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laura_cs's review
5.0
I received an ARC of this title from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
"Not all magic is good magic. Few people can use it, even fewer are born to it."
A desperate, dying city. A chance to achieve greatness. A competition of a lifetime. A showgirl who aspires for more. A magician without power. A shadowy master of illusions.
Spectaculore.
Kallia has spent her entire life at Hellfire House, and is the star of the show, descending from a golden chandelier to dazzle the audience with her magic. But she desires to be a true stage magician, and runs away to take part in a cut-throat competition to fulfill her dreams. However, nothing is as it seems and her past keeps haunting her--literally. What sinister secrets lie beneath the stage where dreams descend?
A dazzling debut from Angeles, "Where Dreams Descend" is a magical, twisting, burning, binding tale where "Caraval" meets "Moulin Rouge" to create a spellbinding work of genius.
"Not all magic is good magic. Few people can use it, even fewer are born to it."
A desperate, dying city. A chance to achieve greatness. A competition of a lifetime. A showgirl who aspires for more. A magician without power. A shadowy master of illusions.
Spectaculore.
Kallia has spent her entire life at Hellfire House, and is the star of the show, descending from a golden chandelier to dazzle the audience with her magic. But she desires to be a true stage magician, and runs away to take part in a cut-throat competition to fulfill her dreams. However, nothing is as it seems and her past keeps haunting her--literally. What sinister secrets lie beneath the stage where dreams descend?
A dazzling debut from Angeles, "Where Dreams Descend" is a magical, twisting, burning, binding tale where "Caraval" meets "Moulin Rouge" to create a spellbinding work of genius.
harvypat18's review
3.0
Debating whether it deserves 4 or 3 stars. It wasn't my favourite, but it wasn't all that bad either. I'm not joking when I say KALLIA CARRIED THIS BOOK. I couldn't care less about the others, but our badass queen Kallia was the reason I got through it. Jack was also...interesting. I might read the next book just because of Kallia and Jack. *coughs* Demarco sucks. I just don't think he's my type. I'm disappointed I bought the hardcover though. I just had more expectations.
musingswithmiranda's review against another edition
4.0
This book has been on my tbr for awhile, but my friend Brie finally motivated me to buddy read it! I really like how magic and different abilities are incorporated into this story. Along with this, the author does a great job with having dark, mysterious elements. I found that this helped create a lot more intrigue and suspense. I liked Kallia’s character and seeing her growth from beginning to end as well. She had a good arc overall, but I am hoping the sequel ties up a few more things. I enjoyed seeing how Kallia found her own family in a way through Aaros and the circus too. This ended up being a pretty quick read with a really engaging writing style and voice. I cannot wait to pick up When Night Breaks!
anxiouslyreading33's review
2.0
I felt like I was coming into the middle of the story. It never got better I was mostly bored
haniah__x's review
5.0
4.5*
What was THAT???
how am I going to wait for the sequel?
SO GOOD
Everything about Where Dreams Descend is exquisite: that gorgeous cover, the lush descriptive writing, intriguing characters, well-done romance, even the title itself!
I don't know why I was so hesitant to pick this up: it just goes to show not to take under-hype too seriously, especially if the concept of a book piques your interest.
Right from page 1 I was enthralled and couldn't do anything else until I'd finished this. Where Dreams Descend has indeed been compared to Caraval and The Night Circus - both brilliant concepts in their own rights - but don't let that put you off as if this will be a trope-filled carbon copy. I certainly enjoyed this as much, if not more, than both the aforementioned books.
Set in a world of circuses and magicians, the stage and forests, the mood was thoroughly enjoyed by me as well as the dark, brooding characters such as Jack and Demarco. Angeles is an author that can write romance, for sure.
Overall I would recommend to give in to the temptation of that cover and read this book: I hope you won't be disappointed. :)
What was THAT???
how am I going to wait for the sequel?
SO GOOD
Everything about Where Dreams Descend is exquisite: that gorgeous cover, the lush descriptive writing, intriguing characters, well-done romance, even the title itself!
I don't know why I was so hesitant to pick this up: it just goes to show not to take under-hype too seriously, especially if the concept of a book piques your interest.
Right from page 1 I was enthralled and couldn't do anything else until I'd finished this. Where Dreams Descend has indeed been compared to Caraval and The Night Circus - both brilliant concepts in their own rights - but don't let that put you off as if this will be a trope-filled carbon copy. I certainly enjoyed this as much, if not more, than both the aforementioned books.
Set in a world of circuses and magicians, the stage and forests, the mood was thoroughly enjoyed by me as well as the dark, brooding characters such as Jack and Demarco. Angeles is an author that can write romance, for sure.
Overall I would recommend to give in to the temptation of that cover and read this book: I hope you won't be disappointed. :)
jana_wnm's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
iki1315's review
challenging
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.5
amberlael_s's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.5