Reviews - Caraval | The StoryGraph

41.8k reviews for:

Caraval

Stephanie Garber

3.88 AVERAGE

fairyfolked's review against another edition

3.5

adventurous challenging dark mysterious slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

Content Warnings

zarahreads94's review against another edition

4.0

The first 200 pages dragged and I was just bored out of my mind and debating about whether or not I should finish this book. I didn't like Scarlett or any of the characters and I truly didn't get the hype.
However, I was pleasantly surprised with the last half of the book. The plot twist really got me. I really did like the ending and I will definitely be reading any more books that follow.
I absolutely loved Scarlett's growth as person from someone who was afraid of so much and only thinking about her sister constantly or her father to someone who knew what she wanted and was brave. Excellent character growth.
I'm excited to find out the mystery surrounding the mother and Tella's bargain that she needs to fulfill and Julian's and Scarlett's relationship. I'm glad I finished this book.

rimpulakissa's review against another edition

4.75

adventurous hopeful sad medium-paced

Loveable characters: Yes

Oli parempi ku Valenda

awolpers's review against another edition

3.0

While I enjoyed reading parts of this book, I thought it was over-hyped. It reminded me of a Michael Douglas movie called The Game and while I loved the twists and turns in that movie, I felt Caraval left a lot to be desired. The plot was too serpentine and shallow and I was expecting so much more. A tale of sisterly love devoid of any actual scenes/dialogue where both of them act sisterly (except that time Donatella takes a beating from her dad for her make-out session in the basement with Julian). Donatella was absent pretty much the entire of Caraval and instead the plot was all about Scarlett and Julian's budding relationship which was built on deception and half-truths. I heard the author is writing a follow-up to this book and I'll probably forgo it.

authorchrishelsmith's review against another edition

4.0

The first half of this book dragged on for me so bad. I could not stay interested no matter how hard I tried. But I loved once upon a broken heart, so I pushed through so I could read this series and understand the background behind that storyline as well. I’m glad I did, because the second half of this book was so much better. I loved the magic of Caraval and how so unique it’s setting and story telling was. I particularly loved Scarlett’s dress as it changed with her moods and that was really cool. I still wished for more in this book, but I can’t say if what. I guess I just didn’t feel as connected with the characters as I would have liked. Perhaps that will be different in the second book. All in all, it was a very interesting and unique story.

somethingdrugacije's review against another edition

3.0

This was actually a fun plot and I liked most of the characters I just wasn't a fan of the author's style of writing. I didn't predict the end but I kind of expected it to end the way it did. It's definitely a series I could enjoy.