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The Arcana Chronicles #4
Arcana Rising
Losses mount and deadly new threats converge in this next action-packed tale of the Arcana Chronicles by #1 New York Times bestselling author Kresley Cole.
When the battle is done . . .
The Emperor unleashes hell and annihilates an army, jeopardizing the future of mankind--but Circe strikes back. The epic clash between them devastates the Arcana world and nearly kills Evie, separating her from her allies.
And all hope is lost . . .
With Aric missing and no sign that Jack and Selena escaped Richter's reach, Evie turns more and more to the darkness lurking inside her. Two Arcana emerge as game one who could be her salvation, the other her worst nightmare.
Vengeance becomes everything.
To take on Richter, Evie must reunite with Death and mend their broken bond. But as she learns more about her role in the future--and her chilling past--will she become a monster like the Emperor? Or can Evie and her allies rise up from Richter's ashes, stronger than ever before?
When the battle is done . . .
The Emperor unleashes hell and annihilates an army, jeopardizing the future of mankind--but Circe strikes back. The epic clash between them devastates the Arcana world and nearly kills Evie, separating her from her allies.
And all hope is lost . . .
With Aric missing and no sign that Jack and Selena escaped Richter's reach, Evie turns more and more to the darkness lurking inside her. Two Arcana emerge as game one who could be her salvation, the other her worst nightmare.
Vengeance becomes everything.
To take on Richter, Evie must reunite with Death and mend their broken bond. But as she learns more about her role in the future--and her chilling past--will she become a monster like the Emperor? Or can Evie and her allies rise up from Richter's ashes, stronger than ever before?
280 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 15, 2016
427 people are currently reading
8820 people want to read
About the author
Kresley Cole
76 books27.3k 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 1,057 reviews
May 15, 2017
One good cliffhanger has the power to change a whole book.
Let's talk about flight jitters? I mean that feeling when the plane takes off or has turbulence? Now imagine that happening with the mixed excitement of a book, something similar to a heart attack, no?
That's exactly what happened, read the book and endured the turbulence. This book was good, not the ultimate excellence that the ones before it were, but enough to add to flight anxiety.
Although the idea and plots were the same, and it was fast paced and quite action packed, I had some trouble with it in general. Evie was quite the enigmatic heroine with a power dilemma, and the internal struggle with ones own evil counterpart. But in this book, her struggles seemed shallow, her grieving relatively a façade, and her whining, well, quite frankly; annoying.
Yes, I do accept that grieving breaks people, but I didn't feel she was grieving. I felt she was whining like a little girl. It changed over time and her character regained composure, but even that seemed superficial. A person grieving so terribly can jump so easily to a former affair? Especially when you decide that you want someone else over them? I haven't been in love, so maybe I'm missing something? Either way, I couldn't get over the weirdness of her moving on.
I liked the 'sorta kinda French boy' up until death came around, after that I was a goner for Eric. So you can understand how him being the chosen one would upset me. It may be unhealthy, but I was sorta giddy when he was engulfed by a huge pile of lava. So imagine the disappointment when he turned out to be alive?
I loved the action, I love the alternations between circumstances, and I oh so very loved the spice of this book. I dug the whole death and life bound together for eternity from the begging, but when it finally happened I was super thrilled (minus my lack of acceptance for the how). Regardless it's fair to say Kresley Cole is a talented writer, she makes you want to be part of her world. She indulged and created a world of devastation, yet agreeable all the same. Finally the cliffhanger, oh my Godddddddd!
I can't, that was just over the top! Arghhhhhhhh
I want to read the next book, can't wait!!!
Let's talk about flight jitters? I mean that feeling when the plane takes off or has turbulence? Now imagine that happening with the mixed excitement of a book, something similar to a heart attack, no?
That's exactly what happened, read the book and endured the turbulence. This book was good, not the ultimate excellence that the ones before it were, but enough to add to flight anxiety.
Although the idea and plots were the same, and it was fast paced and quite action packed, I had some trouble with it in general. Evie was quite the enigmatic heroine with a power dilemma, and the internal struggle with ones own evil counterpart. But in this book, her struggles seemed shallow, her grieving relatively a façade, and her whining, well, quite frankly; annoying.
Yes, I do accept that grieving breaks people, but I didn't feel she was grieving. I felt she was whining like a little girl. It changed over time and her character regained composure, but even that seemed superficial. A person grieving so terribly can jump so easily to a former affair? Especially when you decide that you want someone else over them? I haven't been in love, so maybe I'm missing something? Either way, I couldn't get over the weirdness of her moving on.
I liked the 'sorta kinda French boy' up until death came around, after that I was a goner for Eric. So you can understand how him being the chosen one would upset me. It may be unhealthy, but I was sorta giddy when he was engulfed by a huge pile of lava. So imagine the disappointment when he turned out to be alive?
I loved the action, I love the alternations between circumstances, and I oh so very loved the spice of this book. I dug the whole death and life bound together for eternity from the begging, but when it finally happened I was super thrilled (minus my lack of acceptance for the how). Regardless it's fair to say Kresley Cole is a talented writer, she makes you want to be part of her world. She indulged and created a world of devastation, yet agreeable all the same. Finally the cliffhanger, oh my Godddddddd!
I can't, that was just over the top! Arghhhhhhhh
I want to read the next book, can't wait!!!
February 9, 2018
Give me DEATH, baby!!!
Seriously, this better not end badly for Aric. I will freak out and do my ugly cry if I don't get my way.
I also think it's pretty obvious that Jackson is Major Arcana. My money is on the Sun card. There is some serious foreshadowing and light/dark/day/night imagery going on in the last book, Dead of Winter.
Por ejemplo:
Aric gazed down at me. "Your dance studio will always be lit, as will your art studio. The libraries, of course. The pool will be heated as long as we live. Who needs the sun, when we have acres of sun lamps?"
My eyes darted to jack.
AND:
Jack had been magnetic, giving folks a new story to tell. Hope had been palpable. Even as the temperature dropped--and night endured.
I gazed up at the murky sky. "Selena, you ever think the sun will come out?" The question reminded me of Jack's words: "You ever think we deserve better than the Basin?" If he'd had the courage to hope, shouldn't I as well?
Selena rolled her yes. "If the sun can disappear, it can reappear. Really, Evie. Duh."
Look, I dig the ragin' Cajun. I do. He's just no Death.
Jesus, do you see what I am doing here? *Sigh* I promised myself I would NOT get so invested in these stupid love triangles (*shakes fist at Morpheus and Peeta*). And yet here I am again. Have I no shame? No dignity??
Dear God, please bring peace on earth, end world hunger, and let Evie and Aric realize they are perfect for each other after lots and lots of smoking hot smexy times. Amen."
Seriously, this better not end badly for Aric. I will freak out and do my ugly cry if I don't get my way.
I also think it's pretty obvious that Jackson is Major Arcana. My money is on the Sun card. There is some serious foreshadowing and light/dark/day/night imagery going on in the last book, Dead of Winter.
Por ejemplo:
Aric gazed down at me. "Your dance studio will always be lit, as will your art studio. The libraries, of course. The pool will be heated as long as we live. Who needs the sun, when we have acres of sun lamps?"
My eyes darted to jack.
AND:
Jack had been magnetic, giving folks a new story to tell. Hope had been palpable. Even as the temperature dropped--and night endured.
I gazed up at the murky sky. "Selena, you ever think the sun will come out?" The question reminded me of Jack's words: "You ever think we deserve better than the Basin?" If he'd had the courage to hope, shouldn't I as well?
Selena rolled her yes. "If the sun can disappear, it can reappear. Really, Evie. Duh."
