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The Tarot Trials: A Novel
Not yet published
Expected 20 Oct 26From 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.
A Macmillan Audio production from Tor Books.
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.
A Macmillan Audio production from Tor Books.
Audible Audio
Expected publication October 20, 2026
About the author
Katee Robert
171 books37.7k followersKatee 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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Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews
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July 6, 2026I really enjoyed this and could easily see it becoming the next big thing. It has the vibes, the aesthetics, the factions, the multiple potential love interests, and of course, the titular trials--but none of that feels forced or contrived, and it's all very seamless and extremely readable. I'm often a little iffy about trial-based stories, but this one held my attention and didn't follow the typical predictable patterns. Evocative of The Hunger Games in the best ways.
I don't think you need to know tarot to follow this, but familiarity with the deck would certainly make the world building and main players clearer--even being very familiar with tarot, it took me a bit to understand the courts as part of the world building. I really enjoyed some of the author's interpretations of the cards' powers and the nods to the meanings scattered throughout.
I'll definitely be looking out for the next in the series--I wouldn't call this a cliffhanger ending, but it definitely left me with some questions I want answered and one thing in particular I want very much to happen.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc! Opinions are my own.
I don't think you need to know tarot to follow this, but familiarity with the deck would certainly make the world building and main players clearer--even being very familiar with tarot, it took me a bit to understand the courts as part of the world building. I really enjoyed some of the author's interpretations of the cards' powers and the nods to the meanings scattered throughout.
I'll definitely be looking out for the next in the series--I wouldn't call this a cliffhanger ending, but it definitely left me with some questions I want answered and one thing in particular I want very much to happen.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc! Opinions are my own.
March 20, 2026
I really wanted to rate this book higher, but it is SUCH a glaringly obvious semi-plagiarized Hunger Games.
July 28, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ 4.5/5
Thank you to NetGalley, Tor Publishing Group, and Macmillan Audio for the advance audiobook copy. All thoughts are my own.
I had a really good time with The Tarot Trials. Going in, I expected a romantasy, but this leans much more into epic fantasy with deadly trials, political intrigue, shifting alliances, and just a touch of romance. The slow-burn romance is definitely there, but it’s the trials and the world-building that take center stage.
The trials were easily my favorite part of the story. Every challenge had real stakes, and I never felt like anyone was safe. I loved seeing the different powers each champion received from the gods because it kept every trial feeling fresh and unpredictable. Kestrel was also a great main character to follow. Watching her dig into the mystery surrounding her mother’s death while trying to survive the competition kept me completely invested.
The audiobook was so good. Lindsey Dorcus did a fantastic job bringing Kestrel to life, and her narration really pulled me into the story.
And that ending… I honestly didn’t see one of those deaths coming. It completely caught me off guard and left me needing the next book immediately.
If you love fantasy with deadly competitions, unique magic, plenty of twists, and a romance that doesn’t overshadow the main story, I definitely recommend picking this one up. I can’t wait to see where Katee Robert takes this series next.
Thank you to NetGalley, Tor Publishing Group, and Macmillan Audio for the advance audiobook copy. All thoughts are my own.
I had a really good time with The Tarot Trials. Going in, I expected a romantasy, but this leans much more into epic fantasy with deadly trials, political intrigue, shifting alliances, and just a touch of romance. The slow-burn romance is definitely there, but it’s the trials and the world-building that take center stage.
The trials were easily my favorite part of the story. Every challenge had real stakes, and I never felt like anyone was safe. I loved seeing the different powers each champion received from the gods because it kept every trial feeling fresh and unpredictable. Kestrel was also a great main character to follow. Watching her dig into the mystery surrounding her mother’s death while trying to survive the competition kept me completely invested.
The audiobook was so good. Lindsey Dorcus did a fantastic job bringing Kestrel to life, and her narration really pulled me into the story.
And that ending… I honestly didn’t see one of those deaths coming. It completely caught me off guard and left me needing the next book immediately.
If you love fantasy with deadly competitions, unique magic, plenty of twists, and a romance that doesn’t overshadow the main story, I definitely recommend picking this one up. I can’t wait to see where Katee Robert takes this series next.
Did Not Finish
July 27, 2026DNF at 22%
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ALC.
This book is a confusing mess. So her mother was a former champion but was tried to treason after winning. No one knows that the FMC is her daughter. BUT her father trained her based on information from her mother. So… her mother had to have contact with her father after winning. And not a single person knew that this WINNER who has POWER had a daughter??? It just makes no sense.
The FMC is angry at her mother for leaving her to enter the trials… but she does the same thing to all of her younger siblings…. 🤦♀️ Hypocrite. She keeps saying that she will make life better for the Dregs and her siblings when she wins… but why does she fault her mom for wanting to do the same thing for her??
Then there’s supposedly a minor court that has quite a lot of power… is our FMC really going to be able to change anything when she wins? It doesn’t sound like the winners get to just do whatever they want. 😐 Maybe she should have researched this whole thing more before entering a death game.
This entire society is just so flimsy. It doesn’t really make sense. There’s a wall keeping monsters out and that wall hides sunlight from the Dregs… it feels like if the gods and their champions had power, why not just do something about the monsters? That monster plot feels like a completely different book. ☠️
To top it off, the actual trials are basically “throw the people together in an area while they kill each other” - but oh, they got magic from their god. 😂 I love a good death game but this is suuuuper boring.
All in all, I don’t really know what this book is trying to accomplish that multiple other books have already done and done better. 🤷♀️
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ALC.
This book is a confusing mess. So her mother was a former champion but was tried to treason after winning. No one knows that the FMC is her daughter. BUT her father trained her based on information from her mother. So… her mother had to have contact with her father after winning. And not a single person knew that this WINNER who has POWER had a daughter??? It just makes no sense.
The FMC is angry at her mother for leaving her to enter the trials… but she does the same thing to all of her younger siblings…. 🤦♀️ Hypocrite. She keeps saying that she will make life better for the Dregs and her siblings when she wins… but why does she fault her mom for wanting to do the same thing for her??
Then there’s supposedly a minor court that has quite a lot of power… is our FMC really going to be able to change anything when she wins? It doesn’t sound like the winners get to just do whatever they want. 😐 Maybe she should have researched this whole thing more before entering a death game.
This entire society is just so flimsy. It doesn’t really make sense. There’s a wall keeping monsters out and that wall hides sunlight from the Dregs… it feels like if the gods and their champions had power, why not just do something about the monsters? That monster plot feels like a completely different book. ☠️
To top it off, the actual trials are basically “throw the people together in an area while they kill each other” - but oh, they got magic from their god. 😂 I love a good death game but this is suuuuper boring.
All in all, I don’t really know what this book is trying to accomplish that multiple other books have already done and done better. 🤷♀️
August 1, 2026
Deadly competitions are one of my favorite fantasy tropes, and the tarot themed magic system made this one feel fresh. Between the political intrigue, shifting alliances, hidden agendas, and betrayals, there was always something happening.
Kestrel has trained her whole life to enter the Tarot Trials, but winning is not her only goal. She is also trying to uncover the truth behind her mother’s execution. I enjoyed watching her adjust to her new shadow and illusion powers while figuring out who she could trust. The mystery stayed at the center of the story, while the romantic tension simmered more in the background.
Lindsey Dorcus did a good job with the single narration. The pacing kept me engaged, and the different characters were easy to follow.
Overall, this was a strong start to a new fantasy series, and the ending left me curious about what comes next.
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the advance listening copy. All thoughts are my own.
Kestrel has trained her whole life to enter the Tarot Trials, but winning is not her only goal. She is also trying to uncover the truth behind her mother’s execution. I enjoyed watching her adjust to her new shadow and illusion powers while figuring out who she could trust. The mystery stayed at the center of the story, while the romantic tension simmered more in the background.
Lindsey Dorcus did a good job with the single narration. The pacing kept me engaged, and the different characters were easy to follow.
Overall, this was a strong start to a new fantasy series, and the ending left me curious about what comes next.
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the advance listening copy. All thoughts are my own.
July 31, 2026
I have read many of Katee’s books and this is by far the most plot driven books that she has written. The Tarot Trails book has a unique take on trials while intertwining them with tarot cards, which makes it an intriguing read. This was such a bingeable read that I got it read in one day! Loved it and want more!!
