Caraval

I just finished Caraval and I'm emotionally devastated in the most beautiful way possible. Stephanie Garber didn't just write a fantasy novel—she created an immersive experience that left me questioning reality and completely obsessed with a world I never want to leave. From the moment Scarlett Dragna receives that coveted invitation to Legend's mysterious carnival, this book refused to let me breathe. Living under her cruel father's control, Scarlett has spent years protecting her sister Donatella while clinging to the safety of an arranged marriage. But when the chance for adventure finally arrives, she seizes it with a courage that surprised even her. Watching Scarlett transform over those five nights of the game was absolutely captivating. She begins as someone afraid of her own shadow, following rules to survive, and evolves into a woman who faces down her tyrannical father and declares she's not afraid anymore. That confrontation scene where she threatens to expose his murderous cruelty? I was cheering through tears. Her journey from victim to someone claiming her own power felt authentic and hard-earned. But let's talk about Julian because this man completely wrecked me. Their relationship starts with mistrust and banter—exactly the kind of enemies-to-allies dynamic I can never resist. Julian saves Scarlett's life repeatedly, gradually earning her trust through actions rather than words. The slow burn between them is expertly crafted, full of heated moments and tender vulnerability that feels earned rather than rushed. When he finally drops his guard and kisses her in the rain, it's the kind of swoon-worthy payoff that makes you believe in fictional love. The revelation that Julian was hiding his identity as Legend's brother should have felt like betrayal, but instead it added layers to their connection. He stayed in the game because of Scarlett, and that choice meant everything. Even when Legend brutally stabs Julian in front of her, their love proves real and worth every risk. Garber's world-building is absolutely magnificent. Caraval is this extravagant carnival that exists somewhere between dream and nightmare, where nothing is as it seems but everything feels dangerously real. The atmosphere shifts from eerily abandoned fog by day to explosive color and magic by night, creating this constant tension between wonder and dread. Every detail—from shops that trade in secrets to clockwork doors opening into hidden realms—pulls you deeper into the illusion. The rules themselves create perfect suspense: five nights to solve Legend's twisted clues, with constant warnings that you can go mad or die if you get too caught up. The tagline "Remember, it's only a game" becomes increasingly hollow as the stakes feel more and more real. Speaking of stakes—those fake deaths nearly destroyed me. When Legend stabs Julian, when Donatella leaps from that balcony, I was absolutely shattered alongside Scarlett. Garber doesn't hold back on the emotional devastation. But she earns our trust in her storytelling. The revelation that no Caraval player can die during the game doesn't feel like a cheat—it reinforces the themes about reality versus illusion while showing that trauma and growth can emerge from even fabricated experiences. Legend himself is a masterpiece of character creation. The twist revealing him as both Dante (the performer Scarlett met early on) and Daniel (Tella's fake fiancé) is brilliant narrative construction. He was manipulating events from right beside them, and realizing that makes you want to immediately reread and catch all the hidden clues. What makes this book exceptional beyond the fantasy elements is its emotional depth. The sisterly bond between Scarlett and Donatella drives every decision. The themes of choice versus fate, the power of believing in yourself, the question of what's real versus what's performance—they give weight to all the magical spectacle. Scarlett learns to trust her instincts and desires, stepping out from under her father's control. Julian chooses love over his original mission, proving we can redefine ourselves through our choices. Even the exploration of illusion becomes meaningful—sometimes you must act with faith even when you doubt what's real. This book is a testament to the magic of storytelling itself. Garber doesn't just tell a story; she creates an experience that lingers long after you close the book. The emotions it evoked feel real and lasting, despite being built on elaborate illusions. Caraval balances world-building, suspense, romance, and thematic depth with incredible skill. It's the kind of book that makes you laugh, gasp, and sob within the same chapter. The writing is lush and atmospheric, the characters grow and bleed and love in ways that make you deeply invested in their fates. If you love immersive fantasy worlds, complex family dynamics, slow-burn romance with real emotional stakes, and stories that blur the line between reality and magic, this book will consume you completely. Just prepare to be emotionally wrecked and completely obsessed with getting your hands on the sequel.

