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crosswarrior7's review against another edition
3.0
Second book I’m saying this for, but this book is complicated for me. Well, complicated may not be the right word. More like… Weird?
I liked this book more than I expected. Probably another lower end of the 3, though.
It is a fascinating book. Kallia has been trapped in the Hellfire House, which is run by Jack. It’s this fancy house for things like gambling and experiencing memories and, later in the night, watching Kallia descend from a chandelier and perform an enchanting dance.
Kallia wants more to life. Jack wants her to stay right there. Kallia obviously gets her way because we have a book, and she goes to a nearby town that is said to be lost in the cursed woods that Hellfire House also resides in. There, she joins a magician competition to be the next big stage magician, and along the way meets Daron Demarco, a judge with many secrets of his, and as I’m sure you can guess, sparks fly, but aforementioned secrets create barriers.
It was a fun October read. It isn’t creepy, so not in that sense, but it just has such a magical atmosphere to it. Magic seems to encompass everything about the book. The town, the characters, the very air, the text. I could imagine settling in a chair in the fall with hot chocolate and just reading this.
I liked the characters. Kallia people have said is too arrogant and cocky, but the text makes it clear that is the only way she knows to be strong, and it adds an interesting layer to the “strong female protagonist.” She has her weaknesses, but the only way she knows to cover them up is exuding strength, and whether it is obvious or not, she learns she is allowed to be weak and let others help her.
Aaros is best character. Simple as that. I do wish there was more of him in the later chapters than just making “mom and dad are fighting” jokes.
Daron had a lot of mystery around him, and it was really fun getting to see it unfold. He is also such a gentlemen, and I like how he is okay admitting when he was wrong.
Jack… Jack was interesting. I got such mixed vibes from him, and I loved when he was on “screen”, even if I wanted to punch him in the face as well.
A journalist character comes in later, and she is a bit snakey, but I liked how she was a strong character there who was strong with her wit and words, even if she was more morally grey. She was like what I would have loved seeing out of a Slytherin xD A good character who is definitely driven by ambition.
There are other characters, who I also enjoy, but not as much as these five.
The magic is very pretty, and it was always fun seeing it occur.
But… I have praised this book. And now why this book is marked lower, despite the parts I really liked.
The middle wasn’t well written. Not, like, the author’s writing ability floundered. More like this book’s middle was far longer and far more drawn out than it needed to be.
Here is what happened. Performance. Kallia and Daron get closer. Secrets tear them apart. Performance. Kallia and Daron get closer. Secrets tear them apart. Vague Jack PoV. Kallia and Daron get way closer. Secrets tear them apart. Performance. Repeat.
Secrets causing friction in plot is one thing. Secrets being the only reason the plot even happens though? I just… I dunno. It drove me nuts. Especially since keeping those secrets seemed to be the main thing happening in the middle of the book.
You know what else happened in the middle of the book? People went missing. People fell into random comas. People lost their eyes.
Instead of having an intriguing plot where the characters actually try to solve what is going on, the focus stays purely on the next performance and the back-and-forth between Kallia and Daron. And both characters had a lot of reason to actually explore the cause. Kallia maybe a little less so because she thought she knew the cause, but Daron was literally there to explore the oddities of the city and he just… Didn’t investigate.
At the very least, Daron could have investigated, and Kallia stuck around thinking she could protect him.
Another predominant aspect of the middle was men constantly belittling Kallia for her to come around and show them how awesome she could be. I don’t think I would have minded this aspect -- not with how it was handled, at least, feeling like a part of the story and not a political statement, which I applaud the author for -- if Kallia wasn’t so OP everyone else was nothing compared to her. I cared less about Kallia proving herself when the men were 2D sexists who we never got to see as more. They were painted as insects in the way rather than legitimate competitors and it honestly just dampened the entire affect.
Maybe it is just me, but I felt like it would have meant so much more if we saw these people as actual people with a flaw of being sexist rather than just “the sexist competitors who are also weaklings.” Talented people still can be sexist, and I think this would have been a great place to point that out. Or at least have more than just Daron not be sexist by the end. Maybe show a competitor learning the error of their ways. Something to make the part of the plot feel more impactful than a lacking hurdle Kallia had to roll her eyes at.
Magic also really felt like it could have been explored. There was no real system, but I know there are people who prefer that more mythical approach to the usage of magic, which is fine. But I felt it could be explored at least a little more, even while sticking to that exploration of it.
Honestly, at the end of the day, it really felt like a lot of this book was just filler so that we would have a sequel. I am excited for the sequel because of what the first book set up, but the first book should have been more than that. There should have been more substance in the middle. There should have been more than just a book filled with people wanting to keep their secrets.
It was a fun read, I will likely read the sequel, but if someone DNF-ed this book, I would 100% understand.
Fun fact, I started this review giving the book a 3.5. Talked myself into lowering it to a 3. I guess because I enjoyed it more than Goddess In The Machine I thought I should bump it up xD
I liked this book more than I expected. Probably another lower end of the 3, though.