Look, I dig the ragin' Cajun. I do. He's just no Death.
Jesus, do you see what I am doing here? *Sigh* I promised myself I would NOT get so invested in these stupid love triangles (*shakes fist at Morpheus and Peeta*). And yet here I am again. Have I no shame? No dignity??
Dear God, please bring peace on earth, end world hunger, and let Evie and Aric realize they are perfect for each other after lots and lots of smoking hot smexy times. Amen."
October 4, 2016
Oh. my. gosh. What a roller coaster!! I think I'm firmly on Team Aric ... ♡
February 17, 2017
Before Release:
Aric please. He's the only reason I'm going to read this book.
I don't want Jack dead. If he's dead and Evie ended up with Death, that wouldn't really be her choice you know. I want her to choose Death out of her own will. (I don't care about her going after Jack in the last book. I won't accept it.)
Update : WTF? Aric missing? Reunite with Death? I've no word for this. No word. Give me the freaking book already.
Review:
2.5 STARS
Don't worry. I won't write any spoiler without warning. :)
I can't say this is my favorite book of the series. I liked Endless Knight and Dead of Winter better.
There were new arcanas. I really liked one of them, . His character introduction in Day Zero was really intriguing. I was hoping he would be in here. And he was fun.
The thing is I was kind of getting tired of the love-triangle. It was interesting in the previous books. But now not so much. I'm not really convinced that she loved any of them. She loves Jack when Aric is not around, Aric when Jack is not around. Really? -_- May be many people think it's natural and okay to be like that. Not me. I'm not comfortable with this turn of events.
Aric though. <3 I'm always so emotional when reading about him. My baby... I mean the sole reason I'm reading this series is him. He was perfect as always.
I think most of the events are repeating and the first chapters were kind of boring. Overall, I think it's okay. But for a reader like me, expecting something grand for over one year, everything felt flat and disappointing. I was hoping something better. :(
P.S. I didn't know there was gonna be a fifth book. I read with knowledge that this is the last book. Imagine my surprise at the cliffhanger. O_O
Aric please. He's the only reason I'm going to read this book.
I don't want Jack dead. If he's dead and Evie ended up with Death, that wouldn't really be her choice you know. I want her to choose Death out of her own will. (I don't care about her going after Jack in the last book. I won't accept it.)
Update : WTF? Aric missing? Reunite with Death? I've no word for this. No word. Give me the freaking book already.
Review:
2.5 STARS
Don't worry. I won't write any spoiler without warning. :)
I can't say this is my favorite book of the series. I liked Endless Knight and Dead of Winter better.
There were new arcanas. I really liked one of them, . His character introduction in Day Zero was really intriguing. I was hoping he would be in here. And he was fun.
The thing is I was kind of getting tired of the love-triangle. It was interesting in the previous books. But now not so much. I'm not really convinced that she loved any of them. She loves Jack when Aric is not around, Aric when Jack is not around. Really? -_- May be many people think it's natural and okay to be like that. Not me. I'm not comfortable with this turn of events.
Aric though. <3 I'm always so emotional when reading about him. My baby... I mean the sole reason I'm reading this series is him. He was perfect as always.
I think most of the events are repeating and the first chapters were kind of boring. Overall, I think it's okay. But for a reader like me, expecting something grand for over one year, everything felt flat and disappointing. I was hoping something better. :(
P.S. I didn't know there was gonna be a fifth book. I read with knowledge that this is the last book. Imagine my surprise at the cliffhanger. O_O
September 1, 2019
Two opposing forces joining together.
Life and Death.
With his forehead resting against mine, he bit out, “We might be going . . . to hell for this.” But that wasn’t stopping him; pressure grew as he pushed deeper.
I gasped. “Then we’ll rule it together.”
His lips parted. “Es tevi mīlu.” I love you.
For an instant, I saw Jack above me. A moment of time. . . .
I blinked, and I was staring into starry amber eyes again. “I love you too.”
I am still not sure where the games between Evie, Jack and Aric will lead. And whether I like the fact that she needs to choose or not. Maybe she should follow Sol's lifestyle and not choose.
Anyway, I loved Sol in this book. And I forgive him.
I also cannot understand Aric's behaviour. I believe he is a master manipulator who has been around hundreds of years more than the others
He knows how to make Evie comply to his will.
Jack is still the most innocent, truthful and ready for self-sacrifice character.
Evie started innocent and pure but she is evolving.
Life and Death.
With his forehead resting against mine, he bit out, “We might be going . . . to hell for this.” But that wasn’t stopping him; pressure grew as he pushed deeper.
I gasped. “Then we’ll rule it together.”
His lips parted. “Es tevi mīlu.” I love you.
For an instant, I saw Jack above me. A moment of time. . . .
I blinked, and I was staring into starry amber eyes again. “I love you too.”
I am still not sure where the games between Evie, Jack and Aric will lead. And whether I like the fact that she needs to choose or not. Maybe she should follow Sol's lifestyle and not choose.
Anyway, I loved Sol in this book. And I forgive him.
I also cannot understand Aric's behaviour. I believe he is a master manipulator who has been around hundreds of years more than the others
He knows how to make Evie comply to his will.
Jack is still the most innocent, truthful and ready for self-sacrifice character.
Evie started innocent and pure but she is evolving.
October 11, 2016
I can't believe she did that! My poor Jack I feel so betrayed for him and so let down. What was once the best ya series for me has gone to hell because I can't get over what Evie did. I feel so gutted but I can't read anymore in the series my heart is breaking for my beloved Jack.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 14, 2017
MY 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!!!
August 13, 2016
Ok so I'm sure this is going to be a rambling review because I just finished this book and I can't seem to form a coherent thought after that "OMG did that just happen?!?!" ending! But I need to write this review now with all the feelings I am having. I don't know how much of a review it'll be though since EVERYTHING in this book is huge and spoilery!
I truly believe that each book in this series just gets better! Kresley has an amazing way of sucking me right back into this world and crushing me, then making me smile and swoon, then absolutely obliterating me with feelings I never thought I'd feel reading a book! My heart beat so hard in certain chapters I thought I might be having a heart attack (no joke I had to stop and check my pulse a few times). So what can I tell you? Of course Evie is back but not unscathed, some people are dead (no I will not say who), some people are alive (same as above), and we meet some new Arcana (although if you've read Day Zero you've already met them). Bagmen are a little less creepy (but still creepy), oh and we finally get to meet Evie's grandma, and we learn there's more Arcana in the game than we thought.
Man this book kicked my ass! In a good way and now I am going to be struggling until Spring of 2017 waiting for the next book! And praying the publication date doesn't get moved to later!
I truly believe that each book in this series just gets better! Kresley has an amazing way of sucking me right back into this world and crushing me, then making me smile and swoon, then absolutely obliterating me with feelings I never thought I'd feel reading a book! My heart beat so hard in certain chapters I thought I might be having a heart attack (no joke I had to stop and check my pulse a few times). So what can I tell you? Of course Evie is back but not unscathed, some people are dead (no I will not say who), some people are alive (same as above), and we meet some new Arcana (although if you've read Day Zero you've already met them). Bagmen are a little less creepy (but still creepy), oh and we finally get to meet Evie's grandma, and we learn there's more Arcana in the game than we thought.
Man this book kicked my ass! In a good way and now I am going to be struggling until Spring of 2017 waiting for the next book! And praying the publication date doesn't get moved to later!
Want to read
June 6, 2016Sometimes I want to stab myself for being so invested in this book series, but who am I kidding I have to know what happens next.
Give me Death or give me death.
Give me Death or give me death.
August 29, 2016
Another gripping entry in the Arcana Chronicles. I finally got my Aric fix. Team Death! Can't wait for the next one!
