I've been in a slump for forever and therefore did not get to this ARC for two years! Oops! The most shocking part of this was that I enjoyed this book so much and really regretted not reading it sooner (I like Kalyn Josephson, but I was reading this one to catch up on ARCs). While I'm not a horse girl, I really enjoyed the magic system in this book. There were different magics dependent on different cultures, and while I didn't necessarily understand how the magic was distributed amongst users, such as why Ari was more powerful that Shira, or why Damien couldn't use magic, I enjoyed learning about the new applications Ari found. The plot could get a little confusing at times; we have Ari and Mikira as the main characters, and Ari knows more about Damien and Reid than Mikira does, but she is still severely disillusioned about them at times. It was an interesting mix of TWO unreliable narrators that were unreliable in completely different ways. I found the romance slightly lacking for Ari and Damien, but I also requested this book two years ago probably because of the ace rep, which was lovely, so no major complaints there, at least from me. I will say that I'm a little tired of the ever-present, "let's overthrow a monarchy with the help of this undercover rebel group," so this book was probably never going to be five stars, but it was a really enjoyable experience as someone in a reading slump who then read this book in two or so sittings.

It's been a hot minute since I've read this one, and I just realized I never posted a review, so this might be kind of short, but I really enjoyed this story! It was the right blend of magical adventure, competition story, and political scheming. I can't decide which I like most: the double acespec rep (one character demisexual, the other aroace-spec and questioning), or Reid, the grumpy boy with his cat. Also, shoutout to the very cool Jewish rep, including the idea of using golem horses to circumvent rules around types of magic--it was an interesting take on the concept. (I'm so sorry I didn't review this closer to when I actually read it, so this isn't quite as strong of a review as I'd usually have!)

I entered this book knowing how much I’d enjoyed this author’s other series (The Storm Crow and The Crow Rider), and honestly, I didn’t need to know much else to be interested. And while This Dark Descent showed some similarities early on, especially due to the focus on being a rider (just of a different animal), it’s a completely unique story from what I remember of The Storm Crow. I overall really ended up enjoying this read, and I loved seeing what the author could do with such a different setting and with such different characters.

One thing that ended up sticking out to me was the two narrators of our story, and how despite them both being women stuck in difficult positions and forced to work together towards the same goals, they were still such unique and distinct people. It was clear was narrator we were currently with, something that some authors struggle with when the two narrators are so close and spend so much of the book together. Their motivations and struggles were both equally compelling, and it was interesting to see how they each thought of the remaining people in their group differently, and how the corresponding romances seemed to bias their perception of certain events.

I also really enjoyed the world and setting of this book, even if this aspect of the story felt a bit more similar to other books I’ve read before. There is oppression, with the people in power being generally horrible and just always trying to find new ways to profit. There’s also a war with a neighboring land, largely perpetuated for the resources it keeps bringing in despite the lives that it costs. However, what elevated this setting for me was how the mythology and magic became interwoven with this setting beyond just a surface-level connection. It’s something I’m excited to explore more in the next book!

Overall, I ended up really enjoying this one, and can’t wait to read the next installment!

3.75
I quite liked the magical and horse-racing aspects of this story. The stakes were high, creating a fast-paced and suspenseful adventure. While some aspects of the world-building were great, others weren't quite as fully described. Additionally, I liked the characters but would have preferred a bit more development. Overall, I had a pretty good time reading this one. I think readers that enjoy fantasy with unique magic systems would enjoy this book.

3.5 Stars

Overall, I enjoy this book and I do definitely plan on reading the second and final installment in the duology. But it also felt like for everything I liked, there was also something I didn’t like.

I’m just gonna be upfront and say the worldbuilding in this story is rough, at best. There’s a lot of ideas and a lot of things going on in the background, but in my opinion it’s not presented in a way that’s either cohesive or really accessible.

But like I said, I did still enjoy this. I like the relationship dynamics between the characters. I like that the female characters, especially, are given space to be strong, and fierce, and ruthless—even if performing that strength leads to them making imperfect choices. And ultimately, I do think this first book is setting up for an even more exciting conclusion, while also establishing really endearing and distinctive characters. Very curious to see how everything comes together in the end!

