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The Arcana Chronicles #3
Dead of Winter
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Readers' Favorite Young Adult Fantasy & Science Fiction (2015)
Heartbreaking decisions
Evie was almost seduced by the life of comfort that Death offered her—until Jack was threatened by two of the most horrific Arcana, The Lovers. She will do anything to save him, even escape Death’s uncanny prison, full of beautiful objects, material comforts…and stolen glances from a former love.
Uncertain victory
Despite leaving a part of her heart behind with Death, Evie sets out into a perilous post-apocalyptic wasteland to meet up with her allies and launch an attack on the Lovers. Such formidable enemies require a battle plan, and the only way to kill them may mean Evie, Jack, and Death allying. Evie doesn’t know what will prove more impossible: surviving slavers, plague, Bagmen and other Arcana—or convincing Jack and Death to work together.
Two heroes returned
There’s a thin line between love and hate, and Evie just doesn’t know where she stands with either Jack or Death. Will this unlikely trio be able to defeat The Lovers without killing one another first...?
Evie was almost seduced by the life of comfort that Death offered her—until Jack was threatened by two of the most horrific Arcana, The Lovers. She will do anything to save him, even escape Death’s uncanny prison, full of beautiful objects, material comforts…and stolen glances from a former love.
Uncertain victory
Despite leaving a part of her heart behind with Death, Evie sets out into a perilous post-apocalyptic wasteland to meet up with her allies and launch an attack on the Lovers. Such formidable enemies require a battle plan, and the only way to kill them may mean Evie, Jack, and Death allying. Evie doesn’t know what will prove more impossible: surviving slavers, plague, Bagmen and other Arcana—or convincing Jack and Death to work together.
Two heroes returned
There’s a thin line between love and hate, and Evie just doesn’t know where she stands with either Jack or Death. Will this unlikely trio be able to defeat The Lovers without killing one another first...?
303 pages, Hardcover
First published January 6, 2015
498 people are currently reading
14537 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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Want to read
August 13, 2016Is it horrible that I want Evie to choose Death?
and if it doesn't work out then she can die via pleasure right??
YOLO
------------------------------------------------------------------
*follow for more reviews :)
and if it doesn't work out then she can die via pleasure right??
YOLO
------------------------------------------------------------------
*follow for more reviews :)
January 13, 2015
RantEVIEW:
Ok. Alrighty. Well. There was the 3rd book! And not much fing happened! Right? I mean really. A whole year waited to be basically at the same place we ended last time. We learned a *bit* more about Aric... and saw all of Jack's potential finally shine through (He's an *cough* Arcana, *cough* otherwise he'd be so dead by now with his stunts) which is nice.. little about Evie or her powers and even less about the other Arcana and the games beyond how they came about initially which could have been guessed. I felt this book was just a lot of fluff and a WHOLE lot dedicated to Evie going: *Who will I choose!?* Ughhh. Aric you twit! ARIC! I know, I'm biased.
SPOILER ALERT!!!!! Stop reading now if you haven't finished the book!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I don't think that the Cajun is dead. In fact, I think he's the Chariot card and will be 'activated' at some point.... or MAYBE he was activated just then after the Emperor's lava stunt.. being the closet to the Archer and helping her to die maybe? I do think the Archer is dead though.. she needs to go as there is no where left for her really in this storyline me thinks. Who knows though. I just know Jack's a card and that his story isn't over yet. Kresley spent WAY too much time in this book mentioning 'But Aric is an Arcana and will understand me better!' for Jack to not end up being Arcana himself. And of course he's not DEAD! That's a silly way to end the love triangle. And obviously Circe is coming to the rescue and that's what the wave of water is about.. she clearly is intrigued by this Empress and her old friendship with her lives on somewhere.
That's my prediction anyway. I also guessed early on that Aric had gotten her grandma for her. Just seemed to make the most sense on the best gift and why he lagged to catch up with her.
That being said I swear to all the heavens.. even if Evie ends up with Jack in the end.. PLEASE KRESLEY LET US GET AN ARIC AND EVIE SEX SCENE IN THE NEXT BOOK! Or like 10 even.. actually just go all 50 shades of grey and make it a huge romp between those two and I can die happy. Pretty please? With Taro on top? I mean COMEON! It's definitively needed at this point! Maybe Evie will truly think Jack is dead because Matto will say something weird and elusive, like he always does, or because Jack is now Arcana and different, and Evie will succumb to her love for Aric FINALLY. Oh, one can wish can't she!? I will be mighty pissed if Aric has to wait until their next lifetime/games for Evie. I rather she choose Aric when all is said and done but if they just have an awesome love affair for awhile that will be at least something. (Ala Damon and Elena..)
I give the book 4 stars because I just wish more would have happened with the story moving forward in all aspects.. somehow. I just felt this booked lagged much more than the others and concentrated way too hard on the 'choice' and nothing else. Plus the Lovers dieing so easily and without any flair seemed silly. After all that hype about how powerful they are.. I felt it was a sellout that he 'absorbed' Violet and severely weakened himself in the process.. Illogical a bit I think.
Below is what I said when I first learned this book was coming out and before actually reading it...
---------------------------------------------------------------------------Team Death. All the way. I like Jack, don't get me wrong, but over Aric? PSHHHHHH!
It's Aric's time.. FINALLY.. and he has been waiting too long for Evie to get her mind right and finally choose to be with him as she should be.
Pleaseee Kresley don't make him or US wait any more for Evie! <3
Ok. Alrighty. Well. There was the 3rd book! And not much fing happened! Right? I mean really. A whole year waited to be basically at the same place we ended last time. We learned a *bit* more about Aric... and saw all of Jack's potential finally shine through (He's an *cough* Arcana, *cough* otherwise he'd be so dead by now with his stunts) which is nice.. little about Evie or her powers and even less about the other Arcana and the games beyond how they came about initially which could have been guessed. I felt this book was just a lot of fluff and a WHOLE lot dedicated to Evie going: *Who will I choose!?* Ughhh. Aric you twit! ARIC! I know, I'm biased.
SPOILER ALERT!!!!! Stop reading now if you haven't finished the book!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I don't think that the Cajun is dead. In fact, I think he's the Chariot card and will be 'activated' at some point.... or MAYBE he was activated just then after the Emperor's lava stunt.. being the closet to the Archer and helping her to die maybe? I do think the Archer is dead though.. she needs to go as there is no where left for her really in this storyline me thinks. Who knows though. I just know Jack's a card and that his story isn't over yet. Kresley spent WAY too much time in this book mentioning 'But Aric is an Arcana and will understand me better!' for Jack to not end up being Arcana himself. And of course he's not DEAD! That's a silly way to end the love triangle. And obviously Circe is coming to the rescue and that's what the wave of water is about.. she clearly is intrigued by this Empress and her old friendship with her lives on somewhere.
That's my prediction anyway. I also guessed early on that Aric had gotten her grandma for her. Just seemed to make the most sense on the best gift and why he lagged to catch up with her.
That being said I swear to all the heavens.. even if Evie ends up with Jack in the end.. PLEASE KRESLEY LET US GET AN ARIC AND EVIE SEX SCENE IN THE NEXT BOOK! Or like 10 even.. actually just go all 50 shades of grey and make it a huge romp between those two and I can die happy. Pretty please? With Taro on top? I mean COMEON! It's definitively needed at this point! Maybe Evie will truly think Jack is dead because Matto will say something weird and elusive, like he always does, or because Jack is now Arcana and different, and Evie will succumb to her love for Aric FINALLY. Oh, one can wish can't she!? I will be mighty pissed if Aric has to wait until their next lifetime/games for Evie. I rather she choose Aric when all is said and done but if they just have an awesome love affair for awhile that will be at least something. (Ala Damon and Elena..)
I give the book 4 stars because I just wish more would have happened with the story moving forward in all aspects.. somehow. I just felt this booked lagged much more than the others and concentrated way too hard on the 'choice' and nothing else. Plus the Lovers dieing so easily and without any flair seemed silly. After all that hype about how powerful they are.. I felt it was a sellout that he 'absorbed' Violet and severely weakened himself in the process.. Illogical a bit I think.
Below is what I said when I first learned this book was coming out and before actually reading it...
---------------------------------------------------------------------------Team Death. All the way. I like Jack, don't get me wrong, but over Aric? PSHHHHHH!
It's Aric's time.. FINALLY.. and he has been waiting too long for Evie to get her mind right and finally choose to be with him as she should be.
Pleaseee Kresley don't make him or US wait any more for Evie! <3
September 22, 2015
Wanna know what my Arcana call is Evie?
'MONOGAMY IS SOOOOO OVERRATED!!!'
I mean, who gives a flying fuck about 'Teams'??? Just have both...it's no less than what you deserve. Remember, you're a freaking EMPRESS for Christ's sake!
But, make sure you get them to wrestle in loincloths and oil first.
Just so they can at least attempt to prove their love.
As a side note, I suspect Kresley Cole must have, like, the best sex life ever. That woman sure knows what she's writing about.
'MONOGAMY IS SOOOOO OVERRATED!!!'