Now for spoilers
Now for spoilers
August 19, 2016
DEATH. DEATH. DEATH. DEATH.
If you haven't read the first three books, you are likely to think me crazy for typing this.
Whether Evie ended up with the Cajun or Death, Death is still my favorite book boyfriend in this series<33
Can't wait to read other Arcanas kick ass!!
Review after reading:
Honestly, I've prepared my heart (well, I would still cry a river inside) for my favorite knight to die. In the last few chapters before the book ended when Fortune confronted Evie and the group, I thought for sure it would happen so I braced my heart and mind.... only to release another relieved-but-not-so-relieved breath that my favorite knight lived (and that ending! *squeee*). But deep down I really took precaution and anticipation for that final moment because I guess perhaps that was why Matthew left Evie and the group, for the event he predicted to happen, . Nonetheless, I'm truly looking forward to the fifth (last?) book. I hope it has a very good and satisfying ending.
But thought aside, I have this impossible scenario I made up due to repeated stress and denial for Aric's maybe-death in future book: Evie died, then Aric and Jack got to raise the child (or children) together *sad laugh*
If you haven't read the first three books, you are likely to think me crazy for typing this.
Whether Evie ended up with the Cajun or Death, Death is still my favorite book boyfriend in this series<33
Can't wait to read other Arcanas kick ass!!
Review after reading:
Honestly, I've prepared my heart (well, I would still cry a river inside) for my favorite knight to die. In the last few chapters before the book ended when Fortune confronted Evie and the group, I thought for sure it would happen so I braced my heart and mind.... only to release another relieved-but-not-so-relieved breath that my favorite knight lived (and that ending! *squeee*). But deep down I really took precaution and anticipation for that final moment because I guess perhaps that was why Matthew left Evie and the group, for the event he predicted to happen, . Nonetheless, I'm truly looking forward to the fifth (last?) book. I hope it has a very good and satisfying ending.
But thought aside, I have this impossible scenario I made up due to repeated stress and denial for Aric's maybe-death in future book: Evie died, then Aric and Jack got to raise the child (or children) together *sad laugh*
September 1, 2016
4 ★'s
At the end of Dead of Winter, Richter had just set off a massive earthquake with lava spewing everywhere along with battling Circe and her water tsunami. This causes everyone to scramble and unfortunately some don't scramble successfully.
Evie barely manages to pull herself up and brush herself off. In trying to get back to Fort Arcana, she stumbles upon Sol and his minions. At a disadvantage since Matthew has shut down the voices, she's not sure if Sol knows who she is. But she's tired and her grief is all consuming so she doesn't give him quite the attention that's necessary.
Naturally, Death comes to her rescue...again and takes her back to his "castle" to heal. Evie's grandmother is there and boy, is she quite the character and definitely not what Evie expected.
This is where things took a bit of a twist for me. It seems like there are a lot of strategizing going on. I was feeling a bit disappointed in Evie until things come out at the end...and what a tangled web it is!
And things go downhill from there for me. Don't get me wrong...there was amazing news but I just don't trust Matthew anymore and then...the inevitable happens. We all saw it coming however, that twist at the end? OMG, I wasn't prepared. Ugh...it makes me sick!
So before this book, I felt like I had an idea where things were going and who was aligning with who. Well, that's all been blown out the water. I trust NO ONE and I just want Evie to WAKE UP!
The Dark Calling is next...coming out Spring 2017. Please let there be good news!
♦ Special Note... Ms. Cole stated on Facebook that Matthew's story in Day Zero "contains puzzles that foreshadow events to come..." which is maddening considering most of the story is redacted with only these parts available. "The beginning is.....darkness......the End.....is.....two." Some genius is going to have to figure that out but I'm hoping the two are E and J!
~ The Players ~
(current standings at end of Arcana Rising **definite spoilers!!)
At the end of Dead of Winter, Richter had just set off a massive earthquake with lava spewing everywhere along with battling Circe and her water tsunami. This causes everyone to scramble and unfortunately some don't scramble successfully.
Evie barely manages to pull herself up and brush herself off. In trying to get back to Fort Arcana, she stumbles upon Sol and his minions. At a disadvantage since Matthew has shut down the voices, she's not sure if Sol knows who she is. But she's tired and her grief is all consuming so she doesn't give him quite the attention that's necessary.
Naturally, Death comes to her rescue...again and takes her back to his "castle" to heal. Evie's grandmother is there and boy, is she quite the character and definitely not what Evie expected.
This is where things took a bit of a twist for me. It seems like there are a lot of strategizing going on. I was feeling a bit disappointed in Evie until things come out at the end...and what a tangled web it is!
And things go downhill from there for me. Don't get me wrong...there was amazing news but I just don't trust Matthew anymore and then...the inevitable happens. We all saw it coming however, that twist at the end? OMG, I wasn't prepared. Ugh...it makes me sick!
So before this book, I felt like I had an idea where things were going and who was aligning with who. Well, that's all been blown out the water. I trust NO ONE and I just want Evie to WAKE UP!
The Dark Calling is next...coming out Spring 2017. Please let there be good news!
♦ Special Note... Ms. Cole stated on Facebook that Matthew's story in Day Zero "contains puzzles that foreshadow events to come..." which is maddening considering most of the story is redacted with only these parts available. "The beginning is.....darkness......the End.....is.....two." Some genius is going to have to figure that out but I'm hoping the two are E and J!
~ The Players ~
(current standings at end of Arcana Rising **definite spoilers!!)
Read
March 2, 201717/08: Update after reading the book. Major spoilers for pairings & the ending because rant.
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20/03: I need to know who Evie ends up with, like right now (as if I believe the ending of the last one...). Will it be:
Jackson. Super hot. Tanned. Natural born leader. Charismatic. Good with his hands. Skilled fighter with and without weapons. Mechanic and fixer-upper. Can ride a motorbike. Can do the hard things no-one else is able to. Protective and sympathetic. Willing to let Evie go. Never called her a 'creature'. Never killed her. Never tried to kill her multiple times. Not emotionally manipulative.
Or will it be:
"Hi, I'm Aric. 20-something or 2000-something. Time is an illusion. Goth. Don't touch me. I am Death. Deep and dark. I'm also a sensitive soul if you get to know me ;). I like leather trench coats and katanas. M'lady. So many layers to me. 90s grunge lover. Marilyn Manson is life... or should I say, death. ;) Follow me on Instagram xxEm0Boiixx."
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20/03: I need to know who Evie ends up with, like right now (as if I believe the ending of the last one...). Will it be:
Jackson. Super hot. Tanned. Natural born leader. Charismatic. Good with his hands. Skilled fighter with and without weapons. Mechanic and fixer-upper. Can ride a motorbike. Can do the hard things no-one else is able to. Protective and sympathetic. Willing to let Evie go. Never called her a 'creature'. Never killed her. Never tried to kill her multiple times. Not emotionally manipulative.
Or will it be:
"Hi, I'm Aric. 20-something or 2000-something. Time is an illusion. Goth. Don't touch me. I am Death. Deep and dark. I'm also a sensitive soul if you get to know me ;). I like leather trench coats and katanas. M'lady. So many layers to me. 90s grunge lover. Marilyn Manson is life... or should I say, death. ;) Follow me on Instagram xxEm0Boiixx."
October 4, 2016
I didn't read this book, but I'm TEAM JACK. I won't read the rest of this series. Too bad, it started with such great promise. But honestly I'm tired of YA books where the heroine ends up with the asshole. Like that's how girls in the real world would chose a guy to date. Shatter Me, I vomit the book. Just tired of it. And the whole baby thing makes me want to vomit more.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 21, 2018
I sat thinking about this book for a while and I have to be honest, I just truly didn't like it.
