Synopsis
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.
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.
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.
Loved
- Ah, Caraval. I was nervous about reading this because I heard it was confusing and Alice and Wonderland-ish, which I don't love. I like to know what's going on in the story and don't like feeling like I'm high on LSD (no offense to any Alice in Wonderland fans, or LSD fans :). But from the first page I was completely smitten by this story! Caraval itself is so fascinating. I did like that it was confusing and at times, very hard to know what was real and what was not. But it made the story so interesting and gave it depth with layers of illusion and performance.
- Scarlett. One of my biggest "beefs" with many fantasy stories is that the heroines are usually brave, bold, sassy, and sometimes just straight up bratty. But Scarlett is quietly strong, and very brave in her own right, but she feels more like a normal person that you would be friends with in your everyday life. She isn't always totally strong, and doesn't always know what to do in each situation, but she is loyal to her sister and she lets that love drive her. I laughed when I read a Goodreads review of this book that described Scarlett as a "dirty dishrag" because she has "no personality." Tella is much more our typical heroine- fierce and sassy. But to me it was refreshing to have a heroine whose greatest strength is the love she has for her sister, not crazy fighting skills, sneakiness, or even quick thinking. I really like Scarlett throughout the series and found her to be quite relatable. And she has the coolest dress ever.
- The sister vibes. I have six sisters, so I know how it is to care about sisters and being willing to do anything for them. In this story we don't get to know Tella as well as the later books, but I love how strong their bond is and how they are always willing to sacrifice themselves for the other.
- Julian. Ah, Julian. The tall, dark, handsome, and mysterious sailer. I love that Julian initially appears guarded and a total player, but really he is sweet as can be and just melts every time Scarlett looks at him. Their romance in this story is frustrating at times, but so interesting because we never know if Julian truly loves her or if he's just acting.
- The writing. Oh my goodness. I'm convinced Stephanie Garber could write a discourse on the mating of cockroaches, and it would have me completely riveted. Her descriptions and luscious metaphors are the magic behind this story. Her writing creates such a dark, mysterious, and dazzling feeling to everything that's happening. After reading the first few pages I knew I will buy anything she writes from now on- I'm totally sold.
- The action. This book had me completely breathless from trying to keep up with the illusions, deceptions, clues, and pressure to find Tella fast enough. Plus add in an abusive father, a fiancé Scarlett's never met, and an attractive, mysterious sailer who is possibly(?) working as part of Caraval. This story never slows down and had my heart pounding from the beginning letters to Legend to the heart-wrenching last chapter. I guarantee if you read this, you will not be bored or wishing for more plot and mystery.
Didn't Love
- The only complaint I had about this story was from the first time I read it (yes I reread the series within a year, which I hardly ever do but I just loved it!) The first time I read the ending I was confused and didn't understand what had happened. I won't spoil, but I just found myself a little lost as to how the magic and plot fit together with what had happened. But reading it the second time it totally made sense.
Content
- Language:
- A few uses of "bastard."
- Sexual content:
- There is nothing explicit in this book. Because it's a carnival-type setting, there are many sensual references made throughout the story. Many of the descriptions are sensual, such as "black as stolen kisses in the night" or "dark as secrets behind closed doors." This creates a sensual atmosphere, but overall the book is quite free from sexual content.
- At the beginning of the book, two characters are "found" making out.
- One character talks about all the men she has kissed and "rendezvoused with."
- Flirty banter/innuendo as two characters pretend to be engaged.
- Some kisses are shared, nothing too steamy. One kiss happens while female character was already partially undressed (in a Victorian sense). She feels embarrassed about it and had forgotten what she was wearing. No removal of clothing by the man or nudity.
- Violence:
- Scarlett and Tella have an abusive father, and many mentions are made of frequent physical abuse in the past. In the story he hits and slaps them, leaving large bruises on their faces. He is also extremely manipulative and emotionally abusive.
- Reference to abusive father holding a boy underwater and drowning him as punishment for defying him, while making his daughters watch.
- Characters drink small amounts of each other's blood as part of a magic system. Seen as romantic between two characters because he is healing her through the blood.
- One character's face is slashed with a knife.
- A girl jumps off a balcony in a suicide gesture and her body is described on the ground.
- Another character is stabbed in the heart.
- A character is found dead, with his hand cut off.
- **Read the SPOILER at the bottom if you want to know more info about the violence in the story.****
- A few uses of "bastard."
- There is nothing explicit in this book. Because it's a carnival-type setting, there are many sensual references made throughout the story. Many of the descriptions are sensual, such as "black as stolen kisses in the night" or "dark as secrets behind closed doors." This creates a sensual atmosphere, but overall the book is quite free from sexual content.
- At the beginning of the book, two characters are "found" making out.
- One character talks about all the men she has kissed and "rendezvoused with."
- Flirty banter/innuendo as two characters pretend to be engaged.
- Some kisses are shared, nothing too steamy. One kiss happens while female character was already partially undressed (in a Victorian sense). She feels embarrassed about it and had forgotten what she was wearing. No removal of clothing by the man or nudity.
- Scarlett and Tella have an abusive father, and many mentions are made of frequent physical abuse in the past. In the story he hits and slaps them, leaving large bruises on their faces. He is also extremely manipulative and emotionally abusive.
- Reference to abusive father holding a boy underwater and drowning him as punishment for defying him, while making his daughters watch.
- Characters drink small amounts of each other's blood as part of a magic system. Seen as romantic between two characters because he is healing her through the blood.
- One character's face is slashed with a knife.
- A girl jumps off a balcony in a suicide gesture and her body is described on the ground.
- Another character is stabbed in the heart.
- A character is found dead, with his hand cut off.
- **Read the SPOILER at the bottom if you want to know more info about the violence in the story.****
Overall Thoughts
Wow. For me, Caraval was a dazzling ride full of deception, illusion, romance, heartbreak, and terror. I loved the rush of each day of Caraval, trying to figure out what was real and what was part of the illusion. The writing was just stunning and had me under its spell from the first page. I quickly fell in love with these characters and their stories. I think everyone should taste the magic of Caraval and experience being swept away by dark mysteries, heart-throbbing romance, and fast-paced action- all told in lusciously beautiful descriptions and captivating storytelling.
********SPOILER ALERT**************
*************************************
******The violence in this story mostly isn't real. The suicide and death of main characters that happen at the end of the game are actually part of the game, and they both come back to life when the game ends. However, it doesn't make it less traumatic for Scarlett, who witnesses all these things as if they were real.
********SPOILER ALERT**************
*************************************
******The violence in this story mostly isn't real. The suicide and death of main characters that happen at the end of the game are actually part of the game, and they both come back to life when the game ends. However, it doesn't make it less traumatic for Scarlett, who witnesses all these things as if they were real.
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