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From the Grave
by Kresley Cole
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.