you so much to G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers & NetGalley for the ARC of Death Card in exchange for an honest review
April 5, 2026
This was teaaaaaa. Ima give a full review soon!
Want to Read
February 26, 2026ᰔᩚ 𝐩𝐫𝐞-𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞: ꒱
i saw this on netgalley and had to request and add this to my tbr. even if i don’t get approved, i’m definitely reading it when it’s released. witches, queer, tarot cards, and perfect for fans of Immortal Dark? count me in!! that cover too omg, it is STUNNING. if you know me, you know i'm a total sucker for pretty covers, and this one might just beone of the prettiest i've seen.
i saw this on netgalley and had to request and add this to my tbr. even if i don’t get approved, i’m definitely reading it when it’s released. witches, queer, tarot cards, and perfect for fans of Immortal Dark? count me in!! that cover too omg, it is STUNNING. if you know me, you know i'm a total sucker for pretty covers, and this one might just be
June 3, 2026
3.5 for me, I definitely see why some people may love this!
𝑺𝒍𝒐𝒘𝒍𝒚, 𝑰 𝒕𝒖𝒄𝒌 𝒎𝒚 𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌𝒎𝒂𝒓𝒌 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒐 𝒎𝒚 𝒍𝒊𝒃𝒓𝒂𝒓𝒚 𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒐 𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒏.
Mikaela pulls the death card during a reading and realizes she's going to be murdered. Wow! That's one hell of a way to start the story of what's to come. I adored reading Mikaela and Joelle get to know each other and the trips they took.
The quests Mikaela went on trying to figure out the cause of everything that happening was intriguing. I loved when they went to be bayou.
𝑰 𝒔𝒍𝒊𝒑 𝒂 𝒄𝒐𝒑𝒚 𝒐𝒇 𝑳𝒆𝒈𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒃𝒐𝒓𝒏 𝒐𝒇𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒉𝒆𝒍𝒇 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒃𝒖𝒓𝒚 𝒎𝒚 𝒏𝒐𝒔𝒆 𝒃𝒆𝒕𝒘𝒆𝒆𝒏 𝒕𝒘𝒐 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒑𝒂𝒈𝒆𝒔.
^ cute book references!
This story did a great job dealing with grief. Orion and Mikaela handled theirs differently and that's okay but sometimes how someone grieves can also impact others around you. It was wonderful to see Orions change in how he was experiencing grief and came to support his sister.
I wanted to love this book more, and while I did enjoy it there was an aspect that kept bothering me. My only complaint
- Bisexual FMC
- Witch Coven
- Rivalry
- Mystery
𝑺𝒍𝒐𝒘𝒍𝒚, 𝑰 𝒕𝒖𝒄𝒌 𝒎𝒚 𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌𝒎𝒂𝒓𝒌 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒐 𝒎𝒚 𝒍𝒊𝒃𝒓𝒂𝒓𝒚 𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒐 𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒏.
Mikaela pulls the death card during a reading and realizes she's going to be murdered. Wow! That's one hell of a way to start the story of what's to come. I adored reading Mikaela and Joelle get to know each other and the trips they took.
The quests Mikaela went on trying to figure out the cause of everything that happening was intriguing. I loved when they went to be bayou.
𝑰 𝒔𝒍𝒊𝒑 𝒂 𝒄𝒐𝒑𝒚 𝒐𝒇 𝑳𝒆𝒈𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒃𝒐𝒓𝒏 𝒐𝒇𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒉𝒆𝒍𝒇 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒃𝒖𝒓𝒚 𝒎𝒚 𝒏𝒐𝒔𝒆 𝒃𝒆𝒕𝒘𝒆𝒆𝒏 𝒕𝒘𝒐 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒑𝒂𝒈𝒆𝒔.
^ cute book references!
This story did a great job dealing with grief. Orion and Mikaela handled theirs differently and that's okay but sometimes how someone grieves can also impact others around you. It was wonderful to see Orions change in how he was experiencing grief and came to support his sister.
I wanted to love this book more, and while I did enjoy it there was an aspect that kept bothering me. My only complaint
- Bisexual FMC
- Witch Coven
- Rivalry
- Mystery
June 9, 2026
Where this book really shines is with the coven - community, history, family, Black excellence, and even disagreement and gossip. It felt so real and immersive even though we see so few of the actual coven members in more than just glimpses. Also the snatches of New Orleans - walking the streets of the French Quarter and riding the trolleys, describing the buildings and the tourists and the music and the art and the funny touch of “I’m not sure why this parade is happening but there’s a parade.” And the grief for their lost matriarch was so strong throughout - seeing Mikaela and Orion and Zeke all grieve so differently and having that loss permeate everything was very powerful, even as each of them has to grow and press forward.
Unfortunately, that same subtle but immersive vibe doesn’t reach the plot. Story progression is pretty scattered, with antagonists not getting enough time to really develop and thus kind of just relying on stereotypes for stilted villain speeches. Characters like Joelle, Lizzie, Aria, and Brittney come and go from the story and seem to be almost forgotten in between scenes where they’re important.
{Thank you G Putnam Young Readers for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review; all thoughts are my own}
Unfortunately, that same subtle but immersive vibe doesn’t reach the plot. Story progression is pretty scattered, with antagonists not getting enough time to really develop and thus kind of just relying on stereotypes for stilted villain speeches. Characters like Joelle, Lizzie, Aria, and Brittney come and go from the story and seem to be almost forgotten in between scenes where they’re important.
{Thank you G Putnam Young Readers for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review; all thoughts are my own}
March 26, 2026
(3.5 stars)
This was such an intriguing book. Death Card wastes no time in grabbing your attention with a mysterious ailment falling upon Mikaela’s coven that quickly morphs into a bigger mystery when a standard tarot reading reveals that a stranger is going to kill her. I enjoyed getting to follow along as Mikaela really comes into her power and gains confidence in her abilities while also processes the grief she holds and the fear of crumbling under the expectations of your family—made worse by a developing crush on the person who’s going to kill her.
I do wish we got to spend a bit more time actually exploring the magic in this book and getting to really see as Mikaela steadily grows in her ability. The pacing felt a bit off at times, especially towards the ends. I wish we got to spend a bit more time in this world and really digesting the information as it was revealed, though I think the author did a great job considering the shorter length of the book.
Overall, this is such an enjoyable debut novel that expertly tackles themes of grief, familial expectations, and bigotry. I’m excited to see what else Jasmine Smith writes in the future!
