WHEN NIGHT BREAKS was definitely one of my most anticipated sequels this year, and I'm happy to report that it did not disappoint! It's easy, I think, for books like this to get caught up in the aesthetic of it all and forget to focus on the characters, but that's not what happens here. Janella Angeles crafts such an exquisite, visual world, but one inhabited by intriguing, three-dimensional, and even surprising characters.

The very concept of mirrors is a rich one, both visually and symbolically, and, without getting too into spoilers, that's the underlying premise of this sequel. Instead of just telling us how dangerous magic is, this world is unafraid to show it. As Kallia fights for herself and for what (and who) she believes in, we also get all sorts of knotty, intriuging questions about identity and loyalty that weave in and out through the thrilling fantasy adventures and the epic romance.

I think I may be in the minority, just judging by books that use a similar plot device, but I will say that I'm glad the book doesn't take a particular turn I thought it would. There's a particular trope I just don't care for that was hinted at throughout both books, so it was refreshing, in a way, to see that this one didn't go there (and I won't say more to avoid spoilers!) and instead took a different perspective.

All in all, it takes a little while to really get off the ground (which, I admit, surprised me, given the tense cliffhanger of the previous book), but it's a fun read and a super-satisfying conclusion!

I want to thank NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for gifting me with this ARC. For being one of my anticipated reads this year I was so nervous to see how the author ended the duology.

I won’t deny I was disappointed when it became clear that nothing romantically was ever going to happen between Kallia and Jack. Their sizzling chemistry doesn’t disappoint and it felt like a tragedy to let that go to waste in the end. However their relationship progresses and grows into a beautiful friendship, and seeing Jack conquer his own devil and come out a better person with someone he platonically cares about felt just as satisfying. If not more satisfying than him being Kallia’s endgame.

The first act felt a bit underwhelming and didn’t pick up until near the start of the second act. Demarco just wasn’t all that interesting to me, I liked him better in Where Dreams Descend than I did in When Night Breaks. There is a scene featuring Demarco and Kallia that made me all emotional and tear up. Other than that…it was all Kallia and Jack.

THAT SECOND TO LAST CHAPTER THOUGH!! It leaves a lot of room for a spin-off series with [Redacted] and [Redacted]. I know Janelle said on Instagram that it would likely end up as enemies-to lovers-to enemies again, but I would devour that book in a second still!!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishing house for a chance to read an ARC of this book!
This was one of my most anticipated sequels this year and When Night Breaks did not disappoint! Full of magic, luscious settings, irresistible romance, and a spectacular cast of characters, Janella Angeles sweeps the reader away. With a satisfying conclusion, this book is captivating and terrifying—highly recommend if you haven’t picked it up from the cover alone!

I attempted to read this book out of order from the duology so please take that into account. I did eventually go back and read the first book but my first impressions were this:

The setting and idea are both really awesome and lush. The writing itself felt a little flat and the characters didn't really come alive for me on the page. I also felt like there was much basis for the love story. I didn't entirely understand why the love interest would risk everything based in their relationship. Conclusion: great world and world building, emotional development needs more work. I will definitely keep an eye on this author

definitely a sequel, equally dazzling and more mysterious as where dreams descend, worth the wait! (rtc)

I really loved this series and this book did not disappoint. I enjoyed where the author took the characters and there journey. I was never bored while reading this book. Overall great read!

This last book in the Kingdom of Cards Duology did not disappoint. Within every page there was magic and often something terrifying following it. This book starts where the last one ended and we are introduce to a mirror world which has been swallowing up magicians as they fall through said mirrors but this new works isn't exactly as it seems. Evil is afoot and Kallia is smack bang in the middle of it.

We are introduced to so many new characters, some of which I loved and others hated, but each one of them was written beautifully. Not going to add any spoilers here but the twist with one of the characters is just *chefs kiss*.

"what if I didn't want to be found?"

I really enjoyed this book, the writing and world building remained strong throughout and I felt myself turning each page with haste to find out what had happened next. It was easily devoured in two days (lucky me being the passenger and not the driver). I definitely recommend reading this duology, and the authors notes at the end are worth it too.

I've been dying for this book for so long! And it did not disappoint. Magical, terrifying, lush, and perfect, this was an epic conclusion to Angeles' amazing story.