Thanks to NetGalley and Entangled Teen Crave for providing an ebook in exchange for an honest review.
236 Pages
Synopsis: Aster Layne believes in physics, not psychics. A tarot card reading on the Ocean City Boardwalk should have been a ridiculous, just-for-fun thing. It wasn’t. Aster discovers she has a very unscientific gift–with a simple touch of the cards, she can change a person’s fate.
Reese Van Buren is cursed. Like the old-school, centuries-old curse that runs in royal families. Every firstborn son is doomed to die on his eighteenth birthday–and Reese’s is coming up fast. Bummer. He tries to distract himself from his inevitable death…only to find the one person who can save him.
Aster doesn’t know that the hot Dutch guy she’s just met needs her help–or that he’s about to die.
But worst of all…she doesn’t know that her gift comes with dark, dark consequences that can harm everyone she loves.
Touching Fate is a quick but enjoyable read that is also a very original twist on the power of tarot cards. I loved the story itself which combined tarot card reading with the Fates. You see, Aster Layne is a Fate Changer, which means she can change someone’s fate simply by touching a card in her deck. However, there’s also some repercussions from doing this which forces Aster to make some difficult decisions, including whether or not she can save Reese. The story alternates in the third person voices of Aster and Reese. I had a little bit of a hard time connecting to Aster at first because I felt her nastiness to Reese when they first met unwarranted. As this is a fairly short story, that didn’t last long, and I appreciated what she was going through. She loves pretty much unconditionally and will do anything to protect the people in her life. Reese is charming from the very first scene, and once he discovers Aster could lift the curse and save his life, he faces his own moral dilemma. While they fall in love fairly quickly, the secrets they keep from each other threaten to tear them apart…permanently. The secondary characters are equally engaging and each has a role that further fleshes out the story. My only complaint is that I felt the book could have been longer. Because it was only a little over 200 pages, everything unfolded a little too quickly. It was almost akin to a really fast roller-coaster ride. You feel like you just got on when the ride’s already over. The plot unfolds over the course of a year, but because of the shortness of the book, it really doesn’t feel like it. I also thought the relationship between Aster and Reese, although sweet and romantic, could have used a little extra time to develop more fully. But overall, I really enjoyed this, and I’m looking forward to reading the sequel Cursing Fate which is coming out later this month. I definitely recommend this for older teens who like paranormal romance.
rantandraveaboutbooks said:
We both reviewed this on the same day. How funny is that? 🙂 I’m glad you also liked this book. I flew right through it. I’m about to start the second book in the series. I love the concept and the author is really cool.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Ha! *fist bump*
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Anne said:
A hot Dutch guy eh? How come I never bump into any of those over here?! 😉
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Say it ain’t so!😕
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Anne said:
Michiel Huisman is pretty hot. But he moved to the States…;)
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
😕
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jowensauthor said:
I enjoy tarot cards (although I’ve not done any reading in a good while), so this one sounds pretty interesting to me 🙂
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
It is a fun read Jeanne!💁🏻
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Carrie said:
Great review Kim 🙂
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thanks Carrie!
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beetleypete said:
Paranormal romance. That conjures up some images. Glad you enjoyed it, Kim. But I agree that 200 pages is rather slim.
Best wishes, Pete.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thanks Pete. I definitely don’t think paranormal romance is for you though! LOL!💁🏻
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beetleypete said:
My romantic days are sadly mostly long behind me, Kim. Whether paranormal, or just plain normal! 🙂
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Oh No Pete! At least you have Ollie!😕
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beetleypete said:
Ollie is always by my side, but I mustn’t forget Julie too!
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
That’s right! Sorry Julie!
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Jay said:
Sweetie, I just don’t know how you keep up!
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
I think I need a 12 step program Jay!😕
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Jen said:
I’m so glad to see your thoughts on her other series! I hope the 2nd book in this trilogy (I think?) is even more wonderful! I’m really looking forward to the 2nd book in her library jumpers series next year….. especially since a certain someone makes an appearance and that they get sent to a wasteland together woot! (Yes I know I’m hopeless when it comes to male characters in books 😂).
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
I’m going to read and review the second book in the next week or so, so I’ll let you know Jen! I can’t wait for the new library jumpers book! I wish it was coming out sooner. 😕
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Jen said:
Oh wow, that soon! That’s awesome! I can’t wait to see what you think it! Ugh, I know right?! Patience is a virtue that’s hard to come by in regards to waiting for books to release. 😆😶😥😪
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
I’m a huuuge fan of Jim Butcher’s Harry Dresden series and I’ve been waiting like 3-4 years for his new book Peace Talks to come out. It’s been so frustrating Jen! Thankfully it looks like it’s finally being published next year. Grr.😡
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Jen said:
3-4 years? *jaw drops to ground* Oh. My. Gosh. That’s forever! I’m happy that there’s an end in sight, but here’s hoping it isn’t a duology or a trilogy ack! 🙂
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
I know! Right?! It’s been torture for his fans. It’s a long running urban fantasy series (one of the best IMHO). I think I’m going to have to re-read the previous book before this comes out because I don’t remember everything that happened. Seriously, though. How can our beloved authors do this to us? It’s not fair!😕
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Jen said:
No it isn’t fair. I completely get a year or even a year and a half, but past that it’s so hard. At least you’ll have fun revisiting some of your favorite books for the reread 😉😊.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Now that’s positive thinking Jen! Thanks!🤗
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