I had already resigned myself to the fact that Evie would never get with Death and I was ok with it even though I loved him much more than Jack.
Things I Iiked....
1) Death got what he wanted and he deserved it.
2) Matthew. I hope he wins. Forget everyone else. Tredici, Empress, and Jack Daniels be damned. I hope he directs them all off a fucking cliff.
Ok that's it.
Things I didn't....
Oh where to start?
1) Evie just sitting around saying she wants revenge on Richter and doing NOTHING else. No plots or schemes. Just banging Death. Because that's what will help with your revenge right?
2) Evie supposedly has all these powers but never uses them. It's just pathetic at this point. She relies on everyone else to do things. And worst of all she's whiny and indecisive now.
3) Evie didn't care her grandmother was dying. Didn't listen to her at all either. I mean you'd think Evie would have at least asked her what she was babbling about at the end. Before Evie was so determined to find her grandmother for help and now she's, dare I say, relieved ole' granny kicks it.
4) How quickly Evie moves on from Jack. Her supposed love of her life. I mean I didn't even really like the guy for her, but sheesh, I would wait at least a half a year to mourn him. If you make a choice stick with it girl.
5) How rushed and insincere being with Death was. I felt like if she was going to take the runner up at least make it believable, but she was using him to just numb the pain. Why though? Just go on your revenge campaign and die like you wanted. No need to hurt the guy more with your insincere "I love you's." Yech.
6) That stupid ending. This girl is 17 and in a post-apocalyptic world and you want her to be preggers? Lord can you imagine birthing that baby there? Noope.
7) How stooopid Jack is for not telling her he is alive. He's getting what's coming to him because of that dumb decision. A pregnant ex-girlfriend who will probably come back to him for protection after she gets Death killed next book with her idiocy. Since she can't take care of herself and all. Even though she's a goddess. But not really because goddesses do something.
8) Where were the cool memories? Everything was just mentioned. Oh here are your chronicles. Btw the Fool stabbed you and won a game before. But I won't show you how. It was just so boring.
My predictions:
This was a filler to give Death what he wanted since he was such a sad pathetic character. He'll die in the next book and Jack will be raising his bebe a la Ben Affleck in Pearl Harbor.
Circe proooobably cast a spell on Paul or Evie to pretend she got the depo shot. Being pregnant with Death's child obviously kills life so it's muting her powers. Her plan all along. Also probably why she encouraged Evie to "live" and not hurt Death. Typical. "Snake is strangling the root." Or whatever granny babbled about. Paul probably killed Granny too.
Who knows. Maybe Death was in on it too. He was visiting Circe and they could have concocted the plan together. I'd like to think not but I believe Granny that none are her friends. I tend to listen to my grandmother more than people who have killed me before.
I had already resigned myself to the fact that Evie would never get with Death and I was ok with it even though I loved him much more than Jack.
Things I Iiked....
1) Death got what he wanted and he deserved it.
2) Matthew. I hope he wins. Forget everyone else. Tredici, Empress, and Jack Daniels be damned. I hope he directs them all off a fucking cliff.
Ok that's it.
Things I didn't....
Oh where to start?
1) Evie just sitting around saying she wants revenge on Richter and doing NOTHING else. No plots or schemes. Just banging Death. Because that's what will help with your revenge right?
2) Evie supposedly has all these powers but never uses them. It's just pathetic at this point. She relies on everyone else to do things. And worst of all she's whiny and indecisive now.
3) Evie didn't care her grandmother was dying. Didn't listen to her at all either. I mean you'd think Evie would have at least asked her what she was babbling about at the end. Before Evie was so determined to find her grandmother for help and now she's, dare I say, relieved ole' granny kicks it.
4) How quickly Evie moves on from Jack. Her supposed love of her life. I mean I didn't even really like the guy for her, but sheesh, I would wait at least a half a year to mourn him. If you make a choice stick with it girl.
5) How rushed and insincere being with Death was. I felt like if she was going to take the runner up at least make it believable, but she was using him to just numb the pain. Why though? Just go on your revenge campaign and die like you wanted. No need to hurt the guy more with your insincere "I love you's." Yech.
6) That stupid ending. This girl is 17 and in a post-apocalyptic world and you want her to be preggers? Lord can you imagine birthing that baby there? Noope.
7) How stooopid Jack is for not telling her he is alive. He's getting what's coming to him because of that dumb decision. A pregnant ex-girlfriend who will probably come back to him for protection after she gets Death killed next book with her idiocy. Since she can't take care of herself and all. Even though she's a goddess. But not really because goddesses do something.
8) Where were the cool memories? Everything was just mentioned. Oh here are your chronicles. Btw the Fool stabbed you and won a game before. But I won't show you how. It was just so boring.
My predictions:
This was a filler to give Death what he wanted since he was such a sad pathetic character. He'll die in the next book and Jack will be raising his bebe a la Ben Affleck in Pearl Harbor.
Circe proooobably cast a spell on Paul or Evie to pretend she got the depo shot. Being pregnant with Death's child obviously kills life so it's muting her powers. Her plan all along. Also probably why she encouraged Evie to "live" and not hurt Death. Typical. "Snake is strangling the root." Or whatever granny babbled about. Paul probably killed Granny too.
Who knows. Maybe Death was in on it too. He was visiting Circe and they could have concocted the plan together. I'd like to think not but I believe Granny that none are her friends. I tend to listen to my grandmother more than people who have killed me before.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Want to read
July 21, 2015I JUST DIED AND WENT TO HEAVEN.
Initial reaction:
Initial reaction:
August 17, 2016
I really like this one! I think a little more forward motion in the storyline would have made it tops. I ravaged this book and highly recommend it. Watch out kittens there be spoilers below!!
PS: I don’t do book summaries since so many other reviewers do.
Pros:
•Evie kicks ass in the beginning of the book and isn’t depending on others. I loved this turn for her.
•There are some beautiful and heartbreaking moments in this book. The scene juxtaposed between Evie and Jack in the snow where she lets him go as he clings to her memory shreds me and I can’t stop re-reading it.
•The Sun card. Might be one of my favorite cards. Cocky, flirty, sexy and calls himself a god. Finally another fun character like the Magician.
•Shortened wait time for the next installment!! They should have done this from the start.
Cons:
•Love triangle. This takes up so much of the story. I think people are frustrated with Evie’s dependence on men and her indecisiveness.
•I think much of the time we spend in Evie’s head would be better served on the rest of the story. I feel like we’re just scratching the surface of all the characters and back story. It feels like these threads should have been more exposed at the onset of chronicles instead of now. At some point you have to unravel some of the mysteries for your reader and not just keep layering them like cannibal lasagna.
•Evie still hasn’t tapped into her power? What’s the deal? I understand she doesn't want to be evil but she needs to take charge and learn how to develop her arsenal and not rely on her emotions to drive her abilities. And now her powers are weaker due to being preggo so she’s even more limited (which by the way nice message: can’t be kickass while being pregnant).
•Evie’s pregnant. Why? This feels like a lame plot point to me. If the baby dies she’ll be BROKEN, as evidenced by the fact that she can barely handle her two “dead” boyfriends (har, har see what I did there?). If the baby lives how’s she gonna take care of it in an AF world? That’s some hardcore stress, the girls going to need to take anti-anxiety meds like tic tacs.
