I need to set this up for you. From the Grave by Kresley Cole is the final book in the Arcana Chronicles series. It’s book seven. This series was, for YEARS, my all-time favorite YA read. I was the BIGGEST FAN EVER. Every book had a major cliffhanger and I waited anxiously for the next one to drop. Book six had an especially huge ending and I was dying for book seven. I love the author and have read a ton of her books. But the gap between books six and seven was even too much for me. I simply couldn’t retain all of the character details or nuances of the plot. I should’ve, could’ve, caught up on the series before diving into this final installment. But time. I had none and honestly have little time and was super confident that I’d get right back into the rhythm of this story. I was wrong.

All of that to say, I liked this book a lot. And I didn’t love it. That might be on me, vs the actual story. The world-building is complex, with multiple characters, each with their own powers, alliances, and backstories, all are amazing when you’re in the thick of it. I think there was a five-year gap between books six and seven. That’s a lot of time!

What’s it about?

Repeatedly through history, the Tarot cards come to life through young adults who are living around the world. The outward person (what they look like) is different each time, but the card, the character’s history, personality, and powers are the same. The living Tarot must fight each other until only one remains. The game is different each time, there is betrayal, romance, epic battles, lies, and tricky alliances. The Empress is the FMC in the Arcana Chronicles. She has power over plants. Death is one of the MMCs…and well, no surprise, he kills people and is known as the Reaper. We have the Lovers, The Fool, The Hanged Man, The Magician, The Chariot, The High Priestess and many more. Throughout the series, different Tarot are introduced and many kill each other. Whichever card kills the other, gains the dead card’s icon on their arm. The other MMC is Jack; his history and role in the game is a great mystery. The Empress’s name is Evie and she is in love with both Jack and Death. 

Jack is Cajun, scrappy, and a real fighter. Death is smart, methodical, and has been around FOREVER. He’s old school in his language and mannerisms. I went back and forth between being #TeamDeath and #TeamJack. They’re both terrific, super different, heroes. 

Our girl Evie hasn’t always been an honest player through every game. She has a dangerous Red Witch inside her that is clambering to get out. She’s equal parts Jekyll and Hyde and she works hard to restrain the witch. Lots of cards hate her, or at least don’t trust her. In this particular game, she plays with integrity and earns back trust. The grand finale book centers around a somewhat uneasy alliance between some of the cards. They all just want the game to end. Who runs the game? Good question. It’s “the Gods.” That’s about all you get on that matter, too. Really, I can’t remember too much explanation on why it happens.

Evie is holed up in Death’s castle compound, while Jack and his Tarot card gang try to figure out the game, kill the bad cards, and bring about an epic final battle. There’s a reason why Evie is in the castle and not out being a big old badass. BUT, if you haven’t read the series yet, now’s your chance to binge through them from beginning to end and I don’t want to spoil it. Evie and Death love each other deeply. Death also knows that Evie loves Jack and Jack loves Evie. It is the most respectful love triangle ever. Seriously, both of these guys are totally decent about the whole thing. Which is, admittedly, also kind of hot. :)

I needed closure in this series and book seven delivered it. The ending was a bit tie it up with a bow. I was still satisfied. I even got a bit sad and watery-eyed twice. When you read it, you’ll know exactly when that happened. 

I just have too much on my plate to reread the whole series, but it’s one of those series that I wish I could experience for the first time again. I remember it feeling so magical. I was enthralled by the concept and loved the characters. There’s comfort in the good vs evil back and forth. Plus, outside of the Tarot cards we have other things like zombie-type creatures, humans hanging on, and other types of minor cards like Wands and Swords.

If you like fantasy, sweet romance, a bit of spice, and lots of adventure, give it a try. 

Grade A for the entire series

Grade B for book seven

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