This was such an intriguing book. Death Card wastes no time in grabbing your attention with a mysterious ailment falling upon Mikaela’s coven that quickly morphs into a bigger mystery when a standard tarot reading reveals that a stranger is going to kill her. I enjoyed getting to follow along as Mikaela really comes into her power and gains confidence in her abilities while also processes the grief she holds and the fear of crumbling under the expectations of your family—made worse by a developing crush on the person who’s going to kill her.
I do wish we got to spend a bit more time actually exploring the magic in this book and getting to really see as Mikaela steadily grows in her ability. The pacing felt a bit off at times, especially towards the ends. I wish we got to spend a bit more time in this world and really digesting the information as it was revealed, though I think the author did a great job considering the shorter length of the book.
Overall, this is such an enjoyable debut novel that expertly tackles themes of grief, familial expectations, and bigotry. I’m excited to see what else Jasmine Smith writes in the future!
May 13, 2026
ARC REVIEW.
✨✨✨✨
Death Card was such a fun ride! I couldn’t put it down and felt easily immersed in the scenes.
Mikaela’s journey of grief, self acceptance and finding her voice was definitely one to enjoy. I found myself relating to the feeling of being lost after losing loved ones and wanting to make everyone proud. I was so proud to see her accept what was for her and trust herself.
I did predict the twist in this book but it was still enjoyable to read. I think the author did well with keeping readers engaged by giving descriptive scenes and also having “omg” moments when needed. I think this book is great for young fantasy readers or for any reader that is looking for a fast paced, New Orleans based witch story. I definitely see myself rereading this fall after the release.
Thank you so much for allowing me to read this ARC! Enjoyed it and can’t wait for more from this author!
✨✨✨✨
Death Card was such a fun ride! I couldn’t put it down and felt easily immersed in the scenes.
Mikaela’s journey of grief, self acceptance and finding her voice was definitely one to enjoy. I found myself relating to the feeling of being lost after losing loved ones and wanting to make everyone proud. I was so proud to see her accept what was for her and trust herself.
I did predict the twist in this book but it was still enjoyable to read. I think the author did well with keeping readers engaged by giving descriptive scenes and also having “omg” moments when needed. I think this book is great for young fantasy readers or for any reader that is looking for a fast paced, New Orleans based witch story. I definitely see myself rereading this fall after the release.
Thank you so much for allowing me to read this ARC! Enjoyed it and can’t wait for more from this author!
May 23, 2026
This was actually unlike anything I’ve read. It felt like peeking behind the veil! & I loved it. The story of Mikaela is one I could relate to immediately. Intimately, even. Grieving a grandmother is crippling at first, but eventually, you do find your strength.
"Death is nothing more than another adventure & a chance to see the ones we've loved & lost."
This story was not only a coming of age, but breaking through old ways in the name of progress. For herself. & for her people. & may even inspire others to do the same. 🥹 Even when things got a bit predictable for me, I was still invested in Mikaela as a character. Her family & friends too!
& while the parallels made it easy to place myself in the world, I wasn’t sure how well I’d do with the mention of MAGA. But in the end, I believe those very parallels to reality made me appreciate the magic even more … as someone who does believe there is more to this world than what meets the eyes. ✨
"Death is nothing more than another adventure & a chance to see the ones we've loved & lost."
This story was not only a coming of age, but breaking through old ways in the name of progress. For herself. & for her people. & may even inspire others to do the same. 🥹 Even when things got a bit predictable for me, I was still invested in Mikaela as a character. Her family & friends too!
& while the parallels made it easy to place myself in the world, I wasn’t sure how well I’d do with the mention of MAGA. But in the end, I believe those very parallels to reality made me appreciate the magic even more … as someone who does believe there is more to this world than what meets the eyes. ✨
June 13, 2026
Thank you Netgalley and Jasmine Smith for an Advanced Copy in exchange for an honest review.
Drowning in grief over the loss of her Grandmother, the late Witch Queen of a powerful coven in New Orleans, Mikaela Broussard suddenly finds herself thrust into a position she’s unprepared for.
This is a fantastic coming of age story about finding strength inside of ourselves, navigating grief of lost ones, and finding the courage to challenge peoples perceptions of us.
The storyline was well thought out, slightly slow paced in the beginning but picked up about 50% through! Overall this was a really beautifully written story that is perfect for young adults.
Drowning in grief over the loss of her Grandmother, the late Witch Queen of a powerful coven in New Orleans, Mikaela Broussard suddenly finds herself thrust into a position she’s unprepared for.
This is a fantastic coming of age story about finding strength inside of ourselves, navigating grief of lost ones, and finding the courage to challenge peoples perceptions of us.
The storyline was well thought out, slightly slow paced in the beginning but picked up about 50% through! Overall this was a really beautifully written story that is perfect for young adults.
June 19, 2026
*ARC thanks to Netgalley*
Death Card is a journey of self-discovery for Mikaela, the next witch queen of her coven. She'll be 18 soon so she's still growing and figuring out who she is as a person. She's also processing grief and learning to separate how people see her and the things they want for her vs how she sees herself and the things she wants for herself.
It was nice to see how the characters grew and changed over the course of the book.
Death Card is a journey of self-discovery for Mikaela, the next witch queen of her coven. She'll be 18 soon so she's still growing and figuring out who she is as a person. She's also processing grief and learning to separate how people see her and the things they want for her vs how she sees herself and the things she wants for herself.
It was nice to see how the characters grew and changed over the course of the book.
May 2, 2026
3.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
YA Fantasy book that follows a teenage witch/tarot reader. One day, a beautiful girl comes into a job for a tarot reading. The story unfolds from there. I liked this book and would recommend for young adults who enjoy reading about a queer FMC.
YA Fantasy book that follows a teenage witch/tarot reader. One day, a beautiful girl comes into a job for a tarot reading. The story unfolds from there. I liked this book and would recommend for young adults who enjoy reading about a queer FMC.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
I am so lucky to have won the goodreads giveaway of this ARC copy of Death Card by Jasmine Smith that comes out in August of this year. Mark your calendars just in time for spooky season!
What a FUN read. This book felt like it encapsulating my love of all things witchy that has been brewing (pun intended) since my obsession with Charmed.
I turned the pages of this one SO fast. As I was reading, I could genuinely feel the fun that Smith had writing this book and the parts of herself she poured into her characters.
