Reviews tagging 'Kidnapping'

Caraval by Stephanie Garber

120 reviews

awkwardimagination's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious tense fast-paced

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

3.0

I have never been more angry at a fucking ending in my entire life. I was having so much fun, a little confused and amused at how this plot was developing, but oh my god a "happy ending" has never filled me with such rage before. If this had ended even slightly differently this would be 4 stars, but bc it didnt and i genuinely had fun with the rest of the book its only 3

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Child abuse, Death, and Physical abuse

Moderate: Injury/Injury detail and Kidnapping

rileydobereading's review against another edition

adventurous lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder

Moderate: Child abuse, Blood, Death of parent, Grief, and Kidnapping

happyhippielinds's review against another edition

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? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

I was lied to, I saw things that weren’t even real, and I was forced to believe it was all a happy ending but, no. “It’s just a game” only applies to its actors, but its players suffer true consequences and Tella, the mastermind behind the troubles her sister and her new lover had faced, is no exception. I am literally SHOOK. I NEED to know what Tella bargained for, I need to know where their mother went, I need to know what this game really is.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Kidnapping, Child abuse, Suicide, Blood, Grief, Body horror, Confinement, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, and Physical abuse

Moderate: Sexual harassment, Alcohol, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence

Minor: Rape and Toxic relationship

booksandstardust's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark 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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, Suicide, Murder, Kidnapping, Gaslighting, Death, and Abandonment

Moderate: Body horror, Confinement, and Gore

bibliophine's review against another edition

adventurous emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

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

3.5

“Welcome to Caraval. Trust no one. Everything and nothing is real at the same time.”

I really enjoyed reading this once I got settled into the plot, but it did take me a while to get to that point. 

The heart wrenching story of Donatella and Scarlet Dragna, two sisters who can’t catch a break. From the very beginning it was clear that these two sisters were quite opposite to each other. Tella a free spirited, thrill seeking adventurer Scar a reserved, careful over-thinker. 

The invitation to the Caraval changes everything, especially the future Scarlet carefully forged and prepared for both of them to escape their tyrannical father. 

Diving into a world of illusion, mystery and danger Scarlet has no other option but to win.

When getting send on a wild goose-chase to find her sister, I especially appreciated Scarlets character building. Faced with seemingly impossible situations, and unable to trust anyone this book was eating away at me. She was confused, scared in an environment that was build to be confusing and scary, which that made her incredibly relatable. 

I liked Scarlet a fair bit in retrospect, yet the plot let me to disliked Donatella. Which is why I probably will not be reading the second novel. 

As far as romance goes, while it certainly makes the story more interesting to have Scarlet travel with a companion, I am rather disappointed. 

JULIAN YOU LYING LIAR WHO LIES🤬

It felt as though Julians Character was just used for people coming to read about some hot guy. And after reading over 400 pages the reader still doesn’t know anything substantial about the male lead. 

The type of ending this book had was unexpected. I anticipated a big reveal of some sort, and was not disappointed. But i was certainly shocked. 

Will I ever reread it? Probably not. Will i read the second or third part? Also no. 
Was this something entirely different to what i am used to? YES

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide, Domestic abuse, Kidnapping, Physical abuse, and Suicide attempt

unboundbooklover's review against another edition

adventurous 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

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Child abuse, Death, and Physical abuse

Moderate: Kidnapping, Suicide, and Murder

Minor: Mental illness, Confinement, and Violence

cardlikecredit's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced

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

4.75

Very interesting concept and world building. There was just something about the plot that it was too slow. It built up nicely at the end but took a while to get there. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Murder, and Suicide

Moderate: Blood

Minor: Kidnapping and Confinement

mysterious_and_spooky's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark mysterious medium-paced

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

3.5

I feel like I can see what the vision was for this book, but it's pulled off in a very clunky sort of way. It was very much a story that was happening to the main character, not even that she had much say in what was happening. Which made for a frustrating read. Tbh it felt like published fan fiction for Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern. But I did see what the vision was, but I don't think it was quite executed effectively. I'm not really interested in continuing. 3.5 stars DNF series. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gaslighting, Death, and Suicide

Moderate: Murder, Violence, Grief, Toxic relationship, and Kidnapping

seren's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional mysterious 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? Yes

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Gaslighting, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Kidnapping, Blood, Violence, and Domestic abuse

neliadiedenise's review against another edition

challenging emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Medical content, Suicide, Injury/Injury detail, Domestic abuse, Blood, Kidnapping, Medical trauma, Violence, Torture, Sexual harassment, Physical abuse, and Murder