Audiobook: Arcana Rising

Arcana Rising is the latest book in Kresley Cole's Arcana Chronicles and is narrated by Emma Galvin.

When the battle is done . . . 
The Emperor unleashes hell and annihilates an army, jeopardizing the future of mankind--but Circe strikes back. The epic clash between them devastates the Arcana world and nearly kills Evie, separating her from her allies.

And all hope is lost . . . 
With Aric missing and no sign that Jack and Selena escaped Richter's reach, Evie turns more and more to the darkness lurking inside her. Two Arcana emerge as game changers: one who could be her salvation, the other her worst nightmare.

Vengeance becomes everything.
To take on Richter, Evie must reunite with Death and mend their broken bond. But as she learns more about her role in the future--and her chilling past--will she become a monster like the Emperor? Or can Evie and her allies rise up from Richter's ashes, stronger than ever before?

The Breakdown:
1. This is one of my favorite post-apocalyptic series.  I love the magic and the games with the Arcana.  Although at first I was not sure that Galvin is what I imaged Evie would sound like but as the story progressed I really liked her narration.

2.  Evie in this book goes through so much.  Her grief over Jack, and her determination to exact revenge on Ritcher drive her in the first half of the book.  Then dealing with her grandmother's crazy ranting and her feelings for Aric.  Plus there is the question of is she losing her mind, things that can't remember and possible memories that did not happen.

3.  So, I did kind of like Sol, the Sun card, despite what he was doing and his alliances. He was witty and really a romantic at heart. I do hope to see more of him in future books.

4. Ah, and Aric, I really like him.  He is broody and hot, and he really cares so much for Evie. Plus, who does not love a man with a plan, and he really has great plans to win the game.

5. Side note, I recommend reading Day Zero before reading this book.  It gives many characters background stories from what happened to them on day zero.  Plus, it gives glimpse to Arcana that already dead that Cole never really shows in the books including Calanthe, Spite, and Stellan.

6. Honestly, Cole kind of killed me with the ending in this one. She drops a huge piece of information then basically mic drops the book.  I am dying for the next book and want to know that things will turn out for Evie and Aric and who is the Hanged Man.

List of Arcana:
0. The Fool, Gamekeeper of Old- Matthew
I. The Magician, Master of Illusions- Finneas
II. The Priestess, Ruler of the Deep- Circe
III. The Empress, Our Lady of Thorns- Evie
IV. The Emperor, Stone Overlord- Richter
V. The Hierophant, He of the Dark Rites- Guthrie 
VI. The Lovers, Duke & Duchess Most Perverse- Vincent and Violet
VII. The Centurion, Wicked Champion- Kentarch
VIiI. Strength, Mistress of Fauna- Lark
IX. The Hermit, Master of Alchemy- Arthur
X. Fortune, Lady of Chance- Zara
XI. The Fury, She Who Harrows- Spite
XII. The Hanged Man, Our Lord Uncanny
XIII. Death, the Endless Knight- Aric
XIV. Temperance, Collectress of Sins- Calanthe
XV. The Devil, Foul Desecrator- Ogen
XVI. The Tower, Lord of Lightning- Joules
XVII. The Star, Arcane Navigator- Stellan
XVII. The Moon, Bringer of Doubt- Selena
XIX. The Sun, Hail the Glorious Illuminator-Sol
XX. Judgement, the Archangel- Gabriel
XXI. The World, The Unearthly One- Tess

To Read or Not to Read:
Read