Theories, questions and the like:
•I really like Aric (even being a Jack gal myself) and they are sweet together but it seems off to me. At one point Gran says, “He told me Death calls this place Lethe, named after one of the five rivers in Hades, the river of forgetfulness.” At another point Lark asks Evie if she’s happy and Evie replies, “When I’m with him and I can forget everything that’s happened, then I…” I what? “Then it’s good.” That seems suspicious as all get out to me. Evie continually mentions losing herself in oblivion when she’s with Death.
•So most everyone thinks Jack is the Hanged Man and I see all the clues that point to this but maybe this is a misdirect? Is it possible he’s minor arcana? Gran mentioned they rebuild the world after the game and Jack was trying to rebuild his own society. When I read Day Zero it also bugged me that the Hang Man and Jack's entries were separate, if they're the same guy why the duplication?
•Also, I read some info on the Tarot and it says the Hanged Man is born of the Empress' womb. So maybe the baby is the Hanged Man (which explains why he was in no other games, why this game is so different, and why Life and Death are so drawn to each other but aren't supposed to be together). The Hanged Man is all about sacrifice and the greater good so maybe he's the one to end the game.
•Matthew mentions that the Empress screaming at Jack’s grave caused the Dark Calling to rise up in him. Is his fugue state linked to her? The night Evie decides to let go of Jack and pursue her relationship with Aric is also the night of her false memory asking Paul for birth control. Jack mentions seeing a Matt look like an evil twin of himself that night. Is Matthew messing with her memories? Or can he still play with memories when he’s in that state?
•Matthew’s Dark Calling: up/down, reverse /perverse. I checked out the tarot and flipping the cards gives them different meaning. I don’t know if Cole will make that a Matthew only thing or if all the cards will have some kind of reverse of themselves.
•Gran’s warning: I can’t make heads or tails of this. Anybody have thoughts? Cole explains the rat (sort of) and Spite, but everything else confuses me.
•The court cards huh? So now minor arcana are hopping in the party to F stuff up. Sounds neat. Gran mentioned Knight of Swords and Queen of Cups so I’m on the lookout for that. Thoughts?
•What end did Gran put in motion? I don’t even have a guess! How ‘bout you?
•FYI: someone brought up this poem in one of their reviews. Very interesting: Evangeline, A Tale of Acadie by Henry Wadsworth: follows a girl named Evangeline and her search for her lost love Gabriel. Spends years in search for him, at some times being near him without realizing it. As an old woman she cares for the poor and tends to the dying during an epidemic. She finds Gabriel is one of the sick and he dies in her arms.
PS: I don’t do book summaries since so many other reviewers do.
Pros:
•Evie kicks ass in the beginning of the book and isn’t depending on others. I loved this turn for her.
•There are some beautiful and heartbreaking moments in this book. The scene juxtaposed between Evie and Jack in the snow where she lets him go as he clings to her memory shreds me and I can’t stop re-reading it.
•The Sun card. Might be one of my favorite cards. Cocky, flirty, sexy and calls himself a god. Finally another fun character like the Magician.
•Shortened wait time for the next installment!! They should have done this from the start.
Cons:
•Love triangle. This takes up so much of the story. I think people are frustrated with Evie’s dependence on men and her indecisiveness.
•I think much of the time we spend in Evie’s head would be better served on the rest of the story. I feel like we’re just scratching the surface of all the characters and back story. It feels like these threads should have been more exposed at the onset of chronicles instead of now. At some point you have to unravel some of the mysteries for your reader and not just keep layering them like cannibal lasagna.
•Evie still hasn’t tapped into her power? What’s the deal? I understand she doesn't want to be evil but she needs to take charge and learn how to develop her arsenal and not rely on her emotions to drive her abilities. And now her powers are weaker due to being preggo so she’s even more limited (which by the way nice message: can’t be kickass while being pregnant).
•Evie’s pregnant. Why? This feels like a lame plot point to me. If the baby dies she’ll be BROKEN, as evidenced by the fact that she can barely handle her two “dead” boyfriends (har, har see what I did there?). If the baby lives how’s she gonna take care of it in an AF world? That’s some hardcore stress, the girls going to need to take anti-anxiety meds like tic tacs.
Theories, questions and the like:
•I really like Aric (even being a Jack gal myself) and they are sweet together but it seems off to me. At one point Gran says, “He told me Death calls this place Lethe, named after one of the five rivers in Hades, the river of forgetfulness.” At another point Lark asks Evie if she’s happy and Evie replies, “When I’m with him and I can forget everything that’s happened, then I…” I what? “Then it’s good.” That seems suspicious as all get out to me. Evie continually mentions losing herself in oblivion when she’s with Death.
•So most everyone thinks Jack is the Hanged Man and I see all the clues that point to this but maybe this is a misdirect? Is it possible he’s minor arcana? Gran mentioned they rebuild the world after the game and Jack was trying to rebuild his own society. When I read Day Zero it also bugged me that the Hang Man and Jack's entries were separate, if they're the same guy why the duplication?
•Also, I read some info on the Tarot and it says the Hanged Man is born of the Empress' womb. So maybe the baby is the Hanged Man (which explains why he was in no other games, why this game is so different, and why Life and Death are so drawn to each other but aren't supposed to be together). The Hanged Man is all about sacrifice and the greater good so maybe he's the one to end the game.
•Matthew mentions that the Empress screaming at Jack’s grave caused the Dark Calling to rise up in him. Is his fugue state linked to her? The night Evie decides to let go of Jack and pursue her relationship with Aric is also the night of her false memory asking Paul for birth control. Jack mentions seeing a Matt look like an evil twin of himself that night. Is Matthew messing with her memories? Or can he still play with memories when he’s in that state?
•Matthew’s Dark Calling: up/down, reverse /perverse. I checked out the tarot and flipping the cards gives them different meaning. I don’t know if Cole will make that a Matthew only thing or if all the cards will have some kind of reverse of themselves.
•Gran’s warning: I can’t make heads or tails of this. Anybody have thoughts? Cole explains the rat (sort of) and Spite, but everything else confuses me.
•The court cards huh? So now minor arcana are hopping in the party to F stuff up. Sounds neat. Gran mentioned Knight of Swords and Queen of Cups so I’m on the lookout for that. Thoughts?
•What end did Gran put in motion? I don’t even have a guess! How ‘bout you?
•FYI: someone brought up this poem in one of their reviews. Very interesting: Evangeline, A Tale of Acadie by Henry Wadsworth: follows a girl named Evangeline and her search for her lost love Gabriel. Spends years in search for him, at some times being near him without realizing it. As an old woman she cares for the poor and tends to the dying during an epidemic. She finds Gabriel is one of the sick and he dies in her arms.
August 16, 2016
I have no clue what I just read only that I'm just reeling from everything.
At this point I just want to smack Aric, Evie and upside their heads and put them in the doghouse because they're driving me up the wall. Aric's a boohoo-you-friendzoned-my-ass mess despite me being #teamAric. Evie really shouldn't be leading Aric on like I guess I didn't totally hate this time around but honestly it's hard to think well of him since he's pulled so much shit in previous books. I can't even blame him though because Aric's kinda pulling the same mess too this book
Also the shit just made me so mad. I hate when authors use to tie lovers together. It's such a shitty move to hide the fact that Evie just wants Jack more but we now have this to keep her attached to Aric. It's so gross. God forbid we
But y'know there's hot sex. -shrugs-
I feel like this isn't holding up to be a three star review but there definitely were some parts I enjoyed. I just...don't know how I feel about these plot points and character developments. I do like Sol though! We so rarely get to see polyamorous, bi characters in fiction. I'm excited to hear about our
Honestly though, Circe should just do us all a favor and tsunami the shit out of everyone. I do wish we hear more about her because she seems to have a lot of *snickers* hidden depths.
