The sisterly love of Little Women meets the romance of Pride and Prejudice but add in tarot and magic and the result is the delightful read that is The Sacred & the Divine. Very well written and lots of fun to read, I loved the sisterly devotion and loyalty, the way open communication helped heal relationships, the slow-building romance and, of course, the magic! Definitely a book to add to your list!

Thank you to Net Galley and Disney Publishing for the advance read!!

I can't even begin to imagine the research that went into this! Kudos to the author for an authentic look at tarot, divination, astrology, pre modern medicine...
The end left me hoping there would be more to come. I will be waiting!

This book defies genre, weaving together romance and mystery and fantasy, and ancient astrological lore as well.

"History, romance, and the occult come together in a mesmerizing tale of sisterhood, fate, and the darkness lurking in our world.

Past, Present, Future. What do the cards say? Only the Wolfson sisters know.

The year is 1848, and Daisy, Morrigan, and Avery Wolfson are skilled in the supernatural, particularly tarot readings. Daisy has insights about the future, Morrigan has ties to the past, and Avery has a special connection to the present. Although Massachusetts is known for its hostility to such talents, the village of Redcliffe is eager to use the sisters' abilities for its own gain.

Then Daisy meets Harvard medical student and occult skeptic Jasper Fitzwilliam, as well as handsome newcomer Nate Winthrop, whose fiery nature might just rival Daisy's. Caught up in the throes of first love, Daisy grows distracted, which is only further muddled by a mysterious feud between the girls' mother and their spiritual tutor.

But when the sisters accidentally unleash a bloodthirsty demon on their sleepy town, the lines between friend and enemy get blurred. Will Daisy, Morrigan, and Avery escape unscathed, or is an unfortunate fate written in the stars?"

The cards say that this book is in your future.

This book had such a fun mix of gothic vibes, sisterhood, and supernatural drama. Set in 1848 Massachusetts, the Wolfson sisters - Daisy, Morrigan, and Avery - inadvertently unleash a dark force on their town.

I really enjoyed the eerie small-town setting mixed with romance, gossip, and occult secrets. Daisy’s messy love life (between the skeptic Jasper and fiery Nate) added drama, but what really stood out for me was the bond between the sisters. It felt raw, believable, and carried the story even when chaos hit. The tarot elements gave it that extra spooky flair, and the demon storyline kept me thoroughly entertained.

Overall, it’s perfect if you’re into witchy vibes, historical settings, and a mix of romance and dark suspense.

Tropes

🃏 Tarot and the occult

👩‍👩‍👧 Sisterhood

🌙 Gothic New England town

💔 Love triangle

👹 Demon gone wrong

Thank you NetGalley and Disney Publishing Worldwide | Melissa de la Cruz Studio for the early copy in exchange for my honest review.

Beautifully written and mysterious, this book is a historical fiction with magic and a touch of romance. Set in Massachusetts in 1848, three sisters with magical gifts seek to help those in need in their community. Of course, not everyone believes in their powers. The sisters must navigate their position as healers and Tarot readers in the community while they also navigate social life, dances, and courtships. Meanwhile, the sisters have accidentally opened the door for a demon to infiltrate their town, and once they realize the danger, all focus shifts to banishing the demon.

I think this book is perfect for fans of Bridgerton or Jane Austen who are also looking for magical plots. The Tarot readings and cards were always described in detail, so readers can easily follow along without prior knowledge. I found this book to be mysterious but not particularly eerie or spooky except for a couple of small parts. The epilogue, however, will give you the chills.

I read the summary again and am wondering if I should have been able to deduce that this book had multiple love interests. It’s not directly stated but seems implied with hindsight. I am simply not a fan of anything remotely like a love triangle. I don’t like trying to figure out who to like, and in this case, I picked the wrong guy. I don’t like who Daisy ended up with at the end of the book. Their dynamic frustrates me and makes me think it won’t last. I won’t describe their relationship in detail, because I don’t want to make it obvious for those picking up the book. I am sure there will be many readers that completely disagree and think she picked right. So, if you like two young men getting into a fight over a girl (and their complicated past) don’t let my disapproval of Daisy’s choice stop you from reading.

Thank you to Net Galley, Disney Publishing Worldwide, and Melissa de la Cruz Studio for letting me be an ARC reader.

This one was SO GOOD. I didnt know what to expect when I went into it, just that the concept of Tarot based witchiness called to me, and I am so glad that I picked it up. The story was so rich and atmospheric and reading it was an absolute joy. Will definitely be recommending!