I mean, who gives a flying fuck about 'Teams'??? Just have both...it's no less than what you deserve. Remember, you're a freaking EMPRESS for Christ's sake!
But, make sure you get them to wrestle in loincloths and oil first.
Just so they can at least attempt to prove their love.
As a side note, I suspect Kresley Cole must have, like, the best sex life ever. That woman sure knows what she's writing about.
November 3, 2015
These books are just so great!!
I really love all of the characters, and Evie is a great main character. The plot in this book is so crazy, especially the ending! It left me speechless and I don't know how I'm going to wait for the next book. I was literally on edge for the whole book. There is some freaky and messed up stuff in this story, but it was such an entertaining read.
My heart was really torn in 2 throughout the whole thing, but I had a feeling who Evie would pick. However, the very end threw me for a loop!
I don't know where this story is going, but I can't wait to find out.
I really love all of the characters, and Evie is a great main character. The plot in this book is so crazy, especially the ending! It left me speechless and I don't know how I'm going to wait for the next book. I was literally on edge for the whole book. There is some freaky and messed up stuff in this story, but it was such an entertaining read.
My heart was really torn in 2 throughout the whole thing, but I had a feeling who Evie would pick. However, the very end threw me for a loop!
I don't know where this story is going, but I can't wait to find out.
Want to read
November 6, 2013Evie had better choose Death. Or I will slaughter her. And Jackson. I can really only think of a couple good reasons for her to choose Jack, but I can't stop thinking of excellent reasons for her to choose Aric, aka her husband!!! I eagerly await the release of this book, so I can finally put my anxiety to rest. >.<
August 31, 2015
Shit. It's not over?!
Ugh. Don't you just hate that? Here I was, hoping that there would be some sort of conclusion, and it turns out there's not one but two MORE books...at least!
And after the second book, I was pretty over the romance, so all I was hanging in for was to find out how all this stuff with the Arcana turns out. I mean, Cole has really come up with an interesting world here!
And I wanna know what happens so badly!
So if it's so awesome, why the low rating?
Several reasons.
First, nothing much happens in this one. Yeah, stuff happens, but the plot doesn't advance a whole hellava lot. There are two rescue missions, but the majority of those pages are spent with Evie writhing and moaning about how much she luuuuuurves both Jack &Death Aric.
Which brings me to the second problem: Mother-Fucking Love Triangle.
There's such a great story buried under all that angst, that it makes me sort of sick to my stomach over the wasted potential.
WASTED!
Oh. My. God. I hated it!
And that psychotic fart, Aric, shouldn't even be in the running! Not by any sort of normal/healthy standards, at least.
Do I even need to bring up that he's pretty much a 1,000 year old virgin? He hasn't been able to touch anyone (since he was a real teenager), so that equals almost zero experience. That whole scene in the bedroom (where she could barely stop panting long enough to fend off his coerced sexual advances) is a load of bullshit. He's hawt? Sorry, but that doesn't count for fuck-all when you've (maybe) had sex once before. Did I mention he was trying to bully her into sex?
Add his age and inexperience to his unforgivable rapey tendencies, and you don't have a misunderstood sex symbol at all.
You have a old, gross, Creeper!
I will say the Cajun (Jack) is much easier to tolerate this time around. Although, I felt bad for him as he begged, pleaded, and groveled at Evie's feet, simply for the chance to maybe be the one she chooses.
Pick me! Pick Me!
Listen up, chickies. That's not cool! No guy deserves to get jerked around by his short 'n curlies like that, and I was honestly hoping that he'd dump her on her wishy-washy ass at the end.
It's not romantic to string someone along till you finally decide what you want to do. Plus, she kept making out with whatever warm body happened to be the nearest! It wasn't casual dating, it was borderline abusive.
Butbutbut...I love them both!
Fuck you, bitch.
If Jack were my son, you'd already be taking a dirt nap.
Last, but not least, was the way the author expected us to fall for that jacked up, rushed, cliffhanger ending.
Really, Ms. Cole? Do you really think you've fooled anyone with that lame-ass death in the last few pages. We all know that {spoilery person} is Arcana, they will have survived somehow, and they're gonna pop up like a daisy in the next book. Surprise!
No. No one is that stupid.
PS - There's a whole lot of nipple sucking and shit going on for a YA novel. Also, if she spent any more time dry-humping these two boys, they all would have been too chapped to rescue anyone. Couple that malarkey with the fact that it promoted dangerously unhealthy relationships, and I wouldn't recommend this one for teenagers. Or if you do give this one to your teen, make sure you talk about all the bogus WhatTheFuckery that happens.
Ugh. Don't you just hate that? Here I was, hoping that there would be some sort of conclusion, and it turns out there's not one but two MORE books...at least!
And after the second book, I was pretty over the romance, so all I was hanging in for was to find out how all this stuff with the Arcana turns out. I mean, Cole has really come up with an interesting world here!
And I wanna know what happens so badly!
So if it's so awesome, why the low rating?
Several reasons.
First, nothing much happens in this one. Yeah, stuff happens, but the plot doesn't advance a whole hellava lot. There are two rescue missions, but the majority of those pages are spent with Evie writhing and moaning about how much she luuuuuurves both Jack &
Which brings me to the second problem: Mother-Fucking Love Triangle.
There's such a great story buried under all that angst, that it makes me sort of sick to my stomach over the wasted potential.
WASTED!
Oh. My. God. I hated it!
And that psychotic fart, Aric, shouldn't even be in the running! Not by any sort of normal/healthy standards, at least.
Do I even need to bring up that he's pretty much a 1,000 year old virgin? He hasn't been able to touch anyone (since he was a real teenager), so that equals almost zero experience. That whole scene in the bedroom (where she could barely stop panting long enough to fend off his coerced sexual advances) is a load of bullshit. He's hawt? Sorry, but that doesn't count for fuck-all when you've (maybe) had sex once before. Did I mention he was trying to bully her into sex?
Add his age and inexperience to his unforgivable rapey tendencies, and you don't have a misunderstood sex symbol at all.
You have a old, gross, Creeper!
I will say the Cajun (Jack) is much easier to tolerate this time around. Although, I felt bad for him as he begged, pleaded, and groveled at Evie's feet, simply for the chance to maybe be the one she chooses.
Pick me! Pick Me!
Listen up, chickies. That's not cool! No guy deserves to get jerked around by his short 'n curlies like that, and I was honestly hoping that he'd dump her on her wishy-washy ass at the end.
It's not romantic to string someone along till you finally decide what you want to do. Plus, she kept making out with whatever warm body happened to be the nearest! It wasn't casual dating, it was borderline abusive.
Butbutbut...I love them both!
Fuck you, bitch.
If Jack were my son, you'd already be taking a dirt nap.
Last, but not least, was the way the author expected us to fall for that jacked up, rushed, cliffhanger ending.
Really, Ms. Cole? Do you really think you've fooled anyone with that lame-ass death in the last few pages. We all know that {spoilery person} is Arcana, they will have survived somehow, and they're gonna pop up like a daisy in the next book. Surprise!
No. No one is that stupid.
PS - There's a whole lot of nipple sucking and shit going on for a YA novel. Also, if she spent any more time dry-humping these two boys, they all would have been too chapped to rescue anyone. Couple that malarkey with the fact that it promoted dangerously unhealthy relationships, and I wouldn't recommend this one for teenagers. Or if you do give this one to your teen, make sure you talk about all the bogus WhatTheFuckery that happens.
October 9, 2016
What is it with these cliffhangers? Like are you trying to give me tachycardia?!!
She chose the mortal, how dare she!
She chose the mortal, how dare she!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 19, 2015
Spoilers
Ugh, this was meant to be a bloody trilogy but apparently there's more of the fuckers. On top of that this ended on a cheap fucker of a cliffhanger, I'm so sick of all the rubbish cliffhangers and series that never end in YA.
-Most of the book consisted of Evie umming and ahhing about who she should be with - rapey murderous Death or rapey hypocritical Jack? Oh, whoever will she choose?! The entire world was fucked up, filled with sickos and psychos, and everyone's lives were in danger, YET ALL Evie could think about was her boring love life. She was so pathetic. The fact that she had the potential to be epic and powerful instead of a hormonal dimbo made her even more pathetic. She chose to angst and whine about her boyfriends instead of plot and plan against her enemies. I actually wouldn't have minded Evie flip flopping between her two guys if it hadn't taken over the whole bloody story!! As irritating as Evie was in the first two books at least she actually did things in them, in this one she sort of half heartedly tried to make a difference but only when she could be bothered.. Meanwhile she put all her energy into describing and comparing Rapey Jack and Rapey Death's sexy hair, sexy body, sexy eyes and sexy kisses. Ugh, Evie could have grown into a great character instead she turned into a total twit whose life started and ended with which male made her knickers the wettest.
-Loved the whole Arcana aspect and all the cards battling it out. I also loved finding out about the Arcanas past lives, and all the alliances, secrets, and betrayals that were touched upon, those parts were engrossing and really well done. Unfortunately, those parts were few and far between.
