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3.9 AVERAGE
3.9 AVERAGE
One of the better YA Fantasy Romance novel series I've read. That being said, I listened to the audio book, and then read some of it, and it sounds a lot better than it reads! Great ideas, really cool to have a Tarot themed apocalypse book. I'm there for it. (This review left after reading all but the last book.)
Took me a while to get into this book, but it eventually grabbed me a bit. Very different story, love the creativity of it!!
I have been a long time fan of Kresley Cole, her adult IAD series of course. I have read her other adult series but I didn't care for it much. This book, however, I was sure would be amazing. I also didn't care much for this one.
I have to give props for her amazing world building and ideas...she is top notch when it comes to breaking the mold. Her main character is normal and a normal person can relate to her, well, mostly. I like the fact that she makes her characters flawed and she has no problems putting them through hell.
I didn't care for this book because I couldn't get in to it. That may have been my fault, I could have been in a rush, I don't know but with the way the book opened I just wasn't grabbed by it. I hope you will give this book, or her IAD series a shot though, Ms. Cole is an amazing author!
I have to give props for her amazing world building and ideas...she is top notch when it comes to breaking the mold. Her main character is normal and a normal person can relate to her, well, mostly. I like the fact that she makes her characters flawed and she has no problems putting them through hell.
I didn't care for this book because I couldn't get in to it. That may have been my fault, I could have been in a rush, I don't know but with the way the book opened I just wasn't grabbed by it. I hope you will give this book, or her IAD series a shot though, Ms. Cole is an amazing author!
This book sucks.
WTF was going on.
The language was annoying
Jacksons a dick
There is slut shaming
Nah. No thanks
WTF was going on.
The language was annoying
Jacksons a dick
There is slut shaming
Nah. No thanks
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Complicated
"Come touch,...but you'll a price"
Well, shoot, it's true. Reading this book REALLY makes you pay for it. So much.
oh, where should I even start?
The sad part is that besides truly beautiful polish cover this book has nothing to offer - and I really wanted to like this book. Interesting blurb, breathtaking cover, the rating 4⭐ - what could go wrong?
The spoiler is - everything. In a the worst possible way. Because this book? Is just disappointing. Neuter. Faded.
For the whole time of reading I was thinking: which genre is it?
Is it fantasy? Because if you say so, then the whole magic and connected with it things are just lame. It's hard to believe in (weird to say about fiction, but if the world presented makes you believe in it, it's a sign that's a good written world).
Is it postapo? The second part of this book is actually based on the post-apocalyptic events. But if that's the way book wanted to go, it was hard way full of dust and nothing around. The apocalypse just ~happens~ and has no consequences. Seriously, there were so many nonsenses with this whole 'end of the world'. It is said that the electricity is gone. No generators, no power sources. But it doesn't stop Evie from charging her iPod and listening to music.
It is said that the sun incinerated everything on earth's surface. But the car where Mel was sitting is fine, the houses are fine, literally e v e r y t h i n g is fine besides life formes. And you could survive it by just entering your basement. Great, now just let me dig one on my backyard because apparently it will make you impossible to kill.
It is said that there are no plants nor dirt possible to seed ones. The water evaporated - rivers, lakes, even oceans - gone. And the author tries to convince us that Evie and her mother survived IN THE BASEMENT for MONTHS (like 220 days I think) WITHOUT ANY BEFORE PREPARED SUPPLIES?
ONLY WITH BOTTLED WATER THEY HAD IN HOUSE?!
Do you see the point of nonsense I'm talking about yet?
Same with Selene - she's like, what, nineteen? And somehow managed to survive in big fucking house with hot water in sinks, electricity and the great amount of food? America is this how you look like? AMERIKA EGZPLAIN. EGZPLAIN AMERIKA.
And like, the way that figures actually lives in this world is just absolutely insane. It doesn't make any sense - the only way that could make it possible to survive like them is that the God themselves opened an umbrella above them and made them deathless.
This whole apocalyptic world looks like a mash-up between Telltale's series of 'The walking death' and this cliche 'bad boy and soft girl' from YA. In the worst possible way to do this. *shudders*
Is this young adult novel? Because the heroes are the most stereotypical and characterless creations I've ever seen. Evie is the whitest hetero-erotic-stupid-rich-and-popular teenager ever - 50% of the first part (before postapo) is just counting the popular and expensive brands you can buy and wear. It bored me as hell, because it's important that in the first day of school she had this stupid sandals from Miu Miu and dress from Chloè CAN YOU IMAGINE HOW MANY TIMES IT WAS MENTIONED THAT IT MADE ME REMEMBER IT?
Jackson is the most hetero-erotic, stupid, sexist bad boy jackass you can imagine. AND HE'S THE MAIN CHARACTER. WHAT. His behavior pulled my leg over and over again to the point I thought I will kick this book into the deepest part of hell, but Satan called and said he doesn't want this garbage on his territory.
The rest of characters? Who cares, they're just as flat as the piece of paper. Which was run over by a roller.
