Poison Princess (Arcana Chronicles #1) by Kresley Cole
YA Paranormal
Releases: October 2, 2012
Simon & Schuster

Reviewed by Tori

Poison Princess is Kresley Cole’s debut into Young Adult. An interesting premise of a world pushed into an apocalypse (referred to as the Flash) and a young girl’s realization that her “hallucinations” are actually visions of the future and she is part of prophecy dating back to the beginning of time. Very Hunger Games oriented, the first chapter opens to a scene playing out in the present. From there, we start at the very beginning, before the Flash, and work our way to that scene. The first 100 plus pages spend an inordinate amount of time introducing us to the characters and their roles in this story.  Martial law, press gangs, cannibals, few women, lack of basic amenities. Our hero and heroine strike out on a journey to locate the heroine’s grandmother and hopefully find out what the heroine’s role in the coming war is. The depths Ms. Cole goes to in order to form a solid base for this series is admirable but unfortunately, her characters are unappealing, and it affects the storyline.

Evie Greene, our heroine, is a sixteen year old rich high school student. Her mother sent her to a “hospital” for “treatment” for her visions. Brainwashed and drugged, Evie is allowed to come home and buries her visions deep, in order to stay home. While I anticipated meeting Evie at first, there is nothing special about Evie beyond her visions. I found myself reading her scenes and not feeling anything for her. She has no heroic qualities in the beginning, which is fine, but her character doesn’t grow much throughout the entire story. Jackson Deveroux, our hero, is an anti-hero. A poor bad boy from the wrong side of the tracks whose greatest thrills in life seem to be drinking, fighting, and notching his bedpost. Again, not a problem in the beginning, but no character growth from him either was disappointing. He’s personality abrasive with his alpha tendencies bordering on abusive. Ms. Cole does not attempt to redeem him. I expected something more from both of them, as extreme circumstances will usually either bring out the worst or best in people but in here, it didn’t seem phase them. Perhaps with the second installment Evie and Jackson will grow and we will see what Ms. Cole does.

The romance is disheartening. I’m not a fan of alpha men or boys who batter a heroine (metaphorically) with their wants and needs until they eventually give in because they’re tired of fighting. Evie resists Jackson’s romantic (I use that term lightly) attempts admirably but in the end, still falls in love with him, making excuses for his behavior. Again, if he had began to redeem himself, I’d understand, but he doesn’t. His behavior stays par for course the entire story.

Interesting secondary characters are defined, adding to the overall horror and intricacies of the story and world building. I liked seeing the exquisiteness of Evie’s visions and the truth behind them. The world before and after the apocalypse is rich in definition and color. The major plot that the story’s premise is built upon is unique, though convoluted. Ms. Cole explains the minute aspects of it all but it was confusing at times. I’m not saying much more on this part because I feel that would be a spoiler for those who haven’t read.

The ending picks up where the first chapter left off and we learn more in this last chapter then anywhere else. Evie discovers who and what she is and we leave off with a major cliffhanger as she fears that Jackson may not be able to accept what she has become.

I’m sure many will find this new YA series to be just what they are looking for in terms of post apocalyptic adventure, but for me, the story can’t overcome my apathy for the main characters.

Overall Rating: D

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