I forgot to leave a review for this when I first read it. Give me alllllllllllllll the Jewish inspired fantasy please and thank you.

This book is a captivating and immersive read that hooks you from the first page. The writing is beautifully crafted, with vivid descriptions and strong character development that makes the story come alive. The plot is well-paced, balancing moments of tension with quieter, reflective scenes that allow the characters to grow. The themes explored are deep and thought-provoking, resonating long after the final page. Whether it's the emotional depth, the twists and turns of the plot, or the unforgettable characters, this book is a must-read for anyone who enjoys rich, engaging stories. Highly recommended

Whoaaaaaa that was a ride!! This book reminded me why I love fantasy. It was like a fever dream, so intense and fast paced and gripping. I'll be thinking about this one for a long time.

I REALLY wanted to love this one but it really fell flat for me. This truly could have been a me problem since I am kind of slumping but I didn’t find myself caring at all about what was happening. So much so, that I was completely spacing out while reading and then was completely confused with how we got to certain points.

The idea of magical horse races really sold me. I’m a sucker for the competition trope but I just feel like there wasn’t enough of it for being what the book is mostly about?

Also the first half of the book had me a bit more. I was interested and excited but then at some point it started to lose me. There wasn’t enough action and things happening to keep my interest for the entire book i guess.

I might give this one a second change in the future because I honestly didn’t hate it. Just wasn’t connecting the way I wanted to!

“Everything was coming crashing down around her, but the world didn’t slow. It broke and broke and broke, but it never stopped to witness its destruction.”


This Dark Descent by Kaly Josephson is a dual POV story from two markedly different heroines whose destinies cross as they both try to overcome the hand they were given and take a measure of control over their own lives. Based on Jewish Folklore this story weaves corruption, action, magic and budding romance into a story of self-sacrifice and trials to overcome great odds. Mikira Rusel and Arielle Kadar are thrust together into a world of political intrigue and family/politial schemes and must count on each other while not being given the time to build a foundation of trust in either the other or themselves. But, as they each face their own forms of adversity their confidence in each other and their own abilities grows.


“Her jaw set. How could she explain when she barely understood it herself? She both loved her magic and feared it. Felt enthralled by it and furious at it. It made her strong even as it unraveled her. She might not know what was happening to her, but she knew it had to do wih that book. It felt like it was taking control of her. ‘I was angry,’ she said softly. It felt like a lie. It felt like the truth. It encompassed none of what she felt and all of it at once, and it had taken her so very, very long to understand. She was angry.”
This Dark Descent is a high-tension, action-packed story with a number of plot lines and story arcs. While this complexity made for a rich tale it also contributed to a number of ideas, relationships, and characters seeming underdeveloped. I never felt like I got much past my initial understanding of the major players, except for Arielle, whose heritage as a Kinnish woman and her untapped well of great power, which she knows very little about, propels her introspection and development. Her illicit gifts of magic allow her to create the enchanted gollums which becomes the key to Mikira’s ability to survive the Illinir. This nugget was fascinating but other concepts and a numbers of relationships were not as full as I would have liked them to be. However, what I did learn was intriguing and I’m hoping that book 2 will flesh out these things a lot more.


The main take away from the experience of reading This Dark Descent, between the fast paced action of enchanted horse races and political scheming where information is currency and power is wielded through fear and intimidation, is lots of high tension and unexpected plot twists and turns. Teens and young adults will surely enjoy this first installment of Kalyn Josephson’s This Dark Descent Duology and will look forward to reading the concluding book Our Deadly Designs scheduled to release November 12, 2024.

So good! I read it too quickly and forgot to provide a review. Still, this is one I think about and have read several times.

I am always looking for LGBTQIA+ fantasy, it’s super popular with my readers. I will be buying this for my library system.

