Review: Caraval by Stephanie Garber

Caraval by Stephanie Garber

Published January 31st 2017

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.

This is one of the most interesting and creative books I’ve read in a long time.
I loved the concept of this book so much. Actually, my favorite thing about Caraval is the concept. I thought it was so cool and different from a lot of books I’ve read.
I also was very invested in Scarlett and Tella’s relationship. As the synopsis says, their father is very cruel and abusive so the two girls are very close in a lot of ways and I appreciated that.
Scarlett, however, is not my favorite character in the world. I thought she was really annoying and she drove me crazy for most of the book. I haven’t seen anyone else feel this way so maybe I’m the odd one out on this but Scarlett kept this book from being 5 stars.
Overall, I thought Caraval was a really fun read. I wasn’t really that critical when I was reading because I was so caught up in the plot which is rare for me. If you’re looking for a really cool fantasy book, I’d definitely recommend Caraval. But if you’re easily frustrated with annoying protagonists, you might want to skip this book.