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.
Stunning, gorgeous, enchanting – all descriptions of this cover. The first in the series is no different, and both set the tone for the story of magic and magicians inside.
This book immediately picks up where the first left off. Jack and Kallia find themselves in a darker, somewhat familiar world filled with danger, memories, and illusions. What’s real? What/who can they trust? Demarco and friends, left behind and struggling to understand what happened, desperately search for a way to reach Kallia.
While the first book contained tension-filled scenes between Kallia and Demarcos, elaborate competitions between the magicians, and mysterious secrets surrounding the town, this sequel has a different feel. Not bad, just – different. Kallia and Demarcos are separated for the majority of the story, the competitions are reduced to a couple brief duels, and most of the secrets are revealed early. I especially missed one of my favorite supporting characters and scene stealer, Aaros. He’s nearly MIA this time around.
The elusive Jack was a big draw for me in Where Dreams Descend, and I was anxious to see what would be revealed about him, if anything. I’ll just say his origin and power are explained, and he remains a mesmerizing character. His character arc may be my favorite part of this sequel. If you didn’t care for him before, you may change your mind.
While I enjoyed the addition of some new characters, a couple of unexpected plot twists, and the way the story wraps up, pacing was slow for me. For a nearly five hundred page novel, it contains several long stretches where not much happens. I read an ARC, so it’s something that may be tightened up in the final copy.
If fantasies set in a lavish, magical world filled with atmosphere and secrets pique your interest, this is a duology you should check out.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Books and Such 
I feel like I should say I’m sorry. I hate it when a series is only two books long and the second one doesn’t give page time to my favorite character from the first. Still, it sounds like you had a favorable impression overall. And the cover is pretty.
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It’s not what I’d expected from this sequel, but it was still enjoyable. And I’m still a little bitter over the lack of my fav character. I just need some time to get over it. *sigh*
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This sounds like a great read, Teri despite the fact that your favorite character didn’t get much page time. The cover is stunning! Thank you for sharing!
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The cover designer deserves some kind of award for both of the covers. They’re just beautiful and pair so well with the atmospheric magical world inside, Jan.
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Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Teri.
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Great review! I definitely want to read this one sometime soon!
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I suspect we share the same problem, Evelyn – so many books to read!
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Great review! I’ve been meaning to read the first book for quite some time now… Good to know the sequel was good too despite the lack of your favorite character.
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I loved the atmosphere of the first book – the magic, the competition with the magicians trying to outdo each other. It has a very Phantom of the Opera feel. Hope you can get to it soon, Yvonne!
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That does sound brilliant!
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It sounds like a good sequel except that maybe it could have been shorter to help the pacing. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
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It was a long book, and I think a little trimming would have helped without taking anything away from the story.
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That cover is gorgeous and I definitely love a lavish magical world. I’ll have to keep this duology in mind. Wonderful review!❤️
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I wanted to read the first book based solely on the cover, lol. This sequel didn’t go as I’d expected, but I like the way it wrapped up. Thanks, Tessa!
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In series where the first book has competition, I miss that if the second book takes another turn and branch out. That’s why I think I stayed glued to the Hunger Games all along. And same with the Caraval series. Competitions are one of my favorite tropes in fact!
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I’m a sucker for the competition trope also, Sophie. I requested a book from NetGalley recently because it included a competition. That’s a good point about the Hunger Games. If the second book didn’t have a competition, makes you wonder how well it would have done.
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Yikes! 500 pages is to long for me. I don’t think I’d like the long drawn out bits either.
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I don’t think it would have hurt the story to trim it down a bit. Several other reviewers mentioned the same thing. I’ve found myself shying away lately from books that are over 400 pages unless it’s something I’ve been waiting for.
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Me too, length is a criteria for me.
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