Review: Arcana Rising (The Arcana Chronicles #4) by Kresley Cole

Title: Arcana Rising
Author: Kresley Cole
Series: The Arcana Chronicles #4

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

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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 changers: 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?

What did I just read?

Arcana Rising is the 4th book in the Arcana Chronicles series and the stakes are really, really high in this book!

After Circe and the Emperor’s collision in the end of Dead Of Winter, many lives have been lost but most importantly that of The Moon card, Selena and The Hunter, Jack. Selena and Jack are presumed dead but are they really? Well, you will need to read the book to find out because my lips are sealed! If the Emperor’s earthquake was devastating, then Circe’s tsunami brought CHAOS. Evie has no idea who is alive, who is dead and if she will be able to survive this round of the game. After Evie and Aric are separated due to the force of the water, Evie is losing hope.

But losing hope means death and Evie will not die until she destroys Richter, the Emperor. Her plans for vengeance keep her afloat for days until the Empress resurfaces! Arcana Rising is a game changer book! In order to defeat the Emperor, Evie will have to form new alliances and strengthen old ones in the midst of betrayals and thousands of years’ worth of mistrust.

I have no words! There are so many things going on this book, some of which you are not going to love or even like. There is this feeling of urgency in the book and I was expecting something big to happen and I was just turning the pages so fast until it did! I don’t know how I feel about the ending of the book – which is another cliffhanger but I’m pretty sure it’s going to be worth the wait. I loved some aspects of the book but there were some that really confused me. Like for example, I’m 100% sure that Evie’s wicked grandmother did something before she finally died but I have no idea what! Also, what’s the point with the HUGE twist in the end of the book? I have no IDEA how that’s going to work in the story but we will have to wait and see.

Once again, the characters were confusing as heck, especially the new Arcana player we meet, but then all of them have their own endgames. I was also thrilled to see Aric finally working as part of a team!

Arcana Rising was fantastic! As much frustrated as I’m with the ending, the plot of the book was brilliant and I can’t wait to see what happens next!

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WAITING ON WEDNESDAY #96 Day Zero (The Arcana Chronicles 0.5) by Kresley Cole

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine and is where we can talk about books we are looking forward to being released.

Title: Day Zero 

Author: Kresley Cole

Series: The Arcana Chronicles 0.5

Goodreads

Expected publication: August 1st 2016 by Valkyrie Press

Arcana means secrets, and these Arcana Chronicles vignettes from #1 New York Times bestseller Kresley Cole are filled with them. Experience firsthand the beginning of the end and behold the apocalypse through the eyes of characters you only thought you knew.

Ashes to ashes . . .

Evie Greene's story of the Flash is just one of many. All over the world, those connected in some way to the lethal Arcana game--like Death, Jack, and Fortune--must first survive a horrifying night of blood and screams.

We all fall down.

Some will have to grapple with new powers; all will be damned to a hellish new existence of plague, brutality, desolation, and cannibalism. Find out who they lost, why they endure, and what they sacrificed in order to live past Day Zero. . . .

What are you waiting on Wednesday? 

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WAITING ON WEDNESDAY #94 Day Zero (The Arcana Chronicles 0.5) by Kresley Cole

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine and is where we can talk about books we are looking forward to being released.

Title: Day Zero

Author: Kresley Cole

Series: The Arcana Chronicles 0.5

Goodreads

Expected publication: August 1st 2016 

Arcana means secrets, and these Arcana Chronicles vignettes from #1 New York Times bestseller Kresley Cole are filled with them. Experience firsthand the beginning of the end and behold the apocalypse through the eyes of characters you only thoughtyou knew.

Ashes to ashes . . .

Evie Greene's story of the Flash is just one of many. All over the world, those connected in some way to the lethal Arcana game--like Death, Jack, and Fortune--must first survive a horrifying night of blood and screams.

We all fall down.

Some will have to grapple with new powers; all will be damned to a hellish new existence of plague, brutality, desolation, and cannibalism. Find out who they lost, why they endure, and what they sacrificed in order to live past Day Zero. . . .

What are you waiting on Wednesday??? 

