This dragged so hard for me. I didn't get a sense of any of the characters, or, frankly, what was going on until well past the halfway point, at which time I didn't really care all that much. *shrugs*

Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC copy.

Oh boy. This one was a bit difficult for my to get into, despite it containing several things that should have completely ensnared my interests and held me there. It's extremely well-written and elegant, but just not something that I found meshed with me. I guess maybe it was the romance not being for me at this time or the time periods this takes place in (Think something like the Roaring Twenties with a hint of Phantom of the Opera). However, if you're looking for a strong, female lead, hints at a love triangle, and a gripping ending, I would definitely recommend this.

SN: The cover is to die for. While the story didn't work for me, seeing that cover just makes my eyes light up.

Where Dreams Descend is exactly what I wanted out of a book with a dark, circus-y, magical storyline. I found myself comparing it to The Night Circus, and was definitely not disappointed. Though it took me a little bit to get into it in the beginning (I almost needed a little more background in a few places), I was able to figure it out pretty quickly and loved it. The characters were wonderful. Kallia was strong and interesting, as were each of the new important characters introduced. There were one or two characters that I would have liked to have a little more exploration into, but I thought they all played off of each other very nicely. I did like the mystery to this book, and it ended with not all of the mystery explained, leaving plenty of room for a sequel. I can't wait to get my hands on the next one and see where this story goes from here. I'm definitely glad I picked this one up!

Wondrously magical fantasy that sweeps you away... or your feet right from under you. Written with beautiful prose to set the tone and build an atmospheric world seeped in secrets and magic, comes a tale of an ambitious woman on a mission in a new and relatively unfamiliar territory whom finds herself joining a high stake magic show competition that could mean life or death for Kallia. It's Moulin Rouge meets Caraval meets Phantom of the Opera meets Ace of Shades mixed with old gothic vibes. I was absolutely entranced first by the prose then the mystery of Glorian then the characters until I was completely invested in the characters and their relationships. Janella Angeles blew me away with her craft for storytelling, slow burn romance and that. cliffhanger. I can't wait for the sequel! I need it.

Thank you for the opportunity to read in advanced.

This was the first advanced epub I ever had the honor of receiving, I am so incredibly grateful and I really enjoyed this book. It was a great YA fantasy, and I cannot wait for future releases from Janella Angeles.

I was really excited for this book: circus and magic!? yes!!

I can tell it has potential for the sequels, this book is more of an introduction with the world and characters and i wished they were more explored and fleshed-out. Some parts were a bit confusing too. I loved the mystery and the circus-y vibe but the pacing was a bit slow.

I truly think this was just not my cup of tea and that's ok. I needed MORE from it. I had entirely too many questions at the end of this and I was a bit confused on the magic system while reading it. The characters needed a bit more development, I wasn't too attached to them. The cover really drew me in and I kept hearing good things about this but for me, it wasn't my favorite.

Where Dreams Descend by Janella Angeles is the first book in the young adult fantasy Kingdom of Cards series. The Kingdom of Cards series is a dark magical fantasy with this first book only being the beginning of these characters story so it’s definitely best to read the series in order.

Kallia is a showgirl at the top of her magical game but has been trapped by Jack, the master of the club. Only wishing for escape to compete against others Kallia takes her opportunity when it comes and heads to the city where she enters the magical competition where she meets the brooding Demarco.

Where Dreams Descend is yet again another young adult fantasy that made me question why I continue to pick up this genre. Anyone who has read my reviews before have probably come across my one biggest complaint in fantasy in them moving just way too slowly with not enough progress to pull me in. This time it didn’t help that I also didn’t particularly care for the protagonist, Kallia. As much as I love a strong female lead I felt instead of strong she came off arrogant which was annoying to me. When it was all said and done this one only came in at two and a half stars for me but of course I’m more in the minority with my rating.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

This book is a magical debut with lush writing. Circus books are normally not my thing but this was really good. The setting and descriptions were magnificent, Fans of Caraval and The Night Circus will eat this up. I also agree that this book has vibes of Phantom of the Opera & Moulin Rouge. The characters are compelling and the atmosphere mysterious. I do think the world-building could have been a little better but since this is a debut I'll let that slide.

I enjoyed the freshness and personality given to this story and feel like it is perfect for needs of mere entertainment rather than looking for a story that has some deeper philosophical umph.

Where Dreams Descend is an un-put-down-able adventure. Angeles beautifully develops a lush, magical world that immediately draws the reader in. I truly would read this book just for the setting but the most intriguing part for me was the way the story combined magic and mystery. The plot kept grabbing me in and I couldn't let go until I finished. I took away one star because I didn't find the protagonist to be different than many other fantasies I've read before.

DNF
Unfortunately thisbook just couldn;t keep my interest, which is such a shame I thought I'd truely enjoy this book.

I am a sucker for any and all things Phantom of the Opera, so I knew I had to have this. The setting and the magic system were solid. Some of this book was really here just to set up the sequel, so I'm hoping that one is more action packed and offers more character development. I wanted to feel the romance more than I did. It looks like there could be a potential of more romantic interests and I'm not sure how I feel about that. I'm not typically into love triangles because one of the love interests is usually far superior, so if they choose to go that route I want to be torn. I want angst and seduction, as much as young adult gives me that is.

This one is a slow burn, but if you want women magicians, a circus, and mystery this is a good bet.

This was extremely enjoyable, but it was all a bit bland to me? The story was 'just' okay, as were the characters and their development. I really did enjoy the ending, it had me positively reeling!

This was a delight from beginning to end. Kallia is a young woman with magical talents where a woman with magic is not accepted. Choosing to escape the mysterious master, Jack, she travels to a magic competition to show the world what she can do. Demarco lost his magic in a tragic accident, yet no one knows, so when he is tasked to judge the magical competition, he reluctantly agrees, but quickly finding himself intrigued by the alluring Kallia. When her competitors begin to disappear, those around her look to Kallia for blame. Demarco and Kallia, although distrustful of one another, and yet drawn to one another begin to work together to find out what is going on with the competition, however things become even more complicated and the danger is closer than Kallia could ever imagine.

I love the combination of mystery and intrigue. For me it was such a perfect balance - the magical element added to the overall effect. I look forward to the second book in the series.

I wanted so badly to love this book, but I just didn't. I was extremely bored and couldn't connect to any of the characters. The writing style just didn't jive with me. It's such a bummer, because that cover is gorgeous and the synopsis sounded so intriguing! I definitely think lots of people will love this book, though, and that it will appeal to fans of Ace of Shades.

This book had wonderful Greatest Showman vibes, and the cast of characters were really well developed. It was great to read a circus based book.

I greatly enjoyed this! The beginning felt a little slow to me but I ended up enjoying the pace and the plot of this story! Looking forward to book 2

I had to DNF this book. I was so confused and just not feeling it. It seemed to have so much potential, but I was so lost. I hate to be that person, but I do usually struggle with carnival/circus performer type stories. Please don't let my opinion weigh too heavily on if you decide to read this book, but maybe at least try out the sample to see if this book is for you.

Even so, I may try this book again someday in the future once the series is complete.

I finished this book in one day and for good reason!

It was so pretty and well done!

Think magical competition of the night circus meets phantom of the opera and that’s it. That’s the book and it’s beautiful for it.

The setting and the magic was wonderful

The fact that even after the end we still don’t know a lot of about Jack makes me love it more.

I don’t know who I was Kallia with, Jack seems to love her but he loves her as a thing or does he. It’s not clear. But Demarco seems to love her and he’s hiding something.

Love triangles don’t die as a trope and that’s fine. Bring it on.