The acclaimed New York Times bestseller! Welcome, welcome to Caraval—Stephanie Garber’s sweeping tale of the unbreakable bond between two sisters. It’s the closest you’ll ever find to magic in this world…Scarlett has never left the tiny island where she and her beloved sister, Tella, live with their powerful, and cruel, father. Now Scarlett’s father has arranged a marriage for her, and Scarlett … father has arranged a marriage for her, and Scarlett thinks her dreams of seeing Caraval, the far-away, once-a-year performance where the audience participates in the show, are over.
But this year, Scarlett’s long-dreamt of invitation finally arrives. With the help of a mysterious sailor, Tella whisks Scarlett away to the show. Only, as soon as they arrive, Tella is kidnapped by Caraval’s mastermind organizer, Legend. It turns out that this season’s Caraval revolves around Tella, and whoever finds her first is the winner.
Scarlett has been told that everything that happens during Caraval is only an elaborate performance. But she nevertheless becomes enmeshed in a game of love, heartbreak, and magic with the other players in the game. And whether Caraval is real or not, she must find Tella before the five nights of the game are over, a dangerous domino effect of consequences is set off, and her sister disappears forever.
Welcome, welcome to Caraval . . . beware of getting swept too far away.
New York Times bestseller
#1 IndieNext Pick
Publishers Weekly Flying Start
Entertainment Weekly Best 10 YA Books of 2017
Teen Vogue Best YA Book of the Year
Amazon Best Book of the Year
Barnes & Noble Best Book of the Year
BuzzFeed Best Book of the Year
“The Hunger Games meets The Night Circus. Grade: A-.” —Entertainment Weekly
“Impressive, original, wondrous.” —USA Today
“Spellbinding.” —US Weekly
“Magnificent.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review
“I lost myself in this world.” —Sabaa Tahir, author of An Ember in the Ashes
“Beautifully written.” —Renée Ahdieh, author of The Wrath and the Dawn
“Shimmers with magic.” —Marie Rutkoski, author of The Winner’s Curse
“Darkly enchanting.” —Kiersten White, author of And I Darken
“Decadent.” —Roshani Chokshi, author of The Star-Touched Queen
“Like stepping into a living dream.” —Stacey Lee, author of Outrun the Moon
“Destined to capture imaginations.” —Kirkus Reviews
“Ideal for fans of The Night Circus, Stardust, and The Hunger Games.” —School Library Journal
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Pure magic! Now if only I could play the game…but I’ll have to settle for re-reading.
I really enjoyed this book, a unique twist and very romantic too. The world building was wonderful. I am going to read the next book in the series.
I fell in love with this book from page 1 , I couldn’t put it down , from the tear jerking moments to all the twists and turns,this book takes you on a magical roller coaster that you just can’t control, no matter how hard you try the ending of this book is completely unpredictable. Absolutely loved it.
There is so much to love about Caraval; wonderful world building, beautiful prose that makes the story jump off the page and twists and turns galore, but my favorite aspect of the story is the relationship between the sisters. I can’t wait to read Legendary, the second book in Stephanie Garber’s Caraval Series!Caraval
I loved all the twists and the story of Scarlet.
I would say it was not bad. Just not the fantasty style for me.
Caraval is a YA book that tells the story of Scarlett and her younger sister, Donatella (Tella). The two sisters live under the watchful eye of their abusive father and ultimately flee to a mysterious island where a magical game called Caraval takes place once a year.
Caraval lasts for five nights and the winner receives the ultimate reward – they can choose one wish to be granted by the elusive Legend, magician and master of Caraval. Of course in order to win Caraval, you must find and solve the clues that lead you to the end of the game, obey the rules of the game, and most importantly remember that it’s only a game…right?
I was drawn right into this story. I loved the contrast between Scarlett and Tella. They were complete opposites, which I think many sisters will be able to relate to. This book is another great example of why I love reading YA. It had everything – adventure, the courage of youth, excitement, hope for the future, and relationships – oh, that “first kiss, butterflies in stomach” feeling!
