Some of the issues I had with the first book in this series were not resolved with the sequel, either. It was unnecessarily long, and unnecessarily confusing. The side characters that I loved in the first one were hardly given any page time in the sequel, and Kallia felt very immature, as she hadn't grown at all through most of this book. Her first reaction to almost everything is rage and anger, which felt very childish after all she has been through. Jack is the most intriguing character in this story, which would be great if he was the main focus, but he's not supposed to be.

Yes! The sequel to Where Dreams Descend is finally here, and I am living for it! When Night Breaks is the second novel in Janella Angeles' Kingdom of Cards duology – and is arguably one of the most anticipated sequels of 2021. At least, for me.

Kallia is lost in the dark. Literally, at first. She's fallen into another world and once again has Jack walking at her side. That may or may not be a good thing, depending on his mood – and the secrets he keeps.

While Kallia is lost within the mirrors, Daron Demarco will stop at nothing to find his way to her. He's already lost one person to this world he cannot reach; he's not going to allow it to happen again. But how will he find his way there?

"Using magic is the pull, but forcing it on others is the push so push first. "

Before I fully dive into my review, can we just take a minute to appreciate the cover for When Night Breaks? It's stunning! (just like Where Dreams Descend). I honestly can't wait to see what the OwlCrate version looks like – I immediately ordered that copy, as I love what they did with the original.

After the cliffhanger that Where Dreams Descend left us in, you better believe that I read this book the first moment I was able to. I've been dying to see what happened to Kallia and Demarco, and I guess Jack as well.

So, it took me about a week to sit down and finally write a review for When Night Breaks. There's a lot to digest about what happened here – not to mention I had to wrap my head around saying goodbye to this world and series.

I don't know if it was just me, but it did take a little bit to really get invested in When Night Breaks. I think that's partially because, despite that cliffhanger ending, this book starts off kind of slow?

The reminder of what previously happened was refreshing, don't get me wrong. But Kallia's exploring of a new world (for lack of a better term) took a little while. We needed to understand the depth of the situation, I suppose.

Or maybe it's just all that hype and expectation I put on this book? Don't get me wrong – I still really enjoyed it. Just not as much as I had expected – or hoped. Remember, I absolutely adored Where Dreams Descend, so I was expecting the same thing to happen here.

Instead, I can only say that I enjoyed When Night Breaks. I didn't love it, but I certainly didn't hate it either. I guess what I'm trying to say is that it didn't blow me away. However, there were parts of the story that came very close.

*I received a free copy of this ebook from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*

After liking the first book so much, I was disappointed to have lukewarm feelings about this one. I just felt like it dragged on forever, and it was confusing at times. (That last part might be due to my copy being a VERY unpolished ARC, or maybe not. I guess I’ll never know.) The writing frequently came across as trying to be dramatic and all important, and it quickly became something I had to drag my feet through in order to finish. Yes, I wanted to know what happened, but I wondered at times how much I cared and if I would have finished if I hadn’t felt obligated to leave a review.

Of all the characters in the book, I think Jack was the one I found most interesting. Not that anything was wrong with Kallia, Daron, Vain, and Herald—but I just didn’t find them as compelling as Jack.

Something that bothered me about this book was the swearing. The first book contained very little of it, and so that’s what I expected from this one. But before I had even made it 1/4 of the way through the book, I was assaulted with a few f words. By the end, there were somewhere between 11 and 13 (I lost count). To go from a book with hardly any bad language to one with a lot was frustrating, to say the least. I can understand its use in some things (<I>Lone Survivor</I>, for example), but using it just to use it? I hate it. I wish authors would keep the same level of similar content throughout all books within a series.

Note: Some swearing but lots of f words (11-13 of them). One mild sex scene that quickly fades out.

A whimsical follow up to Where Dreams Descend. Overall this books was paced much slower than the first one. The character connection and things that worked so well in the first book were executed as fully in the second. An entertaining read for fans of YA fantasy.

