Poison Princess (Arcana Chronicles, Book 1) [Hardcover]

Kresley Cole (Author)

Book Description

Release date: October 2, 2012 | Series: Arcana Chronicles (Book 1)

#1 New York Times bestselling author Kresley Cole introduces The Arcana Chronicles, post-apocalyptic tales filled with riveting action, the dark mysticism of Tarot cards, and breathtaking romance.

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 it’s not always clear who is on which side….

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The prose crackles with energy and interest, the content is on target in terms of current demand, and this could be the next Twilight."--Booklist 

"An electrifying mix of page-turning, post-apocalyptic adventure and sizzling romance. The Arcana Chronicles will blow you away!"--P.C. Cast

“An electrifying mix of page-turning, post-apocalyptic adventure and sizzling romance. The Arcana Chronicles will blow you away!” (P.C. Cast)

“The prose crackles with energy and interest, the content is on target in terms of current demand, and this could be the next Twilight.” (Booklist)

“My brain is near exploding with how crazy good this story was… An exceptionally well written plot that will have you turning pages and sticking up a ‘do not disturb’ sign. You won’t want to be interrupted. Especially when Jackson has his smexi Cajun mojo in full swing.” (novelsontherun.blogspot.com)

“Holy Mother of YA Goodness…did Kresley Cole write a book! I’m still getting the chills thinking about this ‘Poison Princess!’… Jack Deveaux, [is] a swoon-worthy character if ever there was one.” (parajunkee.com)

“Kresley Cole knows how to capture an audience because I was gone from page one.” (mynotsovacantshelf.blogspot.com)

“Cole knows how to deliver romance, and in POISON PRINCESS, she shows that younger characters can fall just as hard—and they take their readers with them… POISON PRINCESS is a brilliant debut that will snare readers of all ages with its vivid post-apocalyptic world, engrossing romance, and novel magic based on Tarot cards. The next book in The Arcana Chronicles just shot to the top of my wishlist.” (allthingsuf.com)

“…this may very well be the best and most original book that I have ever read.” (mortalitybitesreviews.blogspot.com)

“I love the sensual creativity that Kresley Cole delivers in her writing. Evie and Jack's electrifying connection is just to die for! Oh! and did I mention that Jack is the ultimate post-apocalyptic badass hero?” (dazzlingreads.blogspot.com)

“One of the most original YA debuts of the year that you just can’t forget, “Poison Princess” is just one big book full of awesome.” (birthofanewwitch.wordpress.com)

“Disturbing, dark, dangerous, terrifying, heartbreaking, and AMAZING!” (hopelovehappyendings.blogspot.com)

About the Author

Kresley Cole is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Immortals After Dark paranormal series. Her books have been translated into many foreign languages, garnered two RITA awards, and consistently appear on the bestseller lists in the U.S. and abroad. Poison Princess is the first book in her new young adult series, The Arcana Chronicles. Visit her at KresleyCole.com.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 384 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers (October 2, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 9781442436640
• ISBN-13: 978-1442436640
• ASIN: 1442436646
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.9 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (432 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #40,337 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Kresley Cole is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the electrifying Immortals After Dark paranormal series, the young adult Arcana Chronicles series, as well as 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. 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's trademark action, sensuality, and humor are best exemplified in her Immortals After Dark Series, which revolves around the Lore, a secret stratum of hundreds of immortal creatures--ranging from Vampires to Lykae, Furies to Shifters, and Fey to Valkyrie--that each have their strengths, weaknesses, and age old prejudices against the others. Though they secretly live among humans, they constantly war among themselves, which gives her a lot of material.

Her IAD books have been translated into seventeen foreign languages, garnered two RITA awards, and consistently appear on the bestseller lists, in the U.S. and abroad.

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. You can learn more about her and her work at www.kresleycole.com.

Amazon Author Rankbeta 

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#26 in Books > Romance > Fantasy & Futuristic

#28 in Books > Literature & Fiction > Contemporary

#66 in Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Contemporary Fiction

#70 in Books > Romance

#71 in Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy

#26 in Books > Romance > Fantasy & Futuristic

#28 in Books > Literature & Fiction > Contemporary

#66 in Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Contemporary Fiction

#70 in Books > Romance

#71 in Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

54 of 57 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars KC starts her YA series out with a HUGE bang!! October 4, 2012

By Cace411

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

Poison Princess (Arcana Chronicles) by Kresely Cole is a surprisingly dark read. The opening format is quite creepy in how the story unfolds, then told in first person narrative by the h, Evangeline (Evie). Evie is a 16 y/o girl from Sterling, LA who lives the lavish lifestyle of the rich and privileged. She is a designer wearing cheerleader in the elite crowd and dates the most popular, rich, BMOC football player. On the exterior, she leads the life that most teenage girls would covet. Internally, she is haunted, plagued by debilitating visions, and nightmares of evil, desolate, and gruesome deaths. She struggles to keep it together in front of her friends and hide her secrets. Adding to that, Evie is developing powers that's scaring her, questioning her own sanity. Enter Cajun bad boy delinquent from the wrong side of town, Jackson Devereaux. The new kid in school with a bad rep and a set of stormy eyes that's lasered on Evie. When Evie and Jack meet, they get off on the wrong foot with the typical haughty rich girl and bitter poor boy interactions until................................