I enjoyed Caraval so much that I ran out to pick up the sequel, Legendary. If you enjoyed The Night Circus, you should pick up Caraval.
Read full review at: KaitsBookshelf.com/blog
Caraval
Ever since she was little Scarlett has had a dream of she and her sister Tella escaping their reality to go to Caraval, a magical performance that takes place in different locations annually. One day she receives a return letter from the master of Caraval, Legend, with an invitation to join the performance this year. Now that the invitation has arrived Scarlett panic’s at braving their fathers wrath until Tella takes that decision away from her, spiriting them to Caraval, Scarlett an unconscious accomplice. When Scarlett awakes, she finds that Tella has become the mystery she has to solve in order to gain the prize, one wish.
Even though I had read a lot of reviews about Caraval, I still didn’t know what to expect from the actual story. I knew the synopsis, but what I didn’t get from the glowing reviews was how the characters and story were so colorfully written. Scarlett has the ability to see emotions in color and Stephanie Garber embued the body of the story with the richness of those colors. As Scarlett unravels the clues to the mystery of where Tella had been hidden she goes on a journey of self discovery. Having lived under her fathers rule, his actions determining her own, this was the first time she was able to choose the path she’d take. As the story progressed, I loved seeing her self confidence bloom!
Caravel was one of those stories you want to relish, yet are also eager to see what the next chapter brings. I found myself speeding up and slowing down, changing the pace of my reading to fit the sequence of events I was reading about. This novel could’ve been a stand alone and I would’ve been happy with the completeness of the ending, but Legendary, the second novel, will be out May29th and we’ll get to read about Tella and find out what makes her tick. I hope to see behind the curtain of Caraval even more with her story and dare I hope a glimpse at Legend himself?
I was pleasantly surprised that my original first impression was wrong! I really enjoyed this book! I recently reread The Night Circus, so I was in a mood for this type of fantastic read!
This is one of the most well written YA fantasies I’ve ever read. Full of mystery and intrigue – I didn’t guess the twists until the end!
I loved these characters and the magic surrounding them. I also Iike to know the backstory when being thrust into a whole new world. Details were revealed in small increments at just the right time to enhance the story. This is the type of book that you can read for the 2nd time with a whole different perspective and set of expectations.
Scarlett has grown up in an abusive home with her sister Tella. She has been obsessed with Caraval, and the game master Legend ever since she was a little girl and her grandmother told her stories about it. She has written Legend many times, and begged him to come to her island, so for a time she can escape her cruel father. Scarlett is grown now, and the date has been set for her arranged marriage, and FINALLY Legend writes her back and sends her tickets to participate in Caraval. There is no way their father will give permission, so Scarlett and Tella will have to escape if they want to see the magic of Caraval.
What an imagination! This book is full of amazing and picturesque locations, lovely and eerie magic, and mysteries within mysteries. Just when you think you might have it figured out another twist comes at you.
Fascinating world with an aching romance. Loved everything about it except the ending.
Can’t wait to read the other two!!
Caraval with all its glory and praise in which it seems to have achieved all over the book review sites well, it seems I have not fallen as deep for Legend’s charm as the vast amount readers have.
While the plot is intriguing when it gets down to it, it just seems like the Mad Hatter has jumped ship, leaving his tea parties behind and moving on to big and bolder lies. Minus the actual intrigue that the mad hatter consist of.
Young naive Scarlett gets swept away into a world that she has only dreamed about since she was a young child, from her grandmother’s stories to reality, it seemed everything fell back to magic. Magic this, and magic that well, just magic. While that is not a bad thing I would have loved for another solution to be offered than Legend’s magic begin the culprit for every obstacle that crossed her path.
I enjoyed Caraval as a place itself, it’s whimsy and disarray were brilliantly depicted and it’s easy to see why so many fans have become prey to the game. But taking this journey with the naivety that composed of Scarlett and her sister Tella was painful and unnerving. I never grasped a liking towards the characters and their attributable flaws.
I received the book as a gift. I book itself is beautiful, the cover, the letters, the separation of nights. Garber has a way with words that can place you in the center of the action with her creativity Caraval was easy to make come alive within your mind.