At this point I just want to smack Aric, Evie and upside their heads and put them in the doghouse because they're driving me up the wall. Aric's a boohoo-you-friendzoned-my-ass mess despite me being #teamAric. Evie really shouldn't be leading Aric on like I guess I didn't totally hate this time around but honestly it's hard to think well of him since he's pulled so much shit in previous books. I can't even blame him though because Aric's kinda pulling the same mess too this book
Also the shit just made me so mad. I hate when authors use to tie lovers together. It's such a shitty move to hide the fact that Evie just wants Jack more but we now have this to keep her attached to Aric. It's so gross. God forbid we
But y'know there's hot sex. -shrugs-
I feel like this isn't holding up to be a three star review but there definitely were some parts I enjoyed. I just...don't know how I feel about these plot points and character developments. I do like Sol though! We so rarely get to see polyamorous, bi characters in fiction. I'm excited to hear about our
Honestly though, Circe should just do us all a favor and tsunami the shit out of everyone. I do wish we hear more about her because she seems to have a lot of *snickers* hidden depths.
May 11, 2017
Reviewed by: Rabid Reads.
When I heard the news that the ARCANA CHRONICLES were going to stretch two books longer than originally planned I feared that Kresley Cole’s sensational Young Adult trilogy was going to lose some of its shine. Listening to ARCANA RISING cured any doubts that I may have had about the author’s ability to prolong Evie Greene’s story while maintaining the same caliber of writing that I’ve come to expect from this series.
DEAD OF WINTER left fans in the lurch over many things, but rest assured that the main one doesn’t remain a mystery for long. Now that that’s out of the way, I really enjoyed how this installment broadened the scope of this dystopian world. Baggers serve a purpose other than killing, the Major Arcana aren’t the only cards in the deck, and Evangeline finally gets her hands on the knowledge of all the Empresses who came before her.
Anyone who’s on Team Death will be pleased with this novel, I know I was. Sol (the Sun) proves to be a perplexing secondary while as Matthew (the Fool) further demonstrates why in spite of his mad ramblings that he shouldn’t be overlooked as a serious contender to win it all. True to form, Cole tops it all off with a fourth cliff hanger by leaving yet another character’s future up in the air in the worst kind of way.
Emma Galvin’s performance remains flawless. It’s impossible to improve on perfection, so as long as she keeps on doing what she’s been doing, I’ll continue to purchase any audiobooks where she’s listed as the narrator. It was worth waiting an extra 1.5 months for this title to be released in audio instead of one-clicking it the moment it became available to read. I hope I’ll be strong enough to do the same for the finale.
Not all series benefit from extra volumes, but ARCANA RISING was just as good as the first three.
When I heard the news that the ARCANA CHRONICLES were going to stretch two books longer than originally planned I feared that Kresley Cole’s sensational Young Adult trilogy was going to lose some of its shine. Listening to ARCANA RISING cured any doubts that I may have had about the author’s ability to prolong Evie Greene’s story while maintaining the same caliber of writing that I’ve come to expect from this series.
DEAD OF WINTER left fans in the lurch over many things, but rest assured that the main one doesn’t remain a mystery for long. Now that that’s out of the way, I really enjoyed how this installment broadened the scope of this dystopian world. Baggers serve a purpose other than killing, the Major Arcana aren’t the only cards in the deck, and Evangeline finally gets her hands on the knowledge of all the Empresses who came before her.
Anyone who’s on Team Death will be pleased with this novel, I know I was. Sol (the Sun) proves to be a perplexing secondary while as Matthew (the Fool) further demonstrates why in spite of his mad ramblings that he shouldn’t be overlooked as a serious contender to win it all. True to form, Cole tops it all off with a fourth cliff hanger by leaving yet another character’s future up in the air in the worst kind of way.
Emma Galvin’s performance remains flawless. It’s impossible to improve on perfection, so as long as she keeps on doing what she’s been doing, I’ll continue to purchase any audiobooks where she’s listed as the narrator. It was worth waiting an extra 1.5 months for this title to be released in audio instead of one-clicking it the moment it became available to read. I hope I’ll be strong enough to do the same for the finale.
Not all series benefit from extra volumes, but ARCANA RISING was just as good as the first three.
September 23, 2016
OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG... I FEEL LIKE IVE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS BOOK for like FOREVER. GIVE IT TO ME... GIVE IT TO ME NOW!
#TeamJack !!! ALL THE FUCKING WAY. My delicious cajun boy ;)
AND... #TeamAric... In another life perhaps.
----
NO
NO NO NO NO
please tell me this aint reall!
please tell me this book is a joke!!!
IM SO MAD RIGHT NOW! SO FUCKING MAD!
how did things come to this? how did it escalate this fast!
THIS IS MY FAVOURITE SERIES EVER and it will always be... but arcana rising..
I FEEL BETRAYED... Evie.. I WANT TO SLICE HER IN SMALL PIECES AND FEED IT TO THE SUNS TWO FAVOURITE BAGGERS! im so mad at her! she was my favourite heroine. KEY WORD: WAS!
Gosh I was never expecting this NEVER EVER EVER! Why kresley whyyyy did you do this :(
The story itself was so short and nothing was revealed! I feel like this book gave me nothing but it had the power to completely destroy me! I had a major tantrum throughout this story - my family thinks im crazy - and i blame you cole.
Oh god my cajun boy! He deserves the entire world yet he gets nothing. Jack deserves the best and I dont think Evie could ever live up to that anymore.
FIX THIS, KRESLEY COLE! The dark calling is the hope im holding onto! Dont let me down cole dont do it!
#TeamJack !!! ALL THE FUCKING WAY. My delicious cajun boy ;)
AND... #TeamAric... In another life perhaps.
----
NO
NO NO NO NO
please tell me this aint reall!
please tell me this book is a joke!!!
IM SO MAD RIGHT NOW! SO FUCKING MAD!
how did things come to this? how did it escalate this fast!
THIS IS MY FAVOURITE SERIES EVER and it will always be... but arcana rising..
I FEEL BETRAYED... Evie.. I WANT TO SLICE HER IN SMALL PIECES AND FEED IT TO THE SUNS TWO FAVOURITE BAGGERS! im so mad at her! she was my favourite heroine. KEY WORD: WAS!
Gosh I was never expecting this NEVER EVER EVER! Why kresley whyyyy did you do this :(
The story itself was so short and nothing was revealed! I feel like this book gave me nothing but it had the power to completely destroy me! I had a major tantrum throughout this story - my family thinks im crazy - and i blame you cole.
Oh god my cajun boy! He deserves the entire world yet he gets nothing. Jack deserves the best and I dont think Evie could ever live up to that anymore.
FIX THIS, KRESLEY COLE! The dark calling is the hope im holding onto! Dont let me down cole dont do it!
July 2, 2024
After I read that awful cliffhanger at the end of Dead of Winter, I was feeling rather...
I still believe that there's no way in hell that Jack's really dead so
But, since the original fourth book in the series (recently titled Day Zero) that was supposed to be released this summer was demoted to a novella, this new (and FARTHER AWAY) release date is highly upsetting!
#TEAM JACK
Want to read
June 4, 2016GIMME GIMME GIMME
But I'll pass on anything pertaining to Jack, Thanks. Not my cup of tea.
But I'll pass on anything pertaining to Jack, Thanks. Not my cup of tea.
November 11, 2016
Review to come!
August 16, 2016
As soon as I got the email that Apple had sent my book, I didn't bother doing anything else.
In this fourth novel, fifth book, of the Arcana Chronicles, Kresley Cole drops one motherfucking, huge-ass plunge into book-insanity. And I loved every single moment of it.
