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nat29's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
Graphic: Child abuse and Death
Moderate: Blood
Minor: Grief
chloerote's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Physical abuse, Suicide, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Suicide attempt, and Gaslighting
lilia's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.75
- How the plot was engaging throughout the whole book
- The world and the dynamic/atmosphere of Caraval
- How the main characters were sisters
Didn't like as much:
- How the romance developed so quickly
- The stubbornness of both Scarlett and Tella (only at some points in the story)
- How Tella was absent for much of the story but was still central to Scarlett's motivations—I wish I got to know a little more about Tella at the beginning
- The ending was a bit underwhelming to me
Overall, I liked Caraval and I look forward to continuing with the series.
Moderate: Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Suicide, Blood, and Kidnapping
Minor: Child abuse, Grief, and Sexual harassment
anenbydragon's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Physical abuse, Suicide, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Torture
writtenbydnicole's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Suicide, and Blood
Moderate: Confinement, Violence, Grief, and Murder
Minor: Self harm and Sexual content
fromjuliereads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I think there were a lot of things that this book tried to do that just didn't work for me though... I still enjoyed it, just not as much as I had hoped.
Let's start with the things that I did like:
- I loved the plot and pacing. There was a good mix of fast-paced sections, with slightly slower paced scenes, and it worked really well to drive the story and to keep me interested in the goings on of the Caraval competition. Not to mention how intriguing the set up of the competition was! I found the idea unique and intriguing, and it had some good twists to how things worked or worked out. I will say the ending seemed a little rushed to wrap everything up, but it still explained everything. I just think after the whole competition was most of the book, the explanation and wrap-up was like two chapters...
- The magic! There was an element of mystery and magic that worked so well for a competition and performers who relied on magic to drive the story forward. I thought some of the uses of the magic were well-done and unique.
The things that made it difficult for me to really enjoy this book:
- Scarlett... and well, most of the characters who were main to be honest. I will admit that I was intrigued by Julian, enough that I could overlook at parts how annoying and frustrating both Scarlett and Tella were to me... I'm sorry, but we get it, Scarlett loves her sister more than anything. I don't need it written like 25 times in the book... (that might be an exaggeration but definitely what it felt like) The only characters I was interested in were Julian, Aiko, and Dante - side characters we don't get much from... also there was one reveal at the end that left me a tad bit uncomfortable.
- The weird colour descriptions for emotions... I really didn't like these. I am so confused why the author felt she had to constantly describe the colour of things that don't have colour? It actually became frustrating to me and I started recording some of the more ridiculous ones down: panic is described as "shades of hemlock green - the color of poison and terror;" "Scarlett had an emerald-green premonition;" "Sour shades of yellow-green made her stomach roil;" disappointment is described as "forget-me-not blue;" I think panic is described later on as purple instead of green; and don't even get me started about how a kiss is described as tasting like "shades of rich brown and light blue." This might work for someone who sees the colours in everything, but it gives me NOTHING for describing emotions and abstract things... Honestly I just found it an annoying attempt at descriptions that I wish had been taken out...
I did enjoy the book overall - it was an easy read. I am not entirely sure if I will continue the series, unless someone can confirm for me that Scarlett gets a little less annoying... but I am glad that I read it!
Moderate: Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Sexism, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Grief, and Murder
frumpkin_'s review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Child abuse
Moderate: Gore, Blood, Grief, and Murder