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The Arcana Chronicles #6
From the Grave
The final breathtaking installment of the New York Times bestselling Arcana Chronicles Series by Kresley Cole. . . .
To defeat the Emperor and Fortune, Evie, the great Empress of Arcana, has united with a sea witch, a band of roving warriors, and more than a couple of rogues. But can her unusual alliance defeat an unimaginable evil? Or will blood and hellfire reign on earth forever? May the best hand win. . . .
To defeat the Emperor and Fortune, Evie, the great Empress of Arcana, has united with a sea witch, a band of roving warriors, and more than a couple of rogues. But can her unusual alliance defeat an unimaginable evil? Or will blood and hellfire reign on earth forever? May the best hand win. . . .
356 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 18, 2023
381 people are currently reading
9838 people want to read
About the author
Kresley Cole
67 books27.4k followersKresley 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
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
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April 20, 2023Edit: So the series is finally done. I'm not one for writing reviews so I'll leave that for others, but wow what a book. It definitely didn't go in the direction I expected, but you know what? I'm not mad at how everything went down. Considering all the loose ends I think it ended perfectly.
Edit April 2023: Wow, it's actually coming out. I started this series when I was 20... over a decade ago. While I'm no longer the target audience for this series, I'm actually still excited for the conclusion? Despite all my previous sarcasm I do think Ms. Cole is an amazing writer, and I hope one day we see the TV show adaptation (that was previously a thing, right?)
-------------------
2018: Let's face it, no matter who Evie ends up with (Jack probably) it won't be fair on the other guy she's strung along. She's a selfish biatch and the only possible acceptable pairing left is Jack x Aric. See how she likes being third wheel and left out for once.
Edit April 2023: Wow, it's actually coming out. I started this series when I was 20... over a decade ago. While I'm no longer the target audience for this series, I'm actually still excited for the conclusion? Despite all my previous sarcasm I do think Ms. Cole is an amazing writer, and I hope one day we see the TV show adaptation (that was previously a thing, right?)
-------------------
2018: Let's face it, no matter who Evie ends up with (Jack probably) it won't be fair on the other guy she's strung along. She's a selfish biatch and the only possible acceptable pairing left is Jack x Aric. See how she likes being third wheel and left out for once.
Want to read
February 28, 2018Okay remember the end of DoW, when Aric says to Evie, "You'll win this game, wife, I'll make sure of it. Then you will wait an eternity for me to return." Yeah? B/c that needs to happen.
Our little Empress needs to S U F F E R for all the shit she's put Aric through. Again, and again, and again. She loves me, she loves me not... Just cut the goddamn ties already okay? We all know how this will end (aka with Jack), even though Aric is the one, her "soul mate", as she's said to herself multiple times. (Why, you may ask? Who knows? Because she's selfish and indecisive!)
Evie, just die already. Or something! Go away! Let Aric and Jack both forget you! You're as toxic as your spores and just as clingy as your vines. Just. Die. Already.
Hopping on the #justiceforAric bandwagon because JFC HE DESERVES BETTER
Our little Empress needs to S U F F E R for all the shit she's put Aric through. Again, and again, and again. She loves me, she loves me not... Just cut the goddamn ties already okay? We all know how this will end (aka with Jack), even though Aric is the one, her "soul mate", as she's said to herself multiple times. (Why, you may ask? Who knows? Because she's selfish and indecisive!)
Evie, just die already. Or something! Go away! Let Aric and Jack both forget you! You're as toxic as your spores and just as clingy as your vines. Just. Die. Already.
Hopping on the #justiceforAric bandwagon because JFC HE DESERVES BETTER
Want to read
January 19, 2021*Possible spoilers if you haven't read book 5!*
Hail Tar Ro, baby!
The end is nigh!
And so, a bedtime tale…
Once upon a time, there was a handsome, sexy, sweet, brilliant, fierce, self-sacrificing man (with slightly killer tendencies) named Aric:
Unfortunately, this perfect man fell madly in love with an annoying, fickle girl named Evie:
Evie sometimes treated Aric like garbage, but, alas, he still adored her.
“A touch and a soft look. I am felled.”
“Sievā, I am a planet off its axis.”
And they lived happily ever after. The end. Bam.
We MUST not give up hope! We are so close! Death for the win! I have faith in you, KC. Slay this, girl.
I mean, this is totally not a big deal or anything. I'm completely cool.
#JusticeforAric
#TeamReaper
Hail Tar Ro, baby!
The end is nigh!
And so, a bedtime tale…
Once upon a time, there was a handsome, sexy, sweet, brilliant, fierce, self-sacrificing man (with slightly killer tendencies) named Aric:
Unfortunately, this perfect man fell madly in love with an annoying, fickle girl named Evie:
Evie sometimes treated Aric like garbage, but, alas, he still adored her.
“A touch and a soft look. I am felled.”
“Sievā, I am a planet off its axis.”
And they lived happily ever after. The end. Bam.
We MUST not give up hope! We are so close! Death for the win! I have faith in you, KC. Slay this, girl.
I mean, this is totally not a big deal or anything. I'm completely cool.
#JusticeforAric
#TeamReaper
![Profile Image for Namera [The Literary Invertebrate].](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1647896333i%2F31792110._UX200_CR0%2C96%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
April 20, 2023
⤅ Thank God I got suspicious and skipped to the end, so I avoided putting myself through all of that.
This series has been slowly deteriorating for years. I'm not even talking about the author's five-break hiatus from publishing (the last book came out in 2018) but about the sheer illogicality of Evie's actions, plus the plot in general. You can absolutely tell that Cole just wanted to be done with this series.
Rest is under a spoiler tag, because details about the ending run riot.
So yeah, I'm glad this series is over, but I don't think anyone is as glad as Cole, judging by how that ending was tied up.
This series has been slowly deteriorating for years. I'm not even talking about the author's five-break hiatus from publishing (the last book came out in 2018) but about the sheer illogicality of Evie's actions, plus the plot in general. You can absolutely tell that Cole just wanted to be done with this series.
Rest is under a spoiler tag, because details about the ending run riot.
So yeah, I'm glad this series is over, but I don't think anyone is as glad as Cole, judging by how that ending was tied up.
January 8, 2024
Read review.
Wow. So it took kresley many years to finish this book so the gap between the last and this finale was agonising. In the time it took for the book to be released I'd got married and had a little of my own! It was released last year but due to having my boy very dependent on me I had to pause reading for a while. Anyway I stayed up late to read this every night since I got it.
Jesus Christ I've cried so much from this book allot of characters are killed off in very brutal ways and my heart was just torn reading it. Finding out about the background of the game and why it happens the way it is was very interesting. Reading about Tee growing up pulled at my heart strings too Mini death was definitely my favourite character in the book. Anyway up until maybe last 5 pages before the end, to me the plot was going perfect but I still will never accept the ending without spoiling the book for people it just felt a bit bleh.
Anyway I was hooked throughout his entire book I really really recommend the arcana chronicles books it's such an original idea and I loved going on adventures with them all.
