Genre: YA Fantasy
Release Date: September 26th, 2023
Pages: 400
Publisher: Roaring Book Press
My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Publisher’s Synopsis:
“Mikira Rusel’s family has long been famous for breeding enchanted horses, but their prestige is no match for their rising debts. To save her ranch, Mikira has only one option: she must win the Illinir, a treacherous horserace whose riders either finish maimed or murdered. Yet each year, competitors return, tempted by its alluring prize money and unparalleled prestige.
Mikira’s mission soon unites her with Arielle Kadar, an impressive yet illicit enchanter just beginning to come into her true power, and Damien Adair, a dashing young lord in the midst of a fierce succession battle. Both have hidden reasons of their own to help Mikira — as well as their own blood feuds to avenge…
Steeped in Jewish folklore, This Dark Descent is a pulse-pounding new fantasy full of forbidden magic, sizzling romance, and epic stakes. In a world as dangerous as this, will the need for vengeance butcher Mikira’s chances of winning the Illinir … or will another rider’s dagger?”
My Review:
This book had me from the very first line: “Horses will speak to you, if only you listen.” As a life-long horse girlie, I knew I was going to fall in love with this part of the story being so prominent. I somehow completely forgot that this book had to do with horses by the time I started reading it and I was so freaking excited once I realized it. This story has everything you could want and all the points are so well-developed. It is a lot to take in in the first few chapters, but once you start to immerse yourself into the world it is truly captivating. This has the depth of an adult fantasy that many readers want. The lore and worldbuilding are so rich and intriguing. All the different kinds of magic and ways that it is used throughout the book was so fascinating. There’s political intrigue and power dynamics and issues of class and race. The story world really comes to life and is so engaging. The action-packed plot was perfectly paced. I absolutely love our two main characters Mikira and Arielle, which we get dual POV. They are both fiercely independent and the feisty heroine type that is so endearing to me. Even the side characters are fun and exciting. I fell in love with the boys as soon as they graced the page. All the characters are complex and nuanced. As an avid young adult fantasy reader, I’m always a little skeptical going into a new book in the hopes that it is not just another formulaic feeling story. And wow this did not feel like that at all. I highly recommend this book to all fantasy readers. I can easily see it becoming the next phenomenon in this genre and I can’t wait to continue the series. And, y’all, this cover is freaking stunning! I will definitely be getting a physical copy of this book when it comes out!
Disclaimers:
Huge thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for gifting me an early copy of this amazing story! I voluntarily read and reviewed this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Have you read this book? Planning to add it to your TBR?
Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!
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