This book literally left me in a hangover because what was that? I purchased the second book right away and now I’ll have to wait two weeks for it to arrive 😭 The first 270 pages were PERFECT. No flaws, absolutely perfect. After that, it got a little confusing and maybe even a little rushed because so many things happened in less than 140 pages…but it’s still a 4.5 stars book for me. And quickly became one of my favorites <333

Very fun, and the package came in safely no torn pages

スカーレット（Scarlett)とドナテラ(Donatella)はひとつ違いの姉妹だが、外見も性格もまったく異なる。スカーレットは生真面目で責任感が強く、テラは自由奔放だ。母親がこつ然と姿を消したのは2人がまだ子どもの頃で、それからのスカーレットは母親の代わりに残酷な父親から妹を守ろうとしてきた。だが、それも限界に達していた。そこで、故郷の小さな島の知事を勤める父が隣国の貴族との結婚をアレンジしたとき、スカーレットは妹と一緒に父から逃れる唯一の機会だと期待をかける。 結婚式を目前に控えたとき、スカーレットは「カラヴァル（Caraval)」の主であるレジェンドから手紙を受け取った。 カラヴァルは、魔術師のレジェンド（Legend）が作り上げたマジカルな場所である。かつては、サーカスのように地方を巡業して魔術を披露していたのだが、参加者の女性が死亡した事件をきっかけにしばし中断されていた。レジェンドはふたたび魔術のパフォーマンスを始めたのだが、事件以降はカラヴァルから出ることはなかった。スカーレットにカラヴァルとレジェンドのことを教えてくれたのは、祖母のアナリースだった。50年前にレジェンドがこの島を訪問したときに見初められたという祖母はもう亡くなったが、愛よりも絶大な魔力を選んだレジェンドは当時と同じ歳のままだという伝説だ。 マジカルな体験を夢見るスカーレットはレジェンドに「この島に来てほしい」という手紙を7年間書き続けたのだが、返事をもらったのはこのときが初めてだった。しかも、「招待者のみ」の次のパフォーマンスへの招待状つきで。だが、そのパフォーマンスに参加したら、結婚式を逃してしまう。理性で諦めていたスカーレットだが、ドナテラと島に短期滞在している水夫のジュリアンの策略で3人揃ってカラヴァルに行くことになる。 カラヴァルに向かう途中でスカーレットはドナテラと別れ別れになる。ジュリアンはカラヴァルの内部に入り込めばすぐに会えると約束するが、足を踏み入れたとたん、スカーレットは望まないゲームを戦うことになる。 なぜなら、妹を無事に取り戻す唯一の方法がゲームに勝つことだからだ。 しかし、すべてが魔法で操られているカラヴァルでは、偽りと真実の違いがなかなか見分けられない。誰がレジェンドの雇ったパフォーマーで、誰がゲームの参加者かもわからない。そのうえ、金貨も常識も通用しない。ここでの通貨は、「秘密」や「2日分の命」といったものなのだが、取引を終えるまでそこに隠された罠には気づかないようにできている。だから簡単に取引はできない。 ルールが理解できないままにゲームを戦うスカーレットは、レジェンドが隠れた目的を持つことに気づき始める。ゲームごとに顔を変えるというレジェンドは、いったい誰なのか？ レジェンドが魔法で操るゲームに勝つ方法はあるのか？ そもそも、「誰も信じるな」という忠告を与えた人物を信じていいのか……？ 舞台のカラヴァルはベニスのような場所だが、すべてに魔法がかかっているために、ディズニーランドかユニバーサル・スタジオのような印象を与える。表層は人畜無害のテーマパークなのに人が死ぬ可能性があるギャップが不気味さを際立たせている。 ティーン対象のYAファンタジーなので恋の部分は単純すぎるようにも感じるが、魔術が支配する世界や不気味なテーマパークを走り回る冒険の部分は、自分でも体験したくなる（もちろん生命の危機がない範囲で）。

Wooow thos was so good!! I cant wait to read Legendary now!

