When Night Breaks

Kingdom of Cards, Book 2

By: Janella Angeles

Narrated by: Imani Jade Powers, Steve West

Length: 17 hrs and 50 mins

Publisher's summary

In Janella Angeles's When Night Breaks, the dramatic last act of the Kingdom of Cards duology, the stage is set, the spectacle awaits...and the show must finally come to an end.

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 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.

A Macmillan Audio production from Wednesday Books

©2021 Janella Angeles (P)2021 Macmillan Audio

A Satisfactory Finish to the Overall Theme

Note: This review contains NO spoilers

When Night Breaks continues from that eye-popping cliffhanger at the end of When Dreams Descend . Where the first book left me at the balancing off the "edge of darkness," this second and final book in the duology ended with a captivating and spectacular close. This sequel is set up in "Acts" like the first book. The author continues her expanding and fantastic world-building. And as for the romance, it took a "back seat" as Kallia's journey continued, but it still there... just keep reading.

Organizing the story in "acts" allows for giving the myriad of details in the story some kind of direction to the storytelling. As for the pacing, I still found it slow and flat just like the first book; however, the author's imaginative writing kept me glued to the book... wanting to know how the duology comes to a conclusion.

As many secrets surfaced in Where Dreams Descend , Where Night Breaks many truths to those secrets were revealed. More twists to the story continued into this sequel in which other secrets were disclosed further deepening this riveting story. The incredible world-building further created an even darker and magical setting for these enchanting characters. With all that has been revealed, the entire storyline expanded to a "bigger picture." As for the characters, development and individual personalities is apparently more making for more dramatic scenes throughout the book.

Again, the narrators continued their marvelous narration in this sequel. Absolutely enjoyed their change in tone/inflection of their voices with the change of characters. They gave a beautiful and animated voice-over to this story and the first.

All in all, When Night Breaks has a profound and riveting close to this dramatic and magical duology. With all that being said, When Night Breaks will have good, bad, and even mediocre reviews from various people, but, in the end, I found that this book has a satisfactory finish to the overall theme. Despite the pacing/flow of storytelling, the author's inventive writing allowed me to overlook it. Kingdom of Cards is a duology that fans of this genre should definitely try. I would say it is worth the read.

Didn't continue what I loved about Book 1

This book wasn't bad, it just wasn't what was promised. I wanted more of what hooked me in the first installment. But still well written and good enough to finish.