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The Arcana Chronicles #3.5
Day Zero
Arcana means secrets, and these Arcana Chronicles short stories from #1 New York Times bestselling author Kresley Cole are filled with them. Experience firsthand the beginning of the end and behold the apocalypse through the eyes of characters you only thought you knew.
Ashes to ashes . . .
Evie Greene’s story of the Flash is just one of many. All over the world, those connected in some way to the lethal Arcana game—like Death, Jack, and Fortune—must first survive a horrifying night of blood and screams.
We all fall down.
Some will have to grapple with new powers; all will be damned to a hellish new existence of plague, brutality, desolation, and cannibalism. Find out who they lost, why they endure, and what they sacrificed in order to live past Day Zero. . . .
Ashes to ashes . . .
Evie Greene’s story of the Flash is just one of many. All over the world, those connected in some way to the lethal Arcana game—like Death, Jack, and Fortune—must first survive a horrifying night of blood and screams.
We all fall down.
Some will have to grapple with new powers; all will be damned to a hellish new existence of plague, brutality, desolation, and cannibalism. Find out who they lost, why they endure, and what they sacrificed in order to live past Day Zero. . . .
174 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 1, 2016
492 people are currently reading
8502 people want to read
About the author
Kresley Cole
67 books27.4k followersKresley Cole is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the electrifying Immortals After Dark paranormal series, the young adult Arcana Chronicles series, the erotic Gamemakers series, and five award-winning historical romances.
A master’s grad and former athlete, she has traveled over much of the world and draws from those experiences to create her memorable characters and settings.
Her IAD books have been translated into 23 foreign languages, garnered three RITA awards, a RWA Hall of Fame induction, and consistently appear on the bestseller lists, in the U.S. and abroad.
Cole lives in Florida with her family. Learn more about Kresley at: www.kresleycole.com & www.thearcanachronicles.com
A master’s grad and former athlete, she has traveled over much of the world and draws from those experiences to create her memorable characters and settings.
Her IAD books have been translated into 23 foreign languages, garnered three RITA awards, a RWA Hall of Fame induction, and consistently appear on the bestseller lists, in the U.S. and abroad.
Cole lives in Florida with her family. Learn more about Kresley at: www.kresleycole.com & www.thearcanachronicles.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 564 reviews
August 5, 2016
GIVE ME DEATH! I NEED DEATH!
At this point, I don't care about the game or the cards, I just want Aric.
I think it's time he finds happiness. Don't you think he had enough of a miserable life? Think about it. He can't touch people, expect for one who also happens to be in love with another man.(Damn you Evie!) Literally everyone hates him. (Save for that Lark girl.) Everything about his existence is just plain sad. Why can't you make him happy? Do you have to torture him more? I just. Please let him be happy. I'm begging you.
Review
It is like a character guide of all arcanas. Not something I normally would read though. But there is Aric's POV which makes it all worth it. Some of the players sound really interesting though.
At this point, I don't care about the game or the cards, I just want Aric.
I think it's time he finds happiness. Don't you think he had enough of a miserable life? Think about it. He can't touch people, expect for one who also happens to be in love with another man.(Damn you Evie!) Literally everyone hates him. (Save for that Lark girl.) Everything about his existence is just plain sad. Why can't you make him happy? Do you have to torture him more? I just. Please let him be happy. I'm begging you.
Review
It is like a character guide of all arcanas. Not something I normally would read though. But there is Aric's POV which makes it all worth it. Some of the players sound really interesting though.
August 1, 2016
Give me Death or give me Death. I need Jack(ass) out of the picture forever. Kresley cole said that she plans for the series to be 6 books long, but seeing that Evie makes her choice on the guy so early, we have hope yet that it's not her final one :)
Read
January 9, 2023This book can't come fast enough.
Not going to lie though, it bums me out how many Aric fans there are. I like him, he really grew on me in Dead of Winter, but I'm also like APPRECIATE JACKSON TOO, GUYS. Hardcore Jackson appreciator over here if you haven't guessed. I want him with Evie!
Like I did with Dead of Winter, I want to share my pre-release thoughts and predictions. It's good fun!
----------------
Predictions:
These will contain spoilers, so if you haven't read Dead of Winter I suggest not reading any further.
1. Like I said on my pre-release Dead of Winter predictions, I think Evie's father is going to return. We've had no proof or evidence of this, but I just have a feeling that he's going to pop back on the scene. I mean, it was strange how he disappeared all those years ago, surely there must be something more to it.
2. I need to know what's up with Jackson. I'm convinced he's not fully human. Maybe he was sent by the gods? There are so many little indications. Better yet, does Jackson know he's not human? Or is he blissfully unaware of that fact? Jack being Jack, he probably knows he's special.
3. Okay. Really, how do we know Evie is the only one who is unaffected by Aric's deadly touch? Technically, we don't. For all we know there is a hoard of special people, Arcana or normal, who can touch Aric without an effect. For obvious reasons we're probably not going to find out if many people can touch him, but I'm betting Evie isn't the only one. Maybe someone will accidentally touch him and won't die from it and it'll be revealed that Evie isn't the only one.
4. From the ending of Dead of Winter... I think Selena died. And that really saddens me. I kinda hated her to start out with, but slowly got to love her through the books. She was loyal, badass, dedicated to what she did and was a good match as a friend to Jack. I have complete faith that Jackson survived (or is this where the plot gets weird and Jackson actually dies and comes back as an angel or some shit? LOL), but yeah. I'm convinced she dies :(.
5. The minor cards are in this game. I'm sure of it. I'm re-listening to the audiobook as we speak and Matthew has just said, "there are five now. The Minors are watching us too." and although Evie thinks it's the cannibals, Matthew's reaction states otherwise. My excitement is amping up massively!