Is this a thriller? Because after first chapter I thought that the plot will have dark side which will make me shiver just from a thought of it. This perspective of weird creep kidnaping woman after apocalypse? Man, I thought I won't be able to sleep at night if it goes in this direction.
Yeah. Of course. It wasn't rooted in plot anyhow. It just floated on the top of the author's ocean of 'cool ideas to include but with none idea how to connect dots'.
That's where I want to mention heroes' characters themselves. Because oh boy, that's a lot of damage.
Like I said, they're flat as Salar de Uyuni.
But you know what is the common feature between everyone?
They're h o r n y. Yes. You've read it right.
H O R N Y
Because they're teenagers. And what teenager's do, especially during apocalypse?
They want to copulate.
...
...
I wish I was joking, but no. They all want to f*ck each other. There is this that quote from this book where someone says their brain is dual-purpose. And it actually refer to everyone. One of their purpose is to f*ck.
The only one who is excluded from it is Matthew, but prepare, it's because he is autistic (no, it's not a good representation for this group. it's the worst). Even Evie's mother thinks about her daughter sex life and IT'S WEIRD. It's weird in the way how this women points on 30-years-old man and says to daughter: 'go to this neighbor with a basket full of canned food and say that you will marry him. because you need protection and women can't be strong'. Or she literally says to Evie 'f*ck Jackson because you could meet worse'.
...excuse me? Karen what did you just say?
Apparently, during teenage years your brain moves from your head to your crotch.
I'm speechless.
And like, the whole first part of this book? Author just throws it to the trash, because it has NO connection with second part.
Characters appearing there? WHO NEED THEM.
It's just picking threads from big unorganized pile and letting the wind throw them anywhere.
You know what's the funniest part of it?
That the time that plot takes makes like, few months? And during them the important things that must happens are:
1. Evie falling in love
2. Evie shouting at Jackson
3. Jackson mentioning how horny is towards Evie
4. Evie being jealous
5. Evie being absolutely useless Mary Sue
6. Evie having weird visions
7. Evie and Jackson trying to kill each other because of just sitting next to each other, seconds later being the most protecting couple on earth.
This whole thing with arcana and battle? With powers? Nah, who need that?
Evie is focused on things I've counted above. For 400 PAGES. Which makes FEW MONTHS.
And at the end in like two days that aren't even really written in book she becomes heartless badass powerful bitch that will kill you for her own fun.
And then the book just ends.
W O W
THAT'S NOT HOW YOU WRITE A BOOK HONEY.
Like, the most important events ~happens~ between pages, and the least needed thoughts of how sexy Jackson is or how jealous is our main character are the whole book. I feel tricked. I feel used. I feel bad.
It's impossible for me to imagine that it's a series with six books. Seriously. Because the first book felt like popular ideas glued together with cheap tape, without any core. And on this was build a whole series.
I do not recommend it. It's bad written piece of sad tree that deserved better. The plot has potential, but nothing more. Boring, disappointing and frustrating piece of sadness.
Kinda feels like a wattpad book. But with the awareness that you actually can find good writing there - here not
Well, shoot, it's true. Reading this book REALLY makes you pay for it. So much.
oh, where should I even start?
The sad part is that besides truly beautiful polish cover this book has nothing to offer - and I really wanted to like this book. Interesting blurb, breathtaking cover, the rating 4⭐ - what could go wrong?
The spoiler is - everything. In a the worst possible way. Because this book? Is just disappointing. Neuter. Faded.
For the whole time of reading I was thinking: which genre is it?
Is it fantasy? Because if you say so, then the whole magic and connected with it things are just lame. It's hard to believe in (weird to say about fiction, but if the world presented makes you believe in it, it's a sign that's a good written world).
Is it postapo? The second part of this book is actually based on the post-apocalyptic events. But if that's the way book wanted to go, it was hard way full of dust and nothing around. The apocalypse just ~happens~ and has no consequences. Seriously, there were so many nonsenses with this whole 'end of the world'. It is said that the electricity is gone. No generators, no power sources. But it doesn't stop Evie from charging her iPod and listening to music.
It is said that the sun incinerated everything on earth's surface. But the car where Mel was sitting is fine, the houses are fine, literally e v e r y t h i n g is fine besides life formes. And you could survive it by just entering your basement. Great, now just let me dig one on my backyard because apparently it will make you impossible to kill.
It is said that there are no plants nor dirt possible to seed ones. The water evaporated - rivers, lakes, even oceans - gone. And the author tries to convince us that Evie and her mother survived IN THE BASEMENT for MONTHS (like 220 days I think) WITHOUT ANY BEFORE PREPARED SUPPLIES?
ONLY WITH BOTTLED WATER THEY HAD IN HOUSE?!
Do you see the point of nonsense I'm talking about yet?
Same with Selene - she's like, what, nineteen? And somehow managed to survive in big fucking house with hot water in sinks, electricity and the great amount of food? America is this how you look like? AMERIKA EGZPLAIN. EGZPLAIN AMERIKA.
And like, the way that figures actually lives in this world is just absolutely insane. It doesn't make any sense - the only way that could make it possible to survive like them is that the God themselves opened an umbrella above them and made them deathless.
