Review: Endless Knight (Arcana Chronicles #2)

Endless Knight, Book 2 in the Arcana Chronicles Series by Kresley Cole

Published By: Simon and Schuster
Publication Date: September 2, 2014
Date Read: January 16, 2025
Genre: YA – Dystopia
Source: Bought
Format: Audiobook
Pages: 320

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In this second book thrilling book of The Arcana Chronicles from #1 New York Times bestselling author Kresley Cole, Evie struggles to accept her place in the prophecy that will either save the world—or destroy it.

Evie has fully come into her powers as the tarot Empress, and Jack was there to see it all. As one of twenty-two teens given powers following the apocalypse, she now knows a war is brewing, and it’s kill or be killed.

When Evie meets Death, the gorgeous and dangerous Endless Knight, things get even more complicated. Though falling for Jack, she’s drawn to Death as well. Somehow the Empress and Death share a romantic history, one that Evie can’t remember—but Death can’t forget…

“I desired you before, but I never loved you until this life.”

I read book 1 in The Arcana Chronicles back in 2022, and I remember really enjoying it. I’d always intended to continue the series, but for some reason I just never got around to it. As part of my 2025 ‘continue a series’ challenge, I finally picked up Endless Knight on audio… and honestly, I’m a little bit torn about it. On the one hand, I really enjoy the premise and the characters, but honestly it took me a long time to get through this book as I kept getting bored. I’m not sure whether it was the book or the narrator that caused that.

I really like the idea of this series, that the characters draw their powers from tarot cards. I know there’s a few more books out there with a tarot card influence but this is the first one that I have personally read and I really enjoy that. In addition to that, I really enjoy that it’s a mix of different genres. We have fantasy elements in this book with powers and magic, but in a dystopic world. As someone who is a huge fan of dystopia novels, this is a definite plus for me.

In terms of the characters, I like the majority of them with my favourite being Death. He is just… amazing. Right from the start of when Evie ended up in Death’s clutches I was sold. I really like that partnership. I am on the fence with Evie… she did a lot in this book that irritated me to no end. She just needs to stop being so ridiculously stupid… and changing her mind every 3 pages. Pick a side and stick to it girl!

Now on to my issues… I got bored at many points in this book. I was definitely continuing just to get it done, which has left me wondering whether I want to continue the series or not. Honestly, a part of me feels like it is the audiobook that is to blame. While the narrator is okay… the way she does Jack’s voice pulls me completely out of the story. In particular the way she says ‘baby’ when in Jack’s voice… I just laughed every single time because it’s ridiculous. I am probably going to try book 3 on ebook, and then decide at the point whether I’m going to continue or not. Hopefully I’ll really enjoy book 3 as I do think the premise and plot has a lot of potential.

“My relationship with Jackson had felt fated. Whatever I had with Aric felt . . . endless.”