Arcana Chronicles Character Guide

In the Arcana Chronicles, each of the 22 Tarot cards in the Major Arcana have a human counterpart – a young person destined to fight the other “cards” in a battle to the death.  Each has their own special set of powers and abilities, strengths and weaknesses.  There can be only one winner, and only the strongest will survive.

- The Major Arcana-

This is a list of the 22 Cards in the Major Arcana, and their real names where available (so far, for example, Death has only been referred to as Death).  Those with their names crossed out have been confirmed killed.

0. The Fool - Matthew                                                  11. Justice

1. The Magician                                                          12. The Hanged Man

2. The High Priestess                                                  13. Death

3. The Empress – Evangeline Greene                               14. Temperance - Calanthe

4. The Emperor                                                           15. The Devil - Ogen

5. The Hierophant                                                        16. The Tower - Joules

6. The Lovers                                                              17. The Star

7. The Chariot                                                              18. The Moon - Selena Lua

8. Strength                                                                  19. The Sun

9. The Hermit - Arthur                                                   20. Judgement - Gabriel

10. Wheel of Fortune                                                    21. The World

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

*This is a breakdown of all of the characters in Kresley Coles‘ young adult Arcana Chronicles series, complete up to Poison Princess.  While I have tried to keep things general, this is a reference that may include spoilers.

This is alphabetical by first name, with main or vital characters highlighted in blue.

-A-

Abernathy, Mr.

• first mentioned in Poison Princess
• former animal control officer of Sterling parish
• around 30 years old
• one of the few in Sterling to survive the flash
• a widower
• thought to be a potential protector for Evangeline “Evie” Greene by Karen Greene

Arthur – The Hermit (or the Alchemist)

• first appearance in Poison Princess
• one of the Arcana
• tableau that of an aged man holding a lamp in the dark
• looks to be in his 20′s but is only around 16
• skin weathered from the flash
• lives only to conduct his experiments
• a murderer
• killed his abusive father and neglectful mother
• mocked as a child for the abuse he suffered by his parents
• killed an old lady and claimed her house as his own
• kidnaps and tortures young girls in the name of his experiments
• keeps his prisoners chained in the basement
• stores the body parts of those he has killed for further study
• has always been interested in chemical concoctions
• fascinated with poisons and elixirs
• wanted to study alchemy
• fastidious and obsessive
• highly intelligent but a true psychopath
• virtually emotionless, except for loneliness
• a predator and a monster
• considered mentally ill
• did not know he was one of the Arcana
• kept himself so medicated he never heard the voices of the other Arcana
• killed by Evangeline “Evie” Greene

-B-

Brandon “Brand” Radcliffe

• first appearance in Poison Princess
• boyfriend of Evangeline “Evie” Greene
• a high school senior
• star quarterback
• hazel eyes, curling light brown hair
• wide shouldered and muscular
• ruggedly built, but acts like a teddy bear
• clean cut with a movie-star smile
• rich and popular
• the most eligible boy in Sterling parish
• happy go lucky and charming, kind-hearted
• drives a Porsche
• best friend of Spencer Stevens III
• killed in the flash

Broussard, Mr.

• first appearance in Poison Princess
• teacher at Sterling High

-C-

Calanthe – Temperance

• first appearance in Poison Princess
• one of the Arcana
• wields the weight of sins
• can turn sins against the sinner
• in her early teens
• carries two trident blades
• black haired, with olive skin
• worked with Joules (The Tower) and Gabriel (Judgment) to battle Death and Ogen (The Devil)
• killed by the Death Arcana

Catherine “Cat”Ashley

• first appearance in Poison Princess
• from a wealthy family
• cheerleader at Sterling High
• toured New Zealand on her summer break
• can never hide her true feelings and reactions
• friend of Evangeline “Evie” Greene, Melissa Warren, and Grace Anne

Clotile Declouet

• first appearance in Poison Princess
• Cajun French Catholic
• has a criminal record
• from the poor Louisiana parish of Basin
• transferred to rich Sterling High
• friend and perhaps sister of Jackson Deveaux
• long chestnut brown hair
• wears heavy make-up and trashy clothes
• an excellent shot
• survived the flash
• joined the militia with Jackson Deveaux
• put to work in the kitchens
• taken prisoner by the army
• abused by twins Vincent and Violet Milovnici
• horrified by what was done to her
• killed herself after helping Jackson Deveaux escape the militia

-D-

Death (no real name given)

• first appearance in Poison Princess
• one of the Arcana
• the grim reaper
• strong and incredibly fast
• master swordsman
• a perfect killer
• carries death in his touch
• wears black armor and rides a pale stallion
• appears in Evangeline “Evie” Greene’s dreams
• looks around 20, but is over 2000 years old
• eastern European or Russian accent
• long white blonde hair
• stunningly beautiful
• tall and broad shouldered
• eyes glitter like stars
• targets Evangeline “Evie” Greene
• has waited endless years to battle The Empress again
• works with Ogen (The Devil)
• killed Calanthe

