This was the book club’s pick of the month for August. This has been on my TBR for a while, and I always walk past it in bookshops and just never caught my eye enough to start it. I’m really glad I started this book, even if it did mess with my head a little bit.  

This book is based on Scarlett, and she has never left the tiny isle of Trisda, pining from afar for the wonder of Caraval, a once-a-year week-long performance where the audience participates in the show. Caraval is magic. Mystery. Adventure. And for Scarlett and her younger sister Tella it represents freedom and an escape from their ruthless, abusive father. When the sisters’ long-awaited invitations to Caraval finally arrive, it seems their dreams have come true. But no sooner have they arrived that Tella vanishes and is kidnapped by the show’s mastermind organizer, Legend. Scarlett has been told that everything that happens during Caraval is only an elaborate performance. But nonetheless she quickly becomes enmeshed in a dangerous game of love, magic and heartbreak. And real or not, she must find Tella before the game is over, and her sister disappears forever.  

I liked the storyline; it reminded me a lot of Alice in Wonderland meets Willy Wonka. The way that this book kept twisting and turning. It was magical and the game had me stressed. I didn’t want to trust anyone – Dante, Julian, no one. It had me on EDGE. I wanted to hug Scarlett throughout the whole book, she was going through it and all she wanted to do was enjoy the games and then she was more worried about her sister that she couldn’t enjoy it. Also, the way that she stood up for her father was so brave and I was screaming and dancing for her at that point and I'm glad that her and Tella got out and are safe. Julian took a while to grow on me, mainly because I didn’t trust anyone from the games and thought he was going to betray Scarlett which he kind of did but for good reasons, so I'll forgive him.  

Is it bad that I was more intrigued on who was Legend rather than if Tella was going to be saved? Like I understand Tella’s behaviour because her father is a jackass, but she still needs to warm up to me because her character was annoying me throughout the book especially with the reveal at the end and how she had a plan the whole time but couldn’t trust her sister? Like Scarlett was getting married to save you and you were plotting behind her back? I feel like Tella needed to grovel for forgiveness more for what she put Scarlett through, the first thing she was focusing on after all that was going to the party and bringing Scarlett, like girl. Scarlett might want to sleep, or you know take a breather not go to a party. I am aware this is a young adult book, but their father got off WAY too easy for my liking. I wanted him punished or even killed for what he did, and I hope he doesn’t get a redemption arc because he doesn’t deserve it. If I see that man again in this series, I'll cry.  

The ending left more questions than answers and I have a feeling Tella is going to become a problem rather supporting her sister with whatever they do next.  

I was obsessed with this book from the start and just kept thinking about it. 

Loved the banter and the romance in this, and the bond between Donatella and Scarlet is so strong and beautiful. This is such a magical and unique setting and I could imagine it all through the writing. I really thought I knew where things were going but it kept surprising me in the best ways. I’m so excited to read the rest of this series.

Boooooo Tella.
I understand why people love these books and Garber's writing so much. I was never quite certain what was real or not, and she created a very rich world. 

This book was an emotional Rollercoaster, the plot was messy and all over the place plot, yet I am so addicted to this book for seemingly no reason, it was very interesting and i will defiantly be reading the others but I'm so confused on why I like it this much, like easy cheese which is undoubtedly terrible yet so addicting, worth a read for sure, one other note is they really excuse Tella's actions but she does some really terrible things and is in genera  kind of a terrible person

and the entire game thing being just for funseys was very messed up as scarlett was terrified the entire time and genuinely thought everyone including the boy she loved to ge in severe dsnger or dead

 

This was alright. I'm reading this series to get to OUABH. This was a pretty quick read with a whole lot of plot twists, however, some of the magical things fell a bit flat for me. I hope I enjoy the next one.