The Dark Calling – Szólít a Sötét

The Arcana Chronicles #5

by Kresley Cole, Ferenc Benkő (Translator)

Ha a világ késélen táncol…

Evie képtelen elhinni az életét – és a játszmát – gyökerestül felforgató hírt.
Miért nem érez változást? Talán rossz emberbe vetette a bizalmát?

Ha mindenhol ellenség vár…

Forrnak az indulatok az időtlenség kastélyában, ahogy Evie kételkedni kezd a saját ép elméjében. A válaszokat a menedéken túli világ rejti, de vajon segít-e neki a halál a keresésben – vagy elejét veszi, hogy kiderítse az igazságot a jövőjéről és Jack sorsáról?

Szólít a sötét.


Rejtélyes, baljós erő zökkenti ki az útjába kerülő Arkánumokat. Evie kénytelen egymaga nekivágni a pusztaságnak, ahol csak váratlan szövetségeseire számíthat. De közeledik a Richter elleni mindent eldöntő csata…
Mindez és még több a vérpezsdítő Arkánum Krónikák-sorozat utolsó előtti kötetében, a New York Times-sikerlistás Kresley Cole tollából!


Tudd meg, hogy az újdonsült szövetség vajon képes-e ellenállni a sötét igéjének, mielőtt az egész föld elkárhozik!

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Romance, Paranormal, Dystopia, Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy

392 pages, Paperback

First published February 13, 2018

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, the erotic Gamemakers 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 23 foreign languages, garnered three RITA awards, a RWA Hall of Fame induction, and consistently appear on the bestseller lists, in the U.S. and abroad.

Cole lives in Florida with her family. Learn more about Kresley at: www.kresleycole.com & www.thearcanachronicles.com

Reviews

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

I need DEATHSHIP!!

There Can Never. Be. Enough. Aric. (And more bookcase scenes would be nice *wink wink*).

Ok, KC. I can see what you’re plotting on. And I don’t like it.

Please just don’t go there.



For the love of God, just let the poor, sweet, sexy man have his HEA! Hasn’t he suffered enough??



I’m ready for you, Dark Calling. Don't let me down.



________________
Review 2/15

**possible mild spoilers below**

Reverse perverse, ya'll!

Well, wasn't this a heart-wrenching, controversial, and frustrating little number? KC still brought it though, I'll give her that. She is an evil genius, that one.

What's important this time around: character building. We continue to peel back the layers, and our favorite tragic hero, our scrumptious little villain Death, isn't left unscathed. Actually, he's treated like shit throughout the entire book. But I have to tell myself (after several glasses of wine) that this is crucial for the grand finale. I have faith that it is necessary growth for his ultimate HEA!

Aric is just written so damn well. KC amazes me with each new installment.

And Evie...well, she's a bitter pill to swallow this time around. In the immortal words of Patrick Joules, she's "boffing" everyone. Yup, she loves boffing Aric, but will always run to Jack for some good boffing any time he's around. Her flip-flopping is getting old. And they adore her no matter what. They will sacrifice everything for her. Does this girl have a sparkly cupcake-flavored v-jay or something?? It’s just frustrating that she holds both men to completely different standards. Jack can do no wrong, and Aric is always the villain.

KC, please don't turn this into some polyamorous, ménage situation. Where all three get cozy in the castle, raise Tee together, and then Evie alternates boffing one of her boy toys each night.

Also, no matter who Evie-of-the-Magical-Vagina ends up with (and by that, I mean it better be Aric) it shouldn’t be by default (i.e., because one dies or leaves because they think that's better for her). Let it be for the right reasons, non?

#AricDeservesBetter
#JusticeforAric
#TeamReaper

Until next time, darlings!

[Shelby P · Rating 1 out of 5]

Update: 2/13

What the hell was that? Wtf.

———————————————————————————


I swear Aric better be end game or I'll be so damn pissed.




Hit the road Jack and don't you come back.

[Rae · Rating 4 out of 5]

TEAM JACK FOREVER!

I don't care what others say, I will ALWAYS be team Jack. Forever and always. Evie chose HIM. SHe chose HIM. And in the end, it's about what Evie wants, not what readers want, because it's Kresley's character. If Kresley sees Evie and Aric having the last say, then....I'll just have to carve my heart out and somehow move on. BUT if Cole wants Evie and Jack to be endgame, then Y'ALL JUST HAVE TO ACCEPT THAT OKAY?! Like yeah, things aren't looking too hot for them right now, with you know, Death and little mini Deaths, but Evie isn't truly happy. I know it, Evie knows it, Cole knows it, we all know it. Because she chose Jack. End. OF.

Plus, I just seriously need my Evie/Jack reunion now. When this book comes out, I will have been waiting for more than two years. 3 It better be darn worth the wait, that's all I'm saying.

[Shan]

when is this shit gonna come out. NO EXACT DATE. GOD, I HATE WAITING.

If evie chooses jack again... I'll drop this series. I'll DNF the fuck out of this and if my anger doesnt cool down after that, I'm gonna stab someone.

[Molly · Rating 1 out of 5]

NEED THIS NOW... CAN'T WAIT TILL SPRING...
DYING FOR DEATH..***Update***. 2/15: THIS CANT BE THE LAST BOOK?!** i I waited 18 months and still don’t get an ending!!!
I’ve been counting down and patiently waiting...

WHAT A LET DOWN THIS BOOK WAS!!!!

I can’t even tell you how bad!!!

Seriously- nothing happened in this book. We waited 18 months to find out what would happen-
and then the SHITTIEST -MOST DISAPPOINTING -WORST ending of life!!


I swear this better not be the last book. How could she end it this way???


ITS SO HORRIBLE

I need death to have his happily ever after -
My heart breaks for him.
He deserves love and COMMITMENT

He deserves the family he never had- couldn’t have, never even hoped to dream to have
He deserves his son-To know him, see his son grow and be his father
He deserves an end to his misery and suffering and never ending disappointments and pain


AND WE NEED TO HAVE AN ENDING!

[hailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's been a long time coming, I've shed some tears and angry talked to myself a little bit, but I'm finally done with the book.

I have to say, though I felt like my heart had been thrown threw a blender and then glued back together again, I think there couldn't have been a better plot sequence to the book.

I applaud Kresley for another fabulous book.

Neither ship sides really got what they wanted here hahaha

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well sh!t.
I told myself after the last book and the “fun” twist that I was done. But I’m a sucker for punishment and I read this one.
The reason this is rated 2.5 stars is Jack and Aric... that’s it.
I literally can’t compose myself enough to write this review. That was the most pitiful ending ever. And if rumors are true and this is the last book.... Lemme tell ya. I’m disappointed.
I’m going to come back to this review in a few days. I’m just so annoyed right now....

