My Rating- 5 STARS
Synopsis- She killed his father. She imprisoned and beat him. And now she thinks he’s her trophy.
Synn El’Asim will do almost anything to prove her wrong. But he’s only proving her right.
Queen Nix awakened his Mark of power and inducted him into the House of Wands. She knew what she was doing. The son of the two most powerful Families standing against her is the ultimate prize.What she didn’t take into consideration was that maybe he was too strong for her. Maybe. But the Families aren’t. They’ve been weakened and it’ll take a lot more than one young man with a powerful Mark to take on the Hands of Tarot
My Review- Wow! What did I just read?? The story was deliciously complex, full of fear, wonder, magic, gadgets, gizmos, one heck of a psycho Queen and wonderful friends. Every character brought something to the story, each with a unique personality that came to life through the book, each with their own fears to overcome.
I didnt quite expect the story I got. The title/cover hinted at something else entirely...this is in no way a bad thing. The surprise kept me facinated. I loved the fact that S.M Blooding
created a character with flaws, weakenesses, someone who doubted himself, had pride for the things he achieved, guilt for the plans that failed and had a focus I wish I could achieve! Young Synn is introduced to us as a youth who enjoys being aboard an airship, doesnt take life overly seriously but has a great sense of right and wrong. When he is captured by Nix, that way of thinking soon changes. We watch him transform from a boy with no magical mark, to a man with unrivalled strength. Much of that strength comes from within. Synn might have great power on the outside, the but real battle takes place in his mind, against a bond the evil queen Nix has formed with him.
I enjoyed so much about this book. The writing was great, the descriptions perfect, painitng a picture in my mind of what this world looks like. The realtionships between the
characters were fun, unexpected and a pleasure to read. It was very steampunk, very techinical and geekish, with a dose of magic, fantasy and paranormal.
The Hands of Tarot is not my usual read, but sometimes it is healthy to step outside your usual genre. If anyone is worried about not enjoying this book because they prefer fantasy, horror, crime or any other genre, then put your mind at ease and try this one out. There is a little something for everyone.
I look forward to reading the Knight of Wands and can't wait to see how Synn climbs out of the dangerous hole he is in....talk about cliffhangers!