Reviewed by Quirky Cat on
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
Reading updates
- Started reading
- 26 August, 2020: Finished reading
- 26 August, 2020: Reviewed