Where Dreams Descend: A Novel (Kingdom of Cards, #1)

by Janella Angeles

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.

• ISBN10: 1250204356
• ISBN13: 9781250204356
• Publish Date: 1 September 2020 (first published 25 August 2020)
• Publish Status: Active
• Out of Print: 31 October 2023
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: Wednesday Books
• Format: Hardcover
• Pages: 432
• Language: English

Reviews

This book was a lot of fun, it actually reminded me a bit of Caraval. I also imagine that being the reason why some people did not like if that much. I was pleasantly surprised by the ending and how the answers were obvious, but not too obvious at the same time. Some of them at least.

[Inkslinger]

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"Not all magic is good magic.
Few people can use it, even fewer are born to it. Since the closing of Zarose Gate, our world has toyed with the magic that poured into the air generations ago, turning the insignificant into the extraordinary. The human into the divine.
But even within the divine lies ugliness."


08-31: I've said it before, for those of you who follow me.. I don't read a lot of books that call magic wielders magicians. Somehow, though they're no different than wizards or sorcerers, the simple change of term conjures something different in my mind.. those of stage performers pulling rabbits out of hats or playing card tricks.. basic illusions that rely on sleight of hand, misdirection, and so forth.

All that aside, I still try not to be too influenced by my own internal prejudices. If a story sounds interesting, I try to give it a chance even if something about it normally keeps me away.. and 'Where Dreams Descend'.. the first book in the Kingdom of Cards series by Janella Angeles.. is absolutely one of those titles.

Not only are the magic wielders called magicians, the story is sort of rooted around a circus and that's also something that just doesn't normally draw my attention. As a child, as much as anyone else.. I was fascinated with the Big Top and all the 'magic' within.. as an adult, not so much.


"Some mirrors are like windows designed to be more convincing than others. You should always approach them with care. Always think before trusting your reflection."


The Conquering Circus is in town.. a traveling act accompanying a sort of reckless ringmaster who deals in magic and sensationalism.

In a city that has been veritably locked away from prying eyes for years, the mayor has invited a competition called Spectaculor in an attempt to draw business and tourists.. thereby infusing money into their economy. A select group of magicians will pass the auditions and get into the running to become the next headliner for the circus, but there are biases at play from the start.

It seems, a woman's place in the magic world is in service, while men are meant to perform for crowds of admirers. Unfortunately, Kallia is unconvinced. Powerful in her own right and with little left to lose, she'll do anything to win.. even ignoring the threats and disappearances that stack up around her.

On the run from her mentor and mastor, the keeper of the club she's lived and worked in for longer than she can recall, the mystery of him is beginning to unfold when she meets Demarco, the brooding, withdrawn young judge who has left the business far ahead of retiring age for reasons unknown.. and his past is slowly coming to light.


"..opportunity was the last thing on Daron's mind when he reassessed the Alastor Place--more a cemetery of dreams than the stage to make them come alive."


I really went into this story without a lot of expectation. To be fair, I was a little concerned it wouldn't live up to the hype the masses were pouring onto it, but it's a beautifully engaging story told in methodically paced measures.

The imagery is dreamlike at times and those dreams aren't always pleasant, but they're constantly swirling, drawing the reader deeper into the tale. Angeles is an eloquent wordsmith the likes of which I experience rarely. In fact, I can think of only a handful I've read amongst current authors in the last year and most of them are indie writers, still trying to reach the greater audience.

Interestingly, though the story is about a circus and magicians, the cover put me in mind of Phantom of the Opera.. and I do feel like there are parallels here. There's the young gifted star, the master behind the proverbial curtains, and those around her that seem to further inspire her hunger for freedom. In addition to them, the competition between the field of magicians is intense. The game is dangerous to begin with, heightened by those predispositions, and infusing by what appears to be a powerful, malevolent force.

Though Jack is arguably a villain, it was impossible to truly dislike him. Even without explanation for the decisions he made along the way, he was constantly in conflict and I continued to feel like the choices he made were what he believed to be the best options for those close to him.

Demarco, oh the lovely tortured soul.. this character is my cup of tea. He carries guilt, doubt, and self-loathing like they're strapped to his person. I felt like he wanted to connect, even if everything he said and did seemed to say the opposite. Special mention to Aaros who I found to be a darling. I enjoyed the fact the mc could be paired with someone loyal who was a brilliant friend and never tried to become more.


"Games between magicians always get cutthroat. You mix the primal urge to win and the ability to do the impossible, and it ends in chaos."


Honestly, I was desperate to know all of their stories. Not just the path they were on currently, but where they came from, what pain lie behind them in their wake, and whether retribution or betrayal would line the acts of their futures. The supporting characters are vibrant and rich, their personalities distinctive enough to create a feeling of investment in me.