-Where were all the female friendships?? Evie only ever really interacted and bonded with the guys. Any other girl in the series Evie was either in competition with (for male attention) or they were angry/bitchy/crazy/ended up dead/or were less than Evie in some way or another. The only people truly important to Evie were the guys. I thought her and Selena might bond but she ended up dead, and the bond they did share at the end was down to their mutual love for Jack. Yea, I wasn't impressed.
-WTF why kill off Selena?! Just because she outshone Evie in every way didn't mean she had to be killed off!! How about trying to make Evie more tolerable and badarse instead?! Apart from Selena's obsession with Jack she was a great character, she really should have been the heroine instead of the silly twit Evie.
-I rolled my eyes at all the clichéd ways the author tried to make Jack seem sympathetic, layered and tortured. He was an abusive, lying, hypocritical prick in the first two books, him almost dying and having a crappy childhood didn't make up for his past behaviour or his vile personality. I hated that even though he killed Evie's mother and lied to her about it, it was all instantly forgiven and he was made out to be some sort of hero for putting her out of her misery. The fact that Evie loved him more after she found out about his lies was just ridiculous. Why would Evie still love him when he didn't respect her enough to tell her the truth?!
-As fucking if hundreds of grown men would look up to and take orders from a teenage boy. There was no reason why all of them would follow Jack and respect him, respect of that level would take years to earn, he wasn't even all that intelligent or inspiring. Most of the time he was was either drunk or angsting over his love life, yet I was meant to believe he was supposed to be some sort of great leader. Yea right.
The fact that teenager Jack was able to lead an army and fight without fear didn't make him endearing, it just made a ridiculous Gary Stu. At least Death/Aric had been living millennia, and was powerful and knowledgeable, Jack on the other hand was barely out of his nappies.
-Whenever Evie called Matthew 'honey' or 'sweetie' or 'sweetheart' it made her sound like an overbearing grandma. I wish she'd stop being so condescending and insulting towards him.
-I couldn't stand Jack's hypocrisy when it came to him lying and keeping secrets from Evie. She had to tell him every little thing about herself and trust him blindly or else Jack would punish her and treat her like crap, BUT it was perfectly fine for bastard Jack to lie to her face because that was just the way he was built. Ugh, what a wanker.
-It's so bloody obvious that Jack will still be alive and that he'll turn out to be the inactivated card, making him even more of a speshul snowflake. Also, there's no way him and Evie won't end up together - them not having any chemistry and Jack being a trite charisma-less Gary Stu won't get in the way of their stereotypical YA HEA.
-Death wasn't as bad as Jack, at least he was interesting and had some chemistry with Evie. Also, he was rather funny and entertaining, unlike dullard Jack. Death's past was far more engrossing to read about as well, especially how he lived between games and all his prior run ins with past Evie reincarnations, I could see why he was so fucked up. Not that it excused him of all the crap he'd pulled.
I'm guessing Death will either turn full on evil or he'll sacrifice himself for Evie so she can get her sickly sweet HEA with Jack or some rubbish. It's so predictable.
-I hope that Evie doesn't end up with Rapey Jack or Rapey Death and instead decides to shag around before settling down in a few decades. But since this is a YA series she of course has to choose her life partner before the age of eighteen, and she'll no doubt choose Jack since she lost her virginity to him and YA heroines can't sex anyone other than the designated hero. Ugh.
-Why does every YA author have the same predictable cliffhangers. Of course, Jack's not bloody dead! He's the fucking hero so he'll have survived in some convoluted way or another. Why write such trite cliffhangers?! I'm hoping that the author will be brave enough to have actually killed him off properly, but somehow I doubt her going down an original and exciting route.
Ugh, this was a total disappointment, I wanted an epic resolution instead I got a dragged out love triangle and a daft cliffhanger. After this series ends I won't be reading any more Kresley Cole and I won't be starting any new YA series either, I don't want to end up tied to another ever extending series.
Ugh, this was meant to be a bloody trilogy but apparently there's more of the fuckers. On top of that this ended on a cheap fucker of a cliffhanger, I'm so sick of all the rubbish cliffhangers and series that never end in YA.
-Most of the book consisted of Evie umming and ahhing about who she should be with - rapey murderous Death or rapey hypocritical Jack? Oh, whoever will she choose?! The entire world was fucked up, filled with sickos and psychos, and everyone's lives were in danger, YET ALL Evie could think about was her boring love life. She was so pathetic. The fact that she had the potential to be epic and powerful instead of a hormonal dimbo made her even more pathetic. She chose to angst and whine about her boyfriends instead of plot and plan against her enemies. I actually wouldn't have minded Evie flip flopping between her two guys if it hadn't taken over the whole bloody story!! As irritating as Evie was in the first two books at least she actually did things in them, in this one she sort of half heartedly tried to make a difference but only when she could be bothered.. Meanwhile she put all her energy into describing and comparing Rapey Jack and Rapey Death's sexy hair, sexy body, sexy eyes and sexy kisses. Ugh, Evie could have grown into a great character instead she turned into a total twit whose life started and ended with which male made her knickers the wettest.
-Loved the whole Arcana aspect and all the cards battling it out. I also loved finding out about the Arcanas past lives, and all the alliances, secrets, and betrayals that were touched upon, those parts were engrossing and really well done. Unfortunately, those parts were few and far between.
-Where were all the female friendships?? Evie only ever really interacted and bonded with the guys. Any other girl in the series Evie was either in competition with (for male attention) or they were angry/bitchy/crazy/ended up dead/or were less than Evie in some way or another. The only people truly important to Evie were the guys. I thought her and Selena might bond but she ended up dead, and the bond they did share at the end was down to their mutual love for Jack. Yea, I wasn't impressed.
-WTF why kill off Selena?! Just because she outshone Evie in every way didn't mean she had to be killed off!! How about trying to make Evie more tolerable and badarse instead?! Apart from Selena's obsession with Jack she was a great character, she really should have been the heroine instead of the silly twit Evie.
-I rolled my eyes at all the clichéd ways the author tried to make Jack seem sympathetic, layered and tortured. He was an abusive, lying, hypocritical prick in the first two books, him almost dying and having a crappy childhood didn't make up for his past behaviour or his vile personality. I hated that even though he killed Evie's mother and lied to her about it, it was all instantly forgiven and he was made out to be some sort of hero for putting her out of her misery. The fact that Evie loved him more after she found out about his lies was just ridiculous. Why would Evie still love him when he didn't respect her enough to tell her the truth?!
-As fucking if hundreds of grown men would look up to and take orders from a teenage boy. There was no reason why all of them would follow Jack and respect him, respect of that level would take years to earn, he wasn't even all that intelligent or inspiring. Most of the time he was was either drunk or angsting over his love life, yet I was meant to believe he was supposed to be some sort of great leader. Yea right.
The fact that teenager Jack was able to lead an army and fight without fear didn't make him endearing, it just made a ridiculous Gary Stu. At least Death/Aric had been living millennia, and was powerful and knowledgeable, Jack on the other hand was barely out of his nappies.
-Whenever Evie called Matthew 'honey' or 'sweetie' or 'sweetheart' it made her sound like an overbearing grandma. I wish she'd stop being so condescending and insulting towards him.
-I couldn't stand Jack's hypocrisy when it came to him lying and keeping secrets from Evie. She had to tell him every little thing about herself and trust him blindly or else Jack would punish her and treat her like crap, BUT it was perfectly fine for bastard Jack to lie to her face because that was just the way he was built. Ugh, what a wanker.
-It's so bloody obvious that Jack will still be alive and that he'll turn out to be the inactivated card, making him even more of a speshul snowflake. Also, there's no way him and Evie won't end up together - them not having any chemistry and Jack being a trite charisma-less Gary Stu won't get in the way of their stereotypical YA HEA.
-Death wasn't as bad as Jack, at least he was interesting and had some chemistry with Evie. Also, he was rather funny and entertaining, unlike dullard Jack. Death's past was far more engrossing to read about as well, especially how he lived between games and all his prior run ins with past Evie reincarnations, I could see why he was so fucked up. Not that it excused him of all the crap he'd pulled.
I'm guessing Death will either turn full on evil or he'll sacrifice himself for Evie so she can get her sickly sweet HEA with Jack or some rubbish. It's so predictable.
-I hope that Evie doesn't end up with Rapey Jack or Rapey Death and instead decides to shag around before settling down in a few decades. But since this is a YA series she of course has to choose her life partner before the age of eighteen, and she'll no doubt choose Jack since she lost her virginity to him and YA heroines can't sex anyone other than the designated hero. Ugh.
-Why does every YA author have the same predictable cliffhangers. Of course, Jack's not bloody dead! He's the fucking hero so he'll have survived in some convoluted way or another. Why write such trite cliffhangers?! I'm hoping that the author will be brave enough to have actually killed him off properly, but somehow I doubt her going down an original and exciting route.
Ugh, this was a total disappointment, I wanted an epic resolution instead I got a dragged out love triangle and a daft cliffhanger. After this series ends I won't be reading any more Kresley Cole and I won't be starting any new YA series either, I don't want to end up tied to another ever extending series.
