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danielled75's review against another edition
4.0
Where Dreams Descend is the first book in the Kingdom of Cards duology.
We are introduced to Kallia and Jack at the Hellfire House, a place run by Jack, no one really knows who he is or what it is he does, but Kallia is the star of the show there. Jack has offered to teach Kallia about magic and how to properly wield it. Jack hears the patrons whisper about this magical competition in the nearby city of Gloian. Little does he know that KIllia also know about this competition and wants to join in.
Jack has warned Kallia many times about leaving the house and going to Glorian, but Kallia ignores the warnings and heads for the competition
Once in Gloriana, Killia finds out things are not as easy as she thought they would be. Being the only female magician to enter does not have the favor in her odds. She doesn't let that stop her, that just makes her more determined to win the competition.
There are a few other characters that make an impact on Kallia, none more than the Daring Demarco who happened to be the youngest of the judges. He has some secrets of his own and to why he's in Gloriana and why he chooses to not use is magic.
When events take place during the competition that turn dangerous and unexplainable it's clear that there is something else going on but no one is quite sure what it is or why.
I did enjoy how the author made the city dark and grey, and the contrast of Kalllia and her outfits both on and off the stage. Kallia seems to be that beacon in a storm, you just couldn't take your eye’s off of her and I think she wanted to make sure that Kaillia stood out like she did.
There is a small bit of romance in the book, but it's not a focal point.
I didn't know what to expect going into this book. I did enjoy this book, and look forward to the second one when it's out
We are introduced to Kallia and Jack at the Hellfire House, a place run by Jack, no one really knows who he is or what it is he does, but Kallia is the star of the show there. Jack has offered to teach Kallia about magic and how to properly wield it. Jack hears the patrons whisper about this magical competition in the nearby city of Gloian. Little does he know that KIllia also know about this competition and wants to join in.
Jack has warned Kallia many times about leaving the house and going to Glorian, but Kallia ignores the warnings and heads for the competition
Once in Gloriana, Killia finds out things are not as easy as she thought they would be. Being the only female magician to enter does not have the favor in her odds. She doesn't let that stop her, that just makes her more determined to win the competition.
There are a few other characters that make an impact on Kallia, none more than the Daring Demarco who happened to be the youngest of the judges. He has some secrets of his own and to why he's in Gloriana and why he chooses to not use is magic.
When events take place during the competition that turn dangerous and unexplainable it's clear that there is something else going on but no one is quite sure what it is or why.
I did enjoy how the author made the city dark and grey, and the contrast of Kalllia and her outfits both on and off the stage. Kallia seems to be that beacon in a storm, you just couldn't take your eye’s off of her and I think she wanted to make sure that Kaillia stood out like she did.
There is a small bit of romance in the book, but it's not a focal point.
I didn't know what to expect going into this book. I did enjoy this book, and look forward to the second one when it's out
becca_cheyanne's review against another edition
4.0
This book is written almost like a play and is broken out into acts. It took me awhile to really get bought in, which is why I've set it at a 4/5. The "stage" gets set but for most of the book you just get more and more questions with hardly any answers. Then the last 10% of the book is a flurry of action. The ending sets you up to dive right into book 2.
I enjoyed the view of magicians in this story, I hope book 2 starts giving more answers. The author hooked me just enough to want to find out.
I enjoyed the view of magicians in this story, I hope book 2 starts giving more answers. The author hooked me just enough to want to find out.
cmdufresne's review
3.0
How do you rate a book that has no conclusion?
I love books with a lot of mystery, but you have to eventually pull back the curtain. Enjoyed the world, and the characters, the plot kept building and building, twists and questions emerging...and then nothing was answered. This is less book 1 of a series and more part 1 of a 2 part book. Enjoyed it enough to read the second, but definitely hoping there will be some kind of resolution.
I love books with a lot of mystery, but you have to eventually pull back the curtain. Enjoyed the world, and the characters, the plot kept building and building, twists and questions emerging...and then nothing was answered. This is less book 1 of a series and more part 1 of a 2 part book. Enjoyed it enough to read the second, but definitely hoping there will be some kind of resolution.
izzys_internet_bookshelf's review
4.0
4.5/5
I really really liked this book. I loved the main character and the world. There were some moments that confused me and that were hard to follow. I am so excited for the second book to come out and to see what happens next.