Angeles isn't afraid to get a little dark, nor is she afraid to risk the characters we come to like. I definitely have unanswered questions and I'll be looking for enlightenment in the next book, but despite the mild cliffhanger, there is still a finality to the book.. which is something I deeply appreciate. It's like having the author believe in her work enough to know we're coming back for more.. no matter what.

I absolutely loved it and if you like powerful writers with a graceful flow.. I think you will too.


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[Quirky Cat]

I received a copy of Where Dreams Descend in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Where Dreams Descend is the first novel in Janella Angeles new series, Kingdom of Cards. It's a world full of magic, danger, and romance. It's perfect for those that love tales of magical circuses, card games, and everything in between.

This is a world full of magic – and rules. This is a world where magicians are king, but only the men seem to rise to the top. That is not the case for everyone else out there. There is a darkness in this world – and in one city in particular.

This is the world that Kallia was born into, and while she doesn't remember her past, she knows what she wants out of life. She wants more. More than what she currently has – more than a life spent inside a magical prison.

Enter the two other key players in this novel. Jack: club owner, magician, liar, and so much more. Demarco, the fallen hero, ex-magician, and seeking for a new path in life.

“She craved to know more. Something. Anything. For whatever waited in the unknown, it called to her.”

Oh my goodness. I think I'm in love. I loved every little thing about Where Dreams Descend. From the way it started, to the way the characters seemed to dance across the pages. This novel was literally everything I had hoped it would be, and so (SO) much more.

It has been a hot minute since I was so utterly enchanted by a novel. I found myself sucked into Where Dreams Descend, and unable to look away until the very last page. It was the perfect balance of everything I wanted out of a book.

Kallia's story is compelling, and she is arguably one of the most confident characters I've read about in quite some time. She made for a stark contrast, when compared to Demarco and Jack. Yet still, the three somehow oddly fit well together.

Then there's this cursed city. The stories from Kallia's time there were enough to make my blood boil. Ironically enough, that added a sense of realism (and heaviness) to this tale, making it feel even more real in the process.

“You think I dance under the rain to stay dry?”

All things considered, I couldn't help but get swept away in the plot. In Kallia's struggle, and the mystery revolving around both Jack and Demarco. It kills me that I'm going to have to wait at least another year before I learn more of the truth.

I noticed that some reviews weren't entirely thrilled by Where Dreams Descend. So I'm not sure if I'm the odd person out, or what. I really enjoyed this novel, and everything it had to offer. I also enjoyed the series that it's reminiscent of, so I don't think this is a case of either/or. Though admittedly I'm only now getting into The Shadow Game, so maybe that's part of it? Though I did love Caraval, and other series with similar tones.

Regardless, I personally cannot wait for the next novel in this series. Or really, any news I can get about it. So don't mind me as I sit here anxiously, waiting for more.

Check out more reviews over at Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks

[kalventure]

✨ Read the excerpt on BNTeen

I’m not kidding when I say that I’ve been waiting for this book for over a year. I think Where Dreams Descend was one of my top five anticipated releases for 2020, and I’m happy to say that it did not disappoint! I was instantly drawn into the magical world Angeles wove, and devoured the book quickly. Pitched as Moulin Rouge meets Phantom of the Opera with a hint of The Night Circus – that’s a good description, but this is a story all its own unlike one I’ve read before.

“The Conquering Circus Presents…S P E C T A C U L O R E
Where the stage tells a story, and legends are born!"

Where Dreams Descend is told in acts like a play, and the book itself feels like a performance in a way that I can’t really describe. Beautiful and captivating, Angeles’ prose flows on the page and draws the reader into a magical world.

While I was most swept away by the plot and world, I absolutely adore Kallia. She’s inquisitive and ambitious, with a longing for adventure and belonging that I relate to. As she begins to experience the world and form relationships within it, my heart soared for her. The character relationships and rapport Kallia builds are truly special. Let it be known that Aaros is the best and I defy you to think otherwise.

“‘What you see in any reflection is a world unto itself, one you can believe in because what you see aligns with what you know surrounds you.'”

Trust and reality itself are at the fore throughout as Kallia and the reader are never really sure what is true. Reality blurs and so much is unknown by our main characters, and the way worldbuilding is revealed is like standing on shifting sand… constantly leading you to readjust your footing.

“‘But none of you make it to the top, and we all know why. You’re just a spectacle, something pretty to look at – nothing more.'”

But there is more than just a beautifully crafted fantasy story. Where Dreams Descend also looks at gender equality in a way that mirrors how women in the workforce are undervalued. Female magicians have few options and are expected to be in gendered roles, the life of performance being for men only. Kallia competing in the Spectaculore to claim the recognition deserved by her skill ruffles more than a few feathers.

“How wonderful it must’ve been, to come into this life with the searing blaze of choice. To practice and learn magic however you wished. To go wherever your feet could take you. It was only too easy to imagine how such a life might’ve changed her. To have had the glory of choice over the promise of power.”