[Sophia Triad · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jack sighed. “Still in love with two.”
“I wish I wasn’t. I really do.”

Go Evie!

I truly truly enjoyed this book - although there is one more book to go and I am not sure how exactly Kresley is gonna wrap up everything.

This book is an emotional rollercoaster. Highs and lows. Angst and romance.
Zombies, starvation and disaster on one hand and selflessness and unconditional love on the other hand.

Evie will never abandon anyone who loves. She will always try to make them see the truth. She will never stop believing in true love and in fated love.

Maybe she will find true love with one man and fated love with a different man.

Anyway prepare for some first class crawling. Death has been a really bad boy.
And prepare for some first class self-sacrifice. Death and the Cajun boy could have a competition about this.

Lastly, seriously, WHO THE HELL IS JACK? All the Major Arcana choices are taken and I cannot accept that he is just a puny human. He is a major player.

[Emily ★ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't even know what to say.

This is the second to last book in the Arcana Chronicles - her penultimate book for the Arcana Chronicles. In The Dark Calling, this is the last we'll see of Aric, Evie, Jack, Matto, and the rest (probably, unless Cole has some Minor Arcana books planned, but I really don't think so).

I have several theories lined up. Most revolve around the present cast just in Arcana Rising, so y'all need to read up before reading, or it'll just be spoilers galore.

But just in case...

1. Paul is a Minor. When I first read the novel, I did not see it, but after going back and connecting Paul's actions and Evie's later pregnancy, I think he was planning to jumpstart the game even further. After all, Minors like to see Majors dead.

2. I don't think Evie is having her mind warped by insanity or by Matto, either. Even though the girl is borderline nuts, she is still rather capable of thought. Therefore, I think she did go to Paul, but he used a placebo rather than an actual shot of Depo-Provera. So, she did get a shot, but it was just...something else. It would've assuaged her fears and also move the game.

3. Jack is the Hanged Man. Yes, this is an old theory; no need to recount this in the comments. The Hanged Man is associated with 'stillness,' or a lack of action/ lying in limbo. However, he could also stand for sacrifice or change, a willingness to take to heart "no pain, no gain." Jack has proven himself to both refuse to relent on certain topics (à la Day Zero), but also make huge strides in others (Fort Arcana, Aric, courage). He resembles both sides of the Hanged Man, upright and upside-down.

4. Evie's baby will mean Aric's death since we have something "to remember him by" when Cole ultimately sacrifices him so Evie can be with Jack, who somehow miraculously survives the Emperor and his assorted allies. I foresee a weird epilogue where Evie takes care of a baby Aric while her wedding ring glints on a thin necklace around her neck, with Jack popping in to say something. I don't know, but please don't down this path. Please.

Two diverging theories for the five:

5a. Matthew is going to sacrifice himself to wreck the game. I think that's been his plan the entire time - since he was the cleverest man in the realm before being rendered insane, after all. He sees the future, but can never see his own, so I think he is the only one who can truly stop the games. After all, everyone else's futures are more or less fixed around certain waypoints (as Evie sees them), but Matto's future is the only one never set in stone, hence why he can not tell his own future. That was really repetitive, sorry about that, but I wanted to get the point across.

OR

5b. Evie's and Aric's baby will wreck that game, but I highly doubt this. Not only will Evie have to deal with a pregnancy in the middle of an apocalypse, Cole will also have to make it believable enough that readers will actually accept as somewhat-credible and can-actually-happen.

6. Evie's flagging powers is caused by her human side. I have noticed that only in times of high emotion do her powers really burst, so perhaps she will need to truly give into her Empress side in order for her to fully bloom? Also, her pregnancy might be causing the "recalcitrant" powers to malfunction. Baby + Games = bad idea.

7. Their baby will also be really freaking deformed. As in, undead. Life and Death - undead? I'll leave this to y'all to decide on and talk about. I mean, Gran did warn us of what the union between Life and Death would be like...

Finally, the last one:

8. Evie will die in order to kill Richter. Aric and Jack will both grieve, but soon after, Aric will die, unwilling to live without his wife for another few centuries until the next Games, or never because the Games were wrecked. Jack will rebuild the world, and all will be peachy smooth. Or something like that, I don't know.


And that's all, folks. Tell me what you think; we have plenty of time until Spring 2017 to nail it down.

[Sharon ∞❥ is an emotional book junkie ❥∞ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ★'s

“That’s the thing about home, bébé.”

It’ll always be there waiting for you.”

After a year and (almost) half wait for this book, I thought maybe some of the fascination of the book would have rubbed off. I was happy to find out that wasn't the case...at all. And any details that I thought would have been forgotten, fell right back into place like there was no wait at all.

If those weren't clues as to how amazing this series is then maybe not being able to put the book down and reading it straight through in one day was another big clue. I just couldn't get enough.

So, to anyone who hasn't read this series and for some reason you're reading this review for book five, what are you waiting for? Yes, it's touted as a YA book but if you've read Kresley Cole at all, you know that doesn't stop her from writing some amazing romance...and angst! That's right, baby, the magic word!

I'm not going to rehash the story from the beginning and if you haven't read it, then the rest of the review is not going to make much sense.

Seriously though, WTH #1? I totally got the Hangman wrong but since I don't have a lot of knowledge about tarot cards, I'm hoping you-know-who #1 will be something...something amazing but then again, maybe just being himself is amazing enough? There just has to be a reason.



And WTH #2? That was pretty excruciating when the Hangman worked his powers. I felt so bad for Evie and again, when you-know-who #2 was able to get out...that had to be horrific for him.

And WTH #3? Finn!!My heart hurts over that one. I kept hoping he would come back or something...anything! Ugh!

WTH Thank you Jaysus! #4!! HE IS BACK!! I was absolutely in heaven with everything!! Their reuniting, their night together, how he always, always takes care of her. I mean, come on, can we just say Li-on. That's pretty impressive even if you are #TeamDeath, you have to hand it to him that he was pretty badass!

And as is everything Kresley Cole, she had to absolutely kill me with that ending. I mean I never felt so hopeful when the brake lights came on. :'(

The next book is the last...and I have no idea how everything is going to go. Obviously a huge battle because at least two more need to go and then who knows? The one thing I do know is that it's going to be simply fantastic.

BTW, have you heard of Brother Husbands? #TeamJaric all the way!! ;)



Current standings of Players at the end of The Dark Calling **definite spoilers!



