Caraval

This story was so magical, so whimsical, and so perfect. I was skeptical, because I'm pretty much the only person on Goodreads that did not like The Night Circus, but this didn't remind me of The Night Circus at all. Well, at least the 15% I read before I couldn't force myself to read more. I mean, I can see where people would draw the parallels because of the plot, but the writing in this is much more reminiscent of The Raven Boys or Heartless. The prose is the epitome of lyrical, with descriptions that were nothing short of magical, and I devoured it all with a smile on my face. “It looked like a storybook come to life. She peered down at bright pointy rooftops, moss-covered towers, gingerbread cottages, gleaming gold bridges, blue-brick streets, and bubbling fountains, all lit by candled lamps that hung everywhere, giving an appearance of time that was neither day nor night.” Can we talk about how this is Stephanie Garber’s debut novel? I am seriously shocked, because this is not the writing of a new or amateur writer. She has perfected her craft, and made just a really addictive and impressive first story. I hope and pray she wins 2017's Best Debut Goodreads Author award, because she is so deserving with this masterpiece. I'm in awe of her talent, honestly. God, the writing was so good. The descriptions were perfection. I understand this might not be for everyone, but this world consumed me and I didn't want to leave when I turned the last page. I know this book is about a magical place, but it truly ended up being a magical experience that I'm not going to forget anytime soon. Caraval is the first book I gave five stars to in 2017, and it is so very deserving of that title. The plot of this has a perfect thriller tempo, too! Yes, I've been raving about how magical and lyrical this book is, but I have to emphasize that the pace is fast, too! Each chapter holds a new mystery, and I felt so compelled to never put this book down. Caraval truly is a fast and magical journey that I can't help but recommend everyone take! Caraval is a magical game that is played once a year. Not everyone can go, but the lucky ones are sent tickets, and once they arrive they are able to choose if they'd like to watch the game or actually play the game. Scarlett has been writing to the master of Caraval, Legend, her whole life in hopes to acquire tickets for her and her sister, and after all these years she finally gets a letter back. And the sibling love in this is so amazing. My brother and I are really close, and there is nothing I wouldn't do for him. Scarlett's devotion to her sister warmed my heart completely and I loved reading about it. Also, seeing them pick each other over boys is my freaking jam. This book also tackles the hard topic of parental abuse, emotional, mental, and physical. This topic is so important, and doesn't seem to be in much YA, unless it is the center of the story. So many kids grow up being abused, yet, it doesn't become the center of their life. Seeing Scarlett realize she is not the value of her father's rage was beautiful. We need more books that handle this issue, because Uncle Vernon and Harry Potter isn't close to being the epitome of an abusive relationship. Many parents can be manipulative, abusive, terrible, and it isn't the victims fault, ever. “People think no one sees all the nasty things they do in the dark. The foul acts they commit, or the lies they tell as part of the game. Caraval takes place at night because you like to watch, and see what people do when they think there are no consequences.” This book does border on unreliable narrative though, because as Scarlett is learning the rules of the game and the magic of Caraval, so is the reader. Caraval is a facade, it might be a beautiful facade, but it is still a facade. The reader is never sure if what they are reading is true, and that is because Scarlett never knows if what she is experiencing is true. I loved the mystery factor and thought it worked perfectly, but I can see where others might not like it as much as me. And the characters and players in this world are so wonderful! Scarlett was my favorite, and I feel like it would be almost impossible not to fall in love with her. Her sister, Tella, has a good heart and her actions were coming from a good place, but she was a little frustrating. Hopefully, in the next book, my love for Scarlett will carry over to Tella. Julian is the other main character you read about, alongside Scarlett. His character was so endearing and I absolutely loved this story-arc and twist(s). Not knowing whether to root and cheer for him or wish him dead was a unique experience to say the least! I loved this book. I loved it with my whole heart. I read this in one day; I couldn't put it down. This book is the definition of a sensory read. Please give it a try. I understand that not every book is for everyone, but this book is pretty close to perfection, in my eyes. I whole heartedly expect this to show up on my "Best of 2017" list, and I cannot wait to get my hands on the sequel.

