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A review by alexeight
Caraval by Stephanie Garber

adventurous dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

I really like this book! I initially wanted to read OUABH but knew that Caraval is connected to it, so I decided to read it first and borrowed a copy from a friend who had it as I didn’t want to commit. I honestly didn’t know anything about Caraval other than it being set as a circus game-vibe, but I was pleasantly surprised that it was a story about two sisters. I am such a sucker for siblings plot line, ones where they would do anything to save the other and I believe I saw a bit of myself in Scarlett as an older sister.

Scarlett is very easy to love, with her selflessness and resilience, I connected with her almost right away. Her unconditional love for Tella is what made me continue reading the book, but I definitely stayed for the
romance between her and Julian. 

It was really funny that by the end though, it seemed like Scarlett’s just been involved in a really big pranked and the whole thing was just a reality TV show. I don’t know why Scarlett wasn’t more mad lmaoo, but I get the relief of having a love and having her sister safe, I would be happy too lmao.


While I love Scarlett and Julian, by the end, this book truly felt like a long winded prologue for what’s happening next in the story. Although, I am very excited and intrigued about Tella and Legend’s story. 

All in all, I could understand why this book is such an underrated classic in the YA genre. It’s filled with mystery and whimsical-ness that makes it hard to put down. A very solid start to what I feel would be a wonderful world to get lost into.
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