“Magic is what happens when the blueprint of who you are comes into the alignment with the expanding energy of the universe.” ― Sasha Graham, The Magic of Tarot: Your Guide to Intuitive Readings, Rituals, and Spells
TALES FROM the Tarot is a 2024 multi-author collaboration featuring paranormal and fantasy MM romance stories. This captivating collection boasts 22 unique books, each crafted by a different talented author. Each entry draws inspiration from the rich symbolism of the Major Arcana cards found in a traditional Tarot deck.
Every one of these narratives transports readers into a world where love transcends boundaries, and the mystical energies of the Tarot come alive, guiding characters on their transformative journeys. With diverse storytelling styles and imaginative plots, this anthology series invites readers to explore the unique intersections of gay/queer male romance and the supernatural.
Each book in this series can be read independently. While the worlds may differ, they all share a mysterious establishment called The Magic Shop and are connected by the enigmatic Owner who runs it. This common thread weaves throughout the series. All of the book cover art (including the promo image above) is created by writer/artist Fae Quin.
Two entries from this series I’m featuring for Pride Month 2025 are The Magician’s Heart by J.P. Jackson and Twisted Fates by Adam J. Ridley, both OwnVoice authors.
The Magician’s Heart is based on the major arcana card, The Magician, also known as The Magus or The Juggler; this is often the first card in the Major Arcana of the Tarot. This card symbolizes potential, manifestation, and the power to turn ideas into reality. It signifies the ability to harness one’s resources, skills, and willpower to achieve desired outcomes. The Magician’s presence indicates a time for action, creativity, and taking initiative to manifest personal goals.
Like other tarot cards, the symbolism of the Magician varies depending on whether the card is drawn in an upright or reversed position. The
upright Magician represents potential and the effective use of one’s talents, while the reversed Magician symbolizes unfocused and unmanifested potential. Additionally, the reversed Magician can be associated with black magic or can suggest mental distress.
In The Magician’s Heart, Patrick leads a quiet life with his dog companion, Argus, and his pet raven, Kaos. The peaceful and calm of this lakeside cabin is the perfect place to be the area’s most powerful water witch and the local representative Magician on the Mage’s Council. Other than the odd task assigned by the Council, his only other responsibility is to answer the call from the local police when they come across a situation that might be magical. It’s a serene life, mostly, if not a little lonely. Could he have fallen into a bit of a rut? Is Patrick fulfilling his witchy duties and being the Magician he really could be?
Allan’s life is a mess. His friends regularly lead him into bad situations, and life never seems to go his way until one night when his buddies drag him and his abusive ex along on an ill-fated camping trip. After a night of drinking and another nasty encounter with his ex, Allan discovers he’s not exactly human. Once his witchy side takes hold, there’s no turning back. But to get a grip on his newfound abilities, he’s going to need some expert guidance, not to mention making things right with the local Fae population, who he’s managed to anger.
Patrick doesn’t want a student. Allan has no need for a mentor. But when the two of them come together, a new kind of magic blossoms that just might save them both.
At its core, Jackson’s narrative unfolds as a poignant gay romance, exploring the profound connection between two individuals who discover solace in each other amid tumultuous circumstances. Their journey is steeped in darker themes, grappling with the shadow of trauma, the scars left by various forms of physical assault, and even psychological issues like loneliness and emotional and occupational stagnancy.
The story delves into the stressful complexities of being the cause of multiple deaths, despite it being beyond one’s control, and the spectre of vengeful retribution. All of these emotionally charged narrative elements serve as compelling catalysts that propel our two protagonists toward each other as they fight for a happily ever after.
As Patrick and Allan navigate the turmoil of their pasts and confront the challenges that threaten their bond, their love blossoms, illuminating a path to healing and acceptance. It’s the emotional depth and pain they endure, both as individuals and as a unit, that makes the story such an engaging journey. The narrative is, at times, erotic, sentimental and romantic at others—even humorous. These aspects I expect in a well-crafted, well-rounded romance. The element of danger—that sense of pursuit and protection—only enriches the connection between the reader and Jackson’s characters.
Jackson excels at creating magical worlds and describes mystical elements beautifully. However, his true strength lies in both conversational and internal dialogue that drives character development. This talent first caught my attention in his Magus Malefica series.
Twisted Fates is based on the Major Arcana card, the Wheel of Fortune: destiny, fortune, success, elevation, luck, felicity. Reversed: Increase, abundance, superfluity.
Of the 78 cards in a tarot deck, the Wheel of Fortune is the tenth trump or Major Arcana card (in most tarot decks). The Wheel Of Fortune card, like other cards of the Major Arcana, varies widely in depiction between tarot decks. A common aspect of most interpretations of this card within reading is to introduce an element of change in the querent’s life, such as a change in station, position, or fortune.
Ever since the Tarot’s inception in the 15th century, this card’s imagery has drawn on the medieval concept of Rota Fortunae, the wheel of the goddess Fortuna. Images typically depict a six to eight-spoked wheel, often accompanied or crowned by an individual (sometimes human, sometimes a Sphinx-like hybrid) wearing an Egyptian-style headdress.
In Twisted Fates, a world exists where the Wheel of Fortune spins destinies, where two souls collide in a whirlwind of magic and desire. Damian, an ordinary taxi driver, is thrust into an extraordinary fate when a mysterious ring transforms him into a legacy wizard, bound to the eternal struggle between light and darkness. Owen, a young lawyer, becomes entangled in Damian’s world as he unravels the legacy left by Damian’s predecessor.
When their paths intertwine, a dangerous attraction ignites, threatening to unravel the delicate balance that Damian must uphold. With newfound powers at his command, can Damian protect Owen, or will all hope for love and balance be lost to the darkness?
The tale of Damien and Owen vividly embodies the essence of the Wheel of Fortune; the world around them is in a constant state of flux, transforming in ways so profound that it’s entirely understandable to feel swept away by it all. It unfolds as an “Insta-love” narrative, yet it’s executed in a way that’s believable while not overly saccharine. There’s a palpable spark of passion between the characters, but the “spice factor” remains moderate, allowing the romance between the two men to blossom into the overarching centrepiece of the story.
One of the elements I particularly appreciated was how the novel deftly explored the themes of change and chance. The characters often found themselves grappling with a sense of powerlessness amidst the chaotic developments surrounding them—especially those events that held the potential to drastically alter their lives. This struggle painted a poignant picture of the tension between Providence and the exercise of free will. I found this dynamic fascinating, as it added depth to Damien and Owen’s journey.
I understand how some readers might feel frustrated by this lack of agency, especially those who yearn for characters to actively shape their destinies. However, I personally relished the experience of surrendering to the whims of the Wheel of Fortune, embracing both the highs and lows it presented. That’s the whole point of the Wheel’s purpose and power. As the old saying goes: “Leave it up to chance!”
The pace of the narrative, overall, is quick, which enhances the feeling of “loss of control” and leads to both exciting and frustrating (in the best way) choices and actions that may not have occurred in a slower, more methodical storytelling style. I felt the whirlwind, and I allowed it to take me. Sometimes, readers get in their own way and don’t let go, allowing the narrative to take them on a journey rather than creating one based on their own expectations, and then feeling disconnected from the story or the characters when it doesn’t unfold as they’d envisioned.
Adam J. Ridley is the pen name author Blake Allwood uses for his urban fantasy and fantasy novels.