Also, absolutely obsessed with the badass FMC in this one. We love a relatable, POC, Bisexual witch QUEEN. With wonderfully written supporting characters I might add. Everyone will be able to find someone to love and root for in this one.
What a FUN read. This book felt like it encapsulating my love of all things witchy that has been brewing (pun intended) since my obsession with Charmed.
I turned the pages of this one SO fast. As I was reading, I could genuinely feel the fun that Smith had writing this book and the parts of herself she poured into her characters.
Also, absolutely obsessed with the badass FMC in this one. We love a relatable, POC, Bisexual witch QUEEN. With wonderfully written supporting characters I might add. Everyone will be able to find someone to love and root for in this one.
Currently Reading
February 18, 2026One of the prettiest covers I've ever seen, can't wait to read this!
May 9, 2026
Thank you to the publishing company/author for this advance copy. 3.75/5 stars!!
Okay, I’m not going to lieeee… the concept alone had me locked in. Pulling the Death card during a tarot reading and then seeing the person in front of you stab you in the heart… I needed to know what was going on immediately.
One thing I genuinely loved was the attention to the tarot details throughout the story. As someone who is a little obsessed with astrology and anything in that lane, I appreciated the explanations behind the cards and what they symbolize. It didn’t feel thrown in for aesthetics. It actually added to Mikaela’s journey.
My one piece of feedback is that I would have loved to see more of the magic in action. Mikaela is stepping into such a powerful role as the future Witch Queen, and it would’ve been really cool to see her testing her abilities more, almost like a training phase where she’s figuring out what she can actually do. Even small moments like witches making potions or using magic in everyday situations would’ve added another layer to the worldbuilding.
That said, this is a really solid YA fantasy: dark, a little sapphic romantics
Okay, I’m not going to lieeee… the concept alone had me locked in. Pulling the Death card during a tarot reading and then seeing the person in front of you stab you in the heart… I needed to know what was going on immediately.
One thing I genuinely loved was the attention to the tarot details throughout the story. As someone who is a little obsessed with astrology and anything in that lane, I appreciated the explanations behind the cards and what they symbolize. It didn’t feel thrown in for aesthetics. It actually added to Mikaela’s journey.
My one piece of feedback is that I would have loved to see more of the magic in action. Mikaela is stepping into such a powerful role as the future Witch Queen, and it would’ve been really cool to see her testing her abilities more, almost like a training phase where she’s figuring out what she can actually do. Even small moments like witches making potions or using magic in everyday situations would’ve added another layer to the worldbuilding.
That said, this is a really solid YA fantasy: dark, a little sapphic romantics
Want to Read
June 4, 2025I saw the book art and I'm so excited for this one!!
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
After having heard about this book, I decided to enter for a chance to win a copy. To my surprise, I would end up winning an advance copy and as such be given the chance to review the novel early. While a bit short, the story kept me interested from start to finish. Please note that this is a review of a book that may change by its release. I want to thank Penguin Random House for the advanced copy of Death Card.
Mikaela Broussard has always struggled with her powers as a witch. A year after her grandmother and witch queen of her coven died, Mikaela alongside her grandfather and twin brother continue to struggle in their mourning. Things get more complicated when her grandfather decides to run for political office in New Orleans and pass on the title of witch queen to her. A role Mikaelas coven is doubtful she can live up to. If that wasn’t bad enough, during a tarot reading on girl Mikaela clicks with, she sees a vision of said girl stabbing her in the near future. As Mikaela tries to find a way to avoid her demise, she soon gets wrapped up in solving another mystery of why witches as not only losing their magic but turning up dead as well. Putting Mikaelas leadership and confidence in herself to the ultimate test.
One of the things I really enjoyed about the book was the writing. Between Mikaelas funny dialogue while she is analyzing things or making a joke to the funny comments made by her brother or grandfather, the book has something for everyone. The added emotional depth between the characters about topics about family or racism did a great job connecting the story to everyday life.
I also enjoyed how the book connected the story to real life. Not just in cultural references in New Orleans, but also its politics. While not always front and center, the side story does play a role in the main plot. Giving the reader a look into the lives of those who live in the city and the surrounding areas.
When it comes to the fantasy element, this book doesn’t quite deliver as much as I would have hoped. There are moments where we see Mikaela and her grandfather preform a little magic or dwell into the history of the witch covens such as those from their coven who came from Africa. However, I felt the moments that did come up were far and few in-between. A few more moments of magic or its history in the story would have also helped expand the world building.
As a protagonist, Mikaela was great. From her most vulnerable times to when she managed to overcome her fears, I felt any reader could relate to her. That is because just like you and I, she struggles at first with living up to others’ expectations as well as finding the courage to overcome personal obstacles. Mikaelas is also someone who trusts her family and coven, but knows when to speak out when something is wrong. Showing how she slowly grows into a leadership role. I also loved how the author wasn’t afraid to make it clear she was part of the pride community. Too often characters like that are mentioned and pushed aside. It is about time we have an equal number of diverse protagonists in books so that readers have a bigger pool to read about.
While the story was good, I did feel it was on the short side. I understand it is because it takes place over a short period of time, but I felt there was some more plot points that were rushed as a result. Mikaelas relationship with Joelle and solving the mystery effecting the coven could have had been expanded had the author allowed a bit more time before the big climax.
I know some tweaks are going to be made before the book comes out later this year, but I can say for a shorter story like this, it was still a great read. If they can make the book a bit longer so they could add more magic, I think the story can thrive even more. Other than that, I would recommend this book when it comes out. Here’s hoping this isn’t a one and done with Mikaela!
Mikaela Broussard has always struggled with her powers as a witch. A year after her grandmother and witch queen of her coven died, Mikaela alongside her grandfather and twin brother continue to struggle in their mourning. Things get more complicated when her grandfather decides to run for political office in New Orleans and pass on the title of witch queen to her. A role Mikaelas coven is doubtful she can live up to. If that wasn’t bad enough, during a tarot reading on girl Mikaela clicks with, she sees a vision of said girl stabbing her in the near future. As Mikaela tries to find a way to avoid her demise, she soon gets wrapped up in solving another mystery of why witches as not only losing their magic but turning up dead as well. Putting Mikaelas leadership and confidence in herself to the ultimate test.
One of the things I really enjoyed about the book was the writing. Between Mikaelas funny dialogue while she is analyzing things or making a joke to the funny comments made by her brother or grandfather, the book has something for everyone. The added emotional depth between the characters about topics about family or racism did a great job connecting the story to everyday life.
