I love the idea of a magic system and world inspired by Judaism, and I typically love dual POVs. But this book fell flat for me and imI struggled to finish it. I felt distant from all of the characters and the romances felt underdeveloped. Even the horse races felt lackluster, possibly because there were four major ones.

The ending came together in an interesting way but was not quite enough to convince me to continue the series.

After loving Ravenfall by this author and owning the Storm Crow duology, I couldn't wait to break into this book and it was definitely worth it. Josephson is a master at building unique worlds with some really interesting characters. Highly recommended

DNF after the first chapter, sadly. The story opens with a horse race, but the urgency feels surprisingly lacking for such high stakes, and the emotion takes a backseat to story setup. I very rarely enjoy a book that doesn't open with a main character's personality oozing from the pages, so I trusted that pattern recognition and set it aside. It's certainly worth a try for readers who enjoy horse race/sport competition fantasy books such as The Scorpio Races, Ashlords, or Monsters Born and Made.

3.5/5 Stars

This is what I would call a Beginner fantasy book. It's got the tropes, easy to read, and convenient. For the reasons stated I found this book just okay. The magic system was interesting and I did enjoy the writing. I felt invested in the characters and story. I loved that Jewish Folklore was intertwined in this book. It brought something fresh to the YA fantasy book. I was also very surprised by how fast I read this book. I finished this book very fast. I remember starting the book and then taking a break after a while only to realize I was 60% of the way in. Overall I would recommend giving this a read as I had a great and enjoyable time.

Mikira's family, once renown horse enchanters, has crossed one of the four great houses of Enderlain and will lose their father, ranch and livelihood if Mikira cannot accomplish the impossible. Arielle has a secret, illegal power that is on the verge of being discovered and forces her to be abused by the nobility's greed. As both face impossibilities they find a common rescuer who may or may not be the answer to their respective prayers. Who can they put their trust in? Will their fortunes change for the better?

First off, a novel that is held together by a deadly horse race? -- count me in! I did enjoy this novel and the story building behind it. The magic systems that this world has built itself upon are interesting and I am curious as to how they will continue to interact. There are lots of aspects of the greater world and politics that were touched on, which leads me to believe there is a lot more story to tell. Mikira and Arielle are very relatable but flawed characters, that hold their cards close to their hearts. I enjoyed the constant tests of trust that each has to navigate -- not that I always agree with their decisions. A good read and I am definitely looking forward to the next in the series. 4 stars.

Review based on a digital Advanced Reader’s Copy provided by MacMillan Children’s Publishing Group/Roaring Brook Press and NetGalley. Thank you!

I definitely see the comparison from this book to SIX OF CROWS. Damian, the mysterious young nobleman, has that same calculating, cards close to the vest thing going that Kaz has in Bardugo’s duology. Unlike SIX OF CROWS, THIS DARK DESCENT follows only two points of view: Ariella and Mikira. I loved both of them pretty much right away. Ari is a self-taught enchanter, grasping for more of her own lost history and the magic of her people that’s since been forbidden. She teeters on the edge of an unnamed darkness as she pursues her magic, and I feel like I was on the edge of my seat, needing to know she would be okay.

Mikira is sparks and frenzy. She’s impulsive, fierce, and fiercely loyal. I wish we’d gotten a little more of her relationships with her sisters Nelda and Aileen. The scenes when she races are so intense. I couldn’t look away. Those moments and some of the behind-the-scenes politics reminded me a little bit of THE SCORPIO RACES.

This is a completely different story than that one, but it definitely has some similarities: strong, desperate heroine; powers that be trying to control the outcome of the race; unlikely alliances; and, of course, a high-stakes, highly dangerous race.

On the whole, I really enjoyed this book. It anchored me in its story world pretty quickly, giving me just the right amount of detail so that I felt oriented to what was going on but not bogged down in unnecessary trivia. The pacing kept me turning pages from one chapter to the next all the way until the end. There’s also a bit of romance. It doesn’t dominate the story, but I really enjoyed that, too. I also loved the references to Jewish folklore and the way faith and heritage or culture and the complex relationships they can be were celebrated in the story.

Note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions my own.

I received a free copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group; all opinions expressed are exclusively my own.

