I threw the idea out into the world. Thank you, for always cheering this book and me on, and for knowing without hesitation it was something special. Your friendship and encouragement truly helped make this story take flight. You’re emoji-sploding right now, aren’t you?
To Sara Raasch, Susan Dennard, Roshani Chokshi, Patrice Caldwell, and Julie Dao—thank you for being such guiding lights over the years to this baby writer, you’re all absolute legends. To Emily Duncan and Claire Legrand, thank you so much for the kind words and kindness over the years. Big thanks to writer pals Andrea Tang, Ashley Schumacher, Hannah Reynolds, and Ellie Moreton. Thank you to Sami Thomason, Joy Preble, Allison Senecal, Kalie Young, Kiersten Frost, Alexa (@alexalovesbooks), and Brittney (@reverieandink), for bolstering this book from the very beginning. And in general, to all book bloggers, booksellers, influencers, librarians, and those in the book community who have supported my book and me—thank you, for everything, especially for the important work you do that certainly kept this reader reading ever since she was younger. To the fanfiction community, for helping me get my start in writing and changing my life forever. And a shout-out to my CWP family, especially the Contracts and Rights crew, for all the support as I straddle both sides of the industry table.
And now, the moment they’ve all been waiting for: my family.
Just kidding. This is the section I’ve been looking forward to most, because none of what I do as a storyteller would be possible without my pillars of a family. You might not have always known I was a writer (remember when I used to be quiet and shared nothing with you guys?), but once you did, you believed in me fiercely.
To Papa, thank you, for all of our talks and drives, and for always encouraging me in my writing—even when it seemed like I was going nowhere, and even if it is just to get an island out of it. To Mama, thank you, for never once doubting that I could achieve this dream, and for indulging me on my amoeba days. I love you muy muy. Thank you both, for being there and for giving me the time, the space, and the love to create without judgment. You two are my favorite love story—and I like to think that’s how the storytelling bug bit me in the first place.
To Lia, for guiding me toward books and writing. It all started with me stealing your Greek mythology picture book (which I still have). To Michael, once, you said you would invest in my first gloriously bad book which is not really how it works, but I’ve appreciated your support ever since. To Luke (“Master Skywalker”), Little Michael, and Sophia, you can’t read this right now (Luke, never), but I love you monsters. To Chino, for your unwavering support and kindness, and for always asking how I’m doing. To Joseph, thank you, for knowing just what to say when I need to hear it, especially on my down days. And to Nina, both Mr. Tchaikovsky and daydreamer, you always knew this was going to happen, even when I didn’t—thank you, for being there whenever I need you, and for believing in me as much as I believe in you. The heart of every friendship I write about always leads back to you.
There’s no better family than Team Angeles (reporting for duty), but I also have to shout-out the Gochans, the Felixes, the Salases, and the Stamoulis—cousins, aunts, uncles, in-laws alike. Also Loli, with whom I’m proud to share a love of reading and stories. To Lolopops, who definitely knew I was writing and not doing homework; and especially to Lola, who listened to the fragments of my first book and inspired me to do everything differently. As a matter of fact, you all inspire me in so many ways. Family is everything to me, and I love you all so, so much.
And lastly, thank you, dear reader. For picking up this book, for wanting to read it, for reading all of these acknowledgments. I’ve wanted this more than I’ve ever wanted anything in my life, and I’m glad I get to be able to share this dream with you. If you’ve finished the story and ended up here, thank you so much for reading. If you’re the same kind of reader as me who looked at these acknowledgments first, you’re my kind of person. And I hope you enjoy the show.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
JANELLA ANGELES is a Filipino-American author who got her start in writing through consuming glorious amounts of fanfiction at a young age—which eventually led to penning some of her own, and later on, creating original stories from her imagination. A lifelong lover of books, she’s lucky enough to be working in the business of publishing them on top of writing them. She currently resides in Massachusetts, where she’s most likely to be found listening to musicals on repeat and daydreaming too much for her own good. Where Dreams Descend is her first book. You can sign up for email updates here.
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Contents
Title Page
Copyright Notice
Dedication
Dramatis Personae
Map
Epigraph
Act I. Enter the magician: A princess with claws who wishes for wings
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Act II. Enter the Devils: The beasts that hunt, and the ghosts who haunt
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Act III. Enter the Lovers: Those roses entwined among twisted thorns
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Chapter 41
Act IV. Enter the Shadows: The tricks of light, the truth from lies
Chapter 42
Chapter 43
Chapter 44
Chapter 45
Chapter 46
Chapter 47
Chapter 48
Chapter 49
Epilogue
Acknowledgments
About the Author
Copyright
This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.
First published in the United States by Wednesday Books, an imprint of St. Martin’s Publishing Group
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