6.I don't think Evie will ever really end up with Aric. Personally, I think they're a good match as friends. As friends they had good chemistry. I think the sexual attraction towards him was fuelled by A) Evie was a teenager who's sexual appetite had just been awake, it was understandable for her to be horny, and B) Aric is a good looking guy. Evie's horny and he's good looking. Sure, they get along. They have similar interests but their interactions just seemed like they'd be better off friends. And I really hated how Aric guilt tripped Evie into making her stay. Using the fact that an "Evie" of another life was his wife. Evie's a different person, dude. Not your wife. Aric may always hold a place in her heart, but Jackson will dominate her love.
Not going to lie though, it bums me out how many Aric fans there are. I like him, he really grew on me in Dead of Winter, but I'm also like APPRECIATE JACKSON TOO, GUYS. Hardcore Jackson appreciator over here if you haven't guessed. I want him with Evie!
Like I did with Dead of Winter, I want to share my pre-release thoughts and predictions. It's good fun!
----------------
Predictions:
These will contain spoilers, so if you haven't read Dead of Winter I suggest not reading any further.
1. Like I said on my pre-release Dead of Winter predictions, I think Evie's father is going to return. We've had no proof or evidence of this, but I just have a feeling that he's going to pop back on the scene. I mean, it was strange how he disappeared all those years ago, surely there must be something more to it.
2. I need to know what's up with Jackson. I'm convinced he's not fully human. Maybe he was sent by the gods? There are so many little indications. Better yet, does Jackson know he's not human? Or is he blissfully unaware of that fact? Jack being Jack, he probably knows he's special.
3. Okay. Really, how do we know Evie is the only one who is unaffected by Aric's deadly touch? Technically, we don't. For all we know there is a hoard of special people, Arcana or normal, who can touch Aric without an effect. For obvious reasons we're probably not going to find out if many people can touch him, but I'm betting Evie isn't the only one. Maybe someone will accidentally touch him and won't die from it and it'll be revealed that Evie isn't the only one.
4. From the ending of Dead of Winter... I think Selena died. And that really saddens me. I kinda hated her to start out with, but slowly got to love her through the books. She was loyal, badass, dedicated to what she did and was a good match as a friend to Jack. I have complete faith that Jackson survived (or is this where the plot gets weird and Jackson actually dies and comes back as an angel or some shit? LOL), but yeah. I'm convinced she dies :(.
5. The minor cards are in this game. I'm sure of it. I'm re-listening to the audiobook as we speak and Matthew has just said, "there are five now. The Minors are watching us too." and although Evie thinks it's the cannibals, Matthew's reaction states otherwise. My excitement is amping up massively!
6.I don't think Evie will ever really end up with Aric. Personally, I think they're a good match as friends. As friends they had good chemistry. I think the sexual attraction towards him was fuelled by A) Evie was a teenager who's sexual appetite had just been awake, it was understandable for her to be horny, and B) Aric is a good looking guy. Evie's horny and he's good looking. Sure, they get along. They have similar interests but their interactions just seemed like they'd be better off friends. And I really hated how Aric guilt tripped Evie into making her stay. Using the fact that an "Evie" of another life was his wife. Evie's a different person, dude. Not your wife. Aric may always hold a place in her heart, but Jackson will dominate her love.
August 13, 2016
4 ★'s
Basically, this whole book is a rundown of most of the Arcana, their skills, powers and icons and what was happening to them before The Flash.
So, that means if you haven't read books 1-3, there will be spoilers, just FYI.
There were quite a few of the stories that I really enjoyed...especially Aric's, Evie's and Jackson's. However, a few of them were really sad!
I did like getting all the names for the Arcana and getting to know some of them no matter how little.
There is a preview for the next book, Arcana Rising, but since it's coming out in a couple of days (8/15/16), I'm just going to wait!
(Prior to review...)
#TEAMJARIC!!
~ The Players ~
(current standings at end of Dead of Winter)
Basically, this whole book is a rundown of most of the Arcana, their skills, powers and icons and what was happening to them before The Flash.
So, that means if you haven't read books 1-3, there will be spoilers, just FYI.
There were quite a few of the stories that I really enjoyed...especially Aric's, Evie's and Jackson's. However, a few of them were really sad!
I did like getting all the names for the Arcana and getting to know some of them no matter how little.
There is a preview for the next book, Arcana Rising, but since it's coming out in a couple of days (8/15/16), I'm just going to wait!
(Prior to review...)
#TEAMJARIC!!
~ The Players ~
(current standings at end of Dead of Winter)
Want to read
March 17, 2016A YEAR?! I DON'T THINK I'LL SURVIVE WAITING THAT LONG!!
Just saying, there's no way in hell that Jack's really dead so
#TEAM JACK
UPDATE: 3/17/2016
CAN ANYONE GIVE ME A GOOD REASON AS TO WHY THIS BOOK WAS SUDDENLY DEMOTED TO A NOVELLA???????
Just saying, there's no way in hell that Jack's really dead so
#TEAM JACK
UPDATE: 3/17/2016
CAN ANYONE GIVE ME A GOOD REASON AS TO WHY THIS BOOK WAS SUDDENLY DEMOTED TO A NOVELLA???????
September 11, 2016
Eeee I'm definitely pumped for Arcana Rising now!! Some of the backstories were more interesting than others, but it was a cool look into each of the Arcana.
April 17, 2023
8/2/16:
SPOILER FREE REVIEW!!
(This novella contains spoilers for the first three books: Poison Princess, Endless Knight, and Dead of Winter. Read it after those books!!!)
I don't usually like it when novellas come out. Some times I'll read them. Most times I don't.
But I knew I had to get this. Although I didn't find this as amazing as the main series, I'm so glad I did pick this up.
