The Tarot Trials

by Katee Robert

From the New York Times bestselling author of the Dark Olympus series, this high-octane, fast-paced epic fantasy of tarot magic and deadly competition launches an explosive new series perfect for fans of V.E. Schwab and Carissa Broadbent.

The deck has always been stacked against her.

Kestrel has trained her whole life to compete in the Tarot Trials. Her mother won once, earning a place among the five ruling Cinque—then paid for it with her life, executed for alleged treason against the Minor Court.

But fortune favors the bold.

Now it falls to Kestrel to take up her mother’s mantle as Champion of the Moon, enter the Trials, and face her fate. If she can master her new powers of shadow and illusion, navigate the poisonous game of alliances and lies, and corner the fellow Champion who dealt the killing blow to her mother years ago, she may uncover the truth she’s seeking without losing her head… or her heart. But in the Trials, betrayal is a question of when, not if. And winning the game isn’t about what she must do to win, but who she needs to survive.

At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

Genres: Fantasy, LGBT, Romance, Romantasy, Adult, Fantasy Romance, Queer

Kindle Edition

Expected publication October 20, 2026

About the author

Katee Robert is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of spicy romance. Entertainment Weekly calls her writing “unspeakably hot.” Her books have sold over two million copies. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, children, a cat who thinks he’s a dog, and two Great Danes who think they’re lap dogs.

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Reviews

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wanted to rate this book higher, but it is SUCH a glaringly obvious semi-plagiarized Hunger Games.

[Iris · Rating 3 out of 5]

I gave The Tarot Trials by Katee Robert 3 stars because I liked some parts of it, but I didn't fully love the read. I really enjoyed the concept of the story, especially the Hunger Games style tournament and the mystery surrounding what the players were truly fighting for. The trials were intense, and the constant twists and betrayals kept me questioning every character’s motivations. Nobody ever felt fully trustworthy, which created a tense atmosphere that kept me invested the entire time.

I also liked the motivation behind the main character entering the trials in the first place. Her search for answers about her mother and her desire for revenge gave the story an emotional foundation, especially as she slowly realizes everything is connected to something far bigger than she originally understood. The deeper mystery involving the gods, their worshippers, and the Minor Courts was one of the most interesting aspects of the book for me.

That said, the romance aspect did not fully work for me personally. There was not as much romance as I expected, and when romantic connections did happen, they felt rushed and underdeveloped. I never fully felt a deep emotional bond form between the characters, so when certain relationships shifted or ended, it lacked the emotional impact I was hoping for.

Overall, if you enjoy deadly magical competitions, morally gray characters, hidden agendas, tarot inspired magic, and a smaller romance subplot that does not overpower the story, this will likely be a great read for you. The ending definitely leaves things open in a way that will have readers eager to continue, especially with those final ominous words from Death still echoing long after the last page.

[rhythm · Rating 4 out of 5]

🌌🏛️ The Tarot Trials 🔮🌙
thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for this ARC!! ❤️
i absolutely adored how this book took the cliché "trial" trope and added a unique tarot card twist to it!! somehow, the author also provided just the right amount of context while simultaneously jumping straight into the plot. in addition, the flow of her writing was perfect, keeping me especially hooked during fight scenes. i will say that i personally enjoyed the first half a lot more than the second, though, simply because the ending felt slightly rushed.
i would recommend this novel if you're looking for mythical fantasy, trials, and/or multiple love interests!! overall, 3.5+⭐️

[RamblingsWithEmily · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this read. If Katee writes it, I will read it, but Tarot Trials has easily become one of my favorite books. I loved the mystery, the unexpected alliances, just absolutely everything. I loved the world, the entire concept. The champions, the magic, everything built around Tarot and the utter cutthroat fights for power. I was never sure where this book would end up, and on my seat the entire time. I will absolutely devour the rest of this series. 100/5 stars.

[Reading_with_AAron · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first Katee Roberts book and I am so not disappointed! I was hooked from chapter 1! I had my suspicions about a few characters but I did not predict that ending at all! Nero was my favorite character and I honestly hated Cato, I don’t trust Vesper at all!

I want to thank NetGalley and the author for the arc and I highly recommend adding this to your TBR!

[Cassandra]

I have an ARC-

TO READ