The Cloisters offered up an enchanting gothic atmosphere with a delightful twist of tarot. But while I enjoyed the writing style and academic knowledge, much of the actual plot and scenes fell flat.

 

We’re following Ann, a young woman desperately trying to leave her grief behind her and find her footing in the world of museum curation and research. She ends up spending her summer at The Cloisters - where she works amidst an eccentric staff of researchers and gardeners alike. But their studies into the occult soon turn dangerous, and they all begin to question how much power the tarot cards hold. Can Ann escape her fate? Or is her future predetermined? 

 

It checks the academia boxes, but never seems to challenge or expand them. The antagonists are not given enough life or depth. The plot seems to have been outlined and then followed without actually giving the characters believable motivations for their thoughts and actions.

 

But the setting is created brilliantly - and I was captivated alongside Ann with the alluring tarot cards. I actually wanted more of a focus on the tarot; I felt like I didn’t have enough of an understanding of the cards’ meanings and references. The focus was SO overtly on fate – I hoped for slightly more subtlety there.

 

Overall, I did enjoy my time with The Cloisters. I would read more from this author because I enjoyed the flow of her writing and the dark imagery. But I was never truly surprised, and I’m not sure I would recommend this to anyone who isn’t already very into this sort of material.

 

Additional bonus: I briefly lived across the street from Fort Tryon Park; it sure was fun to read about areas that I had personally frequented! 

 

CW: death (incl. death of parent), murder, grief, drug use, car accident, toxic friendship, eating disorder, suicide, gaslighting, injury, classism, sexual content

 

(I received a free copy of this book; this is my honest review.)