The instant #1 New York Times bestseller! Stephanie Garber’s limitless imagination takes flight once more in the colorful, mesmerizing, and immersive sequel to the bestselling breakout debut Caraval… A heart to protect. A debt to repay. A game to win. After being swept up in the magical world of Caraval, Donatella Dragna has finally escaped her father and saved her sister Scarlett from a … and saved her sister Scarlett from a disastrous arranged marriage. The girls should be celebrating, but Tella isn’t yet free. She made a desperate bargain with a mysterious criminal, and what Tella owes him no one has ever been able to deliver: Caraval Master Legend’s true name.
The only chance of uncovering Legend’s identity is to win Caraval, so Tella throws herself into the legendary competition once more–and into the path of the murderous heir to the throne, a doomed love story, and a web of secrets…including her sister’s. Caraval has always demanded bravery, cunning, and sacrifice. But now the game is asking for more. If Tella can’t fulfill her bargain and deliver Legend’s name, she’ll lose everything she cares about–maybe even her life. But if she wins, Legend and Caraval will be destroyed forever.
Welcome, welcome to Caraval…the games have only just begun.
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Here’s the thing: Garber’s got creativity in spades. No question. This series is interesting, creative and visual. A lot of time was spent on description of places, people, dresses, etc. Here’s where this second act bumped off the rails for me: the writing of this second installment wasn’t as clean as the first. There were passages of information dump (the first 75 pages for example – I almost put it in my DNF pile but went past my usual 100 page to 120 when it started to finally get interesting). Donatella isn’t as relatable as Scarlett so I struggled to connect with her and feel invested in her journey. My favorite character by far was Dante and he wasn’t in it much… the second half of the book was much better and closer to the magic of the first, so I’ll finish the series and cross my fingers for a stronger third act in this trilogy.
4.5 stars.
LEGENDARY is the second book in the “Caraval” trilogy by Stephanie Garber. While each book tells its own story, reading them in order will give a better understanding of the characters and overall world building.
This book was told from the point-of-view of Donnatella Dragon, Scarlett’s younger sister. While Scarlett was the more overtly protective of the two–a role she fell into after their mother’s disappearance–Tella was the impulsive, reckless one. I have to admit, I found this novel slightly more exciting on account of that. The unpredictability featured strongly not only in the “game” of Caraval, but also in Tella’s reactions to everything.
“. . . Once a future is foretold, that future becomes a living thing and it will fight very hard to bring itself about.”
In Book One, Scarlett had to play the game. In Book Two, it was Tella’s turn.
In comparison, it felt to me that there was a much stronger element of danger present in LEGENDARY. Much more was at stake than a prize, and supernatural . . . elements . . . were brought into play as well.
“. . . He was something magical, something other, something wrong . . . ”
The atmosphere and world building here were top notch. The colors, descriptions, locations, all made me feel as if I had been physically transported to another world. Isn’t that what reading is supposed to feel like?
At the center of this “game”, we have Tella’s emotions and beliefs, slowly being reevaluated as she comes up against the unexpected.
“. . . people only chased after things they didn’t already possess.”
Her undeterred spirit, willingness to be open to the changes she sees, and overall determination to win the “game”, made Tella one of my most favorite characters.
The mystery of who the man is behind Legend is omnipresent, but Garber did an incredible job of bringing in . . . other . . . forces that took just as important a role as that question.
“. . . Gold shimmered no matter what, but few people could make the darkness glitter the way he did.”
Overall, an exciting, page-turning novel that managed to keep the mysteries of Caraval, and weave them into something even more magical. I will be diving right into Book Three, FINALE, soon.
Recommended.
*I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley. This does not affect my review.*
I…wow. This book kept me guessing from the start, so much happened! As with the first, I advise going into this story knowing as little as possible, so I will avoid going into too much detail with my review. This one is told by Donatella’s point-of-view, and I actually found that I liked her story more than Scarlett’s.
When I started this, I wasn’t sure I would like it. It starts with a scene of Tella discovering her mother’s Deck of Destiny, a special set of cards featuring the Fates. I DNFed The Raven Boys after the séance freaked me out, and I normally avoid that sort of thing, so I was skeptical about this one, but I kept reading, and I’m so glad I did! I actually really enjoyed the story of the Fates and their powers.
One thing is, I was hoping I was wrong about Legend, as I felt it was…predictable? but now I’m intensely curious to see how the series ends. That said, I’m not a fan of Scarlett’s ending, as it can only lead to trouble, but that said, Tella’s end also leads to trouble, but in her case, the ending was perfection!
I was sucked into the world of Legendary and wanted to read more…can’t wait for the next one!