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Review: Dead of Winter (The Arcana Chronicles #3) by Kresley Cole

Title: Dead of Winter
Author: Kresley Cole
Series: The Arcana Chronicles #3

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

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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 frozen and perilous post-apocalyptic wasteland to meet up with her allies and launch an attack on The Lovers and the vast army they command. Such formidable enemies require a battle plan, and the only way to kill them once and for all 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?

“One love fated. One love endless.”

Best book In The Series!!!

When I first started this series, I fell in love with Evie. In Endless Knight, I fell in love with both Jack and Death (his name is Aric btw and yeah Death has a name). But now the time has come to choose between these amazing, amazing males. As in the previous books in the series, I felt so connected with the characters.

I think that the two previous books were preparing us for this unique moment. Evie has to choose but she can only choose one (I really don’t understand why she can’t have both of them!). Her heart is divided between her fated and her endless love.

Dead of winter picks up where Endless Knight left off. Evie escapes Death in order to save Jack, who has been captured by the ruthless Lovers, Violet and Vincent Milovnici. The Lovers consider the Empress, aka Evie, their most hated enemy. In a previous game she managed to separate them and since then, they seek their revenge. And they are about to get it through Jack.

To save him, Evie must strengthen her alliance or form a new one. Because to save Jack, Death’s head is the price and Evie is not yet ready to pay that high a price.

I’m obsessed with this series. I know that lots of people support #TeamDeath (#TeamAric) but since the first book I remain faithful to #TeamJack. I usually hate love triangles but this love triangle didn’t frustrate me. On the contrary, it broke my heart. I wouldn’t want to be in Evie’s position. It was so hard having to choose between Aric and Jack. They have all changed so much.

Aric, in my opinion, has changed the most. He has finally admitted to himself that Evie isn’t the Empress he thought she was. He no longer sees her as the reincarnation of her previous selves. For once is his very long life, death has begun dreaming (and falling in love).

Jack, on the other hand, has proven to be a worthy leader. He may have been “nothing” (his words not mine. To me he was always strong and brave) B.F. but now he has a fortress of his own and prepares an army in order to build a new home for Evie (isn’t that sweet?)

Of course, there are many other active Arcana in the book. Selena, who is working besides Evie to find Jack (she also has a major role in the book), Matthew with his strange behavior and even stranger predictions, Gabe with his blooming feelings towards Selena and finally Tess who proves to be a powerful card.

What I also loved, was seeing Jack and Aric’s memories through Evie. They might not have helped her with her decision but they helped her understand them both better.

Against all odds, Jack, Evie and Death will have to work together to save what’s left of humanity. While in the meantime, the Emperor demands to be noticed and Evie has yet to learn how to control the Red witch.

A journey full of action, suspense, lots of twists and turns and an unexpected end, Dead of Winter will keep you on the edge of your seat. It is bound to captivate you. A must-read.

Highly recommended!

*Copy provided by the author*

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Review: Endless Knight (The Arcana Chronicles #2) by Kresley Cole

Endless Knight  (The Arcana Chronicles #2)

By Kresley Cole

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



Fav Quote:

“There was French kissing, and then there was Cajun French kissing. Spicier, harder, wilder.” - Evie

The second book of The Arcana Chronicles series will take your breath away...

The game continues but the rules have changed.

Evie refuses to play, she refuses to kill and she's not the only one! Alliances are made, players are killed and shocking secrets are revealed.

After seeing Evie in her full power, Jack is speechless (literally). Evie tries to reach out to him but to no avail! When the danger nears though, they both acknowledge their feelings and decide to leave the past behind. Secrets won't seperate them again. Or so they think...

But little do they know there's a traitor among them that will force them apart. Evie gets to meet Death (aka Aric), the beyond sexy Endless Knight. The knight she may not remember but has shared a past with. Evie has feelings for Death but she's in love with Jack! Can she see beyond the betrayal and the lies or will she surrunder to her Endless Knight???

I L-O-V-E-D Endlles Knight! Although I would have wished there had been more Jack and Evie scenes it was perfect just the way it was! So many emotions combined in a book! Love, lies, death, betrayal, raprure all will lead to the ultimate choice, Jack or Aric???

