Caraval
By Stephanie Garber
Genre: YA Fantasy
Scarlett Dragna has never left the tiny island where she and her sister, Tella, live with their powerful, and cruel, father. Now Scarlett’s father has arranged a marriage for her, and Scarlett thinks her dreams of seeing Caraval—the faraway, once-a-year performance where the audience participates in the show—are over.
But this year, Scarlett’s long-dreamt-of invitation finally arrives. With the help of a mysterious sailor, Tella whisks Scarlett away to the show. Only, as soon as they arrive, Tella is kidnapped by Caraval’s mastermind organizer, Legend. It turns out that this season’s Caraval revolves around Tella, and whoever finds her first is the winner.
Scarlett has been told that everything that happens during Caraval is only an elaborate performance. Nevertheless she becomes enmeshed in a game of love, heartbreak, and magic. And whether Caraval is real or not, Scarlett must find Tella before the five nights of the game are over or a dangerous domino effect of consequences will be set off, and her beloved sister will disappear forever.
First Impressions: This. Book. Was. Amazing. Everything I long and hope for in a fantasy novel. I’d heard mixed reviews. Some people loved it, some people didn’t. I am definitely on the loved it side. A thrilling tale with lots of action and suspense and, my favorite of course, a beautiful blossoming love story.
My Thoughts:
Plot: I was so impressed by the way the story never dragged and how the suspense continued to increase. An intriguing idea: Scarlett goes to an island to play a magical game. It’s her dream come true, until her sister is kidnapped. The little elements of magic weaved into the game were golden and made me kind of want to play Caraval, without the kidnapping and violence of course. Using the game to show the “your dreams aren’t always what you think they’ll be” was very well thought out to me. And there was a twist at the very end I did NOT see coming that left me itching to read book two.
Characters: Sorry Scarlett, but I’m going to marry Julian. He was my favorite character by far. A complete mystery. I loved his swagger (googly eyes) and the fact that I never could quite figure him out. Yes, I’m the cliche good girl loves bad boy. And I have to say, going into the game knowing that nothing could be as it seemed left me wondering the whole time “Wait, are they good or bad? Real or fake?” I personally found it engaging, rather than annoying. Scarlett could get a little whiny sometimes, but I forgave her cause she was worried about her sister. I did think that some of her internal struggles of motivation and priority were incredibly realistic and I appreciated that.
Pace: Fast and engaging. No complaints here. There were absolutely zero parts I felt dragged.
World/Setting: Stephanie indeed created a magical world All the secret tunnels and hidden passages were exactly what I’d hope to see in a fantasy book centered around a magical game. I hadn’t been expecting it to be set up like a city on the island, but I adored all the eclectic little shops and how she portrayed the town.
The Jist:
What I liked: Nearly everything. Legend’s island where he hosts the game, the relatable characters, the story and how it morphs the goals of the main character.
What I didn’t like: Not much. Maybe how Scarlett’s character could get a tad whiny, but I didn’t think it was over the top. Gosh I really can’t think of much else.
Would I Recommend it? YES! Go read it. Right. Now.
My Rating: 5/5 Lunas