I also enjoyed how the book connected the story to real life. Not just in cultural references in New Orleans, but also its politics. While not always front and center, the side story does play a role in the main plot. Giving the reader a look into the lives of those who live in the city and the surrounding areas.
When it comes to the fantasy element, this book doesn’t quite deliver as much as I would have hoped. There are moments where we see Mikaela and her grandfather preform a little magic or dwell into the history of the witch covens such as those from their coven who came from Africa. However, I felt the moments that did come up were far and few in-between. A few more moments of magic or its history in the story would have also helped expand the world building.
As a protagonist, Mikaela was great. From her most vulnerable times to when she managed to overcome her fears, I felt any reader could relate to her. That is because just like you and I, she struggles at first with living up to others’ expectations as well as finding the courage to overcome personal obstacles. Mikaelas is also someone who trusts her family and coven, but knows when to speak out when something is wrong. Showing how she slowly grows into a leadership role. I also loved how the author wasn’t afraid to make it clear she was part of the pride community. Too often characters like that are mentioned and pushed aside. It is about time we have an equal number of diverse protagonists in books so that readers have a bigger pool to read about.
While the story was good, I did feel it was on the short side. I understand it is because it takes place over a short period of time, but I felt there was some more plot points that were rushed as a result. Mikaelas relationship with Joelle and solving the mystery effecting the coven could have had been expanded had the author allowed a bit more time before the big climax.
I know some tweaks are going to be made before the book comes out later this year, but I can say for a shorter story like this, it was still a great read. If they can make the book a bit longer so they could add more magic, I think the story can thrive even more. Other than that, I would recommend this book when it comes out. Here’s hoping this isn’t a one and done with Mikaela!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
*Possible Spoilers*
Unlike its cover, Death Card is a bit disappointing. The art oozes power and mystique, unfortunately, the book reads like a knockoff Beetlejuice. The main antagonist is a demon who gains power from its name being uttered. The main characters are boring, perfect, and tragically underestimated.
Mikaela is the cookie cutter fantasy heroine. Her parents died in a car crash, her adored grandmother died of cancer, her grandfather overshelters his grandbabies, and her twin brother is an emotionally unavailable partier drowning his grief. At nearly eighteen years old, Mikaela is destined to become Queen of her powerful coven. There are some stumbling blocks in ascending the throne. One being that the coven elders see her as a nepobaby, and two being that her magic is basically dormant. Eventually she figures out that believing in oneself is the key to harnessing power. Mikaela is such a good person that she’s a bore. It never felt like she was capable of making real mistakes. Wrongly accusing the (shocker) not-so-bad rival witch of murder doesn’t count, the trope is overused.
Mikaela and Joelle are the least significant plotpoint. They don’t really have any meaningful conversations. Joelle is a paranormal fangirl searching for a cure to her mother’s ailment. One of her first days in town, she runs into a beautiful girl who’s secretly a witch (Mikaela). Now, what I did like was how Mikaela’s gruesome vision panned out. Joelle does technically kill her, but not out of malicious intent. She kills the demon’s soul(?) that’s lodged in Mikaela’s body.
The basic world has potential. Mikaela is the descendant of an enslaved witch whose name has been lost to time. The first Witch Queen’s power got handed down through generations of Black women, landing in Mikaela’s lap. I wish that we had gotten a few chapters from past witches, as respecting ancestry is such a big Broussard family value. Throughout the book Mikaela reads her great-grandmother’s journal; including some entries from it would’ve built the world, and involved the reader, in the discovery process. I never fully grasped the world Mikaela lives in. I needed more world-building.
I was kind of bombarded by left-wing politics. Now, I dislike the current administration as much as Mikaela, but personally, I read books to escape the real world. Consistently name-dropping MAGA and their policies distracted me from the fictional world Smith was trying to create. It was subtle how the real villains were the town’s resident White Republican family, who believe that the Broussards have stolen success.
While the book wasn’t for me, people who love liberal paranormal fantasies will be all over it. For me, it was just too straightforward and predictably good.
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Young Readers Group for an ARC in exchange for my honest review. I will be posting this on Goodreads and/or Tiktok and Instagram in late April.
Unlike its cover, Death Card is a bit disappointing. The art oozes power and mystique, unfortunately, the book reads like a knockoff Beetlejuice. The main antagonist is a demon who gains power from its name being uttered. The main characters are boring, perfect, and tragically underestimated.
Mikaela is the cookie cutter fantasy heroine. Her parents died in a car crash, her adored grandmother died of cancer, her grandfather overshelters his grandbabies, and her twin brother is an emotionally unavailable partier drowning his grief. At nearly eighteen years old, Mikaela is destined to become Queen of her powerful coven. There are some stumbling blocks in ascending the throne. One being that the coven elders see her as a nepobaby, and two being that her magic is basically dormant. Eventually she figures out that believing in oneself is the key to harnessing power. Mikaela is such a good person that she’s a bore. It never felt like she was capable of making real mistakes. Wrongly accusing the (shocker) not-so-bad rival witch of murder doesn’t count, the trope is overused.
Mikaela and Joelle are the least significant plotpoint. They don’t really have any meaningful conversations. Joelle is a paranormal fangirl searching for a cure to her mother’s ailment. One of her first days in town, she runs into a beautiful girl who’s secretly a witch (Mikaela). Now, what I did like was how Mikaela’s gruesome vision panned out. Joelle does technically kill her, but not out of malicious intent. She kills the demon’s soul(?) that’s lodged in Mikaela’s body.
The basic world has potential. Mikaela is the descendant of an enslaved witch whose name has been lost to time. The first Witch Queen’s power got handed down through generations of Black women, landing in Mikaela’s lap. I wish that we had gotten a few chapters from past witches, as respecting ancestry is such a big Broussard family value. Throughout the book Mikaela reads her great-grandmother’s journal; including some entries from it would’ve built the world, and involved the reader, in the discovery process. I never fully grasped the world Mikaela lives in. I needed more world-building.
I was kind of bombarded by left-wing politics. Now, I dislike the current administration as much as Mikaela, but personally, I read books to escape the real world. Consistently name-dropping MAGA and their policies distracted me from the fictional world Smith was trying to create. It was subtle how the real villains were the town’s resident White Republican family, who believe that the Broussards have stolen success.
While the book wasn’t for me, people who love liberal paranormal fantasies will be all over it. For me, it was just too straightforward and predictably good.