-E-

Evangeline “Evie” Greene – The Empress

• first appearance in Poison Princess
• one of the Arcana
• her call is “Come, touch…but you’ll pay a price”
• also known as Poison Princess, The May Queen, Lady Lotus, Queen of Thorns, Phyta
• born in Sterling, Louisiana
• father disappeared during a fishing trip in Basin parish when she was young
• raised on a sugarcane farm called Haven
• pretty and popular cheerleader at Sterling High
• dated the high-school quarterback Brandon Radcliffe
• grandmother sent away for supposedly being mentally ill
• grandmother was a chronicler of the Tarot, or a Tarasova
• began to experience hallucinations and nightmares
• spent 3 months in a mental hospital in Atlanta
• best friend Melissa Warren and boyfriend Brandon Radcliffe killed in the flash
• mother Karen Greene died after the flash from injuries sustained fighting the Baggers
• burned down her home to keep it from the militia
• has the power of phytomanipulation
• controls all things that root or bloom
• flowery scent that changes with her emotions
• nails can morph into poisonous thorns able to cut through metal
• does not attack first, but beckons her prey to her
• hears the voices of the other Arcana
• dreams of a previous Empress she calls the Red Witch
• Jackson Deveaux the anchor that helps her keep her humanity
• can use her blood to grow plants
• determined to hold on to her goodness and humanity
• turned 16 a week after the flash
• light southern lilt to her voice
• willowy figure and delicate features
• just over 5 feet tall
• wavy blonde hair, cornflower blue eyes
• changes to red hair strewn with flowers, green eyes and ivy glyphs on her skin when her powers come out
• travels the road with Jackson Deveaux
• kills Arthur (the Hermit)
• wears the glowing symbol of a lantern on her hand after killing Arthur (the Hermit)

-F-

Finneas “Finn” – The Magican

• first appearance in Poison Princess
• one of the Arcana
• tableau shows him wearing a red robe, holding a wand at the sky while pointing to the ground, surrounded by roses
• call is “don’t look at this hand, look at that one”
• can create illusions, make himself invisible
• can make himself look like anyone
• girl crazy
• originally from Malibu, California
• sent to live with family in North Carolina to correct his behavior problems
• about to be sent to military school
• uses his abilities to steal from the militia
• around 16
• chin length dirty blonde hair and freckles
• looks and sounds like a surfer

-G-

Gabriel – Judgment

• first appearance in Poison Princess
• one of the Arcana
• call is “I watch you like a hawk”
• also known as the Archangel
• dresses in old fashioned clothes
• has black wings, is able to fly
• attacks from above
• has missile-like speed
• hovers above battles and chooses the perfect time to attack
• fights with Calanthe (Temperance) and Joules (The Tower) against Death and Ogen (The Devil)

Gaston

• first appearance in Poison Princess
• from the poor parish of Basin, Louisiana
• Cajun French Catholic
• transferred to Sterling High
• friend of Jackson Deveaux

Grace Anne

• first appearance in Poison Princess
• from a wealthy family
• cheerleader at Sterling High
• spent her summer vacation in Hawaii
• friend of Evangeline “Evie” Greene, Melissa Warren, and Catherine “Cat” Ashley
• café au lait skin
• wears a purity ring

Grandmother (no real name given)

• first mentioned in Poison Princess
• mother of Karen Greene, grandmother of Evangeline “Evie” Greene
• twinkling brown eyes
• full of life and laughter
• a chronicler of the Tarot, or a Tarasova
• knows the destiny of the Arcana
• tried to prepare Evangeline “Evie” Greene for her destiny
• was believed to be mentally ill
• committed to a mental hospital in North Carolina 8 years ago
• accused of kidnapping Evangeline “Evie” Greene

-H-

-I-

-J-

Jackson Deveaux

• first appearance in Poison Princess
• nicknamed Jack Daniels
• carries a flask of whiskey
• from poor Basin parish in Louisiana
• lives in poverty
• has a criminal record
• on parole for beating an abusive ex-stepfather
• believed to be behind a series of thefts in Sterling
• Cajun French Catholic
• some of his family had psychic abilities
• transferred to Sterling High from poor Basin High School
• planned to work on the oil rigs after high school
• rough and tough
• a ladies man
• drives a motorcycle
• alcoholic mother, met his father only once
• could have been the brother of Clotile Declouet
• 18 years old, but looks like an adult
• well over 6 feet tall
• unruly jet black hair, vivid gray eyes
• deeply tanned face with strong features
• roughly attractive
• knuckles scarred from years of fighting
• speaks with a Cajun drawl
• perceptive and cunning
• joined the Louisiana militia after the flash
• fights against the abuses of the militia
• skilled fighter, carries a crossbow
• very protective
• keeps Evangeline “Evie” Greene anchored and keeps the voices of the Arcana quiet

Joules - The Tower

• first appearance in Poison Princess
• one of the Arcana
• master of electricity
• shoots lightning javelins
• targets Evangeline “Evie” Greene the night of her birthday party
• works with Calanthe (Temperance) and Gabriel (Judgment) fighting against Death and Ogen (The Devil)