REREAD 6/9/22
4.5/5
Loved it as much as I did when I first read it, just had to reread it before apparently rereading the sequel that I forgot I had read.
I really really liked this book. I loved the main character and the world. There were some moments that confused me and that were hard to follow. I am so excited for the second book to come out and to see what happens next.
REREAD 6/9/22
4.5/5
Loved it as much as I did when I first read it, just had to reread it before apparently rereading the sequel that I forgot I had read.
gweste's review
4.0
Okay so I really liked this book but I didn’t read it super closely. When they were explaining the lore of the place I was getting confused and I’m honestly still not sure what the hell happens with the mirrors. Overall however I liked the characters but I didn’t love the overall premise - if you look at the story arc it’s an exposition, escape, competition, and then multiple things happen and go wrong, and then there’s a big cliff hanger. I liked a lot of it but I didn’t feel like the stakes were high enough. The books main driving force was Kallia and Demarco’s love, in my opinion. While I liked the mystery and the way the chapters perspectives moved around - I don’t know. Something isn’t sitting right with me.
annamickreads's review
I'm going to return to this at a later date when my concentration is better!! I love the concept (anything "Moulin Rouge" and Night-Circus-esque is up my alley) but I do not have the bandwidth right now
lrose02's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
This book is interesting. It doesn’t delve too much into the lore behind people being able to wield magic. The author uses the misogyny of the world as an interesting hurdle. It fuels the main characters ambition and makes the reader want to cheer her on. It definitely made me frustration at a lot of side characters. The main antagonist is one that I can see as being described as morally grey. To me, he’s very similar to the Darkling from Shadow and Bone. Both are manipulative and gaslighting. I don’t root for Jack and Kallia at all. Her and Demarco is a nice, complex slow burn. Both are broken in ways that add layers to their relationship. Aaros is an amazing side character and I love his relationship with Kallia. Lottie is also interesting and seems complex. There’s a lot of layers to the characters which I hope get explored in the sequel. I also love the author’s use of mirrors as a weapon and a threat.
lielos99's review
5.0
I got an arc of this at Yallfest and I WAS SO THRILLED!
At this point I don’t even remember when I saw Where Dreams Descend being announced and the summary put out, but to say it caught my attention was an understatement.
I’ve been waiting. And waiting. And waiting. (I filled out multiple forms to try and get on the list, but never got one until Yallfest) and I was so giddy when i finally was holding a copy in my hands because this book. Is. Magic.
Even the cover has glitter dripping off, a teaser of what is to come.
From the first sentence it kept me turning the pages. The magic, the mystery, and the fantasy as a whole were so well done, and the writing so beautiful. I loved Kallia and Jack and Demarco, and especially Arros (I hope we learn more about him in the next book) and there is still so much I don't know. I’m still reeling with all my emotions and the ending (and being left with so many questions, but the ending was pulled off so well). And now every time I see an elegant chandelier I half expect to see Hellfire House and Kallia lowering from above.
If you love fantasy, mystery, circuses, magic, then this book will dazzle you.
At this point I don’t even remember when I saw Where Dreams Descend being announced and the summary put out, but to say it caught my attention was an understatement.
I’ve been waiting. And waiting. And waiting. (I filled out multiple forms to try and get on the list, but never got one until Yallfest) and I was so giddy when i finally was holding a copy in my hands because this book. Is. Magic.
Even the cover has glitter dripping off, a teaser of what is to come.
From the first sentence it kept me turning the pages. The magic, the mystery, and the fantasy as a whole were so well done, and the writing so beautiful. I loved Kallia and Jack and Demarco, and especially Arros (I hope we learn more about him in the next book) and there is still so much I don't know. I’m still reeling with all my emotions and the ending (and being left with so many questions, but the ending was pulled off so well). And now every time I see an elegant chandelier I half expect to see Hellfire House and Kallia lowering from above.
If you love fantasy, mystery, circuses, magic, then this book will dazzle you.
pbraue13's review
3.0
I received an arc of this book due to the publishing program I was participating in and was so excited. It was ....ok. The descriptions and settings were beautiful, otherwise rather mediocre in my opinion. I'm not sure if I will continue the series...that's all I have to say.