April 14, 2024
2024 reread...I still love this series!!! But I'm leaning more towards Death this time around.
..........................................................
I wish this series didn't make me so crazy. There's the never ending cloud of mystery that just chokes you and befuddles your brain, the deliriously sexy sweet charms of both guys that makes you swoon beyond all reason, and the always present possibility of death that stops your heart until the current threat passes. But there's always an undercurrent, always the danger watching and preying. And it drives you mad.
I'm surprised I haven't cracked and started spouting Matthew's lines of crazed cray-cray.
☆ミ ☆彡BEWARE! THERE ARE SPOILERS PEOPLE!☆ミ ☆彡
I was not expecting Aric/Death to be so (gah!) swoony. He was swoony before but now...it's like one of his powers. The only downside is...Jack is his rival. And Jack is Jack. He's so masculine and irresistible. His accent always places me into a trance of infatuation. I don't want Evie to choose because they're so wonderful and both deserve her and definitely don't deserve to be crushed. But that ending...I refuse to believe. Refuse.
The twins are gone and The Emperor is coming out to play. Although, he's yet to be seen. The High Priestess has a face, a name. Tess finally proved she's of worth, a real card. There's so much more to learn and i don't want to wait forever to get the deets. Ugh! Worst part of becoming a series addict.
Doan know what to think now, no
Oh goodness...
JACK CANNOT BE GONE.
HE BETTER BE THE HANGED MAN WHERE HE CAN COME BACK TO LIFE AND ACTIVATE HIS POWERS AND KICK SOME MOTHERFUCKING EMPEROR ASS. I DON'T EVEN WANT SELENA TO BE GONE.
WONDER WHAT GRANDMA WILL HAVE TO SAY...
------------------------
The Major Arcana
The Fool - Mathew
The Magician - Finn
The Empress - Evie
Death - Aric
The Strength - Lark
The World - Tess Quinn
The Tower - Joules
Judgement - Gabriel
The High Priestess - Circe
The Emperor (No face, No name but definitely a dickface)
KILLED
The Hierophant--dead
The Devil--dead
The Hermit--dead
The Star--dead
Temperance--dead
Justice--dead
The Lovers - finally dead
The Moon - (allegedly dead)
UNKNOWN
The Chariot
The Wheel of Fortune
The Hanged Man
The Sun
..........................................................
I wish this series didn't make me so crazy. There's the never ending cloud of mystery that just chokes you and befuddles your brain, the deliriously sexy sweet charms of both guys that makes you swoon beyond all reason, and the always present possibility of death that stops your heart until the current threat passes. But there's always an undercurrent, always the danger watching and preying. And it drives you mad.
I'm surprised I haven't cracked and started spouting Matthew's lines of crazed cray-cray.
☆ミ ☆彡BEWARE! THERE ARE SPOILERS PEOPLE!☆ミ ☆彡
I was not expecting Aric/Death to be so (gah!) swoony. He was swoony before but now...it's like one of his powers. The only downside is...Jack is his rival. And Jack is Jack. He's so masculine and irresistible. His accent always places me into a trance of infatuation. I don't want Evie to choose because they're so wonderful and both deserve her and definitely don't deserve to be crushed. But that ending...I refuse to believe. Refuse.
The twins are gone and The Emperor is coming out to play. Although, he's yet to be seen. The High Priestess has a face, a name. Tess finally proved she's of worth, a real card. There's so much more to learn and i don't want to wait forever to get the deets. Ugh! Worst part of becoming a series addict.
Doan know what to think now, no
Oh goodness...
JACK CANNOT BE GONE.
HE BETTER BE THE HANGED MAN WHERE HE CAN COME BACK TO LIFE AND ACTIVATE HIS POWERS AND KICK SOME MOTHERFUCKING EMPEROR ASS. I DON'T EVEN WANT SELENA TO BE GONE.
WONDER WHAT GRANDMA WILL HAVE TO SAY...
------------------------
The Major Arcana
The Fool - Mathew
The Magician - Finn
The Empress - Evie
Death - Aric
The Strength - Lark
The World - Tess Quinn
The Tower - Joules
Judgement - Gabriel
The High Priestess - Circe
The Emperor (No face, No name but definitely a dickface)
KILLED
The Hierophant--dead
The Devil--dead
The Hermit--dead
The Star--dead
Temperance--dead
Justice--dead
The Lovers - finally dead
The Moon - (allegedly dead)
UNKNOWN
The Chariot
The Wheel of Fortune
The Hanged Man
The Sun
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Want to read
May 15, 2014
It really isn't fair when Kresley Cole created two representations of guys that I like. Now I can't choose who I ship with Evie. Is it just me?
I guess I'm just gonna go with Kresley's decision... I think.
But seriously.... 2014? And it's bare! No cover or title yet. I don't think I can handle the feels.
I cry because I can't even....
Death... or Jack?
ARRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHH! STHAP. 2014 PLS.
2014
Okay, it has been updated. Well, at least the title was.
MAY 2014
OKAY! I just saw the cover and the synopsis and DAMN! one does not simply come down from that kind of high. I mean, THE EXCITEMENT, THE DRAMA AND -possibly- THE HEARTBREAK. Is it bad that I suddenly wished for a tri-bond or "threesome" instead?
March 19, 2015
Even if Death has his moments, I will always be team Jack!! You can't erase the last two books that have shown Evie and Jack's love.
The book was so good, but the ending leaves me wanting to cry because I have to wait another year for the next book to come out :((. Kresley, don't do this to me!!
The book was so good, but the ending leaves me wanting to cry because I have to wait another year for the next book to come out :((. Kresley, don't do this to me!!
August 8, 2019
“I’ll tell you right now: I got more secrets, me. A whole mess of ’em. And some are goan to the grave with me. You’re just goan to have to accept that.”
Who is Jack really??
The tent seemed so much smaller with him in it, because Jack was larger than life.
An unbelievable love triangle has been formed between Evie, Jack, and Death. Evie is totally in love with both of them. And although I normally dislike love triangles, I did not mind this one. Their connection and their understanding were fascinating.
Who is Jack really??
The tent seemed so much smaller with him in it, because Jack was larger than life.
An unbelievable love triangle has been formed between Evie, Jack, and Death. Evie is totally in love with both of them. And although I normally dislike love triangles, I did not mind this one. Their connection and their understanding were fascinating.
Want to read
November 15, 2013Like a moth drawn to flame, of course I'm going to read this book. Dreading it too. I don't know how the author is going to resolve this vicious love triangle.
I still want Evie and Jackson together.
I still want Evie and Jackson together.
April 1, 2022
A LOVE TRIANGLE WHERE I CAN'T CHOOSE A FAV. I'M SO INVESTED.
November 22, 2015
Okay.
So.
Apparently, I no longer possess a soul. How?, you may ask. Well.
I sold my soul to the devil so that Aric got with Evie. That's right. I am willing to go those lengths so that Aric ends up with his soulmate.
Latvian god? Sure, with a side of steamy sex on the side, yes please. Oh, would I like to supersize it? Of fucking course.
Goodbye world. Goodbye mother, father, sibling. I no longer exist on this plane any longer.
I have sold my soul to Death.
*drops mic*
--
Sorry, but am I the only person who wants Aric to Evie silly?
I'm a bad, bad, dirty girl...
...but I will go down with this ship, I swear to Buddha.
Aric is embarrassingly, knickers-soaking hot. If in a state of disbelief, look above once more.
Satisfied?
Or maybe this is mah Aric/Evie:
I don't know.
But what I do know is that those two will make gorgeous kids. Really gorgeous kids. It's sickeningly how cute they'll probably be.
C'mon, Cole already sprung plot bunnies when she doled out this pretty piece of brain-food:
"...what if I get pregnant?"
"It might not even be possible for me to help create a life," Aric said. "But we've nothing to lose by trying. If you want to end the game, this is one move that's never been tried. How could we ever harm each other if we started a dynasty between us?"
I mean, can you imagine Daddy! Aric and MommaBear! Evie? I bet Aric will probably spoil the kids rotten...especially if there are girls...
Oh Buddha.
I'm Team Aric all the way. The poor man has suffered enough, I mean, suffering years of forced celibacy because he is pretty mean.
So mean.
Aric/Evie = love/sex.
C'mon, you know it, I know it.
And Jack? PSHHHH,
Cajun, move over for the Latvian sex god!
LATVIAN.
LAT. VI. AN.
Excuse me while I fan myself. Death can do that to a girl.
Going down with this ship, hoes.
January 9, 2015
Reviewed by: Rabid Reads.
This audiobook was #4 on my most anticipated reads of 2015 list, so it’s with a heavy heart that I give it 3-stars. The dystopian universe created by Kresley Cole in THE ARCANA CHRONICLES that I’ve come to adore was dwarfed by this series’ love triangle, and the plot whittled down to Evie’s boy toy choice. Now, perhaps I’m slightly bitter because she didn’t go with the team that I was rooting for, but in the end that really didn’t seem to matter because the author threw another cliffhanger at us making the heroine’s decision moot.