-K-

Karen Greene

• first appearance in Poison Princess
• mother of Evangeline “Evie” Greene
• lived in Sterling, Louisiana
• husband disappeared during a fishing trip years ago
• usually considered the ideal mother
• funny, kind and hardworking
• took over her mother’s farm and turned it into the largest in the parish
• did not believe her mother’s doomsday prophecies
• had her mother committed to a mental hospital 8 years ago
• had daughter Evangeline “Evie” Greene sent to a children’s hospital after she began to hear voices and have nightmares
• delicate looking but strong and determined
• 41 years old
• pretty and blonde
• after the flash, began to stockpile food and supplies
• survived the initial flash, but died later from injuries sustained from fighting the Bagmen

-L-

Lionel

• first appearance in Poison Princess
• Cajun French Catholic
• from poor Basin parish in Louisiana
• transferred to rich Sterling High
• has a criminal record
• somewhat abrasive personality
• a thief
• skinny, with dark blonde hair and long features
• not unattractive
• thick Cajun accent
• friend of Jackson Deveaux and Clotile Declouet
• killed in the flash

-M-

Matthew - The Fool

• first appearance in Poison Princess
• refers to himself as Matthew Mat Zero Matto
• one of the Arcana
• his tableau is that of a smiling young man carrying a knapsack and a white rose, being followed by a small dog, as he is about to walk over a cliff
• appears to Evangeline “Evie” Greene in visions of the apocalypse
• tries to prepare Evangeline “Evie” Greene for her role as The Empress
• considers Evangeline “Evie” Greene his only friend
• autistic but highly psychic
• can see the past, present and future of everyone except himself
• Death is able to see through his eyes
• often speaks cryptically
• sees the actions of the other Arcana
• left to drown in his basement by his mother
• rescued by Jackson Deveaux, Evangeline “Evie” Greene, and Selena Lua
• mother committed suicide
• 16 years old
• even features, dark brown hair and eyes
• tall and leanly muscular, lanky
• handsome

Melissa Warren

• first appearance in Poison Princess
• best friend of Evangeline “Evie” Greene since childhood
• cheerleader at Sterling High
• from a wealthy family
• drives a BMW
• modeled in Paris over her summer vacation
• hyperactive wild child
• acts before she thinks
• never embarrassed or ashamed
• loyal and devoted to Evangeline “Evie” Greene
• mother the guidance councilor at Sterling High school
• father paid for the library at Sterling High
• around 16
• 5 foot 11
• auburn hair
• mouth a bit too big, eyes a bit too wide, but striking looking
• determined to date Spencer Stevens III
• killed in the flash

Milovnici, General

• first mentioned in Poison Princess
• leader of a growing traveling army
• takes over or kills all of the smaller militia groups
• harsh and brutal
• father of Vincent and Violet Milovnici

-N-

-O-

Ogen – The Devil

• first appearance in Poison Princess
• one of the Arcana
• also called El Diablo
• a horned beast
• able to change form into monsters and giants
• companion of Death, the Grim Reaper

-P-

-Q-

-R-

Red Witch, The – The Empress

• first appearance in Poison Princess
• a former Arcana
• dubbed the Red Witch by Evangeline “Evie” Greene
• one of the former versions of the Empress
• attacked when she did not keep what she was secret
• uses her abilities to torture others
• destroys entire villages
• feared by all
• wild red hair strewn with leaves and green eyes
• tall, pale skinned with green ivy like tattoos
• sinister purple claws

-S-

Selena Lua – The Moon

• first appearance in Poison Princess
• one of the Arcana
• call is “behold the bringer of doubt”
• tableau that of a red tinged archer
• the Archess
• pretends to have no knowledge of the Arcana
• loves hunting and fishing, motocross
• a great cook
• seems like the perfect woman
• claims to have been training for the Olympic archery team before the flash
• lives in a fully stocked mansion after the flash
• able to shoot her bow with superhuman speed
• attracted to Jackson Deveaux
• helps to rescue Matthew
• 18 years old
• gorgeous, with nearly waist length shimmery blonde hair and dark eyes
• tall and long legged

Spencer Stevens III

• first appearance in Poison Princess
• popular student at Sterling High
• football player
• best friend of Brandon Radcliffe
• hooks up with Melissa Warren

-T-

Tee-Bo

• first appearance in Poison Princess
• Cajun French Catholic
• from the poor Louisiana parish of Basin
• transferred to Sterling High
• friend of Jackson Deveaux

-U-

-V-

Vincent Milovnici

• first appearance in Poison Princess
• twin brother of Violet Milovnici
• son of General Milovnici
• around 16 years old
• creepy, with vacant eyes
• has a goth looking mark on his hand
• talks, acts and dresses exactly like his twin sister Violet Milovnici
• travels with his father’s army
• takes Clotile Declouet prisoner and abuses her
• actions lead to the death of Clotile Declouet

Violet Milovnici

• first appearance in Poison Princess
• twin sister of Vincent Milovnici
• daughter of General Milovnici
• around 16 years old
• creepy, with vacant eyes
• has a goth looking mark on her hand
• talks, acts and dresses exactly like her twin brother Vincent Milovnici
• travels with her father’s army
• takes Clotile Declouet prisoner and abuses her
• actions lead to the death of Clotile Declouet

-W-

-X-

-Y-

-Z-