In Emperor and Hierophant, Book 3 of the Arcana Oracle Series, Susan Wands takes readers on a spellbinding journey with Pamela Colman Smith. Pamela ends up in grave danger while on tour with the Lyceum Theater and is kidnapped by these shadowy figures. She soon finds herself under the control of her enemy Aleister Crowley, who plans to use Pamela's tarot deck’s power for his dark purposes. With her life and the fates of her muses at stake, she draws on the strength of her mentor, Bram Stoker, and her friend Ahmed Kamal, who are both determined to rescue her. Filled with a thrilling blend of the metaphysical and historical mystery, Pamela must unlock the mystical lessons of the Emperor and Hierophant cards to escape Crowley’s clutches and protect the magic embedded in her tarot deck. But will she manage to do it before time runs out?

Susan Wands’ work is more than a conventional historical thriller—it's a piece of visionary fiction that demands attentive reading. What makes this narrative so interesting is how immersive and richly layered it is, especially with all the characters. The pace is cerebral and thrilling at the same time, which will captivate readers and fans of visionary fiction. It grabs you from the very beginning with a lively scene aboard a train, where Pamela, Bram, and Ahmed discuss the supernatural and ancient artifacts, foreshadowing the mysterious forces that lie ahead. For those who relish intricate plots layered with occult symbolism and vibrant dialogue, Emperor and Hierophant offers a rewarding read. This beautifully layered story is best enjoyed slowly, allowing readers to fully appreciate its complex themes of friendship, power, and mysticism. This definitely should be in every book club discussion.

Emperor and Hierophant (Book Three, Arcana Oracle Series) by Susan Wands is an awesome magical fantasy adventure. It is All Hallows Eve in 1899. Pamela Colman Smith, a young designer, is on a train from London to Manchester in the company of her friends; Bram Stoker, the general manager of the London Lyceum Theatre, and Ahmed Kamal, an Egyptologist on a mission to recover a stolen relic. Pamela is designing tarot cards for a new magical cult. But she has a fierce opponent; Aleister Crowley. Aleister is a dark mage, and his ambition is to rule the other world. He conspires with other dark mages to stop Pamela from designing her tarot deck. Why is Aleister trying to stop Pamela? Will Pamela complete her tarot deck?

Susan Wands’ Emperor and Hierophant absorbed me the moment I met Pamela and her traveling companions. The never-ending magical tricks and the atmospheric settings were so vividly described that I often felt like I was watching a film. I enjoyed how Pamela and the Scuttlers gang of orphan teenagers evolved into relentless magical fighters. I also liked the story of Bram’s life and Ahmed’s thoughts about the English way of life. But most of all, I enjoyed the adventures in Dublin Castle and the glimpses of its history. In particular, Albertine, Pamela’s reptile guardian, and Afrit, the specter resident in Pamela’s handkerchief were the show stealers. I highly recommend this riveting fantasy to everyone who enjoys magical adventures and stories about ghosts, paranormal powers, mummies, and magical talismans.

Emperor and Hierophant is the third book in the Arcana Oracle Series by Susan Wands. The story of Pamela Colman Smith continues as she faces yet another challenge from her arch-nemesis, Aleister Crowley. It all happened when she was on tour with the Lyceum Theater in Manchester. Pamela was kidnapped by a strange creature acting on orders from Aleister. But Pamela wasn’t alone. This time, people who loved and cared for her were looking everywhere to find her. Front and center was her guardian and mentor, Bram Stoker. He was joined by Pamela’s friend Ahmed Kamal to make the search easier and quicker. While they try to find her, Pamela must use everything in her power to get out of Aleister’s grip and escape from the prison before he finally gets his hands on her muses and her tarot deck. Will Pamela make it out alive? Or was this the end of her journey?

This is a fun story! Emperor and Hierophant is a fast-paced, action-packed story that had me entertained for hours. I loved Pamela and her calm-headed approach to the chaos around her. She was determined to escape, safeguard her magic, and protect the people she loved before it was too late. Bram Stoker was a fantastic character. He was reliable, solid, and a perfect guardian to Pamela. While Bram was the quintessential strong, reliable character, Ahmed Kamal was the life of the story for me. He was interesting and bright. I loved the narrative style and vivid descriptions. There was never a moment in the story when I felt out of touch with the characters. Pamela’s journey was thrilling, to say the least, and I cannot wait to see where her magic takes her next.

Emperor and Hierophant is the third book in Susan Wands’ Arcana Oracle Series. It’s a gothic tale that transports readers into the mystic realms of Victorian England. At the heart of the story is Pamela Colman Smith, a young artist and tarot card creator, entangled in supernatural mysteries while navigating the rigid societal expectations of her era. Known for her contributions to the Rider-Waite Tarot deck, Pamela is reimagined as a brave, imaginative protagonist dealing with complex relationships and a growing connection to the occult. The narrative unfolds with Pamela traveling with Bram Stoker, author of Dracula, and Ahmed Kamal, an expert in Egyptian antiquities. Together, they explore the eerie landscapes of England, where hidden forces and ancient curses come to life.

Susan Wands creates an immersive, atmospheric novel full of dark enchantment and intrigue. The story weaves historical figures and events with fictional supernatural elements, blending history and mysticism to craft a richly textured world. The writing is detailed and vivid, capturing beauty and dread from candle-lit rooms in London to haunted train rides. The author's talent shines through on each page as Pamela encounters the Golden Dawn, an infamous occult society. This adds another layer of suspense and tension as she grapples with Aleister Crowley, a dark figure intent on controlling her tarot’s power. This portrayal of occult conflicts underscores themes of power, loyalty, and sacrifice, which are central to the story. Emperor and Hierophant is a compelling read for those who enjoy dark historical fiction, the supernatural, and well-executed world-building.