Endless Knight

De: Kresley Cole

Narrado por: Emma Galvin

In this seductive follow-up to Poison Princess, #1 New York Times bestselling author Kresley Cole takes us deeper into the dark world of the Arcana Chronicles.

Evie has fully come into her powers as the tarot Empress. And Jack was there to see it all. In the aftermath of killing Arthur, Evie realizes that there is a war brewing between the teens who’ve been given powers following the apocalypse, and it’s kill or be killed. When Evie meets Death, the gorgeous and dangerous Endless Knight, things get even more complicated. Somehow the Empress and Death share a romantic history. One that Evie can’t remember, but Death can’t forget. Evie is drawn to Death, but in love with Jack. She is determined to discover why she’s been granted these powers, and in the process, struggles to accept her place in the prophecy that will either save the world, or destroy it.

Team Jack still, I think?!

This story continues to to build! And get more interesting. I love Evie and Jack together! I was on the edge of my seat the entire book. Hoping against hope that Jack would come to terms with a nature Evie has no choice in. Matthew is continuing to keep secrets and when situations come to a head, Evie is face to face with the Arcana who has dedicated his long life to destroying her, Death. As Evie’s memories come back is there more to why she feels so drawn to Death? Adored this book! All Hail Kresley, Queen of Cliffys!

seriously?

spoiler alert...

why oh why couldn't she simply just stay with Aric? He has done literally nothing to be drug along like this. poor son of a gun... I'm just heartbroken over this and hoping that the ending of these chronicles will sway in his favor. I mean really? evie is pretty stupid. she seriously has such a hard time deciding on who to be with? cmon one guy has been waiting for her for centuries and loved her forever vs. some random dude who lied to her and initially just wanted to outdo his brother? ughhh... well let's see how this story continues on... and this better be a happy ending or im gonna have to off myself.

The discovery of her past.

The use of tarot cards as characters and their individual powers and how they use them on each other.

Thrilling!

Well Kresley Cole does it again! Another thrilling, sexy, fun, romantic adventure and one outstanding sequel. I never thought the 2nd book would ever come close to Poison Princess but much like her IAD series they just keep getting better and better. This story has so many twists and turns and “I didn’t see that coming” moments. I was literally on the edge of my seat for the entire listen.

The world building, character development and plot twists are pure genius. Nothing feels contrived or forced just to move the plot along. Endless Knight has a lot more action and is a little darker than the first book. The Arcana are starting to form alliances as battle lines are drawn in a fight to the death. Throw in some bagmen, militia and cannibals and you have a non-stop, thrilling adventure.

Definitely a 5 star listen!

Team Death all the way!

Going into POISON PRINCESS I couldn’t help thinking Young Adult—this is going to suck, but Kresley Cole’s writing quickly won me over to Evie’s side, and then Emma Galvin sealed the deal with her mesmerizing narration. And now, here I am, completely committed to this series, and putting my stamp of approval on book 2. The characters show a level of maturity that I never expected from this genre, and there was even a sex scene in this installment. Yes folks, don’t let these teenagers fool you, this is grown up YA at its best. The author does such an amazing job of making readers dislike Death that when the love triangle began to develop I was convinced that nothing could sway me from Team Deveaux. Well, now I’m eating crow because Aric was so skillfully fleshed out that the Cajun is just a distant memory. Jackson who?

For a girl that doesn’t want to play the game, Evie sure is racking up Arcana symbols! I love how far she’s come from that scared young woman refusing to accept her new, albeit harsh reality, to the ring leader of an unlikely alliance of Arcana. Greene shows mercy when the situation calls for it, and still believes that more than one power card can survive the coming battle, but when he friends’ lives are on the line, she doesn’t hesitate to do what must be done. I enjoyed witnessing the Empress embrace her powers in ENDLESS KNIGHT; her abilities may be the complete opposite of Death’s, however life can, and does annihilate just as easily. Evie continues to surprise me at every turn from how she deals with the teeth (carnivores), to certain characters’ two-facedness, to Aric’s unexpected past. The Red Queen is no pushover!

Coles’ dystopian world-building marched forward in this installment with the Hierophant, Devil, Tower, Strength, Judgment, and World cards. I liked learning more about their tableaux, calls, and powers as well as the characters that they represent. I also developed a soft spot for Scarface, Cyclops, and Maneater—Lark’s wolves. The plot line was uncomplicated: escape Death, and when that fails, survive him. I enjoyed the showdown leading up to Evie’s capture, and her time with Aric was enlightening to say the least. I was happy that Jackson was finally clued in to the game and ecstatic when he and Evie found a brief respite in each other’s arms. But of course, just when Greene decides to trust him his deception comes to light.

This novel took so many turns that I did not see coming, and oddly enough, I found myself rooting for the bad guy! Like most other readers, love triangles are the bane of my existence, but the one in ENDLESS KNIGHT is so far removed from what is typical of this trope that I wasn’t the least bit upset by it when it eventually surfaced. I’d mentioned in my review of book 1 that Emma Galvin’s narration carried that installment, so I was relieved to see her flying solo this time around. I’m not knocking Keith Nobbs’ delivery, but I prefer to give credit where it’s due. Galvin excels at bringing THE ARCANA CHRONICLES’ dark tone to life while still doing the youthful characters justice with a YA authenticity that so many performers in this genre lack.

ENDLESS KNIGHT concluded with one heck of a cliffhanger, but that’s a recipe for success as far as pre-orders of DEAD OF WINTER go because you can bet I’ll be glued to my earbuds come hell or high water on January 6th, 2015.