”For in the world of magic, a woman’s place lies in the quiet shadows of labor magic, the encouraged path. The safer one. Because the ones who dare most often disappear.

This review is also posted on my goodreads account.

The magic, the romance, the atmosphere, the beautifully written world descriptions, the tension (romantic and chaotic) is just a few reasons why this is a 5+ star read! And probably the best book I’ve read so far in 2020! Woo hoo!

I was annoyed by the main character, Kallia for 60% of the book, although she was a strong, determined girl which is always good. It’s refreshing to read books where the main character isn’t a damsel in distress.

All the characters were interesting, mysterious in their own way and sucked you right into the story. (Demarco being my favorite)

The last 4 chapters will leave you on the edge of your seat, the epilogue will have you counting down the minutes until the next book is released, even though this one isn’t on the shelves yet haha.

I am a new fan of this author after only reading one book and that says a lot! One of my all time favorite books for sure. I recommended everyone grab this book when it’s released.

5/5 🌟’s

This is one of the best books I've read in a very long time. I cannot believe this is Janella Angeles debut novel as the writing feels as though it came from a more seasoned writer.

This book had me hooked within the first two pages. The plot was extremely captivating and held my interest. There were references to secrets and mysteries throughout the story line, and it made me want to continue reading so that I could learn the truth.

The characters were extremely well developed and written in a way that I cared about them and what they were experiencing.

I'm really hoping that Janella Angeles has already started the sequel, because I can't wait to read it!

I absolutely adored this one! It was definitely one of those books that when you get to the last page, you yell WHAT, I WANT MORE! I have to admit this got off to a rocky start for me- I think way the narrative was framed and conflict was set up was not what I expected, so it just took me a second to get in to it. But Angeles writes beautiful prose, and it doesn't take long to fall in. Angeles continued to make unexpected choices throughout the novel, and I feel like a less skilled writer, they would have bothered me. I thought this was going to be more about the competition, but it's less of an ensemble cast, and has a much more narrower scope in character and conflict. Also, one of my biggest pet peeves in fantasy is when there's a made up world but still a strong patriarchal system- this is a major part of the plot here, but by the end I warmed up to it, and Kallia is truly a fully realized character that you just can't help but root for. I'm a little all over the place because I went in to this book so excited for it, highly anticipating the premise, but it ended up being something else all together that I still ended up loving and having a really great reading experience. Definitely one that I was thinking about, even after I put it down. Excited for the sequel (that cliff hanger, though) and anticipating anything else Angeles writes.

WOW!

2020 is starting off strong with a fantastic book from a debut author. Full of mystery, suspense, magic, and great dialogue, Where Dreams Descend is what has been missing from YA for quite some time - an original plot, complex characters, and motives that felt meaningful and kept me on my toes as a reader.

There's a lot going on in this book. Kallia's complicated existence with Jack -who is nothing short of a mystery, the treatment of female magicians, a city that is possibly cursed, a magician trying to reconcile his past, and a competition that leads to magicians going missing.

Despite so much happening at once, Angeles is a magician in her own right, by keeping the plot moving smoothly. Both new and experienced YA readers of all ages will enjoy the suspense of this book and will note the subtle influences of Phantom of the Opera and Moulin Rouge that give an already incredible book a little extra dose of magic.

Magic and chaos are juggled in the most beautiful, fascinating way that are complicated by wonderful prose. With the turn of every page, readers will feel tension (both romantic and stressful), the pull of magic, and something sinister lurking within the pages - ready to steal the show and possibly more.

Where Dreams Descend is a beautiful debut that I highly encourage everyone pick up and read. It's the right mix of ominous and fun with characters that are brimming with development and growth, and there is plenty of symbolism to dissect and ponder over until the sequel! Do not miss this book!

I almost threw my kindle across the room last night when I finished this! Then I checked to see if it was a series and looks like there will be at least one more thank god. This is a cool story but I struggled a few times with how wordy (?) it was. Maybe wordy isn’t the right word. More like it lost me with the story lines going in different directions. I’m sure more sense will be made with the next one which I definitely intend to read! Kallia and Demarco’s relationship is fun and toasty hot.

This book has a lot of beautiful atmosphere and wonderful characters. I really liked all of the side characters, especially Aaros - we need more of him! I was hooked from page one. I wanted to know all about Kallia and Jack. I like how much personality all of her characters have, each of them different. There were a few things that I didn't enjoy while reading this book that made it hard to like it as much as I hoped I would.

The first issue I had was how many "big" secrets there were and how long they went on for. It felt like almost everything, and everyone was hiding a secret, and it made me feel more like I missed a few chapters than an exciting edge of your seat type of mystery. It also seemed as though each character thought their secret was the most important and detrimental secret ever to exist. I know there would be no story without secrets but this was another level.

The second issue I had was how hot and cold the romance aspect was. The two characters would go from yes to no within the span of paragraphs. It didn't add any fun tension - it just made me annoyed that they would not communicate. BUT I still liked them together. Although I also liked Jack...

Lastly, I think it was REALLY weird how they only cared about the attacks long enough to argue that the show must go on, and then you could almost forget it happened until the next attack. I would have liked that to be more of the story than it was.

In the end, I think I had more questions than answers. I kept waiting for the big reveal which never came. . I know it's supposed to be a cliffhanger, but I would have liked some answers. Hopefully, I will get those in book two!

My feelings aside, I think teens will enjoy this one. It was an interesting and unique story; the world-building is enchanting and inviting. They will love it. I would recommend this to fans of Caraval or The Night Circus.

I look forward to reading what is next for Kallia. Thank you, NetGalley and the publisher for letting me read this one!

I received an advanced copy from the publisher via Netgalley, after I wished for this novel, for an honest review.

This was a stunning and visually beautiful debut novel that seems similar to the Caraval trilogy with the mystery, magic and intrigue and a strange almost dystopian/evil world that seems similar to Moulin Rouge all mixed together. We follow Kallia as she decides to escape the only world she has really known to compete in a magicians competition where women are NOT usually welcome, and that is no different in this situation. As Kallia begins to really come into her own and makes a life and friends of her own, strange things begin to occur in the town and with the other magicians in the competition. Kallia is feeling watched, is it her previous captor or something new and strange in this secretive and secluded town?

This was just a thrilling and magical (no pun intended) visual experience that was just amazing. This novel had a slow and wonderful romantic story that was in the background and didn't over-take the story as well as some amazing friendships that unfolded during the dark and strange mystery unfolding.

The only real bad remark I want to say about the novel was the ending was just BAM and then left me hanging and now I have to wait until what, 2021 for the next novel?!??! Oh Janella Angeles, bravo on your debut novel and at the same time I hate you for making me wait....so hurry up! :)

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. My opinion was not affected by the free copy.

I technically did not read this book all the way through. I got to about 45% before I got bored and then skipped to the last 20% of the novel. Judging by what I liked and didn't like, I think I got to read at least some of the cool parts. One thing this book has taught me is to not be fooled by the taglines and comparisons. Yes, this book does have elements that reminded me of Moulin Rouge and Phantom of the Opera, but the story didn't keep my interest and the stuff I did like didn't seem like it was going to be featured much.

I don't understand why authors start off with cool ideas and then immediately go into something completely different. This book starts off amazing with Kallia as a performer in this club, basically acting as Satine/Christine while Jack is our stand-in for Harold Zidler/the Phantom-- though he's a lot more Phantom. Jack is a magician who manipulates reality and deals in people's memories. This sounds incredible and I was really excited to see where this was going. Where it ended up going was Kallia running away to join a magic competition that women aren't usually allowed to be in. Because we sure haven't ever read that plotline before. I tried to power through despite my interest plummeting, and found that any time Jack's presence was mentioned or threatened I was interested again. And of course he makes the climax so good. Why couldn't he be in the whole book?

Kallia was kind of an interesting protagonist until she got away from Jack. Then she turned annoying and kind of stuck up. She does these dangerous stunts with her magic and when people tell her off, she gets mad at them. Another magician tries to give her some helpful advice and she ignores him and acts like she can do no wrong. Dude, I don't care how good you are, you can always improve yourself. Maybe you should listen to people when they say not to do dangerous stunts that could hurt others, or just admit when you do something wrong. Sure, sometimes characters who act this way are interesting, but I feel like the narrative was trying to make it read like Kallia was right and they were wrong and it was all due to her being a woman that they were scolding her.

There's also a romance but as I didn't read much of it, I'm only judging the parts of it I read. And the beginning was a basic 90's romance where the two argue all the time and there's constant misunderstanding. I guess I'm glad it wasn't insta-love, but I'm not sure if this is much better. Plus the question I'm always wondering when romance is in these books: was it necessary? Did it add anything? Could the story be told without it? Even if this part was inspired by Phantom, I can safely say that the other guy being a love interest didn't feel necessary to the story. Jack of course was necessary but should've been in this a lot more.

So yeah, the good parts for me were whenever Jack was involved with anything. I love the idea of illusions and manipulating reality and memories. The relationship between them and their chemistry was fantastic. It was captivating and made me uneasy all at the same time. If more time had been given to it, I think the reality manipulation and illusion could've eventually affected the readers to where even they aren't sure what's real and what's an illusion. That was done well in the climax but from what I read, most of the middle section is pretty standard magic competition stuff mixed with gender politics and probably relationship building between Kallia and the other guy. That's all stuff we've seen a million times.

I don't think this is bad by any means. The magic is pretty good and again, all the stuff with Jack is fantastic. I just wish the book had kept it to just him and the relationship between him and Kallia. The sequel seems like it's going more in that surreal direction, so who knows.

Love the world building, the tension, and especially the main character’s determination to break that magical glass ceiling!

But also- this book has FRIENDSHIP.

Women supporting women!

And a male/female platonic friendship where they really can just be there for each other without weird unwanted romantic undercurrents.

We need more friendships in books.

Plus, there is still romance for all you romance lovers, and I actually loved it.

I can’t wait to find out what happens next!

This story was breathtaking from start to finish. The writing, the settings, the intricate weavings of the plot were a feast I couldn't step away from. I could live in this world for book after book. It's rare to find a unique YA read that skips the tropes and formula and just lets the characters breathe no matter where it may take them and the readers.

Thank you, Angeles, for giving my skeptical heart a breath of fresh air.

The only downside is that I've read it - but release is too far away to shower copies around for Christmas.

This book is an interesting debut book that (for me) did not deliver. The world building was good but the pacing was slow until the end wich felt rushed. The characters where complex and you never who who was good or bad, however I didn't like the main character.
I think my favorite part of the book was the Hellfire House and the illusion and mystery surrounding it and I kinda wish that theme was explored more rather than a magical competition. (I'm not a fan of books based around competition plots.) This is all my personal preference, while I did not enjoy the book I would recommend it if you are into fantasy, magic, mystery and romance. Many who read this have said that if you like the Night Circus you will like this.