This story was so magical, so whimsical, and so perfect. I was skeptical, because I'm pretty much the only person on Goodreads that did not like The Night Circus, but this didn't remind me of The Night Circus at all. Well, at least the 15% I read before I couldn't force myself to read more. I mean, I can see where people would draw the parallels because of the plot, but the writing in this is much more reminiscent of The Raven Boys or Heartless. The prose is the epitome of lyrical, with descriptions that were nothing short of magical, and I devoured it all with a smile on my face. “It looked like a storybook come to life. She peered down at bright pointy rooftops, moss-covered towers, gingerbread cottages, gleaming gold bridges, blue-brick streets, and bubbling fountains, all lit by candled lamps that hung everywhere, giving an appearance of time that was neither day nor night.” Can we talk about how this is Stephanie Garber’s debut novel? I am seriously shocked, because this is not the writing of a new or amateur writer. She has perfected her craft, and made just a really addictive and impressive first story. I hope and pray she wins 2017's Best Debut Goodreads Author award, because she is so deserving with this masterpiece. I'm in awe of her talent, honestly. God, the writing was so good. The descriptions were perfection. I understand this might not be for everyone, but this world consumed me and I didn't want to leave when I turned the last page. I know this book is about a magical place, but it truly ended up being a magical experience that I'm not going to forget anytime soon. Caraval is the first book I gave five stars to in 2017, and it is so very deserving of that title. The plot of this has a perfect thriller tempo, too! Yes, I've been raving about how magical and lyrical this book is, but I have to emphasize that the pace is fast, too! Each chapter holds a new mystery, and I felt so compelled to never put this book down. Caraval truly is a fast and magical journey that I can't help but recommend everyone take! Caraval is a magical game that is played once a year. Not everyone can go, but the lucky ones are sent tickets, and once they arrive they are able to choose if they'd like to watch the game or actually play the game. Scarlett has been writing to the master of Caraval, Legend, her whole life in hopes to acquire tickets for her and her sister, and after all these years she finally gets a letter back. And the sibling love in this is so amazing. My brother and I are really close, and there is nothing I wouldn't do for him. Scarlett's devotion to her sister warmed my heart completely and I loved reading about it. Also, seeing them pick each other over boys is my freaking jam. This book also tackles the hard topic of parental abuse, emotional, mental, and physical. This topic is so important, and doesn't seem to be in much YA, unless it is the center of the story. So many kids grow up being abused, yet, it doesn't become the center of their life. Seeing Scarlett realize she is not the value of her father's rage was beautiful. We need more books that handle this issue, because Uncle Vernon and Harry Potter isn't close to being the epitome of an abusive relationship. Many parents can be manipulative, abusive, terrible, and it isn't the victims fault, ever. “People think no one sees all the nasty things they do in the dark. The foul acts they commit, or the lies they tell as part of the game. Caraval takes place at night because you like to watch, and see what people do when they think there are no consequences.” This book does border on unreliable narrative though, because as Scarlett is learning the rules of the game and the magic of Caraval, so is the reader. Caraval is a facade, it might be a beautiful facade, but it is still a facade. The reader is never sure if what they are reading is true, and that is because Scarlett never knows if what she is experiencing is true. I loved the mystery factor and thought it worked perfectly, but I can see where others might not like it as much as me. And the characters and players in this world are so wonderful! Scarlett was my favorite, and I feel like it would be almost impossible not to fall in love with her. Her sister, Tella, has a good heart and her actions were coming from a good place, but she was a little frustrating. Hopefully, in the next book, my love for Scarlett will carry over to Tella. Julian is the other main character you read about, alongside Scarlett. His character was so endearing and I absolutely loved this story-arc and twist(s). Not knowing whether to root and cheer for him or wish him dead was a unique experience to say the least! I loved this book. I loved it with my whole heart. I read this in one day; I couldn't put it down. This book is the definition of a sensory read. Please give it a try. I understand that not every book is for everyone, but this book is pretty close to perfection, in my eyes. I whole heartedly expect this to show up on my "Best of 2017" list, and I cannot wait to get my hands on the sequel.

J’ai lu Caraval et j’ai vraiment apprécié ce livre ! L’univers est très immersif, plein de magie, de mystère et de surprises, et je n’ai pas pu m’arrêter de lire jusqu’à la fin. L’histoire de Scarlett à la recherche de sa sœur dans ce jeu incroyable est bien écrite et pleine de rebondissements. Pour moi, c’est une lecture parfaite si tu aimes les romans fantastiques pleins d’imagination et d’aventure.

