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3.9 AVERAGE
3.9 AVERAGE
When does the sequel come out?!!?!?!?!?!? I need it soon soon soon sooon!!!! It was so AWESOME!!!
3 1/2 Stars
It took me a little while to be convinced with this one, but by the end I was won over enough to move on to the second book. I found Evie’s constant reliance on Jackson really irritating - maybe because I’ve become accustomed to female MC’s who are strong in one way or another - and I just wanted her to step up already. The ending had me hoping some character growth is in store in the next installment. It was a slow start, but I’m looking forward to seeing where the story arc goes. Also, the Cajun factor didn’t hurt either.
It took me a little while to be convinced with this one, but by the end I was won over enough to move on to the second book. I found Evie’s constant reliance on Jackson really irritating - maybe because I’ve become accustomed to female MC’s who are strong in one way or another - and I just wanted her to step up already. The ending had me hoping some character growth is in store in the next installment. It was a slow start, but I’m looking forward to seeing where the story arc goes. Also, the Cajun factor didn’t hurt either.
I was disappointed with this novel. I have read quite a few Kresley Cole paranormal romance titles, and some of them are great and some are so-so. This (her first YA title, I believe) is definitely in the so-so category.
While I enjoyed the world building & the tarot cards (so cool to see that in a book!), I didn't develop feelings for any of the characters. The protagonist, Evie, is written in a very truthful manner, but she isn't someone I would like or root for. Jackson, her teenage paramour, thinks she is useless, a spoiled rich girl who has no idea how to survive or what is truly important in life- and he's right. For the life of me I have no idea why Jackson works so hard to save Evie! And she spends the entire book trying to deny her truth, her reality, her strength, and her power. I suppose when I think that Evie is a 16 year old girl dealing with madness, death, starvation, rape, etc. I really shouldn't be so hard on her, but man! I just couldn't develop empathy or sympathy for the characters.
It's possible that this series will lead to so great stories and great characters like her "Immortals After Dark" series. But as a stand alone novel? Disappointing.
While I enjoyed the world building & the tarot cards (so cool to see that in a book!), I didn't develop feelings for any of the characters. The protagonist, Evie, is written in a very truthful manner, but she isn't someone I would like or root for. Jackson, her teenage paramour, thinks she is useless, a spoiled rich girl who has no idea how to survive or what is truly important in life- and he's right. For the life of me I have no idea why Jackson works so hard to save Evie! And she spends the entire book trying to deny her truth, her reality, her strength, and her power. I suppose when I think that Evie is a 16 year old girl dealing with madness, death, starvation, rape, etc. I really shouldn't be so hard on her, but man! I just couldn't develop empathy or sympathy for the characters.
It's possible that this series will lead to so great stories and great characters like her "Immortals After Dark" series. But as a stand alone novel? Disappointing.
Took me a bit of effort to power thru the first half but i was sucked in after that and couldn't put it down!
I want to start off by saying that the audiobook version of this book was presented amazingly well. Emma Galvin was fantastic as the main narrator and conveyed a real sense of Evie's character. Keith Nobbs did his part so well it was scary - he embodied creepiness itself.
I love the premise of this book and how tarot cards are used to hold it all together - it is brilliant. Evie has hallucinations and her mom thinks she's crazy, just like her grandmother. However, it turns out that Evie is one of the Major Arcana, the power cards, of a tarot deck.
When the apocalypse comes, Evie and her mother realize that the hallucinations were actually visions. There are voices in Evie's had that speak to her. Then Jack comes along, a poor, rough, Cajun boy. Evie and Jack have to work together to try to find Evie's grandmother in the craziness that is left of the world - bagmen (zombies), soldiers, cannibals, plague, no vegetation,...
I alternately liked and disliked both Evie and Jack. There were many times I found them extremely frustrating. Evie spent a lot of time being weak and confused and even whiny. I can see why this was, and I appreciate her growth (and anticipate she will be a much stronger character in the next book), but felt it did go on a bit.
Then there is Jack, the ultimate bad boy. He and Evie clearly love each other, even if they can't stand each other. He is rude, rough, tough, can fight and survive on the land, drinks, rides a motorcycle. You get the picture. Again, I found that maybe this stereotype went a bit far.
However, I loved the parts about the visions and the tarot deck, the voices and the Arcana. And Cole's writing is beautiful. Her use of language is stunning and completely drew me in. Her descriptions are vivid and engaging.
I think those who like dystopian novels will enjoy this different, almost paranormal, take. Despite my frustrations with the two main characters, I did like them and the book enough to eagerly anticipate the next installment.