“Every person has the power to change their fate if they are brave enough to fight for what they desire more than anything.” I had been looking forward to this book for months. I kept trying to get an ARC of it but no dice, had to wait for the release date like everyone else. Nearly pounced on the the poor UPS guy when he finally showed up with it at 5pm. How could I resist a book that promises magic, mystery, drama, and just a touch of heartbreak? Stick that all in a pot, give it a good stir, and you have yourself the makings of a good book. Alright. Before I get too far along here, something has been nagging at me. I’ve read dozens of reviews of this books. The lucky ducks who did manage to get ARCs of it have been popping their thoughts up on Goodreads for weeks. Of all of them, I only read one or two that went, “Hey wait, does this remind any one else of The Night Circus?” Yes. Yes, it does. Thank you for saying so. We have the magic circus/carnival, the master/masters overseeing things with their own set of rules, a forbidden love, delicious and extraordinary food that is never seen outside of the venue, and Caraval even goes black and white for a few pages under a magical influence much like Le Cirque des Rêves is. I’m not complaining, mind you, I just found it odd that no one was mentioning the parallels. Now that that is off of my chest… We begin with two sisters, Donatella and Scarlett, who live a rather isolated life with their father. He is a hard and cruel man who takes any opportunity to physically and mentally punish them. I wanted to reach in the pages and slap him around. He had even gone as far as murdering a man who was trying to help his daughters. The girls want to escape their oppressive life and Scarlett means to give them that escape by marrying a count who would take them away from the prison they were forced to call home. When tickets arrive for them to get into the magical Caraval, a wrench gets thrown into her plans. She had always wanted to go but she knows her marriage and ticket to freedom are upcoming and if she goes to Caraval those will be taken from her forever. Donatella has other plans and along with the help of a dashing sea captain, they kidnap Scarlett and head to the mysterious island that is home to Caraval. Upon arriving on the island Donatella immediately disappears which sends Scarlett into a frenzy as she feels it is her responsibility alone to watch out for Tella. That was irksome about Scarlett. Every action she took was about finding and saving Tella. It never occurs to her that Tella is an independent and intelligent woman who, perhaps, is capable of saving herself. So Scarlett along with Julian, the sea captain who took them to the island, enter into Caraval and begin their search for Tella. Caraval itself is full of wonder and the fantastic. People come from all around to take part in it. During the day the guests are confined to their hotels but at night everything comes alive. The guests take part in solving a mystery. This year, the mystery is the disappearance of Donatella. There are clues, some they are given and some they must find, to lead them to the damsel in distress. Scarlett, of course, is frantic to find her sister. She and Julian follow the clues and find themselves pretty constantly in some sort of perilous peril. The most enjoyable part of the story for me was Scarlett’s progression as a character. She starts off as this timid, rule abiding mouse but through her trials and tribulations within Caraval she grows into a more confident, strong woman. There are many twists and turns through the story and with each page you learn more and more that Caraval can be a frightening place. The guests are warned at the beginning that everything is just a show and not too get too enraptured but it feels less and less like a performance with every passing chapter. Scarlett is caught up in the mystery and in finding her own confidence and heart and you will be, too. It is a lovely story that is very character driven. Admittedly, I would have liked a little more focus on the venue as I never did get a clear image of it in my head but overall well worth the read.

