Where Dreams Descend (Kindom of Cards, Book One)
By Janella Angeles
*I was graciously given a free copy in exchange for an honest review*
Format: Ebook
Pages: 464
Publisher: Wednesday Books
Genres: Fiction, Young-adult, Fantasy, Romance, Magic
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Overall Rating:
This book was first described to me as Moulin Rouge meets The Phantom of the Opera and The Night Circus and I literally needed nothing else. Ummm, yes please. Sign me the heck up. And I’m so happy to report that the rumors are TRUE, this really is an amazing combination of those three while still being in a category all it’s own. I had so much fun reading this!
THE BLURB
In a city covered in ice and ruin, a group of magicians face off in a daring game of magical feats to find the next headliner of the Conquering Circus, only to find themselves under the threat of an unseen danger striking behind the scenes.
As each act becomes more and more risky and the number of missing magicians piles up, three are forced to reckon with their secrets before the darkness comes for them next.
The Star: Kallia, a powerful showgirl out to prove she’s the best no matter the cost
The Master: Jack, the enigmatic keeper of the club, and more than one lie told
The Magician: Demarco, the brooding judge with a dark past he can no longer hide
Where Dreams Descend is the startling and romantic first book in Janella Angeles’ debut Kingdom of Cards fantasy duology where magic is both celebrated and feared, and no heart is left unscathed.
THE REVIEW
Have you ever had a moment reading or watching a movie where you realize you can’t trust anything or anyone? Because that’s exactly what happened to me a few chapters into this novel and it BLEW MY FRIGGIN’ MIND. It was like watching Inception when you can’t figure out what’s reality and what’s a dream. Personally I love that kind of stuff and I was LIVING for it in Where Dreams Descend. I loved the mystery of it all and trying to piece everything together.
The world building and writing is spectacular too. The more I learned, the more I loved it and wanted to keep reading. It gave me some major Caraval vibes for some reason?? That’s probably just my weird brain because the two books aren’t really that similar. But something about the combination of mystery and magic gave me some serious Legend flashbacks and I mean that as a compliment.
Also, Kallia is the best and I love her?? She was so spunky and confident, which was amazing to see in a female protagonist. Her determination to shatter through the patriarchy and forge her own path was inspiring. I really enjoyed the feminist themes of this book and can’t wait to read more in book two.
Also, THAT CLIFFY AT THE END???? UGGGGGH.
FINAL WORD
This book was so much fun, I loved the mystery and beautiful magic. Two thumbs way up!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
JANELLA ANGELES is a Filipino-American author who got her start in writing through consuming glorious amounts of fanfiction at a young age—which eventually led to penning a few of her own, and later on, creating original stories from her imagination. A lifelong lover of books, she’s lucky enough to be working in the business of publishing them on top of writing them. She currently resides in Massachusetts, where she’s most likely to be found listening to musicals on repeat and daydreaming too much for her own good. Where Dreams Descend is her first book.
TALK TO ME
Tell me what you think!
Has anyone read this book yet?
Who else needs more Moulin Rouge-inspired books in their lives??
Holler at me in the comments!!
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