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Young Readers Group for an ARC in exchange for my honest review. I will be posting this on Goodreads and/or Tiktok and Instagram in late April.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
My rating: ★★★★☆ (4 stars)
deadly tarot 🤝 murder mystery 🤝 "maybe we should stop tempting fate..."
okay but...
the second i saw tarot cards mixed with a murder mystery??
i was already sold.
because if there's one thing i love, it's a mystery with just a little bit of supernatural energy woven into it.
and honestly?this one kept me guessing.
. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.
what i loved was THE PREMISE.
a mysterious deck of tarot cards, ominous readings, people starting to die yeah...that's exactly the kind of setup that immediately pulls me in.
the atmosphere constantly balances between: creepy mysterious and "something is definitely not right here." and i loved that lingering feeling of never knowing whether the danger was supernatural... or entirely human.
the mystery itself was genuinely engaging.
i spent most of the book changing my theories every few chapters because every new clue seemed to point in a different direction.
those are always my favorite kinds of mysteries, the ones that make me feel clever...right before proving me completely wrong.
i also really enjoyed the friendships.
everyone has secrets, everyone has motives and because of that, trusting anyone becomes nearly impossible which made every conversation feel like it could be hiding another clue.
. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.
BUT...
i did figure out part of the mystery before the final reveal.
not everything...but enough that some of the twists didn't completely surprise me.
the pacing also slows down a little in the middle while the story focuses on gathering clues.
it wasn't enough to lose my interest, but there were definitely a few chapters where i wanted things to move a bit faster and while i liked the characters, i wished a few of them had been developed a little more. there were moments where i wanted to connect with them emotionally just a bit more than i did.
. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.
overall this was a fun, atmospheric mystery that kept me turning pages.
it combines creepy tarot symbolism, secrets and suspense into a story that's easy to binge even if not every twist completely caught me off guard.
sometimes all i want is a mystery that lets me play detective for a few hours...and this absolutely scratched that itch.
so if you like:
YA murder mysteries and tarot and occult symbolism with dark academia vibes and suspicious friend groups as well as trying to solve the mystery before the characters do...i think you'll really enjoy this one.
My final thoughts;
i came for the haunted tarot cards...
i stayed because apparently every time fictional characters decide to ignore obvious warning signs, i become emotionally invested. 🔮🖤🃏
Thank you NetGalley for providing me with an ARC!
deadly tarot 🤝 murder mystery 🤝 "maybe we should stop tempting fate..."
okay but...
the second i saw tarot cards mixed with a murder mystery??
i was already sold.
because if there's one thing i love, it's a mystery with just a little bit of supernatural energy woven into it.
and honestly?this one kept me guessing.
. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.
what i loved was THE PREMISE.
a mysterious deck of tarot cards, ominous readings, people starting to die yeah...that's exactly the kind of setup that immediately pulls me in.
the atmosphere constantly balances between: creepy mysterious and "something is definitely not right here." and i loved that lingering feeling of never knowing whether the danger was supernatural... or entirely human.
the mystery itself was genuinely engaging.
i spent most of the book changing my theories every few chapters because every new clue seemed to point in a different direction.
those are always my favorite kinds of mysteries, the ones that make me feel clever...right before proving me completely wrong.
i also really enjoyed the friendships.
everyone has secrets, everyone has motives and because of that, trusting anyone becomes nearly impossible which made every conversation feel like it could be hiding another clue.
. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.
BUT...
i did figure out part of the mystery before the final reveal.
not everything...but enough that some of the twists didn't completely surprise me.
the pacing also slows down a little in the middle while the story focuses on gathering clues.
it wasn't enough to lose my interest, but there were definitely a few chapters where i wanted things to move a bit faster and while i liked the characters, i wished a few of them had been developed a little more. there were moments where i wanted to connect with them emotionally just a bit more than i did.
. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.
overall this was a fun, atmospheric mystery that kept me turning pages.
it combines creepy tarot symbolism, secrets and suspense into a story that's easy to binge even if not every twist completely caught me off guard.
sometimes all i want is a mystery that lets me play detective for a few hours...and this absolutely scratched that itch.
so if you like:
YA murder mysteries and tarot and occult symbolism with dark academia vibes and suspicious friend groups as well as trying to solve the mystery before the characters do...i think you'll really enjoy this one.
My final thoughts;
i came for the haunted tarot cards...
i stayed because apparently every time fictional characters decide to ignore obvious warning signs, i become emotionally invested. 🔮🖤🃏
Thank you NetGalley for providing me with an ARC!
May 8, 2026
Thank you so much to NetGalley, Penguin Young Readers Group/G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers for providing this eBook in exchange for my review. After I saw the cover of this book, and read the synopsis, it became an anticipated read for me.
Mikaela Broussard and her twin brother Orion lost their parents soon after they were born. They were raised by their maternal grandparents. The story begins on the one year anniversary of the death of their grandmother, making Mikaela next in line to be the new Witch Queen.
The story grabbed my attention from the first chapter when a young witch is attacked. And then within days, Joelle walks into the family's occult shop, asks for a tarot reading and Mikaela has the vision of Joelle stabbing her in the heart. I quickly became invested.
At times I grew frustrated with the amount of pressure that was being put on Mikaela by Gramps and others to become the Witch Queen. Sure Mikaela graduated at the top of her class and was valedictorian, but was she capable of solving the mystery of who was attacking her fellow witches? Was she strong enough, magically, to protect her coven and be the next Witch Queen.
While I figured out who was responsible for the attacks early on, I liked how the author still kept us guessing throughout the story. There were a few times when some of Mikaela actions really frustrated me. It eventually felt like the author used these scenes to show us that sometimes our perceptions and assumptions about others can be guided by family or friends. Mikaela's came directly from Gramps, other family members and other members of their coven.
I really enjoyed the scenes where Mikaela had to trust herself, her magic and became more confident as she learned new ways to use her magic. I especially enjoyed the scenes where she was finally able to communicate with her mother and when she was able to dream walk with her grandmother.
My only issues were that I wish there had been more scenes of Gramps, or her aunts, training Mikaela since Grans death. And, that we'd had a few scenes with the Hightower family and Dupree family interacting with the Broussard family beforehand.
The pacing of the story was well done and the book was hard to put down at times. I enjoyed how Mikaela and Orion worked together, how they communicated with each other like twins seem to be able to do and protected each other.
