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A review by oashackelford
Caraval by Stephanie Garber
5.0
Scarlett and her sister Tella live on the Island of Trisda with their abusive father dreaming of escape. Scarlett hopes that her upcoming wedding to a Count will offer her and her sister an opportunity for a better life, but Tella doesn't believe that anyone who would make a deal with their father could be a good man. For years Scarlett had been writing to the magical traveling troupe Caraval in hopes of receiving an invitation to see their magical game and on announcing her upcoming nuptials, Scarlett finally receives an invitation. The game is not what it appears though, and if Scarlett can't figure out how to win the game before her wedding, she might not ever see her sister again.
I thought that this novel was very well written. I think Stephanie Garber has a talent for world building and for grounding her universes in enough reality that the reader is able to find them consistent and somewhat realistic. I think that in order for world building to be successful you need to be able to introduce it to your audience in steps, and make sure that you are consistently following any rules that you set yourself in order to make fantasy realities feel more realistic. I also loved the characters. I maybe wished we had gotten to know Tella a little more before they entered the game, because the reader can tell how much Scarlett cares for her, but it would have felt more desperate if we knew her better also. Still, I think that if you love a little magic and fantasy that this is a great novel for you.
I thought that this novel was very well written. I think Stephanie Garber has a talent for world building and for grounding her universes in enough reality that the reader is able to find them consistent and somewhat realistic. I think that in order for world building to be successful you need to be able to introduce it to your audience in steps, and make sure that you are consistently following any rules that you set yourself in order to make fantasy realities feel more realistic. I also loved the characters. I maybe wished we had gotten to know Tella a little more before they entered the game, because the reader can tell how much Scarlett cares for her, but it would have felt more desperate if we knew her better also. Still, I think that if you love a little magic and fantasy that this is a great novel for you.