Icon totals:

Aric - 4 (Fury/Temperance/Ogen/Stellan)
Evie - 4 (Hermit/Hierophant/Paul/Finn (she got Finn's from killing Paul))
Gabriel - 1 (Tess)
Richter - 2 (Selena and The Lovers who Selena killed)


Players still alive:

The Empress, Our Lady of Thorns ~ Evie *in trues*

The Fool, Gamekeeper of Old ~ Matthew *in trues ~ maybe...he's up to something! *

The High Priestess, Ruler of the Deep ~ Circe Rémire (poss still friend to Evie) *in alliance with Aric*

The Centurion, Wicked Champion ~ Kentarch (friend to Evie) *in alliance with Aric*

The Tower, Lord of Lightning ~ Joules *in trues*

Judgment, The Archangel ~ Gabriel *in trues*

Death, The Endless Knight ~ Aric *in trues* but has separate alliances with several other Arcana

Strength, Mistress of Fauna ~ Lark *in trues* <- maybe not? -> *in alliance with Aric*


The Emperor, Stone Overlord ~ Richter *in alliance with Zara and ~sort of~ Sol*

Fortune, Lady of Chance ~ Zara *in alliance with Richter and Sol*

The Sun, Hail the Glorious Illuminator ~ Sol *in alliance with Richter/Zara but helping Evie*


Deceased:

The Hierophant, He of the Dark Rites ~ Guthrie - killed by Evie

The Hermit, Master of Alchemy ~ Arthur - killed by Evie

The Hanged Man, Our Lord Uncanny ~ Paul! - killed by Evie


The Fury, She who Harrows (Spite) - killed by Aric

Temperance, Collectress of Sins ~ Calanthe - killed by Aric

The Devil, Foul Desecrator ~ Ogen - killed by Aric

The Star, Arcane Navigator - Stellan - killed by Aric


The Magician, Master of Illusions ~ Finneas/Finn *in trues* - killed by Paul (who Evie killed so goes to her)


The Lovers, Duke & Duchess Most Perverse ~ Violet and Vincent - killed by Selena (who Richter killed so goes to him)

The Moon, Bringer of Doubt ~ Selena (hunter) - killed by Richter


The World, This Unearthly One ~ Tess *in trues* (deceased by trying too hard to turn back time to bring back Jackson/Selena/Evie) - Gabriel got her icon.

[Elodie]

definitively Jack team.... for me Jack loves Evie and Death loves Empress. Death even refuses to call her Evie... the end of the book will tell us who is our heroin : Evie or the Empress. I guess she is really both and her destiny is to become the Empress, but since the beginning she fight so hard to keep her humanity.
and I really like better Jack, who reprensents a future among humans, helping to rebuilt. Death offers an endless honeymoon. that could be very seductive but for me won't be enough to feed an eternal life. and I remember what said Evie
she would have loved Death if he had helped in the beggining. help saving Evie's mother and Haven.... but he was selfish and hurted and hateful... and let the place for the so lively and helpful Jack !!! (sorry for mistakes English is not my mother tongue)

[Joana · Rating 2 out of 5]

*** SPOILERS ***

You know what? Fuck this book, what the hell. No, better yet, fuck this Evie girl and this fucking stupid “romance” that is the main cause of a good series turning to shit.

I never, ever liked Evie, not even a bit, and it was because of her that I always had something to point out. But I was young, you know, I still had a little patience left, I could still overlook things, get fierce about ships and what would come next; but that little patience I still had, has dried out completely. I’m just DONE! and I’ve lost count of how many fucking times I almost DNF this thing.

Evie is one of the fucking worst girls I had the displeasure to read about and for once, just for once I wish people would see it as it is.

You know this Team Aric, Team Jack thing? Bullshit, because these two boys don’t deserve to be treated like shit and toys by anyone and specially by an horrible and toxic girl. If this shit was reversed, a main guy acting like this girl does from the very beginning of book #1, people would have come down on the author with fire and brimstone. As it is a girl, all good; no problem here, nothing wrong is happening.

This girl only thinks of herself. She doesn’t know what love is, can’t even phantom what loyalty stands for. She uses these boys (and everyone else around her) for her needs only over, and over, and fucking over again. She makes them miserable. She lies, she cheats, she manipulates them. She gives them hope, she turns them way. Turns them against each other. And them? They let her. That’s just it. They let her do anything she wants, they let her use them; time and time again they put her “happiness” first, her needs first, poor Evie, helpless Evie that can’t do shit on her own, can’t see past her own nose; pathetic and weak Evie but that acts as if really powerful and mighty.

For once, just for one fucking time I’d like to see the boys do the right thing when it comes to the love interest. For once, I’d like to see them said, “Enough”, and just walk away. Just fucking walk away.

I’m not Team Jack or Team Aric anymore. I love Aric, he has been my favorite and remains so, he is not perfect but I think everyone has been unfair to him on so many levels (Jack and Evie were horrible to him, hypocritical, mean and infuriating; Aric does not deserve what it has been done to him by them) and I honestly think Jack is a good guy, although I still don’t like many of his actions and attitudes, he was good in the end. Which leads to this: I’m Team Aric-Jack, as in the two of them seeing Evie for what she really is, seeing how low they got because of her, saying enough to her crap, shaking hands and allying to one another, becoming the great friends that we all know they can be if she’s not in the way, raising that child together as father and uncle/godfather/friends/I don’t care - way from Evie, that could die for all I care - and that’s it, that’s how it should have been. Jack and Aric would do amazing together, and for once, I don’t even mean this in a romantic and/or sexual way. I’m tired of the same old troupe of two guys against each because of fucking horrible girl. (Again, if this were reversed everyone would be out of their mind for having two girls against one another because of a boy.)

Obviously, none of that happened so here we have Aric getting hurt, again. Jack getting hurt, again. Just more of the same, more of what has been happening for the past 5 and a half books and will happen for (hopefully) just one more. (Although I have a feeling that another Jack Novella, covering the period of time in which he was “dead”, is a possibility.)

As if the “love” triangle and the horrible character weren’t bad enough already, a teen pregnancy had to be added to the mix. I have a deep dislike of marriages, pregnancies, miracle/doom babies in YA books (in general, not in all cases) so, besides everything I’ve stated, this was another bad turn that the series took. Isn’t it amazing how that bitch announced her pregnancy first thing to anyone she came a cross but made a point to not mention it to the person that it actually mattered? Funny thing. I don’t want to hear the words “pregnant” and “kid” anytime soon.

