Item: The Cloisters
Rating: 3.00
Author: quirkycat

by Katy Hays

The Secret History meets Ninth House in this sinister, atmospheric novel . . . the discovery of a mysterious deck of tarot cards lays bare shocking secrets within a close-knit circle of researchers at New York's famed Met Cloisters museum.

'Beguiling and atmospheric, an entrancing and gripping tale.' KATE MOSSE

'Glamour, power, seduction, ambition - The Cloisters has it all. I adored this deliciously gothic, beautifully written novel.' LOUISE O'NEILL, author of Idol

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Ann Stilwell arrives in New York City, hoping to spend her summer working at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Instead, she is assigned to The Cloisters, a gothic museum and garden renowned for its medieval and Renaissance collections.

There she is drawn into a small circle of charismatic but enigmatic researchers, each with their own secrets and desires, including the museum's curator, Patrick Roland, who is convinced that the history of Tarot holds the key to unlocking contemporary fortune telling.

Relieved to have left her troubled past behind and eager for the approval of her new colleagues, Ann is only too happy to indulge some of Patrick's more outlandish theories. But when Ann discovers a mysterious, once-thought lost deck of 15th-century Italian tarot cards she suddenly finds herself at the centre of a dangerous game of power, toxic friendship and ambition.

And as the game being played within the Cloisters spirals out of control, Ann must decide whether she is truly able to defy the cards and shape her own future . . .

Bringing together the modern and the arcane, The Cloisters is a rich, thrillingly-told tale of obsession and the ruthless pursuit of power.

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'Dark and enigmatic . . . The Cloisters captured me from the off. . . a story of academic obsession, Renaissance magic and the ruthless pursuit of power. Captivating in every sense.' SARAH PEARSE, author of The Sanatorium

'Elegant and atmospheric and suffused with brooding menace.' LUCY CLARKE, author of The Castaways

'Sultry and sinister . . . teems with sexual tension, the secrets of divination, and scholarly obsessiveness . . . jaw-dropping.' SARAH PENNER, author of The Lost Apothecary

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Early readers are obsessed with The Cloisters

'The Cloisters does for tarot what The Secret History did for Greek class'

'I loved this tale of tarot and obsession'

'If you like museums, art, mystery, and dark academia The Cloisters will be a satisfying read for you'

'A dash of history, a pinch of gothic, and enough surprises to keep me guessing.'

'This is academia gone to the dark side and then some!'

'Beautifully written, with fabulous descriptions and a gorgeous gothic setting, it's a gripping read. I loved it!'

Book Summary:

Ann Stilwell has always had big goals for herself, and she's not going to let the world hold her back – no matter how hard it tries. She's just moved to New York City for a summer job at the Met, and while things didn't go as planned – she's still there.

In a strange series of events, Ann is now working for a section of the Met called The Cloisters. However, her new career and interest will quickly turn deadly, as there is more than meets the eye. Will she solve the arcane puzzle before it's too late, or will she become yet another victim?

My Review:

I wanted to like The Cloisters. Everything about this book sounded perfect – debut novel with gothic vibes and a secret society, plus magical elements? Yes, please! Unfortunately, I didn't quite get what I was hoping for.

Instead of a thrilling read, I got more of a dull slog. This book was a struggle to finish, and I hate saying that. The intrigue was there, but that's not all. There are so many unnecessary details, all of which make the book feel...almost pretentious? And that's coming from somebody who majored in art history, so you know I normally love those details. It was more the tone than what was contained.

All things said and done; The Cloisters wasn't a bad read. It just wasn't what I had hoped it would be. If you go into it expecting more academia with a dash of mystery and thrills, I think you'll find yourself much happier.

Highlights:
Debut novel
Dark Academia
Gothic vibes
Secret society

Trigger Warnings:
Family death
Fatmisia
Car accident

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The Cloisters

by Katy Hays

Reviewed by Quirky Cat on Jan 1, 2023

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