Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.1 AVERAGE
4.1 AVERAGE
I was encouraged by a friend to read this series. I enjoyed every book in the series and I enjoyed this one until the last few pages. Here are the things I liked and didn't like.
Liked:
-We finally were told about the original games and how we ended up here.
-Jack & Evie got a happily ever after.
-The remaining Arcana decided to upturn the game and use their powers to heal the world instead of continuing the cycle of apocalypse and death.
-Death sacrificed himself for Evie (and Tee) and withheld that his armor wasn't as invulnerable as we were led to believe.
Didn't Like:
-After Evie & the other cards decided to use their powers for good, Evie & Jack got to spend YEARS together. They got to have a life. They got to have kids and love each other like they've talked about in the other books. So when the games restarted, I expected Death/Aric to now have a turn with Evie, but NOPE. WHY WHY WHY after being told that Jack is NOT Arcana did he get to be resurrected too? It would have been better (in my opinion of course) if Aric & Evie got to have a life and Jack just stayed dead.
-Are we really expected to believe that Matthew lived as an old decrepit man for 800 years before the games started again and during that time was able to figure out who all the cards were and send them to Haven?
-Again, after being told in all of the books that Jack is NOT Arcana, how in the heck did he come back??
Overall, I would recommend this series, but just be prepared for the last few pages of the last book to not make sense.
Liked:
-We finally were told about the original games and how we ended up here.
-Jack & Evie got a happily ever after.
-The remaining Arcana decided to upturn the game and use their powers to heal the world instead of continuing the cycle of apocalypse and death.
-Death sacrificed himself for Evie (and Tee) and withheld that his armor wasn't as invulnerable as we were led to believe.
Didn't Like:
-After Evie & the other cards decided to use their powers for good, Evie & Jack got to spend YEARS together. They got to have a life. They got to have kids and love each other like they've talked about in the other books. So when the games restarted, I expected Death/Aric to now have a turn with Evie, but NOPE. WHY WHY WHY after being told that Jack is NOT Arcana did he get to be resurrected too? It would have been better (in my opinion of course) if Aric & Evie got to have a life and Jack just stayed dead.
-Are we really expected to believe that Matthew lived as an old decrepit man for 800 years before the games started again and during that time was able to figure out who all the cards were and send them to Haven?
-Again, after being told in all of the books that Jack is NOT Arcana, how in the heck did he come back??
Overall, I would recommend this series, but just be prepared for the last few pages of the last book to not make sense.
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I’ve finished this book and I just can’t believe it’s over. This series that feels as if it has gone on and on like the game itself, has ended and what a glorious ending it was! This book in some ways ended how I always hoped it would, but never thought possible, and then other parts are just so sad that I can’t believe they happened. Even though I have read the last page, I want more. I still have questions and I know they will never be answered. Even with how tough the ending is, this series rips you apart in the best way and I am so happy to have read it!
I’m so glad we got this final book! I knew it would all hinge on the ending so I was waiting to see how it resolved. I don’t t want to give any spoilers but it finally went the way I wanted— even if it was one sentence at the end. All show, no tell!! ❤️
Overall, Kresley did a great job with this book. She wrapped up a lot of loose ends and had some epic scenes in there. Though it was not the ending I wanted, I understood the logic behind it EXCEPT for one huge issue...
WHY THE HELL DID JACK REINCARNATE?
Clearly I am team death, always have been. Could never warm to Jack. But, fine, Evie loves them equally. My gut told me it was going to be Jack, so I had prepared myself for that before reading. I can understand Kresley's thinking, Aric and Evie get another chance when they reincarnate. Why not let Jack have his HEA in this life and then Aric gets his in the next.
Then after a ton of time-jump chapters having to deal with stupid Jack's life with Evie and her billion kids with him, Jack reincarnates?! And interrupts the reunion with Aric. And we don't even get a real reunion with Aric before the book ends. I could have done without one of the Jack chapters to at least have Aric's POV when his memories came back.
So in the end, Jack has 2 HEAs and Aric gets 1 that he has to share. If she was going the end up with both anyway, then they should have done that in this life. Otherwise they should have each gotten their own HEAs.
I would have rated it 5 stars if Jack did not reincarnate. It still wouldn't have been the ending I wanted (because Aric deserved better and should have been able to raise his son and be happy), but I would have understood it.
I still enjoyed the book and loved how The Red Witch took out Richter. I hoped we would see her at full badass power and it was everything I hoped for. And that Tee was the one that brought her back to Evie.
Matthews character arc was also beautifully done and I am glad he was the Empress' friend after all. Kresley also had a ton of great tie-ins to past books, like when Lark released all the monarch butterflies after Matthew had said early on that the last two were flying away from each other.
Kresley will always be one of my all time favorite authors and I am so glad she is back!
WHY THE HELL DID JACK REINCARNATE?
Clearly I am team death, always have been. Could never warm to Jack. But, fine, Evie loves them equally. My gut told me it was going to be Jack, so I had prepared myself for that before reading. I can understand Kresley's thinking, Aric and Evie get another chance when they reincarnate. Why not let Jack have his HEA in this life and then Aric gets his in the next.
