Katy Hays is a startlingly brilliant writer with an impressive command of numerous Classical languages and a seemingly unlimited knowledge of arts and antiquities throughout the Ages.

As one intrigued with history—especially Renaissance, Medieval and earlier; as well as all things esoteric and mythological, her debut novel, “The Cloisters,” a contemporary fiction set primarily in NYC’s famous museum of the same name, kept me spellbound from page one.

It’s a mystery about obscure Italian Tarot cards dating from the 1400s and the academic debate regarding the origins of Tarot and this specific deck in particular.

The academic controversy surrounding Tarot is in its original purposes. Were the decorative cards designed just for card games? Or were The Tarot Decks purposely created for divination? If so, did the Face Cards of the Major Arcana represent very specific things for a reason? These and other scholarly facts on the subject are woven seamlessly throughout the novel.

All of these ideas are founded in the historical record, and are truly fascinating for history buffs, theologians, linguists, antiquarians, art enthusiasts, astrologers and of course, Tarot readers.


✳️ IN ADDITION FOR TAROT ENTHUSIASTS:

Hays graciously includes at the end of “The Cloisters,” spreadsheet graphs with the 15th C. Italian Ferrara Deck Interpretations for the Major Arcana and Minor Arcana (both upright and reversed readings).

TheBookMaven

Story about girl who get a lifetime oppertunity to work in elite museum in NYC. This museum is not like any other it is full of tarot cards and spirituality. When you play with spirits they might get you or if you dont beiliev in it evil people will get you

3 stars

This book had so much promise especially because I love and fiend over dark academia and I was frankly just disappointed. It was too pretentious about itself but not in a critical and interesting way unfortunately. It was also SO slow and I really disliked the main character. Please get Ann away from Leo I'm begging. I think this would have been better if it had been more focused on the library.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Really enjoyed this novel. Story was very interesting and engaging. Looking forward to reading more by this author. Highly recommend!

A glorious slow burn of a novel, ‘The Cloisters’ by Katy Hays had me from the first page. Viscerally atmospheric with Dark Academia vibes, this story was thrilling, twisty, and full of mystery. I loved it. Highly recommend!

Although I tend to love academic settings, I had a hard time getting into this one. It’s more of a slow burn mystery, which I do not prefer. It did pick up once the book continued on. This was just okay for me.

I did not finish reading this book. I was almost 50% through and couldn’t get interested in the plot. Nothing much seemed to be happening and I found it boring . I appreciate the advance copy from the publisher and NetGalley.

The Cloisters is often compared to The Secret History, and I get that; there are many similarities. However, in my opinion, The Cloisters is a superior read. The characters are more developed and I felt like the story moved along at a much better pace.

I loved all of the gothic-y vibes and the sneaky way Hays educated us without it feeling like you were being taught something you didn't know.

I would highly recommend this book

I was destined to love this book because the Cloisters is one of my top five places I ever visited. I enjoyed the gothic feel of the book and I can tell the author is a natural storyteller. There were some parts that did drag, but I think a slow pace works for this type of mystery. The art history tie-ins were among my favorite parts and I was more into that aspect than the characterizations. I think fans of The Secret History would really enjoy this one.

Overall I enjoyed this book. I picked it because I have an interest in tarot, so that drew me in. I found the characters a bit flat, and the location the same. I loved the role of tarot and the reference to art history though. this really reads like a first novel to me, but if she writes more, I will definitely give another book a chance. This seems rather "surface level" but I believe depth will come with more experience writing.

The Cloisters was a really well done novel filled with all the drama and intrigue you'd expect to surround a Gothic Musuem.


Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for providing me with an arc for an honest review.

This book was great to read and very atmospheric. It follows a recent college grad, Ann, who gets an internship at the MET. However, due to a glitch in which she almost has to go home, Ann ends up working at the Cloisters and studying tarot instead. The book is tense, dark, and you can't trust anyone. If you like dark academia, you'll love this!

This dark academia book follows Ann Stillwell who begins a summer apprenticeship at The Cloisters, a museum that houses medieval and Renaissance era art and manuscripts in New York City. Ann quickly becomes embroiled in a dark and mysterious game being played out by other employees of the museum.
I had a very hard time getting drawn into this story and typically I would have moved on without finishing it. While it was very atmospheric and I enjoyed the descriptions of The Cloisters, I found the plot dragged a bit and I didn’t connect with Ann very much.

Atmospheric, dark, and twisty. This was such a fun read, especially if you're as obsessed with tarot as I am. Bonus points if you've ever spent any time at the actual Cloisters Museum in Manhattan.

Are our lives predetermined by fate or are we in control? Ann gets a job as a summer intern in the research department of The Cloisters, a historic museum, working with the curator on his research of tarot cards. Originally a sceptic, she quickly becomes engrossed with the work. But will her life be determined by the cards she reads for herself or is everything a result of the actions she's taken in her life that brought her to this place. An interesting concept and question.

This book’s setting and mystery were so fun! I loved getting into the art world and a unique look at the darker side of this industry.

The Cloisters is one of those dark academia books that is currently all the rage. Add in the gothic vibes, plants, New York, and the MET, and it’s definitely got my attention. The only issue is I struggled to keep my attention focused on the storyline, and in the end I just felt it wasn’t for me.

I was looking forward to this novel because it was a thriller surrounding tarot cards. However, the story was very slow moving with not a lot happening in the story. I also did not like the love triangle that was the focus for most of the book. Still, I recommend this for fans of Gwendolyn Womack!

Amazing book and story. I was very impressed how accurate the art world setting was and loved everything about this book. Can't wait for more by the author!

This was pushed and marketed to all lovers of The Secret History, which is a favorite book of mine. Interestingly, both this and The Secret History were chosen as Jenna's picks at the end of the year (2022). I actively seek out books that compare to any work by Donna Tartt. The tarot angle interested me, prompting me to turn the pages. The Cloisters doesn’t really do much that feels new. But I’ve written before about how much I enjoy this plot structure as long as it hits all the right notes, and the familiar formula has yet to lose its lustre for me. The Cloisters is executed perfectly: a heady book to get lost in, a perfect summer novel. The atmosphere of the setting, with its verdant gardens and myriad hidden corners, is undeniably intoxicating. I enjoyed this book; it presents an interesting look at the academic sphere where Ivy League scholarship is competitive, the resulting job opportunities scarce, and the population of that world so small it converges, becoming a closed set.
This novel is populated with people I didn't like, but that did not take away from the story itself. I didn't cheer for the protagonist--sad girl that she is. I waited for her to crash and burn even though she didn't. Despite the novel serving as her fight against entitlement, other class handicaps, and her guilt, she fails to make a case for herself, at least in my courtroom. Well-crafted lies help one navigate the modern world.