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A review by obliviousdream
Caraval by Stephanie Garber
2.0
Prepare your pitchforks, this one is not going to be pretty.
“Some things are worth pursuit regardless of the cost.”
But, alas, this book was not.
2.5-ish stars? Maybe? I'm inclined to go towards 2.5 because the ending did manage to pique my interest in reading the next installment.
This book has me all sorts of conflicted.
The premise and the setting were interesting and even, dare I say, intriguing. But then the writing was just off. From the obscene amount of adjectives and long-winded pretty sounding descriptions that didn't mean anything really, to nothing happening and then suddenly the plot progressing out of thin air...
There was barely any setup between one clue and the next for me to figure it out on my own - there was no grand scheme and design I could unwrap alongside Scarlett. The whole "how-it-was-done" chapter in the end was needed because there is no way you could've picked any of the plot unfolding remotely like that while reading.
Then there was the fact I haven't read such two-dimensional characters recently. Scarlett was boiled down to "but my modesty" and "but muh sister", Donatella was non-existent for 99% of the book and Julian was probably the best developed character as there was some sort of depth and internal struggle, at least. Sadly, his character also felt like rushed and underdeveloped, just like the overarching plot.
I also feel like the book could've used more world building, some proper explanations just how the magic in that world works or what it's limits are. I was supposed to believe Caraval is this dreamy magical placed Scarlett, and by extension me as the reader, is enamoured with, but all I could think of is how we know absolutely nothing of value about it.
"Hope is a powerful thing. Some say it’s a different breed of magic altogether. Elusive, difficult to hold on to. But not much is needed."
This is how I felt picking up Caraval. I wanted to love it, to be completely sucked in this magical place for the promised five nights. It has only left me disappointed. I don't recall the last book I've skim read like that, just wanting to get to the end.
Such a shame.
“Some things are worth pursuit regardless of the cost.”
But, alas, this book was not.
2.5-ish stars? Maybe? I'm inclined to go towards 2.5 because the ending did manage to pique my interest in reading the next installment.
This book has me all sorts of conflicted.
The premise and the setting were interesting and even, dare I say, intriguing. But then the writing was just off. From the obscene amount of adjectives and long-winded pretty sounding descriptions that didn't mean anything really, to nothing happening and then suddenly the plot progressing out of thin air...
There was barely any setup between one clue and the next for me to figure it out on my own - there was no grand scheme and design I could unwrap alongside Scarlett. The whole "how-it-was-done" chapter in the end was needed because there is no way you could've picked any of the plot unfolding remotely like that while reading.
Then there was the fact I haven't read such two-dimensional characters recently. Scarlett was boiled down to "but my modesty" and "but muh sister", Donatella was non-existent for 99% of the book and Julian was probably the best developed character as there was some sort of depth and internal struggle, at least. Sadly, his character also felt like rushed and underdeveloped, just like the overarching plot.
I also feel like the book could've used more world building, some proper explanations just how the magic in that world works or what it's limits are. I was supposed to believe Caraval is this dreamy magical placed Scarlett, and by extension me as the reader, is enamoured with, but all I could think of is how we know absolutely nothing of value about it.
"Hope is a powerful thing. Some say it’s a different breed of magic altogether. Elusive, difficult to hold on to. But not much is needed."
This is how I felt picking up Caraval. I wanted to love it, to be completely sucked in this magical place for the promised five nights. It has only left me disappointed. I don't recall the last book I've skim read like that, just wanting to get to the end.
Such a shame.