Caraval by Stephanie Garber

Caraval
Stephanie Garber
My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

Remember, it’s only a game…

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.

Welcome, welcome to Caraval…beware of getting swept too far away.

It’s been so many mixed reviews about Caraval since it came out that I think I kept pushing it off for that reason. Now I see what a mistake I made by doing that. I loved this book!

Why didn’t I read this sooner??! My goodness, this was so damn magical! I was listening to this via audiobook on my work commute and was finding myself not wanting to get out of the car. I found myself carrying my phone and Bluetooth speaker around my apartment so I could listen while I was cooking and cleaning because I couldn’t stop thinking about it. 

It’s hard to talk about the book or give breakdowns because I don’t want to spoil any of it. Every time I started to think I knew what was going to happen I was pushed back 10 steps. I couldn’t wait to see how this was going to end and if my predictions about Legend were right.

The writing was whimsical and flowed. I could picture everything as if this place really existed. I saw this was her debut novel and I’m shocked! The way she wrote the world of Caraval had me wanting to visit.

I loved this book and I cannot wait to read Legendary this may!

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