How are you?
Today I am going to be reviewing the January Fairyloot book, Caraval by Stephanie Garber. If you are a part of the book community, then you will have probably heard of this book as it has been very hyped. Like all my other reviews, this review will contain spoilers, so if you have not read Caraval, you will not be able to read this review.
Caraval by Stephanie Garber- Contains Spoilers
Non-Spoiler Thoughts
When I first heard about Caraval, I knew that I would love it. It was more mystery fantasy, than epic fantasy, which is the type of fantasy books I enjoy reading. Recently, I had fallen out of love with fantasy, but this book helped me fall back in love with fantasy. I gave 5/5 stars and I cannot wait for the sequel to come out.
Cover Chat
I absolutely love the UK edition of Caraval. The dust jacket has a line down the middle where it changes from black to white. The UK edition also has five secret covers under the dust jacket and I got the clock, which I think is my favourite.
Plot
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 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.
As always, this summary is taken Goodreads and the average rating is 4.12/5 stars.
Opinions
Like I said at the beginning of my review, I loved this book. It's something new and fresh in YA fantasy and as a huge fantasy lover, this was amazing. Sometimes in books, stories can get told over and over again, and as a reader, we need new things to read. This was the book I had been looking for to help me fall back in love with fantasy.
The world was intoxicating and I felt as though I was apart of the story. The characters were very realistic and dealt with real issues such as parental abuse and arranged marriages. It was refreshing to read of a relationship in a book that was family, specifically sisterly love, rather than romantic. While I enjoy reading about romantic relationships, I prefer reading about family and friend love.
My only issue with this book is that some of the plot twists felt unnecessary. I understand that books need plot twists, but these twists felt too much. I am not a huge fan of authors killing off characters and then bringing them back, so this may just how I feel.
I am very excited to read the sequel and am very interested to see where she takes the story. Let me know what you thought of Caraval and if you had some of the similar opinions to me.
Love,
Carenza x
