Scan barcode
beckyyreadss's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Suicide, Blood, and Murder
Minor: Sexual assault, Kidnapping, and Abandonment
deadly_kitten777's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
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 personand 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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Death, Suicide, Violence, Kidnapping, and Murder
Minor: Sexual assault and Blood
jesse_jellyfish's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Murder
Minor: Alcohol
gossanna's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Suicide attempt, and Murder
kieloo's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Blood and Murder
bri__'s review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.5
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Suicide, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Murder, Sexual harassment, Dysphoria, and Injury/Injury detail
joongarten's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail
kristina_12's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
I LOVED this book but I feel like the next one in the series will be better. Also if u like romantasy/fantasy you will love this book it's so adventurous and it feels like you're in another world I could not put this book down and the clothing choices in it are beautiful. some people don't like Stephanie garbers writing style but I would try cuz u never know. This is in 3rd person btw which I don't like that much but this THIS is a phenomenal exception.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Torture, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Suicide and Kidnapping
treeleef's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Violence, Blood, Grief, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Suicide
Minor: Murder
barbarianmissy's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
This was a neat one! It was really well paced and kind of refreshing and cool having a fantasy book in a surrealist setting.
For the positives, this book had really excellent world building. There was a continuous guessing game throughout it. What may be magic, may also be illusion, but may also be real, so you never truly knew what to believe. And due to the unpredictable nature of the game there were lots of really cool twists and surprises I didn’t see coming! It was fun to try to figure out everyone’s true intentions, as you could truly trust no one.
As for what I felt was a smidge meh. The character development felt a little undercooked for me. Some of the conversations felt a little out of place and the reasonings for certain actions felt too simplified for the complex emotions that would undoubtedly come from the consequences of them. (If that makes sense).
Another thing is, I liked the romance plot, but it never felt genuine because, as with every single character in this book, you could never fully trust it.
Overall, it was a really fun read. BbI’m gonna try book 2 next and see how it goes!
For the positives, this book had really excellent world building. There was a continuous guessing game throughout it. What may be magic, may also be illusion, but may also be real, so you never truly knew what to believe. And due to the unpredictable nature of the game there were lots of really cool twists and surprises I didn’t see coming! It was fun to try to figure out everyone’s true intentions, as you could truly trust no one.
As for what I felt was a smidge meh. The character development felt a little undercooked for me. Some of the conversations felt a little out of place and the reasonings for certain actions felt too simplified for the complex emotions that would undoubtedly come from the consequences of them. (If that makes sense).
Another thing is, I liked the romance plot, but it never felt genuine because, as with every single character in this book, you could never fully trust it.
Overall, it was a really fun read. BbI’m gonna try book 2 next and see how it goes!
Content Warnings
Minor: Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Physical abuse, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, Suicide attempt, Murder, Abandonment, and Alcohol