Day Zero follows 18 character's experience of the Flash-a solar flare so powerful that it destroyed most human, animal, and plant life. So powerful that buildings crumbled and all communication crashed. Now these characters must face this scary new world filled with cannibals, rapists militias, and "zombies." And many now have powers that may be a blessing or a curse.
What I really loved about this novella was that we actually get to KNOW these characters. We learn what they're like, they're situations pre-Flash, how they think, and how they emotionally and mentally felt when all hell broke out. We don't really get that in the main series since it's in first person and told from Evie Greene (the Empress). Since this novella takes place about a year before Dead of Winter (book 3) you realize how much these characters have grown. And it makes you wonder how different the characters that were never introduced before will be in future books, are compared to how they are here.
My favorite stories were Selena (the Moon), Stellan (the Star), Evie (the Empress), and Jack (My Husband).
Selena: I just felt for her so much in this story! And just by reading it you realize how much she did treasure Jack. She doesn't know him at this point, but after what happens to her on Day Zero, I'm so glad Jack proved to be a good friend and male figure towards her at the end. One she was comfortable with.
Stellan: He died in Endless Knight, he was mentioned to be one of Death's kills before Death told Evie about Jack's secret. But he was so funny! If he had lived and became part of Evie's alliance, I think he would've been great friends with Matthew and Finn.
Evie: Our main character in the main series. Her story was recycled. Since her chapter is so long and we already know her, it was just easier to read. To get into.
Jack: There were two people I always wanted to meet from Jack's life: His mother and sister. And we got to meet them! (And I just, this was me a lot of the time during the Jack/his mother and Jack/his sister moments: Awwww!!!) My heart was soaring as I read about his feelings for Evie. This was the only story I cried at. The only story where I was smiling uncontrollably. Yup, Jack is the one for me. (I'm so goan to read his story again, me ;) See what I did there?)
Also, I want to mention what comes within the book:
*A note from the author (which ends off at an interesting note)
*The history of the game
*Description of the Flash from 3 characters
*An updated Character Guide of the Major Arcana: includes name of card, formal title, and the card's human name
*The perspective of 18 characters (which includes powers, unique Arcana traits, and their life Pre-Flash, etc.)
*An excerpt of Arcana Rising, picks up right where Dead of Winter ended
Oh! I had saw somewhere that some fans were concerned that the characters were all white. This isn't the case! I think about a third-maybe half-of the Arcana are other non-white races.
After meeting these new characters and getting to know the old characters more, I am so ready to read Arcana Rising in a couple of weeks!
5/16/16: So excited to read about Jack's pov of the flash! I almost cried and fan-girdled in front of bro and annoyed my friends with messages
Updated on 10/15/15: Congrats Kresley Cole! Can't wait to see AC on TV!! Best series in the world, you deserve it!! :)
2015: So first thing first: TEAM JACK!!! I'll go down with the Jevie ship, already have, have shipped them since I read the synopsis of Poison Princess, summer of 2013. Jack Deveaux has been on my mind non-stop since then, and sometimes I just burst into tears at night, especially when I take a shower, no joke.
So now to my mini rant, it'll be brief, I promise. Okay, so Evie mentions a few times that her and Death have a lot in common, like liking to read and art. And then I'm just like, " Guuurll, aren't you forgetting that Jack LOVED to read?! And that he admired your art?" I don't know why that bothered me so much, but it did. (Given the time, they could bond more). Maybe 'cuz I love Jack that much, I dunno.
Here's the reason why I love Jack, and it's also the reason why he pains me so much when he does this. He's willing to let Evie go, no matter how much it pains him, he wants her to be happy. He's done this TWICE already. Back in Poison Princes when he thought Evie was falling for Mathew and then in Dead of Winter when he thought Evie wanted to be with Death:
"You weren't with him because he messed with your head-you were with him because you wanted him over me. You and Death have something that I don't understand, and I've got to start trying to get over you."
Jack, you need to know, Je t'aimerai toujours. I'll love you forever. (I'm already planning on naming my kids after Jack and Evie. And possibly Selena).
Anyways, on to my predictions for this next book.
1. Jack and Selena's death:
So Selena's dead since the Arcana said so.
"The Emperor struck.... Took out the Archer.... The Moon sets. The Moon rises... no more."
I bursted out crying on this part, I actually LIKED Selena. Hated her in PP, then I admired her in EK, DOW I thought she was awesome and I wanted to reward her with a Taco when she said Evie should choose Jack. There's no doubt in my mind that she's dead. HOWEVER. I refuse to believe that my Cajun is dead!!!! He's a survivor. If he could survive the Flash, Azey's firing squad, slavers, bagmen, canibals, avalanches, a pair of crazy ass twins.... Then a cheap shot from the Emperor should be a piece of cake (damn I hate Richter, I can't believe I wanted Jack to be the Emperor).
But here are my other reasons why I think Jack is alive.
"By the time you hear him, it's already too late." -Circe.
It was already too late by the time Evie heard Richter. Circe said, "You," referring to Evie, so perhaps since Selena is more in tune with her Arcana powers, she heard the Emperor moments before Evie?
"Snow falls on graves." -Mathew.
"In past games, the Fool did this-when someone was about to die. Someone he'd rather not." - Death
Selena died when it began to snow, and Mathew foresaw this. And this CAN'T foreshadow Jack being dead since Mathew can't predict Jack's future, it was never said otherwise.
2. Having his six:
"Because I always have his six, always will." -Selena.
As I pointed out on point number one, Selena might be in more tune with her powers. So maybe she heard the Emperor's call before Evie, realized the Emperor is going to attack, and that her, Jack, and the army were about to die. So using her supernatural speed and strength, she like threw Jack to a higher surface before the Emperor struck. Saving his life, but ending her own, because Jack's life, safety, and happiness means more to her than winning/ending some game. I hope this is the case. (And in PP, Evie said she had a vision of Selena saving someone she loved, and Selena did in PP, she saved Jack. But I also think that was also foreshadowing for future books.)
