Magic isn’t the only thing he inherited!
Trick rider in a traveling circus , seventeen-year-old Vandemere (Vandy) Petruska is caught between two worlds. As Vandy Davidson , he lives the legacy of the father who abandoned him, performing on his beloved horses in the circus ring. But he’s also his Romanian mother’s son. As Vandy Petruska , he seeks to deny the tarot magie his mother has gifted to him. But as the magie’s power over him grows stronger, he becomes aware that the bad luck in his life isn’t an accident. When his Romanian ancestors immigrated to America on the back of a trick horse, they brought something with them. Something evil. Now this evil is attacking him , and Vandy will have to learn to accept his mother’s magie if he is ever going to defeat the entity that has marked him for death.
Set against the harsh and unforgiving landscape of the 1930s American Southwest, Vandemere is a lyrical coming-of-age story that infuses magical realism into a young man’s journey towards manhood.
Vandemere is part one of a duology and the first book in the series. For the best experience, the author suggests reading Vandemere first. Fire Horse is the second book of the duology. It is possible to read the books out of sequence but not recommended.
This book is a gritty depiction of life in the 1930s American Southwest. It contains violence, coarse language, self-harm, and sexual situations. Some of its darker themes may be triggering to sensitive readers. Please use discretion when deciding if this book is right for you.
The beginning of the book started out interestingly enough and the fantasy aspects were present right away. The mystery aspects took a while to appear. I knew something was supposed to “happen”, and it wasn’t until halfway through the book that we got into what the real mysteries were.
The main Character, Vandy was charismatic and interesting for the most part. I read this book via audiobook thanks to Netgalley. Vandy was supposedly taught by his father to be tough and not cry, so I found myself wondering why there were times when he seemed almost whiney. The voice was perfect for this character aside from those few contrary moments.
I loved all of the side characters. They just fit! I would love a bit more backstory from some of them!
I wish we got to learn more about the magic of the tarot, seeing as how the series is called Circe de tarot and all. I feel like we only just touched in this particular magic, and it was so interesting!
Generally, in a series, book one leaves off with a few unanswered questions to que up book two… but I still have so many questions! I am so invested in Vandy, however, that I can’t wait to read the second book! I need some answers, and im hoping they appear in the second book. I’ve also heard some great things about the second in this duology and I’m chomping at the bit 😉 Get it?
Is this one going on your TBR?
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