I received an e-arc of When Night Breaks by Janella Angeles & it is such a wonderful & whimsical series! I cannot wait to see what Angeles brings us next!

Title: When Night Breaks
Author: Janella Angeles
Pub. Date: October 5, 2021
Rating: 3.5

This will be a spoiler free review. Thank you to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for the free copy in exchange for an honest review. I also listened to parts of this on audio via Audible, so I could continue reading while at work. If you’d like to check out my spoiler free review of Where Dreams Descend, I’ll link it here.

So, while I enjoyed this, I didn’t enjoy it as much as the first book. I’m definitely still way more interested in Jack over Demarco. I thought maybe my opinion would change, but I kind of grew annoyed with Demarco. He just wasn’t interesting. His backstory was kind of meh. But Jack? His backstory that comes to light – that’s so much more interesting and it adds this whole other element to his relationship with Kalia. And I think the progression of their relationship throughout this book is much better and more captivating that her and Demarco’s.

I will say that is book took a while to get started, despite picking up where book one leaves off. It’s also really long and takes a while for things to happen. And because I found it to be long, parts of the plot kept getting lost. I kept forgetting things and then being slightly confused as to how things related. I did like the whole mirror realm – the other side. I found it interesting how that world worked and existed alongside the true side.

As for Roth – he fucking sucked. Figured him out the moment he stepped onto the page, but his whole conflict felt a big obvious and it didn’t really hold my attention. The reveals he makes about Kalia kind of get lost in the story and I didn’t really get the importance.

A lot of what I loved about book one, seemed to be missing. This book just didn’t give me the same feelings. It’s not quite as atmospheric, but it’s still a bit dark and moody. The chaotic energy isn’t gone, in fact, it’s ratcheted up. The use and exploration of magic in the other side is really interesting and cool.
But the whole Mirror Gate aspect felt a little thrown in. Again, the major conflict of this book was just kind of lost and rushed for me. It all happened so quickly and then, poof it was over.
I liked the epilogue and thought it was cute, but the events that transpired at the end, just before the epilogue kind of broke my heart. I get why it ends the way it does, and I didn’t hate it, but with who I like more and who I wish had been a love interest instead – it felt a little bittersweet.

Overall, this was a pretty good conclusion to this duology. I’m really glad I read it and enjoyed it. I would definitely recommend them to read and pick up.

This was a good sequel and "ending story" for this series but sadly I didn't enjoy it as much as Where Dreams Descend. The pacing felt slow and the story seemed to drag out for me. We didn't have that connection between the two main characters that kept book one going for me.

When Night Breaks goes in a very different direction than Where Dreams Descend and I'm still kind of processing the reading experience. You might now I am a HUGE fan of WDD and had ideas about where the sequel might go.

This wasn't what I was expecting and while that isn't necessarily a bad thing, I wish we'd gotten more of the dark fantasy and romantic tension that made me adore book one. There is some of it, and we certainly get a lot of answers to big questions from book 1, but this book overall has a very different vibe. It introduces a new place and a new cast of characters, a lot happens, but the emotional resonance and lush descriptions that were everywhere in WDD were more spotty in the sequel. Kallia and DeMarco are separated for a lot of the book and when they get back together, plot specific things mean it takes awhile for that chemistry to really return.

That said, I think the specifics of this world below are pretty interesting, Kallia continues to be exactly who she is which I love: an ambitious woman who will do a lot for the spotlight. We also get a bit more on this theme of talented, ambitious women being kept in the shadows. This began with the history of female magicians disappearing in book 1 and we get more here. I wish that theme had been fleshed out a bit more, but there is a through line. And like I said, there are a lot of questions being answered! Overall while this wasn't quite what I had hoped for, I still had a pretty good time with it and look forward to reading more from this author in the future! I know it's been a rough time to be writing but I'm excited to see the stories she will tell. I received an advance copy of this book for review via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

I have been ANXIOUSLY awaiting this sequel, and it absolutely did not disappoint! I love this story, and these characters!! In a way, I'm sad it's only a duology, but it was so perfect as is!! (Also, cannot wait to have my OwlCrate hardcover version in hand!!)

