The Metalheads give tarot-mantasy a try and dig into Elise Kova’s Arcana Academy, the first book in a planned trilogy set in a world where a lucky few can wield magical tarot cards. The romance is unhinged, the plot is trope-tastic, and the catchphrases fall like rain, but is it metal? We’ll find out! We do our best to spoil the plot, then discuss:

• The magic system and how it deviates from traditional tarot structure
• The romance – hot or not?
• The heist
• Catchphrases
• Good cat/bad cat

You can find our Spotify profile with our Arcana Academy playlist at https://open.spotify.com/user/31kosaxlm6j56e44766ijo4ndzjq?si=cdd4a1a247c646e1

Special Features:

1. Trope Ranker
2. Magical Metal School Quiz
3. Tarot Sequel Predictions

Music Mentions:

Tarot by Aether Realm

Jacki reads an epic “band members wanted” ad, spotted in the wild

Reading Recommendations:

1. Weavingshaw by Heba al-Wasity
2. The Jasad Heir by Sara Hashem
3. The Rider-Waite Tarot Illustrated: The Pictorial Key to the Tarot by Arthur Edward Waite

November’s Book: We’re reading Johannes Cabal the Necromancer by Jonathan L. Howard for November, a late aughts black comedy about a necromancer out to get his soul back from the devil with the help of a demonic carnival train. Fair warning: The humor held up, but its attitude toward women and minorities does not always stick the landing.

Playlist Contents

Tarot - Æther Realm

Solntse - Alkonost

Voidborne - The Svnth

Smile of Hate - Vreid

The Hermit and the Lover - Blackbriar

We Die in Such a Place - Japan Suicide

Cruel Lover - The Devil's Blood

I am Coin, I am Two - ...And Oceans

The Hanged Man - Moonspell

Drawn in Blood - Guardians Of Time

All the Loss - Morgion

Shadow Consummation - Dissona

My Blood Is Gold - Myrkur

The Tower - Aleah

Naked in My Cellar - Lordi

Chaos Waltz - Gladenfold

Toxic -Trollfest

Lovers - Dark Moor

The Choke - Shedfromthebody

Star-Crossed Enemies - Ice Nine Kills

a judgement from the past - Ostel