My primary fascination with these novels stemmed from the world-building’s link to Tarot, and so far we’ve met new cards in every installment, until DEAD OF WINTER. Ok, that’s not entirely accurate because The High Priestess and The Emperor threw their lot in with the rest, and we also learned more about The Lovers and The World’s abilities, however these elements were so microscopic in comparison to the drama between Evie / Jack / Aric that I barely took note of them. I did enjoy the flashbacks to what happened to Death and the Cajun post ENDLESS KNIGHT, but again, I needed more.
This story was all about the love triangle which just plain sucked because the trio wound up working together for the better part of this book, and that in turn lead to angst, angst, and more angst. Subsequently, all of the originality was siphoned out of this series in favour of the biggest Young Adult trope of them all. In the past, I’ve liked the apocalyptic flavour of THE ARCANA CHRONICLES, yet this latest installment was no longer about surviving Baggers, cannibals, and the game, but rather what boy Evie Greene’s heart belonged to. Yes, that quagmire was solved, except no, not really.
Emma Galvin’s narration was like a lighthouse in a storm because without her delivery to keep me listening, I most likely would have finished this audiobook in a week instead of two days. I enjoyed the intensity with which she performed this tale, and the slower pace at which she reads this series definitely draws you in. Jack piles on the French in this novel, and that was unfortunate because Galvin’s mastery of that language really leaves something to be desired, but she tried her best, and this particular shortcoming is only noticeable to francophones, so I let it slide.
DEAD OF WINTER could have been a grand conclusion to THE ARCANA CHRONICLES; instead there will be a book 4.
This audiobook was #4 on my most anticipated reads of 2015 list, so it’s with a heavy heart that I give it 3-stars. The dystopian universe created by Kresley Cole in THE ARCANA CHRONICLES that I’ve come to adore was dwarfed by this series’ love triangle, and the plot whittled down to Evie’s boy toy choice. Now, perhaps I’m slightly bitter because she didn’t go with the team that I was rooting for, but in the end that really didn’t seem to matter because the author threw another cliffhanger at us making the heroine’s decision moot.
My primary fascination with these novels stemmed from the world-building’s link to Tarot, and so far we’ve met new cards in every installment, until DEAD OF WINTER. Ok, that’s not entirely accurate because The High Priestess and The Emperor threw their lot in with the rest, and we also learned more about The Lovers and The World’s abilities, however these elements were so microscopic in comparison to the drama between Evie / Jack / Aric that I barely took note of them. I did enjoy the flashbacks to what happened to Death and the Cajun post ENDLESS KNIGHT, but again, I needed more.
This story was all about the love triangle which just plain sucked because the trio wound up working together for the better part of this book, and that in turn lead to angst, angst, and more angst. Subsequently, all of the originality was siphoned out of this series in favour of the biggest Young Adult trope of them all. In the past, I’ve liked the apocalyptic flavour of THE ARCANA CHRONICLES, yet this latest installment was no longer about surviving Baggers, cannibals, and the game, but rather what boy Evie Greene’s heart belonged to. Yes, that quagmire was solved, except no, not really.
Emma Galvin’s narration was like a lighthouse in a storm because without her delivery to keep me listening, I most likely would have finished this audiobook in a week instead of two days. I enjoyed the intensity with which she performed this tale, and the slower pace at which she reads this series definitely draws you in. Jack piles on the French in this novel, and that was unfortunate because Galvin’s mastery of that language really leaves something to be desired, but she tried her best, and this particular shortcoming is only noticeable to francophones, so I let it slide.
DEAD OF WINTER could have been a grand conclusion to THE ARCANA CHRONICLES; instead there will be a book 4.
January 16, 2015
4.5 ★'s
At the end of Endless Knight, Evie was being "kept" by Aric, aka Death. She thought Jack didn't want her and she was acclimating to her new life. But then she heard that Jack was taken and she had to figure out a way to escape from Aric...and rescue Jack!
I don't know what it is about this series but I just can't get enough! And it kills me that I have to wait a year for the next book(s).
I think it's...Jackson. There's just something about that sexy Cajun. And I love him and Evie together but...Jack is different now and it bugs the crap out of me!! Where oh where is that sweet, sexy man that is sooo in love with Evie that he sees no one else? He's spread himself too thin and it's a slippery slope, my friend. Even I'm wavering.
So that leads me to Aric. ~Sigh~ I have to admit....he is doing all the right things but is it too little too late? That ending is a game changer for sure!
So some things have to change - if the big event at the end is enough for Jack to realize what is important, then everything is good. If not, and Aric realizes that the Empresses from before are not the same as Evie...then and only then, does he stand a chance. Right now, I'm all for a permanent threesome! #TeamJaric
I really love how Evie is coming along in the game...she's thinking and she's doing things on her own. She's gotten so much stronger and getting a grip on her abilities. She just needs to trust herself more!
As far as the game goes, ugh...those twins were yucky! Just everything about them was wrong and I'm glad with how things worked out. I was a little concerned about the "brand" but so far, so good.
I really loved everyone in the 'trues' coming together but I have no idea how things will go from here. The big event at the end certainly brings someone to the forefront but there's still several other unknown Arcana out there. Hopefully, KC will get to tell all their stories! Until then *fingers crossed* we don't have to wait a whole year!
Favorite quotes:
♥ “Think about you so damned much, about this. Je t’aime. I love you. Always will.”
♥ “Um um um, would you smell that honeysuckle?”
♥ “I take no actions that I wouldn’t publicly recount. If you can’t speak your deeds, then don’t do them.”
~ The Players ~
(current standings at end of Dead of Winter)
At the end of Endless Knight, Evie was being "kept" by Aric, aka Death. She thought Jack didn't want her and she was acclimating to her new life. But then she heard that Jack was taken and she had to figure out a way to escape from Aric...and rescue Jack!
I don't know what it is about this series but I just can't get enough! And it kills me that I have to wait a year for the next book(s).
I think it's...Jackson. There's just something about that sexy Cajun. And I love him and Evie together but...Jack is different now and it bugs the crap out of me!! Where oh where is that sweet, sexy man that is sooo in love with Evie that he sees no one else? He's spread himself too thin and it's a slippery slope, my friend. Even I'm wavering.
So that leads me to Aric. ~Sigh~ I have to admit....he is doing all the right things but is it too little too late? That ending is a game changer for sure!
So some things have to change - if the big event at the end is enough for Jack to realize what is important, then everything is good. If not, and Aric realizes that the Empresses from before are not the same as Evie...then and only then, does he stand a chance. Right now, I'm all for a permanent threesome! #TeamJaric
I really love how Evie is coming along in the game...she's thinking and she's doing things on her own. She's gotten so much stronger and getting a grip on her abilities. She just needs to trust herself more!
As far as the game goes, ugh...those twins were yucky! Just everything about them was wrong and I'm glad with how things worked out. I was a little concerned about the "brand" but so far, so good.
I really loved everyone in the 'trues' coming together but I have no idea how things will go from here. The big event at the end certainly brings someone to the forefront but there's still several other unknown Arcana out there. Hopefully, KC will get to tell all their stories! Until then *fingers crossed* we don't have to wait a whole year!
Favorite quotes:
♥ “Think about you so damned much, about this. Je t’aime. I love you. Always will.”
♥ “Um um um, would you smell that honeysuckle?”
♥ “I take no actions that I wouldn’t publicly recount. If you can’t speak your deeds, then don’t do them.”
~ The Players ~
(current standings at end of Dead of Winter)
January 4, 2016
IF YOU HAVE NOT READ THIS BOOK, PLEASE STEER CLEAR OF THE COMMENTS! THERE ARE MULTIPLE THEORIES THAT MIGHT SPOIL YOU TO SOME DEGREE! If you have read the book, feel free to ponder with us. :P
Update: 1/11/15:
I can't even......
I went in this book knowing there was going to be a cliffhanger...as is Kresley's style. Yet despite this, the cliffhanger wasn't even in the usual magnitude of cliffhangers. This was the mother of all cliffhangers. I NEED TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS. I finished the book 10 minutes ago, yet I'm still raging and venting my feelings to my parents while they absentmindedly nod. I was completely Team Jack last book, because of they way Aric manipulated Evie. That wasn't cool. I was flipping out. But now...his character has grown, and I've softened up a bit towards him. Still, I'm on the brink with these two. Kresley definitely knows how to write up an epic love triangle. I can't even blame the protagonist for the back and forth thoughts because I'm confused as well. I would never know who to pick. There was more emphasis on the love triangle than I would've liked, but there was still more than enough action to go around. In the beginning, I wasn't too hooked by the plot. It was good and I was interested, but my eyes weren't glued to the pages. That ending though......Mind-blown.
A year of agonized waiting.
And so my watch begins.
4.5/5
Update 5/9/14:
THEY CHANGED THE COVERS! NOOOOOOO! To be honest, I like the new covers better, but now I have to deal with a mismatched set. Every reader's nightmare.
Jack definitely has to be a Major Arcana.
