The Review

“The Cloisters” by Katy Hays presents a compelling story with a mix of elements that hold promise, but it leaves you with a sense of wanting more. While the novel has its merits, it also has notable flaws that affect the overall reading experience.

Ann Stilwell, the protagonist, desperately seeks to escape her painful small-town life in Walla Walla following the death of her father in a hit-and-run accident. Her chance to intern at The Met in New York City offers hope for a fresh start. However, circumstances lead her to The Cloisters, a medieval library surrounded by lush yet potentially perilous gardens, where she works alongside Rachel and Patrick. Together, they embark on a quest to uncover the origins and uses of Tarot, delving into its occult history. As the summer progresses, Ann finds herself drawn into a different world, discovering hidden facets of herself and confronting sinister situations.

The novel’s atmospheric qualities stand out, providing a perfect pre-Halloween read. The descriptions of the settings, including the buildings, gardens, library, stacks, and more, create an eerie and immersive ambiance. The incorporation of real-life locations, such as The Cloisters, adds depth to the story and allows readers to visualize the scenes vividly.

However, character development is a point of contention. While the characters are intriguing to some extent, there is a desire for a deeper understanding of their motivations and personalities. Ann, the main character, seems somewhat lacking in depth, and her choices can be challenging to reconcile with her character. Rachel, in particular, may come across as unrealistic to some readers. A bit more development for both Rachel and Patrick would have added richness to the narrative.

The novel’s plot direction is a notable highlight, offering unexpected twists and turns that keep readers engaged. While some twists are predictable, others genuinely surprise, adding a layer of intrigue to the story.

Despite the novel’s incorporation of dark academia elements and an exploration of tarot history, I was anticipating a more “supernatural” aspect to the story. “The Cloisters” had been marketed as a gothic novel, and in my view, a gothic work typically requires the presence of ghosts, ghouls, or demons to truly achieve that genre’s hallmark atmosphere. Readers who are not particularly inclined toward astrology may indeed find the Tarot aspect sufficient to fulfill the “gothic standard.” However, as a Pisces who has spent a significant portion of my life following my horoscope and using Tarot cards, it didn’t appear too far removed from my regular experiences to evoke a strong “spooky factor.” Nonetheless, the addition of “Ann Stilwell’s guide to tarot” at the end of the book is a considerate inclusion.

In summary, “The Cloisters” offers a dark and atmospheric reading experience, with elements of thriller and dark academia. It suits the season when the days grow shorter and colder, making it an ideal choice for curling up with a captivating story. While the writing is commendable and the plot direction intriguing, the character development and pacing leave room for improvement. The novel’s potential teems with promise, but it ultimately falls short of fully realizing it, leaving readers with mixed feelings about the overall experience.

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Short Review (AKA TLDR)

Doing a very quick review:
The story was unique. I liked the premise of the novel. The setting, the plot, the characters, everything was there for it to be a good novel.

However, I do think this one feel just slightly short. For a gothic, I am expecting more of a supernatural aspect. Tarot cards didn’t necessarily hit that need for me. The novel could have really benefited from a “Jennifer’s Body” type of twist.