I had bigger expectations considering the number of people.who have recommended this book. 

It's not a terrible book.  It's a quick read, not very deep or detailed.  The premise is interesting and I am a sucker for magic cards BUT these are magic items not tarot or fortune cards which is my weakness. 

The characters are cookie cutter types without much depth to them. The heroine goes from hapless naif to leader of the rebels overnight due to her irresistable existence to the taciturn and dark male lead.  Yes we have read this before and the trope is tiresome but the book is so quick moving that we don't have to waste too much time with angst and worry over whether or not the lovers will see past their trauma and fall in love.  Etc. 

The only down side is one spicy scene and it's not very spicy at all.  I had to read it twice because I thought I missed how the MMC managed to satisfy himself. The description was very generic.  Look, I'll put up with some slap dash plot devices and questionable character development IF you give me some eyebrow raising smut scenes.  And I actually like the Main FC and MC so I want to spend some more time with them .  

In any case the book ended up on a high note and I would like to read the conclusion novel but ... It can wait.