I began reading Caraval with some pretty high expectations. Before delving into the book myself, I had read many positive reviews from bloggers who managed to get their hands on an ARC copy of the book. Quite a few bloggers likened the aura of Caraval to The Night Circus, which is, in my opinion, a pretty huge compliment. So, the big Q: Were my expectations met? You bet your cookies they were. This book was a fantastic combination of romance, fantasy, adventure, and mystery. The writing is fairly strong yet simple, and it allows you to fully focus on the story and its characters without being distracted by overly-embellished diction. There were some moments of repetitiveness in detail and description, but these moments didn’t take too much away from the story. Also, the inclusion of letters within the text helped give the story an extra touch of characterization, and though I rarely notice this, the design of some of the pages are lovely and add to the magic of Caraval. Stephanie Garber did a wonderful job in bringing her world of Caraval to life with an abundance of sensory details that envelop you and carry you deeper into the mysterious goings-on within Caravel. The author skillfully creates a world where magic is real and powerful, and it acts as an ambiguous force that is acknowledged, though not wielded by anyone and everyone. The magic of Caraval has its own set of rules by which it functions, and the characters taking part in the game soon learn that nothing is as it seems in this elaborate performance orchestrated by ringmaster, Legend. Speaking of Legend, the characters are another strong aspect of this book. Scarlett and Tella (short for Donatella) share a strong sisterly bond in which they are willing to sacrifice themselves for one another. The two girls are similar to Marianne and Eleanor from Sense and Sensibility. Scarlett behaves as the sensible one while Tella is governed by feeling. Each girl has a particular strength of character, and their differing views of the world lead them into an adventure that shapes who they are and who they will become. At first, I was not much a fan of Tella, for she seems selfish and self-centered (and also a kleptomaniac?). But my opinion changed (for the most part, anyways) towards the end, as I realized she simply wishes for both her and her sister to be free of their ridiculously cruel and abusive father and to live their lives the way they desire. As for Scarlett, I found her character to be the most relatable, and even though she is the “sensible” one, her thought processes and actions within the game were understandable given the circumstances. She made many mistakes, but they were somewhat forgivable as she made them all with good intent, the intent to save her sister. Besides familial love, I loved the relationship between Scarlett and Julian (*SWOON*). Julian is an interesting character whose charm stems from his mysteriousness and severe lack of hero qualities. He is an enigma who holds an abundance of secrets that are slowly unearthed throughout the story. And though his words and actions are often questionable, it is hard not to love him for what/who he is. Both he and Scarlett are very independent and of their own mind, but their situation requires them to work together to achieve their differing goals. The connection between the two is not immediate and I fell in love with the slow-burn romance that formed between the two over the course of four or five days. I was really surprised by the level of sinisterness the author incorporated to describe Legend and his grand performance of Caraval, which has an undercurrent of deceit and cruelty that is overshadowed by vivid color and dazzling magic tricks. As the competition goes on, Legend morphs into a faceless villain whose schemes come to a suspenseful head during a final act in which the game comes to an end and the truth is revealed. The last part of the book is fast-paced, thrilling, and full of tension that had me biting my nails and quickly turning one page after another, desperate to know how it all ends. All in all, I loved this book. I thought the author did an excellent job in portraying a sisterly bond that is not entirely perfect, but is strong, as it is built on love. And the characters were well-developed, though they have much more room to grow and to mature, especially Tella. The story is captivating from beginning to end and the magic of Caraval will give readers a sense of wonder that carries them above the clouds until they are set back down on the ground in the stunning conclusion of this book. I can’t recommend this story enough. I’m really looking forward to the next book in this series!

I feel like I’m the odd one out on this book. This was one of my most anticipated 2017 books, but I just didn’t love Caraval as so many others seem to. The story is intriguing. It’s a mystery of sorts. Unfortunately, it wasn’t until I got to the end that the story really managed to capture my attention. At the heart of this story are two sisters, Scarlett and Donatella “Tella” Dragna. Their father is a governor of their small island, as part of the Conquered Isles, and their mother had left them many years ago. Their father is abusive and manipulative. Scarlett is engaged to be married to a Count she’s never met, and she’s willing to go along with the marriage as long as it’s with someone willing to take her and her sister away from their father. Scarlett and Tella have grown up listening to their grandmother tell them stories of a mysterious Caraval and the master who runs it, known only as Legend. After years of wishing to participate in Caraval’s games, the sisters finally get their invitations that will allow them to leave their father’s clutches, if only for a few days, and go play in this year’s game with the help of a sailor boy named Julian. I thought I had the characters all figured out, but it was nice to see the story unfold and know that the twists and turns were not quite as predictable as I thought it would be. I found the story alluring and the game a fun and enchanting mystery to read. I loved reading about the two sisters, because it’s not often that I see a story in fantasy YA about sisters. I also enjoyed Scarlett and Julian’s scenes together, and their development is slow, with an ounce of doubt mixed in as to whether or not Julian can be trusted. What I had a difficult time with while reading Caraval is the flowery words. I feel like I’m more practical in that regard, and the flow of words sounded nice, but was also too nonsensical for my tastes. I had a difficult time connecting with any of the characters and when things actually started to happen to them, and I found it difficult to connect with any of it. I’m usually the first one to tear up at even the slightest chance of angst or a setup for a sad scene, but none of that happened here while reading Caraval. I loved the shroud of mystery in the story of trying to figure out who Legend could be, but it was only the last 20% of the book where I felt any real interest in the story at all. I so wanted to love this book, but this was just an okay read for me, with the end making up for most of it. I still look forward to reading book 2, now that the characters and a story have been established. While the book covers are lovely enough to convince me to own multiple copies, I feel like the story just didn’t live up to the hype.