I was hoping Mikaela would be able to protect her coven from future attacks. That she would evade her death or figure out a way to stop it. And, that she would be able to have a future with Joelle and be able to go to college. Mikaela was more than capable, but had to learn some lessons along the way to becoming Witch Queen.
Mikaela Broussard and her twin brother Orion lost their parents soon after they were born. They were raised by their maternal grandparents. The story begins on the one year anniversary of the death of their grandmother, making Mikaela next in line to be the new Witch Queen.
The story grabbed my attention from the first chapter when a young witch is attacked. And then within days, Joelle walks into the family's occult shop, asks for a tarot reading and Mikaela has the vision of Joelle stabbing her in the heart. I quickly became invested.
At times I grew frustrated with the amount of pressure that was being put on Mikaela by Gramps and others to become the Witch Queen. Sure Mikaela graduated at the top of her class and was valedictorian, but was she capable of solving the mystery of who was attacking her fellow witches? Was she strong enough, magically, to protect her coven and be the next Witch Queen.
While I figured out who was responsible for the attacks early on, I liked how the author still kept us guessing throughout the story. There were a few times when some of Mikaela actions really frustrated me. It eventually felt like the author used these scenes to show us that sometimes our perceptions and assumptions about others can be guided by family or friends. Mikaela's came directly from Gramps, other family members and other members of their coven.
I really enjoyed the scenes where Mikaela had to trust herself, her magic and became more confident as she learned new ways to use her magic. I especially enjoyed the scenes where she was finally able to communicate with her mother and when she was able to dream walk with her grandmother.
My only issues were that I wish there had been more scenes of Gramps, or her aunts, training Mikaela since Grans death. And, that we'd had a few scenes with the Hightower family and Dupree family interacting with the Broussard family beforehand.
The pacing of the story was well done and the book was hard to put down at times. I enjoyed how Mikaela and Orion worked together, how they communicated with each other like twins seem to be able to do and protected each other.
I was hoping Mikaela would be able to protect her coven from future attacks. That she would evade her death or figure out a way to stop it. And, that she would be able to have a future with Joelle and be able to go to college. Mikaela was more than capable, but had to learn some lessons along the way to becoming Witch Queen.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!
I was so, so hooked at the start, mostly by the premise (and the absolutely beautiful cover) that had me completely charmed, but the more the story progressed, the more that charm started to fade.
I'm not sure if it was just me, but every single post I seen about Death Card was leaning more towards the romance... that in my eyes, was very faint, almost nonexistent for most of the book. I mean it, like: they seemed to barely interact with each other and then, suddenly the romance (or rather their feelings) are so strong, that it feels out of blue. I wish we gotten some bonding between Mikaela and Joelle, more chances to actually build-up something, anything between the two so it wouldn't feel so weird with how struck for each other they turned out.
I feel like the magic plot, one of the most important ones here, if not the very main one fell flat too. Yes, we did focus on it, but at the same time it felt like we barely licked it? It started to feel like a background noise after some time which turned out to be a huge disappointed to me, right next to the romance.
I did enjoy the mystery part... for most of it, but rather quickly it became pretty easy to get a bit frustrated with some questionable decisions on Mikaela's side. Yes, I get that she's a teen (and even adults do stupid things), but some things were literally said to her face and it didn't really change much.
What thrown me off the track the most was probably the amount of politics that we got here (with a sprinkle of racism) and it didn't really feel right, at least for me? It wasn't something I expected and at some point it almost (or maybe it did, in a way?) became the main center of the book (and as far as I remember it was suppoused to be a YA paranormal romance) and the blurb didn't mention it, at all. I'm sure that I'm not the only one that didn't really enjoy that part, especially since there was not a single mention of it being a so major part of the story.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that it's something bad, but I do think that it should have been mentioned somewhere, since it feels misleading? I did came to read fantasy/paranormal book and I feel like I got more politics than the actual magic. I stress enough in real life, unfortunately and books are my escape from reality. It probably wouldn't be so noticable, if we only focused more about the magic, witches and everything that the blurb promised.
The conclusion itself was pretty easy to guess at some point in the book and it was disappointing (mostly because it focused on the things I had problems with and it made it feel like the plot was build upon it).
Lastly, it did made me smile since we had John Wick and American Horror Story mentioned and I love both of those.
I was so, so hooked at the start, mostly by the premise (and the absolutely beautiful cover) that had me completely charmed, but the more the story progressed, the more that charm started to fade.
I'm not sure if it was just me, but every single post I seen about Death Card was leaning more towards the romance... that in my eyes, was very faint, almost nonexistent for most of the book. I mean it, like: they seemed to barely interact with each other and then, suddenly the romance (or rather their feelings) are so strong, that it feels out of blue. I wish we gotten some bonding between Mikaela and Joelle, more chances to actually build-up something, anything between the two so it wouldn't feel so weird with how struck for each other they turned out.
I feel like the magic plot, one of the most important ones here, if not the very main one fell flat too. Yes, we did focus on it, but at the same time it felt like we barely licked it? It started to feel like a background noise after some time which turned out to be a huge disappointed to me, right next to the romance.
I did enjoy the mystery part... for most of it, but rather quickly it became pretty easy to get a bit frustrated with some questionable decisions on Mikaela's side. Yes, I get that she's a teen (and even adults do stupid things), but some things were literally said to her face and it didn't really change much.
What thrown me off the track the most was probably the amount of politics that we got here (with a sprinkle of racism) and it didn't really feel right, at least for me? It wasn't something I expected and at some point it almost (or maybe it did, in a way?) became the main center of the book (and as far as I remember it was suppoused to be a YA paranormal romance) and the blurb didn't mention it, at all. I'm sure that I'm not the only one that didn't really enjoy that part, especially since there was not a single mention of it being a so major part of the story.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that it's something bad, but I do think that it should have been mentioned somewhere, since it feels misleading? I did came to read fantasy/paranormal book and I feel like I got more politics than the actual magic. I stress enough in real life, unfortunately and books are my escape from reality. It probably wouldn't be so noticable, if we only focused more about the magic, witches and everything that the blurb promised.
The conclusion itself was pretty easy to guess at some point in the book and it was disappointing (mostly because it focused on the things I had problems with and it made it feel like the plot was build upon it).
Lastly, it did made me smile since we had John Wick and American Horror Story mentioned and I love both of those.
