Scan barcode
s_sarah_c's review
dark
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
hmmm this whole book fell pretty flat for me, the characters weren’t very interesting, I wish the incorporation of the tarot made more sense with the storyline, and honestly i don’t know what it’s commentary on class was supposed to be- that one should just be happy with what they have? that the rich kids and billionaires will always be able to get away with anything (true) but everyone else should just deal with it? there seemed to be the beginning of some anti-capitalist thought but the plot didn’t fully flesh that out. i just wanted more out of it- more mystery, more darkness, less sappy heterosexual happy ending, more nuanced and deep social commentary.
selkin's review
dark
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
cassie5489's review
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
campbellclan's review
4.0
I loved the book. As someone who has a long time history of riding and am in vet field, this book really caught my attention. I was truly entertained and it was a cute fast read.
cartogram's review against another edition
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
bmilleville's review
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
jennyfer's review
5.0
Rosie Macalister, with her middle class background, has worked hard to Yale, and even harder to score a place on the Equestrian team. She doesn't come from money, doesn't own horses (the Tate Foundation charitable organisation paid for her riding lessons), and she doesn't quite fit in with her uber-rich housemates. That is until she comes back from a study abroad trip to Argentina, and finds herself sharing a room with a complete stranger: the enigmatic Annelise.
But while Rosie and Annelise become firm friends, the three other housemates - Cressida, Lila and Andra - seem determined to think the worst of Annelise. Until one afternoon things come to a head, leaving one person dead and the group shattered forever. Secrets will be unearthed and Rosie will need to rethink everything she thought she wanted.
Set in the early 2000s, the story follows Rosie through her time at Yale and on into the workforce, where she crosses paths with Cressida's father, Grayson Tate - head of the Tate Foundation who sponsored Rosie's riding and the business mind Rosie wanted to emulate. Each chapter opens with a single Tarot card reading, explaining the card and the meanings behind it - and foreshadowing the events of the chapter.
I adored this book. I'm usually a fast reader, but The Fortune Seller made me slow down and really savour the story. Rachel Kapelke-Dale is a masterful storyteller, who can weave strong, intense relationships with a powerful story and likeable (or not) characters.
The spoiled little rich girl; the broke, thieving heiress; the the middle class trying to break through the glass ceiling; the mystic, the sceptic, the vengeful, none of them caricatures of their type, but people you could easily recognize (if you mix in certain circles). Rosie was a relatable character with big ideals and a strong moral compass, telling the story of these fateful events.
This is a story of class, of privilege, ambition, hopes, money, redemption, coming of age, and choices. Are the choices we make done for the right reasons?
This is both a page turner and a book I didn't want to end.
What do I need to know now?
~ Many thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review~
On the strength of the ARC I recieved, I also purchased the audio book. Stephanie Cannon's narration was excellent, embodying the different characters with ease - from the winsome Annelise to the jaded Anne-Marie; Rosie's warmth and Cressida's mania and everything in between.
But while Rosie and Annelise become firm friends, the three other housemates - Cressida, Lila and Andra - seem determined to think the worst of Annelise. Until one afternoon things come to a head, leaving one person dead and the group shattered forever. Secrets will be unearthed and Rosie will need to rethink everything she thought she wanted.
Set in the early 2000s, the story follows Rosie through her time at Yale and on into the workforce, where she crosses paths with Cressida's father, Grayson Tate - head of the Tate Foundation who sponsored Rosie's riding and the business mind Rosie wanted to emulate. Each chapter opens with a single Tarot card reading, explaining the card and the meanings behind it - and foreshadowing the events of the chapter.
I adored this book. I'm usually a fast reader, but The Fortune Seller made me slow down and really savour the story. Rachel Kapelke-Dale is a masterful storyteller, who can weave strong, intense relationships with a powerful story and likeable (or not) characters.
The spoiled little rich girl; the broke, thieving heiress; the the middle class trying to break through the glass ceiling; the mystic, the sceptic, the vengeful, none of them caricatures of their type, but people you could easily recognize (if you mix in certain circles). Rosie was a relatable character with big ideals and a strong moral compass, telling the story of these fateful events.
This is a story of class, of privilege, ambition, hopes, money, redemption, coming of age, and choices. Are the choices we make done for the right reasons?
This is both a page turner and a book I didn't want to end.
What do I need to know now?
~ Many thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review~
On the strength of the ARC I recieved, I also purchased the audio book. Stephanie Cannon's narration was excellent, embodying the different characters with ease - from the winsome Annelise to the jaded Anne-Marie; Rosie's warmth and Cressida's mania and everything in between.
atgerstner's review
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
gracelozier's review
4.0
The Fortune Seller follows Rosie Macalister through her senior year of college and her first year after college. Each chapter starts with a reading of a specific tarot card. It’s quickly revealed that the person doing each reading is Annelise, Rosie’s newest roommate. Rosie was set to live with her three best friends–Cressida, Lila, and Andra–and Anenlise was a late addition.
The story focuses on Rosie and her roommates' experiences as they attend Yale and are part of the equestrian team. There’s a lot of privilege within the group, which leads to a lot of tension and resentment. Rosie is at school with a scholarship, but feels the need to hide that from the other girls. And as senior year goes on, she discovers she’s not the only one lying about family wealth.
Each girl’s personality shines through in the book, and helps make the story feel even more realistic. Each girl is flawed, prejudiced, and slightly self-absorbed, which makes them come across as believable 20-somethings. Their decisions and thought processes match with their individual personalities, and with the general mindset of college students.
I really enjoyed this book, but I’m not sure exactly what to classify it as. It’s got thriller aspects, but the slower pacing pushes it towards a mystery instead. It also takes place in an academic setting, but isn’t truly an academia-based book. Even though it’s hard to categorize, I think this book will appeal to a large market. It has a unique plot between the tarot readings and equestrian training, a tantalizing mystery, and great characters.
Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!
The story focuses on Rosie and her roommates' experiences as they attend Yale and are part of the equestrian team. There’s a lot of privilege within the group, which leads to a lot of tension and resentment. Rosie is at school with a scholarship, but feels the need to hide that from the other girls. And as senior year goes on, she discovers she’s not the only one lying about family wealth.
Each girl’s personality shines through in the book, and helps make the story feel even more realistic. Each girl is flawed, prejudiced, and slightly self-absorbed, which makes them come across as believable 20-somethings. Their decisions and thought processes match with their individual personalities, and with the general mindset of college students.
I really enjoyed this book, but I’m not sure exactly what to classify it as. It’s got thriller aspects, but the slower pacing pushes it towards a mystery instead. It also takes place in an academic setting, but isn’t truly an academia-based book. Even though it’s hard to categorize, I think this book will appeal to a large market. It has a unique plot between the tarot readings and equestrian training, a tantalizing mystery, and great characters.
Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!
jess_reads1000's review
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0