Title: Dead of WinterAuthor: Kresley Cole
Narrator(s): Emma Galvin
Series: The Arcana Chronicles, book #3
Length: 9 hrs 58 min
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Publication Date: January 6, 2015
Source: audio received from publisher
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Audible
Can Evie convince her rival loves to work together? Their survival depends on it in this third book of #1 New York Times bestselling author Kresley Cole’s Arcana Chronicles, a nonstop action tale of rescue, redemption, and a revenge most wicked.
Heartbreaking decisions
Evie was almost seduced by the life of comfort that Death offered her—until Jack was threatened by two of the most horrific Arcana, the Lovers. She will do anything to save him, even escape Death’s uncanny prison, full of beautiful objects, material comforts…and stolen glances from a former love.
Uncertain victory
Despite leaving a part of her heart behind with Death, Evie sets out into a perilous post-apocalyptic wasteland to meet up with her allies and launch an attack on the Lovers. Such formidable enemies require a battle plan, and the only way to kill them may mean Evie, Jack, and Death allying. Evie doesn’t know what will prove more impossible: surviving slavers, plague, Bagmen and other Arcana—or convincing Jack and Death to work together.
Two heroes returned
There’s a thin line between love and hate, and Evie just doesn’t know where she stands with either Jack or Death. Will this unlikely trio be able to defeat The Lovers without killing one another first...?
Up to this point, I wasn't all that sure that I liked this series. I don't think I rated either of the two previous books higher than two stars. And I just read my review of Endless Knight, and in it I indicated that I had zero intention of spending any more money on this series. But I was offered a copy of the audiobook for review, and my curiosity got the better of me because though I've had a ton of issues up to this book, the tarot aspect still really fascinates me, and I have no idea where it's all headed.
That's the best way for a series to hold my attention: to remain unpredictable. And though there are parts of the story that are easy to guess -- like that love triangle that emerged in book two -- this series definitely leaves me with a lot of questions. And speculation. I've developed so many off-the-wall theories about those Major Arcana -- which ones are left to discover, who might be an Arcana, and what roles they'll all play in the end -- that it's hard to keep track of them all.
Another aspect that continues to intrigue me is that love triangle. Love triangles don't usually deter me from a story, but they are rarely what draws me to one. Except in this case, where one of the love interests is Death personified. Obviously, I'm pulling for him because if this were real life, I'd be drawn to him, too, especially once his sad, sad story comes out. Also, I've never, ever liked Jackson Deveaux. He is crass and over-bearing and a hot-head. Yet I can't help but watch this train wreck of a romance unfold.
I'm trying to give the narrator of these audiobooks another chance because I know this is not the only series she narrates. And I actually enjoyed her narration of other books prior to listening to this series. And I know that it probably has more to do with my dislike of the main character earlier in the books than Emma Galvin's style of narrating. Also, maybe a little bit of my distaste for the audiobooks has to do with the accent Galvin gives Evie. She makes Evie sound like she's from the South, that's for sure, but maybe it's a little too pronounced, not to mention a bit off-putting, and that's why it bothers me so much.
However, I should say that I didn't mind the narration much at all while listening to this third book. The story reeled me in pretty quickly, and I found that I barely noticed the things that annoyed me so much in the previous two audiobooks. Also, I've listened to a few audiobooks narrated by Emma Galvin since the last Arcana book, and I found them much more tolerable than I expected. I guess I've finally gotten past my dislike…which is great because she narrates a lot of YA novels that I'd hate to miss just because I couldn't stand the narrator.
This third novel in the Arcana Chronicles has reignited my interest in the series, and it's the first in the series that I've truly enjoyed. Cole has really upped the ante in this installment, providing just enough clues and more than enough excitement. And as always, she leaves the reader with an agonizing cliffhanger, which is admittedly what always has me coming back to this series.
GIF it to me straight:
About the author:
Kresley Cole is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Immortals After Dark paranormal series and the young adult Arcana Chronicles. Her books have been translated into many foreign languages, garnered three RITA awards, and consistently appear on the bestseller lists in the U.S. and abroad.
Before becoming a writer, Cole was a world-ranked athlete, coach, and graduate student. She has traveled over much of the world and draws from those experiences to create her memorable characters and settings. Two of her favorite places to visit include the rain forests of Central America and the Far North Queensland area of Australia (where, by the way, she would not recommend swimming outside of the stinger nets–at night).
Cole lives in Florida with her family and “far too many animals.” She spends any free time traveling and enjoys all things related to boats and water.
Find Kresley:
Website | Twitter | Goodreads
I'm the opposite. I run away from novels featuring love triangles. I'm glad this one sparked your interest again, and I hope you'll enjoy the rest. :)
ReplyDeleteWow, the series really turned it around in the third installment! That's so rare. I'm glad you ended up enjoying this one--it just goes to show you never know. :)
ReplyDeleteWendy @ The Midnight Garden