Reviews tagging 'Violence'

Where Dreams Descend by Janella Angeles

3 reviews

offictionandfantasy's review

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dark mysterious tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

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lorie336's review

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad fast-paced

Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Was this really a cross between Moulin Rouge & The Phantom of the Opera? I saw hints. Why was this classified as YA when it read in my opinion at an adult level or is it getting harder for me to distinguish between the two?

The weaving of this tale of Kallia wanting to break out of her cocoon and own the world was magical. I love these gray characters especially Aaros, he is someone I need in my life, and the secrets these characters hold close to the vest which had me turning the pages wanting to know them.

The secrets Kallia won't share, the city of Glorian hiding one, Jack not exactly lying, but burying secrets to protect Kallia, and Daron Demarco seeking answers, secrets he withholds only to reveal them later, some willingly while another unwillingly and possibly unknowingly to him.

The relationships, adventure, the magic system, the questions that are answered or lead to more questions are purely a beautiful illusion for this author and I am excited for the sequel!

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girlonbooks's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

🔮🔮🔮🔮 (four stars, as rated in gloomy-doomy crystal balls)

Kallia, a talented and powerful showgirl, has lived her entire life in an illusion. Her patron, Jack, known by many as only "The Magician," has trapped her in a specter where, night after night, she enchants audiences from the stage with her beauty and skill. Outsmarting him one evening, Kallia escapes to the city of Glorian, and immediately auditions for a place in the competition of magicians. All she has ever wanted is to be recognized in her own rite for her magic and when she is paired with a young and renowned judge named Demarco - a man with a mysterious past of his own - that Kallia's magic ascends to brand new levels. Both enthralled and terrified by skills she does not fully understand, Kallia realizes that the world of magic and dreams could cost her more than she'd ever imagined. Though that may be the least of her worries when Jack suddenly re-appears...

"Not all magic is good magic."

Janella Angeles, you evil genius. My, oh my, oh my. I was not expecting this book. First, talk about some serious Phantom of the Opera vibes but with a bit of Moulin Rouge and The Night Circus built in. Basically, queue up the organ music, I am here for all of it. Also, when was the last time you read a book of that sort with multiple WOC at the helm? Hell to the yesssss for that kind of legitimate representation.

I realized about halfway through this book that the end was going to be unsatisfying. This is likely the reason for a less than 4 star (🔮) average GR rating as well. This book keeps on laying groundwork for “The Last Act” (aka book two) right up until the climax. Usually that really bugs me but for some reason it worked here. I also feel that depending on how well the next book wraps things up, I could be persuaded to bump my rating to a five...

✨ Rep in this book: WOC protagonist, queer supporting characters

✨ Content warnings for this book: psychological manipulation and control, sexism, missing persons

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