Then after a ton of time-jump chapters having to deal with stupid Jack's life with Evie and her billion kids with him, Jack reincarnates?! And interrupts the reunion with Aric. And we don't even get a real reunion with Aric before the book ends. I could have done without one of the Jack chapters to at least have Aric's POV when his memories came back.
So in the end, Jack has 2 HEAs and Aric gets 1 that he has to share. If she was going the end up with both anyway, then they should have done that in this life. Otherwise they should have each gotten their own HEAs.
I would have rated it 5 stars if Jack did not reincarnate. It still wouldn't have been the ending I wanted (because Aric deserved better and should have been able to raise his son and be happy), but I would have understood it.
I still enjoyed the book and loved how The Red Witch took out Richter. I hoped we would see her at full badass power and it was everything I hoped for. And that Tee was the one that brought her back to Evie.
Matthews character arc was also beautifully done and I am glad he was the Empress' friend after all. Kresley also had a ton of great tie-ins to past books, like when Lark released all the monarch butterflies after Matthew had said early on that the last two were flying away from each other.
Kresley will always be one of my all time favorite authors and I am so glad she is back!
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I AM NOT WELL. SOMEONE PLEASE HOLD ME. I am drowning in emotional and bittersweet euphoria and still feel I can barely breath. Because I am finally back into the world of Arcana- consumed by this post-apocalyptic fever dream that has enthralled me from the very first book. And now the end is here- and what a wild and emotional journey. IT HURTS. IT SHINES. IT'S PERFECT.
Whenever anyone asks me that token question we romance readers like to ask- the “what author got you into romance reading,” my answer is undoubtedly Kresley Cole. Discovering her writing and her words changed my life…changed me…in so many ways. I fell in love with reading again as an adult, I found a sort of levity and solace and hope in a time of my life when I was in the dark and very alone, and I ultimately found a community of people like me who love to live in the pages. Krelsey delivered me to this world, and it feels full circle to be back inside her pages. I started reading this magical series over a decade ago- when my frontal lobe was certainly less developed and when the world felt pretty big and scary. Even now with early wrinkles and a stray gray hair or two, the world still feels scary at times. I may be older, but the Arcana Chronicle is still a riveting and deeply impactful escape. An imaginative and creatively inspired allegory- a post apocalyptic wonderland where reincarnated Arcana (humans transformed into ultra powerful tarot card players) battle it out until a final victor is left standing, the world is born a a new, and the clock starts ticking until the next game begins centuries later. While this is young adult and didn’t have the spice I was used to with Kresley’s work, I was enamored at the concept- a storyline and premise unlike anything I’d heard. So ten years ago I dove in and my world was never the same. This is the kind of series that’s transformative, a story that sticks with you for years to come, one that you can’t wait to share with your children one day. Simply put- The Arcana Chronicles is a masterpiece of writing and creative prowess. Spectacular world building and jaw dropping action meets captivating and flawed characters and perhaps the most epic love triangle that I have ever read. This is a story you LIVE AND BREATHE- not in the hyperbolic token review quote way but in the literal sometimes I think I might choke way. Like the tokens of the fallen arcana on a cursed victor’s hand, it’s a story that etches itself into you. And years later, I’m still in it’s chokehold.
This finale was 5 years in the making. Yes, we’ve awaiting with bated breath to figure out just how the Empress-Evie dichotomy will play out, if the Thorn Princess will win the game- and at what cost. To her? To her allies? To her love? To her soul? And just how will Evie balance the love she has for the two men who’ve been her partners through this entire mad world? Who will survive and reign supreme? But as always, nothing is at it seems and every one has their own role to play- even on the same side, allies have agendas. And at any point the cards can flip on their heads. Sometimes fools see all. Sometimes death means life. Sometimes poison means abundance. Sometimes hunters save. The deck has been cast- and now it’s the game beckons.
I don’t want to spoil a SINGLE thing- and let me tell you, there is much to spoil. This book is a GAUNTLET of emotional turbulence. But there is really no other way- the love triangle, the deadly game, we know going into this story that there is no clean ending. No matter what, we know it will hurt. Because the Arcana must perish, and ultimately, Evie’s red ribbon can only go to one man who owns her heart. The man who inspires her humanity, or the immortal whose heart followed her through centuries. Both love her, both are worthy, and both fight. And holy smoke, I’ve never read a love triangle like this. Going into the book I had a firm stake in the ground for my victor, and Kresley changed my mind at least 10 times. That’s how love triangles are done- both loves are epic, both are real, both are on even ground, and there is no easy path forward. AND IT HURTS. IT HURTS SO MUCH. I was choking on the angst of it all.
The action and battles are gripping- and I love how Krelsey keeps the stakes high and real. Arcana must perish, because this is life and death. The fate of the earth rests in the balance, and to truly do this story justice loses are had, lives are lost. I cried BUCKETS in this story, y’all. BUCKETS. Even now tears still pour down my cheeks. But Krelsey weaves together everything with deft clarity- a story both engaging but also emotionally resonant. Thematically rich. Poignantly powerful. I’m left bereft but hopeful, pensive and raw. It’s a conclusion befitting an Empress. A conclusion well worth the 5 years of waiting in anticipation. A conclusion that I will not soon forget. One unpredictable and inspired- not anything I expect, but exactly what it should be. I may be broken, but I am also whole.