I was pleased to see that Legendary picks up exactly where Caraval had left off. I usually don’t read the synopsis of books before I read them when they are the next book in a series, trilogy, or duology, so I didn’t know where this book would be headed. I was a little skeptical to pick it up because I didn’t know where it would leave off or where else the story could go. But after reading the first chapter I was pleased with the route it had taken.
Although it didn’t have the same effect on me as Caraval had, I still enjoyed the book and am glad I don’t have to wait for the next book to be released. I feel like this book didn’t have the same magical appeal as Caraval had, and there was more at stake here. I also found myself needing to push through certain parts that I wasn’t as interested in, but there was a good balance between exciting moments and breaks.
The romance in this book and the stakes had a different vibe than Caraval, and I consider that to be one of the most interesting aspects of the book. I also really enjoyed seeing struggles between relationships, showing that relationships have their ups and downs since it seems everywhere nowadays people believe they are smooth sailing. I think it brought a lively aspect to the book.
I really enjoyed reading this book, especially with the stakes being so high and the mystery. There are many questions that were left unanswered in the first book, and I think this book does a wonderful job at answering them, but while that may be the case, new questions definitely appeared, especially towards the end.
There was also character development for those that were briefly touched on in Caraval, or didn’t have a lot of development that also caused this story to be more interesting. I think this because in the first book we could have been lead to believe they weren’t as important of a character, but in this one, we learn that there is more than meets the eye.
If you enjoyed the first book and loved it, I highly recommend reading this one, and if you read the first book and it wasn’t your cup of tea, I recommend giving this one a try. It has a different atmosphere to it that may be more enjoyable for you.
The way she writes about each character, every scene and every detail really wraps you into their world.
After you begin reading, you’ll never want it to stop.
I recommend this everyone, if you’re considering it, don’t. Just read it, no more waiting.
First off, I loved Caraval’s atmosphere. My only issue with the first book was the way it ended–and how everything was a game! I decided, though, to give this sequel a chance.
Again, I was swept away with sumptuous game. I also liked getting into the head of the other sister, Tella. Of course, Garber did a great job of doing some push-n-pull in her relationships (though I did think Tella doubted and protested a bit too much in regards to Dante).
A great set-up for the third book in the series! Though I still didn’t quite understand how the magic worked at the end, I enjoyed the fun ride.
Another adventure to Caraval. This book are so fun to read/listen to. You get a great sense of wonder and adventure and magic all rolled up in these books. You really con’t read this book without reading the first book and it was such a fantastic book that I don’t see why you wouldn’t. Well continue to follow Tella as she looks for her mother. We meet some new people in this book. We learn who Legend is, though happily I can say I guessed right on that one. Tella questions everything even what she believes. This is another whirlwind book that will keep you turning the pages. I can’t wait to see how it all ends.
Although Caravel didn’t end on what I’d call a cliffhanger, it definitely left a series of unanswered questions. Legendary revisits the game of Caraval, only this time the focus is on Tella trying to solve the clues and win the game. Caraval gave us a close look at Scarlett, and now Legendary gives us a closer look at Tella.
Although I enjoyed both books, I’d have to say that Caraval is definitely the stronger of the two novels. Legendary felt a bit wordy and redundant at times. There were periods of telling with no showing that dragged a bit. Instead of moving the story forward and showing us more interesting and magical parts of Caraval, Garber dedicates a significant amount of time telling us about Tella’s inner feelings…Tella felt confused, Tella felt angry, Tella had feelings about another character, etc…
While the ending of Legendary leaves us with another set of unanswered questions which set up the upcoming third book in the series, it is a satisfactory ending nonetheless. Legend’s identity is finally revealed as are some details about the girls’ mother and how and why she disappeared. It’s difficult to dive too deeply into this book in a review without giving away spoilers.
Fans of the first novel will surely want to give the second one a read and most likely the third. The world of Caraval is simply addictive that way, wrapping the reader up in a cocoon of magic and mystery with the promise of emerging changed.
Read full review at: KaitsBookshelf.com/blog
Legendary
Caraval is a magical game led by the ringmaster magician Legend where contestants are invited to compete for a grand prize. Legendary starts where Donatella and Scarlett and the “players” have moved on to the next Caraval. Instead of being the end result of the game Donatella is a participant. Like her sister Scarlett, Tella had been writing to Legend over the years hoping to become a participant of the game, but not for the same reasons as her sister. Tella has been haunted by a deck of cards she had seen in her mothers room as a child. A deck similar to a Tarot card but the fortunes that are told are cast by the Fates and destined to come true unless you can change your future. Tella holds one card from this deck which has shown her different futures, one of which is that her mother is still alive. Tella, with Legends help, is playing the game to set her mother free, but the other players have their own reasons for playing the game and those reasons are in direct opposition to Tella’s.