Rich, romantic, and imaginative, This Dark Descent weaves together mythology and magic to create a terrifyingly gorgeous world. I can't tell whether in the end the series will be a romance, a tragedy, or a mixture of the two, but I do know I'm eagerly anticipating the next installment. The two female leads, whose perspective drives the narrative, both feel like realistic and three-dimensional characters, and their experiences and choices feel deeply relatable. Somehow ending in a satisfying way while also very much being a cliffhanger, it leaves me feeling content even while I look forward to the sequel.

For sensitive readers, this novel contains pervasive themes of racism, loss of bodily autonomy, and violence, including violence towards animals. Sexual content is not graphic and consists of the "fade to black" type.

Wow! THIS DARK DESCENT is brilliantly crafted, full of high stakes, magic based on Jewish folklore, AND dual POVs...so basically, a super awesome book! The world-building is spot-on and there are so many rich layers throughout the book. If you love any of the things mentioned above, definitely get your hands on a copy of this book asap!

(Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Any quotes are taken from an advanced copy and may be subject to change upon final publication.)

If you like a lot of plot and twists and turns, this is the book for you. And horses. This is very much a horse and magic book. I would like to read a sequel because the characters could do some developing. The chapters are told in alternating points of view. Ari can make clay golems and enchant them to do magical feats. Mikira is a jockey who will do anything to save her family and their farm. Damien is an extremely ruthless and cunning member of a ruling family. And finally, Reid is Damien's best friend. There's some romance, and lots and lots of secrets. The ending leaves things so that you know there has to be more.

Thank you NetGalley for the digital ARC of this book.

I will admit one thing first: I was totally overtaken by Shiny Cover Syndrome when I went to request this book. I did like the sound of the blurb, but I couldn’t take my eyes off the pretty cover. So, truth be told, had I known this was the first book in a series, I wouldn’t have requested it because the last thing I need right now is to get invested in another series.

But! I can tell you that I actually ended up really liking this book, even though if it weren’t for the cover I probably wouldn’t have given it a try right now.

This Dark Descent isn’t the best fantasy novel out there right now. It isn’t even the best fantasy novel with Jewish folklore woven into it out there right now. However, it is a really entertaining and well-written book. The plot is fairly straightforward, which you’ll be thankful for, because there’s so many other things going on in this book that the last thing you need is a really complicated plot.

Josephson made this book very character-driven, which is where I suspect the comparison with Six of Crows comes from. The book is told from two POVs: that of horse racer Mikira and that of unlicensed enchanter Arielle. To round out a set of core four characters we add in Damien, a member of a noble house, and Reid, his best friend. These characters are very richly drawn, all with complete background stories, different motivations, different goals, and all kinds of problems. And don’t forget the trauma. There’s definitely trauma. Combine our core four with a great supporting cast made up of characters of all shades of gray and the tapestry of the book also begins to feel a little like All of Us Villains, too.

Now, where this book falls short, in my opinion, is in worldbuilding. It just isn’t weak in explaining the actual world around Mirkira and Arielle, it’s also a problem in explaining the magic system. Josephson leaned just a little too much on the Jewish folklore when the majority of magic practiced in the world the book is set in doesn’t practice magic that stems directly from Jewish folklore (please note that I say “folklore” because in this book the author uses what we would know as Jewish terms but the people who would be considered “Jewish” in this book are called “Kinnish”).

Surprisingly, I found that the horse races in this book were weak points in the story as well. They weren’t as well-written as they could’ve been, with rather weak fighting choreography to them. I had looked forward to these scenes but they ended up being rather secondary to everything else going on in this book.

As an endnote: If you are triggered by animal violence, you may want to take care while reading this book.

Altogether, it’s a really solid read, and if you’re in the mood to start a new YA book series that’s on the darker side, then I recommend it.

I was provided a copy of this title by NetGalley and the author. All thoughts, opinions, ideas, and views expressed herein are mine and mine alone. Thank you.

