Thank you Bloom Books and NetGalley for the free book!

The Empress is a captivating start to a tarot-inspired romantasy series that pulls you into the intriguing world of Towerfall.

The concept of parallel realms, with mirror versions of people existing in each, was such a fascinating twist.

Kane is everything you'd want in a morally gray hero—dashing, roguish, and fiercely protective. He adds so much depth and tension to the story. As for Hannah, she was incredibly relatable and refreshingly realistic. I loved that she wasn’t written as someone with hidden powers or extraordinary talents. Instead, her heroism comes from her growing confidence and learning to navigate a magical world despite feeling out of her depth. Her journey of self-discovery was a highlight and felt wonderfully authentic.

The story’s use of tarot as a world-building element was intriguing, though I was left a little unclear on the role of the Empress after she brought Hannah to Towerfall. Since this is the first book in the series, I’m eager to learn more about the importance of this card, the tower, and how the Arcana tie into the plot.

Overall, this was a refreshing take on the genre, blending high stakes, romance, and self-discovery. I’m definitely curious to see where the series goes from here!