Published by: Hodder & Stoughton, January 31st 2017
Genre: YA, Fantasy
Pages: 416
Format: Ebook
Source: Hodden & Stoughton, via Netgalley
Whatever you've heard about Caraval, it doesn't compare to the reality. It's more than just a game or a performance. It's the closest you'll ever find to magic in this world . . .
Welcome, welcome to Caraval―Stephanie Garber’s sweeping tale of two sisters who escape their ruthless father when they enter the dangerous intrigue of a legendary game.
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 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.
Whatever you've heard about Caraval, it doesn't compare to the reality. It's more than just a game or a performance. It's the closest you'll ever find to magic in this world . . .
Welcome, welcome to Caraval―Stephanie Garber’s sweeping tale of two sisters who escape their ruthless father when they enter the dangerous intrigue of a legendary game.
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 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.
Ehhh, 4.5 ish. Still not sure, but I'll settle on that.
I really, really liked it, and I loved some parts (that it read like real magic instead of those competition style plots I hate) and I liked the bickery romance between Scarlet and Julian. But I never really clicked into ADORING THIS in the emotional way that makes me obsessed, and that's just a personal thing. But here's what you need to know about Caraval:
- It's very clever. It just feels clever when you're reading it. Like, Legend (ringleader, manipulator, trickster, whatever he is) is clever and deceptive but the book itself feels the same, so you're never sure what's true and what's imagined. It's almost psychological thriller in that sense.
- Scarlet is my favourite kind of character. She starts off very reserved, quiet, scared to break rules (and with damn good reason) but throughout the game she realises her own power and that people ought to be afraid of her too. By the end she's capable, instead of timid and reluctant, and she's pretty damn kickass. But she's very nurturing and loving and emotional under it and I love that. She doesn't become the typically masculine type of strong. She just becomes the best version of herself.
- The story is as imaginative and mysterious and secretive as all the best books. Some twists you will see coming, some secrets you will guess, but most you will guess wrong (As I did. Twice.)
- The ending is the cleverest, most secretive and cunning of the whole book. You sneaky sneak, Caraval.
- It's fast, it's (I will not say furious, I will not say furious) DANGEROUS, seductive as hell, and the beating heart of the book is the love of one girl for her sister. I want to see more of some characters (hi Dante) and I expect the sequel will be even better. Can't wait to read it!
I really, really liked it, and I loved some parts (that it read like real magic instead of those competition style plots I hate) and I liked the bickery romance between Scarlet and Julian. But I never really clicked into ADORING THIS in the emotional way that makes me obsessed, and that's just a personal thing. But here's what you need to know about Caraval:
- It's very clever. It just feels clever when you're reading it. Like, Legend (ringleader, manipulator, trickster, whatever he is) is clever and deceptive but the book itself feels the same, so you're never sure what's true and what's imagined. It's almost psychological thriller in that sense.
- Scarlet is my favourite kind of character. She starts off very reserved, quiet, scared to break rules (and with damn good reason) but throughout the game she realises her own power and that people ought to be afraid of her too. By the end she's capable, instead of timid and reluctant, and she's pretty damn kickass. But she's very nurturing and loving and emotional under it and I love that. She doesn't become the typically masculine type of strong. She just becomes the best version of herself.
- The story is as imaginative and mysterious and secretive as all the best books. Some twists you will see coming, some secrets you will guess, but most you will guess wrong (As I did. Twice.)
- The ending is the cleverest, most secretive and cunning of the whole book. You sneaky sneak, Caraval.
- It's fast, it's (I will not say furious, I will not say furious) DANGEROUS, seductive as hell, and the beating heart of the book is the love of one girl for her sister. I want to see more of some characters (hi Dante) and I expect the sequel will be even better. Can't wait to read it!
Characters ★★★★☆
Setting/world ★★★★★
Writing ★★★☆☆
No comments:
Post a Comment