Want to read review
#TeamDeath
#TeamMiniDeath
#JusticeforAric
Can't wait for the finale fingers crossed!
Wow. So it took kresley many years to finish this book so the gap between the last and this finale was agonising. In the time it took for the book to be released I'd got married and had a little of my own! It was released last year but due to having my boy very dependent on me I had to pause reading for a while. Anyway I stayed up late to read this every night since I got it.
Jesus Christ I've cried so much from this book allot of characters are killed off in very brutal ways and my heart was just torn reading it. Finding out about the background of the game and why it happens the way it is was very interesting. Reading about Tee growing up pulled at my heart strings too Mini death was definitely my favourite character in the book. Anyway up until maybe last 5 pages before the end, to me the plot was going perfect but I still will never accept the ending without spoiling the book for people it just felt a bit bleh.
Anyway I was hooked throughout his entire book I really really recommend the arcana chronicles books it's such an original idea and I loved going on adventures with them all.
Want to read review
#TeamDeath
#TeamMiniDeath
#JusticeforAric
Can't wait for the finale fingers crossed!
Want to read
August 10, 20208.10.20: lmao. Guess this book is coming out when rona ends. Which is seemingly never. I was so invested too, but can barely recall any names now. Hopefully Cole figures out an actual release date so I can reread the prequels in time.
Hm. Final book, and how do I feel?
Like fucking shit, okay. Because I am pretty sure that Kresley Cole is gonna make it so that Jack and Evie happen, and I am soooooooo not here for that. But my inner dog nose has been sniffing since the ending of The Dark Calling, and the smell is one dank motherfucking foreboding hint of the Hunter and the Empress.
If it's not clear by now, I support Aric and Evie. However, even as Evie continues to act like a fucking stupid bint who honestly needed to stop bobbing back and forth like an empty-headed, helium-inflated nutjob, I still see her with Aric. I don't see growth when she's with Jack. I see contentment, yeah, but like - why have contentment when you could be conquering the continent with your fucking soulmate? Bitch, the fuck? How is that even a hard choice?
Anyways, my mic has been dropped, and I await the end of this goddamn frustrating series in Spring 2019.
That is, if Kresley doesn't shit on us again and push back the publishing date TWICE like she did with The Dark Calling.
I have no expectations, but I still suspect I'll be disappointed. What a sad fall from how I used to love this series so much.
Hm. Final book, and how do I feel?
Like fucking shit, okay. Because I am pretty sure that Kresley Cole is gonna make it so that Jack and Evie happen, and I am soooooooo not here for that. But my inner dog nose has been sniffing since the ending of The Dark Calling, and the smell is one dank motherfucking foreboding hint of the Hunter and the Empress.
If it's not clear by now, I support Aric and Evie. However, even as Evie continues to act like a fucking stupid bint who honestly needed to stop bobbing back and forth like an empty-headed, helium-inflated nutjob, I still see her with Aric. I don't see growth when she's with Jack. I see contentment, yeah, but like - why have contentment when you could be conquering the continent with your fucking soulmate? Bitch, the fuck? How is that even a hard choice?
Anyways, my mic has been dropped, and I await the end of this goddamn frustrating series in Spring 2019.
That is, if Kresley doesn't shit on us again and push back the publishing date TWICE like she did with The Dark Calling.
I have no expectations, but I still suspect I'll be disappointed. What a sad fall from how I used to love this series so much.
May 15, 2023
Update 5/15/23
Now that I've had a chance to sit with this book and really let my thoughts on it marinate...
BUT I'm not changing my rating. Because this series is ducking awesome as a whole, and I'm still just glad we got a conclusion.
ACTUALLY READ UPDATE (Finally!!!) 5/6/23:
Here's the thing: I've been waiting for this book since the year of our lord 2018. There's almost no way a book could live up to the kind of anticipation I've held. But I've always trusted Kresley Cole --trusted her to rip out my heart and stomp on it but then ultimately make it all better. And in most ways...that's exactly what she did with this final book.
Did I like From the Grave? I'm not sure yet.
Did this book make sense? It did not.
Did I openly weep multiple times? Obviously.
Did I ALMOST get what I wanted from the ending? Yes.
Do I still love this series with my entire being? 1000% yes.
Now. *cracks knuckles* let's really get in to it.
All in all...I'm so, so happy we got the ending to this story. It will forever be a favorite of mine. The writing and storytelling are topnotch. And while I didn't love how it ended, I think I still feel satisfied. It's an ending that will stick with me. I FELT this book. I FEEL this series. And really, what more can we ask for?
Sidebar:
Update 4/17/23:
TOMORROW, TOMORROW, I LUV YA, TOMORROW, YOU'RE ONLY A DAAAY AWAAAAAAY
Update 3/1/23:
One of my friends just finished her first read of the series...and she had the AUDACITY to say to me "I can't believe I have to wait all the way until April to find out how it ends!"
Update 11/17/22:
I AM SO EXCITED AFTER 5 LOOOOONG YEARS WE ACTUALLY HAVE A RELEASE DATE. That I actually believe will stick. I've seen some people saying they're upset we still have to wait until April, but what is 5 months after 5 years, honestly. FINALLY! Now gimme that throuple action *extreme trumpet fanfare and merriment commences*
Update 11/10/2022:
ATTENTION EVERYONE. I'm trying not to get my hopes up too much, buuuut...this got posted yesterday on Kresley's socials!!! "We have some news! I know, it might be hard to believe, but believe it, it’s happening! We are so happy to announce that we will be sharing preorder links and the release date of FROM THE GRAVE later this month via the newsletter."
Update 10/25/22:
Every single time there is a new Insta post from Kresely and it's not an official release date, I die a little bit more inside.
Update 7/14/22:
Annnnnnnnd we've once again lost the "Summer 2022" caption. Kresley. Please. I beg of you. I will love you and your work for all time but PLEASE FOR THE LOVE OF GLOB STOP TOYING WITH MY EMOTIONS THUSLY *insert gif of Mrs. Bennett*
Update 3/7/22:
FOR THE FIRST TIME IN FOUR YEARS I TRULY BELIEVE WE ARE GOING TO GET THIS BOOK! Her Instagram has started to promote it... *me manifesting into the ether* throuple throuple throuple
Update 9/28/21:
SHE HAS EMERGED!!! I...I have hope. For the first time in 3 years I have HOPE WE WILL GET THIS BOOK
Update 11/18/2020:
Oh look. The publication date has disappeared again. What a surprise. We never could have seen it coming. 2020, you just keep taking.
Update 8/24/2020:
There is an official publication date attached to this book. I repeat: THERE IS A PUBLICATION DATE ATTACHED. Or, I guess I should say "official". We shall see. We. Shall. See. #teamthrouple
Update 5/12/20:
Well, April 2020 has come and gone and you know what we have? NOT THIS BOOK.
Every time I check her website or this Goodreads page, the fires of my agony are stoked.
Update 9/17/19:
....April 2020?!?!?!? APRIL MOTHERTRUCKING TWENTY TWENTY?!?!? We are never getting this book, you guys.
