YA Review: Dead of Winter (The Arcana Chronicles)

I've finished "Dead of Winter" the 3rd book in her Arcana Chronicles Series by Kresley Cole.

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?

About the Author

Kresley Cole is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the electrifying Immortals After Dark paranormal series, the young adult Arcana Chronicles 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 eighteen foreign languages, garnered three RITA awards, and consistently appear on the bestseller lists, in the U.S. and abroad.

You can learn more about her and her work at kresleycole.com , facebook.com/KresleyCole or TheArcanaChronicles.com.

Product Details
Series: The Arcana Chronicles
Hardcover: 320 pages
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers; 1 edition (January 6, 2015)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1481423452
ISBN-13: 978-1481423458

My Review:

I really enjoyed the jealous and one upmanship between Jack and Aric because it was funny and hilarious.  I was eagerly waiting for their next sniping scenes.

I wish there were more scenes between Evie and Jack because she needs to tell him what she is feeling and solve the conflict between them.

That ending I hated my favorite Cajun can't be dead!  I won't believe it!

3.5/5

YA Review: Poison Princess (Arcana Chronicles, Book 1) [Hardcover]

#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?

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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 ….

About the Author
Kresley Cole is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Immortals After Dark paranormal series. Her books have been translated into many foreign languages, garnered two RITA awards, and consistently appear on the bestseller lists in the U.S. and abroad. Poison Princess is the first book in her new young adult series, The Arcana Chronicles. Visit her at KresleyCole.com.

Product Details
Hardcover: 384 pages
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers (October 2, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1442436646
ISBN-13: 978-1442436640

My Review:

This book opens with Evangeline “Evie” Greene seeking shelter at Arthur's home where she begins to tell him about her story.  We find out this is the present time and we learn the events in her past in flashbacks.  We also learn the world is made up of cruel men and creatures that act like zombies.  I really liked how the Arcana Tarot Cards were interwoven into the plotline.

Evangeline “Evie” Greene is a 16 year old who is living the privilege life of a popular teenager who is dating a jock, dresses in the latest fashion and hangs around the most popular group of friends.  This is only the outside shell while inside she is suffering nightmares and visions of the future with horrible zombie like creatures and devastation.  Then one day Canjun bad boy motorcycle riding dangerous Jackson Deveaux arrives at her school with his group of delinquent friends which turns her world even more upside down.

To top it off Evie and Jackson hate each on sight because of the cultural difference between their status - she's rich while he isn't.  There is a smoking hot attraction between them that doesn't really flare up until after they team up.  Brandon her boyfriend wants to take their relationship to the next level but Jackson is there to flirt and tease her.   One night Jackson is about to kiss her which makes her confront her feelings for him but when she finds out it was just a ruse she considers him a jerk.

After the Flash she meets Jackson again and he vows to protect her and to make sure she reaches her destination.

Selena the Archer, Matthew and Finneas the Magician (they represent Tarot Cards) are people who join them on their journey.

Jackson reminds me so much of Noah from the Mara Dyer series but is more crude and rude but is very protective of Evie.  I love his sexy Cajun/French accent and his way he speaks which makes him more sexier


4/5

Thanks Simon and Schuster Canada for sending me this book to review, greatly appreciated!