*Spoiler free, but spoilers for Where Dreams Descend*
The competition has come to a disastrous end, and Daron Demarco’s fall from grace is now front page news. But little matters to him beyond Kallia, the contestant he fell for who is now lost to this world and in the hands of a dangerous magician. Daron is willing to do whatever it takes to find her. Even if it means embarking on a dark and treacherous journey, risking more than just his life, with no promise of return. After awaking in darkness, Kallia has never felt more lost. Especially with Jack by her side, the magician with who has the answers but cannot be trusted. Together, they must navigate a dazzling world where mirrors show memories and illusions shadow every corner, one ruled by a powerful game master who could all too easily destroy the world she left behind — and the boy she can’t seem to forget. With time running out, Kallia must embrace her role in a darker destiny, or lose everyone she loves, forever.
I was looking forward to this book the second I finished Where Dreams Descend. The first book leaves things on the precipice, the darkness almost revealed, the curtain just about the flung back. I wanted to know more. I was so pumped to be back in this world, and I could not wait to see what I would think of it.
Gosh, I love this duology so much. This is everything that I wanted out of the sequel.
The way that Janella writes is just spectacular. It’s lush and downright gorgeous. It makes everything dazzle, the glamor and intrigue of the world seeming to seep into my very veins. She’s just a talented writer, I could gush about it forever.
The way that this book reveals the secrets kept in Where Dreams Descend, but presents new ones of it’s own, how it creates the same dazzling showmanship that made the first book as incredible as it was, but makes it completely different and entirely it’s own, was spectacular. I loved how it continued, and built, on the plot of the first book. It gave new secrets, new schemes, to uncover. There’s so much more discover, so many more corners of this world to uncover. It’s brilliant. The worldbuilding, just dang. The way it’s vast, yet claustrophobic at the same time (yes, a weird description, but it fits). It’s so good.
And the characters, oh my gosh I love Kallia so much. I love her confidence, the way she strides into everything with her head held high. Her talent that just drapes over her. I love Daron and his desperation to make things right and his yearning for the people he loves. I love the side characters, both old and new, and everything that they added to the book. And they added so much.
And the freaking foreshadowing. There was a moment that my jaw dropped because the way clues were dropped was downright amazing. Like, it was genius and brilliant and so, so good. I absolutely loved how the story twisted, and where it went.
I am not quite sure what I think of the climax, like actual climax scene. I’m not quiet sure what I didn’t 100% love about, but I think it was built up to be this big dramatic moment, and a couple pieces didn’t completely slot in for me. But that’s alright, because the overall book, and the overall climax, were amazing!
Also, I want a [redacted] and [redacted] book.
I love this duology so much. It’s dazzling in everything that it does. It’s so, so good.
When Night Breaks comes out October 5, 2021! You can add it on Goodreads and pre-order a copy in the meantime!
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