Book Review- THE DARK CALLING by Kresley Cole

Omg y'all!!!! I am so excited to be able to share this review with you today! I have been dying to read this book and was lucky enough to get a copy a few days early from Kresley to post my review before release day! Check out my review below. I have so  much to say about this book and series so be warned it's going to be a long post! 

Title:THE DARK CALLING (The Arcana Chronicles Book 6)

Author: Kresley Cole

Release Date: February 13, 2018

Publisher: Valkyrie Press

Format: Paperback, eBook

Source: eBook from the Author

Rating: Obsessed!!!!!!!!!!!

Find it: Goodreads | Amazon | Amazon eBook | Barnes & Noble| iBooks 

New intrigues, adventures, and stunning revelations fill the penultimate installment of #1 New York Times best-selling author Kresley Cole’s electrifying Arcana Chronicles.

In a world teetering on the edge . . .
When Evie receives life-changing—and possibly game-changing—news, she has trouble believing it. Why doesn’t she feel any different? Is it possible someone she trusts might be lying?


With enemies at every turn . . .
Tensions seethe inside the castle of lost time as Evie starts to doubt her own sanity. Answers can be found outside their stronghold, but will Death help her find them—or prevent her from learning the truth about her future and Jack’s possible survival?


Darkness beckons. 
A mysterious, sinister power begins to affect the Arcana in its path. Forced out into the wasteland alone, Evie must depend on unexpected allies. But as a battle with Richter looms, can her new alliance defeat the Dark Calling before hell reigns on earth?

I'm going to start this by saying that Simon Teen seriously messed up when they decided to stop publishing this series, I mean book 5 made the NYT Bestseller list for Pete's sake and Kresley is an amazing author. I think this series is way better than some of the other ones that Simon Teen keeps publishing and probably should've cancelled years ago (not mentioning names but I think y'all know who I'm talking about).

It's been TWO LONG YEARS between Arcana Rising and this one and I thought I would've forgotten so much about this series but, surprisingly I didn't and reading THE DARK CALLING was like sitting down to catch up with an old friend who I had missed dearly. It's super funny too because when I read book 1, Poison Princess back in 2012 I absolutely hated the first 13 chapters of the book lol but, after chapter 13, I fell in love with the characters and the world and my love story with this series has only grown stronger with each book!


Ok on to the actual review!

Wow! Just wow! I swear each book in this series gets better and better! I really can't say much seeing as the book just released and not many people have read it. But just know that most of your questions will be answered (no I will not answer them for you). We do find out who the inactive card is and that card plays a HUGE part in this book. There will be more death but I'm not saying who and yes there's more romance and Evie will be tested like never before. I'm so glad this one didn't end on a bad cliffhanger like Arcana Rising did. And I really hope we don't have to wait two more years before the next installment comes out because I don't think my heart would be able to take that! Also I've decided I'm Team #WhyChoose lol



Haven't started the series yet? Now's a great time!

Book Review- ARCANA RISING by Kresley Cole

Title:ARCANA RISING (The Arcana Chronicles Book 4)

Author: Kresley Cole

Release Date: August 15, 2016

Publisher: Valkyrie Press

Format: Paperback, eBook

Source: eBook from the Author

Rating: Obsessed!!!!!!!!!!!

Find it: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble| iBooks

Losses mount and deadly new threats converge in this next action-packed tale of the Arcana Chronicles by #1 New York Times bestselling author Kresley Cole. 

When the battle is done . . . 
The Emperor unleashes hell and annihilates an army, jeopardizing the future of mankind--but Circe strikes back. The epic clash between them devastates the Arcana world and nearly kills Evie, separating her from her allies.

And all hope is lost . . . 
With Aric missing and no sign that Jack and Selena escaped Richter's reach, Evie turns more and more to the darkness lurking inside her. Two Arcana emerge as game 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?

Ok so I'm sure this is going to be a rambling review because I just finished this book and I can't seem to form a coherent thought after that "OMG did that just happen?!?!" ending! But I need to write this review now with all the feelings I am having. I don't know how much of a review it'll be though since EVERYTHING in this book is huge and spoilery!

I truly believe that each book in this series just gets better! Kresley has an amazing way of sucking me right back into this world and crushing me, then making me smile and swoon, then absolutely obliterating me with feelings I never thought I'd feel reading a book! My heart beat so hard in certain chapters I thought I might be having a heart attack (no joke I had to stop and check my pulse a few times).  So what can I tell you? Of course Evie is back but not unscathed, some people are dead (no I will not say who), some people are alive (same as above), and we meet some new Arcana (although if you've read Day Zero you've already met them). Bagmen are a little less creepy (but still creepy), oh and we finally get to meet Evie's grandma, and we learn there's more Arcana in the game than we thought.

