Days before her wedding, Elsie learns a horrifying truth: she has no heart.

For years she'd blamed herself for her inability to love. Now she discovers the real reason behind her suffering—her heart was stolen a long time ago by the mysterious Devil of the Carnevali degli Arcani.

But the Devil claims it wasn't stolen, it was gifted.

Determined to reclaim what was taken from her, Elsie makes her way to the legendary carnival—a place governed by the major arcana of the tarot deck, and which no two patrons will experience the same. But she soon comes to realise this is no easy task. The only way out is through passing the deadly trials of the tent masters, and they have no incentive to let her leave.

As Elsie is drawn deeper into the carnival's enchantments, she begins to question everything she thought she wanted—including the wedding waiting for her back home.

With time running out and her future hanging in the balance, Elsie must decide whether to reclaim the life she planned, or risk losing herself to the carnival, the Devil, and the heart she may never have truly owned.

For fans of The Night Circus, Caraval, and Beauty and the Beast comes a new tale of romance and magic that will leave you in tears.

A Carnival of Fate is a character-driven fantasy romance centred on heartbreak, emotional healing, fate, and the courage to feel deeply. The novel uses the Major Arcana of the tarot as a structural and thematic framework, with each chapter exploring a different archetype and lesson.

The story contains themes of grief, loss, emotional trauma, unhealthy relationships, obsession, and death. Readers should expect an atmospheric, romantic, and occasionally dark story balanced by humour, found family, and ultimately hopeful themes of healing and self-discovery.

The book is intended for adult readers who enjoy romantasy with strong emotional arcs, atmospheric magical settings, complex romantic relationships, and a touch of gothic darkness.

This is an advance reading copy. The final published edition may differ slightly from this version.