Caraval by Stephanie Garber is an absolute gem! From the first page, I was completely swept up in the magical, mysterious world that Garber has created. The story follows two sisters, Scarlett and Tella, who are invited to the legendary Caraval – a once-a-year, immersive game where nothing is as it seems. What begins as a fun escape soon turns into a dangerous game where reality blurs with fantasy, and Scarlett finds herself racing against time to save her sister. The atmosphere of Caraval is intoxicating – vibrant, whimsical, and eerie all at once. The setting is described in such detail that I felt like I was right there, surrounded by the wonder of the carnival, but also feeling the underlying tension and danger. Garber’s writing is lush and descriptive, pulling you into the fantastical world with ease. Scarlett is a compelling protagonist, and her love for her sister is what drives the story. I found myself rooting for her every step of the way as she navigates a world full of deception and illusions. The romance between Scarlett and the mysterious Legend adds an intriguing layer to the plot, but the real draw for me was the sense of mystery that pervades every moment. Nothing is ever quite as it seems, and I loved that feeling of uncertainty throughout the book. While Caraval is filled with twists and turns that kept me guessing, there were a few moments where the pacing felt a bit slow, especially in the middle. But, that didn’t take away from the overall enjoyment of the book, and the final reveal had me hooked until the very last page. If you love books filled with magic, danger, and mystery, Caraval is a must-read. It’s a beautifully crafted, immersive experience that will keep you turning pages long into the night. I can’t wait to dive into the next book in the series! Highly recommend!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5 Stars) Stephanie Garber’s Caraval is a spellbinding blend of mystery, romance, and fantasy, wrapped in an intoxicatingly immersive world where nothing is as it seems. If you love books that transport you to a whimsical, high-stakes adventure with dazzling descriptions and unexpected twists, Caraval is an absolute must-read. Plot Summary (No Spoilers!) Scarlett Dragna has spent her life dreaming of Caraval, a legendary, once-a-year performance where the audience participates in an elaborate, magical game. But for Scarlett, Caraval is more than just a dream—it’s a possible escape from her cruel, controlling father. When she finally receives an invitation, she and her rebellious younger sister, Donatella, take a leap of faith and sneak away to the grand, mysterious spectacle. However, the moment they arrive, the game takes a dangerous turn—Tella is kidnapped, and the only way for Scarlett to save her is by winning Caraval. But in this world of illusions, deception, and hidden agendas, Scarlett must decipher what is real and what is just a game before it’s too late. What Makes This Book Exceptional? 1. A Dark and Lushly Imagined World The setting of Caraval is nothing short of magical. Every detail— from the twinkling, dreamlike streets to the eerie unpredictability of the game—pulls you deeper into its beautifully crafted atmosphere. Garber’s writing is rich and immersive, making the world feel tangible yet deliciously mysterious. 2. High-Stakes Mystery and Mind Games The novel constantly keeps you questioning what’s real and what’s just an illusion. The game itself is designed to trick both Scarlett and the reader, making every twist and turn even more exhilarating. Just when you think you’ve figured it out, Garber throws in another surprise. 3. Compelling, Multi-Dimensional Characters Scarlett: A relatable protagonist whose cautious nature contrasts with her sister’s reckless spirit. Her character growth—from timid and obedient to bold and determined—is one of the novel’s highlights. Julian: The enigmatic, flirtatious sailor who helps Scarlett navigate the game. His true motives remain a mystery throughout, adding intrigue and tension to the story. Donatella (Tella): Though she plays a smaller role in this book, her rebellious, impulsive personality adds an interesting contrast to Scarlett’s more careful approach. 4. Romance That Adds to the Mystery The slow-burn romance between Scarlett and Julian is equal parts tension and charm. Unlike typical love stories, this one is layered with deception, trust issues, and uncertainty—heightening the stakes of the game. It never overshadows the main plot but instead enhances the emotional depth of the story. 5. A Story That Reads Like a Fairytale… with a Dark Edge Caraval has the enchanting, whimsical feel of a fairy tale, but it’s laced with danger, manipulation, and secrets. It’s the perfect blend of wonder and darkness, keeping you both captivated and slightly unsettled. 6. An Ending That Leaves You Wanting More The final chapters deliver shocking revelations that make you rethink everything you thought you knew. And just when you think everything is settled, Garber masterfully teases the next book, making it impossible not to continue the series. Final Thoughts Caraval is an intoxic

