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tays_books's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Child abuse, Death, Physical abuse, Murder, and Suicide
Moderate: Sexual assault
Minor: Pregnancy and Alcohol
dannilmp's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Caraval is a great read for those who love magic, especially if you have read the Night Circus. A circus type game with high stakes for failure, this book will have you rooting for the main character all the way.
What made this book even more interesting for me was I read it as a buddy read, so I was constantly looking for answers to questions and trying to puzzle out the bigger plot points of the book, without this I don't think I would have rated Caraval 3 stars. I enjoy worlds with magic and as Caraval appears to be the only place within this world setting that magic exists makes it more intriguing and drives a want to understand why and how it can happen in this world. It was an easy read and felt like you were flying through the pages!
On the other hand, some of the characters could have been more thought through, Donatella's character was just straight up unlikable for me, but so where aspects of Scarlett's personality, though I think her character growth over the novel does help make up for this. I would have liked to have seen other characters given more "screen time" and not just be around for a few pages for a massive plot point and then to just disapear.
What made this book even more interesting for me was I read it as a buddy read, so I was constantly looking for answers to questions and trying to puzzle out the bigger plot points of the book, without this I don't think I would have rated Caraval 3 stars. I enjoy worlds with magic and as Caraval appears to be the only place within this world setting that magic exists makes it more intriguing and drives a want to understand why and how it can happen in this world. It was an easy read and felt like you were flying through the pages!
On the other hand, some of the characters could have been more thought through, Donatella's character was just straight up unlikable for me, but so where aspects of Scarlett's personality, though I think her character growth over the novel does help make up for this. I would have liked to have seen other characters given more "screen time" and not just be around for a few pages for a massive plot point and then to just disapear.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, and Suicide
Moderate: Blood, Violence, and Gore
Minor: Sexual assault and Abandonment
hellvmc's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Physical abuse, and Murder
Moderate: Sexual assault
Minor: Death of parent
helloimjacq's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
That was honestly such a rollercoaster of emotions… so many twist and turns and I’m not sure I trust anything still. Full review to come once I sort through what I just read!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, Child death, Grief, Kidnapping, Murder, Suicide, Child abuse, and Death
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail and Abandonment
Minor: Alcohol
jja_b's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I thought this was fun and I loved the concept. I thought the execution could have been done better though, with more character development and world-building. I didn’t quite feel the bond between the sisters either. The descriptions painted a really clear picture in my mind (reminded me a little of Spirited Away?) and I liked the romance subplot.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Physical abuse, Child abuse, Blood, Violence, Sexual assault, and Murder
amydean2710's review against another edition
adventurous
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault
gay_agenda_lizard's review against another edition
slow-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
2.0
This book is lovely in its visuals. It’s enthralling and the world it creates is beautiful. You fall for the characters. Hard. However it takes a nosedive of such epic proportions. They pulled the “it was all a dream” trope except everyone was an actor except the main character. I loved the characters only to find out it was all a ruse. All a ruse that left massive gaping plot holes. I could deal with one twist. But two is too much. The ending destroyed me in the worst way.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Death
Moderate: Sexual assault
Minor: Death of parent
durrareadsstuff's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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
3.75
Aside from giving me severe trust issues, this book was a really good ya fantasy. The writing was so magical and atmospheric it's like you can imagine yourself in caraval. I like how Scarlett pictures feelings in colours, that was interesting.
Usually first books in a trilogy are the ones I struggle through because the beginning would be slower-paced than the rest, but this one had a really nice pacing. It definitely could be read in one day, although I didn't because my attention span is blegh. It also helped that the chapters were short.
One thing I have to complain about, though, there's this one scene that I don't know, it feels so weird. Am I the only one who feels this way because so far I've seen people rate this no less than 5 stars. But that scene—I wish I could erase that from my mind.
The characters were okay I guess, I kind of wish Scarlett had a friend for some reason. Maybe because Tella was annoying the heck out of me in the beginning. But I really liked the way the author made us see more of Tella, aside from her "wild" ways. I kind of like her more than Scarlett now. Julian was a decent love interest. The foreshadowing, the subtle things that warn the readers that he's definitely hiding something—that was incredibly executed in my opinion. And I like how his feelings are also mentioned. Like sometimes, books make it seem like these guys are heartless snobs which just takes all the charm away from them.
Overall - ⭐⭐⭐💫/5
Plot - ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
Writing - ⭐⭐⭐/5
Characters - ⭐⭐⭐/5
Themes (abuse, abandonment) - ⭐⭐⭐⭐💫/5
Usually first books in a trilogy are the ones I struggle through because the beginning would be slower-paced than the rest, but this one had a really nice pacing. It definitely could be read in one day, although I didn't because my attention span is blegh. It also helped that the chapters were short.
One thing I have to complain about, though, there's this one scene that I don't know, it feels so weird. Am I the only one who feels this way because so far I've seen people rate this no less than 5 stars. But that scene—I wish I could erase that from my mind.
The characters were okay I guess, I kind of wish Scarlett had a friend for some reason. Maybe because Tella was annoying the heck out of me in the beginning. But I really liked the way the author made us see more of Tella, aside from her "wild" ways. I kind of like her more than Scarlett now. Julian was a decent love interest. The foreshadowing, the subtle things that warn the readers that he's definitely hiding something—that was incredibly executed in my opinion. And I like how his feelings are also mentioned. Like sometimes, books make it seem like these guys are heartless snobs which just takes all the charm away from them.
Overall - ⭐⭐⭐💫/5
Plot - ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
Writing - ⭐⭐⭐/5
Characters - ⭐⭐⭐/5
Themes (abuse, abandonment) - ⭐⭐⭐⭐💫/5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Physical abuse, Child abuse, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Death and Death of parent
Minor: Sexual assault
faeire_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
Well at the beginning I found the book infuriating at times it feels like it talks down to the readers and some of the metaphors do not make any sense at all. It repeats a lot of the same things which feels demeaning, for example it felt the need to explain a sailor could swim 3 times. At first I wanted to strangle the main character since she continually makes stupid decisions and acts selfishly a lot of the time. And is the exact opposite of what the book is trying to tell you she is which can be annoying at times. She gets more bearable near the end thankfully. And it can be a bit cringy sometimes too. Even though I had many problems with the book I was never bored at all while reading it in fact it was quite fun and I learned a lot while reading The environment she creates is incredible and is worth the read just for that. It was a fun read and I will read the sequel. If you plan on reading this book precede with caution.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexism, Suicide, and Sexual assault
parkerknoll's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
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? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Kidnapping, Murder, Sexual assault, Suicide attempt, Death, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Physical abuse, Suicide, Torture, and Violence