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shadikb's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
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
4.0
It was good but Scarlett annoyed me, and her seeing emotions in colour, was very confusing as well as annoying too... but a very enjoyable story overall.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Emotional abuse, Stalking, Murder, Kidnapping, Suicide, Death, Self harm, Grief, Violence, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Gaslighting and Abandonment
cas_reads_anything's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-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
2.75
This felt like if a CW teen show had one fever dream of a season and then ended with a happy ended & minimal character growth.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Suicide
Moderate: Blood
Minor: Abandonment, Torture, Gaslighting, Kidnapping, and Sexual violence
crisandraw's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Death, Injury/Injury detail, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Suicide attempt
Minor: Abandonment
rachrreads's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.5
This is told from the perspective of Scarlett Dragna, a 17 year old girl who has wanted to see Caraval in action her whole life. The week before she is to be married (to a man she’s only ever written letters to) her sister Donatella, with the help of a sailor, drags her off their island to Caraval!
Unfortunately the two get separated and Donatella is abducted by the Master Legend. Scarlett has to find clues that will lead her to her sister before the 5 nights are over. Remember— Caraval is just a game, don’t believe everything you see…
I can’t believe it took me this long to read this one! I had so much fun reading it and while it was missing some very pertinent information— like how in the world does Caraval even work? I believe this will get answered in books 2&3 though!
The ending was a whirlwind of emotions and each character seems to have a ton of secrets that I cannot wait to uncover.
Unfortunately the two get separated and Donatella is abducted by the Master Legend. Scarlett has to find clues that will lead her to her sister before the 5 nights are over. Remember— Caraval is just a game, don’t believe everything you see…
I can’t believe it took me this long to read this one! I had so much fun reading it and while it was missing some very pertinent information— like how in the world does Caraval even work? I believe this will get answered in books 2&3 though!
The ending was a whirlwind of emotions and each character seems to have a ton of secrets that I cannot wait to uncover.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Toxic relationship, Physical abuse, and Suicide
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Abandonment
juliannereads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-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
2.75
Writing Style: 1/1
Story: 1.25/2
Characters: 0.5/2
Total: 2.75 stars
Extra rating: Enjoyability: 0.75/1
The writing style is what first drew me in. Colorful, vivid and fantastical. The main character had some form of synesthesia which made for interesting and really beautiful narrative in some parts of the book.
The story however, well…
The story had the potential to be something more thrilling if the romance didn’t completely overshadow every single plot progression for 75% of the book.
And ugh, the romance was so…blah. I wanted to love Scarlett so much as a character especially because much of her motivations and fears were being fueled by her trauma, but it was quickly drowned out by all her feelings associated with the love interests. Even her thoughts outside the love interest felt redundant because it was the same train of thoughts every single god damn time.
“I must save my sister”
“I am scared, but my sister would want me to be brave.”
“I shouldn’t share my secrets here.”
“Nothing in Caraval is real”
and just so many starry-eyed, gooey descriptions of Julian to the point where I was in literally agony trying to get through one more scene where she talks about being in close proximity to him.
and just so many starry-eyed, gooey descriptions of Julian to the point where I was in literally agony trying to get through one more scene where she talks about being in close proximity to him.
Scarlett and Tella’s relationship was also something I was excited to see, especially since the synopsis literally introduces them as sisters that have a bond like no other. Every time Scarlett describes Tella, it plays with the idea of a complex relationship—Scarlett feels obligated to protect Tella due to domestic violence from her father and her mother leaving, but she also feels hidden resentment that Tella doesn’t treat her own life (or Scarlett’s in that matter) as careful as Scarlett does. But, for most of the book, the relationship was overshadowed by the romance which made it a little disappointing. But, I will say the ending does make up for some of that disappointment.
Despite a lot of cringy love details that I would rather not deal with, I will still definitely continue with this series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Abandonment, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, Sexual violence, Blood, and Death
yasmin_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
I forgot how good this book was. I first read it in 2021 and enjoyed it but I forgot what happened so I decided to re-read it since I never finished the series and I'm glad I did. This book is adventerous and magical and so very amazing that I couldnt put it down and finished it in 8 hours.
Content Warnings
Minor: Abandonment
jg34's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.25
This was meh. Not a big fan of all the trickery and stuff but that is more due to my taste. Loved Julien tho
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, and Physical abuse
Minor: Abandonment
aharper's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Child death, Physical abuse, Kidnapping, and Child abuse
Moderate: Abandonment, Forced institutionalization, and Confinement
bree_h_reads's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Suicide, Child abuse, Physical abuse, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Violence and Alcohol
Minor: Misogyny, Murder, Sexism, Sexual assault, Abandonment, and Rape
sleepybythelake's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
YOOOOO I COMPLETELY LOVED THIS BOOK!!!!
I think my biggest mistake, whether when I want to start a book that seems interesting or after I finish one I completely loved (like this one), is reading reviews. When I see more negative ones than positive I start to ask myself 'Did I really enjoy it?' I don’t know why I let other's opinions get to me like that ugh… maybe I should stop reading reviews and that's it lmaooo
Anyway, my first thought was 'Ohhh The Night Circus meets Alice in Wonderland' but it became a story of its own quickly. I read it in like 2 days and a half, couldn’t put it down. I’m dumb as f*ck so I didn’t expect lots of plot twists and was all shocked and/or giggly. For me it was a fun, engaging read.
I agree with people who say thatScarlett and Julian fell in love too quickly, but idk man, they were cute. Donatella gave me Lydia Bennett vibes at first but she turned out to be smart as hell and I loved that!
I think my biggest mistake, whether when I want to start a book that seems interesting or after I finish one I completely loved (like this one), is reading reviews. When I see more negative ones than positive I start to ask myself 'Did I really enjoy it?' I don’t know why I let other's opinions get to me like that ugh… maybe I should stop reading reviews and that's it lmaooo
Anyway, my first thought was 'Ohhh The Night Circus meets Alice in Wonderland' but it became a story of its own quickly. I read it in like 2 days and a half, couldn’t put it down. I’m dumb as f*ck so I didn’t expect lots of plot twists and was all shocked and/or giggly. For me it was a fun, engaging read.
I agree with people who say that
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Suicide, and Violence
Moderate: Blood and Murder
Minor: Alcohol and Abandonment