I wasn’t to keen on the ending of the book. Seeming forced to set the way for Stephanie Garber up and coming release Legendary. It left me feeling the same way as waiting to find out Jacks death in the hit NBC Series This is Us. Just strung out. As for Legendary, I’ve yet to decide if it’ll make it to my TBR.
I picked this book up on a whim. The cover pulled me in – yes I’m a sucker for an amazing cover!
Scarlett and Tella live with their father on an island. As the Governor of the island, it’s his rules, his way – especially for his daughters. He says, they do. Or else. Tella wants off the island, she wants her freedom, a life of her own. What’s holding her back? Scarlett. With a little help and magic, Tella and Scarlett are transported to the magical world of Caraval! Hosted by an ageless man, Legend, who uses magic like a fire-breathing dragon. It’s all a game or is it? What you see may be real, what you hear may have a lace of truth – but you never can tell! Welcome to the world of Caraval!!!
Scarlett is getting married soon, an arrangement her father made. Still, an escape away from him and safety for her and Tella, if the Count will let Tella come with them. First, she must find her sister at Caraval, with the help of Julian. It’s all a bunch of riddles and games, the first to find Tella wins a wish from Legend. Good Luck! And don’t go mad playing the game. Because after all, this is just a magical game.
I was swept up by Caraval. I couldn’t read the book fast enough or figure out the clues quick enough! So much pressure, but such a beautiful world that Stephanie Garber creates! Before I was half way through book #1, I picked up book #2. I was compelled to do it. The details are amazing, the story and the characters are unique and charming. Can’t wait to start book #2 – LEGENDARY!
When I first crack this book open it took off running, could not put it down. Then somewhere mid-way through I started letting time get between me and the story. I began to disconnect from it. Now that I just finished the book I really have mixed feelings on how to write my review. I was intrigued by the concept. I enjoyed the mystery, the thrill and the magic, it was enchanting. Then it became a little subconsciously heavy for me. I began to feel this awareness that I was getting drained from the stresses of Scarlett constantly questioning reality versus caraval and if her eyes were playing tricks on her; what was good verses evil; which tunnel lead to who, and who was who. I was lost towards the end. Not my favorite read. The writing leaves a lot to be desired as well.
I can’t believe his great this book was. I sucked in from the first page. The whole imagination and fantasy of this story just compels you to read on. I loved all the magic, mystery and other sorts of creativity to just play such a game that so deadly. I am so glad that I got to read this story. Ever since I saw it in the bookstore it was like it was calling to me and I just couldn’t afford it at the time but when I did find the right price for me it just felt like it called to me more. So going to get Legendary when it releases.
Remember, it’s only a game.
This story follows the Dragna sisters, Scarlett and Donatella. Wanting to flee an abusive and controlling father Scarlett has consented to marry a Count she has never met. Only to be kidnapped by the mysterious sailor, Julian. She finds herself on a new island at Caraval and without her sister. This begins her quest of sorts as she must find her sister because she feels it’s her duty to protect her but in order to do so she has to play the game. I thought it was a unique story but not a strong story, and that quick turn around at the end left me questioning if that is how someone would truly react. I gave it four stars because it was entertaining for me despite some rough parts. I also feel that maybe the next few books will answer some questions that this book left unanswered.
Even after my second time reading this book, I have such mixed feelings! I originally picked it up because everyone was comp’ing it to The Night Circus, which is one of my all-time favorite books. I can’t even say how many times I’ve read The Night Circus at this point, so perhaps Caraval suffered from the comparison, but if I’m going to read about a magical carnival that only opens after dark and is run by a mysterious master magician, I’d much rather do so with Erin Morgenstern’s lush, atmospheric writing keeping me company.
That being said — Caraval is still a lot of fun. It’s an intriguing world to get lost in, and the rules of the game keep you on your toes. Even if you’re like me and don’t really like the narrator, the cast of secondary characters is intriguing and constantly changing — like any good performance, there are romantic, misunderstood heroes, evil fathers, shady players, and a single shadowy figure overseeing it all… I’m interested to see how Garber expands this world in the next book!