This was quite an interesting read, but it didn't really resonate for me, which is a real shame and I'm not sure why. I've seen some people say that they didn't like the main character but him being so morally grey made sense, although it didn't make him very likeable. I'm not sure if any of the characters were likeable, maybe that was the problem for me. I really don't know.
The historical aspect was fascinating and I appreciated the index at the back with all of the research.

I think this will be really popular with the right audience, unfortunately that wasn't me.

I read an eARC of this book on NetGalley so thank you to the author and the publisher.

This book had a fascinating premise centred around a historical set of playing cards and the obsessive and dangerous collectors who covet them. Mix in an element of the supernatural, a startling look into a treacherous gambling scene and you have a very interesting book.

The historical elements were balanced well, giving useful context for the story, appearing briefly interspersed with the main story, but never in a way that was distracting. It was interesting to explore the origin of the cards and the perils they caused even very early on.

The card collection was fascinating and the level of power they had over those who coveted them was intense. The way they became so addictive to the searchers, changing their personalities in quite a negative way was quite gripping to read.

The main character in this book I struggled to engage with, he’s quite morally grey which I usually like but I wasn’t hugely interested in him. His travelling companion though, and an older female character though were great. I enjoyed reading their parts!

A clever novel blending past and present really well, with a good use of the supernatural. It was a little long, but enjoyable overall.