It is a fascinating book. Kallia has been trapped in the Hellfire House, which is run by Jack. It’s this fancy house for things like gambling and experiencing memories and, later in the night, watching Kallia descend from a chandelier and perform an enchanting dance.
Kallia wants more to life. Jack wants her to stay right there. Kallia obviously gets her way because we have a book, and she goes to a nearby town that is said to be lost in the cursed woods that Hellfire House also resides in. There, she joins a magician competition to be the next big stage magician, and along the way meets Daron Demarco, a judge with many secrets of his, and as I’m sure you can guess, sparks fly, but aforementioned secrets create barriers.
It was a fun October read. It isn’t creepy, so not in that sense, but it just has such a magical atmosphere to it. Magic seems to encompass everything about the book. The town, the characters, the very air, the text. I could imagine settling in a chair in the fall with hot chocolate and just reading this.
I liked the characters. Kallia people have said is too arrogant and cocky, but the text makes it clear that is the only way she knows to be strong, and it adds an interesting layer to the “strong female protagonist.” She has her weaknesses, but the only way she knows to cover them up is exuding strength, and whether it is obvious or not, she learns she is allowed to be weak and let others help her.
Aaros is best character. Simple as that. I do wish there was more of him in the later chapters than just making “mom and dad are fighting” jokes.
Daron had a lot of mystery around him, and it was really fun getting to see it unfold. He is also such a gentlemen, and I like how he is okay admitting when he was wrong.
Jack… Jack was interesting. I got such mixed vibes from him, and I loved when he was on “screen”, even if I wanted to punch him in the face as well.
A journalist character comes in later, and she is a bit snakey, but I liked how she was a strong character there who was strong with her wit and words, even if she was more morally grey. She was like what I would have loved seeing out of a Slytherin xD A good character who is definitely driven by ambition.
There are other characters, who I also enjoy, but not as much as these five.
The magic is very pretty, and it was always fun seeing it occur.
But… I have praised this book. And now why this book is marked lower, despite the parts I really liked.
The middle wasn’t well written. Not, like, the author’s writing ability floundered. More like this book’s middle was far longer and far more drawn out than it needed to be.
Here is what happened. Performance. Kallia and Daron get closer. Secrets tear them apart. Performance. Kallia and Daron get closer. Secrets tear them apart. Vague Jack PoV. Kallia and Daron get way closer. Secrets tear them apart. Performance. Repeat.
Secrets causing friction in plot is one thing. Secrets being the only reason the plot even happens though? I just… I dunno. It drove me nuts. Especially since keeping those secrets seemed to be the main thing happening in the middle of the book.
You know what else happened in the middle of the book? People went missing. People fell into random comas. People lost their eyes.
Instead of having an intriguing plot where the characters actually try to solve what is going on, the focus stays purely on the next performance and the back-and-forth between Kallia and Daron. And both characters had a lot of reason to actually explore the cause. Kallia maybe a little less so because she thought she knew the cause, but Daron was literally there to explore the oddities of the city and he just… Didn’t investigate.
At the very least, Daron could have investigated, and Kallia stuck around thinking she could protect him.
Another predominant aspect of the middle was men constantly belittling Kallia for her to come around and show them how awesome she could be. I don’t think I would have minded this aspect -- not with how it was handled, at least, feeling like a part of the story and not a political statement, which I applaud the author for -- if Kallia wasn’t so OP everyone else was nothing compared to her. I cared less about Kallia proving herself when the men were 2D sexists who we never got to see as more. They were painted as insects in the way rather than legitimate competitors and it honestly just dampened the entire affect.
Maybe it is just me, but I felt like it would have meant so much more if we saw these people as actual people with a flaw of being sexist rather than just “the sexist competitors who are also weaklings.” Talented people still can be sexist, and I think this would have been a great place to point that out. Or at least have more than just Daron not be sexist by the end. Maybe show a competitor learning the error of their ways. Something to make the part of the plot feel more impactful than a lacking hurdle Kallia had to roll her eyes at.
Magic also really felt like it could have been explored. There was no real system, but I know there are people who prefer that more mythical approach to the usage of magic, which is fine. But I felt it could be explored at least a little more, even while sticking to that exploration of it.
Honestly, at the end of the day, it really felt like a lot of this book was just filler so that we would have a sequel. I am excited for the sequel because of what the first book set up, but the first book should have been more than that. There should have been more substance in the middle. There should have been more than just a book filled with people wanting to keep their secrets.
It was a fun read, I will likely read the sequel, but if someone DNF-ed this book, I would 100% understand.
Fun fact, I started this review giving the book a 3.5. Talked myself into lowering it to a 3. I guess because I enjoyed it more than Goddess In The Machine I thought I should bump it up xD
issianne's review against another edition
5.0
Oh, heck yes. This is a new favorite. I mean, all I really needed from this book was for it to be surrounded around a competition for it to get my vote. And the slow burn of this book was actually very well done... I don't have much else to say!
jenhurst's review against another edition
2.0
For a book that involves a circus and a magical competition I was really bored. It was really unmemorable and unoriginal
cobaltbookshelf's review against another edition
2.0
2.5 stars
Beginning was fine, middle was so slow and boring and ending was fine again. I never say this but this book should just be Kallia POV.
