Reviews with content warning for Emotional abuse - Caraval

I wanted and expected to love this, but I didn't. I adore this author's Once Upon a Broken Heart series, but this one just isn't for me. I wasn't in love with the characters, especially Tella, and the atmosphere of the story is not my cup of tea; Probably because I hate circus/carnival atmosphere and that is what this is. If you like carnival or circuses, this book is for you.

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teardropsonmypaperback's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring 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

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kiwij96's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

Good lord this book is messy. There's so many supposed twists that makes it feel like a coiled spring. I couldn't keep track of all the lies and deceptions and the twists that kept happening. Also the way it was written: I couldn't imagine any of the scenery because it was just Scarlett's internal monologue with a couple of glimpses at what things looked like.

I found Scarlett too whiny. The whole time she wasn't her own person, she was like an extension of other people. Her intire thing was just "that's my sister" or "Julian" without any let up and that bothered me. Donatella was just outright selfish the whole time and she was just infuriating. Also the fact that they were like 16/17 years old and Donatella tried running away with boys from age 12? Like good lord. Maybe their immaturity plays a greater role in how unlikeable the two girls are. It definitely gave me an insight to what a fantasy book looks like with people who want nothing to do with the fantasy aspect of their world.

The only thing that will probably keep me reading the series is the cliffhanger it ended on but also saw coming.

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chiaraculpo's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

<verso la metà del libro mi stavo un po' stufando però mi è piaciuto il colpo di scena finale. Tella non mi piace come personaggio, nonostante volesse aiutare la sorella si è presa gioco di lei e l'ha fatta molto soffrire, alla fine ha esagerato. Mi è piaciuta l'evoluzione di Rossella e mi piace Julien come personaggio anche se non so se l'avrei perdonato così velocemente alla fine.> In generale mi è piaciuto, l'ho letto abbastanza velocemente, credo che proverò a leggere anche il secondo perché il finale mi ha incuriosita.

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kitcatavo's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

There is familial abuse pretty early on. So that’s a trigger warning that could’ve been nice.

It’s very clear from the start that we are meant to love and hate each of these characters. Obviously it add to the mystery of the story. However, I would’ve liked a bit more development for the redeeming moments of specific character. Just all of a sudden, Scarlett is In love with Julian. Oooooook…?

Overall I did the like plot twists and surprises in this book.

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steen19's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious sad tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

This is totally YA for a reason. The main character is painfully immature.

The final ~15% of this was really fucked up. Like serious psychological trauma.

This book is like 80% telling and only 20% showing. The MC kinda just walks up on situations and people recount it all. There weren’t really game-like challenges or carnival ambiance.

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gaietta's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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linnybear's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.5

I don't think the author thought this through, like everything looks great on paper when you focus on ideas but then as a reader you realize nothing is working here. Initially (around 60% in) I thought I'm gonna rate it 2 stars but it got even worse with the ending so I won't be coming back to read the rest of the serie.

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