3. The Inactivated Card:
Mathew: So much for you to learn, Empress. Beware the inactivated card.
Evie: Who is it?
Mathew: Don't ask, if you ever want to know.
When reading PP, I thought it'd be so cool if Jack was Arcana, in fact I thought if Jack and Evie fell in love, they'd be the Lovers card. Then in EK I was hoping he would be one of the remaining cards: Hanged Man, Emperor, Sun, or Chariot. Now? I don't want him to be a card! But I did come up with a theory:
The never ending love triangle
What if their had always been a love triangle between the Empress, Death, and a certain card/mortal? This case Jack. What if the Empress always had loved "Jack," (assuming he's a card). And Death killed "Jack" in a past life, and that's why the Red Witch was the way she was? Because she knew who killed her lover, and her lover was what was keeping her sane. I believe the Hanged Man symbolizes Sacrifice, I know nothing about Tarot cards. So maybe Jack had always done some sort of sacrifice for Evie? (Though I believe Jack's personality matches up more with the Chariot or the Sun).
4. Death and Circe:
Don't like him, but he deserves a HEA, but not with Evie. He said he liked Evie for her brains and strength, I ship him with the High Priestess. She seems powerful and clever. So I was thinking this because at the end of DOW it seemed like she would join Evie's alliance, since she was "washing away" the Emperor's lava. Since she was there, it makes sense that she would travel with Evie and butthole (my nickname for Death) to where Evie's grandmother is at. And frankly, I can see them falling in love. Especially since Evie wonders if Circe is lonely, Circe has more and clear memories of the game, was also betrayed by the pass Empress, and they hinted that she might be a witch in DOW. Guys, she could use her powers to allow Death to kill with touch when he needs to, and be able to touch others and NOT kill them when he wants to! My hopes and thoughts concerning Death, Evie, and Circe. (Maybe Death will end up with Wheel of Fortune, Our Lady of Fate).
5. The Ending:
Gabriel mentioned that he senses the gods's return. Perhaps somehow when or if they show up, they could end the game. I read on Wikipedia-because that's a reliable source for basic information, not being sarcastic. But under the "Empress" it basically said: "She's associated through her cross sum with Key 12 The Hanged Man, and The World. Through death, rebirth, and reproduction the world renewed." So maybe to activate Jack's powers, Aric offers to be the sacrifice so Evie and Jack -and Tess-can save the world. I thought this because if Death doesn't find anyone else, well death will be better for him than heartbreak and depression and drugs for another several hundred years. Plus Jack told Evie that they could do anything, even end the game, and according to Wikipedia they have a connection. The Hanged Man is the Empress's consort.
(Wouldn't it be cool if the game that took place 2,000 years ago that The Hanged Man card was actually Jesus in that game, so Jack's past carnation?!?! XD or is it just the Catholic girl in me that finds that cool? I mean Jack is Catholic, his mother meant everything to him-like Jesus and the Virgin Mary, Jack always wears a rosary, and made a reference to Jesus turning water into wine when he made traps when he met Clotile, and him and Jesus fish..... Maybe I've lost it).
And somehow, things go back to normal. Like Death ends up in his era and falls in love with some girl in his villiage. The Flash never happened and everyone Evie ever knew is alive: Her mom, Mel, Brandon, etc. and and and!!! Jack and Evie patch things up, work on their history project, fall in love again, get married, and have children, and I'll babysit their children when they go on their adorable/romantic dates in the bayou!
6. I think Jack's mom survived the Flash initially and became a bagmen, bitten by that drunken man that was at Jack's house on the night of the Flash. I think that's why he hates Bagmen so much. He probably saw it happen and is traumatized about it, and will never say what happened.
7. I really hope Evie's choice in the last book is final. Because one, I'm Team Jack. And two, I don't think it would be fair to either male leads. And c'mon Death, yeah I know it's hard to find someone else, but if a relationship with the Empress the first three times, and for 2,000 years didn't work out, it MIGHT be time to move on. And smell the daisies, rather than smoke opium for centuries. I saw a tweet by KC last year saying that the loved triangle wil be resolved in DOW. And I think Evie is a lot like her mother. And Evie's father disappeared in the bayou when she was young, her mother gone searching for him, and never remarried or dated. Foreshadow? Jack disappeared in a lake of lava, Evie wanted to search for him, maybe she won't move on.
Well, that's about it. This is the first time I wrote anything on here and have no idea what I'm doing. I've been crying nearly every day since I read DOW, and I was hoping that this would help me calm down.
SPOILER FREE REVIEW!!
(This novella contains spoilers for the first three books: Poison Princess, Endless Knight, and Dead of Winter. Read it after those books!!!)
I don't usually like it when novellas come out. Some times I'll read them. Most times I don't.
But I knew I had to get this. Although I didn't find this as amazing as the main series, I'm so glad I did pick this up.
Day Zero follows 18 character's experience of the Flash-a solar flare so powerful that it destroyed most human, animal, and plant life. So powerful that buildings crumbled and all communication crashed. Now these characters must face this scary new world filled with cannibals, rapists militias, and "zombies." And many now have powers that may be a blessing or a curse.
What I really loved about this novella was that we actually get to KNOW these characters. We learn what they're like, they're situations pre-Flash, how they think, and how they emotionally and mentally felt when all hell broke out. We don't really get that in the main series since it's in first person and told from Evie Greene (the Empress). Since this novella takes place about a year before Dead of Winter (book 3) you realize how much these characters have grown. And it makes you wonder how different the characters that were never introduced before will be in future books, are compared to how they are here.
My favorite stories were Selena (the Moon), Stellan (the Star), Evie (the Empress), and Jack (My Husband).