I was rereading Endless Knight last night, and look what I found!
"Have you heard each of the Arcana calls?" As king of the airwaves. "Even the distant ones?"
The ones I could hear only wanted to whisper about the Empress's impending gruesome death.
"I have. But for the one who awaits activation."
I cast my mind back. Wasn't there a card who remained dormant until he or she killed an Arcana?
(Pg. 222)
IT ALL MAKES SENSE NOW! After reading this, I was literally jumping with glee. All the little pieces were fitting together. Jackson is really a dormant Major Arcana, that's why he's able to mute the voices when Evie is overwhelmed. Maybe some of his dormantness affects others of his kind! There's only a couple Arcana he could be though, since many are already named, and well, killed.
Possibilities
The Emperor, Stone Overlord (Possible. Emperor/Empress. Fate?)
The Chariot, Wicked Champion (No idea who this is, but I'm pretty sure this isn't Jack. Update: After reading Dead of Winter, leaning towards Chariot.)
The Hanged Man, Our Lord Uncanny (Nopee.)
The Sun, Hail the Glorious Illuminator (POSSIBLE! This "game" was a tribute for The Sun. So maybe, Jack is going to pull some sort of Sun mojo and save the world or something! Wishful thinking, but eh.)
(Player Chart found on Pg. 108 of Endless Knight)
So my two guesses are The Emperor and The Sun. Either that, or he's a Minor Arcana. Although, in my opinion, that's unlikely. Why else would Kresley add that fun little tidbit in there if not to warn us of Jackson's true identity?
How about you? Who do you think Jackson might be?
Update: 1/11/15:
I can't even......
I went in this book knowing there was going to be a cliffhanger...as is Kresley's style. Yet despite this, the cliffhanger wasn't even in the usual magnitude of cliffhangers. This was the mother of all cliffhangers. I NEED TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS. I finished the book 10 minutes ago, yet I'm still raging and venting my feelings to my parents while they absentmindedly nod. I was completely Team Jack last book, because of they way Aric manipulated Evie. That wasn't cool. I was flipping out. But now...his character has grown, and I've softened up a bit towards him. Still, I'm on the brink with these two. Kresley definitely knows how to write up an epic love triangle. I can't even blame the protagonist for the back and forth thoughts because I'm confused as well. I would never know who to pick. There was more emphasis on the love triangle than I would've liked, but there was still more than enough action to go around. In the beginning, I wasn't too hooked by the plot. It was good and I was interested, but my eyes weren't glued to the pages. That ending though......Mind-blown.
A year of agonized waiting.
And so my watch begins.
4.5/5
Update 5/9/14:
THEY CHANGED THE COVERS! NOOOOOOO! To be honest, I like the new covers better, but now I have to deal with a mismatched set. Every reader's nightmare.
Jack definitely has to be a Major Arcana.
I was rereading Endless Knight last night, and look what I found!
"Have you heard each of the Arcana calls?" As king of the airwaves. "Even the distant ones?"
The ones I could hear only wanted to whisper about the Empress's impending gruesome death.
"I have. But for the one who awaits activation."
I cast my mind back. Wasn't there a card who remained dormant until he or she killed an Arcana?
(Pg. 222)
IT ALL MAKES SENSE NOW! After reading this, I was literally jumping with glee. All the little pieces were fitting together. Jackson is really a dormant Major Arcana, that's why he's able to mute the voices when Evie is overwhelmed. Maybe some of his dormantness affects others of his kind! There's only a couple Arcana he could be though, since many are already named, and well, killed.
Possibilities
The Emperor, Stone Overlord (Possible. Emperor/Empress. Fate?)
The Chariot, Wicked Champion (No idea who this is, but I'm pretty sure this isn't Jack. Update: After reading Dead of Winter, leaning towards Chariot.)
The Hanged Man, Our Lord Uncanny (Nopee.)
The Sun, Hail the Glorious Illuminator (POSSIBLE! This "game" was a tribute for The Sun. So maybe, Jack is going to pull some sort of Sun mojo and save the world or something! Wishful thinking, but eh.)
(Player Chart found on Pg. 108 of Endless Knight)
So my two guesses are The Emperor and The Sun. Either that, or he's a Minor Arcana. Although, in my opinion, that's unlikely. Why else would Kresley add that fun little tidbit in there if not to warn us of Jackson's true identity?
How about you? Who do you think Jackson might be?
Want to read
May 5, 2014Awww, is that the cover? Really? Frankly, I'm very disappointed right now. I want more Death in the cover. Or maybe Evie and Death and no Jack.
--
I NEED THIS BOOK RIGHT NOW. I NEED TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENED TO DEATH AND EVIE and to be honest I don't give two shits about Jack.
I JUST WANT MORE ARIC. IS THAT TOO MUCH TO ASK?
--
I NEED THIS BOOK RIGHT NOW. I NEED TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENED TO DEATH AND EVIE and to be honest I don't give two shits about Jack.
I JUST WANT MORE ARIC. IS THAT TOO MUCH TO ASK?
Want to read
February 19, 2014uGH
I
can't
even
Things I'm going to die thinking of before this book is released:
-I think Jack's the mysterious card
-There's the whole story where one game someone killed the Empress before Death did.. who was it?
-Who else is immune to Evie's poison?
-Who are the old allies of Death in the past games?
-I have a feeling Tess is going to become a problem with her powers
-Are Selena and Finn dead?
-Who are the rest of the Arcana?
-Did Death ever fall in love with another girl but couldn't touch her?
-Are Lark and Finn going to have another chance to be together?
*UPDATE 2-19-2014*
- Why are the Lovers so determined to get Evie?
- In Poison Princess, Matthew said: “A boy is skateboarding across old Lake Michigan”. Who is that? Chariot?
- I think we'll might see an appearance from the Priestess in the next book. She's been mentioned a few times and she might be the other one immune to Evie's poison. Since she controls water and drowning is one of Evie's weaknesses, she could pose a danger. That is, if she hasn't been killed off yet.
- Is there any alliances between the unnamed cards?
- How many games have there been?
- How long ago did "Lady Lotus" win? 3000 years ago?
- Who was the winner of the game before Aric? It wasn't the Empress since she was only 18.
I
can't
even
Things I'm going to die thinking of before this book is released:
-I think Jack's the mysterious card
-There's the whole story where one game someone killed the Empress before Death did.. who was it?
-Who else is immune to Evie's poison?
-Who are the old allies of Death in the past games?
-I have a feeling Tess is going to become a problem with her powers
-Are Selena and Finn dead?
-Who are the rest of the Arcana?
-Did Death ever fall in love with another girl but couldn't touch her?
-Are Lark and Finn going to have another chance to be together?
*UPDATE 2-19-2014*
- Why are the Lovers so determined to get Evie?
- In Poison Princess, Matthew said: “A boy is skateboarding across old Lake Michigan”. Who is that? Chariot?
- I think we'll might see an appearance from the Priestess in the next book. She's been mentioned a few times and she might be the other one immune to Evie's poison. Since she controls water and drowning is one of Evie's weaknesses, she could pose a danger. That is, if she hasn't been killed off yet.
- Is there any alliances between the unnamed cards?
- How many games have there been?
- How long ago did "Lady Lotus" win? 3000 years ago?
- Who was the winner of the game before Aric? It wasn't the Empress since she was only 18.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 26, 2015
Honestly, I want Evie with Jack but I think that she loves Death a little but more than what she loves Jack. I can't wait for the fourth book now. I hope that there is only the fourth book to it and that's it, I already want to know how the series ends.
March 30, 2015
***Review posted on The Eater of Books! blog***
Dead of Winter by Kresley Cole
Book Three of the Arcana Chronicles
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: January 6, 2015
Rating: 2 stars
Source: Pre-ordered copy
Summary (from Goodreads):
Can Evie convince her rival loves to work together? Their survival depends on it in this third book of #1 New York Times bestselling author Kresley Cole’s Arcana Chronicles, a nonstop action tale of rescue, redemption, and a revenge most wicked.
Heartbreaking decisions
Evie was almost seduced by the life of comfort that Death offered her—until Jack was threatened by two of the most horrific Arcana, The Lovers. She will do anything to save him, even escape Death’s uncanny prison, full of beautiful objects, material comforts…and stolen glances from a former love.
Uncertain victory
Despite leaving a part of her heart behind with Death, Evie sets out into a perilous post-apocalyptic wasteland to meet up with her allies and launch an attack on the Lovers. Such formidable enemies require a battle plan, and the only way to kill them may mean Evie, Jack, and Death allying. Evie doesn’t know what will prove more impossible: surviving slavers, plague, Bagmen and other Arcana—or convincing Jack and Death to work together.
Two heroes returned
There’s a thin line between love and hate, and Evie just doesn’t know where she stands with either Jack or Death. Will this unlikely trio be able to defeat The Lovers without killing one another first...?
What I Liked:
I am so disappointed, you all. With the book, but also with the fact that I really, REALLY wanted to love this one. I loved Poison Princess, and enjoyed Endless Knight, but this one fell flat (unfortunately). I mean, a ton of people are loving the book... but me (and Nereyda), not so much.
