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The Cloisters
The Cloisters | Katy Hays
On the wheel of fortune, who will emerge on top...and who will die? When Ann Stilwell arrives in New York City, she hopes to spend her summer working as a curatorial associate at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Instead, she finds herself assigned to The Cloisters, a gothic museum and garden renowned for its collection of medieval and Renaissance art. There she is drawn into a small circle of charismatic but enigmatic researchers, including Patrick Roland, the museum's mercurial curator who specializes in the history of tarot; Rachel Mondray, Patrick's beautiful curatorial associate and sometime muse; and Leo Bitburg, the gardener who nurtures the museum's precious collection of medicinal and poison plants. Relieved to have left her troubled past in rural Washington behind her, Ann longs for the approbation of her colleagues and peers and is happy to indulge their more outlandish theories, only to find that their fascination with fortune telling runs deeper than academic obsession. Patrick is determined to prove that ancient divination holds the key to the foretelling of the future. Ann stumbles across a breakthrough in the form of a mysterious and previously-believed lost deck of 15th century Italian tarot cards, she finds herself at the centre of a dangerous game of power, toxic friendship and ambition. Then there is an unexpected and devastating death, and suddenly everyone becomes a suspect. As the game being played within the Cloisters spirals out of control, Ann must decide if the tarot cards can not only teach her about the past, but also about her future. Deeply researched, lushly and thrillingly told, The Cloisters explores the blurred line between what is real and imagined, the magical melding of the modern and the arcane - and the power we have to defy what is written in the stars in order to shape our own destinies . . .
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Sharpeipup
The Cloisters | Katy Hays
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“I don‘t know what will become of my life,” I said. “And I‘m the one living it.”

📸 The Met
Selection of tarot cards within their collection

https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/475513

29 likes1 stack add
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DebinHawaii
The Cloisters | Katy Hays
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Pickpick

#ReadAway2024 #FabulousFebruary #20in4

I finished my 3rd book for the #Roll100 challenge (#44) On my #BOTM stack, I‘m glad I finally got to it. It‘s a lighter pick for me. I loved the setting of The Cloisters. I was in NYC in 2008 & we spent the day there (my first & only time seeing it) & I loved how atmospheric it was & thought the author captured that well. The arts, antiquities & academic aspects were interesting as was the tarot card ⬇️

DebinHawaii …details. It did drag a bit in the set up & I wished I liked the MC or any of the characters more. Still overall, it held my interest & had me Googling more information on multiple subjects, so while not a favorite of the month, still a pick . 4w
DieAReader 🥳Great 4w
48 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Itchyfeetreader
The Cloisters | Katy Hays
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Pickpick

One to sit with for a while. The museum setting was fabulous and the tension and angst running through the hot summer added to the gothic feel. The storyline, tarot cards, divination and more could have been great but for the characters. Ann, the main protagonist is beyond bland and all the relationships and interactions felt forced and 2 dimensional. I ended up not caring as much as I could for either the mystery or the people

Caroline2 Yeah, this one just missed the mark for me too. 2mo
Itchyfeetreader @caroline2 I wanted to love it but I just didn‘t in the end ! 2mo
56 likes2 comments
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Soubhiville
Cloisters | Katy Hays
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Pickpick

A mystery set in a lesser known art museum in NYC featuring antiquities and tarot? Yes please!

There were some reveals I was pretty surprised by, quite a few characters I really didn‘t trust, and it made me want to check out this museum, The Cloisters, with it‘s gardens full of toxic plants that have in the past been used medicinally. I enjoyed this one. 🙂

BennettBookworm This museum is a true gem! And the gardens are the best part 3mo
78 likes7 stack adds1 comment
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TracyReadsBooks
The Cloisters | Katy Hays
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Pickpick

A solid debut about friendship, rivalry, ego, obsession, set at a small museum/garden in NYC where there is always more going on than anyone really knows. Rejected from every graduate program she applied to, Ann Stilwell is relieved to get a job working at The Cloisters for the summer. When she makes an important discovery, opportunity beckons & she has to decide just how far she‘ll go to get to the top. An entertaining read.

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TracyReadsBooks
The Cloisters | Katy Hays
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Started this one a couple of days ago…so far it‘s entertaining.