Man this book kicked my ass! In a good way and now I am going to be struggling until Spring of 2017 waiting for the next book! And praying the publication date doesn't get moved to later!


Haven't started the series yet? Now's a great time!

Book Review- DAY ZERO by Kresley Cole

Title: DAY ZERO (The Arcana Chronicles Book 3.5)

Author: Kresley Cole

Release Date: August 1, 2016

Publisher: Valkyrie Press

Pages: 174
Format: Paperback, eBook

Source: eBook from the Author

Rating: Obsessed!!!!!!!!!!!

Find it: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble| iBooks

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

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

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

I'm not normally a huge fan of novellas or companion guides which this book is, both actually. But damn I really loved getting a glimpse at all the Arcana and their attributes! As well as small snippets of their lives right before and as the apocalypse happened! I found myself liking characters I didn't really care for in previous books. And just give it up Kresley! Jack is the inactivated card lol also seeing Aric before the apocalypse just made me love him more!

I'm not going to go into detail in this review because everything would be too spoilery even little details would give stuff away. Just know that this is an amazing addition to the Arcana Chronicles that fans of the series need grab on release day and devour before ARCANA RISING comes out on August 15th! Thanks so much to Kresley for the review copy!


Haven't started the series yet? Now's a great time!

Giveaway- POISON PRINCESS by Kresley Cole Signed!!!!!

I am so excited to be able to share this with you! With the novella and book 4 of The Arcana Chronicles coming out in August I have teamed up with Kresley Cole for a Giveaway! Kresley has signed FIVE copies of POISON PRINCESS for some lucky winners! Are you new to the series? Well this is a great way to start it and if you're already a fan who wouldn't want a signed edition for their bookshelves!

Haven't heard of POISON PRINCESS? Check it out!

Title: Poison Princess

Author: Kresley Cole

Release Date: October 2, 2012

Hardcover: 384 pages

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers
Find it: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository

#1 New York Times bestselling author Kresley Cole introduces The Arcana Chronicles, post-apocalyptic tales filled with riveting action, the dark mysticism of Tarot cards, and breathtaking romance.She could save the world—or destroy it.                                                                                                     Sixteen year old Evangeline “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.                                                                                                           But she can’t do either alone.                                                                                                                      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?                                                                                                       Who can Evie trust?                                                                                                                                                As Jack and Evie race to find the source of her visions, they meet others who have gotten the same call. An ancient prophesy is being played out, and Evie is not the only one with special powers. A group of twenty-two teens has been chosen to reenact the ultimate battle between good and evil. But it’s not always clear who is on which side….

Here's a little snippet from POISON PRINCESS :)

“You’re not going in!”

In answer, he pulled his shirt over his head, revealing rigid planes of muscles. Yes, I’d caught glimpses of him shirtless before—but this was the first time I’d utterly lost my breath looking at him.

His face and his broad chest were still tanned, his eyes seeming to glow in the moonlight. That onyx rosary around his neck glinted with his movements.

He was stripping before my eyes, yet I couldn’t look away. I bit my bottom lip. 

Any minute I would turn my back. Any minute…

As he began to unbuckle his belt, his stomach muscles rippled.

I grew weak in the knees. Any minute—

When he reached his zipper, he cocked his head and met my gaze.

I was frozen, could do nothing but stare. He raised his eyebrows at me in challenge, his fingers inching his zipper down.

A second after I’d finally found the presence of mind to turn my back, I heard his belt buckle ping on the tile floor, the rustle of his dropped pants. Eyes wide, I snapped, “This is foolish, Jackson—“

In the space of a heartbeat, he’d snagged my pack off my back, looped an arm around my waist—and hauled us both into the pool.

Are you excited??? Here's the giveaway details!

5 winners will receive a signed copy of POISON PRINCESS, US Only!


a Rafflecopter giveaway


Haven't read the other books in the series? Grab them now! And pre-order the books coming out in August!

Dying to Read (65)- THE DEAD OF WINTER by Kresley Cole

Hey y’all thanks for stopping by to see my Dying to Read post and of course as always I have to give credit to the lovely Jill over at Breaking the Spine for the Waiting on Wednesday Meme!

I love Kresley Cole's THE DEAD OF WINTER series and although it's going to suck reading the finale for this series I am seriously dying to get my hands on it!And even though I absolutely hate the new covers for the series (why oh why do a redesign mid series??) I shall overlook the ugly to get to the goodness inside I need more Death!!

THE DEAD OF WINTER
Kresley Cole

Release Date: January 6, 2015

Hardcover: 336 pages

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

ISBN: 978-1481423458

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

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 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?

So what do you think? Will you be adding this to your pile? What are you dying to read this week?

