The Cloisters

The Cloisters had me at ‘gothic museum and garden renowned for its medieval art collection and its group of enigmatic researchers studying the history of divination’ but I’m afraid it stopped there. The book wasn’t bad, there were parts I liked, but unfortunately this was a ‘it’s not you, it’s me’ kind of situation. I think fans of dark academia will enjoy this one because it’s certainly that, but I wanted more of the gothic, sinister, and atmospheric story I was promised and feel didn’t get.

This book suffers a bit with its pacing and lack of depth. I appreciate a good slow burn but I struggled with The Cloisters because I simply couldn’t get behind the motivations of the characters. I wanted more depth to them and I just didn’t buy into why one character is so loved and revered, and the complicated relationship the main character had with everyone at the museum. A lot of time was spent with the characters and their relationship to each other (and less about academia/their research or tarot cards) and I just didn’t feel like it paid off. I did appreciate seeing the growing obsession in the story and was pleasantly surprised by the twist in the end.

Overall this ticks the box for dark academia with a dash of murder mystery elements, but if you’re expecting something magical with the tarot cards or feeling the gothic/sinister atmosphere, you may be disappointed.

Thank you to Simon & Schuster and Libro.fm for my ALC! All opinions my own.