Last Call

In Last Call, professional gambler Scott Crane discovers a supernatural poker game that extends far beyond simple cards and betting. The game connects to ancient mystical traditions, the mob history of Las Vegas, and Crane's own troubled past with his father - a dangerous occultist who used Tarot cards for dark purposes. The novel fuses real historical events with supernatural elements, particularly focusing on Las Vegas casino culture and infamous mobster Bugsy Siegel. The magic system centers on Tarot cards and their connection to fate, power, and identity, while drawing heavily from the Fisher King mythology. Powers builds a complex narrative across Los Angeles and Las Vegas, following Crane as he assembles allies and confronts both mundane and mystical threats. The story ties together gambling, organized crime, family bonds, and ancient magic into an intricate plot with high stakes. The work explores themes of destiny versus free will, the price of power, and the bonds between parents and children. Through its blend of crime fiction and fantasy elements, Last Call examines how the past shapes both personal and collective futures.

Readers describe Last Call as a dense, complex novel that rewards careful attention but can be challenging to follow. Many note the intricate weaving of poker, Tarot, and mythology into the plot. Liked: - Original take on magic and gambling - Deep research into Tarot symbolism and Fisher King mythology - Characters feel authentic and lived-in - Las Vegas setting captures both glamour and seediness - Multiple plot threads come together satisfyingly Disliked: - First 100 pages confuse many readers - Too many characters and plotlines to track - Explanations of magic system can be unclear - Some find the pacing slow in middle sections Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (6,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (280+ ratings) Representative review: "Like a complex magic trick - takes patience to see how it all fits together, but worth the effort" - Goodreads user "Great ideas buried under overcomplicated plotting" - Amazon reviewer

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🎲 The novel's magical system draws heavily from Assumption poker, a real variant played in the 19th century that involved betting personal items of symbolic value rather than just money. 🃏 Tim Powers wrote much of the book while dealing blackjack in a California card room, directly incorporating his experiences into the story's gambling scenes. 🏰 The Fisher King mythology, central to the plot, originates from Celtic legends and was first connected to the Holy Grail in Chrétien de Troyes' 12th-century poem "Perceval." 🎰 Bugsy Siegel's Flamingo Hotel, featured prominently in the book, opened on December 26, 1946, and lost $300,000 in its first week of operation. 🎭 The Tarot deck's Major Arcana, which plays a crucial role in the story, was originally part of a 15th-century card game before being adopted for divination purposes.