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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
hazybee's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-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? Yes
4.75
I really like how the letters were included. This was the prefect fast paced, adventure, fantasy, mystery, romance novel
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder, Suicide, and Blood
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: š«
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 š ).
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 š ).
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
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 thƩ 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
karnivorous's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Love the premise and the story, setting, idea. The pace and dialogue was good, I wanted more of the carnival feel for caraval, it felt more like the shenanigans at a music festival. Tella is kind of unbearable, and Scar has a lot of repeatitive thoughts. <Spoiler> You know the community epsiode where they use props to fake shot people and its all a who pranked who? yeah that was the last 15% of the book but ypur questioning who is who and who died and who killed who, but its all a part of the game.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Murder, and Child abuse
val_theburrowofstories's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- 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
4.0
Iāve been waiting for months to get this trilogy in Libby and Iām so happy I ended up really liking it!
This might be the 10th audiobook that Iāve listened narrated by Rebecca Soler and she never disappoints.
Scarlett and Donatella Dragna are two sisters who live with their abusive father in the Isle of Trisda. The girls have always dreamed of leaving and being free, and the opportunity finally presents itself in the name of Julian Marrero when this boy comes to the island and offers them to take them to Caraval, this magical place where they can play the game and if they win they can ask for anything they want.
I really liked the sisters, but especially Scarlett because I feel I would be more like her in this whole situation. I loved seeing her romance with Julian and how she had to learn to trust him. I did not expect that many plot twist and surprises in the book, especially in the end I was loving that. I was having such a great time with this book.
By the end we got so many emotions and information that just convinced me this is a 4 ā
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Blood, Murder, Physical abuse, Child abuse, and Death
- Child abuse / Physical abuse: The sisters are 16 and 17 years old now, but for 7 years theyāve suffered at the hands of their father.
- Death / Blood / Murder: Thereās at least like three deaths in this book alone.
- Suicide: Thereās mentioned of someone jumping from a high place in the last Caraval, and then something similar happens in the end.
cowboylikebrie15's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Violence, Murder, Death, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Death of parent and Kidnapping
aureolyn's review against another edition
5.0
I may have found myself a new favorite author. How enchanting and bewitching. It truly felt as if we also entered into the game and were players tooānever truly knowing what was real and what wasnāt. As if the magic of Caraval was seeping out of the book and enveloping us too.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Child abuse, Death, and Suicide
Moderate: Blood