GondorGirl I really enjoyed this one! 4mo
31 likes1 comment
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Charityann
The Cloisters | Katy Hays
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Reading this one today!📖 #scarathlon #teamBOOklovers @Bookwormjillk

Bookwormjillk Like the cover 5mo
Ruthiella Cute pup! ❤️🐶 5mo
GondorGirl I really enjoyed this book... and love your dog! 5mo
Gissy 🐶🐾🐾🖤🖤🖤 5mo
38 likes4 comments
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CampbellTaraL
The Cloisters | Katy Hays
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Bailedbailed

Got about 16% in and just couldn't continue. Partly the skeezy dude path, partly the podunk awkward girl idolizing the rich pretty girl cliche, this wasn't for me.

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kimmypete1
The Cloisters | Katy Hays
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Pickpick

I really enjoyed this! A little twist at the end that I didn‘t see coming at all.

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BirdLaVie
The Cloisters | Katy Hays
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Pickpick

Enchanting with its atmosphere and energy, I was drawn deeply into the magic and dark academia of The Cloisters! The entire novel hummed with a sort of spellbinding trance that matched its themes of oracle, desire, allure, power, and seduction. The steady plot, layers of environment and undertones, and quality environment makes this a perfect read for Fall 🍁🍂

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kspenmoll
The Cloisters | Katy Hays
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Mehso-so

The Cloisters, its artifacts, & all the sensory elements of this space feels like a character in & of itself. No actual character grabbed me- the end I did not foresee, but even that did not evoke any emotion in me.
Any emotion I felt was for the museum itself The novel did asks questions about the role fate, fortune, choice,luck plays in our lives. #TBR #14books14weeks

TheAromaofBooks Great review!! 8mo
61 likes1 comment
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kspenmoll
The Cloisters | Katy Hays
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“ The Cloisters—it wasn‘t like the Metropolitan, where your eyes could rest. The entire space was the work.” —Ann
I visited the Cloisters once when I was in HS. Just reading a few pages of this novel makes me want to return & feast upon it‘s space & treasures.

52 likes1 stack add
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kspenmoll
The Cloisters | Katy Hays
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#Augustreads #2023
I am leaving for Acadia National Park tomorrow & going back to work 8/28 so this is ambitious for me!

wanderinglynn Enjoy! Acadia is in my travel wish list. 8mo
47 likes1 comment
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TheEllieMo
The Cloisters | Katy Hays
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I am posting one book per day from my extensive to-be-read collection. No description and providing no reason for wanting to read it, I just do. Some will be old, some will be new. Don‘t judge me - I have a lot of books. Join in if you want!

#ABookADay2023

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Caroline2
The Cloisters | Katy Hays
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Pickpick

Disappointing. When I hear the words Dark Academia, it sets my expectations sky high. Which doesn‘t help. I liked the location but there wasn‘t enough atmosphere or interesting plot for me here. I found the tarot cards stuff frankly boring. At one point, she says that the history of tarot cards is often left out by historians… I think there‘s a reason for that!!! I liked the ending tho, good twist. 👍

marleed I read this a few months back and can‘t recall the story. What stays with me though is the actual physical place and gardens maintained with historic seeds. I want to visit those gardens! 9mo
95 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Ericalambbrown
The Cloisters | Katy Hays
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Mehso-so

This one wasn‘t as good as I‘d hoped it would be. The premise sounded fascinating but it just bumbled along for me. I wound up checking out the audiobook on Libby to get through the last half while harvesting and cleaning onions and garlic so I could get on to something else in a hurry.

54 likes1 stack add
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Augustdana
The Cloisters | Katy Hays
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Accidental book club strikes again. My friend and I may make it a witchy themed club.

19 likes1 stack add
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perfectsinner
The Cloisters | Katy Hays
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Checked this out yesterday from Libby.

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AnnieMcC
The Cloisters | Katy Hays
Pickpick

Between so-so and pick. . . . . Wonderful descriptions and setting but I never fully felt the suspense and mystery. I think the characters, especially the narrator, were not developed enough so I didn't end up caring too much about any of them.

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JaneyWaneyB
The Cloisters | Katy Hays
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Mehso-so

Set in The Cloisters of New York this is an atmospheric story of murder, mystery, the occult and academia. There was something missing...not sure whether it was pace, need for more incidents or intrigue but I felt a little deflated with each turning point in the book. There is a lack of drama & the story is delivered at one tone that doesn‘t change as the story progresses. Sadly, it offers a level of dullness like the main character Ann.