I love the premise of this book and how tarot cards are used to hold it all together - it is brilliant. Evie has hallucinations and her mom thinks she's crazy, just like her grandmother. However, it turns out that Evie is one of the Major Arcana, the power cards, of a tarot deck.
When the apocalypse comes, Evie and her mother realize that the hallucinations were actually visions. There are voices in Evie's had that speak to her. Then Jack comes along, a poor, rough, Cajun boy. Evie and Jack have to work together to try to find Evie's grandmother in the craziness that is left of the world - bagmen (zombies), soldiers, cannibals, plague, no vegetation,...
I alternately liked and disliked both Evie and Jack. There were many times I found them extremely frustrating. Evie spent a lot of time being weak and confused and even whiny. I can see why this was, and I appreciate her growth (and anticipate she will be a much stronger character in the next book), but felt it did go on a bit.
Then there is Jack, the ultimate bad boy. He and Evie clearly love each other, even if they can't stand each other. He is rude, rough, tough, can fight and survive on the land, drinks, rides a motorcycle. You get the picture. Again, I found that maybe this stereotype went a bit far.
However, I loved the parts about the visions and the tarot deck, the voices and the Arcana. And Cole's writing is beautiful. Her use of language is stunning and completely drew me in. Her descriptions are vivid and engaging.
I think those who like dystopian novels will enjoy this different, almost paranormal, take. Despite my frustrations with the two main characters, I did like them and the book enough to eagerly anticipate the next installment.
I think this is going to be a book that you either hate or you love, with very little in between. I did not like this book. Evie is a spoiled girl who has never really had to do anything on her own and spends the book making bad choices and relying on other people. After all of Kresley Cole's strong, spunky women in her adult series, Evie was a major letdown. I liked Jackson, and thought he carried the story, but the other characters kept trying to get him out of the picture because he was a lowborn Cajun and he is not 'Arcana'. The book was pre- and post-apocolyptic, with a very depressing look on the world after the "Flash". The storyline itself was a bit confusing, and forced me to pull out my old tarot set I had picked up in college to try to make sense of some of the things I read. Perhaps Poison Princess will do great with the teenagers, but for any of her adult readers I think it will be a bust.
I want to marry this book. I need the sequel right meow.
Fun YA romp, but with the usual YA problem of horny teens making illogical decisions (I guess I did the same as a horny teen). Last 30 pages seem like they’re missing a few chapters before them.
OMG - I was not expecting this. It was just ... sooooooooooo ... good! There was nothing about this book I didn't enjoy. Twisted Arthur, the Arcana, the death card, and the final showdown. Then, of course, there's Jackson. I want a bit of 'ol Jack. I want him to speak Cajun French to me!!!!
And I know, I know. Some may say sex doesn't belong in YA. But that's just stupid. Teens are going to have sex. And when the whole world is wiped of most it's people - most it's adults - you think a bunch of 16-18 year olds won't be just aching for it? Yeah right. What I liked about this story was Cole's realness. It might be ugly, but that's what things would be like. Probably, even worse. We humans are a scary bunch and when things get dire, we get vicious. And when things like love and sex become far and few between, teenager or no, you'll grab it when you can. Plus, when I was a teen reading YA a decade ago (yikes), I always thought it was pretty unrealistic to glaze over sex. I mean, geez, one of my friends was pregnant...
This was a great start to what should be a SPECTACULAR series. I hope it's a long one. It was expertly paced and painted such a great picture of a post-apoloclypic world. I'm dying for more of the Arcana!
And I know, I know. Some may say sex doesn't belong in YA. But that's just stupid. Teens are going to have sex. And when the whole world is wiped of most it's people - most it's adults - you think a bunch of 16-18 year olds won't be just aching for it? Yeah right. What I liked about this story was Cole's realness. It might be ugly, but that's what things would be like. Probably, even worse. We humans are a scary bunch and when things get dire, we get vicious. And when things like love and sex become far and few between, teenager or no, you'll grab it when you can. Plus, when I was a teen reading YA a decade ago (yikes), I always thought it was pretty unrealistic to glaze over sex. I mean, geez, one of my friends was pregnant...
This was a great start to what should be a SPECTACULAR series. I hope it's a long one. It was expertly paced and painted such a great picture of a post-apoloclypic world. I'm dying for more of the Arcana!
The second of this book was so intense I literally read the last 10 pages in the bookstore. Definitely a must own for teens and people with an interest in magic and the tarot cards.