And I just remembered another bad turn, the fucking Inactive Card was the fucking medic? What the fuck was that? I’m sorry but I find it absolutely stupid and disappointing.

I did not like this book. They were already declining, but this was it; the good is just not good enough to compensate the bad anymore.

This series could have been epic. The Arcana and the game are still a magnificent concept for me and I’m gutted that it was waisted on this fucking plot, and “romantic” clastrofuck while it could have been seriously developed, with the Major and Minor Arcanas and all the rest in play. It could have been so good. Such a waste it hurts.


***


I LOVE this cover!!

Update: I don't like where things are going. Or at least how my brain believes things will end.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Make way bitches!!!! My review coming through!

*raising banner*

JACK AND EVIE FOR EVER!!!

Seriously, I cannot believe how un-loyal you guys are to the original couple!!! It started with Jack and Evie and it will end with Jack and Evie!!! Oh and know that I am holding up my middle fingers in BOTH HANDS for Aric and Evie fans!

Okay, that out of the way let's go to the information presented so far.

So, I do believe Kresley painted a clear picture of who Jack really is and that is: The Hangman (obvious as day.) I study Tarot Cards, (which actually led me to read this series) and I find it interesting how she is embodying all of these characters in Tarot Cards.

So, physically Kresley is currently portraying Jack as having to support himself on one leg because he damaged his other. Know that The Hangman card in Tarot portrays an upside down man hanging from one leg in a tree with his other leg tugged behind his back. Also, in Arcana Rising, when we read about Jack, things like, "up was down," and "I'd felt my first glimmer of hope that I would hang onto my foot and leg after all" are mentioned. Also, I will add that Matthew tells Jack "you need her" which might be a connection to the card since The Hangman is hanging from a TREE. TREE meaning Evie, Jack hangs from Evie. The ribbon Jack gave Evie might symbolize the rope The Hangman is suspending himself on. The Hangman in Tarot also symbolizes things like sacrifice, surrender, suspension, submission, etc... Jack surrenders Evie in Arcana Rising. He realizes that if she finds out he lives, he has nothing to offer her and instead might reopen a wound, he rather spare her that hurt. This reminds me of the Solomon story in the bible of the two women fighting over the baby. He rather sacrifice what he loves than have and hurt. Take note Aric fans.

Why I hate Aric:
Aric has killed Evie in two other games because she betrayed him and tried to kill him. If Aric truly loved Evie, he would have fled or done something else instead of ending the life of the person he "supposedly" loved. To add on to this, he wins the game and becomes immortal, living his life without his "love". Let me remind you guys, Jack had to actually think if it was worth living without Evie. In another series of Kresley's, a book called "Lothaire" one of the character's, an Valkyrie/oracle named Nix, called Lothaire a pussy for not wanting his bride who came a tenth of an inch close to decapitating him, sound familiar? This is what Aric is to me. He is a pussy.

All of this is just my thoughts gathered based on the books. With Kresley, nothing is guaranteed. Who knows, she might pull out the rug beneath us.

So Aric fans, you guys can shove that scythe of his where the sun don't shine!

All hail Jack and Evie

Carry on.

[Jackie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Let me start off this review by saying that this book was definitely hard for me to read. There were some parts of the book that could carry me towards the end. I was anticipating certain events to occur such as Evie's Red Witch or her encounter with the Richter, which Kresley delivered. But if you're reading this and wondering why I thought the rest of the book was vexing, I'll state it plainly: Evie's half-hearted love needs to end. Throughout this read, I felt like I needed to look at the title ever so often just to ensure I wasn't reading Dead of Winter (although this feeling came more towards the end of the book). With that being said, I do believe that I gathered one thing from the book and it was Kresley's overplayed the tropes for Jack and Aric.
YES. We know Jack is the self-sacrificing, fearless leader that has been portrayed in the past four books. His love for Evie is unconditional and during this book, he really stepped up whenever Aric wasn't around. Like the previous installment, Evie was able to spend most of the book with one of her love interests. Unlike the previous installment, it was Jack who she spent most of her time with. Kresley seemed to try and level out the playing field here, although inevitably it felt like Aric was shorted- again. The difference between this book and the previous one is vastly different. In the previous book, Jack was presumed dead and Aric took care of Evie's half broken heart. Her love for him served more as a convenient distraction to prevent herself from falling apart while she thought Jack was dead. Then this book comes along and suddenly Evie flings herself into Jack's arms while pregnant with another man's child. The one thing I could garner sympathy for was that it was an unwanted pregnancy, and I couldn't fault her anger and indifference with it. But what truly irked me about this book was that when Aric is under the influence of a certain Arcana player, Evie DOES give up on him. The alleged 'half of her heart' is stuck, and Evie doesn't feel the same tightening and twisting in her heart as she did when she thought Jack died. Two different situations, I'll admit, but she eventually comes to the conclusion that Aric may never come back to her. Where was that conclusion with Jack when he was thought to be dead? Kresley was able to do this by turning Aric into a monster just so Evie could fall back with Jack and sleep with him and felt no guilt that her soulmate was trapped. And then when Aric does finally break free and come back to her, she ends up angry with him for being manipulated with emotions from their past. On top of all of that, he comes to realize that Jackson is basically the provider for Evie and the baby and he has just been booted out. The only indications you get in this book that Evie actually cares about Aric is towards the end and even that fell short. Their relationship did break, but Aric being mind controlled and then having to see his family taken away from him because of it was just too disheartening for someone who supposedly is loved by her just as equally. To top it off, when Aric finally tries to do something noble and self-sacrificing by leaving Evie at last, Jack steps into his never-ending trope and walks away once again. If this book told me anything, it is that Aric is meant to always be pitied (which IS a pity because he's such a well written character) and Jack is meant to be the long-suffering hero who Evie will always pine after because fate does not want them together (even though I do believe Kresley does). This is the worst part due to the fact that I can see Kresley preferring one over the other, but she's torturing all of these characters with this incessant love triangle mess and I can't see a happy ending for all parties involved unless they somehow all end up agreeing to a menage a trois.
Perhaps by reading my review, you can tell I prefer Aric, but now I just want her to choose one and get it over with. It's honestly better than having to read the same story over and over again. I may not pick up the next book because if it's anything like this one, I'm sure I'll be writing the same review once again.

[Suzzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

That was epic! The action just did not stop! Oh I love love love these characters and this storyline so much! I cannot wait for the next one, even though it will be the final book! I have to know what is going to happen! Every installment leaves me with more questions than I have going into a book. It is so crazy. I can’t write a good enough review without spoilers for this book so lets keep it at that this is one of my favorite books so far this year and of this series also.

