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A review by gloomyrivers
Where Dreams Descend by Janella Angeles
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I've seen some mixed reviews for this book and I picked it up because people kept comparing it to The Night Circus. I don't regret picking it up but I wish we got more than what we did.
I liked Kallia's character, she was bold and sassy and I enjoyed the chapters in her POV. I liked her dynamic with Demarco, it was fun and they fit together really well. I absolutely hated Jack. I don't know if this is an unpopular opinion but I despised every moment he was with Kallia and every time I had to read his POV.He was just creepy from the beginning and I really hated the whole he messed with Kallia's memories and also insisted on keeping her trapped with him thing. I don't even care if it was because he was trying to protect her, I hated it. Every single time he appeared and started harassing Kallia I tried to read faster so that he could leave quicker. Other than that, I adored a lot of the side characters and I wish we got more of Aaros specifically. He was such a good character and his dynamic with Kallia was adorable. He became my favorite character very quickly and it's a crime we didn't get more of him.
Aside from that, I hoped to get a more in depth explanation of the magic system and the world than we did. Throughout the book the characters kept mentioning born magic and acquired magic but then it's not fully explained how one acquires magic if they're not born with it. Also, by the end of the book I feel like none of my questions were answered.The lore behind what happened to the town, the families who used to rule, who was behind the disappearing magicians/performers, and what the hell Jack's whole deal is was never explained. I suppose this was intentional, to set the stage for the next book but it just annoyed me that I got no answers in the end.
Despite wanting more from the book, I did like it. I do think it could've been executed better, but I liked the concept. I would have given it a lower rating but I enjoyed myself as I was reading it. It was fun and whimsical and it kept me intrigued. I'll definitely be reading the second book, if only to see how it all ends.
I liked Kallia's character, she was bold and sassy and I enjoyed the chapters in her POV. I liked her dynamic with Demarco, it was fun and they fit together really well. I absolutely hated Jack. I don't know if this is an unpopular opinion but I despised every moment he was with Kallia and every time I had to read his POV.
Aside from that, I hoped to get a more in depth explanation of the magic system and the world than we did. Throughout the book the characters kept mentioning born magic and acquired magic but then it's not fully explained how one acquires magic if they're not born with it. Also, by the end of the book I feel like none of my questions were answered.
Despite wanting more from the book, I did like it. I do think it could've been executed better, but I liked the concept. I would have given it a lower rating but I enjoyed myself as I was reading it. It was fun and whimsical and it kept me intrigued. I'll definitely be reading the second book, if only to see how it all ends.