It would be a crime to say this book wasn't full of surprises, titillating scenes (with quite some tit-bouncing, too, might I say), but the real winner for me?
Everything, really.
It was glorious. It was splendrous. It was bloody mind blowing.
Long-time readers will know the struggle of Aric and Evie's various mishaps and hurdles. I have been such a die-hard fan of them since the second book. Aric and Evie just have this sizzling connection that trumps over any other YA (or New Adult and PNR) book I have had the joy of reading. In fact, I would probably, in all honestly, compare my love of this couple to my all-time favorite Bones and Cat from Jeaniene Frost's Night Huntress series.
We start off right where we ended Dead of Winter, yet already we are tossed and smashed into another set of horrific circumstances for our dear heroine, who just can't seem to get a break. We meet new Arcana, including Sol, Zara, Richter, and Circe, all who manage to add that twist of tension the last book seemed to lack, if only because we knew what the ending of that novel would be.
However, in Arcana Rising, "nothing is as it seems." Gran is introduced and her interactions with Evie are both intriguing and mildly disturbing. Think GoT's Tywin Lannister, but rather deranged, slightly demented, and lacking subtlety (or possessing too much of it, I suppose), but nevertheless always forging forward in the interests of the family.
Evie herself finds her headspace to have been incredibly mind-fucked by Jack's death. She's primed for vengeance, and most of the book focuses on her downward spiral. The pacing in Kresley's books can be slow, and the action can be limited to mere moments compared to the entirety, but I feel that she knows what she is doing with this series. Yes, I was majorly depressed to see that this book was barely 400 words, not even, after a grueling two-year wait. However, Cole manipulated the wording and events rather well, if not somewhat repetitious in an effort to be slightly pedantic.
Yes, she's going insane. Yes, we know. We also know her mind is completely messed up. Move on.
In addition, certain parts of the book were rather terrifyingly intriguing. In specific places, at pivotal moments, it seems as if Evie is narrating the book from a future perspective. There are tidbits that make the reader scratch his or her brain.
In fact, some of these moments pissed me right off.
From here on out, uninhibited and unhidden spoilers, folks. You have been warned.
Evie's and Aric's budding relationship and mending love are the main focus/co-focus of this novel. I have nothing to complain about this because I have been cheering them on for years, especially since the second installation of the series. Aric's gentleness, his gorgeous demeanor, his never-ending passion and adoration for his soulmate will never cease to amaze me - and I'm finally glad to see Evie realize that, as well.
Others will say that Evie went to Aric because she thought she needed to let go of her reservations and make the best out of whatever time she had left on Earth, and it is a valid point. However, this could also be said that Evie is trying to move on. She is trying to be happy again after all the shit show of Jack's supposed death and the untimely passings of Selena and Tess.
Yes, Selena and Tess are dead. I grieved with Evie, too.
Evie has stated, on multiple occasions, she and Aric are soulmates. Yes, Jack was a love of her life, but so. Is. Death! Her heart was split between the two. The Lovers confirmed this; we all knew it, already.
Kresley knocked this one out of the fucking galaxy. Yes, the pacing is slow, but measured carefully, it is. We see Evie's downward spiral, and her achingly difficult climb to salvage whatever remained of herself. Aric only helped with that. Add that to one of the reasons I adore the man.
And, also! - he took of her - for weeks in a nursery! Of plants! When she had turned her back on him for another man! Is this not love! TELL ME, SOMEBODY.
IS.
THIS.
NOT.
LOVE.
Death blooms in this book. In fact, I'll just let some of the quotes below explain how I feel:
Circe parted the waters with a sighed, "Death and Life. Finally."
"In the past, I never had anything more than the game and my books and relics. No longer. I have a wife I adore. I am more than a mere killer and a collector. I am a husband."
The quote above comes from a much-read bookshelf scene. ;)
He was fierce with me on that desk.
And then on the couch.
And then up against the bookshelves with my legs around his waist.
Ugh. Yes. Someone, hose me down.
And my favorite one of all?
"Again, I love you too, Aric. Now, wear your fucking armor."
I adore her. I adore him. I adore them.
Find the book. Get your hands on it. And don't you dare close it before having read it from start to finish. You won't regret it. I certainly did not.
In this fourth novel, fifth book, of the Arcana Chronicles, Kresley Cole drops one motherfucking, huge-ass plunge into book-insanity. And I loved every single moment of it.
It would be a crime to say this book wasn't full of surprises, titillating scenes (with quite some tit-bouncing, too, might I say), but the real winner for me?
Everything, really.
It was glorious. It was splendrous. It was bloody mind blowing.
Long-time readers will know the struggle of Aric and Evie's various mishaps and hurdles. I have been such a die-hard fan of them since the second book. Aric and Evie just have this sizzling connection that trumps over any other YA (or New Adult and PNR) book I have had the joy of reading. In fact, I would probably, in all honestly, compare my love of this couple to my all-time favorite Bones and Cat from Jeaniene Frost's Night Huntress series.
We start off right where we ended Dead of Winter, yet already we are tossed and smashed into another set of horrific circumstances for our dear heroine, who just can't seem to get a break. We meet new Arcana, including Sol, Zara, Richter, and Circe, all who manage to add that twist of tension the last book seemed to lack, if only because we knew what the ending of that novel would be.
However, in Arcana Rising, "nothing is as it seems." Gran is introduced and her interactions with Evie are both intriguing and mildly disturbing. Think GoT's Tywin Lannister, but rather deranged, slightly demented, and lacking subtlety (or possessing too much of it, I suppose), but nevertheless always forging forward in the interests of the family.
Evie herself finds her headspace to have been incredibly mind-fucked by Jack's death. She's primed for vengeance, and most of the book focuses on her downward spiral. The pacing in Kresley's books can be slow, and the action can be limited to mere moments compared to the entirety, but I feel that she knows what she is doing with this series. Yes, I was majorly depressed to see that this book was barely 400 words, not even, after a grueling two-year wait. However, Cole manipulated the wording and events rather well, if not somewhat repetitious in an effort to be slightly pedantic.
Yes, she's going insane. Yes, we know. We also know her mind is completely messed up. Move on.
In addition, certain parts of the book were rather terrifyingly intriguing. In specific places, at pivotal moments, it seems as if Evie is narrating the book from a future perspective. There are tidbits that make the reader scratch his or her brain.
In fact, some of these moments pissed me right off.
From here on out, uninhibited and unhidden spoilers, folks. You have been warned.
Evie's and Aric's budding relationship and mending love are the main focus/co-focus of this novel. I have nothing to complain about this because I have been cheering them on for years, especially since the second installation of the series. Aric's gentleness, his gorgeous demeanor, his never-ending passion and adoration for his soulmate will never cease to amaze me - and I'm finally glad to see Evie realize that, as well.
Others will say that Evie went to Aric because she thought she needed to let go of her reservations and make the best out of whatever time she had left on Earth, and it is a valid point. However, this could also be said that Evie is trying to move on. She is trying to be happy again after all the shit show of Jack's supposed death and the untimely passings of Selena and Tess.
Yes, Selena and Tess are dead. I grieved with Evie, too.
Evie has stated, on multiple occasions, she and Aric are soulmates. Yes, Jack was a love of her life, but so. Is. Death! Her heart was split between the two. The Lovers confirmed this; we all knew it, already.
Kresley knocked this one out of the fucking galaxy. Yes, the pacing is slow, but measured carefully, it is. We see Evie's downward spiral, and her achingly difficult climb to salvage whatever remained of herself. Aric only helped with that. Add that to one of the reasons I adore the man.
And, also! - he took of her - for weeks in a nursery! Of plants! When she had turned her back on him for another man! Is this not love! TELL ME, SOMEBODY.