Updated 1/18/19:
WHY DOES THIS SERIES KEEP GETTING ITS RELEASE DATES MOVED BACK. LIKE C'MON KRESELY, CAN'T YOU SEE WE'RE SUFFERING?!??
Anyway...
MY BODY IS READY.
For Evie to stop twatwaffling around.
For Richter to get his.
For us to finally have closure.
For this wee Arcana babe to end it all.
Kresley Cole, you magnificent bastard, you honestly have me unsure who I'm rooting for.
Give me Jack or give me Death.
But actually #JusticeforAric
I never thought I'd get as involved in this series as I have. I'm learning to read Tarot now because of it, and it's given me a whole new appreciation!
Now that I've had a chance to sit with this book and really let my thoughts on it marinate...
BUT I'm not changing my rating. Because this series is ducking awesome as a whole, and I'm still just glad we got a conclusion.
ACTUALLY READ UPDATE (Finally!!!) 5/6/23:
Here's the thing: I've been waiting for this book since the year of our lord 2018. There's almost no way a book could live up to the kind of anticipation I've held. But I've always trusted Kresley Cole --trusted her to rip out my heart and stomp on it but then ultimately make it all better. And in most ways...that's exactly what she did with this final book.
Did I like From the Grave? I'm not sure yet.
Did this book make sense? It did not.
Did I openly weep multiple times? Obviously.
Did I ALMOST get what I wanted from the ending? Yes.
Do I still love this series with my entire being? 1000% yes.
Now. *cracks knuckles* let's really get in to it.
All in all...I'm so, so happy we got the ending to this story. It will forever be a favorite of mine. The writing and storytelling are topnotch. And while I didn't love how it ended, I think I still feel satisfied. It's an ending that will stick with me. I FELT this book. I FEEL this series. And really, what more can we ask for?
Sidebar:
Update 4/17/23:
TOMORROW, TOMORROW, I LUV YA, TOMORROW, YOU'RE ONLY A DAAAY AWAAAAAAY
Update 3/1/23:
One of my friends just finished her first read of the series...and she had the AUDACITY to say to me "I can't believe I have to wait all the way until April to find out how it ends!"
Update 11/17/22:
I AM SO EXCITED AFTER 5 LOOOOONG YEARS WE ACTUALLY HAVE A RELEASE DATE. That I actually believe will stick. I've seen some people saying they're upset we still have to wait until April, but what is 5 months after 5 years, honestly. FINALLY! Now gimme that throuple action *extreme trumpet fanfare and merriment commences*
Update 11/10/2022:
ATTENTION EVERYONE. I'm trying not to get my hopes up too much, buuuut...this got posted yesterday on Kresley's socials!!! "We have some news! I know, it might be hard to believe, but believe it, it’s happening! We are so happy to announce that we will be sharing preorder links and the release date of FROM THE GRAVE later this month via the newsletter."
Update 10/25/22:
Every single time there is a new Insta post from Kresely and it's not an official release date, I die a little bit more inside.
Update 7/14/22:
Annnnnnnnd we've once again lost the "Summer 2022" caption. Kresley. Please. I beg of you. I will love you and your work for all time but PLEASE FOR THE LOVE OF GLOB STOP TOYING WITH MY EMOTIONS THUSLY *insert gif of Mrs. Bennett*
Update 3/7/22:
FOR THE FIRST TIME IN FOUR YEARS I TRULY BELIEVE WE ARE GOING TO GET THIS BOOK! Her Instagram has started to promote it... *me manifesting into the ether* throuple throuple throuple
Update 9/28/21:
SHE HAS EMERGED!!! I...I have hope. For the first time in 3 years I have HOPE WE WILL GET THIS BOOK
Update 11/18/2020:
Oh look. The publication date has disappeared again. What a surprise. We never could have seen it coming. 2020, you just keep taking.
Update 8/24/2020:
There is an official publication date attached to this book. I repeat: THERE IS A PUBLICATION DATE ATTACHED. Or, I guess I should say "official". We shall see. We. Shall. See. #teamthrouple
Update 5/12/20:
Well, April 2020 has come and gone and you know what we have? NOT THIS BOOK.
Every time I check her website or this Goodreads page, the fires of my agony are stoked.
Update 9/17/19:
....April 2020?!?!?!? APRIL MOTHERTRUCKING TWENTY TWENTY?!?!? We are never getting this book, you guys.
Updated 1/18/19:
WHY DOES THIS SERIES KEEP GETTING ITS RELEASE DATES MOVED BACK. LIKE C'MON KRESELY, CAN'T YOU SEE WE'RE SUFFERING?!??
Anyway...
MY BODY IS READY.
For Evie to stop twatwaffling around.
For Richter to get his.
For us to finally have closure.
For this wee Arcana babe to end it all.
Kresley Cole, you magnificent bastard, you honestly have me unsure who I'm rooting for.
Give me Jack or give me Death.
But actually #JusticeforAric
I never thought I'd get as involved in this series as I have. I'm learning to read Tarot now because of it, and it's given me a whole new appreciation!
March 31, 2018
TIL DEATH DO US PART!
I hated the last book-SO MUCH, but at this point- I feel so invested in this story and the characters- I did really love all the other books prior to #5.
I will hang around with every one else and see what happens- But Aric better have a happy ending, SERIOUSLY or I'm going to run screaming down the street!
We're all in this together- You hold my hand and I'll hold yours (probably squeezing it way too tight).
DEATH BABY- IT's always been ARIC- He's the only one that matters in this whole story to me...
But, I think I'll start doing cartwheels around my house if Evie ends up dying.
Maybe she dies during childbirth- that would be such a perfect happy ending for DEATH (and Jack).
Or, Maybe Evie gets eaten by cannibals...
or maybe Evie gets hit by Jack while riding his motorcycle..
or maybe Evie can self combust or get hit on the head by a large boulder..
Just saying, Evie should die. SERIOUSLY though. I hate her so much.
No redeeming qualities what so ever!
Or maybe Aric and Jack could fall in love and kill Evie.....
They could be happy together or apart either way- I'm totally down for that-
They could raise their son together,
(wink, wink- they both consider the unborn baby both their son already) -
What an awesome twist that would be, non? -Just some suggestions KC- so you're next book is better..
I hated the last book-SO MUCH, but at this point- I feel so invested in this story and the characters- I did really love all the other books prior to #5.
I will hang around with every one else and see what happens- But Aric better have a happy ending, SERIOUSLY or I'm going to run screaming down the street!
We're all in this together- You hold my hand and I'll hold yours (probably squeezing it way too tight).
DEATH BABY- IT's always been ARIC- He's the only one that matters in this whole story to me...
But, I think I'll start doing cartwheels around my house if Evie ends up dying.
Maybe she dies during childbirth- that would be such a perfect happy ending for DEATH (and Jack).
Or, Maybe Evie gets eaten by cannibals...
or maybe Evie gets hit by Jack while riding his motorcycle..
or maybe Evie can self combust or get hit on the head by a large boulder..
Just saying, Evie should die. SERIOUSLY though. I hate her so much.