This whole apocalyptic world looks like a mash-up between Telltale's series of 'The walking death' and this cliche 'bad boy and soft girl' from YA. In the worst possible way to do this. *shudders*
Is this young adult novel? Because the heroes are the most stereotypical and characterless creations I've ever seen. Evie is the whitest hetero-erotic-stupid-rich-and-popular teenager ever - 50% of the first part (before postapo) is just counting the popular and expensive brands you can buy and wear. It bored me as hell, because it's important that in the first day of school she had this stupid sandals from Miu Miu and dress from Chloè CAN YOU IMAGINE HOW MANY TIMES IT WAS MENTIONED THAT IT MADE ME REMEMBER IT?
Jackson is the most hetero-erotic, stupid, sexist bad boy jackass you can imagine. AND HE'S THE MAIN CHARACTER. WHAT. His behavior pulled my leg over and over again to the point I thought I will kick this book into the deepest part of hell, but Satan called and said he doesn't want this garbage on his territory.
The rest of characters? Who cares, they're just as flat as the piece of paper. Which was run over by a roller.
Is this a thriller? Because after first chapter I thought that the plot will have dark side which will make me shiver just from a thought of it. This perspective of weird creep kidnaping woman after apocalypse? Man, I thought I won't be able to sleep at night if it goes in this direction.
Yeah. Of course. It wasn't rooted in plot anyhow. It just floated on the top of the author's ocean of 'cool ideas to include but with none idea how to connect dots'.
That's where I want to mention heroes' characters themselves. Because oh boy, that's a lot of damage.
Like I said, they're flat as Salar de Uyuni.
But you know what is the common feature between everyone?
They're h o r n y. Yes. You've read it right.
H O R N Y
Because they're teenagers. And what teenager's do, especially during apocalypse?
They want to copulate.
...
...
I wish I was joking, but no. They all want to f*ck each other. There is this that quote from this book where someone says their brain is dual-purpose. And it actually refer to everyone. One of their purpose is to f*ck.
The only one who is excluded from it is Matthew, but prepare, it's because he is autistic (no, it's not a good representation for this group. it's the worst). Even Evie's mother thinks about her daughter sex life and IT'S WEIRD. It's weird in the way how this women points on 30-years-old man and says to daughter: 'go to this neighbor with a basket full of canned food and say that you will marry him. because you need protection and women can't be strong'. Or she literally says to Evie 'f*ck Jackson because you could meet worse'.
...excuse me? Karen what did you just say?
Apparently, during teenage years your brain moves from your head to your crotch.
I'm speechless.
And like, the whole first part of this book? Author just throws it to the trash, because it has NO connection with second part.
Characters appearing there? WHO NEED THEM.
It's just picking threads from big unorganized pile and letting the wind throw them anywhere.
You know what's the funniest part of it?
That the time that plot takes makes like, few months? And during them the important things that must happens are:
1. Evie falling in love
2. Evie shouting at Jackson
3. Jackson mentioning how horny is towards Evie
4. Evie being jealous
5. Evie being absolutely useless Mary Sue
6. Evie having weird visions
7. Evie and Jackson trying to kill each other because of just sitting next to each other, seconds later being the most protecting couple on earth.
This whole thing with arcana and battle? With powers? Nah, who need that?
Evie is focused on things I've counted above. For 400 PAGES. Which makes FEW MONTHS.
And at the end in like two days that aren't even really written in book she becomes heartless badass powerful bitch that will kill you for her own fun.
And then the book just ends.
W O W
THAT'S NOT HOW YOU WRITE A BOOK HONEY.
Like, the most important events ~happens~ between pages, and the least needed thoughts of how sexy Jackson is or how jealous is our main character are the whole book. I feel tricked. I feel used. I feel bad.
It's impossible for me to imagine that it's a series with six books. Seriously. Because the first book felt like popular ideas glued together with cheap tape, without any core. And on this was build a whole series.
I do not recommend it. It's bad written piece of sad tree that deserved better. The plot has potential, but nothing more. Boring, disappointing and frustrating piece of sadness.
Kinda feels like a wattpad book. But with the awareness that you actually can find good writing there - here not
Previous 4 star now 2 star after reading 5th book. I hate love triangles but I can deal with them (and even find them interesting) if they are resolved in the first 2 or 3 books (preferably book 2).
Spoiler
... Not sure if this is considered a spoiler or not but this series is a never-freaking-ending love triangle. The constant back and forth is just beyond ridiculous. I'm done with this series. The male leads don't deserve to be treated like this. I honestly can't see an ending for this series that I would like regardless of who she chooses (or whoever gets killed off) (or maybe they will end up in a menage) but regardless, this indecision is just cruel. I can't watch the train wreck anymore. I'm done.
✧ 2023 re-read ✧
I AM IN LOVE with this book. It’s just as good as I remember! The ✨tension✨ and
I AM IN LOVE with this book. It’s just as good as I remember! The ✨tension✨ and
adventurous
dark
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes