Poison Princess

Arcana Chronicles, Book 1

By: Kresley Cole

Narrated by: Emma Galvin, Keith Nobbs

Length: 12 hrs and 36 mins

Publisher's summary

22 Arcana cards. 22 young assassins. May the best hand live. Introducing The Arcana Chronicles from number one New York Times best-selling author Kresley Cole.

She could save the world - or destroy it.

Sixteen-year-old Evangeline 'Evie' Greene leads a charmed life, until she begins experiencing horrifying hallucinations. When an apocalyptic event decimates her Louisiana hometown, Evie realizes her hallucinations were actually visions of the future - and they're still happening. Fighting for her life and desperate for answers, she must turn to her wrong-side-of-the-bayou classmate: Jack Deveaux.

But she can't do either alone.

With his mile-long rap sheet, wicked grin, and bad attitude, Jack is like no boy Evie has ever known. Even though he once scorned her and everything she represented, he agrees to protect Evie on her quest. She knows she can't totally depend on Jack. If he ever cast that wicked grin her way, could she possibly resist him?

Who can Evie trust?

As Jack and Evie race to find the source of her visions, they meet others who have gotten the same call. An ancient prophesy is being played out, and Evie is not the only one with special powers. A group of twenty-two teens has been chosen to reenact the ultimate battle between good and evil. But ii's not always clear who is on which side....

©2012 Kresley Cole (P)2012 Simon & Schuster, Inc

VT. FAN

Would you consider the audio edition of Poison Princess to be better than the print version?

As I have stated in previous reviews I only buy audios of books that I have read and really like. Reading the book kicks in my own imagination adding an element to the story that you cant get in audio format. This makes the "narration" so important in audiobooks. A bad narrator can destroy a great book.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Jack (so intense) and I cant quite figure him out,

Which scene was your favorite?

When Evie takes off on her own to rescue Matthew and Jack follows her.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Surprise!! at how much I enjoyed the book and the audio.

Any additional comments?

Emma Galvin did a great job with all the characters both male and female. The story line is like a cross between "The Hunger Games" series and Jennifer Armentrouts "Lux" series. Both of those series were great by the way.

Loved!

This is such a great story. Narration was great too. I was hesitant with it being a YA, but it had me hooked with the first chapter. KC is amazing. Definitely recommend.

I could not put it down.

This book originally popped up on my recommended for you list. I first read it several years ago and became obsessed with the series. If you like apocalypse style worlds, and if your always looking for a love triangle this series is for you. 10/10 recommend!
Emma Galvin does a great job narrating this series. You will not be disappointed.

Love this series!

I love this series! I was so bummed when I heard the movie wasn't being made anymore. This would be an awesome addition to any broadcasting company. Here's to hoping that AMAZON or NETFLIX gives this series consideration because I think that this would be an even greater tv show then movie. I would rec this series to anyone who likes PNR and YA. I had never really liked reading about Zombies until I read this one. So, here are a few things I liked about this book. 1. Evie she was a popular girl, but not a mean girl. Many of the stories I have read had the FMC as someone shy and timid, but Evie is not. She is sassy stand up for yourself, but not conceited. 2. Her boyfriend was a witless wonder, so I had no guilt about liking someone else for her. 3. Whatever his reasons, Jack protects her and seemingly has feelings for her. 4. It has many compelling characters that I want to know more about. The characters are so well developed and real that I care about reading more then just about Jack and Evie.
The highest compliment you can give to a book is to say that you laughed and cried with the characters and I did. I laughed when Evie laughed, cried when Evie cried, and felt her fear and her anger. Evie became a part of me while I read her story, which is why this series is one of my favorites!

Ignore the YA label

Kresley strikes again. This series will suck you in and make you grateful for the emotional evisceration.

read superbly

Very different EOTW book. strong, interesting characters. I like when people are perfectly imperfect. I have read all in this series. I was sorry to see it end but appreciated the conclusion

Story

How she presented the story excellent kept me on my toes am buying the next book

Favourite YA Book of 2012 (and I'm a grown-up)

If you could sum up Poison Princess in three words, what would they be?

Fun, Sexy, Dark.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Poison Princess?

Jack, Evie and the motorcycle...or maybe Jack, Evie and the pool....sigh.

What about Emma Galvin and Keith Nobbs ’s performance did you like?

I found this book by searching for other titles narrated by Emma Galvin, after listening to the Divergent series. She is quickly becoming my favourite narrator and does an excellent job, once again. Keith Nobb was appropriately creepy, but I did find myself waiting for Evie's parts to resume.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

A qualified YES. I struggled to get through the first few chapters of the book. I downloaded it based solely on the good reviews and my admiration of Emma Galvin's narration skills, but I didn't know much about the author. The teen language and dialogue rings true and, as an adult, I thought I might be in for a difficult listen but boy was I wrong. After I got used to the author's style, the story was sexy and exciting, and I found myself staying up late to finish the book. A few times, I even stayed in the car to finish the next chapter!

Any additional comments?

I can't wait for the next book in the series to come out. This is a great start to a promising series. I almost didn't get past the first few chapters but I am so glad that I stayed with it. This was definitely one of my favourite audiobooks of 2012, Young Adult or otherwise.

A word to parents: I like to pre-screen books that my tween daughter might be interested in, so I listen to a lot of YA. This is not a book for tweens (or maybe even younger teens). There is a fair amount of drinking, strong language and sexual content. The protagonist is 15/16, and that's about the minimum age I'd be comfortable with.

A new level for Kresley Cole

Fans of Kresley Cole already know she is incredibly talented at spinning a tale, and is very good at paranormal romance and "bodice ripper" fiction. I think writing for a YA audience has truly unleashed her greatest talents. It is not just he lack of endless sex scenes, which, to be fair, she works well into her adult fiction, but which occasionally trump ( or at least direct) the story, that has made this a superior work. In this story she has focused her powers of plot, or weaving an amazing story, of real character development, of creating tension, mystery, motivations for her characters and their missions beyond finding some ultimate mate, as much of her ( and most paranormal romance adult fiction) focuses on. And wow, unleashing that is has truly set free her creativity and cleverness and ability to capture her audience in an adventure that truly will captivate.

I am such a sucker for apocalyptic stories, but this is so much more than that - and the world built is one that (though obviously incredibly fictional) somehow draws the reader in as plausible... Amazing stuff. It is a bit dark at times, but overall, that element makes sense and doesn't overwhelm the story at all, and fits in perfectly... Just give it some time. The mood of this book is incredible and the reader will feel deeply attached to all the main characters and their plight.

Of course, there is a hefty dose of romance, and having read her adult fiction, I have to say this is the very best developed relationship of all her work, the characters and their relationship are the most compelling, with little "love at first site, irresistible draw to each other" stuff going on, and rather an incredibly complex set of emotions and meaningful interactions, and a strong background in place, and a very well grounded, well developed, and real basis for deep caring and attraction and love... And the obstacles thrown in their path only strengthen the bond, and never feel like conveniences which will ultimately make the inevitable bedding in the next chapter seem more meaningful... This is on a new level.

So many other have already sung the praises of this book... I will only second all of that and interject that I believe Kresley Cole, who, though she has always been a very interesting and talented writer, has really found her niche here and that this is her best work, and I hope she will continue this path.

The narrators do a great job too!

Awesome Book, Even for Adults!

I am a huge Kresley Cole fan, and I thought I'd try this book, even though it is marketed for "teens." It is awesome. It has a lot of similarities to the Hunger Games, but in my opinion, much better and more interesting. The narrators are great and really bring the story to life. I could not stop listening. I think this is appropriate for high school girls, but adults will love it as well. The ending was great and I can't wait for the next book in the series!