I want to thank NetGalley for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for a honest review.
I want to thank NetGalley for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for a honest review.
July 28, 2026
This book was so unexpected. The world I found myself in was dark and fully of lies and betrayal. Kestrel is set on vengeance against her mother's murderer as she enters into the Tarot Trials with a goal of seeking revenge. The goal of the trials is to be one of the last five standing, and competitors murder and scheme their way through each night, while playing politics during the day.
I was lucky enough to have a copy of both the audiobook and ebook, and with it being an epic fantasy I was thankful to have both. I find that I really prefer to immersive read (read and listen at the same time) when I read epic fantasy books. The book is told from Kesterels POV and is narrated by Lindsey Dorcus. Lindsey brought Kestrel's personality to life. Her pacing was perfect and consistent. I was able to set my speed and didn't need any further adjustments. The emotion that Lindsey was able to bring to the various situations connected to me, and brought me to tears at the end.
This book is full of lies and betrayals, and shocking plot twists that destroyed me. I did not expect this book to hurt so much, and boy I did not see all the plot twists coming. The world is developed through Kestrel's references to her past and her interactions with the other champions. I didn't feel a strong connection to the characters in her family and I'm hoping we get more from them in the next book. I really enjoyed her references to Mouse.
We spend the most time with the champions and as they navigate the events put on by each region to try to create alliances and while they try to kill each other each night. The alliances among the champions changes with the wind, and there is a lot of flirting among different people, and so much scheming! Kestrel really doesn't know what she's gotten herself into and watching her navigate all of this is griping... I didn't know how things were going to work out. This is a real slow burn and the romance doesn't pick up until the later quarter of the book. I absolutely fell in love with these characters (especially those in Kestrel's alliance, and the two powerful men who (maybe) had her back). There is a strong focus on the story and world building during the first half of the book and I really enjoyed that I wasn't sure who the love interest would be as the story progressed. It kept things interesting and focused on the plot. There were subtle comments along the way, I loved how the relationships developed.
Going into this I didn't realize it was an epic fantasy when I requested it, but I was familiar with Katee Robert's Dark Olympus series, and started it expecting that type of fantasy. I was pleasantly surprised with what I found instead! These book are such a different vibe and I absolutely loved the magic system and the world I found myself in.
Read this book if you love:
Epic Fantasy
World Building
Tarot Magic
Plot Twists
Political Intrigue
Plotting and Scheming
Deadly Trials (basically just open murder - think The Purge but in a fantasy setting)
Thank you Macmillan Audio and Tor Publishing for the early copies from Netgalley in exchange for the honest review.
I was lucky enough to have a copy of both the audiobook and ebook, and with it being an epic fantasy I was thankful to have both. I find that I really prefer to immersive read (read and listen at the same time) when I read epic fantasy books. The book is told from Kesterels POV and is narrated by Lindsey Dorcus. Lindsey brought Kestrel's personality to life. Her pacing was perfect and consistent. I was able to set my speed and didn't need any further adjustments. The emotion that Lindsey was able to bring to the various situations connected to me, and brought me to tears at the end.
This book is full of lies and betrayals, and shocking plot twists that destroyed me. I did not expect this book to hurt so much, and boy I did not see all the plot twists coming. The world is developed through Kestrel's references to her past and her interactions with the other champions. I didn't feel a strong connection to the characters in her family and I'm hoping we get more from them in the next book. I really enjoyed her references to Mouse.
We spend the most time with the champions and as they navigate the events put on by each region to try to create alliances and while they try to kill each other each night. The alliances among the champions changes with the wind, and there is a lot of flirting among different people, and so much scheming! Kestrel really doesn't know what she's gotten herself into and watching her navigate all of this is griping... I didn't know how things were going to work out. This is a real slow burn and the romance doesn't pick up until the later quarter of the book. I absolutely fell in love with these characters (especially those in Kestrel's alliance, and the two powerful men who (maybe) had her back). There is a strong focus on the story and world building during the first half of the book and I really enjoyed that I wasn't sure who the love interest would be as the story progressed. It kept things interesting and focused on the plot. There were subtle comments along the way, I loved how the relationships developed.
Going into this I didn't realize it was an epic fantasy when I requested it, but I was familiar with Katee Robert's Dark Olympus series, and started it expecting that type of fantasy. I was pleasantly surprised with what I found instead! These book are such a different vibe and I absolutely loved the magic system and the world I found myself in.
Read this book if you love:
Epic Fantasy
World Building
Tarot Magic
Plot Twists
Political Intrigue
Plotting and Scheming
Deadly Trials (basically just open murder - think The Purge but in a fantasy setting)
Thank you Macmillan Audio and Tor Publishing for the early copies from Netgalley in exchange for the honest review.
June 18, 2026
Thank you Tor for the ARC!
OH. MY. GOSH.
Katee Robert can officially do no wrong because I was obsessed with every single second of this book.
The Tarot Trials grabbed me from page one and refused to let go. It was dark. It was twisty. It was emotional. It was spicy. And somehow Katee managed to make me question absolutely everyone while desperately flipping pages to find out what would happen next.
Kestrel is the kind of heroine I immediately rooted for. She’s fierce, determined, and carrying the weight of her mother’s legacy while trying to uncover the truth behind her death. Watching her navigate the deadly Tarot Trials, shifting alliances, betrayals, and secrets was completely addictive.
And the magic? INCREDIBLE.
The tarot-based magic system felt fresh, unique, and so immersive. Every challenge felt dangerous, every victory felt earned, and every reveal had me sitting there with my jaw on the floor.
But what really got me was the emotional depth underneath all the action. Beneath the deadly competition and political intrigue is a story about grief, family, trust, and deciding who you’re willing to become when everything is stacked against you.
And yes… the spice absolutely delivered. Katee knows exactly how to write tension, chemistry, and those moments that make you immediately need to read “just one more chapter” at 2 a.m.
The ending left me reeling, desperate for answers, and already counting down until the next book.
Dark fantasy lovers, competition lovers, morally gray characters, political scheming, betrayal, magic, and spice? This one is for you.
Katee Robert has me completely hooked on this new series and I need the next book immediately.
OH. MY. GOSH.
Katee Robert can officially do no wrong because I was obsessed with every single second of this book.
The Tarot Trials grabbed me from page one and refused to let go. It was dark. It was twisty. It was emotional. It was spicy. And somehow Katee managed to make me question absolutely everyone while desperately flipping pages to find out what would happen next.
Kestrel is the kind of heroine I immediately rooted for. She’s fierce, determined, and carrying the weight of her mother’s legacy while trying to uncover the truth behind her death. Watching her navigate the deadly Tarot Trials, shifting alliances, betrayals, and secrets was completely addictive.
And the magic? INCREDIBLE.
The tarot-based magic system felt fresh, unique, and so immersive. Every challenge felt dangerous, every victory felt earned, and every reveal had me sitting there with my jaw on the floor.
But what really got me was the emotional depth underneath all the action. Beneath the deadly competition and political intrigue is a story about grief, family, trust, and deciding who you’re willing to become when everything is stacked against you.
And yes… the spice absolutely delivered. Katee knows exactly how to write tension, chemistry, and those moments that make you immediately need to read “just one more chapter” at 2 a.m.
The ending left me reeling, desperate for answers, and already counting down until the next book.
Dark fantasy lovers, competition lovers, morally gray characters, political scheming, betrayal, magic, and spice? This one is for you.
Katee Robert has me completely hooked on this new series and I need the next book immediately.
July 15, 2026
First, i would like to thank NetGalley, Tor Publishing Group, and Katee Robert for the opportunity to read and review this book early. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
~~~
I love a good trials story, and The Tarot Trials definitely did not disappoint! This book follows Kestrel, a woman living in the impoverished shadows of a regal city known as the Dregs, trying her best to keep her found family alive. Every 22 years, the Tarot Trials are held in order to determine which champions of the gods of the Major Arcana will make up the Cinque, a semi-ruling body of five individuals who get to vote on council meetings about how the city of Caelria will be ran.
And what makes the Trials more important to Kestrel is that the previous champion of the Moon who made it to the Cinque was her mother— who was executed shortly after she won the Trials, betrayed by her very own alliance. Kestrel is determined to both find answers about the mother she never knew, and fight for a way to help her family and the other poor citizens of the Dregs.