Thank you to Net Galley and Melissa de la Cruz Studio for giving me the opportunity to read this book before its release date. This book was fabulous! A story of three sisters that are experts at Tarot reading was unique and well done! I enjoyed the romance and intrigue throughout the entire book. The world building and character development was fantastic! I would definitely recommend this book to young adults because I think they would enjoy it!

Wonderful representation of the occult. Great mysterious adventure and hidden twists and hidden layers of clues. The character interaction and building was fantastic. Great read.

I was absolutely blown away by The Sacred and The Divine—an electrifying, emotionally rich, and hauntingly atmospheric novel that masterfully blends gothic horror, romance, and dark academia. As an ARC reader, I feel incredibly lucky to have had an early glimpse into this lush, twisted world that lingers long after the final page.

From the very first chapter, Brennan sinks her claws into you with poetic prose, vivid imagery, and a foreboding sense of mystery. The setting—a remote religious academy hidden in the mist-shrouded hills—feels like a character all its own. There’s an intoxicating eeriness to the landscape, where candlelight flickers in stone chapels and secrets are whispered in the shadows of cathedral walls.

The story follows two sharply drawn protagonists: Hester, a fiercely skeptical, emotionally guarded atheist sent to the academy under false pretenses, and Caleb, a devout, charismatic student with a troubled past and a deep belief in the supernatural. Their slow-burning connection is riddled with tension—intellectual, emotional, and romantic—and the way Brennan explores the themes of faith, doubt, trauma, and connection through them is simply brilliant.

The novel’s exploration of religion is particularly compelling. Brennan doesn’t shy away from complex questions: What does it mean to believe? How does faith heal or destroy? Can two people with completely opposing worldviews truly understand each other? These questions are tackled through lyrical, heart-wrenching dialogue and deeply personal internal monologues that never feel preachy or one-sided. It’s not just a romance—it’s a spiritual and psychological journey.

The supernatural elements are subtle at first, woven in through strange rituals, ancient relics, and ghostly visions. But as the plot intensifies, so does the gothic horror, and by the last third of the book, it’s absolutely unputdownable. There are chilling twists, a few genuinely terrifying scenes, and a climax that is as emotional as it is harrowing.

Every character is layered and alive. Even side characters—students, priests, faculty—feel like they carry entire histories beneath their words. The book deals with grief, abuse, religious extremism, and the scars of the past in a raw but respectful way. There are no easy answers, but there is catharsis.

Final Thoughts:
The Sacred and The Divine is an unforgettable read—a masterclass in character development, thematic depth, and gothic storytelling. Sarah Rees Brennan has written something that feels both ancient and urgently modern, romantic and terrifying, sacred and profane. If you love stories like The Secret History, A Deadly Education, or The Raven Cycle, you need to read this. I’m already itching for a re-read, and I know this is a book I’ll be thinking about for years to come.

Bravo, Brennan. This one’s a revelation.

The Sacred & the Divine is a mesmerizing alternate-history novel where witchcraft is real, woven into the fabric of America’s past. Authors Kate Christensen and Melissa Henderson craft a rich, immersive world where three well-meaning sisters—each with their own distinct magic—accidentally unleash a dark force upon their town. What follows is a gripping tale of responsibility, sisterhood, and the unintended consequences of power.

What stood out most to me was the book’s vibrant setting—a town that mirrors America’s diverse cultural and racial landscape, brimming with complex characters, including queer voices that feel organic to the story. The central romance, with its Elizabeth-Darcy-Wickham-esque tension, was especially compelling, adding layers of passion and rivalry that kept me hooked.

The authors blend historical depth with magical intrigue, making the supernatural elements feel grounded and urgent. By the end, I was left craving more—this world and its characters are too rich for just one book! Here’s hoping for a sequel.

If you love witchy alternate histories with strong familial bonds, political undertones, and a dash of slow-burn romance, The Sacred & the Divine is a must-read.

This is a fantastic novel! The captivating story combines elements of tarot reading, the occult, witchcraft, and a quest to hunt demons. The three main characters, the Wolfson sisters, are wonderfully developed throughout the narrative. I had a difficult time putting it down and highly recommend it.

This book absolutely swept me away. The writing feels like pure magic. There’s a lyrical, almost haunting quality to it that perfectly matches the eerie atmosphere. I loved how the author made the village of Redcliffe feel both welcoming and menacing. The story never felt rushed, but every moment held meaning and weight. The themes of sisterhood, fate, and the consequences of power are woven so naturally into the plot. I loved how the story explores the idea of choice versus destiny, especially when the sisters accidentally summon the demon. I felt so immersed in their world, and I couldn’t help but root for them to overcome the darkness that threatens to tear them apart. And, I would absolutely recommend it to anyone who loves stories that blend magic and heart. It’s unforgettable.