My quick and simple overall: CRAZY GOOD! Loved it!

[Cookie · Rating 1 out of 5]

How many times are we going to ride this love triangle carousel?
I’m sick and tired of Evie. I cannot fathom how this girl has any extraordinary quality that would make the two main men be so committed to her they run themselves ragged by the end of this book.
I’m team Aric but at this point, I just need her to choose one and stop fucking the other guy, torturing them both.
Honestly Evie is the worst female protagonist I’ve read in a long time. Poor Aric. You deserved so much better than this whiny, cheating mess.

[Rachelle Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just over here dying while waiting....

This had better end with Aric. What kind of human being turns her back on an epic love that has spanned centuries for some backwoods dude she has known for 20 minutes? You just don't do that. That doesn't even make sense. If this release gets pushed back any further I will probably have to write it myself, title it something different and release it to everyone else who also cannot wait any longer.


UPDATE: 2/20....

Yes. 2/20. I waited to read the book. I wanted to savor it and not be interrupted. Because I was anticipating something amazing!!!!! Boy was I let down. What the fuck even happened? She swapped dudes again, then swapped dudes back. Then nothing changed from last book. Sure, we got a couple new characters, Evie did some more screwing, we had some minor arcana interaction and we conquered The Hanged Man for the boss round? I mean... as far as plot development, aren’t we exactly nowhere? Characters are stronger? Evie has discovered she has a well inside to call on?

Can I just say that I didn’t really like Evie in this book? She’s kind of a spoiled little whiny twat. And switching dudes again? Can you actually love someone if you are able to give up on them after a couple months? Did she actually attempt to be angry with Death for being brainwashed? Despite the fact he saved their lives and sacrificed his own horse to do so? I mean.... this was a thing? She wanted to blame him? Sigh............. all this waiting. ALL THIS WAITING. I am so underwhelmed with satisfaction.

Hrumph.

[Fre06 Begum]

I started this series because of Jack and I hope it ends with him finally getting the HEA he deserves with Evie!

[■©atherine■ · Rating 2 out of 5]

WTF? I didn't know there was gonna be a fifth book! Imagine my surprise at that ending.

ARICCCCC <3

Actual Review

2 STARS

Why did I even think these book were good? Oh right! Death! I'm so invested in his character that I saw past every flaws, everything wrong with these books.
Why was she bouncing between the two guys? That was so not okay with me. I hated it in the previous books. But I think this book was my last call. I didn't really care who she would end up with. I'm so done with the love triangle. Well, I wanted it to be Aric but I don't think I'd be that emotional (like in the past) if that didn't happen.

May be it has been so long that I read the book #4 and my tastes changed. I guess. This one didn't really sit well with me. I wanted to like it so much. I swear I tried to. It's really heartbreaking when this happens. Please let the final book be up to my liking.

[Kayla Silverss · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was everything and more. I cried like a little baby when two people sepretated that weren't my ship.
This book was exciting and interesting and the whole idea of the tarrot cards is a really amazing idea.
This book made me feel things that broke me inside, I can't wait until th next book to find out who Evie will choose. I am still TEAM DEATH.
I also can't wait to find out how the game will end.

[Kat valentine ( Katsbookcornerreads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book drived me crazy!!!! Im like evie I love both the sexy loveable Cajun hottie Jack and the sexy as sin aric!! All though I'm more a aric girl I have loved death from the beginning,he pulls me with the love he has for evie even after all she has done in the past to him he still just wants to love her and be loved by her in return. Theirs so many twist's and turns with new enemy's and new allies and finding out Jack is alive and just as into evie as before. What a awesome turn of events!! And evie being pregnant and death being the father,what a ride!!! So worth waiting for!!! Can't wait to see what shakes out in the next arcana book!!!

[Jaime (Two Chicks on Books) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm going to start this by saying that Simon Teen seriously messed up when they decided to stop publishing this series, I mean book 5 made the NYT Bestseller list for Pete's sake and Kresley is an amazing author. I think this series is way better than some of the other ones that Simon Teen keeps publishing and probably should've cancelled years ago (not mentioning names but I think y'all know who I'm talking about).


It's been TWO LONG YEARS between Arcana Rising and this one and I thought I would've forgotten so much about this series but, surprisingly I didn't and reading THE DARK CALLING was like sitting down to catch up with an old friend who I had missed dearly. It's super funny too because when I read book 1, Poison Princess back in 2012 I absolutely hated the first 13 chapters of the book lol but, after chapter 13, I fell in love with the characters and the world and my love story with this series has only grown stronger with each book!




Ok on to the actual review!


Wow! Just wow! I swear each book in this series gets better and better! I really can't say much seeing as the book just released and not many people have read it. But just know that most of your questions will be answered (no I will not answer them for you). We do find out who the inactive card is and that card plays a HUGE part in this book. There will be more death but I'm not saying who and yes there's more romance and Evie will be tested like never before. I'm so glad this one didn't end on a bad cliffhanger like Arcana Rising did. And I really hope we don't have to wait two more years before the next installment comes out because I don't think my heart would be able to take that! Also I've decided I'm Team #WhyChoose lol

[Natalie A]

yesssssssssssssssssss!!!!
wow!!! I just want Aric for endgame. forever. He is honesty perfect :)

[Starrisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

So the book has been out for ages and I'm only reviewing it NOW. Since we have to wait a gazillion years for the next book so I was hesitant to read it so "early" BUT I WAS LIKE WHATEVER and I picked it up. I didn't even reread the other books. <-- true, I swear.

The thing about reading a book when you haven't read the previous books in a long time is...
1) You realise that you must be such a HUGE fan of the book because, REALLY, I could remember every single thing and everyone mentioned in The Dark Calling without reference. Evie, Aric, Jack, Lark, Finn, Paul, Gabriel, Joules (I still remember him being all mad when he thought the Priestess "insta-drowned" the Lovers lol) Richter etc etc: I can remember them all clearly.
2) I realise characteristics about characters that I've never realised before.
For instance, while I still love her (we have a love-hate relationship you see), Evie's selfishness I'll elaborate on that