June 16, 2026
Death Card by Jasmine Smith was such a fun and engaging YA fantasy that combines tarot, fate, witchcraft, family politics, and mystery into a story that kept me turning the pages. If you're a fan of magical covens, prophetic readings, and trying to outsmart fate itself, this is definitely a book worth picking up.
The story follows Mikaela, a young witch queen who is just beginning her reign after the death of her grandmother. She is already carrying the weight of leadership while trying to prove herself to a coven that includes family members who openly question whether she is capable of leading at all. Things become even more complicated when, during a tarot reading at her family's occult shop, she sees a vision of her own death at the hands of a young woman named Joelle.
From there, the mystery takes off.
Mikaela now has until the full moon after her eighteenth birthday to figure out why Joelle would want her dead and whether the future she's seen can be changed. At the same time, witches throughout the coven and surrounding communities are mysteriously becoming ill and losing their magic. I really enjoyed how these two storylines slowly begin weaving together. What initially feels like separate mysteries gradually reveals deeper connections that kept me invested throughout the book.
Mikaela was a strong protagonist and easy to root for. I loved how determined she was to protect her people despite her insecurities and the constant pressure being placed on her shoulders. Her relationship with her twin brother was one of my favorite parts of the story. He is supportive, loyal, and genuinely wants to help her uncover the truth, which added a really nice family dynamic amidst all the magical chaos.
The witch family rivalries, coven politics, and magical mystery were honestly where this book shined for me. The world feels rich without becoming overwhelming, and I enjoyed watching Mikaela uncover secrets about both her coven and herself. The tarot elements were especially fun and added an extra layer of suspense because the story constantly makes you question whether fate is fixed or something that can be changed.
One thing I do think readers should know going in is that this is very much a YA fantasy first and a romance second. The romance exists, but it is not built around intense yearning or sweeping emotional connection. Instead, it develops more as a consequence of the larger tarot reading and mystery plotline. Personally, that did not bother me because I was far more invested in the magical mystery and political intrigue, but readers looking for a romance-heavy fantasy may want to adjust their expectations.
My biggest critique involves the subplot surrounding Mikaela's grandfather's political campaign. While I understand what the author was trying to explore, there were moments where the political commentary felt disconnected from the central story. The MAGA versus Democratic parallels became more prominent than necessary at times and occasionally pulled me away from the parts of the book I found most compelling, namely Mikaela's growth, Joelle's mystery, and the magical conflict threatening the coven.
That said, if you can set those moments aside, there is still a lot to enjoy here. The mystery is engaging, the magical elements are fun, and the themes surrounding destiny, leadership, and self-discovery are handled well.
Overall, Death Card is a compelling YA fantasy filled with witchcraft, tarot readings, family drama, magical intrigue, and a mystery that keeps you guessing. While a few side plots did not work as well for me, the core story was entertaining and made for a really enjoyable read.
Thank you to NetGalley for access to the eARC in exchange for my honest review.
The story follows Mikaela, a young witch queen who is just beginning her reign after the death of her grandmother. She is already carrying the weight of leadership while trying to prove herself to a coven that includes family members who openly question whether she is capable of leading at all. Things become even more complicated when, during a tarot reading at her family's occult shop, she sees a vision of her own death at the hands of a young woman named Joelle.
From there, the mystery takes off.
Mikaela now has until the full moon after her eighteenth birthday to figure out why Joelle would want her dead and whether the future she's seen can be changed. At the same time, witches throughout the coven and surrounding communities are mysteriously becoming ill and losing their magic. I really enjoyed how these two storylines slowly begin weaving together. What initially feels like separate mysteries gradually reveals deeper connections that kept me invested throughout the book.
Mikaela was a strong protagonist and easy to root for. I loved how determined she was to protect her people despite her insecurities and the constant pressure being placed on her shoulders. Her relationship with her twin brother was one of my favorite parts of the story. He is supportive, loyal, and genuinely wants to help her uncover the truth, which added a really nice family dynamic amidst all the magical chaos.
The witch family rivalries, coven politics, and magical mystery were honestly where this book shined for me. The world feels rich without becoming overwhelming, and I enjoyed watching Mikaela uncover secrets about both her coven and herself. The tarot elements were especially fun and added an extra layer of suspense because the story constantly makes you question whether fate is fixed or something that can be changed.
One thing I do think readers should know going in is that this is very much a YA fantasy first and a romance second. The romance exists, but it is not built around intense yearning or sweeping emotional connection. Instead, it develops more as a consequence of the larger tarot reading and mystery plotline. Personally, that did not bother me because I was far more invested in the magical mystery and political intrigue, but readers looking for a romance-heavy fantasy may want to adjust their expectations.
My biggest critique involves the subplot surrounding Mikaela's grandfather's political campaign. While I understand what the author was trying to explore, there were moments where the political commentary felt disconnected from the central story. The MAGA versus Democratic parallels became more prominent than necessary at times and occasionally pulled me away from the parts of the book I found most compelling, namely Mikaela's growth, Joelle's mystery, and the magical conflict threatening the coven.
That said, if you can set those moments aside, there is still a lot to enjoy here. The mystery is engaging, the magical elements are fun, and the themes surrounding destiny, leadership, and self-discovery are handled well.
Overall, Death Card is a compelling YA fantasy filled with witchcraft, tarot readings, family drama, magical intrigue, and a mystery that keeps you guessing. While a few side plots did not work as well for me, the core story was entertaining and made for a really enjoyable read.
Thank you to NetGalley for access to the eARC in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was a 3.5 read for me. I rounded up mostly because it isn't badly written by any means and the fact that I have read a crap ton of these person of color written urban fantasies where it usually ends up Black witches vs white ( I get why after almost all of the history of literature always demonizing the Black characters. On the other hand if the only white characters are suspected as the bad guys and they are the bad guys there isn't much mystery to it). The beginning of this book really reminded me of Terry J. Benton-Walker's Blood debt series, like a little too much.
Mikaela's 18th birthday is looming and she is expected to fulfill the family line as the witch queen of her coven now that her grandmother has passed. But she isn't confident in her magic, feeling her twin brother Orion even has more magic. Some of the coven don't want her as queen. Even her beloved gramps and Aunt Roberta are disappointed she's given up her college dreams to work in grandma's magic shop.
Tarot cards and reading the future is the one thing Mikaela feels comfortable with until a beautiful young woman, Joelle comes into her shop and Mikaela has a vision of Joelle plunging a dagger into her heart on her 18th birthday. Worse, she's incredibly attracted to Joelle who turns out to be an upcoming college freshman who is interested in magic, hoping to heal her mother.