I really enjoyed Kestrel’s character; she was determined to succeed, but also very human and didn’t want to hurt anyone she didn’t have to. she made the best of the situation she was thrust into, and the Trials showed how much of a survivor she truly is. I also liked some of the other Trials participants, and i’m curious to see what’s going to happen in the next book!
For a very fantasy-focused book, i think Katee Robert did an excellent job with both the characters and world building; they really can write multiple genres well!
~~~
I love a good trials story, and The Tarot Trials definitely did not disappoint! This book follows Kestrel, a woman living in the impoverished shadows of a regal city known as the Dregs, trying her best to keep her found family alive. Every 22 years, the Tarot Trials are held in order to determine which champions of the gods of the Major Arcana will make up the Cinque, a semi-ruling body of five individuals who get to vote on council meetings about how the city of Caelria will be ran.
And what makes the Trials more important to Kestrel is that the previous champion of the Moon who made it to the Cinque was her mother— who was executed shortly after she won the Trials, betrayed by her very own alliance. Kestrel is determined to both find answers about the mother she never knew, and fight for a way to help her family and the other poor citizens of the Dregs.
I really enjoyed Kestrel’s character; she was determined to succeed, but also very human and didn’t want to hurt anyone she didn’t have to. she made the best of the situation she was thrust into, and the Trials showed how much of a survivor she truly is. I also liked some of the other Trials participants, and i’m curious to see what’s going to happen in the next book!
For a very fantasy-focused book, i think Katee Robert did an excellent job with both the characters and world building; they really can write multiple genres well!
July 25, 2026
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for sharing this ARC with me!
The Tarot Trails is such a unique take on trials while intertwining tarot cards into the world. I loved the characters, the plot and kept wanting more! This is my first book I’ve read from Katee Robert and I will be definitely be reading more of her and I cannot wait for more books in this series!
This perfect bingeable read where you can’t put it down and left with wanting more the most delectable way! Come October 2026 be sure to pick The Tarot Trails up as your next read!
The Tarot Trails is such a unique take on trials while intertwining tarot cards into the world. I loved the characters, the plot and kept wanting more! This is my first book I’ve read from Katee Robert and I will be definitely be reading more of her and I cannot wait for more books in this series!
This perfect bingeable read where you can’t put it down and left with wanting more the most delectable way! Come October 2026 be sure to pick The Tarot Trails up as your next read!
August 2, 2026
I was so excited for this one.
Deadly trials. Tarot-inspired magic. Katee Robert. It sounded like it was going to be everything I love in fantasy.
Unfortunately… I kept waiting for it to become the book I thought I was reading.
The premise is fantastic. I loved the idea of champions representing tarot cards in a deadly competition, and there were enough mysteries surrounding Kestrel’s mother and the gods to keep me reading.
But the actual trials?
I don’t know what we were doing there.
For a book centered around a deadly competition, there just wasn’t much tension. The action scenes never felt particularly exciting, the stakes rarely felt urgent, and by the second half I realized I wasn’t invested in who won. I wasn’t eagerly turning the pages. I was trying to finish.
The romance also didn’t quite work for me. It felt rushed and underdeveloped, and I never really bought into the emotional connection.
I also found myself wanting more from the worldbuilding. There are some really interesting ideas here, but I kept feeling like they weren’t explored deeply enough to make the world feel fully realized.
That isn’t to say I disliked the book. Katee Robert always has creative concepts, and there were enough twists and unanswered questions that I’m curious where the series goes from here.
I just expected more. More intensity, danger, emotional investment, something.
Instead, I finished feeling disappointed because the potential was there, but it never quite came together for me.
If you enjoy:
🃏 Deadly Trials
🌙 Tarot-Inspired Magic
⚔️ Political Intrigue
🤝 Shifting Alliances
🖤 Morally Gray Characters
📖 Series Starter
Maybe my expectations were simply too high, but I wanted to be obsessed with this one, and instead I walked away feeling underwhelmed.
Deadly trials. Tarot-inspired magic. Katee Robert. It sounded like it was going to be everything I love in fantasy.
Unfortunately… I kept waiting for it to become the book I thought I was reading.
The premise is fantastic. I loved the idea of champions representing tarot cards in a deadly competition, and there were enough mysteries surrounding Kestrel’s mother and the gods to keep me reading.
But the actual trials?
I don’t know what we were doing there.
For a book centered around a deadly competition, there just wasn’t much tension. The action scenes never felt particularly exciting, the stakes rarely felt urgent, and by the second half I realized I wasn’t invested in who won. I wasn’t eagerly turning the pages. I was trying to finish.
The romance also didn’t quite work for me. It felt rushed and underdeveloped, and I never really bought into the emotional connection.
I also found myself wanting more from the worldbuilding. There are some really interesting ideas here, but I kept feeling like they weren’t explored deeply enough to make the world feel fully realized.
That isn’t to say I disliked the book. Katee Robert always has creative concepts, and there were enough twists and unanswered questions that I’m curious where the series goes from here.
I just expected more. More intensity, danger, emotional investment, something.
Instead, I finished feeling disappointed because the potential was there, but it never quite came together for me.
If you enjoy:
🃏 Deadly Trials
🌙 Tarot-Inspired Magic
⚔️ Political Intrigue
🤝 Shifting Alliances
🖤 Morally Gray Characters
📖 Series Starter
Maybe my expectations were simply too high, but I wanted to be obsessed with this one, and instead I walked away feeling underwhelmed.
July 30, 2026
Unfortunately, this book was a miss for me. I kept hoping it would get better. It was a bunch of telling versus showing. Kestrel was angry. So angry. And sick of all the waste of the Minor Court. As a reader, I was bludgeoned with the fact she was sick of all the extravagance. It was brought up over and over.
I can see the comparison to the Hunger Games, but with magic and five winners. Definitely don’t read this for the romance, it was a very small part of the story.
Political intrigue
Epic Fantasy
Trial/competition
Shifting alliances
Gods and Tarot magic
Disability representation
The narrator does a good job with what she’s given. I loved all the accents of the different characters, and did an especially good impersonation of the male characters.
Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC
Blurb: “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.”
I can see the comparison to the Hunger Games, but with magic and five winners. Definitely don’t read this for the romance, it was a very small part of the story.
Political intrigue
Epic Fantasy
Trial/competition
Shifting alliances
Gods and Tarot magic
Disability representation
The narrator does a good job with what she’s given. I loved all the accents of the different characters, and did an especially good impersonation of the male characters.
Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC
Blurb: “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.”
July 30, 2026
3.5⭐️
Thank you to Edelweiss for an advanced electronic reader copy in exchange for a fair, but honest review! 🤍
Thank you to Edelweiss for an advanced electronic reader copy in exchange for a fair, but honest review! 🤍
Did Not Finish
July 4, 2026This was sadly a DNF for me 😭 I was expecting a mature dystopian epic fantasy read and was so hyped for the death trials and MC trying to discover the mystery behind her mother's death, but I just couldn’t mesh with the writing style. It felt like endless exposition with too much telling rather than showing. A lot of the scenes felt like I was just reading summaries of events, especially the first trial where we basically get a run down of what each champion did to win their match and a description of what they looked like.
The MC also felt oddly uninvolved with the plot, with her trial successes coming down to plot conveniences that didn't require the use of any of her skills or wits, so her achievements felt unearned. MC's thoughts and motivations were also constantly brought up in a repetitive way and the narrative voice sounded like she was constantly explaining worldbuilding things to the reader like she was a tour guide.
I DNF'd @ 20% so maybe things get better. Overall, this premise was very intriguing and I wished I could mesh with the writing style, but I'm sure there are others who would enjoy it!
The MC also felt oddly uninvolved with the plot, with her trial successes coming down to plot conveniences that didn't require the use of any of her skills or wits, so her achievements felt unearned. MC's thoughts and motivations were also constantly brought up in a repetitive way and the narrative voice sounded like she was constantly explaining worldbuilding things to the reader like she was a tour guide.
I DNF'd @ 20% so maybe things get better. Overall, this premise was very intriguing and I wished I could mesh with the writing style, but I'm sure there are others who would enjoy it!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Tarot Trials
Katee Robert
Publication Date: October 2026
Thank you to Tor Publishing Group and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The second I saw "deadly trials" and "tarot-inspired fantasy," I knew I needed this book in my life.