Selena: I just felt for her so much in this story! And just by reading it you realize how much she did treasure Jack. She doesn't know him at this point, but after what happens to her on Day Zero, I'm so glad Jack proved to be a good friend and male figure towards her at the end. One she was comfortable with.
Stellan: He died in Endless Knight, he was mentioned to be one of Death's kills before Death told Evie about Jack's secret. But he was so funny! If he had lived and became part of Evie's alliance, I think he would've been great friends with Matthew and Finn.
Evie: Our main character in the main series. Her story was recycled. Since her chapter is so long and we already know her, it was just easier to read. To get into.
Jack: There were two people I always wanted to meet from Jack's life: His mother and sister. And we got to meet them! (And I just, this was me a lot of the time during the Jack/his mother and Jack/his sister moments: Awwww!!!) My heart was soaring as I read about his feelings for Evie. This was the only story I cried at. The only story where I was smiling uncontrollably. Yup, Jack is the one for me. (I'm so goan to read his story again, me ;) See what I did there?)
Also, I want to mention what comes within the book:
*A note from the author (which ends off at an interesting note)
*The history of the game
*Description of the Flash from 3 characters
*An updated Character Guide of the Major Arcana: includes name of card, formal title, and the card's human name
*The perspective of 18 characters (which includes powers, unique Arcana traits, and their life Pre-Flash, etc.)
*An excerpt of Arcana Rising, picks up right where Dead of Winter ended
Oh! I had saw somewhere that some fans were concerned that the characters were all white. This isn't the case! I think about a third-maybe half-of the Arcana are other non-white races.
After meeting these new characters and getting to know the old characters more, I am so ready to read Arcana Rising in a couple of weeks!
5/16/16: So excited to read about Jack's pov of the flash! I almost cried and fan-girdled in front of bro and annoyed my friends with messages
Updated on 10/15/15: Congrats Kresley Cole! Can't wait to see AC on TV!! Best series in the world, you deserve it!! :)
2015: So first thing first: TEAM JACK!!! I'll go down with the Jevie ship, already have, have shipped them since I read the synopsis of Poison Princess, summer of 2013. Jack Deveaux has been on my mind non-stop since then, and sometimes I just burst into tears at night, especially when I take a shower, no joke.
So now to my mini rant, it'll be brief, I promise. Okay, so Evie mentions a few times that her and Death have a lot in common, like liking to read and art. And then I'm just like, " Guuurll, aren't you forgetting that Jack LOVED to read?! And that he admired your art?" I don't know why that bothered me so much, but it did. (Given the time, they could bond more). Maybe 'cuz I love Jack that much, I dunno.
Here's the reason why I love Jack, and it's also the reason why he pains me so much when he does this. He's willing to let Evie go, no matter how much it pains him, he wants her to be happy. He's done this TWICE already. Back in Poison Princes when he thought Evie was falling for Mathew and then in Dead of Winter when he thought Evie wanted to be with Death:
"You weren't with him because he messed with your head-you were with him because you wanted him over me. You and Death have something that I don't understand, and I've got to start trying to get over you."
Jack, you need to know, Je t'aimerai toujours. I'll love you forever. (I'm already planning on naming my kids after Jack and Evie. And possibly Selena).
Anyways, on to my predictions for this next book.
1. Jack and Selena's death:
So Selena's dead since the Arcana said so.
"The Emperor struck.... Took out the Archer.... The Moon sets. The Moon rises... no more."
I bursted out crying on this part, I actually LIKED Selena. Hated her in PP, then I admired her in EK, DOW I thought she was awesome and I wanted to reward her with a Taco when she said Evie should choose Jack. There's no doubt in my mind that she's dead. HOWEVER. I refuse to believe that my Cajun is dead!!!! He's a survivor. If he could survive the Flash, Azey's firing squad, slavers, bagmen, canibals, avalanches, a pair of crazy ass twins.... Then a cheap shot from the Emperor should be a piece of cake (damn I hate Richter, I can't believe I wanted Jack to be the Emperor).
But here are my other reasons why I think Jack is alive.
"By the time you hear him, it's already too late." -Circe.
It was already too late by the time Evie heard Richter. Circe said, "You," referring to Evie, so perhaps since Selena is more in tune with her Arcana powers, she heard the Emperor moments before Evie?
"Snow falls on graves." -Mathew.
"In past games, the Fool did this-when someone was about to die. Someone he'd rather not." - Death
Selena died when it began to snow, and Mathew foresaw this. And this CAN'T foreshadow Jack being dead since Mathew can't predict Jack's future, it was never said otherwise.
2. Having his six:
"Because I always have his six, always will." -Selena.
As I pointed out on point number one, Selena might be in more tune with her powers. So maybe she heard the Emperor's call before Evie, realized the Emperor is going to attack, and that her, Jack, and the army were about to die. So using her supernatural speed and strength, she like threw Jack to a higher surface before the Emperor struck. Saving his life, but ending her own, because Jack's life, safety, and happiness means more to her than winning/ending some game. I hope this is the case. (And in PP, Evie said she had a vision of Selena saving someone she loved, and Selena did in PP, she saved Jack. But I also think that was also foreshadowing for future books.)
3. The Inactivated Card:
Mathew: So much for you to learn, Empress. Beware the inactivated card.
Evie: Who is it?
Mathew: Don't ask, if you ever want to know.
