Where Dreams Descend is an experience unlike any other. It’s like being immersed in a glimmering hall of mirrors. You aren’t sure which way is up, what is illusion, and what lies in front of your face. Keep reading my book review to see how in love I am with Where Dreams Descend.
Summary
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
Review
(Disclaimer: I received this book from Edelweiss. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
From page one, Where Dreams Descend felt as luscious as red velvet. The words are glittering and the atmosphere is simmering. There is a sense of tension gently humming, like a violin behind a curtain, and this pull of mystery in a world of magic entrances you. There are feats of miracles, magic beyond imagining, and performances of a lifetime. Where Dreams Descend is a story of ambition and power on a quivering stage. Full of romance and intrigue, Where Dreams Descend will enthrall you till the very end.
I could go on and on about the gorgeous writing in Where Dreams Descend, not only in the words Angeles has chosen, but also in the atmosphere on the pages. But the characters are equally captivating. Hiding secrets, even from themselves, I adored Kallia. She is ambitious, daring, and unapologetic. At the same time she balances her fear, doubts, and passion to fight the sexism that stops women from becoming magicians. Her narration is passionate and you can feel her thirst for the stage. The way she sees the glory of performance, to be on the stage, in the spotlight. I instantly rooted for her to burn it all to the ground – illusion or not. She’s fighting for her spot, her name, in a world that seems equally repulsed and enticed by her.
Overall,
Everyone has secrets. And this is more true than you might imagine in Where Dreams Descend. At times you want people to tell each other the truth, to bare their honest selves, fully knowing that kind of honesty is rare and even rarer when you need it. People keep dangerous secrets to themselves all the time. I loved the world building and characters in Where Dreams Descend, but I’m even more excited for the sequel because Angeles has planted all these seeds for the sequel! Angeles asks our intrepid magicians who they are without magic, weaving a story about the way our secrets will pull us apart from our desires. How it can rip the things we want from our hands before they’ve had a chance to beat.
If you are intrigued by a magical competition, fierce heroines, and a quest for fame then check out Where Dreams Descend. Find Where Dreams Descend on Goodreads, Amazon, Indiebound & The Book Depository.
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.
Twitter: @Janella_Angeles // Instagram: @Janella_Angeles
the magicians in the magicians by lisa maxwell are pretty cool! that series is so cool and historical while also being diverse and aware of the social issues happening in the time periods.
this is a high recommendation and I am very excited for this, adding to my TBR!