No redeeming qualities what so ever!
Or maybe Aric and Jack could fall in love and kill Evie.....
They could be happy together or apart either way- I'm totally down for that-
They could raise their son together,
(wink, wink- they both consider the unborn baby both their son already) -
What an awesome twist that would be, non? -Just some suggestions KC- so you're next book is better..
April 20, 2023
Team Jack all the way! As he says "it'll always be Evie and Jack". Now I'm not saying I don't like Aric, I do! I wish I didn't, it'd make these books a lot easier and lot less emotional! But Evie chose Jack, he's her one true love, if it wasn't for her thinking he'd died and then getting pregnant she would always pick Jack and he would always pick her. They're meant to be. Please bring them back together KC. TEAM JACK!
August 20, 2023
2023 update: I am just crying my eyes out right now! The first half was so sweet and heartwarming and then the last half had me in tears! For various reasons even though I mostly expected a lot of it! I didn’t really see that ending coming, but I’m mostly satisfied with what I got. I did want more details though, the last two chapters were so rushed. Good job though Kresley Cole!
2018:
Please please please let this one be better. The Dark Calling was just:
I really want Aric to have a happy ending; he’s my favorite character. And I really hope nobody else I like dies. So please Kresley Cole!
Edit: One other thing I'd really like to happen in the last book is Aric's Arcana Call. He's the only one we haven't heard.
2018:
Please please please let this one be better. The Dark Calling was just:
I really want Aric to have a happy ending; he’s my favorite character. And I really hope nobody else I like dies. So please Kresley Cole!
Edit: One other thing I'd really like to happen in the last book is Aric's Arcana Call. He's the only one we haven't heard.
Want to read
June 18, 2018Okay, the way things are going, I think it's pretty clear Evie will end up with Jack (sigh). So I hope she wins the game, and the epilogue is in 1,000 years, and after Jack died of old age, she spent the entire time studying magic so that she can stop the game from occurring again while give all the reincarnations of the other cards all the memories of their previous lives (the most recent one at least) and Evie will see Aric and be like "This time, I was the one who waited for YOU."
March 13, 2018
Team Jack, me 😉
March 27, 2023
This book just blew me away. Plain and simple. I have no words. I don’t think I’ve ever cried while reading a book as much as I did reading this one, during the last 50% it was just me sobbing and trying to read through the tears. Some of them sad, some of them happy.
From the Grave is the highly awaited finale of the Arcana Chronicles and I genuinely think Kresley did an amazing job wrapping up the series. I don’t want to say too much because it’s definitely a book you want to go in blind, there are so many good plot twists that I didn’t see coming and yet made so much sense. I think the whole book is absolutely brilliant.
Of course, it’s a series where characters have to kill each other to win a game, so losses are expected. A lot happens throughout. Again, I won’t say more, but Kresley didn’t pull any punches with this one and I loved it. It made me cry and it was brutal at times, but it also made sense considering the nature of the story. Plus, if you’ve read the other books (which you should since this isn’t a standalone) you know how Kresley can be, she isn’t afraid to make her readers cry and suffer…a little.
I know a lot of readers were afraid because this is the last book and they felt like so many things needed to be resolved, but I can confidently say that you shouldn’t be. Kresley is a master at her craft and she knows what she’s doing. Again, she blew me away.
As for the infamous love triangle, Aric or Jack, Jack or Aric? I guess you’ll need to read and find out!
Disclaimer: I was able to read an early copy of this book because I work for the author.
From the Grave is the highly awaited finale of the Arcana Chronicles and I genuinely think Kresley did an amazing job wrapping up the series. I don’t want to say too much because it’s definitely a book you want to go in blind, there are so many good plot twists that I didn’t see coming and yet made so much sense. I think the whole book is absolutely brilliant.
Of course, it’s a series where characters have to kill each other to win a game, so losses are expected. A lot happens throughout. Again, I won’t say more, but Kresley didn’t pull any punches with this one and I loved it. It made me cry and it was brutal at times, but it also made sense considering the nature of the story. Plus, if you’ve read the other books (which you should since this isn’t a standalone) you know how Kresley can be, she isn’t afraid to make her readers cry and suffer…a little.
I know a lot of readers were afraid because this is the last book and they felt like so many things needed to be resolved, but I can confidently say that you shouldn’t be. Kresley is a master at her craft and she knows what she’s doing. Again, she blew me away.
As for the infamous love triangle, Aric or Jack, Jack or Aric? I guess you’ll need to read and find out!
Disclaimer: I was able to read an early copy of this book because I work for the author.
Want to read
May 23, 2018TEAM JACK!!! I think from the last book we can all surmise that Evie will choose Jack, always. I mean Jack had to convince Evie not to go with him and fix her relationship with Aric.
It'll always be Jack and Evie.
It'll always be Jack and Evie.
Read
April 19, 2023I’ve never disliked a book more in my entire life. I thought i didn’t like the ACOTAR series. I thought I didn’t like the ending of the Infernal Devices trilogy. But never have I hated the ending of a love triangle more than the travesty that was in this book. I started reading this series in MIDDLE SCHOOL. As a college graduate, I can’t believe I’ve spent all these years anticipating the end of a series only to get this. The only possible way I will ever look at another title from this author is if I see a book in the future that attempts to do justice for the character that is Aric Dominija. Every other character in this series is completely useless. And the way he was just treated in the end of this book? Killed off as a plot device so your chosen couple can get chapters dedicated to their happy life? His own freaking son calling another man ‘dad’? Evie having more freaking kids with Jack? Then me jumping to the end, so I can try and end this absolute train wreck with the reunion scene of Evie and Aric now that they’ve been reincarnated 100s of years in the future. And you are really trying to tell me that you reincarnated Jack too? And she ends this series in a freaking throuple? After already having her stupid mortal life with Jack? You are completely spitting in the face of any reader who was pulling for Aric. I didn’t even get to see Aric and Evie reunite because she was so focused on the fact that her beloved Jack had reincarnated too, because the author doesn’t know how to kill her darlings and let the freaking humans stay human and just die. I’m clearly upset, but I genuinely don’t see my opinion changing on this book. And the most frustrating part? This ending was so incredibly skewed towards Jack from the freaking start. I can’t believe I even hoped for anything different.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 20, 2023
04/20/2023: First off, I do want to give kudos to the author for coming back and finishing the book. It was long hiatus and while not an ending I necessarily loved I do commend her for coming back. And the dedication to the readers was nice too.
As for the book itself - it didn’t feel like Jack or Aric. I felt like their unique voice/personality was lost in this book. They almost sounded like the the exact same person?
I feel like the previous books had such good lead up to the battle scenes and were filled with discoveries and revelations.
I think we spent so much time of this book with just no forward progress. Once the big battle happened - (I read this on an e reader so it was like page 1000 of 1600 for me) I couldn’t believe how much of the story was left and how quickly the battle was over.