When reading PP, I thought it'd be so cool if Jack was Arcana, in fact I thought if Jack and Evie fell in love, they'd be the Lovers card. Then in EK I was hoping he would be one of the remaining cards: Hanged Man, Emperor, Sun, or Chariot. Now? I don't want him to be a card! But I did come up with a theory:
The never ending love triangle
What if their had always been a love triangle between the Empress, Death, and a certain card/mortal? This case Jack. What if the Empress always had loved "Jack," (assuming he's a card). And Death killed "Jack" in a past life, and that's why the Red Witch was the way she was? Because she knew who killed her lover, and her lover was what was keeping her sane. I believe the Hanged Man symbolizes Sacrifice, I know nothing about Tarot cards. So maybe Jack had always done some sort of sacrifice for Evie? (Though I believe Jack's personality matches up more with the Chariot or the Sun).
4. Death and Circe:
Don't like him, but he deserves a HEA, but not with Evie. He said he liked Evie for her brains and strength, I ship him with the High Priestess. She seems powerful and clever. So I was thinking this because at the end of DOW it seemed like she would join Evie's alliance, since she was "washing away" the Emperor's lava. Since she was there, it makes sense that she would travel with Evie and butthole (my nickname for Death) to where Evie's grandmother is at. And frankly, I can see them falling in love. Especially since Evie wonders if Circe is lonely, Circe has more and clear memories of the game, was also betrayed by the pass Empress, and they hinted that she might be a witch in DOW. Guys, she could use her powers to allow Death to kill with touch when he needs to, and be able to touch others and NOT kill them when he wants to! My hopes and thoughts concerning Death, Evie, and Circe. (Maybe Death will end up with Wheel of Fortune, Our Lady of Fate).
5. The Ending:
Gabriel mentioned that he senses the gods's return. Perhaps somehow when or if they show up, they could end the game. I read on Wikipedia-because that's a reliable source for basic information, not being sarcastic. But under the "Empress" it basically said: "She's associated through her cross sum with Key 12 The Hanged Man, and The World. Through death, rebirth, and reproduction the world renewed." So maybe to activate Jack's powers, Aric offers to be the sacrifice so Evie and Jack -and Tess-can save the world. I thought this because if Death doesn't find anyone else, well death will be better for him than heartbreak and depression and drugs for another several hundred years. Plus Jack told Evie that they could do anything, even end the game, and according to Wikipedia they have a connection. The Hanged Man is the Empress's consort.
(Wouldn't it be cool if the game that took place 2,000 years ago that The Hanged Man card was actually Jesus in that game, so Jack's past carnation?!?! XD or is it just the Catholic girl in me that finds that cool? I mean Jack is Catholic, his mother meant everything to him-like Jesus and the Virgin Mary, Jack always wears a rosary, and made a reference to Jesus turning water into wine when he made traps when he met Clotile, and him and Jesus fish..... Maybe I've lost it).
And somehow, things go back to normal. Like Death ends up in his era and falls in love with some girl in his villiage. The Flash never happened and everyone Evie ever knew is alive: Her mom, Mel, Brandon, etc. and and and!!! Jack and Evie patch things up, work on their history project, fall in love again, get married, and have children, and I'll babysit their children when they go on their adorable/romantic dates in the bayou!
6. I think Jack's mom survived the Flash initially and became a bagmen, bitten by that drunken man that was at Jack's house on the night of the Flash. I think that's why he hates Bagmen so much. He probably saw it happen and is traumatized about it, and will never say what happened.
7. I really hope Evie's choice in the last book is final. Because one, I'm Team Jack. And two, I don't think it would be fair to either male leads. And c'mon Death, yeah I know it's hard to find someone else, but if a relationship with the Empress the first three times, and for 2,000 years didn't work out, it MIGHT be time to move on. And smell the daisies, rather than smoke opium for centuries. I saw a tweet by KC last year saying that the loved triangle wil be resolved in DOW. And I think Evie is a lot like her mother. And Evie's father disappeared in the bayou when she was young, her mother gone searching for him, and never remarried or dated. Foreshadow? Jack disappeared in a lake of lava, Evie wanted to search for him, maybe she won't move on.
Well, that's about it. This is the first time I wrote anything on here and have no idea what I'm doing. I've been crying nearly every day since I read DOW, and I was hoping that this would help me calm down.
Want to read
January 22, 2015#TeamAric :) he can be my knight any day
October 31, 2016
My prediction, Jack is the dormant card. He's The Sun. Evie needs The Sun to fully bloom. The Moon was mooning over him (really hope she's not dead) and she's got his six. Also, at one point Death even mentioned that something was off about Jack. The Flash is a tribute to The Sun, which would suggest that it is the unique, dormant card this round. Also, the sun stopped rising right about the time when Jack thought he'd lost Evie. As the game plays on with no Sun card, they have no sun. But I think Jack will somehow kill The Emperor and the The Sun will rise.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 1, 2019
Awesome book that describes the 22 players in the Arcana games, i.e. the 22 major Arcana cards. Some of them where barely introduced in previous books, so this book offers valuable insight.
For some of them, you can also read what happened during day 0, when the Flash almost destroyed earth. Mostly sad stories with bitter endings.
Highly recommended if you love this series.
Note: Mystery surrounds the Hanged Man card and who is really Jack Deveaux.
For some of them, you can also read what happened during day 0, when the Flash almost destroyed earth. Mostly sad stories with bitter endings.
Highly recommended if you love this series.
Note: Mystery surrounds the Hanged Man card and who is really Jack Deveaux.
Want to read
June 21, 2015TEAM ARIC PLEEEEAAAASSSEEEE! Aric deserves so much better than what he has been through! Aric deserves to be with Evie and get remarried and have little mini arcana babies together...... am I the only one who wants this people?????!!!! #anxiousfangirldyingforhership
Want to read
January 15, 2015I need this. Like right. Freaking. Now. With the cliffhanger?! Are you serious Cole!!!
February 8, 2017
If you're a fan of Kresley Cole's Arcana Chronicles then Day Zero is a must read companion. It does contain spoilers for the first three books so I wouldn't recommend picking it up until you've read Dead of Winter but it contains lots of fun information about the major Arcana players in the series and definitely got me excited about reading the next book.
