With the next Dungeon Crawler Carl not yet set for release, and Winds of Winter seemingly never coming, readers are looking for similar stories to bridge the gap. Carl and Donut are tough to replace, but there are plenty of other books with fierce, deadly competition at their core. In the case of one new fantasy series, a series of dangerous trials comes along with a complex web of alliances and deceit, offering something for Dungeon Crawler Carl and Game of Thrones fans alike.
The Tarot Trials is the first book in a new fantasy series from Katee Robert, the best-selling author behind the Dark Olympus series. Following their successful Greek Mythology-infused dark romance series, Robert is turning to an epic fantasy infused with the magic of the Tarot. This book is the start of a new trilogy full of high-stakes competitions and political shenanigans.
For those who enjoy being among the first to uncover a hit series before it really takes off, The Tarot Trials is a must-read. It’s got a unique spin on the deadly competition concept, Tarot-inspired magic, political alliances and betrayals, and a hint of romance. That makes this the perfect new series to jump into if you need something to tide you over until Book 9 of Dungeon Crawler Carl arrives or while holding out hope for The Winds of Winter.
The Tarot Trials Delivers Magic, Competition, and a Struggle To Survive
Fantasy readers may recognize Katee Robert’s name from the Dark Olympus series. With 10 main books and multiple spin-offs, Dark Olympus captivated readers with its modern twists on Greek mythology. Now, Roberts is taking their talents in a different direction with a fantasy series poised to deliver plenty of magic, fierce competition, and the kinds of political machinations you’d expect from the Lannisters.
In The Tarot Trials, readers meet Kestrel. She’s been training to compete in the titular Tarot Trials her entire life. Winning would grant her immense power and influence as one of the ruling Cinque. In this way, the Trials are kind of like Suzanne Collins’ Hunger Games. But Kestrel’s motivations for taking part aren’t as simple as they first appear.
Kestrel isn’t just here for power. She’s here for revenge. Her mother once won the Trials, becoming the Champion of the Moon. That should have granted her a place among the Cinque. But instead, she was accused of treason and executed. Now, Kestrel hopes that competing in the Trials as her mother did all those years ago will grant her the answers she seeks.
Critical Response To The Tarot Trials
Just days after its release, The Tarot Trials boasts nearly a 4-star average rating on Goodreads. Clearly, the series is off to a strong start with early readers for its fresh take on the magical competition trope and compelling characters. But if you haven’t picked it up yet, here’s why you should.
In The Tarot Trials, readers are introduced to a compelling new heroine determined to do what it takes to get answers. The competition is every big as high-stakes as the Dungeon that Carl and Donut must navigate. Of the 22 champions that enter the contest, only 5 will survive.
Rather than follow the arc of a dungeon-crawling video game, this contest is instead shaped after the Tarot cards. Each of the champions represents one of the 22 Major Arcana cards in the Tarot. To keep things interesting, each champion gets new, magical powers tied to the card they represent. So, in a way, choosing a card is like choosing a class, giving each contestant their own unique strengths and weaknesses. For those familiar with the Tarot, the book is steeped in exciting references that weave the magic of the cards throughout. But rest assured, you won’t be lost if you haven’t memorized the Major Arcana, as Roberts guides readers through the way Tarot informs the magic and the contest itself.
Alongside the competition, there’s another game afoot. Victory might mean securing a place among the Cinque, but the betrayal and political machinations don’t stop there. Securing your place among the Cinque is just the beginning. And if she wins, Kestrel is determined to use her newfound power to investigate her mother’s death. That means looking closely at her alliances and her choices to find her way to the truth, all while trying to avoid the same tragic fate.
Basically, while book one might center on the Trials themselves, it’s just the beginning of the story. What follows will no doubt be the kind of high court drama fans love in the likes of Game of Thrones. After all, if Kestrel’s mother is innocent, someone must have framed her. And that could spell the kind of corruption that isn’t easily eradicated.
The Tarot Trials Isn’t a Romantasy, But The Series Could Give Us a Slow Burn
Readers familiar with Dark Olympus will no doubt want to know whether we can expect more romance in Robert’s newest series. Like the Trials, the answer is complicated. Kestrel will forge unlikely alliances with other contestants along the way. There’s the mysterious Tower, the seemingly blessed Wheel of Fortune, and the powerful Sun. In book one, none of these relationships take center stage, instead forming more of a secondary subplot. So while some of these alliances might hint at something more, readers shouldn’t expect the same level of spicy romantasy that we got in Dark Olympus.
That said, The Tarot Trials is just the first book in the series. While the political alliances and ongoing investigation will no doubt play a central role as the series continues, those simmering romances could well play a bigger part going forward. For fans of a good slow burn, that could be a feature, not a bug. In fact, for those who prefer their fantasy a bit more focused on plot and a bit less centered on spice, The Tarot Trials could be an exciting new direction for Roberts’ talents.
Readers likely have a bit of a wait ahead of us before we’ll see where those alliances take Kestrel and her fellow champions. The Tarot Trials is expected to be a trilogy, with its story told across three books. As of now, the names and release dates of the next two books haven’t been revealed. However, with The Tarot Trials off to a strong start, we’ll likely hear more about book two soon enough.
You can purchase The Tarot Trials here.