This Dark Descent was a high-stakes novel that moved quick and kept me engaged throughout the whole story, a page-turner that will keep you hooked from start to finish.

i really liked some aspects of this book like the jewish mythology and the queer rep! but overall this book wasn’t for me and i felt it was too YA

While I did not personally enjoy the book, I have been recommending it to my fantasy customers. I have handsold it to at least fifteen customers who said they loved it

Book Name: This dark descent
Author: Kalyn Josephson

ARC

Thank you to **Macmillan Children's Publishing Group | Roaring Brook Press and NetGalley** for an ARC.

Stars: 3

- Thoughts.
- underwhelming
- deadly competition
- class inequalities
- religious discrimination
- unlikely friendships
- Strongly YA
- Jewish Folklore elements (Golems)
- [Author describes it as](https://twitter.com/KalynJosephson/status/1318669513664032770) "Jewish mobster mariokart"
- Horse Races
- an aroace MC
- Angry FMC
- Friends to Enemies to …

Tale of horse-racing, magic, and power!

17yo Mikira secretly races her horse to earn money for her father and sisters and to save their business of raising strong racing horses. Rezek makes a bargain with her; if she wins the dangerous race coming up, he will leave her family in peace. 20yo Damien sponsors Mikira because he hates Rezek and will do almost anything to spite him. Damien hires 18yo Ari to create a racing horse golem that has speed, endurance, protective instincts and strength. It’s against the rules of the race to use an enchanted horse so they must keep the fact that the horse, Atara, is a magical golem a secret. The race is dangerous and everything is on the line for Mikira, Ari, and Damien.

Likes/dislikes: Jewish mythology adds an interesting factor to the story. I like that Damien wants to help others even though he could use his money and power for anything he wants. Reid is unusual and I want to learn more about his background.
Language: PG-13 for 25 swears, no f-words.
Mature Content: PG-13 for implied sex, off page.
Violence: PG-13 for bloody death.
Ethnicity: a variety including dark, alabaster, olive, light brown, tawny, pale, brown, fair, deep bronze, and golden-skinned people.

A fast-paced, thrilling ride!

The book is dual POV, so we’re guided through the story by the horse racer Mikira and the enchanter Arielle, who are hired by a mysterious young lord, Damian, to team up and win a high-stakes enchanted horse race. I was especially drawn to Ari’s chapters—her internal conflict over losing herself to the darkness was beautifully and hauntingly represented. I also loved that the side characters had a large presence and distinct personalities; I particularly loved the grumpy Reid.

THIS DARK DESCENT draws from Jewish folklore in a unique and novel way, and it also offers some really great queer rep (aroace and bi). I would definitely recommend this book for anyone looking for Peaky Blinders-esque horse racing in a fast-paced magical world!

Solid love triangle fantasy plotted YA involving a horse race and Jewish lore. Interesting twist at the end, but again, not long I'm probably going to remember that much of long term.

What is your favorite thing to see on a book cover?

I adore the cover of This Dark Descent by Kalyn Josephson, with its elegant statue imagery on a copper-colored background! I think it managed to be both simplistic and ornate simultaneously, which is not an easy feat!

Today is my stop on Colored Pages Book Tours’ (@coloredpagesbt) release celebration tour for This Dark Descent by Kalyn Josephson (@kalynmjosephson)! I will be sharing my review here on Instagram and some of my favorite quotes from the book over on my blog as part of the tour! Be sure to check out the full tour schedule (link in bio) for content from all the other wonderful hosts!

This Dark Descent had a lot of incredible elements I look for in a good young adult fantasy novel! Hands down the best part of this book for me was the complex and unique characters, especially Arielle and Mikira! They had excellent interwoven perspectives and narratives, which motivated them to take action throughout the story that drove the plot forward. My other favorite thing about This Dark Descent was the worldbuilding, which stems from Jewish folklore. While I am not very familiar with the source folklore, this book made me want to do more research into Jewish folklore, and other fantasy books inspired by it!

My Recommendation:
If you have been feeling a years-long void since reading The Scorpio Races, I strongly recommend you grab a copy of This Dark Descent. While the two books are quite different, this book brought me back to the heart-pounding high-stakes horse racing that made me love The Scorpio Races all those years ago.

Thank you to @fiercereads for sharing a copy of This Dark Descent with me!