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ritaj_space's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
5.0
this book now is my new 6 star read i absolutely adored the whole thing i'm so IN LOVE<3
Content Warnings
Moderate: Physical abuse and Death
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
lilybeatrice's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse
Moderate: Death, Suicide, and Violence
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
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