Scan barcode
jessthemess8112's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
mysterious
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? Yes
3.5
I found this book to be enjoyable right from the beginning. It makes you excited for the main characters to get away from their own island and experience the excitement that Caraval holds. The writing was a little juvenile, and it felt like the author made it her personal mission to ensure every color was mentioned somewhere in the book. The ending also left something to be desired and kind of felt like a cop out. I know there are 2 more books that hopefully wrap things up. However, if I hadn't known this, I would've been extremely let down with the way this book ended.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Physical abuse, Child abuse, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, Violence, Blood, and Death
katelynprice's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.5
I enjoyed the gameplay and puzzle aspects of the book as well as the setting (major Alice in Wonderland vibes!), but I was also really confused and frustrated for most of the book. Not knowing who you can trust gets old to me, so it started to feel very one-note. I did like Scarlett and was rooting for her, and I liked the family/sister bond, but I'm not sure if I want to continue with the series or not.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Physical abuse
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Murder, Death, and Blood
Minor: Suicide
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Child abuse, Death, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Kidnapping, Suicide, and Murder
Minor: Mental illness, Confinement, and Violence
_bookmark_babe_'s review against another edition
2.0
Almost had to DNF. I thought it was going tk be more games and rouge carnival style driven. It was pretty dark Alice in Wonderland vibes
Content Warnings
Minor: Emotional abuse and Physical abuse
boba_n_books's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-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? Yes
5.0
Spice Rating: 🫑
Stephanie Garber created one of the most creative and magical worlds I've ever read about in Caraval. I absolutely DEVOURED this book (just ask the friends I "buddy read" it with... I didn't stick to the reading schedule 😂 ).
Scarlett and Donatella (Tella) are sisters who have been stuck on a small island their entire lives. Once their mother abandoned them, their father became abusive, which caused Scarlett to dream of a world beyond the island. She begins to write letters to the famous Legend, who she's heard of through her grandmother's stories, pleading him to let her and her sister attend Caraval--a magical game where the winner receives a wish. After years of no response, Legend finally responds to Scarlett a few days before her wedding to a man her father arranged for her to marry. Scarlett and Tella argue whether or not they should attend, but once a mysterious sailor arrives, Tella decides for Scarlett that they're going to Caraval. Once she arrives, Scarlett finds out that Tella has been kidnapped and that Scarlett needs to win the game to get her back. Scarlett finds an unexpected ally in the sailor, Julian, and quickly learns that Caraval is much more dangerous than she originally thought. The problem is she doesn't know what's real and what is created by Legend.
I went into this book pretty blind and am glad I did because the twists and turns were so exciting. I was fully immersed into the world of Caraval and couldn't read fast enough because I was so invested in Scarlett's quest. The sisterly love was a huge bonus of this novel, but I also really loved how Scarlett was able to find herself and realize that she has agency and choices in life. After years of abuse from her father, she finds it hard to trust anyone--especially in the tricky world of Caraval. I loved seeing her complete transformation throughout the book and look forward to seeing her character grow in the next two books.
Stephanie Garber created one of the most creative and magical worlds I've ever read about in Caraval. I absolutely DEVOURED this book (just ask the friends I "buddy read" it with... I didn't stick to the reading schedule 😂 ).
Scarlett and Donatella (Tella) are sisters who have been stuck on a small island their entire lives. Once their mother abandoned them, their father became abusive, which caused Scarlett to dream of a world beyond the island. She begins to write letters to the famous Legend, who she's heard of through her grandmother's stories, pleading him to let her and her sister attend Caraval--a magical game where the winner receives a wish. After years of no response, Legend finally responds to Scarlett a few days before her wedding to a man her father arranged for her to marry. Scarlett and Tella argue whether or not they should attend, but once a mysterious sailor arrives, Tella decides for Scarlett that they're going to Caraval. Once she arrives, Scarlett finds out that Tella has been kidnapped and that Scarlett needs to win the game to get her back. Scarlett finds an unexpected ally in the sailor, Julian, and quickly learns that Caraval is much more dangerous than she originally thought. The problem is she doesn't know what's real and what is created by Legend.
I went into this book pretty blind and am glad I did because the twists and turns were so exciting. I was fully immersed into the world of Caraval and couldn't read fast enough because I was so invested in Scarlett's quest. The sisterly love was a huge bonus of this novel, but I also really loved how Scarlett was able to find herself and realize that she has agency and choices in life. After years of abuse from her father, she finds it hard to trust anyone--especially in the tricky world of Caraval. I loved seeing her complete transformation throughout the book and look forward to seeing her character grow in the next two books.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Death, and Child abuse
Moderate: Blood, Murder, and Suicide
kaylokay_'s review against another edition
adventurous
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
5.0
I don't mind a predictable plot as long as it is done well. But every time I thought I knew exactly where this was going, I was wrong. In a good way. I loved the seamless interweaving of diversity in this book, which is an accurate reflection of Latin culture. I can't wait to get to the bottom of this story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Gaslighting, Physical abuse, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Grief and Murder
estellec13's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I enjoyed it but I felt it dragged on too much in the middle. The last 100 pages were so good so I would still recommend it and I will read thé next one
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Blood, Body horror, Child abuse, Death, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Physical abuse, and Violence
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Medical content, Suicide, Injury/Injury detail, Domestic abuse, Blood, Kidnapping, Medical trauma, Violence, Torture, Sexual harassment, Physical abuse, and Murder
lore_fier's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I was super intrigued by this book! I wanted to devour the book as soon as Scarlett was at Caraval. It was so magical and intriging!!! The last 100 pages were a real rollercoaster with sharp turns all the time. My brain couldn't handle the amount of plot twist that happened.
I loved the characters a lot and really related to Scarlett. Only not a fan of the sister.
4,5⭐
I loved the characters a lot and really related to Scarlett. Only not a fan of the sister.
4,5⭐
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Suicide, and Emotional abuse
hannahmarkby's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I wasn’t quite sure what to expect with Caraval, but it’s been on my TBR for quite some time, and I was pleasantly surprised! I’ve been in a reading slump for the past several months, starting many books and finishing none, but Caraval was able to break that.
The first book was a lot of fun to read, especially since I couldn’t predict what was going to happen. Every time I developed a new theory, it was soon disproven, and Garber did an excellent job convincing me of a false story so that I was completely shocked when the true ending was revealed. Caraval itself was fascinating, reminding me of Wonderland and Holly Black’s version of Faerie, with deals that were too good to be true and magic that made it difficult to distinguish what was real. My favorite aspect of this was the way that secrets and time were the preferred currency, especially how time was transferred through blood (and the resulting scene between Scarlett and Julian).
There were definitely a few YA clichés sprinkled throughout, such as the abusive father/dead mother, the adultification of the eldest daughter, and Julian’s personality, but in general I did not mind. Scarlett and Tella’s quest to get away from their father at all costs added an extra level of depth to the story, and I really appreciated Scarlett’s personal growth as she learned to take risks and no longer be ruled by fear and overcautiousness. Also, I’m unashamed to admit just how much I loved Julian.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Physical abuse, and Death
Moderate: Kidnapping, Grief, and Blood
Minor: Death of parent and Sexual assault