And let me tell you... it absolutely delivered.
This was my first Katee Robert book, and now I completely understand why so many readers love her work. The Tarot Trials hooked me from the very first chapter and refused to let go.
Kestrel comes from the Dregs, one of the poorest regions in this world, and enters the Tarot Trials as the champion of the Moon. The goal? Survive a series of increasingly dangerous trials while competing against champions tied to the other tarot cards. Easy, right?
Absolutely not.
The trials were brutal, unpredictable, and incredibly entertaining to read. I loved how the tarot elements were woven into both the worldbuilding and the competition itself. It felt fresh and unique compared to other competition-based fantasies I've read.
What surprised me most was how quickly I became attached to the characters. In a book where literally anyone could die, I found myself constantly worrying about who would make it through the next challenge. The alliances, friendships, betrayals, and found family elements were some of my favorite parts of the story.
And can we talk about the tension?
Because wow.
There's a lot of flirting happening throughout this book, and I was absolutely here for it. The romance takes a backseat to the trials and larger plot, but every interaction had me wanting more.
The world itself felt incredibly immersive. The divide between the wealthy and the poor was easy to see, and I loved how the story explored those inequalities while still delivering plenty of action, mystery, and high-stakes competition.
If I had one small complaint, it's that the final portion of the book felt a little faster than the rest. I would have happily spent another hundred pages with these characters and this world.
That ending, though?
RUDE.
The kind of ending that immediately has you searching to see when book two comes out because there is absolutely no way I'm leaving these characters behind now.
What to Expect:
🃏 Deadly Trials
🌙 Tarot-Inspired Magic
⚔️ High-Stakes Competition
🖤 Found Family
✨ Political Intrigue
🔥 Flirty Characters
🌈 Queer-Normative World
💀 Danger Around Every Corner
👑 Complex Alliances
📚 Series Starter
This was one of those books that made me lose track of time because I kept telling myself "just one more chapter."
If you're a fan of competition fantasies, unique magic systems, found family, and characters you'll immediately become emotionally attached to, put The Tarot Trials on your October TBR immediately.
I already need book two.
The Tarot Trials
Katee Robert
Publication Date: October 2026
Thank you to Tor Publishing Group and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The second I saw "deadly trials" and "tarot-inspired fantasy," I knew I needed this book in my life.
And let me tell you... it absolutely delivered.
This was my first Katee Robert book, and now I completely understand why so many readers love her work. The Tarot Trials hooked me from the very first chapter and refused to let go.
Kestrel comes from the Dregs, one of the poorest regions in this world, and enters the Tarot Trials as the champion of the Moon. The goal? Survive a series of increasingly dangerous trials while competing against champions tied to the other tarot cards. Easy, right?
Absolutely not.
The trials were brutal, unpredictable, and incredibly entertaining to read. I loved how the tarot elements were woven into both the worldbuilding and the competition itself. It felt fresh and unique compared to other competition-based fantasies I've read.
What surprised me most was how quickly I became attached to the characters. In a book where literally anyone could die, I found myself constantly worrying about who would make it through the next challenge. The alliances, friendships, betrayals, and found family elements were some of my favorite parts of the story.
And can we talk about the tension?
Because wow.
There's a lot of flirting happening throughout this book, and I was absolutely here for it. The romance takes a backseat to the trials and larger plot, but every interaction had me wanting more.
The world itself felt incredibly immersive. The divide between the wealthy and the poor was easy to see, and I loved how the story explored those inequalities while still delivering plenty of action, mystery, and high-stakes competition.
If I had one small complaint, it's that the final portion of the book felt a little faster than the rest. I would have happily spent another hundred pages with these characters and this world.
That ending, though?
RUDE.
The kind of ending that immediately has you searching to see when book two comes out because there is absolutely no way I'm leaving these characters behind now.
What to Expect:
🃏 Deadly Trials
🌙 Tarot-Inspired Magic
⚔️ High-Stakes Competition
🖤 Found Family
✨ Political Intrigue
🔥 Flirty Characters
🌈 Queer-Normative World
💀 Danger Around Every Corner
👑 Complex Alliances
📚 Series Starter
This was one of those books that made me lose track of time because I kept telling myself "just one more chapter."
If you're a fan of competition fantasies, unique magic systems, found family, and characters you'll immediately become emotionally attached to, put The Tarot Trials on your October TBR immediately.
I already need book two.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Tarot Trials • Katee Robert
One phrase: deadly trials with tarot card chaos 🃏🌙
OH. MY. GOSH.
Katee Robert can officially do no wrong because I was obsessed with every single second of this book.
The Tarot Trials grabbed me from page one and refused to let go. It was dark, twisty, emotional, spicy, and full of the kind of deadly competition that makes you question everyone while desperately flipping pages to see who survives.
Kestrel is the kind of heroine I immediately root for. She comes from the Dregs, one of the poorest regions in this world, and enters the Tarot Trials as the Champion of the Moon. She is fierce, determined, and carrying the weight of her mother’s legacy while trying to uncover the truth behind her death.
The goal sounds simple.
Survive the trials.
Navigate alliances.
Find answers.
Do not lose your head or your heart.
Easy, right?
Absolutely not.
The tarot based magic system was INCREDIBLE. It felt fresh, immersive, and woven so well into the world, the competition, and the politics. Every challenge felt dangerous, every victory felt earned, and every reveal had me sitting there with my jaw on the floor.
What surprised me most was how quickly I became attached to the characters. In a book where literally anyone could die, I was constantly worried about who would make it through the next challenge. The alliances, betrayals, friendships, and found family pieces were some of my favorite parts.
And the tension?
WOW.
There is so much flirting, so much chemistry, and so many moments that made me immediately need “just one more chapter” at 2 a.m. The romance does not overtake the trials or larger plot, but every interaction had me wanting more.
Beneath the competition and political scheming, this is also a story about grief, trust, class inequality, survival, and deciding who you are willing to become when everything has been stacked against you.
And that ending?
RUDE.
I need book two immediately.
✨ Tropes and vibes:
🃏 tarot inspired magic
🌙 Champion of the Moon
⚔️ deadly trials
🔥 high stakes competition
🖤 found family
👑 political intrigue
🌈 queer normative world
💀 danger everywhere
👀 betrayal and alliances
😮💨 flirty tension
🧠 class inequality
😭 cliffhanger ending
📚 Read this if you like:
Competition fantasies, tarot magic, morally gray characters, queer normative worlds, found family, political scheming, deadly trials, and books that make you lose track of time because you cannot stop reading.
This was bold, addictive, magical, and such an explosive start to a new fantasy series.
#TheTarotTrials #KateeRobert #RomantasyBooks #FantasyRomance #BookReview @Tor
One phrase: deadly trials with tarot card chaos 🃏🌙
OH. MY. GOSH.
Katee Robert can officially do no wrong because I was obsessed with every single second of this book.
The Tarot Trials grabbed me from page one and refused to let go. It was dark, twisty, emotional, spicy, and full of the kind of deadly competition that makes you question everyone while desperately flipping pages to see who survives.
Kestrel is the kind of heroine I immediately root for. She comes from the Dregs, one of the poorest regions in this world, and enters the Tarot Trials as the Champion of the Moon. She is fierce, determined, and carrying the weight of her mother’s legacy while trying to uncover the truth behind her death.
The goal sounds simple.
Survive the trials.
Navigate alliances.
Find answers.
Do not lose your head or your heart.
Easy, right?
Absolutely not.
The tarot based magic system was INCREDIBLE. It felt fresh, immersive, and woven so well into the world, the competition, and the politics. Every challenge felt dangerous, every victory felt earned, and every reveal had me sitting there with my jaw on the floor.
What surprised me most was how quickly I became attached to the characters. In a book where literally anyone could die, I was constantly worried about who would make it through the next challenge. The alliances, betrayals, friendships, and found family pieces were some of my favorite parts.
And the tension?
WOW.
There is so much flirting, so much chemistry, and so many moments that made me immediately need “just one more chapter” at 2 a.m. The romance does not overtake the trials or larger plot, but every interaction had me wanting more.
Beneath the competition and political scheming, this is also a story about grief, trust, class inequality, survival, and deciding who you are willing to become when everything has been stacked against you.
And that ending?
RUDE.
I need book two immediately.
