The Queen's Card

Nice fairy tale remake

Sleeping Beauty meets Once Upon A Broken Heart in this fairytale retelling about love and finding yourself. But the heroine isn’t the princess, it’s one of her royal guards.

He hates mortals.

She defends them.

Twenty-year-old Mira is training to be a Keeper of the Wards, a secret society within the mortal guard. With it comes magic, but she has to earn it first. She's on a quest to prove herself when the powerful enemy queen—with a penchant for tarot—threatens the princess and the alliance her kingdom so desperately needs. Powerless against the magic and running out of time, Mira's only hope is to deal with the threat head-on.

When Mira confronts an enemy breaching the kingdom’s wards, she’s captured by the Raven—the ruthless and enigmatic second-in-command to the enemy queen. When secrets unravel, loyalty will be tested, and enemies will become unlikely allies. Together, they must stop the enemy queen’s twisted arcana magic from destroying the realms, but it will force Mira to face her deepest fears.

Will Mira accept who she truly is or will the realms fall to darkness?

If you want an enemies-to-lovers slow burn romance with a raven-shifting love interest, then this fairytale fantasy romance is for you.

This book is upper YA/new adult featuring some mature situations and adult language. The romance is slow burn with some steam.

The Queen’s Card is the first book in the Fairytale Tarot series, perfect for fans of Once Upon a Broken Heart and A Curse so Dark and Lonely who crave a little steam.

GenresFantasyRomantasyRomanceRetellingsFantasy RomanceYoung AdultFairy Tale Retellings
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Now this is what I have been seeking: a fresh take, romance with plot, characters, and world-building.

For years Mira has wanted to imitate her mother and sister and become a Keeper, or basically, a guardian who strengthens the wards around her kingdom. Wanting to prove her worth, she lurks in odd places around the kingdom as she sees shadows creeping between the cracks and in the throne room.

In one such dark hallway she accidentally meets the opposing kingdom’s second enforcer, and he kidnaps her. She discovers that magic is much more than simple ward-casting, and that tarot cards underpin the whole magical economy. Little did she know, Bael, or Raven, is not who he seems, and he introduces her to the gnarly underbelly of the city to show her life is not bliss in the magical realms.

It’s a ‘coming-of-age’ story where Mira not only grows into her own power but actively creates the plan to take down evil, despite not being the most powerful creature around. I like that. “

But I need to mention some things that made me wince. “You don’t always have to be doing something to make a difference.” What?!? Mira is supposed to grow as a character, but her epiphanies confused me. What I took from the story is that without intent, we might all be the same. And to make the story fit the wicked witch of the west melting, Mira suddenly found another power she shouldn’t have, visions. So much for not needing powers to make a difference.

❤️ The Romance ❤️
Bael seems to be a Shadow Daddy? I see this fad but don’t really understand why it’s so popular. He’s conflicted, cursed, and caring. To prevent her from running away, Bael makes a magical bargain, and (oops) they form a mate bond.
Kissing and touching
Forced tattoo?

The World-building:
There are 3 kingdoms, two of which have magic. Mira lives in Lander, the supposedly magic-less realm that is protected by stolen ward-making.

Azrea: is the land of desperation. Queen Roma ruthlessly controls the citizens, but they foment rebellion in a half-hidden manner.

Cool items:
⁃ Magic Mirror
⁃ Bael. The raven.
⁃ Tarot: death card
⁃ Steamboat casinos
⁃ broken logic