Evie has left Death and his luxurious life, in order to rescue Jack from the Lovers. She reunites with Selena and several other Arcana, in order to storm the Lovers' camp. They rescue Jack... but then Death reappears. Death, Jack, and Evie must leave the other Arcana in order to find the Lovers (who were not defeated when Evie and the other Arcana rescued Jack). All the while, Evie is seriously confused as to who she should "choose".
The ending - I actually REALLY like one particular aspect of the ending, but I feel like that won't stick (because the author would neverrrrrrr - unfortunately for me). I so hope that one thing sticks, but I won't. But I like the ending right now.
Overall, I was never bored during this book, which is a plus. I like the progression of the ARCANA-related story, to a point. I feel like Evie is no closer to figuring out how to stop or end the game than she was in the first or second books, but otherwise, I liked the story. Minus the romance. But I'll get to that.
Actually, I'll get to that now.
What I Did Not Like:
The romance. The love triangle. The fact that this book was basically unnecessary. Ugh ugh ugh. Deep breaths. Here I go.
I. Hated. The. Romance. In. This. Book. Okay, fair, I knew that there would be a love triangle from book two. Even in book one, you could *kind of* tell that there would be a love triangle in this series. Kind of. But book one was "Jack's" book. Book two was "Aric's" book.
Aric = Death, by the way. No one be confused.
In this book, Evie is very and truly confused. She has no idea who to choose. She thinks she loves them equal. She has this endless (hehe) connection with Aric, but Jack was her first love. That's what it comes down to, in her mind - those two things. Evie will kiss one and kiss the other (in book one, two, and this one). She will let both of them touch her. What. What. What.
Honestly, let's be real. How often does this happen? You're getting it on with TWO guys at the same time (not at the same moment, but in the same period of your life), they both know that the other exists, you have equally strong feelings for both... really? Is this realistic? Someone please tell me. Love triangles to THIS DEGREE don't exist in real life, in my opinion. At the same point in time, you love two people that much? Really? I don't believe it.
Aric and Jack fight over Evie all the time. Most of the time, she is RIGHT THERE, and DOESN'T SAY ANYTHING, until after like five minutes. Are you kidding me?! They're saying, she'll choose me, she's my wife, she's my girl, she was with me, blah blah blah, IN FRONT OF YOU, and you let it go on for like five minutes. They're discussing you like you're a camel and you're just going to let that happen!? Are you kidding me?!
And for the entire book, Evie's like, just DOESN'T KNOW what she wants to do about the romance. She keeps saying, let's focus on the issue at hand, or, I can't think about that right now, or, this is more important. Which is fair, but it sounds like a bunch of excuses and bs, in my opinion.
I HATED Evie in this book. I'm at that point where I think she doesn't deserve either boy, because that would be too much reward for her. I loveeee Aric, and I want him to get a semi-happy ending. Unfortunately, all he wants is Evie, and I want him that have what he wants... but on Evie's side, a life with Aric is too good for her. I honestly wouldn't mind one of the other Arcana offing her. LOL. She's so selfish - she has both men believing that she loves them (which she thinks she does), and she refuses to make up her mind. Instead of torturing them both, let them BOTH go, or pick one, or something! Honestly, you just seem like a cruel b**** to me.
I haaaaaaaaaaaated Jack in this book. LET ME TELL YOU. He is a MORTAL, yet he wants to go toe-to-toe with Aric. Do you know how many times Jack has threatened Aric saying, "my gun, your skull" or "I will kill you" or something along those lines. ARE YOU KIDDING ME. Aric is an IMMORTAL BEING, not to mention the DEATH Arcana... he's hundreds of years old, has a ton of experience in combat and weaponry... you're this measly mortal boy, you PALE in comparison to Aric.
I liked Jack in Poison Princess, thought he was a child in Endless Knight, and I definitely think he's an immature teenage adolescent in this book. The author tries to make him seem more grown and leader-like and manly or something, but I thought that whole thing was HILARIOUS because it just proved to me how not-for-Evie Jack is, how stupid and inexperienced and petty and a**hole-ish Jack is. Because he has NO CLASS.
Didn't like the romance, Jack, Evie... let's talk about how this book is SOOO NOT NECESSARY. Like, you can skip this one pretty much. It's all about Evie's decision - Aric or Jack. She vacillates during the ENTIRE novel. The Arcana story plot does not seem as important as the love triangle. I would skip this book, honestly. Perhaps book four will blow our minds. Maybe it won't. But this one certainly didn't.
I think I'm just going to stop here. You want more "not likes"? Check out Nereyda's review at Mostly YA Book Obsessed.
Would I Recommend It:
Okay, if you're invested in the series, then sure, read the book. If you haven't read the series, definitely WAIT until the fourth (and hopefully final) book is published. I LOVED Poison Princess and Endless Knight, so two of the three published books so far are winners... and I LOVE the Arcana story. But I hatehatehate the romance, or how the author is spinning the romance. It's not cute. It's not sexy. I'm not amused. But I loveeee the Arcana story/plot thingy.
Rating:
1.5 stars -> rounded up to 2 stars. I'll read the fourth book. If I found out that there will be more books in the series involving Evie's story after the fourth book (so far, there are only four total), then I'm going to reconsider that decision. I'm not interested in a love triangle lasting more than two books. The decision should be made BY the third book. Ugh ugh ugh. End review.
Dead of Winter by Kresley Cole
Book Three of the Arcana Chronicles
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: January 6, 2015
Rating: 2 stars
Source: Pre-ordered copy
Summary (from Goodreads):
Can Evie convince her rival loves to work together? Their survival depends on it in this third book of #1 New York Times bestselling author Kresley Cole’s Arcana Chronicles, a nonstop action tale of rescue, redemption, and a revenge most wicked.
Heartbreaking decisions
Evie was almost seduced by the life of comfort that Death offered her—until Jack was threatened by two of the most horrific Arcana, The Lovers. She will do anything to save him, even escape Death’s uncanny prison, full of beautiful objects, material comforts…and stolen glances from a former love.
Uncertain victory
Despite leaving a part of her heart behind with Death, Evie sets out into a perilous post-apocalyptic wasteland to meet up with her allies and launch an attack on the Lovers. Such formidable enemies require a battle plan, and the only way to kill them may mean Evie, Jack, and Death allying. Evie doesn’t know what will prove more impossible: surviving slavers, plague, Bagmen and other Arcana—or convincing Jack and Death to work together.
Two heroes returned
There’s a thin line between love and hate, and Evie just doesn’t know where she stands with either Jack or Death. Will this unlikely trio be able to defeat The Lovers without killing one another first...?
What I Liked:
I am so disappointed, you all. With the book, but also with the fact that I really, REALLY wanted to love this one. I loved Poison Princess, and enjoyed Endless Knight, but this one fell flat (unfortunately). I mean, a ton of people are loving the book... but me (and Nereyda), not so much.
Evie has left Death and his luxurious life, in order to rescue Jack from the Lovers. She reunites with Selena and several other Arcana, in order to storm the Lovers' camp. They rescue Jack... but then Death reappears. Death, Jack, and Evie must leave the other Arcana in order to find the Lovers (who were not defeated when Evie and the other Arcana rescued Jack). All the while, Evie is seriously confused as to who she should "choose".
The ending - I actually REALLY like one particular aspect of the ending, but I feel like that won't stick (because the author would neverrrrrrr - unfortunately for me). I so hope that one thing sticks, but I won't. But I like the ending right now.
Overall, I was never bored during this book, which is a plus. I like the progression of the ARCANA-related story, to a point. I feel like Evie is no closer to figuring out how to stop or end the game than she was in the first or second books, but otherwise, I liked the story. Minus the romance. But I'll get to that.
Actually, I'll get to that now.
What I Did Not Like:
The romance. The love triangle. The fact that this book was basically unnecessary. Ugh ugh ugh. Deep breaths. Here I go.
I. Hated. The. Romance. In. This. Book. Okay, fair, I knew that there would be a love triangle from book two. Even in book one, you could *kind of* tell that there would be a love triangle in this series. Kind of. But book one was "Jack's" book. Book two was "Aric's" book.
Aric = Death, by the way. No one be confused.
In this book, Evie is very and truly confused. She has no idea who to choose. She thinks she loves them equal. She has this endless (hehe) connection with Aric, but Jack was her first love. That's what it comes down to, in her mind - those two things. Evie will kiss one and kiss the other (in book one, two, and this one). She will let both of them touch her. What. What. What.
Honestly, let's be real. How often does this happen? You're getting it on with TWO guys at the same time (not at the same moment, but in the same period of your life), they both know that the other exists, you have equally strong feelings for both... really? Is this realistic? Someone please tell me. Love triangles to THIS DEGREE don't exist in real life, in my opinion. At the same point in time, you love two people that much? Really? I don't believe it.
