Janella Angeles’ Where Dreams Descend is a lush, magical YA fantasy must-read

Janella Angeles debut novel Where Dreams Descend is a lush tale of love, lies, and magic – and one of the most memorable YA fantasies you’ll read this year.

Janella Angeles’ debut novel, Where Dreams Descend, is gorgeous. From its beautiful red cover to the lush prose inside its pages, this is a book that will stay with you long after you put it down. (And leave you clamoring for the upcoming sequel.)

It also happens to be one of the best YA fantasy releases you’ll pick up this summer.

The first installment in the “Kingdom of Cards” trilogy, Where Dreams Descend follows the story of Kallia, a magical showgirl who dreams of headlining her own act in a world (and industry) dominated by men. Raised in isolation at Hellfire House, a nightclub situated in a dark forest known as the Dire Woods, Kallia has few friends beyond the mysterious Jack, the handsome club master who’s been helping her hone her magical abilities. But when Kallia discovers Jack’s been lying to her, she flees to the nearby city of Glorian, where a traveling troupe known as the Conquering CIrcus has announced a magic competition is taking place – and where many secrets are buried.

Kallia becomes a controversial contestant, wowing the crowds starved for magic and life in a drab colorless city. But her considerable power and brash personality draw envy from the other contestants and anger from the judges, who don’t think she deserves a spot on their stage. Except for the youngest, Daron DeMarco, a young former magician whose career was cut short by tragedy. When strange things begin happening during her performances magicians begin disappearing in increasingly bizarre and grisly circumstances, Kallia is immediately suspected of cheating in some way.

But Kallia’s afraid of something else entirely – that Jack won’t ever be content to see her on someone else’s stage.

Where Dreams Descend is being described as Moulin Rouge meets The Phantom of the Opera, and it’s easy to see why. It’s dark, flashy showmanship infuses every scene and the magical world these characters reside in feels rich and lush – and like it’s still hiding more than a few secrets, including the differences between born and learned magic. (And also that whole thing with mirrors. I have questions, is what I’m saying.)

Kallia is a remarkable heroine – strong, feisty, and fully confident in her own power. She loves having magic and truly delights in her ability to wield it. This book would be entertaining enough if it just consisted of Kallia repeatedly telling terrible men about themselves as she refuses to live her life by their rules. But Where Dreams  Descend is careful to make sure that for all Kallia’s bluster and strength, she’s not a heroine without flaws. She keeps secrets and tells lies, and pushes away the handful of people who demonstrably care for her.

Though Kallia’s feelings for Jack are complicated – the two clearly have a mysterious connection that goes well beyond what’s been revealed thus far – it’s the messy, crackling connection between her and the tortured, reserved DeMarco that serves as the emotional center of much of the story. Whether the two are butting heads, being adorably awkward around one another, or trying to solve the mystery of the other contestants’ disappearance, they have fantastic chemistry, whether its as rivals, uneasy allies, or something more.

DeMarco himself is an extremely interesting supporting character, with his own history, secrets and reason for being in Glorian that have nothing to do with Kallia. (Though clearly their lives become entwined with one another to a remarkable degree.)  Given the cliffhanger that concludes this story, I’m extremely interested to see where this all goes next for both these characters – separately and together.

Where Dreams Descend is available now. Will you be adding it to your TBR pile this August?