Where Dreams Descend (2020) by Janella Angeles is a dazzling, atmospheric fantasy inspired by The Phantom of the Opera and Moulin Rouge, blending magic, mystery, and a competition to rival The Night Circus. The story follows Kallia, a bold and ambitious showgirl who escapes her shadowed life under the control of a mysterious magician to compete in the Spectaculore, a high-stakes magical contest in the city of Glorian.
As Kallia battles sexism and sinister forces—including eerie visions and a collapsing stage—she allies with Daron Demarco, a brooding judge with secrets of his own. Angeles’ lush prose and gothic flair bring the decadent, danger-filled world to life, where mirrors whisper, the city hides dark truths, and no performer is safe.