✨ Tropes and vibes:
🃏 tarot inspired magic
🌙 Champion of the Moon
⚔️ deadly trials
🔥 high stakes competition
🖤 found family
👑 political intrigue
🌈 queer normative world
💀 danger everywhere
👀 betrayal and alliances
😮💨 flirty tension
🧠 class inequality
😭 cliffhanger ending
📚 Read this if you like:
Competition fantasies, tarot magic, morally gray characters, queer normative worlds, found family, political scheming, deadly trials, and books that make you lose track of time because you cannot stop reading.
This was bold, addictive, magical, and such an explosive start to a new fantasy series.
#TheTarotTrials #KateeRobert #RomantasyBooks #FantasyRomance #BookReview @Tor
August 2, 2026
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 🎧
Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the advanced listener copy!
This is epic fantasy with romance, trials, betrayals, a mystery, unique magic and a fascinating political landscape.
Kestrel is determined to enter and win a seat on the Cinque, the group of 5 champions, each representatives of the old gods and familiar entities of the Tarot. Kestrel’s mother was formerly the Champion of the Moon, but was murdered by Death twenty-two years ago - and Kestrel wants to know why.
Lindsay Dorcus does a fabulous job with the narration! I loved her cadence and her use of voices. It was such a fun listen, so highly recommend the audiobook experience for this book!
The story was EPIC. The mind games!! The betrayals!!! The mysteries!! I was on the edge of my seat trying to figure out who was trustworthy. Katee Robert does such a great job at keeping the reader on their toes. I truly felt like I was in Kestrel’s head evaluating the competitors to see who could help her achieve her goal of getting answers about her mother’s death, as well as wanting to win so she can advocate for the Dregs.
The creativity of the matching the Tarot with specific magical qualities was very refreshing and new. For example, the Chariot’s power relating to their ability to gain speed and momentum was so creative! It felt different out of the box which as an avid fantasy reader I absolutely loved. The trials were also very well done; Katee’s writing was so beautiful I felt like I could picture the intense action in every fight scene.
The political games and trickery were just as intense as the actual violence in the trials. Sometimes when there is too much political backstory it’s easy to get bogged down and it reads as info dumping, but it was not the case here at all. The politics was seamlessly woven throughout the action of the trials and I felt like it enabled me to both learn the landscape as well as formulate more questions about what it’s going to happen next.
There was SO much flirting in this book and with almost every character, I loved it! I couldn’t figure out which character I was rooting for. And the tensions between multiple characters?! Katee Roberts balances this so well.
The ending was so emotional and I have SO many questions!! Also the reveal at the end was just insane I really really can’t wait to know where this series goes next!!
Favorite Quotes:
“But I’ve never met a beautiful mistake that I haven’t wanted to make mine.”
“The danger doesn’t end with the trials. It just wears a different face.”
Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the advanced listener copy!
This is epic fantasy with romance, trials, betrayals, a mystery, unique magic and a fascinating political landscape.
Kestrel is determined to enter and win a seat on the Cinque, the group of 5 champions, each representatives of the old gods and familiar entities of the Tarot. Kestrel’s mother was formerly the Champion of the Moon, but was murdered by Death twenty-two years ago - and Kestrel wants to know why.
Lindsay Dorcus does a fabulous job with the narration! I loved her cadence and her use of voices. It was such a fun listen, so highly recommend the audiobook experience for this book!
The story was EPIC. The mind games!! The betrayals!!! The mysteries!! I was on the edge of my seat trying to figure out who was trustworthy. Katee Robert does such a great job at keeping the reader on their toes. I truly felt like I was in Kestrel’s head evaluating the competitors to see who could help her achieve her goal of getting answers about her mother’s death, as well as wanting to win so she can advocate for the Dregs.
The creativity of the matching the Tarot with specific magical qualities was very refreshing and new. For example, the Chariot’s power relating to their ability to gain speed and momentum was so creative! It felt different out of the box which as an avid fantasy reader I absolutely loved. The trials were also very well done; Katee’s writing was so beautiful I felt like I could picture the intense action in every fight scene.
The political games and trickery were just as intense as the actual violence in the trials. Sometimes when there is too much political backstory it’s easy to get bogged down and it reads as info dumping, but it was not the case here at all. The politics was seamlessly woven throughout the action of the trials and I felt like it enabled me to both learn the landscape as well as formulate more questions about what it’s going to happen next.
There was SO much flirting in this book and with almost every character, I loved it! I couldn’t figure out which character I was rooting for. And the tensions between multiple characters?! Katee Roberts balances this so well.
The ending was so emotional and I have SO many questions!! Also the reveal at the end was just insane I really really can’t wait to know where this series goes next!!
Favorite Quotes:
“But I’ve never met a beautiful mistake that I haven’t wanted to make mine.”
“The danger doesn’t end with the trials. It just wears a different face.”
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.5/5 stars rounded up
I'm a MASSIVE fan of dystopian fiction and so when I read the premise of the Tarot Trials, of a deadly competition held every 22 years where contestants fight for one of the 5 ruling positions, each drawing power from a tarot card, I knew I had to give it a go.
Before I get into the story, Lindsey Dorcus did an incredible job narrating this audiobook. She gave each character their own distinct voice and did an amazing job at bringing the main character Kestrel to life.
Onto the story itself, I really liked the concept of the Trials. I wasn't expecting this, but I found it pretty cool seeing the previous winners return to compete in this current competition. They had decades to master their abilities, so it created this huge power imbalance that made the trials interesting. Watching Kestrel and other contestants form alliances and work together despite knowing they could eventually beome each other's competition later on was interesting to read.
When it came to the actual Tarot Trials and the fighting throughout the competition, it just didn't reach the level of intensity I'd been anticipating. I enjoyed watching Kestrel learn to use her newfound abilities and team up with the other contestants, but despite the book constantly reminding us that her life was on the line, I never really felt it?? It's hard to explain and probably only a me thing. The stakes were obviously there, but I just never found myself worried about what was going to happen next.
The romance..... hmmmmmm. I'm very 50/50 on it. I know it's only a subplot, but I honestly think this book would've worked just as well without it, or at least waited until the next book to introduce it. Without going into spoiler territory, Kestrel develops an intimate relationship with one of the characters towards the end of the story, but I wasn't convinced by it. I never felt like they had spent enough time building that sort of relationship. It also didn't help that throughout the book Kestrel was constantly pointing out how attractive everyone else is or was flirting with others, which made the eventual romance feel a tad bit random to me.
The book ends with a kind of cliffhanger and a major revelation so I'm keen to se where the story goes next.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio and Netgalley for the ARC.
I'm a MASSIVE fan of dystopian fiction and so when I read the premise of the Tarot Trials, of a deadly competition held every 22 years where contestants fight for one of the 5 ruling positions, each drawing power from a tarot card, I knew I had to give it a go.
Before I get into the story, Lindsey Dorcus did an incredible job narrating this audiobook. She gave each character their own distinct voice and did an amazing job at bringing the main character Kestrel to life.
Onto the story itself, I really liked the concept of the Trials. I wasn't expecting this, but I found it pretty cool seeing the previous winners return to compete in this current competition. They had decades to master their abilities, so it created this huge power imbalance that made the trials interesting. Watching Kestrel and other contestants form alliances and work together despite knowing they could eventually beome each other's competition later on was interesting to read.
When it came to the actual Tarot Trials and the fighting throughout the competition, it just didn't reach the level of intensity I'd been anticipating. I enjoyed watching Kestrel learn to use her newfound abilities and team up with the other contestants, but despite the book constantly reminding us that her life was on the line, I never really felt it?? It's hard to explain and probably only a me thing. The stakes were obviously there, but I just never found myself worried about what was going to happen next.
The romance..... hmmmmmm. I'm very 50/50 on it. I know it's only a subplot, but I honestly think this book would've worked just as well without it, or at least waited until the next book to introduce it. Without going into spoiler territory, Kestrel develops an intimate relationship with one of the characters towards the end of the story, but I wasn't convinced by it. I never felt like they had spent enough time building that sort of relationship. It also didn't help that throughout the book Kestrel was constantly pointing out how attractive everyone else is or was flirting with others, which made the eventual romance feel a tad bit random to me.
