The Fool and the Sparrow by Dana Fox

4.5/5 stars

4.5/5 spice

As soon as I started reading this book, I got a little worried. I don't know anything about tarot and this starts with a fair amount of tarot canon. However, after finishing the book, I feel like I learned a bit. Like, I'm not going to go out and read cards in the French Quarter or anything, but the next time a friend tells me about her reading my eyes won't glaze over while I nod blankly.

Kit, the MMC, is The Fool who leaves his home in the Arcana realm because he is unsettled and fears he is going through a Reversal. On Earth, he encounters Thea, who is a spy/assassin defecting and intent on exposing the organization that created her. Kit joins her on her mission, and they discover their deep connection to one another along the way.

As stated above, it started off slow for me, but once I got into it, I was all in. Fox creates a robust world and is able to sprinkle social commentary in this fast, fun read. Kit is book-boyfriend worthy, near-perfect in his interactions with and adoration of Thea, and their spicy scenes are deliciously spicy. A great 1st book that left me primed for book 2.

Favorite parts:

Description of LV: "It was a place of breaking the agreed-upon status quo and doing so loudly."

Kit's comparison to a Disney princess: "Are you telling me you're like a Disney Princess?" "A what?" "You have an affinity for animals, like Sleeping Beauty and Snow White?" "Then yes, I am a Disney princess."

Thea Quote: "Brave is just what people call you when they're glad they don't have your life."