I’m a big fan of scavenger hunts—whether they’re about finding items or finding clues from location to location. Way back in middle school, high school, and into college, I created such games for my friends to play. I’m also a big fan of the current “Escape Room” craze—being locked in a room trying to solve all the puzzles and clues within an hour so you can literally escape. Haven’t created one of those yet, but I’m working on it. I’m also a drama director, so I’m a big fan of people playing roles. If you can incorporate those roles into an interactive game—a murder-mystery dinner theatre, for example—all the more fun. During freshman orientation week at college, some friends and I wrote a three-day long murder mystery where other friends in our dorm played parts and received occasional info bursts as things were uncovered. I don’t remember if any of the incoming freshmen solved our convoluted whodunit, but it was the joy in creating the game that I remember. Imagine me at my giddiest fanboy delight when I learned the plot of Caraval. A five-day clue-filled mystery game to solve? With MAGIC?!?! Sign me up now! And since the story is set in the time of traveling performance troupes, arranged marriages, and frilly gowns with corsets, this premise is like a hyper-interactive Renaissance Faire gone mad in the best possible way. I don’t just want to read this book. I want to PLAY this game! Someone please send me a ticket to Caraval! When she was younger, the book’s protagonist Scarlett Dragna wrote annual letters to Legend, the Master of Caraval, asking him to travel near her isle of Trisda so she can play. It isn’t until years later, shortly before her impending wedding—to a man she’s never met, the marriage being arranged by her abusive father the Governor—that she finally receives not one, but three tickets. One of the extra tickets is for her younger sister Donatella (Tella, for short), and the third left unaddressed. That goes to Julian, a sailor of questionable ethics, who we first meet in what looks like a compromising position (if you know what I mean, wink wink) with Tella. He helps get the sisters to Caraval, in an unexpected manner that I won’t spoil, despite Scarlett’s protests. After all, she’s getting married shortly after the game would end, and thus wants to fulfill her father’s wishes above her own. That there is Scarlett’s biggest weakness at the start of the story, how she puts the desires of others above her own. Scarlett is separated from Tella upon arriving at Caraval, and it is soon learned that the objective of this year’s game is TO FIND TELLA! A brilliant plot decision as it really raises the stakes and forces Scarlett to play. Not only play, but to do so with Julian, whom she doesn’t trust. And it’s a game—remember that, it’s only a game—that should not be trusted, as Legend has a shady history and previous players have gotten themselves lost in the game to the point that they’ve drastically changed. I won’t go any further with a plot synopsis—everything I’ve said can be found in the book description—because that would spoil all the fun and danger and intrigue and surprising along the way. All the seemingly disparate plot elements—Scarlett’s family history, her impending nuptials, the history of Caraval—were all intertwined. The major and several minor characters were also well-connected in unexpected and satisfying ways. Go ahead and experience this richly detailed world and these characters that undergo both strong and surprising developments. You will question who’s a player and who’s a performer, and whether certain events and details that occur are real or fantasy, almost like you’re playing the game. I know I felt that way. Several times. I mean, the Caraval “playing space” (for lack of a better term) is its own community with shops, taverns, and inns. I compared it earlier in this review to a Renaissance Faire, and that’s