Janella Angeles

Magic, mystery, elaborate shows, a pinch of romance, and an edge of luring darkness make this into an exciting read, which doesn't let go even at the last page.

Kallia is the showgirl at an unique gambling club beyond a mysterious forest. She was found abandoned in the forest and taken in by the owner years ago. Now, the owner's son, Jack, resides over the club and is known as The Master, not only for his position, but his talent in magic is unprecedented. And he's been teaching Kallia, who show more also has an extraordinary affinity for magic, for years. Despite Kallia's luxurious life, she never is allowed to go beyond the club's outer walls. Night after night, she sits on the roof of the greenhouse and stares at the town on the other side of the dangerous forest, wishing she could find a way to escape her golden cage.

And that's where the story starts. Even at almost 450 pages, this book is packed with plot...one that doesn't nearly end even by the end of the book. Kallia is a character to love. She might be trapped, but she has a personality as sharp as her wit. Her desire to flee is more than understandable, and her attitude when she leaves her cage is so strong, it's hard to decide whether she'll be to love or hate. But her heart is true gold and it shines through at every twist and turn. Her attitude is an armor she desperately needs in this very deadly game.

Kallia is up against many things. Obviously, she has no clue about her past, but interestingly enough, this isn't really something that concerns her or even takes much of this book. She's concentrated on her future and escape. Jack, the Master she runs from, is more than a force to be dealt with, not only because his power far surpasses everyone else. He's dark, is a secret in every shape and form, and yet, he dances on a strange edge of whether he is truly to hate (who could blame Kallia for that?) or maybe not. It's a rich tension, which doesn't even come close to being resolved by the end of this first book.

Then, there's another magician, a young judge in the magical contest Kallia later finds herself in. He's got all the makings to be her romantic interest, but has secrets and problems of his own. This one holds a huge shocker at the end and had me wondering if there will be romance in this direction after all. (But it's hard to believe there isn't, either!) Again, it's tension pure.

That's only the beginning of a very colorful stage of many characters, big and small. Each one dances their own tune, and each leaves an impression. There's so much going on and so much mystery that it makes a spectacular show. After all, that's what these characters are mostly about—amazing an audience with illusions coated beyond truth and lies. And the delicious darkness which lurks in the shadows guarantees that this show has only begun.

Yep, I can't wait to get my hands on book two when it finally comes out. I received an ARC and enjoyed reading every page. show less

I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not in any way affect my opinions.

There's good writing.

And then there's great writing.

And then there's writing that leaves you completely and utterly in awe, absolutely filled with jealousy because you want to be able to write like that.

And then somewhere on a level way above any of that, there's Janella Angeles's writing

This book was . . . unlike anything I've ever read before, and I don't even know show more how to coherently talk about it. It was . . . a literal masterpiece.

Normally I wait a while after reading before I try to write a review, but I just need to talk about this one, because I feel like I'm going to burst with how much I loved it.

I honestly didn't have much in the way of expectations going into this. I thought it would be fun, sure (I'm always a sucker for books about performance), but nothing more. I could not have been more wrong. Every single second of this book took my breath away. There are so many things to love about this book, and I honestly don't see a single flaw.

First and foremost I want to talk about the writing. The writing absolutely stole the show for me. I am not kidding when I say that this book has some of the most beautiful writing I have ever read. I don't think I'm allowed to share quotes, because I read an arc, but like . . . wow. I could tell from the very first page that Janella Angeles is a very talented writer, and it just became more apparent with every page. I genuinely think this is some of my favourite writing I have read like . . . ever. Up there with Strange the Dreamer, The Sound of Stars and . . . not much else. I spent every single second of this book in complete and total awe.

Secondly, although perhaps this ties into the writing as well, is the world. I'm not sure I would say the world building was particularly complex or revolutionary, but the atmosphere of it completely blew me away. I felt like I was there. I could see it all, clear as day, and if you know me you know that's not an easy task for me - no matter how good the world building is, I can rarely fully visualize it the way I could with this book. The writing simply transports you into this world, and makes you feel as if the stakes are as high for you as they are for the characters. The atmosphere was so good and I just jfghdkhjghfhjghf I don't have coherent words.

And of course, last but certainly not least: the characters. I absolutely loved the characters in this. They truly felt like living breathing humans.

Kallia is one of the most interesting main characters I have read in a long time. She's so complex, and her character arc is so so good (and I'm really excited to see where it goes). I really appreciate how she seems like your very typical "hot lady villain", except she's . . . not. She gets to be the hero of the story, and instead of descending into evil (as fun as those stories are) she grows to realize just how much she cares about other people, after having been alone for so long. I truly think that was the most satisfying arc. Also she's a badass and could step on me and I'd say thank you

Daron was also such a fascinating character! While I certainly don't love him as much as I did Kallia, he had so much depth, and I ended up loving him a lot more than I thought. He's so sweet, and yet also determined and occasionally obnoxious, but he just . . . cares so much.

And of course Aaros! He was so silly and sweet, my BOY. And Canary! And omg I just loved this cast of characters so much!!