Have you ever wanted to know where each of the main characters were when the Flash occurred on Day Zero? We saw Evie's story first hand and have heard bits and pieces about what happened to the others throughout the series but this book gives us a chance to see exactly what happened. It also includes profiles on the various Arcana with information about their powers, special skills, weapons and a whole lot more. Some of the information is still blank because it hasn't been uncovered and Matthew (aka The Fool) has redacted things he's not ready to share yet but it was really nice to have everything all in one place to remind me of the details.
You'll be very happy to hear that Jack's Flash story is also included even though he's not one of the Arcana players. I still suspect that he's the inactive card but Kresley Cole states at the beginning of the book that she'll neither confirm or deny if that's the case. Either way I absolutely love Jack's character so I'm glad we got to hear from both him and Death in this book and I'm definitely ready to continue the series and find out what happens next in Arcana Rising.
Have you ever wanted to know where each of the main characters were when the Flash occurred on Day Zero? We saw Evie's story first hand and have heard bits and pieces about what happened to the others throughout the series but this book gives us a chance to see exactly what happened. It also includes profiles on the various Arcana with information about their powers, special skills, weapons and a whole lot more. Some of the information is still blank because it hasn't been uncovered and Matthew (aka The Fool) has redacted things he's not ready to share yet but it was really nice to have everything all in one place to remind me of the details.
You'll be very happy to hear that Jack's Flash story is also included even though he's not one of the Arcana players. I still suspect that he's the inactive card but Kresley Cole states at the beginning of the book that she'll neither confirm or deny if that's the case. Either way I absolutely love Jack's character so I'm glad we got to hear from both him and Death in this book and I'm definitely ready to continue the series and find out what happens next in Arcana Rising.
Want to read
January 28, 2015Ok Cole so here is the deal....I will have a brand new baby by the end of August and reading might be difficult. So if you are handing out ARCs anytime in the late summer, please for the love of all that is good and holy, give one to the woman who will be super pregnant. Just saying.
August 6, 2016
Jackson forever, come on don't let Death get in your way and get your girl Evie!!!
June 6, 2018
UPDATE
BOOK 4 IS AVAILABLE FOR PREORDER THIS IS REAL OMG! IF THIS AND BOOK 4 COMES OUT I'M GOING TO BE THE HAPPIEST PERSON EVER!
Update
Aww I loved this book! I loved getting glimpses into all the cards especially the ones we haven't met yet or who died before we could. Also WE GET DEATH'S POV IN THIS BOOK EEEEEEE!!!!! Jack also has a pov which was interesting but DEATTTTTTTHHHHHHH! my heart is happy.
BOOK 4 IS AVAILABLE FOR PREORDER THIS IS REAL OMG! IF THIS AND BOOK 4 COMES OUT I'M GOING TO BE THE HAPPIEST PERSON EVER!
Update
Aww I loved this book! I loved getting glimpses into all the cards especially the ones we haven't met yet or who died before we could. Also WE GET DEATH'S POV IN THIS BOOK EEEEEEE!!!!! Jack also has a pov which was interesting but DEATTTTTTTHHHHHHH! my heart is happy.
Want to read
March 10, 2015this book must come out soon! dead of winter almost made me cry at the end!
and really people.... she's meant to be with jack, and all his Cajun sexiness! I wouldn't want to be with someone that shackled me and calls me little wife, no thanks. don't get me wrong death is cool and hot but he's also cocky and possessive. I hope jack is alive if he's not I will just die... just saying. kresley cole you better bring him back!
and really people.... she's meant to be with jack, and all his Cajun sexiness! I wouldn't want to be with someone that shackled me and calls me little wife, no thanks. don't get me wrong death is cool and hot but he's also cocky and possessive. I hope jack is alive if he's not I will just die... just saying. kresley cole you better bring him back!
Currently reading
August 29, 2015MY DREAM CAST:
EVIE - AnnaSophia Robb (PLEASE):
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JACK - Robbie Amell:
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DEATH - Alex Pettyfer:
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SELENA - Teresa Palmer:
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PLEASE THESE PEOPLE WOULD BE PERFECT!!!! PLEASEEEEE!!!
EVIE - AnnaSophia Robb (PLEASE):
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" JACK - Robbie Amell:
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" DEATH - Alex Pettyfer:
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" SELENA - Teresa Palmer:
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" PLEASE THESE PEOPLE WOULD BE PERFECT!!!! PLEASEEEEE!!!
July 29, 2016
I'm not normally a huge fan of novellas or companion guides which this book is, both actually. But damn I really loved getting a glimpse at all the Arcana and their attributes as well as small snippets of their lives right before and as the apocalypse happened! I found myself liking characters I didn't really care for in previous books. And just give it up Kresley! Jack is the inactivated card lol also seeing Aric before the apocalypse just made me love him more!
August 29, 2016
DEATH DEATH DEATH.
I don't like Jack. He is a liar, I can't trust in him so give me Aric
I don't like Jack. He is a liar, I can't trust in him so give me Aric
August 7, 2016
5/5 STARS
I had heard that this was a prequel story - and man was it ever!! This book was perfection, it gave you a short look into all of the players of the Arcana. It is day zero and you get to know all of the cards and what their life as like before the flash. I don't know how Kresley Cole did it, but I got sucked into each persons point of view and some of them were only 4 pages long! You get to see who was prepared for what was coming and who was confused and scared about what was happening to the world!
You start with Aric and end with Jackson!
This is a must read for anyone who has read the first three in the series, it has some spoilers so don't read if you haven't finished Dead of Winter ... But for everyone that has you need to read this novella!! Now I am extremely excited for the next book ... I am so team Aric!!
