Endless Knight By Kresley Cole ARC Review

In the second book of the Arcana Chronicles Evie has now fully come into her powers as the tarot Empress. And Jackson was there to see it all. In the aftermath of killing Arthur, the tarot Alchemist, Evie realizes that a war is brewing between the other teens that, following the apocalypse, have been given powers and its kill or be killed.

Things get even more complicated when Evie meets Death, the mysterious, sexy Endless Knight. Somehow the Empress and Death share a romantic history, one that Evie can't remember, but Death can't forget. She is drawn to the Endless Knight, but is in love with Jack. Determined to discover why she's been granted these powers, Evie struggles to accept her place in a prophecy that will either save the world, or completely destroy it.

Every few centuries, the contest begins. The Empress is now in play, one card within a group of twenty two children and teens who have entered the game, pitted against one another in a fight to the death. The last one standing is granted immortality, their histories forever recorded on the Tarot deck.

As Evie stands among the remains of the Alchemist, she is the epitome of The Empress, strong, wild and ready to strike... And Jackson is disgusted. Selena The Archer is ready with a drawn bow, Mathew The Fool is on edge and Finn, the master Magician is attempting to defuse the situation. The alliance of Cards now attempting to rally to defeat Death, the Reaper is coming for Evie, taking out the Cards in play along the way. The Arcana have a bond, being able to kill one another, taking the Icon of the player out of the game. It's kill or be killed, but if they stand any chance against the centuries old Reaper, they must band together. The group have called a truce... For now. Evie is determined to find her grandmother, known as the Chronicler, but navigating a post apocalyptic world after The Flash, their fellow cards may just be the least of their concerns.

The Bagmen are hot on their trail, created as a result of The Flash, the blood thirsty zombies are immune to Evie's Empress powers, which are only able to slow them down.  But the alliance now have to contend with the Teeth, a group of cannibals that inhabit the mountains that eat their pray... Live. Navigating the tough terrain will be no easy feat, the group of inhuman supernaturals seeking shelter to replenish their powers and escape the clutches of their bloodthirsty hunters. Evie displays the Alchemists Icon on her hand, a symbol of her taking an Arcana life within the game. Death's constant murmurs in Evie's head, whispering that he is coming for her, and now he's using Mathew as a medium to send her dreams. Death is as handsome as he is dangerous, and Evie's only weakness... Besides the brooding Jackson.

It seems Death has been keeping himself occupied, toying with his fellow cards and luring them on to the path of the alliance. But with tensions high, a battle is inevitable and it seems death has had a hand in fueling their fury. Jackson can't keep his emotions in check any longer, he's furious that he's fallen in love with a girl that isn't quite human, the big Cajun knows he doesn't belong with the group of supernaturals, but as his word as his promise, will deliver Evie safely to her grandmother... Even if it kills him. Jackson still carries the scars from his childhood bound by poverty, beaten by his mother's string of boyfriends and unable to trust. So will he ever let Evie back into his life again?

But it seems that Evie's dreams seem all too familiar, could each player be a reincarnate? Evie has met Death before, and as he continues to tap into her thoughts and surroundings it becomes clear that Mathew is more than The Fool, he's the Gamekeeper. The only player who can remember games of past, sending his fragile mind into a state of protection. But Death isn't without his weakness, his armor may be impenetrable, but as Evie and Jackson come to new terms on their relationship, rekindling the steamy and intense love they once shared, Death's voice fades out. Evie is the only card Death can touch.

Lark is Fauna in the cruel and deadly game, and has followed the group for days. She calls upon the animals to do her bidding, for surveillance and survival. Only now, she's decided to approach the alliance to offer assistance, guiding them through the terrain, but can she be trusted? Death is fast approaching, and he has allies in tow. Evie is given an ultimatum, to join him or watch her friends die, Ogen The Devil is determined to cause an avalanche within the mountain. To save Jack, Mathew, Finn and Selena, she must comply, but is Death a man of his word?

As time passes living within the confines of Death's walls, Evie knows that there is only one trick in her depleted arsenal to lure Death to his demise... Seduction. But as she learns who Death truly is, is he just a result of a horrific game he's forced to play or do his ties to the The Empress run much deeper?

I loved Poison Princess, the first novel in Kresley Cole's The Arcana Chronicles. but I inhaled Endless Knight. It was absolutely brilliant, much more engaging and leaves you on the edge of your seat. Evie had survived The Flash, leaving her home, her mother's spirit and lost friends behind, to travel across the country to find her grandmother, who has the answers she needs. Jackson, the handsome Cajun is determined to deliver Evie on the promise he had made to her mother. Evie is The Empress card within a deadly Tarot deck in which the chosen ones fight to become the lone survivor... And Immortality. Evie was eight years old when her grandmother would speak of the Tarot, but after she was committed, presumed crazy, Evie lived her teen years as a regular girl. She doesn't remember the rules of the game, or her fellow competitors and she certainly can't tell Jackson.

Their travels have brought them to the attention of players within the game, resulting in the alliance with Selena, Mathew and Finn. But in Endless Knight, Evie certainly comes into her own. She's stronger, independent and doesn't need Jackson's protection. We meet several new characters, all belonging to the Acana but the most intense by far, is Death. Death isn't a villain, despite his best intentions, he'll challenge Jackson for your affections. He's well bred, well read and the thinking girl's sex symbol.

Kresley Cole has done what few authors can, created a second series installment that is even better than the first. I absolutely loved it, but be warned, it does end on a slight cliffhanger that will tear at your emotions and alliances.

Endless Knight

(The Arcana Chronicles: Book Two)

Written By Kresley Cole

Published 01 / 10 / 2013

336 Pages

Thank you to Simon And Schuster Australia for generously providing a copy for review.