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kirrakira's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
slow-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? No
3.5
I liked this book but I didn't love it. I read the OUABH series by Stephanie Garber before reading Caraval (which is backward, I know). I really enjoyed the whimsy and magic of the world in OUABH, and Carval is supposed to be in the same universe, so I thought it would be the same. However, the world didn't feel nearly as magical, and the magical elements weren't exactly explained, so I felt confused. Both the Caraval series and OUABH series are written in 3rd person point of view, which didn't bother me so much in OUABH, but in Carval, it left me feeling disconnected from the characters. In Caraval Scarlett is our main character. She's a very cautious, protective older sister. Who is set on obeying her abusive father (out of fear) who has given her an arranged marriage to a mysterious Count. Throughout the story these are Scarletts main concerns and they are repeated constantly. However, near the halfway mark, her personality does progress, and she becomes a more interesting main character.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide, Physical abuse, and Kidnapping
plbchau's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Kidnapping, Suicide, Misogyny, Blood, Violence, Death, and Sexual assault
rileydobereading's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Child abuse, Blood, Death of parent, Grief, and Kidnapping
happyhippielinds's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Kidnapping, Child abuse, Suicide, Blood, Grief, Body horror, Confinement, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Alcohol, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
Minor: Rape and Toxic relationship
booksandstardust's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
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
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, Suicide, Murder, Kidnapping, Gaslighting, Death, and Abandonment
Moderate: Body horror, Confinement, and Gore
bibliophine's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
“Welcome to Caraval. Trust no one. Everything and nothing is real at the same time.”
I really enjoyed reading this once I got settled into the plot, but it did take me a while to get to that point.
The heart wrenching story of Donatella and Scarlet Dragna, two sisters who can’t catch a break. From the very beginning it was clear that these two sisters were quite opposite to each other. Tella a free spirited, thrill seeking adventurer Scar a reserved, careful over-thinker.
The invitation to the Caraval changes everything, especially the future Scarlet carefully forged and prepared for both of them to escape their tyrannical father.
Diving into a world of illusion, mystery and danger Scarlet has no other option but to win.
When getting send on a wild goose-chase to find her sister, I especially appreciated Scarlets character building. Faced with seemingly impossible situations, and unable to trust anyone this book was eating away at me. She was confused, scared in an environment that was build to be confusing and scary, which that made her incredibly relatable.
I liked Scarlet a fair bit in retrospect, yet the plot let me to disliked Donatella. Which is why I probably will not be reading the second novel.
As far as romance goes, while it certainly makes the story more interesting to have Scarlet travel with a companion, I am rather disappointed. JULIAN YOU LYING LIAR WHO LIES🤬 It felt as though Julians Character was just used for people coming to read about some hot guy. And after reading over 400 pages the reader still doesn’t know anything substantial about the male lead.
The type of ending this book had was unexpected. I anticipated a big reveal of some sort, and was not disappointed. But i was certainly shocked.
Will I ever reread it? Probably not. Will i read the second or third part? Also no.
Was this something entirely different to what i am used to? YES
Will I ever reread it? Probably not. Will i read the second or third part? Also no.
Was this something entirely different to what i am used to? YES
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Domestic abuse, Kidnapping, Physical abuse, and Suicide attempt
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
cardlikecredit's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- 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? It's complicated
4.75
Very interesting concept and world building. There was just something about the plot that it was too slow. It built up nicely at the end but took a while to get there.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Murder, and Suicide
Moderate: Blood
Minor: Kidnapping and Confinement
mysterious_and_spooky's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I feel like I can see what the vision was for this book, but it's pulled off in a very clunky sort of way. It was very much a story that was happening to the main character, not even that she had much say in what was happening. Which made for a frustrating read. Tbh it felt like published fan fiction for Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern. But I did see what the vision was, but I don't think it was quite executed effectively. I'm not really interested in continuing. 3.5 stars DNF series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Death, and Suicide
Moderate: Murder, Violence, Grief, Toxic relationship, and Kidnapping
seren's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Gaslighting, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Kidnapping, Blood, Violence, and Domestic abuse