JaneyWaneyB The premise of the story is good, Hays has done her homework on the occult, especially tarot, which gives the story some weight. Sadly not a beautiful story as the cover. 11mo
38 likes1 comment
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Cazxxx
The Cloisters | Katy Hays
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Pickpick

Libraries, tarot, botany and mystery. I was always going to love this one!
4 ⭐️

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JaneyWaneyB
The Cloisters | Katy Hays
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30 likes1 stack add
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Cathyloves2read
The Cloisters | Katy Hays
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Mehso-so

In all honesty, I found parts of this book dull, and other parts fascinating. I loved reading about tarot cards and other forms of fortune telling. I also loved leading about The Cloisters in NYC. Its gardens sound beautiful. I‘m beginning to realize that thrillers aren‘t my go to genre. What thrills some seems to bore me. I do plan on visiting The Cloisters someday.

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RachReads
Cloisters | Katy Hays
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Pickpick

✨️I loved this book! The fate of a summer spent working at a gothic medieval museum. Renaissance art history, Greek/Roman mythology, poisonous plants, & tarot cards. The New York setting of parks, punk bars, the Adirondacks, and mentions of Tarrytown. This hit a lot of interests for me and gave an ending I wasn't expecting at all! I love a good shock & awe for a conclusion.🌿

7 likes2 stack adds
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StaceGhost
The Cloisters | Katy Hays
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Pickpick

The Cloisters was my favorite read this month! Lots of Terry Pratchett too though which was very cozy ✨

dabbe 💜 your sketches! 🤗 12mo
35 likes1 comment
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Melismatic
The Cloisters | Katy Hays
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Mehso-so

I‘ve never been to the Cloisters so I can‘t accurately speak of the atmospheric authenticity here - but this novel made me want to go. ⛪️

That being said though, this plot was snails pace, had little to offer, and wasn‘t even a real spooky mystery despite the ambiance. Even the POV character was a snore.

Photo above was taken at The Met.

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BennettBookworm
The Cloisters | Katy Hays
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Mehso-so

So-so instead of pan because a) I live right next to the Cloisters and I enjoyed reading about a setting I know so intimately, and b) the last two pages were really well done.
Otherwise, I found the characters all deeply unlikeable and the central conflict just didn‘t hold enough weight for me. The plot felt really contrived and I skimmed a lot.
Tarot cards are now so mainstream that I also don‘t see how the story hinged on their “darkness.” 🧐

BennettBookworm I chose to highlight these two passages (they‘re not spoilers at all) because they connect to my love of studying art history and my love of living in NYC - two things that made me initially excited to read this book. Some insights to be had in an overall disappointing read. 12mo
51 likes1 comment
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Megbert
Cloisters | Katy Hays
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Pickpick

A really fun ride through a young woman‘s journey as she shakes off some dark shadows and finds her feet in the world of art academia. Well researched and beautifully set in the NY Cloisters, it‘s no wonder it‘s been picked up for TV development. At times the story stumbled and fell a bit flat but the overall plot and setting carried it through. Look forward to seeing the adaptation.
(pic from the violet fox)

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Lizpixie
The Cloisters | Katy Hays
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The third in todays #BookMail is truly beautiful with raised gilding, gorgeous colours & sprayed edges. Not signed(bummer)but still worth it. Set in New York, it‘s about an art historian who moves there after getting a job at the Met. But she‘s assigned to the Cloisters, the Gothic museum & garden arm of the Met, full of medieval & renaissance art. Drawn into the circle there, she finds a once-lost 15thC Italian tarot deck & things heat up.

5feet.of.fury Beautiful edition! 13mo
kspenmoll Stunning! 13mo
45 likes2 comments
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RaeLovesToRead
The Cloisters | Katy Hays
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Mum let me have my books early 💕 I am so addicted to Waterstones Exclusive Editions!!! Aren't they beautiful? 🥰

#endpapers

Meshell1313 Oh so pretty! 13mo
PathfinderNicole That one for The Cloisters is so freaking amazing 13mo
Clare-Dragonfly Gorgeous!!! 13mo
Branwen OH. MY. GOD! 😱 They're all absolutely gorgeous! 🥰💕😵‍💫 13mo
74 likes4 comments
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Palimpsest
The Cloisters | Katy Hays
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Pickpick

I enjoyed this book about a woman named Ann who is hired to work at The Cloisters. I really love medieval history as well as tarot so I was pulled into the detail that the author included about the various items as well as the plants from the gardens.