an apt analogy. There are many items to buy and tales to hear—whether as souvenirs or to advance in the game—but the prices are all magical. The last lie you told. Your deepest desire. I LOVE THAT! One shop threatens that shoplifters will be turned to stone, and there’s a statue of a supposed thief there. Did the person really turn to stone or is it a prop to add to the illusion of the game? Who knows? Who cares? These details add so much vibrant life to this world, that it was hard not to get sucked into Caraval. Remember though, it’s only a book. But it’s a phenomenal book that I didn’t want to put down, all the way past a really shocking climax that made my heart jump and then fall. If I had to be critical—and this is nitpicky—some of the reveals about the inner workings of the game during the book’s denouement didn’t have the gasp-value I would have liked. But that’s a really minor quibble, and it’s more than made up for by the epilogue’s startling teaser for the second book. The only thing I can imagine that’s better than reading Caraval is playing Caraval. I’d like a ticket for the five nights to solve five clues for a game—and a book—that deserves FIVE STARS.

“Lovely, dark, and deep,” from Frost’s poem about the woods, are words that can also describe Stephanie Garber’s unique Caraval. Although fixed firmly in the YA lit category due to the ages of its female protagonists and the occasional teenage-girl-fantasy descriptions of the impossibly handsome Julian, Caraval is a far more sophisticated option than the average YA gothic romance. Thankfully, both vampires and werewolves are absent from the world of Caraval, and the magic of the story was both minimal and creative. Scarlett, the overly-cautious heroine, is given a magical gown that reinvents itself every day, and her hotel room expands into a suite, but mostly the significant magic is saved for the surprise ending. Vaguely reminiscent of The Hunger Games and The Night Circus, Caraval is a massive game that is held by invitation only on a magical isle. The Caravel game is unique, however: it’s something like an enormous magical dinner theater in which the players are enveloped for several days. One of the most interesting aspects of the book is how it plays with reality. What is real? What is merely part of the game? Whom can you trust? What are the consequences for choosing the wrong door, failing to be home before sunrise, or trusting your senses instead of the game clues? Scarlett and her sister Donatella are whisked away from their abusive father by a handsome sailor and brought to the island where Caravel takes place, but when Scarlett awakens on a raft near the island, she finds that Tella has been kidnapped and it is up to Scarlett to rescue her, with the no-so-convenient aid of the handsome sailor Julien. The world of Caraval enchants and delights, but not quite in a Harry Potter sort of way: a carousel of roses spins faster and faster when the carousel-master sings songs, otherworldly pastries are available on street corners, and the past and future appear on the pages in a book of paintings, but there are dark edges to the magic. A dress in a shop costs a few days of Scarlett’s life, but (mild spoiler warning) life days can be exchanged in a manner almost reminiscent of the video game life-trading in the 2017 version of Jumanji. The dark elements in the book involve abuse, dismemberment, and murder, but I think that on average nothing is so graphic that it would sicken sensitive readers. The overly-cautious heroine from an abusive family endures some harrowing experiences, but perseveres with courage and determination. She is, in fact, one of my favorite literary females of all time, and one of my favorite things about the novel. In my opinion, it’s extremely difficult to write a good action novel heroine. Katniss was too much of a tomboy for my taste, as was Tris from Divergent. Meaning no disrespect to Stephanie Meyer, who has made infinitely more money than I have as a writer, Bella from Twilight was just boring. But Scarlett could be me. That, of course, is why I connect with her character so strongly, but more than that, I think she’s a finely-drawn portrait of an older sister who has endured far more than she should have had to in her young life and as a result has developed some particular anxieties about her sister and getting into trouble. For comparison, I enjoyed this book more than The Night Circus, although that novel had more literary polish. I never really connected with any of