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The Dark Calling (Arcana Chronicles #5)
Kresley Cole
Published: Feb. 13, 2018
Purchase at: Amazon
Review source: purchased
Reviewed by: Chelsea
Rating (out of 5): 4.5 stars
Note: This review will be spoiler free (and it’s a challenge!), but will assume you are already familiar with the series. If you haven’t started the Arcana Chronicles, we suggest reading our review of Poison Princess.
If you’re a regular VBC reader, you know I was very excited for this book. I’ve been heavily invested in Evie’s story since Poison Princess, and the previous book gave us a hell of a cliffhanger.
This was one of those books I consumed in heady gulps. One of the “up too late, sleep can wait” kind of reads. It’s also one that’s difficult to discuss without spoilers. Y’all know I like to spare you, so I’m going to do my best. (Feel free to ask me spoiler-y questions in the comments or on Twitter.)
I went into The Dark Calling worrying that I wasn’t going to remember what was happening. I remembered the big cliffhanger from Arcana Rising, but it’d been a minute and I hadn’t remembered all the cards currently threatening Evie. Several friends said they re-read the last book to catch up, but I’m here to tell you it isn’t necessary. The Dark Calling picks up right where Arcana Rising left off, but the momentum in the book swept me away immediately and I quickly was caught up.
I was so convinced I knew who the hidden card was. You finally discover the card’s identity in this installment, but I’ll tell you now it goes down unlike how I’d have pictured. I was right about who it was and still was crying, “noooooo,” at my Kindle. That’s a continual thread in this book: twists that leave you muttering or yelling WTF and No! at the book…and I mean that in the best way possible.
The Dark Calling explores what we would do if everything we asked for was given to us at just the wrong times. It looks at our desires to escape promises, and what it means to keep them. It delves into honor and betrayal and how closely linked they are. It will make you angry, and it may make you cry, and for once I actually wasn’t on Evie’s side on a decision or two (which rarely happens).
If you’ve been on the Arcana Chronicles journey this long, then you already know Kresley Cole packs maze-worthy twists into each book. Get ready for the head-snap plot twists. Get ready for the darkness. Get ready for pain and redemption. Get ready for more needing to choose sides—even when both sides are deserving. Every emotional twist was worth it though. I love how much this series makes me feel, and The Dark Calling is no excpetion there.
If you were on the fence about continuing because of the twist at the end of the last book, it’s handled well. Read the book, y’all, and report back!
Sexual content: Sex
I have been waiting for this review! I’m really into this series as well. It is so unique, and I love the overall premise of the tarot cards and the game. I gave the book 4 stars. While it was a good quick twisty read, I wanted more progress in terms of the actual game/players. I also wanted Evie to grow more as a person which I did not feel like happened. I actually had to take a break at one point because I was getting so annoyed by her. But, I still can’t wait until the next book. Still so awesome!
I’ve been under the weather, or we would have had this one posted on the 14th. LOL
I’m with you on the Evie frustration. I felt like she WANTED the love triangle while both guys are trying to figure out how to end it in the way that’s best for [spoiler, but you know what I mean]. I think she didn’t get as much character growth as we’re used to, but I think the guys got more development this time in equal measure.
That said, I think there’s only one more book, so we should get some big game questions answered!