The book ends with a kind of cliffhanger and a major revelation so I'm keen to se where the story goes next.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio and Netgalley for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I was excited to have the opportunity to review an ALC for this book . Tarot magic, trials with a little murder mystery thrown in, yes please!! Kestrel comes from the Dregs, a poor part of the city where she’s forced to fight and steal daily to stay alive. She enters the Tarot Trials for a chance to become part of the Cinque which would put her in the position to make changes in the Dregs. Kestrel’s mother previously won the Tarot Trials and was executed shortly after. Along with surviving the trials she also plans to uncover the truth about her mother’s murder.
This audiobook is solo narration and the narrator did an excellent job. She had a great voice, was pleasant to listen to and did a great job giving each character their own unique voice. The male voices were believable and her voice was clear and easy to understand.
I found the beginning of the book a little confusing and had a hard time understanding the political and social structures and keeping track of the characters. I don’t have much knowledge about tarot and wonder if that would have given me a better understanding. The trials fell a little flat for me. They are basically trying to form alliances and stay alive while killing their opponents to be one of the last five standing. The trials weren’t very structured. I did enjoy the scheming and political alliances but would have liked to see more about the tarot magic that the different champions possessed. As the story progressed I became more invested in the characters and what was happening.The story started to come together for me. There was one death towards the end of the book that devastated me! I didn’t see it coming. As the details surrounding the murder of Kestrel’s mother unfold we learn something interesting. Kestrel may be more like her mother than she realized. The book had a strong ending which left me wanting more answers. Although it was a slow start to book one the ending definitely left me looking forward to the second book! Thank you to Macmillan Audio,Tor books and Netgalley for the opportunity to review an ALC of this book!
This audiobook is solo narration and the narrator did an excellent job. She had a great voice, was pleasant to listen to and did a great job giving each character their own unique voice. The male voices were believable and her voice was clear and easy to understand.
I found the beginning of the book a little confusing and had a hard time understanding the political and social structures and keeping track of the characters. I don’t have much knowledge about tarot and wonder if that would have given me a better understanding. The trials fell a little flat for me. They are basically trying to form alliances and stay alive while killing their opponents to be one of the last five standing. The trials weren’t very structured. I did enjoy the scheming and political alliances but would have liked to see more about the tarot magic that the different champions possessed. As the story progressed I became more invested in the characters and what was happening.The story started to come together for me. There was one death towards the end of the book that devastated me! I didn’t see it coming. As the details surrounding the murder of Kestrel’s mother unfold we learn something interesting. Kestrel may be more like her mother than she realized. The book had a strong ending which left me wanting more answers. Although it was a slow start to book one the ending definitely left me looking forward to the second book! Thank you to Macmillan Audio,Tor books and Netgalley for the opportunity to review an ALC of this book!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to Tor Publishers and Netgalley for providing me an ARC in exchange of an honest review.
The Tarot Trials is a fast-paced, propulsive ride that fuses the high-stakes survival of The Hunger Games and Battle Royale with complex political intrigue and sharp societal critique. In this world, 22 competitors representing the major arcana fight to the death for one of five coveted seats on a ruling senate. It’s a ruthless premise, and Katee Robert does not hesitate to kill off her darlings—which I absolutely loved.
The world-building here is exceptionally tight. Robert managed to establish two distinct religious platforms, deep historical lore, and a clear divide between the wealthy Cups districts and the impoverished Dregs, all with zero info-dumps. It’s a subtle but scathing critique of wealth hoarding, institutional corruption, and systemic oppression. Thank goodness we finally got a broke that broke from the "chosen one" trope; our FMC actually has to fight, strategize, and work for her survival, making her genuinely compelling.
My only real gripe is the pacing of the tone and the romance. For the first 75% of the book, it reads very heavily like YA—breezy, unchallenging, and tightly plotted—until a singular graphic spice scene firmly shifts it into adult fantasy. The romance also felt a bit abrupt and impulsive given the short timeline and the other options available to our MC.
That said, the ending was incredibly satisfying. It avoids a cheap cliffhanger, tying things up nicely with a pretty bow while still masterfully laying the groundwork for the rest of the trilogy (including a massive tease about scary, colony-wiping wild beasts outside the borders). I am completely hooked and will absolutely be binging this series as it drops. Highly recommend for fans of witchy themes, deadly competitions, and immersive world-building!
The Tarot Trials is a fast-paced, propulsive ride that fuses the high-stakes survival of The Hunger Games and Battle Royale with complex political intrigue and sharp societal critique. In this world, 22 competitors representing the major arcana fight to the death for one of five coveted seats on a ruling senate. It’s a ruthless premise, and Katee Robert does not hesitate to kill off her darlings—which I absolutely loved.
The world-building here is exceptionally tight. Robert managed to establish two distinct religious platforms, deep historical lore, and a clear divide between the wealthy Cups districts and the impoverished Dregs, all with zero info-dumps. It’s a subtle but scathing critique of wealth hoarding, institutional corruption, and systemic oppression. Thank goodness we finally got a broke that broke from the "chosen one" trope; our FMC actually has to fight, strategize, and work for her survival, making her genuinely compelling.
My only real gripe is the pacing of the tone and the romance. For the first 75% of the book, it reads very heavily like YA—breezy, unchallenging, and tightly plotted—until a singular graphic spice scene firmly shifts it into adult fantasy. The romance also felt a bit abrupt and impulsive given the short timeline and the other options available to our MC.
That said, the ending was incredibly satisfying. It avoids a cheap cliffhanger, tying things up nicely with a pretty bow while still masterfully laying the groundwork for the rest of the trilogy (including a massive tease about scary, colony-wiping wild beasts outside the borders). I am completely hooked and will absolutely be binging this series as it drops. Highly recommend for fans of witchy themes, deadly competitions, and immersive world-building!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC. My thoughts are my own.
**
4.5 stars.
The Tarot Trials, a new series by Katee Robert, is a fun mix of Tarot magic, deadly trials and dark worldbuilding.
The story follows Kestrel, a young woman from the Dregs, which is one of the poorest areas in this world. She takes part in the Tarot Trials, becoming the champion of the Moon. The Trials aim to find five champions to make it to the end by any deathly means possible. Along the way, Kestrel has to make alliances to make sure she survives, but will all those alliances last until the end? She also has a secondary agenda, as her mother was the previous Moon champion and was killed soon after. She aims to find answers and not only from Death, who competed with her mother 22 years prior.
I've loved the author's work since their Dark Olympus series. They do a wonderful job at creating complex, layered worlds that are dark but also light, and it shows in Tarot Trials as well. I can see the desperation from the people in the Dregs, I can feel the opulence from the Swords etc and there is a fantastic imbalance there. Yes, it's totally unfair and the author highlights that to us readers in many ways.
This story is 90% high fantasy and 10% romance, though there's a lot of flirting. Why is everyone so hot and so flirty in this book? It gives a wonderful counterbalance to the violence and the tension from the trials and I enjoyed those moments a lot. I also really love the found families in this one and yes, there is more than one in here. The queer normative world also deserves its own nod, I love to see that in books.
The story ends at a juicy crossroads, and I'm curious to see where the author takes it next. Can't wait!
**
4.5 stars.
The Tarot Trials, a new series by Katee Robert, is a fun mix of Tarot magic, deadly trials and dark worldbuilding.
The story follows Kestrel, a young woman from the Dregs, which is one of the poorest areas in this world. She takes part in the Tarot Trials, becoming the champion of the Moon. The Trials aim to find five champions to make it to the end by any deathly means possible. Along the way, Kestrel has to make alliances to make sure she survives, but will all those alliances last until the end? She also has a secondary agenda, as her mother was the previous Moon champion and was killed soon after. She aims to find answers and not only from Death, who competed with her mother 22 years prior.
I've loved the author's work since their Dark Olympus series. They do a wonderful job at creating complex, layered worlds that are dark but also light, and it shows in Tarot Trials as well. I can see the desperation from the people in the Dregs, I can feel the opulence from the Swords etc and there is a fantastic imbalance there. Yes, it's totally unfair and the author highlights that to us readers in many ways.
This story is 90% high fantasy and 10% romance, though there's a lot of flirting. Why is everyone so hot and so flirty in this book? It gives a wonderful counterbalance to the violence and the tension from the trials and I enjoyed those moments a lot. I also really love the found families in this one and yes, there is more than one in here. The queer normative world also deserves its own nod, I love to see that in books.
