My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Title: When Night Breaks (Kingdom of Cards, #2)
Author: Janella Angeles
Format: eBook (NetGalley)
Pages: 464
Publication Date: 10/5/21
Publisher: Wednesday Books
Categories: Young Adult, Fantasy, Magicians, Romance
Disclaimer: **I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**
Thank you to Wednesday Books for giving me a chance to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review!
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.
This series has beautiful covers, that’s for sure!
I did like that this second book and conclusion is more sinister than the first book. In the first one, Jack and the whole town of Glorian is a mystery. We do uncover many secrets in this conclusion. We learn about this mysterious villain, the Dealer, who seems more powerful (or so it seems) than Jack. We learn more about the town of Glorian, the Patrons, the mirror and Kallia’s past.
Kallia stays consistent even though missing her powers, she is still full of fight and sass. I liked learning more about Jack. There is a lot of action but it comes at the end of the book.
For awhile I thought Kallia’s friends from the circus wasn’t going to make an appearance in this but they do – of course they do and they help save Kallia.
The first book was about the dazzling performance of magic shows and the circus. In this book it’s about what’s inside the mirror- which is a darker side of everything in Kallia’s world. Usually I need to be in the mood to read about magicians/circus. Well I wasn’t quite in the right mood for this sequel and it’s take on illusions, I think. Some things was hard for me to follow but that might be because I just wasn’t interested. This is is definitely one of those instances that if you love the first book (and I didn’t)…you will love this one. It’s just not the right series for me.
I didn’t connect to any of the characters. Not even Kallia’s journey kept me interested in this one.
I wasn’t into the love triangle. I mean there was a potential for one for sure but I’m glad it didn’t quite go there.
Why you should read it:
- You love the first series or liked it enough to find out more
- To find out what the whole mystery is
- You enjoy stories about magicians
Why you might not want to read it:
- Wasn’t into the first book
- Love triangle potential
My Thoughts:
I love the books covers, it’s what sucked me into reading the first book. Story wise? I wasn’t into the magician/illusions theme. But I do like that this one is darker than the first book. Not even the romance in this one held my interest though because of the love triangle and I love a good triangle…but I didn’t feel this one. That doesn’t mean others won’t love this story, actually I think fans of the first book will enjoy this conclusion. It just wasn’t for me.
📚 ~ Yolanda
Past Midnight Book Reviews & More 