The book picked off right after Arcana Rising Basically when Evie found out she's "surprise surprise" pregnant! so luckily there wasn't some weird time transition. Anyway, starting from now there might be minor spoilers, but I will hide the major spoilers, we were told from Evie's POV (oh yeah, good thing: Aric appeared more times here in terms of his own POVs!! <3) that she didn't trust Paul which was true actually! Major spoiler (that I spoiled for myself by checking the wikia -.- He's the inactivated Hanged Man card and even I was skeptical -- was Evie right or was she just er, insane? Tbh the way she was behaving, even I wouldn't believe her if I were Aric XD So stuff happened, and basically, Evie had to temporarily leave the castle (MAJORshe got chased out after Aric got brainwashed by Paul aka Hanged Man) so she met some old friends (jOULES!! he's so funny lol) and some new friends (technically, friend without the "s"): Kentarch, the Centurion/Chariot. So more stuff happened, and I'm sure all of us already know, KC LOOOOOOVES Jack and He-who-never-dies was back! Wheee. And then Evie and Jack reunited and stuff *cough intense physical er, exercise cough* happened despite the fact that EVIE WAS TECHNICALLY STILL ARIC'S WIFE AND CARRYING HIS FREAKING CHILD! And as we ALLL know by the end of the book nothing gets solved and we are still having bunch of mysteries and problems: Aric or Jack? Richter how to kill? tbh didn't Lorraine say that only paul could kill Ritcher and EVIE JUST HAD TO FORGET THAT AND KILL PAUL??!!! Evie was still kinda powerless unless she turned into the Red Witch...No idea how to defend against Zara (I want to know more about her tbh, so far she's the most mysterious Arcana other than the dead ones wow can't believe I'm not even shocked at the fact I have to use the term "dead ones"

Yeah. To sum up the book, with spoilers:
Evie distrusts Paul --> MY FAVOURITE FINN GETS KILLED JUST NO. NO. LEMME CRY TT Evie leaves castle --> Evie meets Joules and Kentarch and the One-who-never-dies --> They go on journey to find Circe and Kentarch's wife --> More journeying --> the Jubilees/Lorraine --> Lorraine is revealed as Minor Arcana; gets killed by Red Witch aka Badass Evie --> Meets Aric?! --> Aric + Jack + Evie = not good --> Bad guy: killed. --> Tadah!

I loved and enjoyed every moment of the book which is why I'm giving it five stars but to be very honest, Evie was selfish, self-centered and not that awesome in this book. Because of her dwindling powers due to her baby, Evie was mostly protected by others and she didn't even dare to summon the Red Witch -.- Her only redeeming quality is the Red Witch in my opinion. Like, the perfect ending would be if she became the Red Witch and slaughter everyone (JkXD) SHE JUST COULDN'T MAKE UP HER MIND ABOUT ARIC OR JACK ?! It's getting old after FIVE BOOKS. Not one; or two; or even three but FIVE. BOOKS. :(

I'm 100000000000000000000000% sure that Jack is gonna end up with Evie (not that I hate him) but I don't even care anymore (okay I do just a little). KC obviously favours him and I've finally resigned to the fact that Aric's probably gonna die. Yes. I feel it :"( Poor Aric. He deserves more tbh TT Again, I still love Evie and Jack but at the same time, I hate Evie for being so indecisive and hurting both men. If she truly love them, she would let BOTH of them go. It will NEVER be fair to either Jack or Aric since she said it herself: she love(d) them both. So whoever she chooses will always live knowing that Evie loves someone else too.

All in all, it was still a great book, I enjoyed and loved it, especially the return of some characters, but still, it didn't contribute much to the story that we didn't know before. There was no grand revelation except for one characterPaul, Hanged Man card, and I don't think it needed one entire book for that. Maybe a novella? I'm wondering how KC will end the story in the next book: Kill Richter, end game, figure out Aric or Jack, figure out the Minor Arcana, figure out the gods etc etc. Really. Since not much of anything has been covered. A great book, but a slight (itsy bitsy teeny) disappointment. Looking forward to the next book though! :)

P.s. This is STILL one of my fav series of all time and I will still recommend it to my friends. XD

PRE-READING RAMBLING STUFF (warning: it's really long and doesn't really make sense)***THE UPDATES CONTAIN SPOILERS***
BEFORE READING THE BOOK

OMG!! I'm so excited for this book! I'm currently rating it 5 stars because i'm hoping and praying for Life and Death!!(aka 4Evar-ic it's kind of like forevar-ic so it's like forever EVAngeline and ARIC xD) i seriously hope for the two of them because Aric totally deserves it. People are saying that Evie loves Jack so she should be with Jack but she loves Aric too! I bet if Aric is the one who "died", Evie will think of him when she is with Jack, so the whole Evie thinking of Jack when she's with Aric equals Evie loves Jack more thing is kind of the same when the situation is reverse. Plus, remember how the Duke and Duchess Most Perserve aka the creepy Lovers told Evie that her heart is divided EQUALLY? So she loves Aric as much as she loves Jack ((: I'm hoping for 4Evar-ic so much!!!!! <3ing them my fav book ship by far(currently tying with Bella and Edward because yup i'm a ginormous Twillight fan <33333333)

UPDATE
I've decided to come here often to comment about the last few books while waiting for this book to be released :DD
SOOOO i went back and read Endless Knight and...Death had the ability to resuscitate people right right right??(as shown in Endless Knight when Evie was "popcorn-watching"her death xDD His touch of death could kill people, so he couldn't resuscitate anyone other than Evie right? So maybe...he could somehow save Evie if she died due to the Emperor or sth???? I'm not very sure how this reviving people thingy works xDD <3 Evaric!!

1 April 2017
SOOOOOO i have this new theory today: Jack is the inactivated Arcana card, The Hanged Man!!! remember how there is one Arcana card that remains inactivated until he or she kills another Arcana?(and all of teh other Arcana cards have already been accounted for, with the exception of the hanged man) I have a feeling Jack is going to like kill one of the cards (maybe the Emperor or Fortune, since they are the definite bad guys here??? The rest like Sol(maybe), Joules, Gabriel, Matthew(though i still don't really trust him), Aric, Evie, Lark(maybe, her animals are getting stronger and she's kind of hard to read), Finn, Circe(maybe???), Kenrich(is that how you spell his name??? Maybe he's good, or maybe he's evil, i'm not to sure) these characters are the good ones??? I'm not sure how to feel about jack being a possible Arcana though??? Can't wait for the next book!!!