Review- ENDLESS KNIGHT by Kresley Cole

ENDLESS KNIGHT (The Arcana Chronicles Book 2)

Kresley Cole

Release Date: October 1, 2013

Hardcover: 336 pages

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

ISBN:  978-1442436671

Source: Hardcover from the publisher

Rating: Obsessed!!!!!!!!!!!

Goodreads/Amazon/Barnes & Noble/The Book Depository

From Goodreads.

In this seductive follow-up to Poison Princess, #1 New York Timesbestselling author Kresley Cole takes us deeper into the dark world of the Arcana Chronicles.

Shocking Secrets

Evie has fully come into her powers as the Tarot Empress, and Jack was there to see it all. She now knows that the teens who've been reincarnated as the Tarot are in the throes of an epic battle. It's kill or be killed, and the future of mankind hangs in the balance.

Unexpected Allies

With threats lurking around every corner, Evie is forced to trust her newfound alliance. Together they must fight not only other Arcana, but also Bagmen zombies, post-apocalyptic storms, and cannibals.

Gut-Wrenching Treachery

When Evie meets Death, things get even more complicated. Though falling for Jack, she's drawn to the dangerous Endless Knight as well. Somehow the Empress and Death share a history, one that Evie can't remember—but Death can't forget.

So it took me a bit longer to get out of my reading slump than I thought but ENDLESS KNIGHT was the perfect book to do such that!

I loved POISON PRINCESS with a fiery passion and I didn’t think that ENDLESS KNIGHT could come close but peeps let me tell you IT WAS SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO MUCH BETTER!!!!!!!!! 

We finally get to meet Death and of course I fell head over heels in love with the guy. We also get to meet a couple new cards... I won’t spoil here but they’re both very intriguing characters. Oh and there were some scenes in this one that were so hot I felt like my book was going to light on fire from all of the sexiness! I mean I can’t believe Kresley got away with it in a YA book! I just love Kresley’s writing and I can’t wait for book 3 since she left us with a killer ending that actually had Mindy from Magical Urban Fantasy Reads and I in a debate over what happened lol

I chose a passage from the beginning of the book because I loved it. It was sexy and I didn’t want to be too spoilery and Jack makes me laugh. I’d do a death one but it’d be too spoilery ;)

He was right; I was gone for him. Stupid to fight it. I gazed up at

him, whispering, “Just, just don’t hurt me again. If I kiss you, and then

you get disgusted . . .”

He gave a low laugh, moving his hips against mine. “Does it feel like

I’m disgusted?”

I gasped. “Jackson!”

“You smell like honeysuckle. You likin’ ole Jack now?”

“I never stopped liking you. Even when you were warding me away

with the power of Catholicism.”

“Can’t help the way I was raised—anything supernatural is supposed

to be either a miracle or satanic.”

I rolled my eyes. “And you’re still trying to figure out which I am?”

“Non. I’m trying to figure out if I’m still Catholic.” He grinned that

heart-stopping grin.

Gorgeous lips. I wanted them on mine.

Just before he kissed me, he said, “You might be different from what

I thought, but I’m goan to protect you anyway. I’m goan to try to accept

all this. But you got to accept me.”

“Accept you? What are you talking about?”

“I’m a nineteen-year-old bayou boy. I got a fondness for liquor. I’m

goan to say stupid shit. Doan you go getting your feelings hurt at the

drop of a hat.”

I laid my palm against his face. “You’re going to get more than your

feelings hurt if you stay with us. And it will be my fault because I don’t

want to separate from you. You wanted me to let you go.”

“That was before I realized something this week. I wasn’t goan to

live a long life even before the apocalypse. Before there were Baggers,

cannibals, and plague. Now I figure I’ll spend my limited time left

doing what I want.”

“And what do you want?”

His grin deepened. “You’re what I want, and I’d like to be doing

you.” He leaned down, pressing his lips to mine.

At that contact, the rain began to pour down at last, pelting the cabin’s

tin roof. I hadn’t heard that sound since the night I’d gone to Jack’s

home in the bayou.

He drew back. “Christ, your lips are sweet. Douces comme du miel.”

Sweet like honey. He yanked off his shirt, revealing his damp chest, the

rosary around his neck. I’d missed seeing him like this.

My fingers skimmed over the raised scar on his arm. How I loved

that mark. If he hadn’t been getting that wound tended to the night of

the Flash, he would’ve died like most everyone else.

His hands landed on my ass, giving it a possessive squeeze. “T ’es

pour moi, Evie. You’re mine. Every part of you.” He leaned down, took

my lips once more. Between kisses, he said, “I told you once and I’ll

tell you again: there is nothing that can happen to you that we can’t get

past. Just give me a chance to get to you. Promise me.”

“Jack . . .”

“Promise me. You doan leave me again.”

“I promise.” Staring at his lips, I said, “Would you always come for

me?”

He drunkenly murmured, “Chase you like a junkyard dog.”