The Flash devastates, changing everything, changing them, and destroying life as they know it, leaving a wasteland behind. Evie realizes her visions were of this happening. Adding to this, the voices in her head begins. The world is turned upside down. It's do or die survival. There are The Bagmen (similar to Wendigos) who prey and feed on people. Then there's the evil militia overpowering, capturing, and torturing where ever they go. Lets throw in the slavers and the cannibals for good measure too. With odds stacked against them in a harsh world, Evie and Jackson must leave Louisiana to fight for an uncertain future. Together, they set out to find Evie's grandmother in North Carolina who Evie believes holds all the answers to the meaning of her visions and powers. During their journey, Jack protects Evie at every turn as Evie slowly learns to trust Jack and their attraction intensifies.

KC starts this fantastic YA series with a big bang! Compelling, gritty, foreboding, but exciting and thrilling all the same. While the pace is great, the unfolding of events are not readily forthcoming. I wait with bated breath to find out what the hell is going to happen next. So many questions I want answers to but KC keeps us dangling in suspense and darkness. This is an intricate dystopian storyline full of mysticism, subplots, and twists to keep you on your toes. Aside from traveling to find her grandmother to get answers and facing danger at every turn, there's the prophetic Arcana battle game to come. One in which Evie is a major key player representing the Empress card from the tarot. She must find out what her role is and how to stop what's happening to her and what's to come. She is no longer the entitled rich girl. She matures, grappling with her secrets, wondering who she can trust and faces her other identity in this story.

They encounter other teenage allies along the way that end up joining them. All with powers, part of the Arcana players in the battle game, and each representing a card from the tarot deck. These secondary characters are also intriguing and I want to know more about them. Finn, I found funny. Matthew, quirky, and Selena, conniving.

Then there's the blossoming romance between Jack and Evie that intensifies as the story progresses. Yummy Jack, smoking hot and intense, he is the bad-boy personified. Yet, we see a softer, fiercely protective side too as his feelings for Evie grow. He's also quite the heroic badass! God, I was rooting for for them like nobody's business!!

And lets not forget creepy Arthur from the beginning of the book who is completely insane in the membrane! So much going on, all elaborately woven together for some AH-MAZING storytelling. This was an unpredictable story that kept me completely engrossed throughout. I was completely blown away by the turn of events at the end. HOLY CRAP! IMHO, this is darker than her IAD series for sure. I was ensnared right from the first pages and just could NOT put the damn book down. I'm hooked! Bait, line, and sinker. I need the next book NOW! Kresley Cole outdid herself in this one. You MUST read this!

23 of 27 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Spellbinding masterpiece! October 3, 2012

By Liquid Gold

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

Couldn't stop reading this well-planned and brilliantly penned book. Where does Kresley get her imagination from? I was glancing nervously over my shoulder in more than one place in the book in the wee hours of the morning. Her characters are so well defined and the story is so riveting that it was difficult to put my kindle down. I'm glad that the characters are more gritty than the average YA novels - more real. This book is brimming with romantic tension and nail-biting scenes - I'm eagerly awaiting the next one. Thanks for a great book!

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous- Highly Recommended! October 2, 2012

By Lovey Dovey Books

Format:Hardcover

Kresley Cole hits paranormal post-apocalyptic fiction out of the ball park with her debut young adult title, Poison Princess! The Arcana Chronicles proves to be a series that will take you on a wild ride with no limits and absolutely no hint of predictability. Poison Princess is brilliantly written from the plot, style, and cast of characters.

The array of characters who fill this novel are hard, compassionate, fierce, sneaky, but ultimately believable. Evie is plagued with hallucinations and terrible nightmares that leave her with a misconstrued view of reality. When her mind-boggling visions of the world's end comes true, as depicted in her drawings, Evie has to find a way to use her mysterious powers to survive. In the meantime, the smoking hot, bad-boy Cajun, Jack, comes around to protect her, even though he may not want to. Evie and Jack's relationship is rare in young adult literature. Their differences and prejudices keep them apart for a good part of the novel, yet their toing-and-froing is tantalizing and definitely entertaining!

Cole's Poison Princess is a welcome break from the cookie-cutter novels that seep with unoriginality and the same-old themes. 22 teens, though only a few are introduced in the novel, survive the end of the world embodying characters from a set of tarot cards; if this doesn't cause one to dive in, what will? The story is involving enough to read continuously without interruption. By the time the story reaches its crescendo, readers will be stuck between speechless and completely awed by Cole's skill in writing heart-racing scenes full of power and action. Evie's growth from the girl too afraid to accept the truth of her destiny to the girl who embraces it is the highlight of the novel. The Arcana Chronicles has phenomenal potential and with the first book in the series, Poison Princess, Kresely Cole makes it a sure-fire series!
*ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review*