"My relationship with Jackson had felt fated. Whatever I had with Aric felt . . . endless." - Evie

Endless Knight allows you to finally SEE everyone for what they are. You think you know someone but then you realise that you know nothing about him. There are so many twists and secrets, friends become emenies and enemies, friends.

One thing I hated (no loathed) about this book was the end. I mean really? When is the next book coming out??? I really can't wait...And yeah fellow readers the end is harsh (one word: cliffhanger) !!! You've been warned...

I absofuckinglutely recommend this book and I'm looking forward to reading book #3.

Note: This book is not a stand alone. Before reading it make sure you have read the first book in the series  Poison Princess (The Arcana Chronicles, #1) 
 

Synopsis

In the second book of the Arcana Chronicles Evie has now fully come into her powers as the tarot Empress. And Jackson was there to see it all. In the aftermath of killing Arthur, the tarot Alchemist, Evie realizes that a war is brewing between the other teens that, following the apocalypse, have been given powers and its kill or be killed.

Things get even more complicated when Evie meets Death, the mysterious, sexy Endless Knight. Somehow the Empress and Death share a romantic history - one that Evie can't remember, but Death can't forget. She is drawn to the Endless Knight, but is in love with Jack. Determined to discover why she's been granted these powers, Evie struggles to accept her place in a prophecy that will either save the world, or completely destroy it.

Watch The Book Trailer

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Poison Princess Bad-Boy Jack Devaux's Top 10 tips to win over a girl!

Sixteen year old Evie Greene leads a charmed life, until she begins experiencing horrifying hallucinations. When an apocalyptic event decimates her Louisiana hometown, Evie realizes her hallucinations were actually visions of the future - and they’re still happening. Fighting for her life and desperate for answers, she must turn to her wrong-side-of-the-bayou classmate: Jack Deveaux.

With his mile-long rap sheet, wicked grin and bad attitude, Jack is like no boy Evie has ever known. Even though he once scorned her and everything she represented, he agrees to protect Evie on her quest. She knows she can’t totally depend on Jack. If he ever cast that wicked grin her way, could she possibly resist him?

Check out uber hottie Jack's Top 10 ways to win the girl and see if you can resist his charms...



There’s the girl. I want her bad, me. I used to have it so easy with girls in the bayou, but Evie’s different.

She’s from a rich and classy family, so she ain’t sold on me yet. But now that the world’s gone to hell, I’ve been showing her why she needs to have me around - and it’s working.

So if you've got someone you’re looking to keep, one you want more than you want air, this is what I would do...

1. Put her needs before yours.

I need to sleep; she needs to be kept safe. Awake, I am. Period.

2. Compliment her.

One time I saw her in this wet, clingy T-shirt and choked out: “Mercy me.” She blushed, so job well done.

3. Kiss her till her toes curl.

When I took her lips for the first time, I did it slow—like I had all the time in the world. She got all heavy-lidded and crazy for more.

4. Provide.

If that girl needs food, I’m goan to die trying to get it for her. If she needs shelter and someone’s occupying the only house around, I’ll boot their asses out into the cold, and I’ll do it with a smile on my face.

5. Make nice with her mother.

A word from her mère goes a long way, especially if the mom thinks you’re “strong” and “rakish.”

6. Give her gifts.

I noticed Evie likes Sprite, so when I actually scored a bottle out in the wastelands, it was like finding gold in the street.

7. Show off your talents.

When I saved her from some zombies, she got to see the thing I’m best at: fighting. She was all wide-eyed and breathless, looking at me like I was some kind of hero of old. I doan think heroes have the thoughts I did at that moment.

8. Make her jealous.

Seeing me flirt with another girl sure clarified Evie’s feelings. Ma belle’s eyes went green with jalousie.

9. Go above and beyond.

My world before the apocalypse was ruthless, made me a survivor above all things. But now, when the choice comes down to possibly dying or living without Evie . . . there’s really no choice. Any chance I see to protect her--I take it.

10. Accept everything about her, good and bad.

Read our story and you’ll know why this is the most important tip of all. I couldn’t handle Evie’s new powers, and now she’s farther away from me than she’s ever been... Ooh and ERR. So what do you think of Jack's tips? And will you be reading Poison Princess by Kresley Cole? Find out more here.

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