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KarenUK
The Cloisters | Katy Hays
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Pickpick

I always love me some dark academia, and although this is no ‘Secret History‘ (what is?) I still really enjoyed this NYC story. The Met Cloisters, a museum specializing in Medieval artifacts, is the perfect eerie setting, and the study at the center of this novel is of divination and historical tarot cards. Secrets are in abundance, a fish is most definitely out of water, and motives are endlessly questionable. Twisty, atmospheric and lots of fun.

See All 10 Comments
LeeRHarry Good to know this is good one as I have it on my TBR- love the cover 😊 13mo
Cinfhen What an awesome review you wrote!!! You made me want to read a book I wasn‘t at all interested in!!!! #SuperReviewer ❤️🙌🏻 13mo
squirrelbrain I‘ve wondered about this one but thought it wasn‘t my ‘thing‘…you‘ve made me change my mind. Stacked. 13mo
KarenUK @squirrelbrain @cinfhen It‘s kind of a mash up of gothic dark academia and a mystery/thriller. I thought it was a lot of fun 😊 13mo
Cortg Sounds like a great read! 13mo
Bluebird Great review! Sounds like something I‘d like. Stacked! 13mo
61 likes10 stack adds10 comments
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KarenUK
The Cloisters | Katy Hays
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Just starting this one…. Trying to catch up on my endless #ARCs ! 🤦‍♀️
Feeling good about this so far… Dark Academia is usually totally my thing. 💕

Ruthiella I‘ve heard good things about this. The premise is intriguing! 14mo
60 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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kezzlou85
The Cloisters | Katy Hays
This post contains spoilers
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Mehso-so

This was an interesting premise and the location draws you in but the story fell a little flat. It was a very slow build and it was obvious early on who killed Patrick. I did like the twist of Ann's reasons for coming to the cloisters. The ending was well done though I had guessed about what might have happened to Rachel. A gothic read. #Netgaley 3*l

Palimpsest Spoilers! Wish I hadn‘t read review as I‘m 1/3 in and didn‘t know who was going to be murdered. 14mo
Palimpsest Just so you know there is a spoiler button you can select so you don‘t ruin a book for someone next time. 😔 14mo
kezzlou85 @Palimpsest sorry I didn't think it was a spoiler as I didn't reveal the ending or identity. Will be more careful next time. 14mo
Palimpsest @kezzlou85 it was somewhat my own fault as I usually wait to read reviews, but I just came on litsy to add that I was currently reading it and noticed the book only had a 55% like so I scrolled down to see a bit to see why people found it meh. I usually don‘t read murder mysteries, but I love the Middle Ages & Renaissance periods in history as well as tarot and dark academia, so I‘m enjoying those details. Thanks for adding the spoilers tab! 14mo
kezzlou85 I'm the same. I try to avoid too many reviews. I do love my murder mysteries and usually who dies is quite obvious but not in this case. I'm usually careful not to give anything away but I slipped up on this one. Thanks for letting me know. 14mo
48 likes5 comments
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lynneamch
The Cloisters | Katy Hays
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Lots more than just one #secret here. Not all littens agree, but I'm enthralled so far. It's so fun to read about places you've been. I'm about halfway through, where Ann & Rachel are at the Morgan #Library. Pics are from my visit last March. #JanuaryJazz #NYC @Eggs @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

Eggs Awesome 👏🏻 14mo
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Beautiful 😍 14mo
42 likes1 stack add2 comments
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BookwormM
The Cloisters | Katy Hays
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Pickpick

#ARC #Netgalley #Cloisters

Random words review – Atmospheric, immersive, mesmerising & transporting

Fair warning this is a slow paced character driven story it is not a page turning thriller. This is a book to immerse yourself in and enjoy the scenery as the ride slowly progresses.

Full review here https://thereadersroom.org/2023/01/27/the-cloisters-by-katy-hays/

dabbe Gorgeous book cover! ❣️ 1y
43 likes3 stack adds1 comment
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Skeeterisme
Cloisters | Katy Hays
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Pickpick

😳😳😳

BookwormM Just started this one so far I love the writing 1y
62 likes1 comment
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bridge12
The Cloisters | Katy Hays
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Panpan

Ok, I had to put my puppy Jethro to sleep on Sunday and this book was an affront on every aspect of my life.