My one complaint is I feel like I’m left with more questions than answers at the end of the book. I’m the kind of reader who is particularly invested in worldbuilding, and I felt like I was missing an “aha!” moment where something clicked into place. That being said, Where Dreams Descend is a book with immense re-readability. Now that I’ve gotten to the end, I wonder what other clues I would pick up on a second reading.

Overall, the setting and descriptions in this one set Where Dreams Descend apart in my mind. The prose wraps you up like a blanket and captivates you while reading, and I loved the fast pace that kept me hooked to the end… I can’t believe I have to wait a year to find out what happens!

Content warnings: loss of loved ones, patriarchy & sexism

ARC provided by the publisher for my honest review. This does not affect my opinion or the content of my review. Quotations are from an uncorrected proof and subject to change upon final publication.

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[tweetybugshouse]

“There were some problems too unsolvable for magic. Or maybe that’s what they wanted everyone to think, to keep them asking such questions in the first place? Well it certainly can explain how a city with a way in suddenly has no way out”. This quote accurately pulls up a small tidbit of what happens in Where Dreams Descend. A magical city that houses magic but is impossible to find, but suddenly is when a magical competition for magicians (mostly male) is announced. A contract that must be signed that can not be voided. A lovely female magician who sweeps the stage but is shunned because a female can not perform magic. This tale has many twists and turns and they are all hidden in this city. Our female magician has a past that is intertwined with a mysterious character named Jack. She forms a romantic relationship with her mentor who also has a mysterious past that are teased out right at the very moments before the final performance of the competition. The ending is a show stopper and will leave you breathless trying to find the rest of the story that is not their. Open the pages of where A Dreams Descend if you dare especially if you liked The Crowns Game and Caraval series.

[Veronica 🦦]

A+ | Lush, breathtaking, show-stopping, splendorous, marvelous, decadent, exquisite. These are just a few words that I can use to describe Janella Angeles’s debut novel. Many of the reviewers I trust have described this book as something akin to a dessert. You know what? I agree. It’s a salted caramel cheesecake. It’s that Bake Cheese Tart from Japan that I adore so much. I have not fallen in love like this with a book in a long, long time. There are some things that I hope Janella improves upon in the second novel. However, these issues did not take away from the fact that I absolutely enjoyed everything that this book offers.

Read this for Wikathon w/ Rose, aka @thatbookishteacher, and you should absolutely check out her blog.

For the full review, head over to my blog, moon & coffee!


--------------------
A++++ | AM I REALLY SUPPOSED TO WAIT HOW LONG FOR THE NEXT BOOK?????

Full review to come.

[pagingserenity]

Thank you NetGalley for an arc but WTF was that ending? I can't believe I have to wait until 2021 to read the next book.

I really enjoyed reading this book. I loved Kallia and her fierceness and how magic was woven into the plot. And I also loved how the story alluded to many modern day issues and struggles (like how women have to work harder to be taken seriously).

But there's something off about either the world building or the pacing. I'm generally a one sitting reader but I found myself willingly taking breaks between chapters. The story was intriguing and beautifully written from the very beginning but I didn't really get fully pulled in until about the halfway mark.

[bgsbooks18]

Review coming

[Witty and Sarcastic Bookclub]

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with this book in exchange for my honest opinion. This book will be available for purchase on June second.

I was interested in this book because a review said that fans of The Night Circus would love it. I must say, I have no idea why the review said that, since the two books are so incredibly different. However, I still found this book to be incredibly enjoyable.

Kallia is a very powerful magician. When the book opens, she works for the enigmatic Jack (also known as The Master) in a club known as Hell House. She lives on his estate, a pampered but lonely existence. Kallia dreams of leaving and travelling to the city of Glorian. When she sees a flyer advertising a competition for magicians she seizes her chance, despite Jack’s warnings against leaving.

Kallia is the only female in the competition, and it is clear from the beginning that she is not wanted. Strange doings start and what began as a competition turns into something far deadlier.

What makes this book stand out are the fantastic characters. On top of Kallia, there’s Canary, a fire eater; Aaros, a thief-turned-magician’s assistant; and Demarco, a judge from the competition who’s hiding something. And, of course, there’s Jack. I didn’t love Kallia because she’s so convinced that everyone is against her. She’s very prickly. However, it made her incredibly interesting. The other characters were all very well-developed. Jack is my favorite. He’s such a mystery. There’s obviously more to him than is revealed in this book, and I can’t wait to see where his story-line goes.

This book ends on a cliff hanger, so if that’s a pet peeve of yours, you might want to wait for the sequel to be released before reading it. I loved it, though. The stakes were raised and there are loose ends waiting to be tied up. If the sequel continues in the vein of this book, it’s going to be a doozy.