A stunning conclusion to this duoplogy, When Night Breaks is a captivating story that I could not put down. Angeles delicately balance good and bad, light and dark, hope and despair in her work and I am very excited to see what she writes after this duology.

What is it about circus romances that completely enrapture my soul?!
This was so beautifully written, and I’m so sad to see it go. It’s atmospheric and magical and I’m so sad it’s over.
This is is definitely a series I will be returning to again and again.

When Night Breaks is the stunning conclusion to a gorgeously romantic and underrated duology that deserves every ounce of love.

I absolutely adored Where Dreams Descend; it was just this alluring story that entrapped me in its pages. So, I was beyond excited when I got the chance to read the sequel early.

Angeles’ writing is again so breathtakingly beautiful. I love the hints of danger and darkness that are interwoven into every page. There’s plenty of glamour and spectacle, but there’s always a shiver down your spine at the possibility of what is lurking beneath the facade. I loved that moody, atmospheric opening. It served to drop me right back into this world and its beauty, but also its danger. Angeles effectively summarises the first book through the use of the article. I liked this epistolary touch that helped me reimmerse myself in this rich world. It just like sets you back in the environment and tone of the story, as well as the various relationship dynamics.

Sequels always have that difficult task of building on the amazing groundwork set before them. I always love when the world and characters feel developed and evolved, both thematically and stylistically. Angeles more than lives up to this task, with an even more detailed expansion of the world and mythology. It feels so entrancing and I loved how certain moments from the first book are revisited in a whole new light. The mystery elements from the first book are also back and stronger than ever here, with twists and turns around every corner. Like any good magician, Angeles has plenty of tricks up her sleeve and masterfully uses misdirection to surprise and shock you.

When Night Breaks is a spellbinding, romantic and moody tale that perfectly wraps up this enchanting duology.

3.5 stars

I was so excited to read this ARC since I couldn't wait to finish this duology. The only problem I struggled with in the beginning was I couldn't fully remember in detail on happened in the first book. I kind of wished there was a recap/refreshers on what happened. If I read these both one after the other, it would have been fine.

These two books feel very different from one another. I really liked in this book how the love hate relationship between Kallia and Demarco wasn't as predominant. I do wish the second book had as much magic as the first one. I will say the book took off in the end, but the beginning and middle was a little slow.

I feel like there were some unresolved answers that didn't get wrapped up in the end of the book.

Thanks Netgalley and publisher for the digital copy in exchange for my honest review!

I enjoyed this duology with magic and twists and turns. I was disappointed in the lack of Kailia and Daron together as their relationship was a huge part of what I loved about the first book but I understand why that didn't happen. This book is also a bit confusing with so many unknowns happening and things being revealed in roundabout ways. I also felt like it took me a while to remember what all happened in the first book as I was reading the second so I had to read a bit slower than I would have normally so it felt slow for me but I think that is my problem and not so much the story's problem. 3.5

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC for an honest review.

I have voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this title given to me via NetGalley. This was just a wonderful book to read and it was just easy to lose yourself in the story. I can’t wait to read more from this author.

This is the second book in the Kingdom of the Cards series and picks up right where the first book left off with Demarco’s fall from Grace and Kallia’s disappearance. Angeles instantly bring us back into the world of illusions, where reality and the mystical shadow land collide. This is another atmospheric and gorgeously written YA fantasy reminiscent of Phantom of the Opera and Moulin Rouge. A dazzling and villainous read that will keep you guessing until the very end!

Demarco is searching for Kallia, the town of Glorian is in an uproar, and Jack has slipped Kallia into the decadent world behind the mirrors. Will the two love birds ever find each other and is Jack going to end up becoming a hero?