Even the deaths didn’t feel as poignant- just sort of glossed over…
As for the love triangle ending - omg. Just so stupid. It could’ve been so clean and it wasn’t even necessary to do what she did. It felt like bad writing and the authors fear of pissing off 1/2 the fandom. Plus she wasn’t consistent - reincarnation for non arcana?
The series started sooo strong and just sort of flopped at the end. But I’m happy for the closure!
UPDATE:
Well, well, well guess whose doing JUST FINE!!!
From the Grave - now will be released FALL of 2020!!!!
I think I’m going to write the ending myself on watt pad. It’s gotta be better than this.
It’s not coming out guys... this August publication date is a lie. You can’t preorder the book anywhere so it’ll just pass us by like her earlier suspense she missed. Truly sucks that she treats her readers like crap.
I guess she couldn’t decide between team aric or Jack.
As for the book itself - it didn’t feel like Jack or Aric. I felt like their unique voice/personality was lost in this book. They almost sounded like the the exact same person?
I feel like the previous books had such good lead up to the battle scenes and were filled with discoveries and revelations.
I think we spent so much time of this book with just no forward progress. Once the big battle happened - (I read this on an e reader so it was like page 1000 of 1600 for me) I couldn’t believe how much of the story was left and how quickly the battle was over.
Even the deaths didn’t feel as poignant- just sort of glossed over…
As for the love triangle ending - omg. Just so stupid. It could’ve been so clean and it wasn’t even necessary to do what she did. It felt like bad writing and the authors fear of pissing off 1/2 the fandom. Plus she wasn’t consistent - reincarnation for non arcana?
The series started sooo strong and just sort of flopped at the end. But I’m happy for the closure!
UPDATE:
Well, well, well guess whose doing JUST FINE!!!
From the Grave - now will be released FALL of 2020!!!!
I think I’m going to write the ending myself on watt pad. It’s gotta be better than this.
It’s not coming out guys... this August publication date is a lie. You can’t preorder the book anywhere so it’ll just pass us by like her earlier suspense she missed. Truly sucks that she treats her readers like crap.
I guess she couldn’t decide between team aric or Jack.
September 9, 2018
I feel like the answer to the Jack or Aric question should be obvious to Evie by now. Seriously, girl needs to take a second listen to Sol's story and realize it's remarkably similar to what she's going through with her loves. AND he provided the solution of her dilemma in it.
Aric and Jack already like each other, and they both love her. Give them enough time, remove the thought from each of their heads that the other is a rival, and boom! Happy poly relationship. Ok, so maybe Jack and Aric can't have a physical relationship (probably) due to Death's touch, and Deveraux can't fall in love a second time, but dammit, there's more than one kind of love! They already like each other as people, get along swimmingly and balance each other out. They want to protect Evie (and can I just take a moment to say that I love that we have a strong female character who's not physically strong and is easily beaten without her Empress powers? Adore it!), the best way to do that is together.
Let the men bond some more, let them develop love and affection for each other outside of their shared love for Evie (which has already begun, what with Jack being Aric's only real friend and Jack's little thrill every time Aric compliments him), let them stop seeing the other as the one who can take their family from them, and let them realize the other is part of that family. Give the baby two daddies and a mommy that love him (and maybe a little sibling with Jack's dark hair) and then let them beat the game with their ragtag bunch of Arcana allies.
Aric and Jack already like each other, and they both love her. Give them enough time, remove the thought from each of their heads that the other is a rival, and boom! Happy poly relationship. Ok, so maybe Jack and Aric can't have a physical relationship (probably) due to Death's touch, and Deveraux can't fall in love a second time, but dammit, there's more than one kind of love! They already like each other as people, get along swimmingly and balance each other out. They want to protect Evie (and can I just take a moment to say that I love that we have a strong female character who's not physically strong and is easily beaten without her Empress powers? Adore it!), the best way to do that is together.
Let the men bond some more, let them develop love and affection for each other outside of their shared love for Evie (which has already begun, what with Jack being Aric's only real friend and Jack's little thrill every time Aric compliments him), let them stop seeing the other as the one who can take their family from them, and let them realize the other is part of that family. Give the baby two daddies and a mommy that love him (and maybe a little sibling with Jack's dark hair) and then let them beat the game with their ragtag bunch of Arcana allies.
Want to read
April 8, 2020Finally!
Want to read
February 13, 20182/13/2018: YES!!!!!! Please don’t let this be another two year long break😭. I’m dying to know how the series will wrap up and if Evie will finally decide who she wants to be with🙏🏼.
May 12, 2023
SPOILERS AHEAD:
After reading the final book, I took some time to really think about it. Then I watched Kresley Cole's Q&A in Youtube and I'm finally ready to leave my review. In a nutshell, I can wholeheartedly say that KC has squandered and betrayed her reader's faith and almost-blind-love by choosing to wrap up The Arcana Chronicles with this book.
Here's why:
FIRST: Since the last 2-3 books, we've been promised to incessant foreshadowing and battle-preparations, a fantastic, apocalyptic end-battle-to-end-all-battles with Richter. Let's remember he pretty much created a lava lake and killed a whole army numbered in the hundreds by drowning them in it.
Based on that precedent and the build up, I expected Richter to freaking create volcanoes or something fantastic, something bombastic, something really challenging and SCARY!
What did we get instead? Some lava streams, a very misogynistic little boy, and the Empress killing him almost immediately. Lackluster as a word is not strong enough to describe this conclusion.
Sure, Death's battle with Zara was interesting (I dare say, that part of the battle was the better, even if it was somewhat lacking), but the star of the show was supposed to be Richter. It was absolutely disappointing, underwhelming, and a complete waste of narrative potential. I don't understand how Kresley got that on paper, I truly don't. Did her imagination give out?
Also, small thing, but oh well: both Zara and Richter were supremely underdeveloped. We knew much more about The Lovers, The Hierophant, etc., than about these guys. Zara doesn't even speak in the whole series! She's just a trigger-happy helicopter-psycho madwoman.
SECOND: Kresley said this in her Q&A, almost literally: she thinks that "playing with people's feelings it's her job" as a writer.
No, it's not. You are a writer, Kresley. Your job is to write a good story, a believable story, something that suspends disbelief.
Sure, of course, you also need to portray emotions... but your job is not to be a Cryfest Master Coordinator.
And that's what this book was. It was absolutely full of scenes made to shatter your heart, though deep down they were devoid of narrative importance.
And I think, if anyone goes and reads the 5 star reviews, you'll see a lot of women crying and saying this 'was fantastic but how hurt they are', etc, etc.
In short... This was manipulative. And not in the good-crafty way.
This book is FULL of manufactured emotions.
But a good story? A logical plot? There's none of that. All is buried under the sea of tears this cryfest elicited on the readers, and Kresley knew it, I'm sure of it now. This was a weak story drowned in tears.
THREE: This is the biggest problem. Kresley lied to us. We were marketed and sold a story about a girl having to choose between two men. But in the end said girl decided to keep both.
So many problems with this.
You strung along your readers to end up with a disappointing ending. It's not hard to imagine that many would not have read a story where the woman wanted to be with 2 men. Especially if you consider Kresley's fan base, and her books, always with monogamous couples.