I had heard that this was a prequel story - and man was it ever!! This book was perfection, it gave you a short look into all of the players of the Arcana. It is day zero and you get to know all of the cards and what their life as like before the flash. I don't know how Kresley Cole did it, but I got sucked into each persons point of view and some of them were only 4 pages long! You get to see who was prepared for what was coming and who was confused and scared about what was happening to the world!
You start with Aric and end with Jackson!
This is a must read for anyone who has read the first three in the series, it has some spoilers so don't read if you haven't finished Dead of Winter ... But for everyone that has you need to read this novella!! Now I am extremely excited for the next book ... I am so team Aric!!
July 31, 2016
I love the letter at the front of Day Zero from Cole that involves a SPOILER WARNING . . .
"This companion is intended for those who have already read Poison Princess, Endless Knight, and Dead of Winter."
She says she cannot deny nor confirm something that fans of the series have been speculating about one of the characters. I won't say what that is so that I don't spoil anyone reading this review that has not started the series yet. I just wanted to let you know what Day Zero should not be read as a prequel!
I really enjoyed this insight into some of the other characters and cannot wait for Arcana Rising.
Read this review in its entirety at The Book Nympho
"This companion is intended for those who have already read Poison Princess, Endless Knight, and Dead of Winter."
She says she cannot deny nor confirm something that fans of the series have been speculating about one of the characters. I won't say what that is so that I don't spoil anyone reading this review that has not started the series yet. I just wanted to let you know what Day Zero should not be read as a prequel!
I really enjoyed this insight into some of the other characters and cannot wait for Arcana Rising.
Read this review in its entirety at The Book Nympho
August 15, 2015
Total team Jackson! There is no doubt that Jackson is the man for Evie to me. Death deserves happiness, but I don't think with Evie. I feel there is happiness for Aric out there, we just haven't seen it yet.
I would love an ARC, if the author's feeling generous to hand a couple out for reviews and such! :D
I would love an ARC, if the author's feeling generous to hand a couple out for reviews and such! :D
August 16, 2016
Good background story on the players. I really wanted to give it a higher rating, but there were some spoiler-ish parts I wish I'd rather not have known about until the next book.
July 1, 2018
So weirdly, I think this has been my favorite in the series so far, and it's literally just a novella. But it's a novella that focused on what I liked the most about these books - the game and the cards. Each little "chapter" was a devoted to another card. We got to see listings of what each card was, it listed their strengths, weapons, where they were when the Flash happened, etc. There were some people we've already met but most were new to me and these were the stories I grasped onto. Reading about the Flash day from these characters was interesting. Some knew what was happening and others were like Evie, confused and scared.
It was interesting that the author included Jack as the Hunter in this, especially with all of the thoughts around him about him being the mystery card. Not a whole lot was revealed from about the mystery card, everything was redacted. I'm really intrigued on how the author will bring that all out. I feel like it has to be someone we know otherwise all of this build up will be a let down.
One thing that I didn't really like was Evie's portion. It was literally the exact same thing we read in the first book. I feel like a little something different could have been entered here or at least something a little smaller. Her portion was double everyone else's and it was a story we had already heard - so that was a little bit of a let down.
Anyway...on to the next book because Cole loves her cliffhangers.
It was interesting that the author included Jack as the Hunter in this, especially with all of the thoughts around him about him being the mystery card. Not a whole lot was revealed from about the mystery card, everything was redacted. I'm really intrigued on how the author will bring that all out. I feel like it has to be someone we know otherwise all of this build up will be a let down.
One thing that I didn't really like was Evie's portion. It was literally the exact same thing we read in the first book. I feel like a little something different could have been entered here or at least something a little smaller. Her portion was double everyone else's and it was a story we had already heard - so that was a little bit of a let down.
Anyway...on to the next book because Cole loves her cliffhangers.
May 22, 2023
Honestly, I get why I never read this before.
April 15, 2023
Review to come.
1.5 stars
1.5 stars
September 5, 2016
It was hinted HEAVILY in the last book but I think Jack could be the sun card who has yet to be activated. I believe it will be jack who kills the emperor and finally becomes activated. I mean hasn't any one noticed that at the EXACT SAME TIME Evie said he didn't want to be with Jack the sun disappeared. I think after they get back together (because Jack's NOT dead) the sun will rise again!!
After Selena died I almost cried. I mean I didn't really like her in Poison Princess. But as her loyalty increased I believed her to be an awesome friend and companion. Especially since she left Jack alone.
I don't really care who Evie ends up with. I mean after all I can see her with either of them. After all Jack lied to her, and repeatedly kept breaking his promises to her. Whereas Aric shackled/tortured her and tried to coerce her into sex. But Jack and Aric BOTH had their redeeming qualities that I admire. If I were Evie I would've taken Mel's advise and kept both of them!
But did anyone else notice something strange in the last vision Mathew gave Evie? She was stabbed with 10 swords. It also said in the 2nd book she saw a minor arcana card that had a corpse that was stabbed 10 times. Coincidence? Maybe, maybe not.
After Selena died I almost cried. I mean I didn't really like her in Poison Princess. But as her loyalty increased I believed her to be an awesome friend and companion. Especially since she left Jack alone.
I don't really care who Evie ends up with. I mean after all I can see her with either of them. After all Jack lied to her, and repeatedly kept breaking his promises to her. Whereas Aric shackled/tortured her and tried to coerce her into sex. But Jack and Aric BOTH had their redeeming qualities that I admire. If I were Evie I would've taken Mel's advise and kept both of them!
But did anyone else notice something strange in the last vision Mathew gave Evie? She was stabbed with 10 swords. It also said in the 2nd book she saw a minor arcana card that had a corpse that was stabbed 10 times. Coincidence? Maybe, maybe not.
Want to read
January 18, 2015need this like yesterday
August 1, 2016
Epic! Can't wait for
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