The story ends at a juicy crossroads, and I'm curious to see where the author takes it next. Can't wait!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I always enjoy seeing authors put a unique spin on familiar concepts, and Katee Robert's take on tarot was definitely different. Here, the tarot isn't just a source of magic. It is woven into the political structure of the world, making it feel like something much bigger than a simple magical system.
Going in with very little knowledge of tarot myself, I did find that the story assumes readers already have some familiarity with the cards. I would have loved a little more explanation about what the different symbols, powers, and standings meant. Even so, it never pulled me out of the story enough to lessen my enjoyment.
The Tarot Trials themselves are exactly the kind of high stakes competition I love. Every night is about surviving long enough to see the next morning, and the constant danger kept me turning the pages. Kestrel is a heroine easy to root for. She enters the trials to uncover the truth about what happened to her mother, a previous winner, seek justice, and hopefully improve life for the people in the lower district she calls home.
There are a lot of characters introduced, but it feels very intentional. This is clearly laying the groundwork for a much larger series, and I'm interested to see where all the alliances, rivalries, and political intrigue go from here.
I also listened to the audiobook, narrated by Lindsey Dorcus, who did a fantastic job. She captured Kestrel's determination perfectly, and her pacing and distinct character voices made it easy to stay immersed in the story.
If you enjoy deadly trials, political fantasy, and unique magic systems, this is well worth picking up.
Going in with very little knowledge of tarot myself, I did find that the story assumes readers already have some familiarity with the cards. I would have loved a little more explanation about what the different symbols, powers, and standings meant. Even so, it never pulled me out of the story enough to lessen my enjoyment.
The Tarot Trials themselves are exactly the kind of high stakes competition I love. Every night is about surviving long enough to see the next morning, and the constant danger kept me turning the pages. Kestrel is a heroine easy to root for. She enters the trials to uncover the truth about what happened to her mother, a previous winner, seek justice, and hopefully improve life for the people in the lower district she calls home.
There are a lot of characters introduced, but it feels very intentional. This is clearly laying the groundwork for a much larger series, and I'm interested to see where all the alliances, rivalries, and political intrigue go from here.
I also listened to the audiobook, narrated by Lindsey Dorcus, who did a fantastic job. She captured Kestrel's determination perfectly, and her pacing and distinct character voices made it easy to stay immersed in the story.
If you enjoy deadly trials, political fantasy, and unique magic systems, this is well worth picking up.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
✨I finished this and immediately needed to talk about it ✨
📚 This book has got it all for fantasy lovers: deadly trials, steady world-building, phenomenal magic system and concepts, unique and lovable (& despicable) characters, and twists around each corner. I loved how Katee slowly unfolded a complicated history, mystery, and plotline without losing me in the weeds. I was invested and surprised throughout the story as the suspense built and the risks grew. I had predictions and they were WRONG, which I love, because the twists still made sense and were believable. It’s easy to see that Katee has officially ventured into true fantasy territory because of some *choices* that were made in the final chapters. I am already looking forward to Tarot Trials 2, even though this first installment won’t come out until this fall.
🌟 If you enjoy deadly trials mixed with Roman empire vibes then you’re going to want to put this on your TBR immediately. If you’re a NetGalley person it’s up for request on there right now! (And if you’ve read it already, pleeeassse slide into my DMs so we can discuss.)
📖 The Tarot Trials - Katee Robert
If you want more trustworthy reviews be sure to give me a follow!
#BookReview #BookRecommendation #TheTarotTrials #KateeRobert #MustReadFantasy
|| Major Arcana: The Fool, The Magician, The High Priestess, The Empress, The Emperor, The Hierophant, The Lovers, The Chariot, Strength, The Hermit, Wheel of Fortune, Justice, The Hanged Man, Death, Temperance, The Devil, The Tower, The Star, The Moon, The Sun, Judgement, The World, ||
📚 This book has got it all for fantasy lovers: deadly trials, steady world-building, phenomenal magic system and concepts, unique and lovable (& despicable) characters, and twists around each corner. I loved how Katee slowly unfolded a complicated history, mystery, and plotline without losing me in the weeds. I was invested and surprised throughout the story as the suspense built and the risks grew. I had predictions and they were WRONG, which I love, because the twists still made sense and were believable. It’s easy to see that Katee has officially ventured into true fantasy territory because of some *choices* that were made in the final chapters. I am already looking forward to Tarot Trials 2, even though this first installment won’t come out until this fall.
🌟 If you enjoy deadly trials mixed with Roman empire vibes then you’re going to want to put this on your TBR immediately. If you’re a NetGalley person it’s up for request on there right now! (And if you’ve read it already, pleeeassse slide into my DMs so we can discuss.)
📖 The Tarot Trials - Katee Robert
If you want more trustworthy reviews be sure to give me a follow!
#BookReview #BookRecommendation #TheTarotTrials #KateeRobert #MustReadFantasy
|| Major Arcana: The Fool, The Magician, The High Priestess, The Empress, The Emperor, The Hierophant, The Lovers, The Chariot, Strength, The Hermit, Wheel of Fortune, Justice, The Hanged Man, Death, Temperance, The Devil, The Tower, The Star, The Moon, The Sun, Judgement, The World, ||
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 🌶️🌶️
The Tarot Trials by Katee Robert
Everyone is playing the game, but no one is playing by the same rules.
Kestrel enters the Tarot Trials determined to uncover the truth behind her mother’s death while competing for a place among the five ruling Cinque. To survive, she must navigate dangerous alliances, political intrigue, and magical trials where every decision has consequences.
Going in, I expected something closer to The Hunger Games, with nonstop action and deadly competitions. Instead, it’s less about brutal combat and more about surviving through Machiavellian conversations, where every exchange feels like it holds a hidden meaning and each alliance comes with a cost.
Even if you don’t know much about tarot, the book makes you wonder whether every card, Court, title, and interaction carries a hidden meaning you haven’t uncovered yet.
~*~*Final Thoughts*~*~
I enjoyed this book and look forward to continuing the series to see how Kestrel and the Cinque navigate the next phase of the trials.
If you like the following tropes, this is for you.
* 🃏 Tournament/Trials
* 👥 Found Family (developing)
* ⚔️ Enemies to Lovers (subplot)
* 🔥 Slow Burn (subplot)
* 🎭 Hidden Agendas
* 🔮 Tarot-Inspired Magic System
* 🗡️ Trust No One
Thank you to Katee Robert, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for the advance listening copy (ALC).
The Tarot Trials by Katee Robert
Everyone is playing the game, but no one is playing by the same rules.
Kestrel enters the Tarot Trials determined to uncover the truth behind her mother’s death while competing for a place among the five ruling Cinque. To survive, she must navigate dangerous alliances, political intrigue, and magical trials where every decision has consequences.
Going in, I expected something closer to The Hunger Games, with nonstop action and deadly competitions. Instead, it’s less about brutal combat and more about surviving through Machiavellian conversations, where every exchange feels like it holds a hidden meaning and each alliance comes with a cost.
Even if you don’t know much about tarot, the book makes you wonder whether every card, Court, title, and interaction carries a hidden meaning you haven’t uncovered yet.
~*~*Final Thoughts*~*~
I enjoyed this book and look forward to continuing the series to see how Kestrel and the Cinque navigate the next phase of the trials.
If you like the following tropes, this is for you.
* 🃏 Tournament/Trials
* 👥 Found Family (developing)
* ⚔️ Enemies to Lovers (subplot)
* 🔥 Slow Burn (subplot)
* 🎭 Hidden Agendas
* 🔮 Tarot-Inspired Magic System
* 🗡️ Trust No One
Thank you to Katee Robert, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for the advance listening copy (ALC).
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
First of all, I want to thank Goodreads Giveaways for this ARC. It is an immense privilege and pleasure to be able to review a book from Katee Robert prior to release.
This book follows a FMC who enters a deadly competition with strong, albeit naive, perspectives on the impact of winning a spot within influential political structure for her community of origin that struggles with basic survival. As someone not familiar with tarot cards, i struggled in the beginning to visualize and understand the tarot powers associated with each contestant. If I were to update the book prior to release, I would change all the beginning chapter quotes from the fictional arcana treaty to tarot card imagery along for informational bits to better build up the world. Towards the end of the book though I was deeply engrossed in the story and enjoyed the ending that didn't tie up all loose ends. I was impressed by the gender inclusively the author provided by one of the main characters, adding dimensionality beyond traditionally depicted fantasy characters.