The reason is simple, we DON’T like those kinds of “relationships”. We don’t believe in them, we don’t think they work, or that they hold the same holiness that monogamous relationships do. And we don’t care about the year being 2023, nor do we care about your desire to shove that propaganda down our throats! Therefore, we DON’T want to read about them. Is that so hard to understand? The book should have been marketed in a different way, to get the right public. And I don’t care about the “But that would have spoiled the end!” argument. The alternative was you lying and betraying your reader’s trust, KC. There were other ways to get the ending you wanted without making us pay for 7 books to get this.
But what’s worse still? The way she did it.
In her Q&A, KC said: "Well it's 2023, why can't Evie get both men?" So we are welcome to a political statement.
Also, during her whole Q&A she NEVER even mentions for a moment how Jack and Aric would fare suddenly having to "share" Evie. Not a single moment or thought is given to how that conflict would be resolved.
Cause, same as Kresley forced their readers to live this ending, she got Evie forcing the decision to be a throuple on the boys. In the final pages of the books, NOTHING is explained about how that is resolved, which OF COURSE was a HUGE thing! Jack and Aric were rivals for books, and now they will happily share her?
Who will kiss her first and who will last, and will resent the other?
Who will have sex with her first and who will last, and resent the other?
Bad, selfish writing all around. But then again, Evie is all she talks about in the Q&A.
Evie is, in a way, Kresley, with all of her selfishness.
FOUR: Kresley said it in her Q&A: she knows things she won't say, and decided not to write in the book, cause "it hurts more not to know" and she wanted "readers to take what they would take" (like how Fauna dies).
Kresley, your job was to write a story. We paid you to write a story, through all of the books we bought. You decided not to write parts that you knew would be important and requested by your readers.
I repeat, your job is TO.WRITE. Somehow, you got lost in this delusion. It doesn't make your books better or cooler or more mysterious, it makes them lacking. It makes your bad writing decision a disrespect to your readers. It makes you self centered. It makes you as selfish as Evie.
FINALLY: I have to say that while I've read all of her IAD books, there were always things that bothered me, but I think I was blinded to them due to the fact that the monogamy aspect of the story was respected.
This series showed me Kresley is an illusion creator, but not the good kind. She's an incredibly selfish, self centered writer, who creates selfish and self centered characters that mirror her.
I'm sorry she's getting so many 5 star reviews. She doesn't deserve them. But with all of this coddling, she won't learn from this massive mistake.
Therefore, as an author, she doesn't exist to me anymore. And if anyone mentions her or her work in the future, I will do the opposite of recommending her. Save people some time.
There's so many authors who respect their fans and are not selfish, and are good, true writers who don’t play cheap tricks. Let's go to them.
After reading the final book, I took some time to really think about it. Then I watched Kresley Cole's Q&A in Youtube and I'm finally ready to leave my review. In a nutshell, I can wholeheartedly say that KC has squandered and betrayed her reader's faith and almost-blind-love by choosing to wrap up The Arcana Chronicles with this book.
Here's why:
FIRST: Since the last 2-3 books, we've been promised to incessant foreshadowing and battle-preparations, a fantastic, apocalyptic end-battle-to-end-all-battles with Richter. Let's remember he pretty much created a lava lake and killed a whole army numbered in the hundreds by drowning them in it.
Based on that precedent and the build up, I expected Richter to freaking create volcanoes or something fantastic, something bombastic, something really challenging and SCARY!
What did we get instead? Some lava streams, a very misogynistic little boy, and the Empress killing him almost immediately. Lackluster as a word is not strong enough to describe this conclusion.
Sure, Death's battle with Zara was interesting (I dare say, that part of the battle was the better, even if it was somewhat lacking), but the star of the show was supposed to be Richter. It was absolutely disappointing, underwhelming, and a complete waste of narrative potential. I don't understand how Kresley got that on paper, I truly don't. Did her imagination give out?
Also, small thing, but oh well: both Zara and Richter were supremely underdeveloped. We knew much more about The Lovers, The Hierophant, etc., than about these guys. Zara doesn't even speak in the whole series! She's just a trigger-happy helicopter-psycho madwoman.
SECOND: Kresley said this in her Q&A, almost literally: she thinks that "playing with people's feelings it's her job" as a writer.
No, it's not. You are a writer, Kresley. Your job is to write a good story, a believable story, something that suspends disbelief.
Sure, of course, you also need to portray emotions... but your job is not to be a Cryfest Master Coordinator.
And that's what this book was. It was absolutely full of scenes made to shatter your heart, though deep down they were devoid of narrative importance.
And I think, if anyone goes and reads the 5 star reviews, you'll see a lot of women crying and saying this 'was fantastic but how hurt they are', etc, etc.
In short... This was manipulative. And not in the good-crafty way.
This book is FULL of manufactured emotions.
But a good story? A logical plot? There's none of that. All is buried under the sea of tears this cryfest elicited on the readers, and Kresley knew it, I'm sure of it now. This was a weak story drowned in tears.
THREE: This is the biggest problem. Kresley lied to us. We were marketed and sold a story about a girl having to choose between two men. But in the end said girl decided to keep both.
So many problems with this.
You strung along your readers to end up with a disappointing ending. It's not hard to imagine that many would not have read a story where the woman wanted to be with 2 men. Especially if you consider Kresley's fan base, and her books, always with monogamous couples.
The reason is simple, we DON’T like those kinds of “relationships”. We don’t believe in them, we don’t think they work, or that they hold the same holiness that monogamous relationships do. And we don’t care about the year being 2023, nor do we care about your desire to shove that propaganda down our throats! Therefore, we DON’T want to read about them. Is that so hard to understand? The book should have been marketed in a different way, to get the right public. And I don’t care about the “But that would have spoiled the end!” argument. The alternative was you lying and betraying your reader’s trust, KC. There were other ways to get the ending you wanted without making us pay for 7 books to get this.
But what’s worse still? The way she did it.
In her Q&A, KC said: "Well it's 2023, why can't Evie get both men?" So we are welcome to a political statement.
Also, during her whole Q&A she NEVER even mentions for a moment how Jack and Aric would fare suddenly having to "share" Evie. Not a single moment or thought is given to how that conflict would be resolved.
Cause, same as Kresley forced their readers to live this ending, she got Evie forcing the decision to be a throuple on the boys. In the final pages of the books, NOTHING is explained about how that is resolved, which OF COURSE was a HUGE thing! Jack and Aric were rivals for books, and now they will happily share her?
Who will kiss her first and who will last, and will resent the other?
Who will have sex with her first and who will last, and resent the other?
Bad, selfish writing all around. But then again, Evie is all she talks about in the Q&A.
Evie is, in a way, Kresley, with all of her selfishness.
FOUR: Kresley said it in her Q&A: she knows things she won't say, and decided not to write in the book, cause "it hurts more not to know" and she wanted "readers to take what they would take" (like how Fauna dies).
Kresley, your job was to write a story. We paid you to write a story, through all of the books we bought. You decided not to write parts that you knew would be important and requested by your readers.