The opulence and grandeur of Angeles’s books immediately transports the reader and I love that she keeps us guessing every step of the way. The love triangle is still going strong, but it’s done in a much more subtle way. We are introduced to quite a few new characters and the reader never fully knows if their friend or foe. The action literally never stops spinning for a single second and I furiously turned the pages hoping for a grand reunion. A dazzling second book with an incredible ending! I literally had know idea what was going to happen, but Angeles was able to satisfy every desire I had for this book!

I don't know what I expected after finishing "Where Dreams Descend," but it certainly wasn't this. Looking back, "Where Dreams Descend" was a 3-star read for me, but I'm the kind of reader that NEEDS to finish a series, especially one that has the potential to do better as a series.

Author Janelle Angeles talks about the difficulty of writing this book in her acknowledgements- I think it is very apparent in the book. The plans that the characters make throughout the story are constantly repeated, to the point where I felt that I could skim the chapter and not be missing any information from the story. Everything draaaaaaags.

The chemistry between Kallia and Demarco in the first book is not there for book two. Much of book 2 takes place with them apart- lots of pining between both characters. As much as their relationship progressed in book one, their relationship was very stagnant and unbelievable.

There are many things that I didn't enjoy in this book, but I do recognize that many other readers enjoyed the world of mirrors that Angeles creates in this book. With that in mind, I will keep more of my nit-picking to myself :).

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for an advanced e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. It's always difficult to write a review for a book that I didn't enjoy, but I always enjoy finding new authors and stories. I like to think that I would enjoy future works by this author.

Actual Rating: 3.5 Stars

I really enjoyed this one, but for me, it lacked something that the first book had. I have been in a bit of a fantasy slump lately (which is why I rounded up for this rating), so perhaps that's part of it, but I think there was something more special in the first.

This was still a solid follow up and finale to the series - I liked the way the author wrapped things up, and I still really loved the characters. The dual perspective worked really well, to see both Kallia and Daron after the fallout in the end of the first book, and the world was still such a fun place to read about.

There were some things I was a little confused with towards the end, but overall, I really did enjoy this, and I will be excited to read whatever the author writes next!

Thank you so much to netgalley and the publisher for providing me with this arc.

Just like its partner and predecessor, When Night Breaks stuns with world-building and fantastical descriptions that glitter and entice, even when you can sense the danger in it. The mysteries of the frozen, stoic city of Glorian are finally revealed on the other side of a mirror. Repressed memories and secret histories come to light, and the threat of future tampering still looms, a level of control that extends into our very minds.

All the characters are exquisitely flawed and so easy to fall for. Kallia is the ambitious heroine I loved in the first book, and here we see her contend with the loss of her power, even as she lands in a new, dangerous situation. While Jack was a popular character for many after the first book, I was too far over on Team Kallia to look past his more toxic traits. This sequel served up the explanations and redemptive arc I needed to finally back him. Demarco's most attractive quality (of many, see: hair, white knight complex, looks good in a support role) was his willingness to give up his unknowing yet ill-gotten gains when he faced the truth of how it harmed the women in his life. Take note, men. I also enjoyed the introduction of new alliances and characters, especially in the form of Vain, a majestic performer with a cutting remark for every occasion.

My only complaint here has to do with pacing and focus. Kallia has several weighty lessons and decisions in this one, and even though the overall pace of the book was fairly slow, she reversed certain stances so rapidly that I felt I missed the process. The final showdown also left me somewhat scrambled. While some details were perhaps withheld to promote tension and wow factor, I was left confused at some key moments because of it. Some plot and relationship points were still disconnected for me at the end.

This is such a beautiful duology, and despite my named reservations, I did find this finale a lovely resolution for our main cast. I'm intrigued by the open-ended opportunity for a spinoff (fingers crossed). This is an author to watch and a world meant to get lost in.

Sequels are always hard, because they don’t normally live up the hype of the first one. In this case, I wasn’t in love with the first one so I had no expectations with this one. So it was good, I had no expectations for it to live up to so it was just it’s own in my mind.