The Night Circus characters, and the plot of that novel, in my opinion, was not as interesting as that of Caraval. There are two major difficulties I had with this book that prevented me from giving it five stars. The first is the ending, which uses magic to cheat fate in a happy but rather predictable way. That’s not horrible, but it’s not entirely great, either. Far more serious, though, is the fact that the hero of this novel, like the Beast from the Disney story, is a scary manipulator who turns out (spoiler warning) to have a heart of gold in the end. Or, in this case, whose heart seems to be turning into gold by the end. The problem I have with this is that I married one of these guys—a lying manipulator—and I thought it would be ok because I love fairy tales like this one and he, too, seemed to have a heart of gold beneath the grime. But in real life, unfortunately, lying manipulators tend to be just that, and they (usually?) don’t improve if you just give them love. In fact, in real life, such people often to take even further advantage of you if they think that you’ll just react by trying harder to love them. So in real life, naïve girls like Scarlett and I should stay very far away from guys like Julien. That being said, as long as the reader is well aware of this truth (real life bad boys generally can’t and shouldn’t be trusted) , the novel is highly entertaining and even deeply meaningful, as Scarlett tries desperately to break free from the abuse of her childhood, find her true nature, and rescue her sister. What would Keats and Aristotle say? Great beauty of characters and plot. Some rather silly teenage swoon moments that mar the canvas a little, and one significant disturbing element plus the predictable ending, so pretty good for beauty and ok for truth as far as a YA novel is likely to go. With caveats, highly recommended.

Wooow thos was so good!! I cant wait to read Legendary now!

Good quality and a must read book Caraval is an absolute masterpiece! Stephanie Garber's writing is beautifully immersive, pulling you into a world of magic, mystery, and high-stakes adventure. The story follows Scarlett Dragna, who has always dreamed of seeing Caraval—a legendary performance where the audience plays a role in the spectacle. But when she finally gets her chance, things take a dark and thrilling turn as her sister, Tella, is kidnapped, and Scarlett must navigate a dangerous game where nothing is as it seems. The world-building is breathtaking, full of lush descriptions that make you feel like you're walking through the streets of Caraval yourself. The plot is fast-paced and filled with twists that kept me turning the pages late into the night. I also loved the romance—subtle yet swoon-worthy! If you love books like The Night Circus or The Selection, you’ll absolutely adore Caraval. Highly recommend for fans of fantasy, mystery, and adventure! — A very happy reader

I really enjoyed this one! The world building in this book fully immersed me - it was enough to get a real feel for the magic of Caraval without being too descriptive that it became annoying which I often struggle with in fantasy based books. With this story I found it easy to visualise the setting, people and experience and became fully invested. Character wise I loved the storylines within the different relationships. The main characters were well written and intriguing. I enjoyed the sister aspect and the relationship involving how far you would go to protect those you love as a sister. I also enjoyed the relationship building between Scarlett and Julian - I was never quite sure if he was trustworthy and that added a great additional layer to the story. The performers although not main characters had me intrigued and wanting to know more about them! However I do wish the relationship between Scarlett and had father had maybe been explored more. The game aspect as a whole was extremely clever, being reminded that ‘it’s only a game’ still didn’t stop me getting drawn in and I was often questioning which parts are in fact the game and what might just be real. Can’t wait to read the next one!

J’ai lu Caraval et j’ai vraiment apprécié ce livre ! L’univers est très immersif, plein de magie, de mystère et de surprises, et je n’ai pas pu m’arrêter de lire jusqu’à la fin. L’histoire de Scarlett à la recherche de sa sœur dans ce jeu incroyable est bien écrite et pleine de rebondissements. Pour moi, c’est une lecture parfaite si tu aimes les romans fantastiques pleins d’imagination et d’aventure.

