Book Review: This Dark Descent (This Dark Descent #1) by Kalyn Josephson

Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: YA Fantasy
Length: 384 pages
Author: Kalyn Josephson
Publisher: Roaring Brook Press
Release Date: September 26th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

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.

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?

WHOA.

Y’all, this was really dang good. I seem to love magical horse racing competition books and this was no different. I thought the pacing was great and I loved the world building and how the magic system operated and those reveals at the ending had me reeling.

I also loved the characters. Dual POV was awesome (I did struggle a little on the audio because both characters sounded very similar and sometimes I had a hard time remembering who’s POV I was in). And there were even two subtle romances which I am absolutely always here for. I liked how the relationships between this found family weren’t always linear and that things are complicated. I like seeing the ups and downs as everyone is holding a few cards to their chests full of secrets I can’t wait to see unveiled.

Overall audience notes: