e-ALC, 08:36:51
ARC, 304 pages
Narrated by: Andia Winslow
Release Date: August 11, 2026
Published by: Books on Tape
Read from: July 10-12, 2026
Stand-alone
Source: Netgalley (I received this ALC from the publisher and their app. I also received an ARC form. I immersive read this story with both of these formats. This did nothing to influence my review.)
Content Warning: Grief, Death, Violence, Murder, Racism, Cursing, Animal Cruelty, Alcohol, and Misogyny
For Readers of: 2sLGBTQ+ (Bi & Lesbian rep), Action, ARC, Audio, Contemporary, Fantasy, Sparkly Cover, Most Anticipated, Racial/Ethnic Diversity, Thrillers, YAA dark contemporary fantasy featuring witchcraft, tarot, death, and a bit of romance that’s perfect for fans of Immortal Dark and Cinderella Is Dead.
On an ordinary Monday morning, eighteen-year-old Mikaela Broussard receives the shock of her life. During a customer’s tarot reading at her family’s occult shop, she turns over the Death card and envisions the beautiful stranger stabbing her in the heart.
In order to determine why the girl, Joelle, wants to kill her, she’ll have to keep her close. But the more time Mikaela spends with her soon-to-be murderer, the more irresistible she finds her.
As if imminent death isn’t worrisome enough, witches are turning up with their magic stolen. And it’s clear some very dark magic is at work. Mikaela, as the next Witch Queen of her coven, is tasked with figuring out who’s behind the horrific acts—a mystery that will put her and her power to the test.
Death Card is a dark, pacy, and romantic fantasy about one witch’s journey to find the strength to fight for herself, her future, and her beloved community.
*MY THOUGHTS*
This was my most anticipated read of the Fall! Why? Because the cover was gorgeous LOL No other reason other than that. But you know what? It still worked out because I had a TIME reading this!
This book was wild! Idk, I was not expecting to read about a demon in this whole thing? lol The plot was pretty basic, but it worked so well. Smith used this storyline and made it her own. I was immersed the whole time and I was writing notes like, “IKYFL” and “girl get out of there!” LOL It was a hot mess.
The ending was a hot mess tho.In a good way I guess. I just knew I had guessed who was actually behind it, but nope. Because I couldn’t figure out why someone might do all this extra. And you won’t believe it until you read it lmao I was cussing that person out so much I’m sure they heard me through the book. All of this over that? I was pissed lol So needless to say, I ended up putting 2 and 2 together right at the same time as the MC lol
The only thing I didn’t love was the world-building. It opens with a really cool scene but we don’t get a really good in-depth look into the magic. I’m nosey I want to know it all and I want to know it all. I know it happened with her ancestors and stuff, but like, how? Idk I wanted to know more about everything. And like we know everything about the world it’s set in, but I wanted more info specifically about the world where the magic existed. I just had too many questions left over when I was done reading.
The romance was ok, but I remember thinking this is one of those times that y’all need not be worried about getting together LOL I was like y’all got way bigger fish to fry than what’s happening between y’all LOL But I will admit they were cute. I was rooting for them. I just thought Mikaela had the right idea to stay away from her, but she just couldn’t do it lol I remember thinking, “Can y’all figure this out once you know what she’s going to do lol
This was so good. So much I wasn’t expecting and so many surprises. I really hope there’s more because this was a fun time. I can’t wait to see how Smith will bewitch me next! I hope y’all pick up this one too!
Overall, I give this