Aric and Jack fight over Evie all the time. Most of the time, she is RIGHT THERE, and DOESN'T SAY ANYTHING, until after like five minutes. Are you kidding me?! They're saying, she'll choose me, she's my wife, she's my girl, she was with me, blah blah blah, IN FRONT OF YOU, and you let it go on for like five minutes. They're discussing you like you're a camel and you're just going to let that happen!? Are you kidding me?!
And for the entire book, Evie's like, just DOESN'T KNOW what she wants to do about the romance. She keeps saying, let's focus on the issue at hand, or, I can't think about that right now, or, this is more important. Which is fair, but it sounds like a bunch of excuses and bs, in my opinion.
I HATED Evie in this book. I'm at that point where I think she doesn't deserve either boy, because that would be too much reward for her. I loveeee Aric, and I want him to get a semi-happy ending. Unfortunately, all he wants is Evie, and I want him that have what he wants... but on Evie's side, a life with Aric is too good for her. I honestly wouldn't mind one of the other Arcana offing her. LOL. She's so selfish - she has both men believing that she loves them (which she thinks she does), and she refuses to make up her mind. Instead of torturing them both, let them BOTH go, or pick one, or something! Honestly, you just seem like a cruel b**** to me.
I haaaaaaaaaaaated Jack in this book. LET ME TELL YOU. He is a MORTAL, yet he wants to go toe-to-toe with Aric. Do you know how many times Jack has threatened Aric saying, "my gun, your skull" or "I will kill you" or something along those lines. ARE YOU KIDDING ME. Aric is an IMMORTAL BEING, not to mention the DEATH Arcana... he's hundreds of years old, has a ton of experience in combat and weaponry... you're this measly mortal boy, you PALE in comparison to Aric.
I liked Jack in Poison Princess, thought he was a child in Endless Knight, and I definitely think he's an immature teenage adolescent in this book. The author tries to make him seem more grown and leader-like and manly or something, but I thought that whole thing was HILARIOUS because it just proved to me how not-for-Evie Jack is, how stupid and inexperienced and petty and a**hole-ish Jack is. Because he has NO CLASS.
Didn't like the romance, Jack, Evie... let's talk about how this book is SOOO NOT NECESSARY. Like, you can skip this one pretty much. It's all about Evie's decision - Aric or Jack. She vacillates during the ENTIRE novel. The Arcana story plot does not seem as important as the love triangle. I would skip this book, honestly. Perhaps book four will blow our minds. Maybe it won't. But this one certainly didn't.
I think I'm just going to stop here. You want more "not likes"? Check out Nereyda's review at Mostly YA Book Obsessed.
Would I Recommend It:
Okay, if you're invested in the series, then sure, read the book. If you haven't read the series, definitely WAIT until the fourth (and hopefully final) book is published. I LOVED Poison Princess and Endless Knight, so two of the three published books so far are winners... and I LOVE the Arcana story. But I hatehatehate the romance, or how the author is spinning the romance. It's not cute. It's not sexy. I'm not amused. But I loveeee the Arcana story/plot thingy.
Rating:
1.5 stars -> rounded up to 2 stars. I'll read the fourth book. If I found out that there will be more books in the series involving Evie's story after the fourth book (so far, there are only four total), then I'm going to reconsider that decision. I'm not interested in a love triangle lasting more than two books. The decision should be made BY the third book. Ugh ugh ugh. End review.
Read
December 8, 2013I have to say as much as I love Jacks...I'm team Aric/Death
There is no denying the earth sun and moon moving hugeness that is the love between Evie and Aric. Love like that can't be ignored, so I truly hope he gets his head on straight before he proceeds from where he left off at the end of book two. Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned...that is all I'm saying. especially one with pioson thorns as nails.
I cannot wait to see where Kresley goes with this! the way is going to kill me though I can already feel the withdrawl symptoms starting...lol
There is no denying the earth sun and moon moving hugeness that is the love between Evie and Aric. Love like that can't be ignored, so I truly hope he gets his head on straight before he proceeds from where he left off at the end of book two. Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned...that is all I'm saying. especially one with pioson thorns as nails.
I cannot wait to see where Kresley goes with this! the way is going to kill me though I can already feel the withdrawl symptoms starting...lol
November 27, 2016
Team Death. I love Jack and all but she needs to pick death.
January 7, 2015
I'm finished with this book, and I am enraged.
Evie, honey, you had the opportunity to pick the love of your life from two men you deem worthy, yet I have to say I am sorry for your final decision. Don't know if I'll pick up the next book in the series.
Evie, honey, you had the opportunity to pick the love of your life from two men you deem worthy, yet I have to say I am sorry for your final decision. Don't know if I'll pick up the next book in the series.
June 26, 2018
Dead of Winter is just one of those books that kind of mind fucks you and leaves you numb. So many things in this book frustrated me. It could've been me being at work too but I can't blame work for everything - I guess?
I love getting to know more about the Arcana cards and their powers. However, some things just creeped me out. Like the whole twin thing.. but they weren't really twins.. yeah, it made me cringe. Crazy people will always make me cringe. Then there was the sort of love triangle happening between Jack, Evie, and Death. I seriously hate love triangles. Like I like both guys but I give zero fucks about who she ends up with. Yeah, I'm upset about that god damn cliffhanger of an ending.. but I have my own reasons for that. THEY DON'T HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE GOD DAMN SHAPELESS LOVE THING.
Evie also became a lot more cooler in my eyes? I liked getting to see a new side of her character has she is growing throughout the series. Can't say she makes every awesome and amazing decision as a leader but she's getting there. Jack was an okay character and it really threw me off about the whole one love for life thing. Her grandma is still fucking crazy in my mind. She needs to tone her crazy down every now and then. Then there's Selena, who is definitely starting to grow on me. I like her now. I hope my opinion doesn't change.
Besides all of that, death has also become an interesting character. I think he's a little too hung up on his past failed marriages with Evie.. but hey, that's just me. They do have some amazing chemistry though. Again, I still don't care about who she ends up with.. but can she just stay with one guy from now on? I know she decided in this book.. I just don't want her to change her mine and be an Indian giver.
Overall, it was an interesting and super quick/easy audio book. I can't wait to dive into the next one!
I love getting to know more about the Arcana cards and their powers. However, some things just creeped me out. Like the whole twin thing.. but they weren't really twins.. yeah, it made me cringe. Crazy people will always make me cringe. Then there was the sort of love triangle happening between Jack, Evie, and Death. I seriously hate love triangles. Like I like both guys but I give zero fucks about who she ends up with. Yeah, I'm upset about that god damn cliffhanger of an ending.. but I have my own reasons for that. THEY DON'T HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE GOD DAMN SHAPELESS LOVE THING.
Evie also became a lot more cooler in my eyes? I liked getting to see a new side of her character has she is growing throughout the series. Can't say she makes every awesome and amazing decision as a leader but she's getting there. Jack was an okay character and it really threw me off about the whole one love for life thing. Her grandma is still fucking crazy in my mind. She needs to tone her crazy down every now and then. Then there's Selena, who is definitely starting to grow on me. I like her now. I hope my opinion doesn't change.
Besides all of that, death has also become an interesting character. I think he's a little too hung up on his past failed marriages with Evie.. but hey, that's just me. They do have some amazing chemistry though. Again, I still don't care about who she ends up with.. but can she just stay with one guy from now on? I know she decided in this book.. I just don't want her to change her mine and be an Indian giver.
Overall, it was an interesting and super quick/easy audio book. I can't wait to dive into the next one!
Want to read
March 6, 2014Can't wait. Team Jack all the way!
Want to read
March 14, 2014I'm sure a lot of you guys like Jackson but I just cannot get on board with his shit! I'm team Aric all day
June 1, 2023
June 1, 2023
4 1/2 "Decisions Decisions" Stars!
This book hurt. Love triangles and cliffhangers. If the next book wasn't out I would be in a rage. Also if I hadn't already read it. But you know what!? I didn't and don't remember a thing. I so happy I'm doing this reread. ONWARD! Happy reading!
Original review February 12, 2019
4 "I am so very torn!" Stars!
This one was slow, but good too. KC did a fantastic job of making me fall for two guys. I am so very torn by who I love most. And even though I'm torn, I got irritated with Evie for being torn. 😉
That cliffhanger was evil. If the next book wasn't already published, I would be so angry. But knowing it's already out there, I can stay calm and maybe wait until next month to BR with my TPAM ladies. Maybe...
Happy reading!
4 1/2 "Decisions Decisions" Stars!
This book hurt. Love triangles and cliffhangers. If the next book wasn't out I would be in a rage. Also if I hadn't already read it. But you know what!? I didn't and don't remember a thing. I so happy I'm doing this reread. ONWARD! Happy reading!
Original review February 12, 2019
4 "I am so very torn!" Stars!
This one was slow, but good too. KC did a fantastic job of making me fall for two guys. I am so very torn by who I love most. And even though I'm torn, I got irritated with Evie for being torn. 😉
That cliffhanger was evil. If the next book wasn't already published, I would be so angry. But knowing it's already out there, I can stay calm and maybe wait until next month to BR with my TPAM ladies. Maybe...
Happy reading!
December 21, 2014
Absolutely awesome!!! I loved it! Review to come.
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