Dying to Read (31)- Endless Knight by Kresley Cole

Hey y’all thanks for stopping by to see my Dying to Read post and of course as always I have to give credit to the lovely Jill over at Breaking the Spine for the Waiting on Wednesday Meme!

This week the book I’m dying to read is ENDLESS KNIGHT by Kresley Cole!!!!! OKNJGFHGDFDDSXJHKJJLKJ!!!! That’s how bad I want this book! I’ll admit I really didn’t like chapters 2-12 of POISON PRINCESS but after the apocalypse things between Jack and Evie heated up and I fell for the other characters! Now Death is coming and he’s a hawt knight and I know I’m going to fall for him! And the cover AHHHHHHH LOVE IT!!!

Endless Knight (Arcana Chronicles)

Kresley Cole

Release Date: October 1, 2013

Hardcover: 320 pages

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

ISBN: 978-1442436671

Goodreads

Amazon/Barnes & Noble/The Book Depository

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.

So what do you think? Will you be adding this to your pile? What are you dying to read this week?

Review- Poison Princess by Kresley Cole

Poison Princess

Kresley Cole

Release Date: October 2, 2012

Hardcover: 384 pages

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers

ISBN: 1442436646

Source: ARC from Fiktshun

Rating: Loved

Goodreads/ Amazon/ Barnes & Noble/ The Book Depository

From Goodreads.

#1 New York Times bestselling author Kresley Cole introduces The Arcana Chronicles, post-apocalyptic tales filled with riveting action, the dark mysticism of Tarot cards, and breathtaking romance.She could save the world—or destroy it.                                                                                                     Sixteen year old Evangeline “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.                                                                                                           But she can’t do either alone.                                                                                                                      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?                                                                                                       Who can Evie trust?                                                                                                                                                As Jack and Evie race to find the source of her visions, they meet others who have gotten the same call. An ancient prophesy is being played out, and Evie is not the only one with special powers. A group of twenty-two teens has been chosen to reenact the ultimate battle between good and evil. But it’s not always clear who is on which side….

I have a serious love/hate relationship with this book. You can definitely say more love but the hate is still there. I’ll be honest I hated chapters 1 through 13. I hated Evie I thought she was a rich stuck up little bitch and didn’t really care about her backstory. I also thought Jack was an ass and had no idea why anyone would like him. But I loved the prologue and every chapter after 13! Oh and the cover love the bike and the background but I’m not a fan of the Jack on this cover he is soooooo much hotter in my head!

After chapter 13, Evie started to grow on me and I found myself liking her and pulling for her to survive, and figure out her gifts. I also ended up falling, hard, for Jack, with his Cajun accent and broken French which thankfully I understood without translation since I speak passable French. I also loved the idea behind this story that the major Arcana from tarot decks were people. I’ve studied the tarot and to see them as people it was really fascinating! And their gifts were wicked cool! This story really made me scream at times I was so frustrated with both Evie and Jack but not only them; I was frustrated with the secrets that everyone was keeping from everyone else. At the end of the story I understood why but, while I was reading it I wanted to scream at the book and say “Why????? If you you’d have just told them……” ugh it was so frustratingly good! Oh and the sexual tension between Jack and Evie OMG you could cut it with a knife it was so thick! I found myself saying “just do it already!” a few times but I know it’s a YA book so probably not gonna happen. But one can hope.

So yeah as you can see the love definitely outweighed the hate in this book. Oh and the ending broke my heart! I loved it so much I can’t wait to get my hands on book 2!!!!

I’ve chosen a scene between Evie and Jack. And yes it’s one of those sexual tension scenes with a pool lol ;)

“You’re not going in!”

In answer, he pulled his shirt over his head, revealing rigid planes of muscles. Yes, I’d caught glimpses of him shirtless before—but this was the first time I’d utterly lost my breath looking at him.

His face and his broad chest were still tanned, his eyes seeming to glow in the moonlight. That onyx rosary around his neck glinted with his movements.

He was stripping before my eyes, yet I couldn’t look away. I bit my bottom lip. 

Any minute I would turn my back. Any minute…

As he began to unbuckle his belt, his stomach muscles rippled.

I grew weak in the knees. Any minute—

When he reached his zipper, he cocked his head and met my gaze.

I was frozen, could do nothing but stare. He raised his eyebrows at me in challenge, his fingers inching his zipper down.

A second after I’d finally found the presence of mind to turn my back, I heard his belt buckle ping on the tile floor, the rustle of his dropped pants. Eyes wide, I snapped, “This is foolish, Jackson—“

In the space of a heartbeat, he’d snagged my pack off my back, looped an arm around my waist—and hauled us both into the pool.

*Fans self* Woo smoking hot right?!?!? I can’t wait for more of Jack in book 2!!!!

 I wish I could have found a trailer for this book but check out Kresley’s description of the book and the characters!