File Under: Book Series/Dark Fantasy/Fantasy Series/Romantasy/Supernatural Fantasy/YA Fantasy/YA Fantasy Romance

My brain is feeling wobbly from a long night (why is sleep elusive when you need it most) but here’s a breakdown of my thoughts on Kalyn Josephson’s debut novel:

1) Anything with horses automatically piques my interest and the equestrian angle of this story did not disappoint. The races were very cool, as were the horses.
2) The world-building was decent; I can definitely see the Jewish and mafia influences. I was invested in the politics, magic, and religion– though it’s the first time I’ve seen a discussion of sin outside of Sunday School!
3) Relationship-wise, this book was hit or miss. Damien is the best character (most fleshed out, truly) and I wish we had POV chapters from him. Reid was all right but I needed more from him– it was like, he was grumpy towards Mikira and then he sort of wasn’t but then he’s mad again. And speaking of Mikira, I was annoyed by what a yo-yo she was; the pivot with her story towards the end felt very left-field, more like a twist to set up a sequel than a natural segue. And for God’s sake, end the love triangle– they’re the worst. As for Arielle: I couldn’t quite figure out what was going on with her emotions or her magic, and I don’t know if that’s me (speed reader missing details) or lack of clarity from the author.
4) This final bit is more intangible but the book is just missing something for me. I want to know what comes next for the characters (I’ll probably read the next installment) but I’m not breathlessly awaiting the sequel. Take that for what you will.

This beautifully crafted fantasy follows the story of Mikira and Arielle. Mikira, the daughter of a well known enchanted horse breeder is willing to do anything it takes to save her father when he is arrested for working enchantments without a license. Arielle is working forbidden Kinnish magic after running away from her family. When Damien brings them together to enter the dangerous Illinir race, Arielle creating an undetectable enchant and Mikira to ride, they must decide who to trust to make it through the race alive.

I really enjoyed this story, which has been said to be a cross between The Scorpion Races and Peaky Blinders, neither of which I have watched but at least Peaky Blinders has been on my list and I'm now more intrigued to watch. The only thing I could compare it to was an extremely dangerous version of the Triple Crown. The worldbuilding was detailed and well thought out and all of the characters well developed. I really enjoy Kalyn's writing style and while I definitely didn't get all of the Jewish folklore, I really appreciate that it's there and something I should really do some research on. I enjoyed Arielle learning and connecting with her heritage, but especially loved Mikira's dedication and love for her family and friends. I only wish I had requested the audiobook as I've had a hard time focusing on reading and listening to it dictated is simply not the same. I'm curious to see what book two will be like.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author via Netgalley and Macmillan in exchange for an honest review.

The Shadows Between Us meets Six of Crows in this spellbinding new fantasy full of intrigue, romance, and pulse-pounding action, where the eldest daughter of a renowned family on the verge of ruin joins forces with a mysterious, rogue enchanter and a handsome, ambitious heir to win a deadly race.

I wasn't sure what to expect from this book, but it was a good surprise. Good world-building, great characters, lots of atmosphere.

Growing up, it was well known that there were horse girls and there was everyone else. Readers will be pleased to note that Kalyn Josephson, well known for her MG work, has included both types of people in her new YA fantasy This Dark Descent. Plus, the horse in question is a golem named Atara. Yes, that's right, the horse is magical and is featured on the stunning cover.

Our horse girl, Mikira Russel, has been forced to compete in a dangerous magical horse race by the ruling nobility who take what they please, when they please, no matter what is costs anyone else. Mikira's father has been set up by one such noble and his only chance at escape is Mikira winning the Illinor, a four part horse race in which many of the horses and riders do not survive. Win and her father walks free. Lose and not only does her father remain in captivity, Mikira will also lose the family ranch. As if that wasn't enough, the deal comes with a catch. While the other riders will be mounted on enchanted horses, Mikira must win on a magic-free horse.

Enter Arielle, a creator of Golems. Arielle is Kinnish, which in this second world is definitely coded for Jewish, and by using forbidden Kinnish magic she can create a Golem-horse with superior strength and various enchantments that will be undetectable by regular enchanters who are unfamiliar with Kinnism and Kinnish magic. There's another catch though. Arielle and Mikira are brought together by Lord Damien Adair, a member of the ruling class that put Mikira in this position in the first place. Damien has his own stake in this race and while Mikira is forced to work with him it is unclear if the two will ever fully trust each other.

Since it is a second world fantasy the Judasim in this book is not necssarily what you might recognize from real life. In second worlds with Jewish coded characters I'm never looking for exact repollicas of real world Judaism. Instead I'm seeking that intangible flavor of Judaism that is so hard to quantify but is easily recognized. You will find many Jewish magical creatures in these pages - golems, Dybuks- but that isn't what it made the story feel so Jewish to me. Arielle is very clearly a Jew in diaspora. Her homeland has been destroyed, there is no knowledge of when it may be habitable again. Much about the ancestral practice of kinnish magic has been lost due to colonizing invaders and Arielle herself is deemed suspect and even illegal where she lives. Damien helps her transition from being afraid of her power to embracing it, and in this there is a reflection of the struggle between the warring practices of flying under the radar and aggressively seeking to protect and defend ones own. This debate, of how a proper Jew should act to avoid persecution, is about as old as the diaspora itself and so, so real.