“Welcome, welcome to Caraval! The grandest show on land or by sea. Inside you’ll experience more wonders than most people see in a lifetime. You can sip magic from a cup and buy dreams in a bottle. But before you fully enter into our world, you must remember it’s all a game.” This is the second time reading Caraval for me. It all started one year ago: I was watching a BookTuber talking about her favorite reads and she grabbed my attention when she mentioned The Night Circus. She talked so highly of that book I knew I needed to try it for myself. I immediately checked on Amazon - keep in mind that, at the time, I was still reading mainly in Italian, so I was pretty disappointed to find out that, for some reason I don't remember, I couldn't order the Italian edition of that book on Amazon. Pretty bummed I returned to the video I was originally watching. The girl proceeded to talk about Caraval, another book she really enjoyed and that she considered perfect for fans of The Night Circus. I hadn't read the latter yet, but I already considered myself a fan, so I returned on Amazon full of hope and I managed to order the Italian edition of Caraval. What happened next is history (for me lol): the book stole my heart in a blink, making me fall in love with every little detail, every description, every character, every plot twist... I was obsessed. As soon as I finished it, I discovered the sequel had already been published and I ordered it without even thinking about it. And that's when I made the mistake that led me to where I am right now: too excited about Legendary, I didn't notice that I was ordering a book in English. Yes, the sequel wasn't out in Italy yet, but Amazon had the original edition and that's what I bought. Legendary was my first English book! Looking back I'm so glad I made that mistake because it made me realize my English level was more than enough to allow me to read books that hadn't been published in Italy (as long as they were written in English of course). It's been almost a year since I finished Legendary and when Finale was announced I screamed! I couldn't wait to discover how everything was going to end. I still had to wait many months though, so I decided to sell my Italian edition of Caraval, order the English one and do a re-read of the series, in order to remember every little detail when I eventually started Finale. Even though this was my second time reading Caraval, it felt like the first. It didn't matter that I already knew how it was going to unravel, I enjoyed it so much - discovering how many things I forgot since last year. From the first pages, I felt the urge to keep reading because I needed to know what happened in the next chapter! In the book someone says that "Caraval is the closest you'll ever find yourself to magic in this world" and I honestly think he was talking about the book itself, not the game. This book is pure magic. Like Queen Garber would say, it's made of dreams come true. I won't go much into details because I'm honestly not able to analyze this book as I would normally do. It's too intense, too unique, too unexpected. Stephanie's writing style is one of the most beautiful I've ever come across. It made me dream on a whole new level! She uses lots of romantic metaphors and thanks to them you find yourself experiencing the story with all your senses, almost like you were the main character. “He tasted like midnight and wind, and shades of rich brown and light blue. Colors that made her feel safe and guarded.” Quotes like this one make you feel everything. Every single character is perfectly built and three-dimensional in a very unusual way. They're all actors and they're even more complex and faceted, at the point where you're constantly asking yourself if they're telling the truth or if they're just acting. Just like Scarlett - the MC - you're always wondering what's real and what's part of the game. Talking about Scarlett, I've heard many people saying how they didn't like her and how much Tella was better than her sister. Even though I more with Donatella as well, I must say that this re-read made me appreciate Scarlett a lot more: she's not boring as many people say, she's clever, she evaluates her options carefully, she thinks twice before taking any decision because she's analytical and precise. Maybe this makes us more similar than I realized when I first read the book. She doesn't want to waste her time, she's driven by her infinite love for Donatella and she only cares for her. She spends the entirety of the game thinking about Tella, looking for her and hoping she's okay. Her dedication is touching and admirable. The romance is a very strong part of the book, yet it never feels too much. It's a slow burn, always present but always on the side, never exaggerate to the point where it feels like the main point of the story. Knowing that you can't really tell reality from act makes it even more unique and interesting, to the point where you find yourself analyzing every little detail of it to understand what's really going on. The final plot twist didn't take me by surprise because I remembered it, but I also remember that it left me shook the first time I've read it, so I can say it's quite a good one. I know, this review is probably useless, it feels like I haven't written anything. I just think that Caraval is one of those books that need to be experienced without knowing too much about the plot, you need to dive in completely blind. Do it and I swear you're in for a marvelous, magical adventure!

El libro llego rápido y en buen estado, la historia es bastante interesante, la autora de verdad creó un lugar mágico y enigmático en la Isla