IS.
THIS.
NOT.
LOVE.
Death blooms in this book. In fact, I'll just let some of the quotes below explain how I feel:
Circe parted the waters with a sighed, "Death and Life. Finally."
"In the past, I never had anything more than the game and my books and relics. No longer. I have a wife I adore. I am more than a mere killer and a collector. I am a husband."
The quote above comes from a much-read bookshelf scene. ;)
He was fierce with me on that desk.
And then on the couch.
And then up against the bookshelves with my legs around his waist.
Ugh. Yes. Someone, hose me down.
And my favorite one of all?
"Again, I love you too, Aric. Now, wear your fucking armor."
I adore her. I adore him. I adore them.
Find the book. Get your hands on it. And don't you dare close it before having read it from start to finish. You won't regret it. I certainly did not.
April 13, 2023
*insert mr Krabs shook meme*
July 10, 2018
These books are so hard for me to rate because on one hand, it's a very intriguing premise with some interesting people running around and the situations are sometimes entertaining. On the other hand, I hate two of the main characters - like the ultimate main and one of the boys. This does not bode well for me as I am constantly trapped in the mind of someone who I constantly want to slap.
But here we are in book 4 and honestly, this book was kind of boring. The first half draggggeeedddddd and nothing really happened. Just Evie wandering the vast wasteland alone and constantly talking about how she's going to drain the life of one Arcana (an ally, no less) to save her "boyfriend". I use that term loosely because the love story here is just all over the place. I stand by my statement that these books would be made so much better if the love story wasn't so prevalent. On top of that, the love triangle trope is really horrible and drags down the impending doom of the world.
Anyway.
So we meet Evie's Grandma here.
But we also meet new Arcana - like Sol. Hello lovely complicated character. You have been much needed in this world and bless you for making an appearance. I look forward to what you have to offer. We also meet Lady Luck who is, shocking, evil. We also have some returning characters that I was happy to see. Death also keeps up his entertaining self - when he's not acting all love whipped by Evie *eye roll*
So overall, an ok addition. I could have skipped the first hundred pages or so and still have gotten what I needed from the book. Onto the 5th!
But here we are in book 4 and honestly, this book was kind of boring. The first half draggggeeedddddd and nothing really happened. Just Evie wandering the vast wasteland alone and constantly talking about how she's going to drain the life of one Arcana (an ally, no less) to save her "boyfriend". I use that term loosely because the love story here is just all over the place. I stand by my statement that these books would be made so much better if the love story wasn't so prevalent. On top of that, the love triangle trope is really horrible and drags down the impending doom of the world.
Anyway.
So we meet Evie's Grandma here.
But we also meet new Arcana - like Sol. Hello lovely complicated character. You have been much needed in this world and bless you for making an appearance. I look forward to what you have to offer. We also meet Lady Luck who is, shocking, evil. We also have some returning characters that I was happy to see. Death also keeps up his entertaining self - when he's not acting all love whipped by Evie *eye roll*
So overall, an ok addition. I could have skipped the first hundred pages or so and still have gotten what I needed from the book. Onto the 5th!
April 14, 2017
Really? Really? Ugh! So mad.... review to come...
March 22, 2016
I need more Death !!!!
August 18, 2016
ARCANA RISING picks up where DEAD OF WINTER left off and that is a world of heartbreak and despair. I will try to make this review completely spoiler free just in case you haven't read the series yet, in which case you need to move your butt and get started. Now lets get into what I really liked about this book.
ARCANA RISING will make your heart race. It's packed with enough action and desolate settings to keep you on the edge of your seat and lets not mistake this for just another young adult story. This series is intense and ARCANA RISING is just upping the stakes in the game. I also found that the sense of instability and distrust that filled up the moments when the action would die down, carried the urgency for me to continue reading at break-neck speed.
And let's be honest here. I've long been a Jack girl throughout this series, but in the last book my confusion began. DAY ZERO only pushed that along until I was completely lost in what outcome I wanted. ARCANA RISING shows no answers for me. I'm still torn. I understand Evie's struggle because making a choice between two perfect men is not easy and I haven't made mine. Death is EVERYTHING in this book. I anticipated every second we got to see him and I longed for him to feel happiness. And yet, there were still times that I would try and find the clue as to his betrayal. Because it must be coming, right?
I wish I could say I loved Evie throughout this book, however that's not necessarily the case. After a while of seeing her wallow in her love for two people and her heartbreak at not knowing what happened to either of them, she was starting to get on my nerves a bit. I long for the day when she truly takes charge with a vengeance. But since I don't want to give spoilers away I'm going to leave it at that.
While she wasn't my favorite thing of this reading experience, the story absolutely was. It didn't let up and things progressed nicely in the overall story arc. There is a sense of urgency throughout this book as the game escalates, alliances are forged and trusts are challenged. I honestly loved questioning everyone's motives, I expect betrayal at every turn and I've become quite jaded. Just when I start to warm up to someone's character, my instincts tell me not to trust them. And I think Ms. Cole is doing a good job creating that sense of distrust that is the only thing still making this game play out.
I know you probably want to know if Jack lives, and quite frankly I won't give a damn thing away. You can read this book and suffer along with me. And when I say suffer, I mean Kresley Cole likes to torture us. I should forewarn you about the cliffhanger. The DAMN CLIFFHANGER! One of those wanting to throw the kindle across the room moments for sure. When I read that last bit and then .... the end.... I was more than a little upset. I'm not sure how I can possibly wait eight months! Eight.Full.Months to know what happens next. If you're ready to be in the same state as I'm in now, then read on. I don't think you'll find a more exciting series.
Favorite Quotes:
This might be the most noble thing I've ever done. Noble, for the record, cuts like a blade to the heart.
"I am a planet off its axis."
Voice rough with lust, he said, "I have one treasure." He slowed, pinning my gaze with his starry one. "And she owns my soul."
*ARC provided by publisher
Reviewed by Francesca
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August 16, 2016
Well, great. As per usual, I waited almost two years for this book and read it in less than five hours. Much like some of the Arcana *cough* Richter *cough* this book takes no prisoners, instead going straight for the kill. At the end, I was as stunned as if I had been hit with one of Joules’s bolts, feeling as unlucky as someone touched by Zara… ok, ok. I’ll stop now.
Let me first start by saying that I am amazed by how far this series has come. Book one, frankly, wasn’t great. But there was that glimmer of potential that led me to pick up Endless Knight. To my surprise I found myself anticipating Dead Of Winter. And Cole changed the game (okay, I really need too stop with the puns) with Day Zero. The mythology and intrigue of the Tarot world just keeps getting deeper, and Arcana Rising took the world-building up another notch.
This book was paced interestingly, which left me always holding my breath about when the next threat would hit. Cole does well with a sense of impending doom- something a writer can only pull off if they have given the reader chance to expect the worst in the past (AKA they love torturing characters).
Yes, the romance was a big focus when there could have been more fighting, but I’ve come to accept these books for what they are, and the romance always comes first. Cole does make a few very bold choices when it comes to protagonist Evie’s love life, so it made for interesting reading. And hopefully, with that ending, the Jack vs Aric plotline has come to a thundering halt. Sighs of relief over here.
Speaking of that ending. Remember how Dead of Winter ended with an explosion? This one does too, but an explosion of a different kind. I’m honestly not at all sure where Cole is taking this, but I’m intrigued enough that spring feels very far away. Very far away. As Lady of Fortune might say, that wait is some B-team bullshit.
So collect your severed arms, kick back in Aric’s mansion, and relax, because we are in for a very long wait. Perhaps a…. nine month wait?
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