I repeat, your job is TO.WRITE. Somehow, you got lost in this delusion. It doesn't make your books better or cooler or more mysterious, it makes them lacking. It makes your bad writing decision a disrespect to your readers. It makes you self centered. It makes you as selfish as Evie.
FINALLY: I have to say that while I've read all of her IAD books, there were always things that bothered me, but I think I was blinded to them due to the fact that the monogamy aspect of the story was respected.
This series showed me Kresley is an illusion creator, but not the good kind. She's an incredibly selfish, self centered writer, who creates selfish and self centered characters that mirror her.
I'm sorry she's getting so many 5 star reviews. She doesn't deserve them. But with all of this coddling, she won't learn from this massive mistake.
Therefore, as an author, she doesn't exist to me anymore. And if anyone mentions her or her work in the future, I will do the opposite of recommending her. Save people some time.
There's so many authors who respect their fans and are not selfish, and are good, true writers who don’t play cheap tricks. Let's go to them.
April 30, 2023
4-4.5 ⭐'s
”Ah, peekôn…it was always you.”
I can't believe it took FIVE years for this book to come out and yet, I was able to get right into the story so seamlessly.
It was great getting caught up with everyone but seriously, all I wanted was Jack, Evie and Aric and we got that in spades. There's even a new character that will grab your heart.
I wasn't as impressed with the "big" battle and in fact, I was shocked about what happened with several characters.
And then the heartbreak happens. Yes, I cried...not too much with the first one but a lot with the second one.
Then, there's the ending. I said this in my review for The Dark Calling: "BTW, have you heard of Brother Husbands? #TeamJaric all the way!! ;)". ~Sigh~
Current standings of Players at the end of The Dark Calling **definite spoilers!
”Ah, peekôn…it was always you.”
I can't believe it took FIVE years for this book to come out and yet, I was able to get right into the story so seamlessly.
It was great getting caught up with everyone but seriously, all I wanted was Jack, Evie and Aric and we got that in spades. There's even a new character that will grab your heart.
I wasn't as impressed with the "big" battle and in fact, I was shocked about what happened with several characters.
And then the heartbreak happens. Yes, I cried...not too much with the first one but a lot with the second one.
Then, there's the ending. I said this in my review for The Dark Calling: "BTW, have you heard of Brother Husbands? #TeamJaric all the way!! ;)". ~Sigh~
Current standings of Players at the end of The Dark Calling **definite spoilers!
August 17, 2018
I think we all know how this will end, sadly evie will be crying and holding death in her hands as he slowly slips away and the game is won by her. Her and Jack will name the baby after aric and they'll ride off in the sunset blah blah blah :( my heart is already breaking for this book and it's the finale so you know it's going to be long and heartbreaking and all us aric fans are going to be ruined I tells ya just ruuuuuined!
August 11, 2019
An August 2019 release date, huh? We're almost halfway through August already and this book isn't even available for preorder and there's still no exact date for release. Not to mention that it was originally supposed to be released months ago.
I don't even know what to call Kresley. I've never seen a published author do something like this before, and especially not twice in a row. When The Dark Calling got pushed back twice 2 years ago, she blamed a broken leg and the hurricanes in Florida, even though both occurred months after the original set release date, so it had absolutely no correlation.
Now she can't even muster up a feeble excuse for another overly extended wait period. I honestly feel like she had no idea where she was going with this story and hasn't completed it nor knows how to, but instead of fessing up about it, she continues to lie while stringing along readers who've been patiently anticipating the release even though after last time, we're kind of stupid for expecting better from her.
At this point, does it even matter who Evie ends up with when it would be a miracle to even just have some kind of conclusion to this story?
I don't even know what to call Kresley. I've never seen a published author do something like this before, and especially not twice in a row. When The Dark Calling got pushed back twice 2 years ago, she blamed a broken leg and the hurricanes in Florida, even though both occurred months after the original set release date, so it had absolutely no correlation.
Now she can't even muster up a feeble excuse for another overly extended wait period. I honestly feel like she had no idea where she was going with this story and hasn't completed it nor knows how to, but instead of fessing up about it, she continues to lie while stringing along readers who've been patiently anticipating the release even though after last time, we're kind of stupid for expecting better from her.
At this point, does it even matter who Evie ends up with when it would be a miracle to even just have some kind of conclusion to this story?
February 10, 2020
I'm starting to think that the reason this book's release date keeps getting pushed and pushed is because Cole is seeing just how much people are hating the main character and how most fans want Aric to be chosen. Maybe since she likely wrote the original ending with Evie and Jack, she's re-writing the story for Evie to choose Aric instead. One can hope there's a legitimate reason for this ridiculous delay.
April 20, 2023
I waited so long for this book ... now that I am finished reading, I feel like I had better not read this book, but stopped after the previous one and believed in and lived with my own speculations. I feel like the author didn't give much love to writing this final book, but just wanted to wrap the series up and be done with it ...
This book didn't do Aric justice.
And Evie doesn't deserve either of the guys.
This book didn't do Aric justice.
And Evie doesn't deserve either of the guys.
July 7, 2023
Update 2023: Spoiler alert read at your own risk
What the heck did I just read. 5 long years I waited for this garbage. So basically......the author chose not to decide who she ended up with. Now they are in a polygamos relationship for all of eternity. I would have been happy with her just deciding on one. This reminds me of Cassandra's Clares ending of Clockwork Princess. But at least Tessa spent time with both dudes in different lifetimes. That made sense. I dunno. This whole book was just weird. Glad it's over.
Review from many years ago..
No seriously..when THE FUCK is this book coming out? I committed so much time and money into reading this series. I just need an ending. At this point I don't care who ends up with who (secretly hoping its Death/Aric) I just want a conclusion. Give me 20 pages SOMETHING!!! I am so emotionally committed to this series it's not funny.
Lady you cannot start a series and then not finish it. It's been years. Pick a date and stick to it. Your not George R. Martin.
What the heck did I just read. 5 long years I waited for this garbage. So basically......the author chose not to decide who she ended up with. Now they are in a polygamos relationship for all of eternity. I would have been happy with her just deciding on one. This reminds me of Cassandra's Clares ending of Clockwork Princess. But at least Tessa spent time with both dudes in different lifetimes. That made sense. I dunno. This whole book was just weird. Glad it's over.
Review from many years ago..
No seriously..when THE FUCK is this book coming out? I committed so much time and money into reading this series. I just need an ending. At this point I don't care who ends up with who (secretly hoping its Death/Aric) I just want a conclusion. Give me 20 pages SOMETHING!!! I am so emotionally committed to this series it's not funny.
Lady you cannot start a series and then not finish it. It's been years. Pick a date and stick to it. Your not George R. Martin.
April 18, 2023
Most of the book was pretty good but the end was not it for me. Without spoiling anything I’ll just say I don’t feel like it came together and it was wrapped up in kind of a lazy way. Obviously Kresley Cole had something going on with her extended absence and since reading this and Munro - I think I’ve either outgrown these books or she’s lost the touch, because they really don’t read like her past entries.
