Author: Stephanie Garber
Format: Hardbound
Publisher: Flatiron Books
ISBN: 9781250095251
Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult, Fiction
Number of Pages: 407
Date Published: January 31 2017
Order your copy: Amazon|Barnes & Noble|IndieBound|Book Depository
Whatever you’ve heard about Caraval, it doesn’t compare to the reality. It’s more than just a game or a performance. It’s the closest you’ll ever find to magic in this world . . .
Welcome, welcome to Caraval―Stephanie Garber’s sweeping tale of two sisters who escape their ruthless father when they enter the dangerous intrigue of a legendary game.
Scarlett has never left the tiny island where she and her beloved 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 far-away, 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. But she nevertheless becomes enmeshed in a game of love, heartbreak, and magic with the other players in the game. And whether Caraval is real or not, she must find Tella before the five nights of the game are over, a dangerous domino effect of consequences is set off, and her sister disappears forever.
“Hope is a powerful thing. Some say it’s a different breed of magic altogether. Elusive, difficult to hold on to. But not much is needed.”
― Stephanie Garber, Caraval
That’s the most suitable GIF I can find to summarize the feels that I have for this book and how I think the main character, Scarlett, felt the whole time she’s in the Caraval. So now… Let’s discuss!
THE WRITING. I like the writing of the story and how the story took off from the letters sent by Scarlett to the Master Legend of the Caraval. I was captured and immersed eventually in the book world. I like the world building and magic rules of Caraval, it took its time and laid out the play of the plot to the reader without the unnecessary info dump. I love the writing style of the author.
THE PLOT. The book’s plot is insane! The whole time I was reading it, it’s like there’s a fist clenched around my heart because of the events of the book. Its like there’s a fog in there that had me going like “wait… really?”. I like how the author weaved everything so it all fits perfectly she it all fell into place when all of it was explained at the end. And that fist around my heart that I was talking about while I was reading relaxed at when I finally understand what’s really happening and the play of every events that happened.
THE CHARACTERS. The development of the characters in this book is impressive, especially Scarlett’s. I like how she walked out of her comfort zone and did things that she don’t usually do, did the challenges and dares all for the sake of saving her sister. I liked the person that she has become at the Caraval; brave, smart and daring though there is still the cautious and a bit fearful because of the past that she is slowly letting go. I had mixed feelings regarding Donatella throughout the book that at some point I’m half annoyed, half agreeing with her actions and decisions cause it put both of the in jeopardy. Like every move that she does during the Caraval had me going like:
Because there are those times that Scar got herself in danger because of Tella. I kept imagining Elsa and Anna of Frozen as Scar and Tells while I was reading the book. Julian’s character is fascinating because he has this air of mystery around him. Actually, everyone has an air of mystery around them because they are in Caraval, so much magic you can’t identity what’s real and what’s not.
THE ENDING. I like how the things fell into place at the end and how we have something to look forward to in the coming book! I need a new invitation on the upcoming Caraval and more glimpse at the adventures of the Dragna sisters.
Rating:
The Booklandia 