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eeread247's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Grief, and Blood
Moderate: Murder and Physical abuse
Minor: Kidnapping and Sexual harassment
mary_do_12's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
31.01.2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️
i don’t like julian (sorry not sorry)
18.01.2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
i decided to re-read caraval, because my first reading experience was majorly influenced by my biased view concerning julian (as you can tell).throughout basically the whole book i was convinced he hooked up with tella, which clouded my perception of him totally. now, going into the book again while knowing that that was actually not the case, i’ve found myself enjoying his character more.
(also i want to desperately read “once upon a broken heart” and i told myself i’d need to finish this series first)
it’s only been a year since i first read this book, but i had forgotten basically all of the plot twists already. while this made the reading experience more interesting, it also left me — again — very confused. and that‘s the issue i have with “caraval”.
the game isn’t logical whatsoever, and it feels like it doesn’t follow a clear path at all. instead, it was very mysterious and unclear. the clues given were vague and at no time in the book i could’ve confidently said that i believed scarlett was on the right path.
as for the actual game of caraval, it’s such a mystery and somewhat a fever dream to me that i lost all sense of direction while reading about it. even at the end of the book, i had some difficulties tying lose ends together and processing what in the world just happened. and while that is also the charme of the book, it was something that left me startled and restless. i suppose that is the only reason i cannot wholeheartedly give this book any more than four stars.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
i don’t like julian (sorry not sorry)
18.01.2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
i decided to re-read caraval, because my first reading experience was majorly influenced by my biased view concerning julian (as you can tell).
(also i want to desperately read “once upon a broken heart” and i told myself i’d need to finish this series first)
it’s only been a year since i first read this book, but i had forgotten basically all of the plot twists already. while this made the reading experience more interesting, it also left me — again — very confused. and that‘s the issue i have with “caraval”.
the game isn’t logical whatsoever, and it feels like it doesn’t follow a clear path at all. instead, it was very mysterious and unclear. the clues given were vague and at no time in the book i could’ve confidently said that i believed scarlett was on the right path.
as for the actual game of caraval, it’s such a mystery and somewhat a fever dream to me that i lost all sense of direction while reading about it. even at the end of the book, i had some difficulties tying lose ends together and processing what in the world just happened. and while that is also the charme of the book, it was something that left me startled and restless. i suppose that is the only reason i cannot wholeheartedly give this book any more than four stars.
scarlett as the protagonist was easy and enjoyable to read about, though i found her frequent thoughts and worries about safety and responsibility sometimes just a little too much. i can’t really complain though.
although i did come to understand and appreciate julian’s character a lot more, he is not the love interest for me. for that title he was lacking something that i can’t quite define (my rating is fully based on vibes, i admit it). i cannot deny that his relationship and chemistry with scarlett was unmatched though.
some things felt very random in the story, but looking back i can understand that they are related to the whole, wide story.
all in all, an enjoyable, if very confusing read.
although i did come to understand and appreciate julian’s character a lot more, he is not the love interest for me. for that title he was lacking something that i can’t quite define (my rating is fully based on vibes, i admit it). i cannot deny that his relationship and chemistry with scarlett was unmatched though.
some things felt very random in the story, but looking back i can understand that they are related to the whole, wide story.
all in all, an enjoyable, if very confusing read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Murder, Drug abuse, Death, Death of parent, Grief, Suicide, Emotional abuse, Suicide attempt, Kidnapping, Physical abuse, and Violence
Minor: Child abuse
saraavowlerr's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Murder, Physical abuse, Death, Grief, Kidnapping, Suicide, Child abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, and Misogyny
atthelibrarywithmegan's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I devoured this book. The second book was a ~3 week wait on the Libby app and I couldn’t wait so I may have just bought the whole trilogy digitally.😬😅
.
Caraval kept me on my toes the entire time. I’m sure I missed things because I was so caught up in it. There were times when I thought I had things figured out, and then I got thrown for a loop. I love the diversity in the characters. You’re never really sure if you love or hate a character. It’s a dark, mysterious, fast paced fantasy with romance. I cannot wait to see where Legendary takes me!
.
Caraval kept me on my toes the entire time. I’m sure I missed things because I was so caught up in it. There were times when I thought I had things figured out, and then I got thrown for a loop. I love the diversity in the characters. You’re never really sure if you love or hate a character. It’s a dark, mysterious, fast paced fantasy with romance. I cannot wait to see where Legendary takes me!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide
Moderate: Blood, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, and Kidnapping
Minor: Abandonment
c_e_w's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Grief, Misogyny, Child abuse, and Death
helloimjacq's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
That was honestly such a rollercoaster of emotions… so many twist and turns and I’m not sure I trust anything still. Full review to come once I sort through what I just read!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, Child death, Grief, Kidnapping, Murder, Suicide, Child abuse, and Death
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail and Abandonment
Minor: Alcohol
kbairbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
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? Yes
3.75
This was CREEPY. Very clever and the synesthesia element was really cool and wow that ending but it was creepy and dark and heavy and emotional and maaaaan Tella was making me mad at the end!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Murder, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt, and Toxic relationship
jennylarue's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Confusion had never been so exciting. My head was reeling and I kept having to put the book down to scream but quickly swept it back up to find out what happened next.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief, Blood, Death, Suicide, Body horror, Child abuse, Injury/Injury detail, and Suicide attempt
rhm04's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Kidnapping, Violence, Blood, Gore, Murder, Physical abuse, and Suicide
Moderate: Grief and Abandonment
mayas's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
It's been a day since I finished this book. And as the hours have passed, I've felt more grateful that I read it. I was able to see parts of myself in this story, and I've also learnt more about me.
I experienced so much joy and excitement reading this. The kind of ADHD joy/excitement that dances through your whole body and feels euphoric. The kind that makes you scream and cackle because the tension is just right, the twists are endless, and you just figured out that clue right before it was revealed.
I love the concept of this book. I love the setting. The characters. The descriptions. I have synesthesia, and so it was a DELIGHT to read the senses blend so many times. One of my favourite synesthesia-like moments in this book was the comparisonred velvet red curtains to chocolate cake
soaked in wine. I've never tasted that, or thought about this, but I SO understand this comparison!!! So much. Heheh
I was a little disappointed with the ending at first, and sort of still might be? But I also find it SO COOL. What Stephanie Garber did and how she did it was very clever and I love it. I really love it.
Thank you, Stephanie, for this story.
I experienced so much joy and excitement reading this. The kind of ADHD joy/excitement that dances through your whole body and feels euphoric. The kind that makes you scream and cackle because the tension is just right, the twists are endless, and you just figured out that clue right before it was revealed.
I love the concept of this book. I love the setting. The characters. The descriptions. I have synesthesia, and so it was a DELIGHT to read the senses blend so many times. One of my favourite synesthesia-like moments in this book was the comparisonred velvet red curtains to chocolate cake
soaked in wine. I've never tasted that, or thought about this, but I SO understand this comparison!!! So much. Heheh
I was a little disappointed with the ending at first, and sort of still might be? But I also find it SO COOL. What Stephanie Garber did and how she did it was very clever and I love it. I really love it.
Thank you, Stephanie, for this story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Gaslighting, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Kidnapping, Grief, Suicide, Murder, Blood, and Death
Minor: Alcohol, Sexual violence, Drug use, and Sexism
rape threat, anxiety