This review will contain minor spoilers for the first part of the book, but also trigger warning information.
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I was ready to call this just a fun book with an interesting magic system after the first third, but the constant reference of SA as the main character's character flaw/motivation really kept bugging me. I would have likely avoided this one if there were trigger warnings up front, but it was brought up more than I care to read, so I ended up DNFing.

Very fantasy, kind of boring and predictable to read though. I couldn't get into it and it took me forever to read, I still haven't even finished..

I really wanted to like this one. Im a sucker for card based fantasy with romantic plots (see The Shepard King Duology). Unfortunately The Cards of Fate is woefully underdeveloped in nearly every area. The beginning was rushed to the point that the first 25% felt like a list of bullet point facts. It was all telling and very little showing. Once the plot did get underway, it was hard to pay attention because I was never able to make a solid connection to the story, characters, or relationships.

Thank you A. R. Kingston and NetGalley for my ARC. My opinions are my own.

Plot - 2
Writing and Editing - 2
Character Development - 2
Personal Bias - 2
Final Score - 2

Cards of Fate proved to be quite an interesting read, especially for someone like me who revels in the realms of Fantasy and Romance. I was perplexed after I finished, not sure if I LOVED it or hated it...

First things first, the book's cover is very beautiful and it is what initially lured me into its pages.

Kingston has good skills in worldbuilding, bringing forth an interesting concept. The adventurous spirit of the narrative, coupled with the enchanting descriptions of magic, captivated my attention. The writing style made for a smooth reading experience, but I did find the juxtaposition of modern language with terms like "My Lady" a tad disconcerting.

On the downside, the characters occasionally exhibited a degree of immaturity, somewhat at odds with the presumed target audience (Adult). The handling of the intimate scenes between the protagonists felt a bit awkward (such as licking of the neck...? Maybe it just wasn't my cup of tea). Regrettably, the ending unfolded somewhat predictably, lacking the impactful conclusion that the storyline deserved. A more meticulous approach to the finale could have made the ending a million times better.

In essence, while the book and its characters had potential, a lingering sense of unfulfillment persisted. It yearned for more' more from the character depth or the plot. For those venturing into the Romantacy genre, Cards of Fate is an okay introduction. However, for seasoned readers, I might hesitate to recommend it.

I'm hoping that in the future I can come across more of A. R. Kingston's book and give it another go.

This was a great read with likeable characters, immersive world building and I loved the magic system. I think the character growth was perfect, the pacing was good and I thoroughly enjoyed this!

thank you to netgalley for the advanced reading copy. I really enjoyed this and will be getting copies for my shop.

I mostly enjoyed this book. The characters are believable and the plot is action packed, but the tarot card aspect felt a little out of place to me. It felt like the author needed a hook and added it in when it wasn't really needed. The plot would have been great without that aspect. The ending was a bit of a let down for me too. It was a good read, three stars from me.

I had high hopes for this story, after trying to read it.. I found myself only getting about a third of the way through. The writing throughout kept me confused and it was hard to follow.

I loved the premise of this book so much. It first gave me the Caraval vibes. I found myself getting distracted by the writing. I ended up DNFing at 40%

I wanted more.

I don't think this story was ready to be out in the world. It has so much potential, but as it stands, it's not good.

It was a great book, but not entirely right for myself personally. Though that shouldn't be taken out on it.

Story and world building was fine, just not my cup of tea. I did not DNF, because I like to finish through and its a great story, again just not for me

Thank you for this arc!
2.50!
I didn't enjoy this book as much as I hoped too. The plot seemed intriguing but the writing and the characters were a mess which overall led to this book being a massive disappointment :(

DNF at 41%. I just cannot get into this book. I feel like not much has happened in the book and it’s almost half way done. I’m just bored with it and can’t motivate myself to pick it up. I thought the concept was cool with royalty, magic. and the cards of fate and fate lines affecting your future or telling you likely outcomes.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC.

This was a decent one time read that I enjoyed. It wasn't something I'd fangirl over too much, but it wasn't bad enough that I DNF it either. It was just somewhere in between those two extremes and that's okay because sometimes all you need is a perfectly average book to curl up with.

Great concept. DNF at the casual discussion of sexual assault of the main FMC in relation to why she should give the MMC a shot. The story telling needs some polishing as well

LOVE AN EPIC ROMANCE WITH A MEDIEVAL SETTING! I have always had a deep love for tarot cards and seeing them used in a magic system made me very interested in seeing it more within the book! The characters were well designed and the author excelled at getting me connected to them.

This was a fun read! It was full of adventure, love, and magic. The ending could’ve been wrapped up a little better, but overall, an enjoyable read!

Want an epic fantasy that will keep you turning the page your after hour and realizing in no time it’s 4 am and you’re not getting any sleep. Cards Of Fate, is just the type of book for you then. It’s an epic fantasy that has all the beloved found family and forbidden romance tropes you can handle wrapped into one book.
I enjoyed reading this book, I can’t say it’s my top read of the year but man it’s a close second!

The character development is outta this world and the spice in this was just right! I’m not in smutty type books but just the right amount goes along way! As ▕⃝⃤lways thank you to Netgalley for allowing me the privilege of an ARC! This is definitely one I will own!

Cards of Fate" by A.R. Kingston is a thrilling adventure that will keep you on the edge of your seat. The book is part erotic romance and part adventure, making it a unique and exciting read. The author's writing style is clear and smooth, making it easy to get lost in the story. The characters are well-developed and relatable, and the plot is full of twists and turns that will keep you guessing until the very end. The book explores themes of love, fear, and control, and does so in a way that is both thought-provoking and entertaining. Overall, "Cards of Fate" is a well-written and engaging book that I would highly recommend to anyone looking for a thrilling read. Whether you're a fan of adventure, romance, or both, this book is sure to satisfy.

I got this book as an ARC so the format was weird and made it super hard to read. The story itself wasn’t my favorite. It was predictable and lacking in depth but it wasn’t the worst book ever. I just think it’s not my style. There were times I wanted to DNF but the greater part of me was curious to see if i was right with my guesses. I appreciate the opportunity to read and review this book.