Also the romance was genuinely really good. I didn't like super strongly ship it or anything, but it put a smile on my face, and more than that it felt . . . really healthy? This romance didn't have the typical angst and drama that I've become used to in YA, and although there was certainly a lack of communication, I felt like they at least were open about the fact that they were keeping secrets. I really appreciated that about it. Also it was just cute

The feminist themes in this book were also so strong. I absolutely adored the way it addressed the way girls are so often overlooked by society, or else they're being blamed for problems simply for being the easiest scapegoat.

Basically: read this book y'all. It's just utterly incredible, and you should absolutely check it out when it releases! I am truly in awe of it, and I cannot recommend it enough.

TWs: emotional abuse, loss of a loved one, violence show less

This is, to put it quite simply, a masterful debut.

This book pulls you into its world with such whiplash-inducing force that you literally cannot put it down until it's finished. It practically demands it of you. All other mundane obligations, chores, errands, eating, sleeping, just suddenly aren't as important. And right when you think you have a handle of what's going on, and in your bookish arrogance you think "what hackneyed YA trope will be employed with this go-around," you are show more pleasantly delighted to find that that there are some truly original and clever ideas at work here. Namely, a beautifully articulated and believable world of magic and mystery brought to life by a cast of characters that are unique and FLAWED and that you grow to love in a matter of pages.

The story begins with Kallia, an unbelievably overpowered and gifted magician and show-stopping performer at a small club called Hellfire House, run by the man who taught her everything she knows, the elusive and brooding master magician, Jack. In this world, magicians make up a substantial amount of the population and employ real magic rather than mere illusions. There are subclasses of magician types, though the most notable is the distinction between those with acquired magic (which is inferior) or naturally born talent, which is far stronger. Kallia is one of these rare, naturally born magicians, and she sure as hell wants the whole world to know about it.

Reminiscent of Moulin Rouge, Kallia yearns to escape the confines of the club and compete in a magicians tournament that will surely bring her the fame and glory that she believes she deserves. Meanwhile Jack, the Phantom of the Opera incarnate that he is, will use any means necessary to get her to stay. And so begins an epic power struggle and the journey Kallia takes to find freedom and validation in a society that is looking to suppress and confine her.

And she does it like a straight up boss.

Kallia is EVERYTHING I want in a female protagonist. She is smart, witty, powerful and one of the only heroines I've read in recent years that can manipulate a situation to her advantage instead of just blurting out expositional nonsense to show the reader "look at me I'm stubborn and assertive and edgy."

No.

This girl knows exactly how to get what she wants and she not afraid to be cunning to do it. And that's not to say she's perfect, because she's not. But her flaws, her arrogance primarily, gives her character depth. Her hunger to win the competition is so savage it blinds her from seeing the risk in situations. She is so adamant about proving herself to be the superior magician to all the chauvinist male competitors that put her down that she inflicts an exhausting amount of mental and physical strain on herself to one-up them. The walls in her heart meant to protect herself end up hurting the people she cares about the most. And isn't that relatable...

Kallia's journey is about trying to heal old wounds while getting new ones in the process. It's about a haunted city with a tragic past and the residents who harbor secrets like well-concealed knives. It's romantic and mystical but dark and threatening at the same time. It's absolutely captivating.

5 out of 5 for me. If you like Moulin Rouge, Phantom of the Opera, or Night Circus, this is the book for you.

I received an ARC in a giveaway and am voluntarily leaving a review. show less

I’ve been looking forward to this book for so long, and it didn’t disappoint.

First of all, this book is gorgeous. From the cover to the prose to the magical world, the extravagance of the book takes over.

This book was described as a modern Phantom of the Opera, and I got major Phantom of the Opera vibes in places, especially when Jack - the magician who would be the Phantom in this retelling - keeps appearing in mirrors. But the book is so much more than just a retelling. The magic show more system is spectacular, and the mysterious ruined city divided into four Houses represented by suites of cards hints at so much more backstory that I hope the author will explore in the second book.

When Kallia learns that her employer and closest friend - the master magician known as Jack and the owner of Hellfire House, the club where she works - has been lying to her and messing with her mind, she escapes.

She’s grown up in isolated Hellfire House and knows nothing of the outside world, except that the nearest city, the ruined Glorian, is opening its doors for a competition for magicians. And thanks to Jack’s training, Kallia’s a magician who can compete with the best.

But everyone has secrets - Jack, Kallia, her new mysterious and sexy mentor, even the city itself. And someone seems willing to bring down the competition at any cost, making the body count rise.

Kallia is independent and headstrong, but finds herself drawn to the mysterious Demarcos, who’s there to judge the competition. There’s sexual tension between them almost immediately, so of course he’s picked to be her mentor. But Jack, who can conjure a version of himself through mirrors, keeps showing up and ruining the moment.

This book ends on a major cliffhanger, which I didn’t mind because of the reveals along the way. I’ve fallen in love with this world and these characters. I cannot wait for the next book in the series. show less