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phoevincent's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Death of parent, Death, Emotional abuse, Murder, and Toxic relationship
hazychapters's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Well, I think this review is going to be a bit complicated 😅
I did enjoy it quite a bit: the nostalgia to be back to Caraval and discover more about the world; read again Stephanie Garber's writing; and Jacks. Oh, Jacks! Always true to himself! Well, I must admit, I was a bit disillusioned when I read that his hair was dyed blue 🥲 But this book is about Evangeline, not Jacks (this was the selling point at the beginning). Just saying...
On the other hand, it's a little more complicated, and this is because of one thing: the VERY fairytale side, a "girly" princess aesthetic with pink and glitter all over. Of course, Caraval is also in this kind of vibes, but it seemed to me more... refined. There, I have the feeling that a bucket of glitter and rhinestones has been thrown between the pages of the book. The atmosphere may appeal, but for me, it is not. I told myself that Evangeline would catch up and... without much surprise, we have a silly character, naive like no other, and very childish. Even Donatella seemed more mature to me! Don't get me wrong I love Donatella!
A little disappointed, even if I am not very surprised either, and this since the release of the US cover (me who hates hearts and pink, hehe, I was disillusioned). The universe is very beautiful, the plot interesting (but rushed), even if it goes all over the place to ultimately reach an almost obvious conclusion. I hope the sequel will raise the level a little.
Oh, and, I still haven't got over the vampires. Quite honestly, what are they doing here?
I did enjoy it quite a bit: the nostalgia to be back to Caraval and discover more about the world; read again Stephanie Garber's writing; and Jacks. Oh, Jacks! Always true to himself! Well, I must admit, I was a bit disillusioned when I read that his hair was dyed blue 🥲 But this book is about Evangeline, not Jacks (this was the selling point at the beginning). Just saying...
On the other hand, it's a little more complicated, and this is because of one thing: the VERY fairytale side, a "girly" princess aesthetic with pink and glitter all over. Of course, Caraval is also in this kind of vibes, but it seemed to me more... refined. There, I have the feeling that a bucket of glitter and rhinestones has been thrown between the pages of the book. The atmosphere may appeal, but for me, it is not. I told myself that Evangeline would catch up and... without much surprise, we have a silly character, naive like no other, and very childish. Even Donatella seemed more mature to me! Don't get me wrong I love Donatella!
A little disappointed, even if I am not very surprised either, and this since the release of the US cover (me who hates hearts and pink, hehe, I was disillusioned). The universe is very beautiful, the plot interesting (but rushed), even if it goes all over the place to ultimately reach an almost obvious conclusion. I hope the sequel will raise the level a little.
Oh, and, I still haven't got over the vampires. Quite honestly, what are they doing here?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Murder, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Death of parent
kbairbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
(Spoiler review) when this book started off I thought: interesting…let’s see where this goes, then okay it’s very fantastical and floaty and Alice and wonderland-y, then I thought it was getting weirder but an easy quick read, then we started getting more excited and more things were lining up then it was quite exciting and that ending? Ooooh I leaned back and looked at Sean and was like. That’s an ending. I loved Evangelines hope, I HATED Marisol and her bitch ass mom, I didn’t care for Luke, and Chaos was interesting. Lala was an unexpected character and the Prince of Hearts was loveable but also way into blood for a fate that wasn’t a vampire. And what’s with the apples?? The door smiling at the end was wicked, and Evangeline realizing her strength and heroism was a lovely touch. Ummmm yeah I’m excited to see where book two goes and I guess now I have to read Caraval 😂
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Bullying, Death, Death of parent, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Grief, Murder, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Confinement, Injury/Injury detail, and Kidnapping
lindseyhall44's review against another edition
mysterious
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, and Murder
Moderate: Grief
betweentheshelves's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I haven't read Caraval, but I enjoyed this! Very fairytale-esque with an interesting storytline. Kind of makes me want to go back and read Caraval because the world building in this was great! Plus, the characters make the book overall easy to read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, and Blood
Moderate: Confinement, Murder, and Violence
Minor: Bullying, Emotional abuse, and Sexual content
wrenxavier's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-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
4.25
Content Warnings
Minor: Blood, Death, Grief, Emotional abuse, and Death of parent
headinthepages's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Thanks to the publisher for my gifted copy! This was a light fantasy read and was really enjoyable and easy to read.
At times the characters/writing felt quite immature but I really enjoyed the story.
I loved the range of personalities in this book and the world building was great! Top marks for sexual tension too!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Murder, Death of parent, Violence, and Emotional abuse
foreverbookwandering's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
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
4.0
Thank you to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
First of all, I have to say I loved being back in the Caraval universe again!
First of all, I have to say I loved being back in the Caraval universe again!
It took a while to warm to Evangeline as a character. She didn't immediately standout to me like Donatella and Scarlett did in the Caraval series, so I wasn't really rooting for her. At the start of the novel I felt like she lacked that gumption that the Dragna sisters had which is weird because her actions reflect a strong female character. I am not sure why but I just couldn't get on board with it so I wasn't rooting for her at the start - though I do love the fact that she has rose gold hair! Equally it took me a little while to get into the storyline, maybe because I wasn't warming to Evangeline; I would say that it wasn't till about halfway to two thirds of the way through where the pace really picks up and the mystery starts unravelling. Everything starts getting more interesting and at that point I couldn't put it down, I wanted to know how it would all play out. And then the ending -OH MY GOD- I need the sequel now please!
I think Stephanie Garber has done a brilliant job of expanding the Caraval world. Her writing makes it so easy to imagine yourself in the story watching it all play out. I loved all the magic weaved in and Evangeline's interpretation of it. And of course Jacks. What can I say about Jacks except he is the same ol' loveable fate that we saw in Finale, still keeping his cards close to his chest and leaving the reader to try and figure out just what his plan is.
Overall, whilst it took me a while to get into the story (and I think I ultimately still prefer Scarlett and Tella as protagonists), this was a great foray into a new branch of the Caraval world and I will still read everything Stephanie Garber writes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood and Death of parent
Moderate: Murder and Violence
Minor: Emotional abuse
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