“Welcome, welcome to Caraval! The grandest show on land or by sea. Inside you’ll experience more wonders than most people see in a lifetime. You can sip magic from a cup and buy dreams in a bottle. But before you fully enter into our world, you must remember it’s all a game.” This is the second time reading Caraval for me. It all started one year ago: I was watching a BookTuber talking about her favorite reads and she grabbed my attention when she mentioned The Night Circus. She talked so highly of that book I knew I needed to try it for myself. I immediately checked on Amazon - keep in mind that, at the time, I was still reading mainly in Italian, so I was pretty disappointed to find out that, for some reason I don't remember, I couldn't order the Italian edition of that book on Amazon. Pretty bummed I returned to the video I was originally watching. The girl proceeded to talk about Caraval, another book she really enjoyed and that she considered perfect for fans of The Night Circus. I hadn't read the latter yet, but I already considered myself a fan, so I returned on Amazon full of hope and I managed to order the Italian edition of Caraval. What happened next is history (for me lol): the book stole my heart in a blink, making me fall in love with every little detail, every description, every character, every plot twist... I was obsessed. As soon as I finished it, I discovered the sequel had already been published and I ordered it without even thinking about it. And that's when I made the mistake that led me to where I am right now: too excited about Legendary, I didn't notice that I was ordering a book in English. Yes, the sequel wasn't out in Italy yet, but Amazon had the original edition and that's what I bought. Legendary was my first English book! Looking back I'm so glad I made that mistake because it made me realize my English level was more than enough to allow me to read books that hadn't been published in Italy (as long as they were written in English of course). It's been almost a year since I finished Legendary and when Finale was announced I screamed! I couldn't wait to discover how everything was going to end. I still had to wait many months though, so I decided to sell my Italian edition of Caraval, order the English one and do a re-read of the series, in order to remember every little detail when I eventually started Finale. Even though this was my second time reading Caraval, it felt like the first. It didn't matter that I already knew how it was going to unravel, I enjoyed it so much - discovering how many things I forgot since last year. From the first pages, I felt the urge to keep reading because I needed to know what happened in the next chapter! In the book someone says that "Caraval is the closest you'll ever find yourself to magic in this world" and I honestly think he was talking about the book itself, not the game. This book is pure magic. Like Queen Garber would say, it's made of dreams come true. I won't go much into details because I'm honestly not able to analyze this book as I would normally do. It's too intense, too unique, too unexpected. Stephanie's writing style is one of the most beautiful I've ever come across. It made me dream on a whole new level! She uses lots of romantic metaphors and thanks to them you find yourself experiencing the story with all your senses, almost like you were the main character. “He tasted like midnight and wind, and shades of rich brown and light blue. Colors that made her feel safe and guarded.” Quotes like this one make you feel everything. Every single character is perfectly built and three-dimensional in a very unusual way. They're all actors and they're even more complex and faceted, at the point where you're constantly asking yourself if they're telling the truth or if they're just acting. Just like Scarlett - the MC - you're always wondering what's real and what's part of the game. Talking about Scarlett, I've heard many people saying how they didn't like her and how much Tella was better than her sister. Even though I more with Donatella as well, I must say that this re-read made me appreciate Scarlett a lot more: she's not boring as many people say, she's clever, she evaluates her options carefully, she thinks twice before taking any decision because she's analytical and precise. Maybe this makes us more similar than I realized when I first read the book. She doesn't want to waste her time, she's driven by her infinite love for Donatella and she only cares for her. She spends the entirety of the game thinking about Tella, looking for her and hoping she's okay. Her dedication is touching and admirable. The romance is a very strong part of the book, yet it never feels too much. It's a slow burn, always present but always on the side, never exaggerate to the point where it feels like the main point of the story. Knowing that you can't really tell reality from act makes it even more unique and interesting, to the point where you find yourself analyzing every little detail of it to understand what's really going on. The final plot twist didn't take me by surprise because I remembered it, but I also remember that it left me shook the first time I've read it, so I can say it's quite a good one. I know, this review is probably useless, it feels like I haven't written anything. I just think that Caraval is one of those books that need to be experienced without knowing too much about the plot, you need to dive in completely blind. Do it and I swear you're in for a marvelous, magical adventure!