12 must-read August YA book releases to close out your summer

The Wish They Were Us by Jessica Goodman. Image Courtesy Penguin Random House
The Wish They Were Us by Jessica Goodman. Image Courtesy Penguin Random House /
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Where Dreams Descend – Janella Angeles

Author Janella Angeles highly anticipated debut novel Where Dreams Descend was originally supposed to hit shelves several months ago but got delayed due to coronavirus. (A common enough story in publishing these days.) But the book will finally arrive this August, and looks as though it’ll have been more than worth the wait.

The first installment in the “Kingdom of Cards” series follows the story of Kallia, a showgirl who dreams of headlining her own act in a world (and industry) dominated by men. Though she currently draws crowds at Hellfire House, she plans to compete in local magicians’ contest in the nearby city of Glorian. Yet, even as she wows the judges, rival contestants start disappearing – leaving Kallia caught in the middle and suspected of foul play.

If this feels all like a mix of The Phantom and the Opera and Moulin Rouge, it’s meant to, and I can’t wait to see how the story shakes out.

The official synopsis provides more detail.

"In a city covered in ice and ruin, a group of magicians face off in a daring game of magical feats to find the next headliner of the Conquering Circus, only to find themselves under the threat of an unseen danger striking behind the scenes. As each act becomes more and more risky and the number of missing magicians piles up, three are forced to reckon with their secrets before the darkness comes for them next. The Star: Kallia, a powerful showgirl out to prove she’s the best no matter the cost The Master: Jack, the enigmatic keeper of the club, and more than one lie told The Magician: Demarco, the brooding judge with a dark past he can no longer hide"

When Dreams Descend is available on August 25.