Caraval

Caraval
By Stephanie Garber

Summary
Scarlett Dragna and her sister Tella, have always dreamed of seeing Caraval, a traveling performance that hasn’t come to their island in years. Scarlett began writing letters to the shows proprietor when she was just a small girl. This year, a response finally arrived and they have been invited to be a part of the game. Scarlett and Tella are swept into the world of Caraval, but it isn’t the world they always dreamed of. They can’t tell what is real and what is just a part of the performance. Scarlett loses Tella, doesn’t know who to trust, and before the 5 nights of the game are over, her dream feels more like a nightmare.

My Review:
This book intrigued me because it is a bit outside my comfort zone as far as fantasy goes. I wanted to read something a bit different and I had heard that Caraval was great. I did really enjoy it. My favorite thing by far about this book is her writing style. The way she describes the feelings and emotions using things like colors and tastes is so visceral. It puts you right in the moment. But more than that. She also uses concepts to evoke emotions in you as you read the descriptions. It is just so beautiful and unique. I will give you a few of my favorite examples.

“She imagined loving him would feel like falling love with darkness, frightening and consuming yet utterly beautiful when the stars came out.”

“The air tasted like wonder. Like candied butterfly wings caught in sugared spiderwebs, and drunken peaches coated in luck.”

“His mouth was crashing against hers. He tasted like exquisite nightmares and stolen dreams, like the wings of fallen angels, and bottles of fresh moonlight.”

When Scarlett goes to the Island with her sister, she is escaping her abusive father and the loss of her mother. Which builds a depth for the girls that is heartbreaking and a lot there for the story to build on in future books as well. The island of Caraval is magical and exceptional immediately. The game begins and Scarlett is thrust into a hurricane of unknowns. The experience of reading the book is to never know what is real, but it is just the right amount of backwards and enchanting.

The characters and cast of performers in this story were quite an interesting bunch. I did really enjoy the picture that she painted of all the duality. The games only take place at night, everyone is playing the game, you can’t trust anyone and you never quite know what they are up to. It is very disorienting and fun. I liked how topsy-turvy the whole reading experience was from page one all through to the end. The structure of this story is so unique and interesting.

I wasn’t always super impressed with the plot twists and the *gasp moments in the story. They were just ok for me. I felt like too many things were fake and a part of the game. I really wanted more of a big reveal or a plot twist at the end. So that is the only reason I only rated it 3.5 stars. It was a really enjoyable read and I love Stephanie Garbers writing to pieces. I am really excited to read the second book because I am hoping that this one was set up for more of a big reveal later on.

Pros: Writing style, atmosphere, unique reading experience
Cons: not huge payoff at the end, but possibly set up for the rest of the trilogy.

I think the writing style and the experience alone are reason enough to read this book. I would recommend this book. I enjoyed it and I do plan to read the second one as soon as my library hold becomes available.

-Jacqui

Overall, I give 3.5 Stars ⭐⭐⭐✰

“Every story needs a villain,
but the best villains are the ones you secretly like.”

― Stephanie Garber

Characters 4/5
Setting 4/5
Writing 5/5
Plot & Themes 3/5
Romance 3/5
Diversity 3/5

Author: Stephanie Garber
Genre: YA Fantasy
Trigger Warnings: Abuse by parents, Death, Kidnapping
Age Recommendation: 12+
Length/Page Count: 10hrs 36min
Format & Source: Audiobook, Libby
Narrator: Rebecca Soler
Publishing Info: Macmillan Audio