The problem is there is a difference between witches and mortals. I'm not sure witches are immortal. It's never addressed and obviously they can be killed (witness Mikaela and Orion's parents). Joelle can never learn magic and one theory as to why Joelle would kill her is jealousy.
Even worse, something or someone is pulling magic out of witches, killing them. Dealing with these duel mysteries is the bulk of the book and sometimes it felt a little repetitive. The obvious (and I do mean obvious) suspects are the Hightowers, a group of Caucasian witches who are known to summon demons). No one else is considered and it certainly took away from the mystery of who is killing Mikaela's coven.
On top of this we have the Duprees your stereotypical far right, racist loud mouths running against Gramps for some city political seat.
I'm torn by the ending a bit. I pretty much saw it coming from the moment we meet Mikaela's banished demon-expert aunt. On the other hand, it worked. I still would have liked to have had other options as to who the bad guys were, black, white, latinx, whatever. The lack of options took a lot of tension out of this. The ending also sets up for possible sequels that hopefully will have better balance.
I won an arc of this via goodreads.
Mikaela's 18th birthday is looming and she is expected to fulfill the family line as the witch queen of her coven now that her grandmother has passed. But she isn't confident in her magic, feeling her twin brother Orion even has more magic. Some of the coven don't want her as queen. Even her beloved gramps and Aunt Roberta are disappointed she's given up her college dreams to work in grandma's magic shop.
Tarot cards and reading the future is the one thing Mikaela feels comfortable with until a beautiful young woman, Joelle comes into her shop and Mikaela has a vision of Joelle plunging a dagger into her heart on her 18th birthday. Worse, she's incredibly attracted to Joelle who turns out to be an upcoming college freshman who is interested in magic, hoping to heal her mother.
The problem is there is a difference between witches and mortals. I'm not sure witches are immortal. It's never addressed and obviously they can be killed (witness Mikaela and Orion's parents). Joelle can never learn magic and one theory as to why Joelle would kill her is jealousy.
Even worse, something or someone is pulling magic out of witches, killing them. Dealing with these duel mysteries is the bulk of the book and sometimes it felt a little repetitive. The obvious (and I do mean obvious) suspects are the Hightowers, a group of Caucasian witches who are known to summon demons). No one else is considered and it certainly took away from the mystery of who is killing Mikaela's coven.
On top of this we have the Duprees your stereotypical far right, racist loud mouths running against Gramps for some city political seat.
I'm torn by the ending a bit. I pretty much saw it coming from the moment we meet Mikaela's banished demon-expert aunt. On the other hand, it worked. I still would have liked to have had other options as to who the bad guys were, black, white, latinx, whatever. The lack of options took a lot of tension out of this. The ending also sets up for possible sequels that hopefully will have better balance.
I won an arc of this via goodreads.
June 15, 2026
3.5 ⭐️ rounded up
Thank you, Penguin Young and NetGalley, for the e-ARC.
When I saw the gorgeous cover, title, and premise of this book, I knew right away that I had to request it!
I loved that this story took place in New Orleans. It was the perfect backdrop for a book like this. The tarot and witchcraft elements were handled with care. They weren't gimmicky or demonized. My main qualm with the magic is that it could have been explored and explained in more depth. There were multiple times throughout the book when spells and magic were being performed, but we rarely got much beyond the surface level of what was happening. Since this leans into fantasy, I enjoy seeing magic systems explored in a little more depth. The magic also wasn't as central to the plot as I expected it to be. With our FMC becoming a Witch Queen, I would have loved more magic, lore, and world-building.
Mikaela, our FMC, was frustrating at times. While she's only 17/18 and understandably a little naive, her psychic gifts and abilities set her up to be much more aware of what's happening around her. Yet she continues to ignore all the signs!
One thing I struggled with was the political storyline being such a major plot point. I'm very liberal and progressive, and I can appreciate what the author was trying to do by incorporating politics into the story. However, it often felt like there were two competing main plots. Books are inherently political, and it's important to me that my values align with an author's (which they do). But when the story would start building momentum around the witch coven and the magic, it would often swing back to the political storyline. That shift could feel jarring at times. Readers going into this expecting a fantasy centered on witches and magic may not anticipate local politics becoming such a significant part of the narrative. I've also seen other readers share similar sentiments.
The romance was almost nonexistent, to be honest. It moved very quickly and never felt like it had enough time to develop. I would have liked to see their relationship fleshed out more before things progressed.
Overall, I did enjoy Jasmine's writing. It was an entertaining and easy read. Beyond the magic and witch-coven elements, the story touches on issues relevant to modern society, including racism and the erasure of marginalized communities.
Thank you, Penguin Young and NetGalley, for the e-ARC.
When I saw the gorgeous cover, title, and premise of this book, I knew right away that I had to request it!
I loved that this story took place in New Orleans. It was the perfect backdrop for a book like this. The tarot and witchcraft elements were handled with care. They weren't gimmicky or demonized. My main qualm with the magic is that it could have been explored and explained in more depth. There were multiple times throughout the book when spells and magic were being performed, but we rarely got much beyond the surface level of what was happening. Since this leans into fantasy, I enjoy seeing magic systems explored in a little more depth. The magic also wasn't as central to the plot as I expected it to be. With our FMC becoming a Witch Queen, I would have loved more magic, lore, and world-building.
Mikaela, our FMC, was frustrating at times. While she's only 17/18 and understandably a little naive, her psychic gifts and abilities set her up to be much more aware of what's happening around her. Yet she continues to ignore all the signs!
One thing I struggled with was the political storyline being such a major plot point. I'm very liberal and progressive, and I can appreciate what the author was trying to do by incorporating politics into the story. However, it often felt like there were two competing main plots. Books are inherently political, and it's important to me that my values align with an author's (which they do). But when the story would start building momentum around the witch coven and the magic, it would often swing back to the political storyline. That shift could feel jarring at times. Readers going into this expecting a fantasy centered on witches and magic may not anticipate local politics becoming such a significant part of the narrative. I've also seen other readers share similar sentiments.
The romance was almost nonexistent, to be honest. It moved very quickly and never felt like it had enough time to develop. I would have liked to see their relationship fleshed out more before things progressed.
Overall, I did enjoy Jasmine's writing. It was an entertaining and easy read. Beyond the magic and witch-coven elements, the story touches on issues relevant to modern society, including racism and the erasure of marginalized communities.
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