I was SO excited to read this book, however, the plot was subpar, the characters were obnoxious (not in a good read way), and the dialect felt like if a 3 year old wrote it. Do not recommend 2⭐️ #botm

Cuilin Oh no,I was really hoping this would be good. I visited the Cloisters for the first time in August and was looking forward to this. 😞 1y
14 likes1 comment
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Kboltz
The Cloisters | Katy Hays
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Pickpick

Loved this first novel by Katy Hays. Anne gets an internship at the Met in NYC. She is learning how to live away from home and is immersed in the history of tarot cards. I love that I had to look up items that I didn‘t know and the ending is perfect. Fate and fortune are part of life.

16 likes1 stack add
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candc320
The Cloisters | Katy Hays
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Pickpick

This was a quick, interesting - if not overly complicated - audiobook. The characters weren‘t particularly likable and the main character was surprisingly gullible and went along with more than I would think a supposedly super intelligent person would fall for. However it does have a somewhat unique premise and interesting use of tarot cards and kept me listening until the end. 🌟🌟🌟

21 likes1 stack add
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AmyG
The Cloisters | Katy Hays
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My sweet friend, thank you for this lovey holiday gift…everything I need to read the fabulous book! Coffee and sugar….you know me too well. 🤣😘 Wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy, Peaceful 2023!
@Chrissyreadit

Chrissyreadit 😘😘😘😘 1y
kspenmoll Yum & a book I want to read! 1y
68 likes1 stack add2 comments
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GondorGirl
The Cloisters | Katy Hays
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Pickpick

I just finished this dark academia novel and it was a wonderfully crazy ride! There were a few twists I didn't see coming and it was gripping enough that I ended up finishing the audiobook on my couch, because I didn't want to wait until tomorrow.

What other dark academia novels do you love? I'm pretty obsessed with them right now. 🥰

Branwen I loved this one too! 😍 I couldn't put it down! I think my two favorite dark academia books are The Secret History by Donna Tartt and If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio! I also really like A Lesson in Vengeance by Victoria Lee and The Grimrose Girls by Laura Pohl! 💕📚 1y
57 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Conservio
The Cloisters | Katy Hays
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An enjoyable read for anyone that likes #history & #mystery.

#thecloisters is now on my “too visit” list of places.

#tarot #murder #art

11 likes2 stack adds
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marleed
The Cloisters | Katy Hays
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Pickpick

My favorite part of this book was the setting. I‘m intrigued by these gardens specifically maintained to grow and cultivate ancient plants - I didn‘t know that was a thing and I really want to visit this place! The mystery part had some fun twists, too.

71 likes2 stack adds
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BookwormAHN
The Cloisters | Katy Hays
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Pickpick

I really enjoyed this book. It is set at the Cloisters which is part of MOMA, a place I'd love to visit. Ann gets a summer job there where she spends her time researching tarot cards, dating the hot gardener and trying to piece together who murdered her boss.
#WinterReadathon @Andrew65 @GHABI4ROSES @DieAReader #Booked2022 #DarkAcademia @Cinfhen @alisiakae @BarbaraTheBibliophage #WinterCosy @PuddleJumper #BookSpinBingo @TheAromaofBooks

Cinfhen I‘ve always meant to visit too!! 1y
DieAReader 🥳🥳🥳 1y
TheAromaofBooks Love a hot gardener 😂 1y
Andrew65 Great 🎄🎄🎄 1y
65 likes2 stack adds4 comments
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NikkiKey94
The Cloisters | Katy Hays
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Pickpick

I struggled to get into this book but I kept pushing and managed to finish it. I did enjoy the book once it got my attention and the ending did make up for the struggle at the beginning.

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FelinesAndFelonies
The Cloisters | Katy Hays
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Panpan

I LOVE dark academia with my whole heart. Sadly, if I had to pick a most disappointing, most anticipated book off of my list, this would be it. While it is DA, whoever decided to compare it to The Secret History and Ninth House should be fired. I felt like there wasn't adequate character development to explain the motives of the characters. Overall, it just fell flat. ⭐⭐💫

LiteraryinLawrence Oh no! How disappointing! 1y
Megabooks I bailed on this. Agree that it was lacking. 👍🏻 great review! 1y
65 likes2 comments
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ICantImReading
The Cloisters | Katy Hays
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Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

With a great setting and exquisite vibes, this slow burner (but maybe a little too slow?) assesses ambition, privilege, and fate vs. free will. It definitely has intriguing elements, but it‘s not a “new” story - I wasn‘t really surprised by the direction it took. I also wish some aspects had been developed more. #BOTM

47 likes2 stack adds