It’s still worth the read to finish the series but it’s not how I envisioned it ending.
It’s still worth the read to finish the series but it’s not how I envisioned it ending.
April 23, 2023
i loved the ending. Such a satisfying conclusion to a series i had grown so attached to ! Iktr EVIE!
*the ending made me cry a little lol*
The audiobooks are narrated by Emma Galvin and i loved it so much I think she made me enjoy the series that much more!
*the ending made me cry a little lol*
The audiobooks are narrated by Emma Galvin and i loved it so much I think she made me enjoy the series that much more!
August 13, 2023
Update: August 13, 2023
I don't even know what to say at this point. This book was a pile of random garbage. All of the mysteries that kept people reading, (No one cares about Evie) are never even talked about or cleared up. The author must have forgotten them in her 5-6 year hiatus.
I feel bad for Aric, and I feel bad for Jack.
I get why Jack was there. Evie was way too stupid to be able to survive on her own after the flash. But I felt he had more chemistry and things in common with Selena.
Aric, the poor fool, only knew betrayal and how to get scraps of love so of course he didn't know that the way Evie treated him was complete bullshit. Poor guy needed a therapist and possibly Circe. Evie should've died alone and unloved.
But let's face it, when Evie became pregnant, there was no more hope for this series. Teenage pregnancy is not a plot twist. It's sad and ridiculous. Especially in an apocalyptic setting! It's like in The Walking Dead when Lori dies giving birth to her baby.. and the baby cries and lures walkers every episode. Half of that season was spent hunting for diapers and formula. Idk why writers decide children/babies are great plot twists in apocalyptic worlds. It's stupid and cheap drama that is completely unnecessary and didn't need to be there at all if the writing/story is actually decent.
I doubt I'll ever read another KC book. I quit reading IAD after she snuck that BL book into the series. I'm not a fan of that either. Same reason I quit reading the Black Dagger Brotherhood series. Hetero monogamous then BAM book 16 Homo. Wtf. That's just wrong. Just because I'm a woman doesn't mean I like to read romance books about two men.
Update: January 28, 2021
If Cole waits much longer she's going to be right up there with George RR Martin. I've waited 10 years for the next book in A Song of Ice and Fire. At least Cole isn't old and likely to die before finishing her series.
How many times has this book been postponed? I've lost count. At this point, I only want closure for the storyline. Jack still hasn't been killed off, Aric is still being treated like a second rate citizen, and Evie has been screwing them both (literally and figuratively). Maybe the baby will set off the apocalypse when it's born and they'll all die. Best case scenario.
I don't even know what to say at this point. This book was a pile of random garbage. All of the mysteries that kept people reading, (No one cares about Evie) are never even talked about or cleared up. The author must have forgotten them in her 5-6 year hiatus.
I feel bad for Aric, and I feel bad for Jack.
I get why Jack was there. Evie was way too stupid to be able to survive on her own after the flash. But I felt he had more chemistry and things in common with Selena.
Aric, the poor fool, only knew betrayal and how to get scraps of love so of course he didn't know that the way Evie treated him was complete bullshit. Poor guy needed a therapist and possibly Circe. Evie should've died alone and unloved.
But let's face it, when Evie became pregnant, there was no more hope for this series. Teenage pregnancy is not a plot twist. It's sad and ridiculous. Especially in an apocalyptic setting! It's like in The Walking Dead when Lori dies giving birth to her baby.. and the baby cries and lures walkers every episode. Half of that season was spent hunting for diapers and formula. Idk why writers decide children/babies are great plot twists in apocalyptic worlds. It's stupid and cheap drama that is completely unnecessary and didn't need to be there at all if the writing/story is actually decent.
I doubt I'll ever read another KC book. I quit reading IAD after she snuck that BL book into the series. I'm not a fan of that either. Same reason I quit reading the Black Dagger Brotherhood series. Hetero monogamous then BAM book 16 Homo. Wtf. That's just wrong. Just because I'm a woman doesn't mean I like to read romance books about two men.
Update: January 28, 2021
If Cole waits much longer she's going to be right up there with George RR Martin. I've waited 10 years for the next book in A Song of Ice and Fire. At least Cole isn't old and likely to die before finishing her series.
How many times has this book been postponed? I've lost count. At this point, I only want closure for the storyline. Jack still hasn't been killed off, Aric is still being treated like a second rate citizen, and Evie has been screwing them both (literally and figuratively). Maybe the baby will set off the apocalypse when it's born and they'll all die. Best case scenario.
Currently reading
July 7, 2023*****
TEAM THROUPLE!
*****
______________________________________________
Updates: ______________________________________
Update
November 2020
Alas, I’ve given up hope..
ARGHH.
I’m invested in this fucking car crash now, though. In for the ride and the inevitable fatality of my fucking heart.
***
Update
February 2020
I’m so pissed. Why have fans been ghosted for two years while she keeps posting about her other series? This is ridiculous. I’m not paying for book 7. I’m just mad. RAGING FUCKING FIREY EMPRESS MAD.
***
Update
December 2019
WHERE IS THIS BOOK
WHY IS THERE NO NEWS
***
Update
July 2019
WHERE IS THIS BOOK?!
***
August 2018 (Spoilers)
I can't wait for this book.
Seriously.
I think I might lose my mind waiting to find out what is going to happen.
My heart just broke, losing Jack again...
And my heart is breaking that the series will end after this one last installment.
Please, can it never end... continue the stories forever. I never want to lose Evie / Jack / Aric.
At this point, I'm hoping we're going to end up in a three way relationship between E/J/A, hinted at from Sol in book 3.
Possibly, because my heart will break if we have to lose either of them again. You think you've known true heartbreak? Not before reading this series.
The wait continues...
For the end to come.
Personally, I’m team poly relationship / throuple.
______________________________________________
Updates: ______________________________________
Update
November 2020
Alas, I’ve given up hope..
ARGHH.
I’m invested in this fucking car crash now, though. In for the ride and the inevitable fatality of my fucking heart.
***
Update
February 2020
I’m so pissed. Why have fans been ghosted for two years while she keeps posting about her other series? This is ridiculous. I’m not paying for book 7. I’m just mad. RAGING FUCKING FIREY EMPRESS MAD.
***
Update
December 2019
WHERE IS THIS BOOK
WHY IS THERE NO NEWS
***
Update
July 2019
WHERE IS THIS BOOK?!
***
August 2018 (Spoilers)
I can't wait for this book.
Seriously.
I think I might lose my mind waiting to find out what is going to happen.
My heart just broke, losing Jack again...
And my heart is breaking that the series will end after this one last installment.
Please, can it never end... continue the stories forever. I never want to lose Evie / Jack / Aric.
At this point, I'm hoping we're going to end up in a three way relationship between E/J/A, hinted at from Sol in book 3.
Possibly, because my heart will break if we have to lose either of them again. You think you've known true heartbreak? Not before reading this series.
The wait continues...
For the end to come.
Personally, I’m team poly relationship / throuple.
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