3rd April 2017
Sooooo another theory that i posted somewhere else but i forgot where, Evie carrying the child of Death will kill her because the child of DEATH??? It will like suck the life out of her or sth???(even though i seriously hope she won't die, but hey maybe Aric can revive her and she'll be so grateful they have their HEA. Not. I highly doubt this will happen but i seriously hope for 4Evar-ic!!!! I ship them so hard it hurts xDDD)

6th April 2017
SOOOO i just realise that i'm so excited i'm babbling sorry! Basically, someone commented that Selena might still be ALIVE!!!(technically, since no one saw Richter and whether he has her mark or not). So, even though this is highly unlikely, i'm hoping for Jack to be with Selena so 4Evar-ic can happen xDDD!!!!(after all, Selena DID save Jackson's life :DD)
My current idea of how the book will go:
Something that involves Aric's death(*CRIES!!!!*) or Evie's death(*CRIES as well, but...oddly i prefer her dying to Aric XDDD and she did die once in Endless Knight haha) or Evie's unborn baby's death(*boohoo!!!*). I really hope that will NOT happen though :))

13th April 2017
So today i just heard that this book is postponed to summer noooooo!! :'( I've been waiting for ages!!(But maybe she's changing the plot *wink wink*?? I bet some theories are correct(maybe the Jack-is-Hanged-Man one is so overrated that she changed the plot? Very unlikely theory but...xDD) Here's to waiting for a few more months(hopefully!!) and even though i'm pretty impatient, i'll wait forever to read this book! ((:

16th April 2017
So far there's still no fixed date for the release date :o i'm so excited for it!! I really hope Evie ends up with Aric but i have this horrible feeling Aric's going to die :( and that's why Evie has his baby-so there's sth for her to remember him by *sigh* But a lot of people are probably guessing this somewhat cliche plot so maybe KC, the Queen of Plot Twists, will come up with sth unexpected? I hope so! #4Evar-ic

18th April 2017
Tbh i don't really have anything to say just that...I CAN'T WAIT FOR THE BOOK !!! XD I wonder if there's any new theories flying around? Sooo i read this theory somewhere ( i forgot where, but i'm pretty sure it's from a discussion so-this theory is NOT mine)and i kind of second that! The theory: Because of Evie's tourniquet thingy (remember that part where she thought Jack was dead??) is causing Evie's powers to weaken because her powers are fuelled by EMOTIONS and the tourniquet prevents her from feeling emotions like grief, sadness etc. I think this theory makes sense actually ((: P.S. I'm adding this theory here because i'm like, collecting a bunch of theories and just putting them here :D

28th April 2017
Still no update about it yet :( I'm hoping it will be published this year though!! Can't wait! <3

3rd May 2017
Yay!! The release date is back to "published 2017"!!! It's coming this summer so i think i will do a reread of the whole series(all four of them) so i can refresh my memory :D Also, i'm not sure if this means anything but during Day Zero, Matthew's POV was like so confusing(?) but during Arcana Rising, Matthew actually used words (e.g. "Matthew knows best") so it's like even though in Arcana Rising what he said didn't really make sense, but at least we could sort of read it?(Sorry i'm horrible at explaining it xD)

13th May 2017
Okay, i'm so desperate for this book i've decided to reread the series. Again. I just finished Poison Princess and i'm not sure if this means anything, but i've noticed that Matthew said something like "It starts with me and ends with him" so who is the "him"? Could it be Aric? Or maybe Evie's unborn baby? Also, another thing i'm curious about, i think Evie's baby will be the first child born of two Major Arcana cards, right? So will the child be an Arcana as well? Maybe he/she is the inactivated card? I have this theory because in the past games, no one had seen the inactivated card before right? So if the inactivated card is Jack(popular belief), that means he was there in the past games, just that he was inactivated, and i find it odd that he can remain inactivated for several games(meaning several centuries). Also, if Jack is one of the Major Arcana, won't Matthew know? Even though the card is inactivated, i think Matthew will still know whether Jack is Arcana or not right, but Matthew keeps saying Jack is non-arcana. Hence, i think Evie's baby may be the inactivated card, and the reason he is inactivated is because well, in the past games, he wasn't even born yet.

20th May 2017
Okay oops, my bad! I just realised my "Evie's baby" is the inactivated card theory may be a bit wrong because apparently the card has appeared in previous game before xD But maybe the baby can still be the inactivated card? Because
1) The baby may be the incarnated version of the inactivated card
2) The reason why the card is inactivated is because the card is the child of two Major Arcana cards (okay weird theory)
3) Maybe in the past, the inactivated card (Aric has never seen it before) is the baby of two Major Arcana (say, Flynn and Lark in the past)?
Okay pretty weird theory ^^ XD
Just some random theorising that's all :)

13th June 2017
Oops, i just realised i've been away for almost a month(3 weeks)! The wait for this book is eternal... :( Nothing really much to comment on, except i think i should reread the books to prepare for The Dark Calling :) Not really sure if i've said this before but i think this is what may happen in the following book(s):
The cliche plot
1. Aric dies :"(
2. Evie's baby is endgame
3. Evie's baby is the "reminder" of Aric
4. Evie ends up with Jack
5a. The baby possess weirdish powers (?) or sth and the Emperor dies
OR
5b. The baby possess the power to literally end the game (because he/she/it is the child of 2 Major Arcana cards?)
6. Jack is the Hang Man card (not sure what it has to do with the game tho xD)

The slightly-less-cliche/totally-crazy plot
1. Aric never dies (yay!? XD)
2. Evie dies/but then is resurrected by Aric/or is never resurrected by him
3. Jack is not the Hang Man card (this is kind of like whatever-that-is-opposite-of-the-cliche-plot)
4. Selena is still alive *cue gasp* because NO ONE has seen her marking on the Emperor...yet
5. Calanthe somehow helps them from death because when Evie died several books ago (aka Endless Knight), she could still see everything around her
6. Evie's baby is non-existent/not Aric's (boohoo!!)/not end game/a murderer that kills her during childbirth
7. Jack ends up with Selena
8. Evie ends up with Aric
^^^Somehow i highly doubt it but...oh well. One can dream. Though if KC KILLS Aric...look forward to a fanfic (that is crazy and makes next to zero sense XD) about how Aric pops out of the books and stabs KC in her sleep...JK PLEASE DON'T ARREST ME. IT'S JUST A JOKE I SWEAR BECAUSE UH, HAPPY BELATED APRIL'S FOOLS DAY? (Sorry for the caps XD)

22th June 2017
Argh...when is this coming out??? (I'm very impatient xD) Please please please let it be out...soon. Please.

1st July 2017
So...the month just started...and i don't really have anything new to add...just that i'm still desperately awaiting this book...no release date as of no :( When is it coming???

6th October 2017
Argh I just realised it's been like half a year since I've been waiting...and waiting...for this book. !!! #I'mActuallySurprisinglyPatient...xD

15th February 2018
Ahhh the book is out!! o.O I haven't been checking goodreads lately (too busy with school stuff TT) but it's. Out. !!!