Overall, I enjoyed the story and will continue to follow Katee Robert who has impressed me with her breadth of writing across multiple genres. Thanks Katee!
This book follows a FMC who enters a deadly competition with strong, albeit naive, perspectives on the impact of winning a spot within influential political structure for her community of origin that struggles with basic survival. As someone not familiar with tarot cards, i struggled in the beginning to visualize and understand the tarot powers associated with each contestant. If I were to update the book prior to release, I would change all the beginning chapter quotes from the fictional arcana treaty to tarot card imagery along for informational bits to better build up the world. Towards the end of the book though I was deeply engrossed in the story and enjoyed the ending that didn't tie up all loose ends. I was impressed by the gender inclusively the author provided by one of the main characters, adding dimensionality beyond traditionally depicted fantasy characters.
Overall, I enjoyed the story and will continue to follow Katee Robert who has impressed me with her breadth of writing across multiple genres. Thanks Katee!
July 27, 2026
Thanks to Tor and Macmillan Audio for the preview. All opinions are my own.
The Tarot Trials was very entertaining and an enjoyable read. It's a scoop of The Hunger Games, a sprinkle of Arcana Academy, and something wholly new for Katee Robert. It's definitely high fantasy with only a very subplot romantic storyline (and it's a very slow burn with just 1 explicit scene).
The trials are insanely high stakes, and Kestrel is risking it all to enter and find out more about her mother's death. Everything she thinks she knows might not be right, and watching her navigate the trials, tenuous alliances, backstabbing factions, and her own assumptions was nerve wracking. The magic granted by the gods for their chosen champions was very interesting and cool, especially since it's not the same from champion to champion.
I was absolutely NOT expecting one of the deaths at the end. I think I was prepared for anyone but that person. I'm so curious to see where the story goes next. The danger will be just as great even though the trials have ended. I'll definitely be picking up the sequel. I also enjoyed Lindsey Dorcus's narration. I think she struck just the right tone for Kestrel.
The Tarot Trials was very entertaining and an enjoyable read. It's a scoop of The Hunger Games, a sprinkle of Arcana Academy, and something wholly new for Katee Robert. It's definitely high fantasy with only a very subplot romantic storyline (and it's a very slow burn with just 1 explicit scene).
The trials are insanely high stakes, and Kestrel is risking it all to enter and find out more about her mother's death. Everything she thinks she knows might not be right, and watching her navigate the trials, tenuous alliances, backstabbing factions, and her own assumptions was nerve wracking. The magic granted by the gods for their chosen champions was very interesting and cool, especially since it's not the same from champion to champion.
I was absolutely NOT expecting one of the deaths at the end. I think I was prepared for anyone but that person. I'm so curious to see where the story goes next. The danger will be just as great even though the trials have ended. I'll definitely be picking up the sequel. I also enjoyed Lindsey Dorcus's narration. I think she struck just the right tone for Kestrel.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to the author and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.
*The Tarot Trials* by Katee Robert is an absolutely phenomenal start to a new fantasy series. With a unique tarot-inspired magic system, deadly magical trials, and political intrigue, I was completely captivated from the very first chapter. Kestrel is a determined and compelling heroine whose quest to uncover the truth behind her mother's execution adds an emotional depth to the high-stakes competition.
I loved the intricate world-building, the morally gray characters, and the constant tension as alliances shifted and betrayals lurked around every corner. The blend of shadow magic, dangerous challenges, and slow-burn romance kept me eagerly turning the pages, never knowing who could truly be trusted.
The pacing is fast, the twists are satisfying, and the ending left me desperate for the next installment. This is an addictive fantasy that perfectly balances action, mystery, romance, and political scheming.
Overall, *The Tarot Trials* is a must-read for fans of epic fantasy, deadly competitions, magical trials, morally gray characters, and slow-burn romance. I can't wait to continue this series.
*The Tarot Trials* by Katee Robert is an absolutely phenomenal start to a new fantasy series. With a unique tarot-inspired magic system, deadly magical trials, and political intrigue, I was completely captivated from the very first chapter. Kestrel is a determined and compelling heroine whose quest to uncover the truth behind her mother's execution adds an emotional depth to the high-stakes competition.
I loved the intricate world-building, the morally gray characters, and the constant tension as alliances shifted and betrayals lurked around every corner. The blend of shadow magic, dangerous challenges, and slow-burn romance kept me eagerly turning the pages, never knowing who could truly be trusted.
The pacing is fast, the twists are satisfying, and the ending left me desperate for the next installment. This is an addictive fantasy that perfectly balances action, mystery, romance, and political scheming.
Overall, *The Tarot Trials* is a must-read for fans of epic fantasy, deadly competitions, magical trials, morally gray characters, and slow-burn romance. I can't wait to continue this series.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was 3.5-4 stars for me!
I am a fan of Katee Robert and her writing style as well as character development.
I truly wanted to love this but it felt like a witchy retelling of the Hunger Games. It was unique in its own ways but the overall structure of the plot felt like I was reading something I've already experienced.
There were trials and mysteries the characters had to overcome. I enjoyed the twists and betrayals as the trials took place. It was a wild ride trying to internally figure out what was going to happen next. The pacing of the book was perfect, until maybe the last 25% where it feels like we are just being rushed towards the end. Did I still gobble it up? Yes. It was entertaining and kept me reading.
Did I love the characters? Absolutely. They were witty, well developed, and full of life. I loved the enemies. I loved the allies. I truly love the way KR creates a character and gives them so much life and meaning in their stories.
If you enjoy KR, I think this will be something you want to add to your TBR. It was unique in its own ways but the overall premise felt like a copy of the Hunger Games.
I am a fan of Katee Robert and her writing style as well as character development.
I truly wanted to love this but it felt like a witchy retelling of the Hunger Games. It was unique in its own ways but the overall structure of the plot felt like I was reading something I've already experienced.
There were trials and mysteries the characters had to overcome. I enjoyed the twists and betrayals as the trials took place. It was a wild ride trying to internally figure out what was going to happen next. The pacing of the book was perfect, until maybe the last 25% where it feels like we are just being rushed towards the end. Did I still gobble it up? Yes. It was entertaining and kept me reading.
Did I love the characters? Absolutely. They were witty, well developed, and full of life. I loved the enemies. I loved the allies. I truly love the way KR creates a character and gives them so much life and meaning in their stories.
If you enjoy KR, I think this will be something you want to add to your TBR. It was unique in its own ways but the overall premise felt like a copy of the Hunger Games.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I found the first half of this book slow- but wow did the second half make up for it!!
I found the start went into a lot of detail about of the villages and surrounding areas, but not so much about the trials and therefore we went in blind. It would have been nice knowing a bit more beforehand. Also I feel like it was over mentioned of the “waste” and “abundance” of the higher courts compared to the dregs, understand it’s needed to understand the whole plot but I don’t think we needed to go over it over and over again.
I was rooting for Nero, and was so excited for the final trials in the swords, and then you ripped out my heart a chapter later (but looove it at the same time lol). At about the 55% mark I really got into the book, was attached to the characters and excited to see what would become between the moon and the tower.
Overall this book started off slow with a lot of descriptive writing that may not have been totally necessary, but than kicked it into high gear with some amazing plot twists, unique trials, and a slow burn love story that will also break your heart.
This is an ARC review & is my honest & authentic thoughts on the book.
I found the start went into a lot of detail about of the villages and surrounding areas, but not so much about the trials and therefore we went in blind. It would have been nice knowing a bit more beforehand. Also I feel like it was over mentioned of the “waste” and “abundance” of the higher courts compared to the dregs, understand it’s needed to understand the whole plot but I don’t think we needed to go over it over and over again.
I was rooting for Nero, and was so excited for the final trials in the swords, and then you ripped out my heart a chapter later (but looove it at the same time lol). At about the 55% mark I really got into the book, was attached to the characters and excited to see what would become between the moon and the tower.
Overall this book started off slow with a lot of descriptive writing that may not have been totally necessary, but than kicked it into high gear with some amazing plot twists, unique trials, and a slow burn love story that will also break your heart.
This is an ARC review & is my honest & authentic thoughts on the book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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