The opening is a little slow and in true horse girls fashion it is the horse race chapters that really jump out and keep the pace going. Possibly why the last section of the book is addictively readable - it is the final leg of the race and oof. This is good stuff. I'm very curious to see how the sequel is paced without the race to push things along. It's possible Josephson will com up with a similar device or the intricately laid relationships from book one will now bear fruit in book two as former friends find themselves on opposite sides of political and spiritual struggles.

Which brings me to my one issue. It's been a while since I read a YA and I had forgotten how very often in this genre, duology or series books are not required to stand alone. In fact, they often seem actively encouraged to end on cliffhangers and sequel fodder. There is an end to the horse race but most of the issues brought up at the beginning are rather compounded instead of solved at the end of the book. There is a sequel coming, but I personally often hold on books like that until I can buy both at once to avoid being left in the staet I am currently in - namely, DYING to know what happens next. This is really different behavior than when I was a teen and didn't care if I had to wait, so perhaps I'm just showing my age. Either way, I'm clearly committed to reading the next one.

The book contains some romance, including a character that I felt was very demisexual and some excellent bisexual rep. The world is queer norm and readers seeking this kind of representation will be pleased to find it here. There are no on the page sex scenes but there is a fair amount of violence to horses. This is to be expected - it's a dangerous magical horse race with known fatalities, but the horse girls among us may want to mentally fortify before going in.

I was not a horse girl in high school. I did not have the money or proper living situation for that. However I WAS a magic girl. I loved all things fantasy and pretty and with a touch of danger. This book has that spades. So really, there's something for everyone.

3.5 stars rounded to 4. I really enjoyed Kalyn Josephson’s book THE STORM CROW (and its anxiety/depression rep!) so I was really excited when I heard she was releasing a new fantasy book. Thank you to to the publisher for my early copy!⁣
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THIS DARK DESCENT follows the oldest daughter of a renowned horse-breeding family on the brink of ruin and a rogue enchanter on the run who join together with an ambitious noble to try to win a magical horse race. ⁣
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This was a fun and enjoyable introduction to a new YA fantasy series! I really appreciated the way the author brought in Jewish culture to her fantasy world. I will always be here for magical animals, so I wish there was just a little more emphasis on the golems and horses! ⁣
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Ari and Mikira were both interesting narrators. The romance was pretty subtle and overall it felt more like a story about personal growth than any particular relationship. All the characters felt at the very least morally gray and the story was a bit darker than I expected… THIS DARK DESCENT is really just the beginning of these characters’ journeys and I’m excited to see what happens next!

ꕥ ARC Review: This Dark Descent ꕥ

Rating: ✨4/5✨
Spice: 🌶
Triggers: abuse, animal death, torture
Special mention: Jewish folklore 🎉
- Think Peaky Blinders and Scorpio Races had a YA offspring

Overall Thoughts: This was a good book. I really liked how unique the plot was. It definitely is something I never read before with horse racing and magic. I'll definitely recommend it and I'll pick up the next book.

The great news for you is that the book drops today. Go pick it up and let me know what you think! ♥️

‼️Spoilers below this point‼️

ꕥ Mikira: she's my favorite. I was rooting her. Her love for her family and willingness to put them above everything else is something I admired about her. She was put in a really bad situation and had to make lemonade out of lemons. I genuinely don't know who she'll end up with: Reid or Tal. I don't like how Talyana betrayed her and threw her under the bus "for the greater good." Reid is a sweet sugar plum who is a a tea loving, cat man. My vote goes there.

ꕥ Arielle: I really don't like her. At first I felt for her, but she's definitely leaning into her darkness and Damien is encouraging it. Power changes her, but I do wonder how much is Damien and the voice? In want to know about her family too.

ꕥ Damien is the worst to me. I can't stand him. I hope Reid and Arielle see him for the snake he is. I hope Shari is part of the resistance and we see more of her. I liked her.

ꕥ Thanks to Netgalley and Roaring Brook Press for an ARC.