[Under the Covers Book Blog · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book for free from Author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.


Do you ever have that feeling while you're reading a book that you both love it and at the same time want to pull your hair out?  That's kind of what happened to me with this book.  Honestly, this series always has me doing that but I was anticipating a resolution in THE DARK CALLING because I was under the wrong impression that this would be the last book in the series.  Guys, we are not finished yet.  This book isn't the end.  That makes me happy and irritates me at the same time.

But lets go in order.  THE DARK CALLING picks up as soon as ARCANA RISING left off.  It's hard to review without giving you spoilers for that book so suffice it to say that last thing we find out about Evie comes to play a role in this book.  All the doubts that I had while reading that book also disappeared quickly as I got into this one.  And then even more s**t happens to throw things for a loop.

This book was a fun and interesting ride deeper into the world of the Arcana and we are getting closer to the end.  I couldn't put this down.  A lot of things are clarified, some secrets are revealed and the big question of who is the unactivated card is finally answered.  I think this world is extremely cool and I am happy that Ms. Cole is delving a little deeper.  I think continuing the series makes sense from a world building perspective and I'm 100% along for that ride because I do love the game.

Here's where I want to pull my hair out.  The love triangle.  Yes, it's pretty obvious.  I've said this before and I'll say it again.  I love both of these guys.  I can completely relate to Evie and not being able to choose one over the other because I love both of them as much as she loves both of them.  But girl, just pick one!  I also understand that maybe the author has a reason in mind to close out the love triangle at the end of the series but at this point I feel like both guys are just hanging on to have their hearts broken.  Over and over again.  I can't believe I'm actually leaning towards one more than the other, but I think I'm heading in the Death direction.  He just makes my heart beat a little faster.  If you are reading this series...how about you?

OK but enough of that.  Now the characters.  I actually found Evie a lot less annoying in this book than in the previous book.  Yes, some things were not perfect moments and some of her reactions made me want to slap her silly at times.  But she's 17 and has had her mind messed with repeatedly!  So in this book, I was able to forgive her for those.  Death like I said before just made my heart beat a little faster.  And Jack, well, I feel like Jack in a way gave me some closure as my own decision leans towards Death.

The ante for the game has been upped.  There's actions and battles, and yes even some death.  Some comes shockingly easy and some unexpectedly.  But the Arcana have a game to play to restore the world, right?  I can't wait to continue on this ride.

*ARC provided by author
Reviewed by Francesca❤ ♡ Don't want to miss any of our posts? Subscribe to our blog by email! ♡ ❤

[xxkitsunexx · Rating 1 out of 5]

So was it worth all that wait HELLLLLL NOOOOO some time you forget what it was about the main character Evie you just couldn't get along with or enjoy her character given all the time it had taken for this book to come out then BAM right from page one it hits you why you didn't want to read it in the first place if we could take Evie out of this book and transplant a better honest trustworthy honourable and give her a back bone then i would continue with this series i don't want to give and spoiler so i will write a proper review in a week time

[Mara YA Mood Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

All time fave series right here. Right now, peeps!!Wow. Oh wow. I’m bleary eyed, nauseous, covered in Dorito crumbs and totally fucking wrecked right now.

I don’t think there’s a reason to say more. But love you KC! You’re my girl.

The Arcana Chronicles has everything. Everything I’ve ever wanted out of YA. Thank you thank you thank you.

[Jasmine Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won't go into spoilers but I'm so emotional right now!!

•I loved all of the surprises and plot points along the way. When Evie had to leave to the Ash, I loved the company she kept. I won't say who they were, but the crashing personalities and attitudes sure made it entertaining! And I giggled on more than one occasion because of their interactions.

•We finally got to meet the Hanged Man-and that was intense.

•The Emperor didn't play a huge role in this book so I look forward to seeing more of him in the final book.

•And...Jack...the love of my life. He's grown so much since book 1! He was almost like a completely different person. And it hurt. Not because I didn't like who he has become-I LOVE IT-but because of what he has gone through to make him this new person. He's a better person. I love him. I love him. I love him. Always will. Keep an eye out on the scene where he comes back-I laughed, I cried, and my heart soared.

Now I said I won't post spoilers, but there's one quote that I absolutely loved. And have to share it:

"That's the thing about home, bébé. It'll always be there waiting for you."

After I read that, I jokingly said that I was going to tattoo that quote on my body. Though I won't actually go through with it. That has become my favorite quote out of the series-and probably ever.

Just so we're clear-I cried a lot 🙃




12/29/17:

"When Evie receives life-changing—and possibly game-changing—news, she has trouble believing it. Why doesn’t she feel any different? Is it possible someone she trusts might be lying?" Ummm okay. I always thought she was pregnant and just wasn't having any signs, a la I Didn't Know I was Pregnant tv stuff (that show was my guilty pleasure like 7 years ago lol....). But now, I'm watching you Death

"Tensions seethe inside the castle of lost time" Y'know I'm here for the drama ✌🏻️

"Answers might be found outside their stronghold, but will Death help her find them" I mean you don't need to help her Death. In fact, I don't want you to. I need to mess this relationship up so that Evie and Jack can get back together without you in the picture.

"—or prevent her from learning the truth about her future and Jack’s possible survival?" Is Evie the hunter now ;) searching for her man ;)


"A mysterious, sinister power begins to affect all the Arcana in its path." Oh...


" Evie must depend on unexpected allies for survival." MINORS

09/06/17: Coming out in January, maybe sooner, according to Kresley. If it actually comes out in January, then it would be three years since I've seen Evie and Jack together. And I feel like the reunion will be towards the end of the book.

01/10/17: In a way, Death is like Evie's sugar daddy...

08/17/16: I love the cover! I think this one and Poison Princess are my favorite. Can't wait to see what this one is about. If the ending to AR is true, Evie is so screwed. And I want more Jack. And Sol.

[Gemarvellous · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book made me see Evie for the whiney bitch she is, bring on the red witch! If I’d known it was going to be a jack love fest, I wouldn’t have gotten my hopes up for this book. Now all I’m left with is frustration and disappointment.

I honestly wish Jack had remained dead. This book was a filler book, no real plot development, other than some (evil) guy being ‘defeated’. Will only continue reading for Aric, and some of the other major arcana. I love the series but the love triangle takes up too much of the plot, it takes away from all the good parts and causes Evie to devolve into a weak and indecisive heroine.

[Heather Justice]

This book cannot come soon enough!! I am chomping at the bit to see how it ends!!! Please please please let Aric and Evie be the endgame!!!!!