This post contains affiliate links.
Title: Where Dreams Descend
Author: Janella Angeles
Sub-genre: Fantasy
Release Date: August 25, 2020
So as I mentioned in my last Owl Crate reveal post, I was super stoked to see Where Dreams Descend as the chosen book. As a former theater nerd and forever theater lover, I have a soft spot in my heart for any books related to life on the stage. I particularly love fantasy books that involve the spectacle of the theater, so this book was basically written just for me (but I think you’ll love it too).
Kallia is a magician who has spent years of her life performing as a showgirl for her “master” Jack. Kallia has always dreamed of striking out on her own and exploring the rest of the world, but every time she tries to leave, Jack puts her under some kind of spell and wipes her memories. But Kallia knows her powers are unmatched, and when she finds out there is going to be competition for magicians, she finally is able to break through Jack’s bonds and escape. Kallia ends up being the only female magician chosen for the contest, and quickly realizes nothing on the outside is quite what it seems. With the help of one of the judges, Demarco–a former magician with a tragic past–Kallia starts to uncover some dangerous secrets. And that’s all I will say about that for now!
Alright, so first and foremost, the world-building in this novel is fantastic. It gave me all the Moulin Rouge/Night Circus vibes and I am obsessed with the concept and execution of the setting. Sometimes it was a lot, but I think overall, it was handled in a way that it never felt overwhelming or like I couldn’t follow along. I loved Kallia and Demarco, both of whom were complex characters with interesting pasts, and I really liked how their secrets were revealed throughout the book. There were some surprising twists that I really enjoyed (and it’s pretty hard to surprise me with a plot twist). I did think the book itself could have used a little more editing. The pacing dragged for me at a couple of spots, especially in the middle, and since this book is going to be the first in a series, I think it could have stood to be a little shorter. Overall, I was so captivated by the world the book created that I was okay with overlooking some things that would probably bug me more in other books. Safe to say, I will be picking up the sequel.
Overall Rating: 4.5 stars