Favorite Quote: "If [REDACTED] wanted to make her his enemy, then his enemy she would be." 🗡

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This Dark Descent is the first novel in the series of the same name. The story takes place in the kingdom of Enderlain. There are two POVs in the story. Mikira Rusel, who is the daughter in a family in Enderlain famed for breeding enchanted horses, and Arielle Kadar, a Kinnish (based on Jewish culture) unregistered enchanter. Mikira enters the Illinir, which is a deadly competitive horse race. Damien Adair, the lord of one of the horse houses, agrees to sponsor Mikira and extends the deal to Arielle. Mikira is introduced as a girl who loves her family and wants to help her father. She is the type to speak first and think later. Arielle is trying to hide the fact that she can perform Kinnish magic.

There is a lot happening in this story. The world-building and magic system were interesting, however, I felt they needed a little more development. I found myself still with questions about each by the end. Compared to the characters, however, the world-building was built up more. I believe just general exploration for everything could have improved my reading experience. As for the writing, it does blend the high fantasy world with historical realism very well and was one of the main reasons I wanted to read this story. As I enjoyed The Scorpio Races, I was excited to read about the horse race. The different elements of the race were very interesting, and I loved how it was integrated into each character’s journey.

As for the romance in the book, I did not connect to it. Arielle is represented as demisexual, although it does not always become apparent to the reader, at least for me. While there is romance for her, I wish it was spread out more as it seemed to go from zero to one hundred. Some readers may be okay with this set-up, however, for me, I need a greater slow burn. This is the same situation for Mikira where readers are told about her romantic journey compared to it being fully explored. Since this is the beginning of a series, there are a lot of directions their stories can go, so it is difficult to fully judge everything yet. This was a unique and interesting idea, and I cannot wait to see what the sequel will hold. Overall, this was a great introduction to the author, and I can’t wait to read the sequel when it is released next year.

**I give a special thank you to Netgalley and the publisher, Roaring Brook Press, for the opportunity to read this enjoyable novel. The opinions expressed are completely my own.**

Filled with magic, political intrigue, romance, and high stakes, This Dark Descent is a brilliant YA fantasy novel that will take your breath away and have you on the edge of your seat.

This was just absolutely brilliant! At first, I was actually a little afraid I wouldn’t connect to this book because it’s about horse racing. But damn, how wrong was I. All throughout the book, I was rooting for the characters, I was getting swept up by the romance, I was so interested in the magic and the world-building, and I kept getting hit unexpectedly by plot twists. In other words, this captured my attention, and I was invested from start to finish!

The world-building was complex and enchanting. From the whole fictional world to the magic system, the royal houses and the elites, I loved it! It was also steeped in Jewish folklore/mythology and I loved reading all about the little details. I just hoped it had a glossary or dramatis personae (I’m hoping the final copy has some). It could get a little confusing (especially in the first few chapters) just trying to keep up with all the characters, the names, the countries, and more. That said, this was truly a complex world-building and it was easy to get lost in it.

The characters were all compelling, too. I know I love good world-building. But if the story has characters with good chemistry, characters that move and make you root for them? That’s even better. This Dark Descent delivered on this part. I loved Mikira and Arielle as the main characters. Reading the story from their dual POVs was just thrilling and captivating. Their backstories were written so well, and they just continually developed throughout the book. Seeing them grow with confidence in their own ways was just amazing. And though some of Mikira’s decisions didn’t sit right with me, I couldn’t really hate her because I understood her character and motivations.

I also have to point out that I loved the ace and bi rep in this story! Arielle felt like a demisexual/demiromantic character to me, and in my head, Mikira was pan, before I got the confirmation that she is, in fact, bi. I always love seeing queer characters in fantasy novels, and this book was no exception.

Apart from Mikira and Arielle, we also have Damien and Reid. I loved that the author also focused on them. They have their own backstories, and I just loved getting to know more about them on every page.

The plot was carefully woven and definitely stress-inducing as well! And I mean that in a good way. I was holding my breath all throughout the book, and I just loved that the plot twists always managed to surprise me. Like I never really knew what was going to happen next (despite my thinking that I had a good grasp of the plot). The political intrigue was suspenseful, too. The addition of it into the story made everything even more dangerous and high stakes. All the bargains, secrets, threats, and attacks showed how intricate and risky their whole situation was. And yes, the dangerous horse racing competition was intriguing for me. Despite my initial doubts, I ended up enjoying watching Mikira in the competition.

