Scan barcode
cmdufresne's review
3.0
I love the concept, and the characters, and the style of writing, but the actual plot is just.... lacking. Which makes me so sad, because everything about this description and characters is right up my alley, and the first one gave me hope for more explanation in the second.
I know I overthink things, but I just have a hard time suspending disbelief when I feel like there are obvious plot holes, things that are avoided, or characters who act out of character just to cause conflict. So I had a really difficult time getting absorbed in this world because I kept thinking "wait, why would that happen?" Or "why would they do that?" Or "why are they acting like that". If you're capable of just accepting something for what it says, and not expecting it to fit together, then it's good. I just can't do that. And it made it come across to me as a little half-baked and super forced. But still enjoyed the world, and am optimistic for the author in the future.
Examples trying to not give spoilers if anyone wants to try to explain- I really don't know what the "villian's" motivation or end goal was. Like I know what they wanted to happen, but they never made clear why that would have even been beneficial for them. I don't know what happened to the dealer or how. Don't understand basically anything about the gate. Don't understand any particulars about mirror magic. The illusions in a duel are said to be easier to start with something real, but isn't the literal point that everything is an illusion? If not where do these "real" things come from? And what's the point of what Jack does at the end? And I have too many more coming to me while I write this list, so if anyone wants to basically try to justify the whole book, let me know.
I know I overthink things, but I just have a hard time suspending disbelief when I feel like there are obvious plot holes, things that are avoided, or characters who act out of character just to cause conflict. So I had a really difficult time getting absorbed in this world because I kept thinking "wait, why would that happen?" Or "why would they do that?" Or "why are they acting like that". If you're capable of just accepting something for what it says, and not expecting it to fit together, then it's good. I just can't do that. And it made it come across to me as a little half-baked and super forced. But still enjoyed the world, and am optimistic for the author in the future.
Examples trying to not give spoilers if anyone wants to try to explain- I really don't know what the "villian's" motivation or end goal was. Like I know what they wanted to happen, but they never made clear why that would have even been beneficial for them. I don't know what happened to the dealer or how. Don't understand basically anything about the gate. Don't understand any particulars about mirror magic. The illusions in a duel are said to be easier to start with something real, but isn't the literal point that everything is an illusion? If not where do these "real" things come from? And what's the point of what Jack does at the end? And I have too many more coming to me while I write this list, so if anyone wants to basically try to justify the whole book, let me know.
izzys_internet_bookshelf's review against another edition
3.0
REREAD
3/5
Whenever I first read this I was so out of it that I didn’t even type up a review. Ok so don’t get me wrong I enjoyed the book, but the direction it took was kind of hard to keep the information all together
3/5
Whenever I first read this I was so out of it that I didn’t even type up a review. Ok so don’t get me wrong I enjoyed the book, but the direction it took was kind of hard to keep the information all together
signymarie14's review against another edition
5.0
If I could give a book 6 stars, I would without a doubt give this book that. An amazing ending to an amazing duology! The way Angeles writes is gorgeous, her world building is so immersive, and her characters are some of the best I’ve ever read. I loved the first book, and this even more so and can’t wait to see what she does next!!
lindaskessler's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
You know the meme of the guy ferociously trying to get in a locked gate, yelling let me in? That’s me, shaking Angeles by the shoulders and begging for answers to the many questions left forgotten by the end of this book. I am surprisingly sad to leave some of these characters behind and wish there was just one more book to round everything out.
Back in 2020 when I was attending NYU’s Summer Publishing Program I received an absolutely gorgeous ARC for the first book in this biology—Where Dreams Descend. It ended on a devastating cliffhanger and the sequel wasn’t due to be out for over a year. I lost track of the release, but finally finished the tale this month.
Back in 2020 when I was attending NYU’s Summer Publishing Program I received an absolutely gorgeous ARC for the first book in this biology—Where Dreams Descend. It ended on a devastating cliffhanger and the sequel wasn’t due to be out for over a year. I lost track of the release, but finally finished the tale this month.
It’s hard for me to figure out just what to say about this book. There are elements I loved: the showmanship of it all, specific characters that I would happily read novellas about to get to spend more time with them, the idea of there being a mirror dimension only magicians can access. But ultimately, this book fell short for me. The elements I loved do not outweigh the struggles I had: an exposition heavy 2/3 of the book that went 0 to 100 in the last section, feeling rushed, only to leave us with a myriad of unanswered questions and plot points that went no where as far as the reader can tell. Saddest of all, the ending simply skipped over all the scenes I so desperately wanted to watch unfold. I think I will miss Jack and Vain (well, really all the Diamond Rings and maybe even Harold) most of all.
alicornette's review against another edition
3.0
2.5 stars to this one, the whole duology was just......... confusing
the_jesus_fandom's review against another edition
1.0
Did not like, thanks.