Kresley created a fantasy world that mirrors the best and worst of ourseves- a dramatic and entertaining portrayal of all that is good and dark about our world. And it all ends here. From the Grave is a story of sacrifice, of loss and adversity and darkness. But it’s also a story about humanity, about compassion and hope. And most of all- it’s a story about love. Arcana may fall, the game will end, but love, well love is endless. And so is my undying adoration for this beautiful series, a forever favorite.
Whenever anyone asks me that token question we romance readers like to ask- the “what author got you into romance reading,” my answer is undoubtedly Kresley Cole. Discovering her writing and her words changed my life…changed me…in so many ways. I fell in love with reading again as an adult, I found a sort of levity and solace and hope in a time of my life when I was in the dark and very alone, and I ultimately found a community of people like me who love to live in the pages. Krelsey delivered me to this world, and it feels full circle to be back inside her pages. I started reading this magical series over a decade ago- when my frontal lobe was certainly less developed and when the world felt pretty big and scary. Even now with early wrinkles and a stray gray hair or two, the world still feels scary at times. I may be older, but the Arcana Chronicle is still a riveting and deeply impactful escape. An imaginative and creatively inspired allegory- a post apocalyptic wonderland where reincarnated Arcana (humans transformed into ultra powerful tarot card players) battle it out until a final victor is left standing, the world is born a a new, and the clock starts ticking until the next game begins centuries later. While this is young adult and didn’t have the spice I was used to with Kresley’s work, I was enamored at the concept- a storyline and premise unlike anything I’d heard. So ten years ago I dove in and my world was never the same. This is the kind of series that’s transformative, a story that sticks with you for years to come, one that you can’t wait to share with your children one day. Simply put- The Arcana Chronicles is a masterpiece of writing and creative prowess. Spectacular world building and jaw dropping action meets captivating and flawed characters and perhaps the most epic love triangle that I have ever read. This is a story you LIVE AND BREATHE- not in the hyperbolic token review quote way but in the literal sometimes I think I might choke way. Like the tokens of the fallen arcana on a cursed victor’s hand, it’s a story that etches itself into you. And years later, I’m still in it’s chokehold.
This finale was 5 years in the making. Yes, we’ve awaiting with bated breath to figure out just how the Empress-Evie dichotomy will play out, if the Thorn Princess will win the game- and at what cost. To her? To her allies? To her love? To her soul? And just how will Evie balance the love she has for the two men who’ve been her partners through this entire mad world? Who will survive and reign supreme? But as always, nothing is at it seems and every one has their own role to play- even on the same side, allies have agendas. And at any point the cards can flip on their heads. Sometimes fools see all. Sometimes death means life. Sometimes poison means abundance. Sometimes hunters save. The deck has been cast- and now it’s the game beckons.
I don’t want to spoil a SINGLE thing- and let me tell you, there is much to spoil. This book is a GAUNTLET of emotional turbulence. But there is really no other way- the love triangle, the deadly game, we know going into this story that there is no clean ending. No matter what, we know it will hurt. Because the Arcana must perish, and ultimately, Evie’s red ribbon can only go to one man who owns her heart. The man who inspires her humanity, or the immortal whose heart followed her through centuries. Both love her, both are worthy, and both fight. And holy smoke, I’ve never read a love triangle like this. Going into the book I had a firm stake in the ground for my victor, and Kresley changed my mind at least 10 times. That’s how love triangles are done- both loves are epic, both are real, both are on even ground, and there is no easy path forward. AND IT HURTS. IT HURTS SO MUCH. I was choking on the angst of it all.
The action and battles are gripping- and I love how Krelsey keeps the stakes high and real. Arcana must perish, because this is life and death. The fate of the earth rests in the balance, and to truly do this story justice loses are had, lives are lost. I cried BUCKETS in this story, y’all. BUCKETS. Even now tears still pour down my cheeks. But Krelsey weaves together everything with deft clarity- a story both engaging but also emotionally resonant. Thematically rich. Poignantly powerful. I’m left bereft but hopeful, pensive and raw. It’s a conclusion befitting an Empress. A conclusion well worth the 5 years of waiting in anticipation. A conclusion that I will not soon forget. One unpredictable and inspired- not anything I expect, but exactly what it should be. I may be broken, but I am also whole.
Kresley created a fantasy world that mirrors the best and worst of ourseves- a dramatic and entertaining portrayal of all that is good and dark about our world. And it all ends here. From the Grave is a story of sacrifice, of loss and adversity and darkness. But it’s also a story about humanity, about compassion and hope. And most of all- it’s a story about love. Arcana may fall, the game will end, but love, well love is endless. And so is my undying adoration for this beautiful series, a forever favorite.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
fast-paced
So. Good. And such a perfect ending - it couldn’t have been any more perfect.