At the end of the book, I can say that This Dark Descent was more than just the horse racing. It was about the bad and ugly sides of humanity, the immense power that the elites hold, about your own desires, about growing in confidence, and coming to terms with your own power. I have nothing else to say except that this was just brilliant, riveting, and breathtaking.

I think anyone looking for pulse-pounding action and adventure, as well as compelling characters, will really love this book. As for me? I can’t wait for the sequel.

A high stakes horse racing competition, forbidden magic, political games, and betrayals await as two girls find their fates forever changed when their paths cross and they join forces with each other and an ambitious heir. Mikira Rusel is the daughter of a renowned enchanted horse breeding family. Yet despite her family's prestige, they have debts to pay and in order to save her family's ranch she is forced to enter and win the Illinir, a deadly horserace where raiders normally finish maimed or murdered. The prize money is amazing and the prestige won would be unparalleled. Yet in order to win she needs the help of Damien Adair, a dashing and deadly lord in a succession battle for the title of heir and Arielle Kadar, a illicit enchanter who has only begun to scratch the depths of her power. Damien and Arielle both have their own revenge plans and blood feuds and agree to help Ari. Yet winning was never easy and with so many people out to get them, can they trust each other or will betrayal destroy them? Mikira wants to atone for all the things she's done and the situations she's gotten her family in, yet she just keeps messing up. Damien is ruthless and wants the title of the house, yet he finds himself falling for Arielle. The lengths he'll go to to protect her and those he holds close is ruthless, yet so is the anger he has for anyone who betrays him. Arielle has spent her life an outcast, and wants nothing more than to get an official license to do her magic, yet she is beginning to hear a voice in her head and losing time, as well as the fact that her magic is growing as well as her blood lust. I loved Damien and Arielle and had a lot of fun with their story, the weak part of the story for me was Mikira, I just couldn't connect with her and found her to be so annoying by the end. I really didn't care that much about her story and was more interested in what Damien, Arielle and Reid ( Damien's friend/servant who works with magic and has a cat and is a bit grumpy) were up to. This is the first book in the series and I am curious to see where the next book goes. If you enjoy horse racing/magic/succession politics, then give this book a go!

*Spoiler: Mikira enters into a race to win a bet against Rezeh, the rich lord who wants her farm and is holding her father hostage, and in order to do so she needs Damien's sponsor and Arielle to make her a magic horse. She loses but Rezeh makes a counter offer, she spy on Damien and get him some evidence to get rid of Damien and then she'll be given another chance to race again in another bet. Reid finds out and tells Damien and Arielle. Mikira is angry at them all and says that they are her enemy now (girl look at what you did, you literally betrayed them all and didnt say or do anything, they have a right to be mad at you and the fact that you act so self righteous when you lie, cheat, and betray people too?? get over yourself). Damien does kill people and does end up winning the title to the succession but he finds out that Mikira was the one to have evidence of him killing the two men who had attacked Arielle. Arielle begins hearing a voice in her head egging her on and stealing her body, she later discovers it is a spirit taking over her body as her powers grow. Rezeh was sent to jail but the book ends with Arielle visiting him (only because the spirit in her body is controlling her). Damien and Arielle get together as a couple, while Mikara is hinted at being bisexual (but it really doesn't feel like she has any love interests which is completely fine). *

*Thanks Netgalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group, Roaring Brook Press for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

I. LOVED. THIS. BOOK.

This Dark Descent is a wonderfully exciting YA Fantasy that gave me Six of Crows and Mario Kart vibes. It has Jewish representation, bisexual representation, non-stop action, enchanted horse races, high stakes and complex characters whom you’ll never be sure if you should root for or against. I kept turning the pages and yearning to pick it back up whenever life so rudely interrupted my reading. And when it ended, I shut my book (figuratively, I read a digital copy) with wide eyes and exclaimed “ARE YOU KIDDING ME!?!” (literally).

As a Jewish reviewer, I want to specifically note that the Jewish representation brought me such JOY and is one of the most unique uses of golems I’ve ever read!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

My only complaint is that I have to wait for the sequel!!! 😭

Thank you so much to Macmillan’s Children’s Publishing Group and NetGalley for the ARC.

This Dark Descent is out TODAY!!! Don’t miss it!