Beginning was fine, middle was so slow and boring and ending was fine again. I never say this but this book should just be Kallia POV.
amandalyn's review against another edition
4.0
It really should come as no surprise that I really liked this book. It’s so up my alley. It took me a minute to really get into the story, but once I fell in love Kallia and Demarco there was no looking back. And the conquerors. I loved all of them! I’m a little disappointed that a few more questions weren’t answered, but it does mean I wanna read the next book immediately.
Definitely pick this up if you like the circus, mystery, ans magicians!
Definitely pick this up if you like the circus, mystery, ans magicians!
bookish_withsky's review against another edition
4.0
Really a 4.5
I loved this book. Kallia’s affinity towards fire really does go along with her own personality very well and I adore her! This book has a touch of feminism, ‘anything you can do I can do better’, a love triangle, enemies to lovers, kind of lovers to for sure enemies, and such a magical atmosphere. I’m so happy I happened to be approved for the arc of the second book, because I will be immediately reading it
I loved this book. Kallia’s affinity towards fire really does go along with her own personality very well and I adore her! This book has a touch of feminism, ‘anything you can do I can do better’, a love triangle, enemies to lovers, kind of lovers to for sure enemies, and such a magical atmosphere. I’m so happy I happened to be approved for the arc of the second book, because I will be immediately reading it
des_reads's review against another edition
Maybe I'll revisit this book, but it just wasn't catching my attention.
qkat's review against another edition
3.0
This book started out real slow. Half the time I was reading it, I couldn’t figure out what was going on. There wasn’t enough world building for me to grasp the magic system thoroughly. About halfway through the book, the story started to form and get a little interesting. Parts of the book reminded me a lot of “Phantom of the Opera”, but in a more juvenile way. I sort of want to know what happens next in the second book, but a part of me is torn about really wanting to know or really not caring. I might need a re-read to decide what direction I am leaning to.
danielled75's review against another edition
4.0
Where Dreams Descend is the first book in the Kingdom of Cards duology.
We are introduced to Kallia and Jack at the Hellfire House, a place run by Jack, no one really knows who he is or what it is he does, but Kallia is the star of the show there. Jack has offered to teach Kallia about magic and how to properly wield it. Jack hears the patrons whisper about this magical competition in the nearby city of Gloian. Little does he know that KIllia also know about this competition and wants to join in.
Jack has warned Kallia many times about leaving the house and going to Glorian, but Kallia ignores the warnings and heads for the competition
Once in Gloriana, Killia finds out things are not as easy as she thought they would be. Being the only female magician to enter does not have the favor in her odds. She doesn't let that stop her, that just makes her more determined to win the competition.
There are a few other characters that make an impact on Kallia, none more than the Daring Demarco who happened to be the youngest of the judges. He has some secrets of his own and to why he's in Gloriana and why he chooses to not use is magic.
When events take place during the competition that turn dangerous and unexplainable it's clear that there is something else going on but no one is quite sure what it is or why.
I did enjoy how the author made the city dark and grey, and the contrast of Kalllia and her outfits both on and off the stage. Kallia seems to be that beacon in a storm, you just couldn't take your eye’s off of her and I think she wanted to make sure that Kaillia stood out like she did.
There is a small bit of romance in the book, but it's not a focal point.
I didn't know what to expect going into this book. I did enjoy this book, and look forward to the second one when it's out
We are introduced to Kallia and Jack at the Hellfire House, a place run by Jack, no one really knows who he is or what it is he does, but Kallia is the star of the show there. Jack has offered to teach Kallia about magic and how to properly wield it. Jack hears the patrons whisper about this magical competition in the nearby city of Gloian. Little does he know that KIllia also know about this competition and wants to join in.
Jack has warned Kallia many times about leaving the house and going to Glorian, but Kallia ignores the warnings and heads for the competition
Once in Gloriana, Killia finds out things are not as easy as she thought they would be. Being the only female magician to enter does not have the favor in her odds. She doesn't let that stop her, that just makes her more determined to win the competition.
There are a few other characters that make an impact on Kallia, none more than the Daring Demarco who happened to be the youngest of the judges. He has some secrets of his own and to why he's in Gloriana and why he chooses to not use is magic.
When events take place during the competition that turn dangerous and unexplainable it's clear that there is something else going on but no one is quite sure what it is or why.
I did enjoy how the author made the city dark and grey, and the contrast of Kalllia and her outfits both on and off the stage. Kallia seems to be that beacon in a storm, you just couldn't take your eye’s off of her and I think she wanted to make sure that Kaillia stood out like she did.
There is a small bit of romance in the book, but it's not a focal point.
I didn't know what to expect going into this book. I did enjoy this book, and look forward to the second one when it's out