(These aren't spoilers, just mentions of gory violence)
(These aren't spoilers, just mentions of gory violence)
Spoiler
It includes: heads getting ripped off, demons, girls getting indecently close to men during arguments (like girl that is manipulation and it is sad. win with your words), premarital sex and probably other nasty stuff I can't remember right now.dame_samara's review
2.0
I finished this book days ago, but I am still struggling to fully comprehend my ongoing feelings about this book,
I finished this book having enjoyed it, only to in the end wake up in the middle of the night afterwards realizing all of the gaping plot holes that had been left that I had so desperately wanted to be fulfilled. Many of them being wiped away under the guise of Kallia just not needing to know those answers about her past.
The first 2/3 of this book were wonderful, and where it falls short is in the execution of wrapping it up (So much so that I almost feel that this series could have done better as a trilogy). Because it feels like when a show get's canceled unexpectedly and suddenly it's a rush to tie things off as neatly as possible.
I finished this book having enjoyed it, only to in the end wake up in the middle of the night afterwards realizing all of the gaping plot holes that had been left that I had so desperately wanted to be fulfilled. Many of them being wiped away under the guise of Kallia just not needing to know those answers about her past.
The first 2/3 of this book were wonderful, and where it falls short is in the execution of wrapping it up (So much so that I almost feel that this series could have done better as a trilogy). Because it feels like when a show get's canceled unexpectedly and suddenly it's a rush to tie things off as neatly as possible.
alrightieaphroditie's review against another edition
3.0
”i want you to stay because i don’t want to forget. i want memories. and i don’t have nearly enough with you,” he rasped out. “i don’t want to waste any more time.” ♡₊˚
sadly i did not vibe well with this book :( i felt like it dragged on a lot and very unnecessarily. the route it went wasn’t all too interesting to me, either. i really missed the tension and dynamic between kallia and demarco, and i hated that we barely got to see them together in this one. i also missed the carnival cadence of the first book. those aspects brought warmth to novel and i found this one to be just cold. it wasn’t an awful book, just not up to par with what i was hoping for, unfortunately. it felt good to finally pick this one up though! <3
sadly i did not vibe well with this book :( i felt like it dragged on a lot and very unnecessarily. the route it went wasn’t all too interesting to me, either. i really missed the tension and dynamic between kallia and demarco, and i hated that we barely got to see them together in this one. i also missed the carnival cadence of the first book. those aspects brought warmth to novel and i found this one to be just cold. it wasn’t an awful book, just not up to par with what i was hoping for, unfortunately. it felt good to finally pick this one up though! <3
ameserole's review against another edition
3.0
I have received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
When Night Breaks is the sequel and final installment of the duology series Kingdom of Cards. Honestly, I'm not sure how I feel about this book or the rating that I'm giving right now. The reason why is because for most of this book I was just bored. Things weren't really happening and I just wanted some action. Or anything to really happen that would make me interested in what was going on.
Then a miracle came my way and things got exciting. The only bummer is that it was pretty close to the ending of this. I'm pretty sure that's what happened to me in the first book. So, in a way, I guess the formula ended up working it's magic on me again. I just wish that the pace was a bit better and didn't have any parts that made me feel like things were dragging.
Other than that, the romance and the twists kept me on the edge of my couch. Some were interesting and others were a bit predictable. Heck I still have unanswered questions when it comes to Jack. Which definitely irks me to no end because I wanted all the answers before I got to the very last page.
In the end, I'm happy that I got the chance to dive into this but I don't really know what to think after I read the ending of this. It was good but it had potential to be better in my eyes.
When Night Breaks is the sequel and final installment of the duology series Kingdom of Cards. Honestly, I'm not sure how I feel about this book or the rating that I'm giving right now. The reason why is because for most of this book I was just bored. Things weren't really happening and I just wanted some action. Or anything to really happen that would make me interested in what was going on.
Then a miracle came my way and things got exciting. The only bummer is that it was pretty close to the ending of this. I'm pretty sure that's what happened to me in the first book. So, in a way, I guess the formula ended up working it's magic on me again. I just wish that the pace was a bit better and didn't have any parts that made me feel like things were dragging.
Other than that, the romance and the twists kept me on the edge of my couch. Some were interesting and others were a bit predictable. Heck I still have unanswered questions when it comes to Jack. Which definitely irks me to no end because I wanted all the answers before I got to the very last page.
In the end, I'm happy that I got the chance to dive into this but I don't really know what to think after I read the ending of this. It was good but it had potential to be better in my eyes.