In Caraval the book, we followed Scarlett as she searched for her missing sister. If she found her she would win the game. Tella was a secondary character in Caraval, missing in action until the conclusion of the book. Legendary is centered around Tella’s journey to win the game. Stephanie Garber’s descriptive prose and colorful adjectives enhanced the magical elements of Tella’s game playing. The characters she interacted with were either cruel and evil or seductive and mysterious- no one was the girl or boy next door. Emotions were always at an extreme level creating a tension for the reader that made you eagerly turn each page. I loved this book because it was so easy to get lost in the story, the characters, and the magic.
Tella started off this novel as a young, self centered beauty used to getting her way. What started off as a game became very real very quick. When Jacks is introduced into the story he is the perfect evil counterpart to Dante’s good looking goodness and as I turned the pages the line between good and evil became smudged. Do we find out who is the real Legend? I think so? Yes. Well, I believe I did? Hmmm. Yes. Stephanie Garber just announced that there will be a third novel. Thank goodness! I can breathe in relief that I will live in this magical world one more time and also finally get a danged conclusion! Reading Legendary is like getting a golden ticket to another world minus the chocolate river and oompa loompa’s. Legendary is a totally enjoyable escape from reality that I would highly recommend to anyone who likes magical fantasy. I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for my honest review and it was honest.
This book was one of my favorite reads of 2018. Stephanie Garber grabs a hold of you at the very beginning of her stories and doesn’t let you go until the very last page. Even when the book is over, you are left begging for more. A truly captivating series.
I loved it even more than Caraval…and I LOVED Caraval. I thought I had it all figured out…I read Caraval twice…so this time I’d figure out which end is up. NOPE. This book followed Donatella who is nothing like her sister, Scarlett ( who was the MC in Caraval) and she came off as a bit reckless there. But from her point of view…she’s not at all. I eagerly await the next ( and last ) book.
This sequel to Caraval was unputdownable!!! Amazing!!
I am so disappointed with this book. It was a major letdown, especially since I really enjoyed Caraval. There was nothing fantastical or magical about Legendary. Its clear that Scarlet is clearly the more interesting sister because Tella is the worse and dumbest character ever. I was just so frustrated with this book that I debated not finishing it multiple times. I got to the point where I didn’t care what happened next or for Tella.
Let me just start with the fact that it was unbearable with Tella as the narrator. She was annoying and did the dumbest things throughout the entire book. She acted very childish, especially when it came to her acting like she wasn’t totally in love with Donte. I also think that she is a terrible sister to Scarlet. She would talk about how much she loved Scarlet while she questioned, was suspicious, didn’t trust, lied to, and doubted Scarlet throughout the entire book.
While Caraval had a carnival/almost circus like theme Legendary was about the fates. It was so confusing keeping up with this lackluster theme that a building block to Tella finding her mother. I didn’t find it the least bit interesting. It made how Tella found the clues to the game seem like it was too easy. She magically knew where to go in a place I couldn’t picture at all. I just didn’t get it at all. There was no magic at all. Legendary lacked that fantastical feel that Caraval had. The set up for the theme of this Caraval was nonexistent.
Another thing that drove me crazy was that Scarlet and Julian were hardly in this book. The parts they did appear in only served as a stepping stone for Tella to find clues that would help her. I didn’t like the fact that the author caused unnecessary strife in Julian and Tella’s relationship especially when that reason served no purpose to the story. This person doesn’t get mentioned through half of the book. It also painted Scarlet in a bad light to me, especially at the ending.
Legendary was a huge letdown. I did not like this book at all. The only thing I can say I liked was Donte. But he doesn’t make up for how hard it was to bring myself to finish this book. I never want to read from Tella’s pov ever again. She is a terrible character who I despise. At this point I don’t really want to continue with this series because I’m over all the characters.
That cliffhanger
JEEEEZ this book was good! Caraval was one of my favorites from last year so I was really excited to read Legendary, and it absolutely lived up to my expectations. This book was so creative and unique, really well-written, and just yanked me all over the place with emotions. We saw little of Scarlett in this sequel, as it focused on Tella, and the game of Caraval was VERY different this time around, so Legendary felt fresh and new. I loved the characters of Tella and Dante, and I loved their funny and fiery relationship (although the ending left me wanting to pull my hair out). I really hope there’s a third book in the works because I can’t wait to see where things go from here.
*Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC, provided by the author and/or the publisher in exchange for an honest review.