#Review: Dead of Winter by Kresley Cole - 4 Wine Glasses

Title: Dead of Winter 
Series: The Arcana Chronicles #3
Author: Kresley Cole
Format: Paperback, 336 pages
Published: January 6th 2015 by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N
Source: Purchased by Reviewer
Reviwer: Crystal
Rating: 4/5
🍷🍷🍷🍷

Can Evie convince her rival loves to work together? Their survival depends on it in this third book of #1 New York Times bestselling author Kresley Cole’s Arcana Chronicles, a nonstop action tale of rescue, redemption, and a revenge most wicked.

Heartbreaking decisions 
Evie was almost seduced by the life of comfort that Death offered her—until Jack was threatened by two of the most horrific Arcana, The Lovers. She will do anything to save him, even escape Death’s uncanny prison, full of beautiful objects, material comforts…and stolen glances from a former love.

Uncertain victory 
Despite leaving a part of her heart behind with Death, Evie sets out into a frozen and perilous post-apocalyptic wasteland to meet up with her allies and launch an attack on The Lovers and the vast army they command. Such formidable enemies require a battle plan, and the only way to kill them once and for all may mean Evie, Jack, and Death allying. Evie doesn’t know what will prove more impossible: surviving slavers, plague, Bagmen and other Arcana—or convincing Jack and Death to work together.

Two heroes returned 
There’s a thin line between love and hate, and Evie just doesn’t know where she stands with either Jack or Death. Will this unlikely trio be able to defeat The Lovers without killing one another first? 

Crystal's Thoughts:
Delicious torture. That's what The Arcana Chronicles are. 
I knew Dead of Winter was going to end. I knew there would be an awful cliffhanger that left me perched on the precipice as well. And as my heart was hammering in my chest and my breaths became short and choppy, it happened. The End. And now I am left desperate for more. 
TORTURE! 

The world as Evie knows it is ash. Mortals are becoming an extincted race and those that are left fight to survive baggers, slavers, plagues, and a barren post apocalyptic world after the Flash. In the meantime though, the Tarots continue to form alliances and battle for supremacy. But Evie doesn't want to play the game. She doesn't want to take out her fellow Arcana or fight for immortality, and she plans to end the game for good. But first she must escape Death and rescue her one-time-lover Jack from the perverted Lovers' clutches. And then she must choose between her first love of this life, and the love of her lives...

As the third book in this captivating series, Dead of Winter was just a gripping as the previous two. This was one of my most anticipated books of 2015 and I couldn't put it down. I was on pins and needles throughout the story. The premise of the Arcana Chronicles is unique and inventive. One that will truly ensnare you with it's mystery, romance, and endless action. KC embodies her characters, and despite which leading man I may root for I was helpless in falling in love with Jack, Evie, and Aric from the beginning. The secondary characters, cards, are intriguing as well and easy to become attached to. I love the growth that each character shows with each new installment, nothing about these stories are stagnant. 

However, the love triangle between Evie, Aric, and Jack became tedious and drawn out halfway through the story. I wanted to reach into the book and give Evie a good shake. It created a lot of unnecessary angst when all I wanted was for the story to progress a little farther. I was surprised to find so many repetitious sentences as well, they should have been culled out during the editing process. Then at the end, after staying up all night, chewing my nails to the quick, and cursing Evie up and down... I think we're finally about to get some honest to goodness answers when.... BAM! The whole world is turned upside down once again. NOOOO!

That all being said, Kresley Cole is an evil, evil genius who I equally love and hate right now. An evil genius that I would seriously consider selling my first born to if it would gain me the next book right now. The emotions that she exposed me to during this epic journey rival a hormonal teen. Bottomline, if you haven't picked up The Arcana Chronicles yet, you are missing out on something huge. Don't let the fact that this is a Y.A. series scare you away because every book is a must read. And they must be read in order so start at the beginning. I'm going to slowly whither away until I can get my hands on the next book and I am praying to the publishing Gods that they won't make us wait a year for it. That's cruel and unusual punishment if so. Oh yes, and #TeamDeath till the end! Don't make me step into these books, Evie! *squinty eyes*


Reading order:
The Arcana Chronicles, #1 - Poison Princess - Review | Purchase
The Arcana Chronicles, #2 - Endless Knight - Review | Purchase
The Arcana Chronicles, #3 - Dead of Winter