CARAVAL
Stephanie Garber
BLURB
Instant New York Times bestseller!
#1 IndieNext Pick!
Entertainment Weekly Must List (Grade: A-)!
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 . . .
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.
Welcome, welcome to Caraval . . . beware of getting swept too far away.
★★★★★
“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 . . . “
Yep, I’m sold on this YA fantasy. The buzz about this book has been filling my newsfeeds for awhile now so I decided to give it a go. I don’t read a lot of fantasy but it’s always good to switch up your reads and most of all trusts your friends’ recommendations.
The fantasy world created in this book was captivating and enthralling. The plot was mesmerizing and unique, it involved two sisters and their voyage to a magical place known as Caraval to escape their cruel father. Scarlett and her sister, Tella, have always dreamt of going to a Caraval performance. Shortly after Scarlett’s father sets up her up in an arranged marriage she receives a once in a lifetime news – her & her sister have been invited to attend Caraval.
Each attendee has been repeatedly told – everything that happens during Caraval is only an elaborate performance; a game. But once they enter Caraval the lines begin to blur and knowing what is just part of the game and what is real becomes hard for Scarlett to determine.
Congratulations, Ms. Garber, on your debut novel. The world you created is both magical and well thought out. The attention to detail allowed the plot to flow seemingly. The added twist in the story was well done and added to the enjoyment of trying to piece together the game that is known as Caraval.
CARAVAL is a standalone young adult fantasy. The epilogue offers hope that there will be a second book that allows the other sister her chance to be the star of the book.
