Rating: 3.5🌈
Chariot of Souls by Morgan Mason is another in the fascinating multi-author paranormal series, Tales from the Tarot.
I thought Mason’s story and characters had some great ideas and potential but the narrative didn’t really seem to fulfill the expectations that the author has worked so hard to on delivering.
Arit, the reaper who’s been only delivering the brilliant souls of the world, has been following one single soul’s path for thousands of years, and has found him once more.
That’s a great hook.
Nixon is an accident prone young man, having almost lost his life close to 15 times and he’s not yet thirty. Mason built an intriguing foundation for Nixon as the only surviving infant of triplets but then does nothing with it. Same goes for his family and younger brother. It’s interesting enough that the reader thinks that it’s a building block of the mystery of Nixon yet this element goes nowhere.
The buildup to the relationship between Arit and Nixon is another reason why I was involved in the story. It includes background information on the various reapers and their lives that adds to the mystery.
Arit and Nixon together, however, aren’t as promising as a fated soulmate duo. For me, they needed more time to develop their relationship and chemistry, and that odd little bit towards the end felt rushed. All that to call him home?
But what struck me the most was that the theme of the series really wasn’t present. The tarot card here was The Chariot, the vessel of Arit to ferry the souls to their versions of the afterlife. But does that card actually make an appearance? No. It’s just a part of the forward.
The Magic Shop and The Owner , previously a omnipresent, somewhat ominous figure, is in a diminished capacity here, literally and figuratively.
I found that to be disappointing as well.
I did find Chariot of Souls by Morgan Mason to be an enjoyable read. Read it if you’re a fan of the series and author.
Tales from the Tarot- 22 books
🔷 Where Fools Have Tread by Jennifer Cody
🔷The Magician’s Heart by J.P. Jackson
🔷Cleric of Desire by Amanda Meuwissen
🔷The Nephilim’s Touch by Morgan Lysand
🔷King of Hollywood by Fae Quin
🔷My Minotaur Daddy: An MM Romantasy by Laura Lascarso
🔷Across Space and Time by Kit Barrie
🔷Chariot of Souls by Morgan Mason
🔷By Rude Strength by K.L. Hiers
🔷Found in Obscurity by A. M. Rose
🔷Twisted Fates by Adam J. Ridley
🔷No Justice for the Damned by Hellie Heat
🔷The Angel’s Kiss by Nicholas Bella
🔷Death Song by B. Ripley
🔷Arcanum by Ashlyn Drewek
🔷The Devil’s Dilemma by Alex J. Adams
🔷Camelot’s Tower by Brooke Matthews
🔷A Highland Gargoyle’s Lucky Star
by Chloe Archer
🔷Trust in the Moon by Delaney Rain
🔷Raising the Sun by Eryn Hawk
🔷Zero Judgment by Kota Quinn
🔷The End of the World by Drake LaMarque
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Blurb
Being a reaper, Arit has been around since the dawn of humankind, ferrying souls from one realm to the next. Always separate, always alone, his only connections are with the departed. Some he may have encountered before, but while most are unmemorable, there is one soul Arit would never fail to recognize, for he has been called to carry it more than any other.
Accident prone and clumsy, it’s a miracle Nixon has made it to adulthood. Having survived a dozen near-death experiences, everything changes one night when he manages to escape death’s call, one more time. But who is the hooded figure standing outside Nixon’s apartment window? And why does this beautiful man seem strangely familiar?
When Arit realizes Nixon might be on his last life, never to be ferried again, can he and Nixon make a bargain with Fate in time to save Nixon’s soul? Or are both man and reaper destined to part before they even get a chance at love?
Chariot of Souls is a standalone MM romance novella as part of the multi-author collaboration, Tales from the Tarot. This book is based on the major arcana card, The Chariot.
Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words 