3.5 stars but definitely a round up rather than round down. A well-written and refreshingly different feeling read with multi-layered story-telling that works well (albeit the end felt a little rushed and muddled). It could have done with perhaps being a little darker and I really wanted it to feel like a satisfying standalone, but no. Those minor criticisms aside, Caraval is just a delight to read - full of punch and colour, twisty and turny and full of misdirection (or are they?) whilst managing not to get too heavy or bogged down. And if you can suspend disbelief for long enough (which I assume you can whilst reading fantasy) the world is truly quite magical: shops that open only at night, an ask for you to reveal your greatest fear or the last lie you told instead of trading coin; a man covered with mysterious tattoos which he uses tell your fortune; mysterious hidden tunnels filled with the screaming of strangers. A compulsively readable debut and - as much as I just long for decent standalones - I will definitely be reading the follow up.


POSTED TO GOODREADS AND AMAZON UK

Summary

Caraval by Stephanie Garber seems to be everywhere online, and rightly so. It’s a thrilling, addictive adventure that blends the thrill of a circus with the unpredictability and adventure of magic. Much like the game within its pages, Caraval encourages its audience, its readers, to take part in the story unfolding before them, guessing as to what will happen next. It’s a book in which no-one, or thing, is quite what they seem and everything should be taken with a pinch of salt. After all, it’s only a game.

Plot

Caraval follows two sisters who have grown up in the care of an abusive father, with only the stories their grandmother told them of the magical Caraval for comfort. After trying for years, they finally get tickets to participate in the annual, week-long event, only for one to be kidnapped as soon as they arrive. Scarlett must play against time, and the other competitors, in order to find her sister before the clock runs out. Fortunately (or not), she’s helped by the dashing, yet mysterious, Julian.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. While it did take a little while to kick off at the beginning, I was fully invested throughout the entire game portion of the text. What’s more, it took me by surprise numerous times. I usually find myself able to guess twists in books before they happen, but, with the exception of one occasion, I was caught out each and every time. It made reading this book even more exciting and I really enjoyed seeing what would happen next.

Characters

I really enjoyed Scarlett as the main character of this book, she really felt real and had believable reactions to everything that was happening around her. More so, she was the only character where you felt you really knew her true motives, and even that belief was tested at times. Her relationships with both her sister, Tella, and Julian were really interesting. While the former was not really seen so much throughout the book, due to Tella disappearing, you really got a sense of what the girls meant to each other, and how their very different personalities counter-balanced one another. Julian, on the other hand, was a foil to Scarlett’s reticence. He forced her out of her shell and really allowed her character to develop throughout the book. While his personality was difficult to capture, and his motives even more so, I loved the dynamic he and Scarlett had together.

However, while those three really captured the book for me, the secondary characters felt a little bit more flat. I can appreciate why they might not have been delved into too much, mostly due to their roles within the book and the game, but I really struggled to remember them as I was reading, and this did lose a bit of the magic for me. The father was also really difficult to picture and the scenes he was involved in were some of my least favourite of the book and not just for content. I really struggled to see him as a three-dimensional person and there are certain scenes which really should have been painful to read for what they were but that ended up just feeling a little forced and disconnected. This was really disappointing, as I felt a lot could have been done with his character and how he acted towards his daughters but it just didn’t work as well as it could have done.

World/Setting

Caraval’s world is one I would love to explore more of, particularly outside of the game, to learn more about the history and the people in it. Understandably, we don’t see much of it due to the book mostly taking place in the game, but all I can picture of the outside world is a selection of islands. With the richness and depth that Garber describes Caraval itself, I have the feeling that her descriptions of the rest of the world would be magnificent.

The magic depicted in this book is incredibly intriguing. Although I don’t quite understand the rules of it, it really made the game all the more exciting and added an extra element to the book that really brought it to life. Caraval really captured my imagination and held so many possibilities of things to explore. Garber did a great job of providing glimpses of things that existed in the world, but only really focusing on the areas that were important to the story. This allowed me to imagine the world in greater detail and I found myself right there with Scarlett as I read.

Final thoughts

Caraval is a book I devoured. It was magical and exciting, with a main character that brought a touch of realism to the fantastical world she finds herself in. While there were parts which I found let the book down, it was a book that captured my attention and made me wish I existed in the world I was reading about. Caraval certainly lives up to the hype that I’ve seen surrounding it and that is a feat indeed

Rating: 4.5/5

Pros:-
- Interesting and Imaginative
- Could relate to aspects of it
Cons:-
- Needs more world building
- Didn’t like the ending
- Just felt like it was missing something.





Ok, I actually read this in November but I had some troubles writing a review for it. One, because I suddenly became really busy - I got a temporary job and had some tests done at the hospital, and two, I had no idea what to say.


Overall I liked and thought it was ok, but it felt like something was missing so I just couldn't get into it completely. I have no idea what, especially since all the other reviews seem to rave about it on Goodreads.


There were some great descriptions. It felt magical at times, and very cinematic. I could definitely see it as a film or series – I think Fox already has the film rights actually. There was one moment in particular where the main character's grandmother was telling a story and I could perfectly imagine the transition that would lead to it and the different ways it could be filmed.


The characters were just ok. At times they felt a bit one dimensional, or a bit confusing. Scarlet, the main was... well I still don't know what I think of her really. I liked that she wasn't able to perfectly read people, like a lot of other heroines, but I couldn't understand her. She seems too trusting - despite her constantly thinking she doesn't trust easily- giving her past and the situations. At the beginning I thought she was very pragmatic, with the whole marriage thing and what not but I don't think that ever shows up again. I also can't stand what happened in the end, partially because of the decision she made. It just felt wrong ... not wrong in that I can't imagine her doing it but wrong in that I don't think I would do it.


Just to add to it she seems to have a form of synaesthesia but I have absolutely no idea if it’s just her who has it. She never makes out that it is something unusual but she might not realise that it is since she doesn't talk about it with anyone. I think that the story needs a bit more world building to help with that.


That being said, I kind of loved one of the fortune-tellers in the book. He had a really small role but something about him just stood out for me. He was the one with the tattoos when you do read the book, or those who already have. His was the most interesting form of divination and I liked what he said about fate, or the future ... however you want to think about it.


The pace was good, lots action. It could have done without some of the action and still be a good book but its fine. It was great how you almost felt like a contestant in the game since there were so many twists and turns. It was fun trying to work out what was the truth and what wasn't.


All in all, I just liked it. There was nothing really bad about it - even if I didn't like the ending - but there wasn't anything that really stood out for me either. It does make a good set up for the next book in the series and I liked it enough to want to read the next book, but I wouldn't be too upset if I missed it. Love to hear your opinions, so get in touch.

When I first heard about this book, I was so excited to read, and despite not really knowing what this book was about my excitement levels were sky high. When I finally got my hands on a copy and started reading, all my expectations and theories fell away. Caraval was nothing like I was expecting, but it was so much more.

Caraval was full of magic that managed to distort reality and put a spin on the facts. Nothing in Caraval is simple and nothing is as it seemed. It was hard to know what was correct and what was a lie. Who could we trust? And who was taking us down the rabbit hole?

I loved reading Caraval, and I'm so excited to see what the next book brings because I honestly don't know what to expect. Except good things. Obviously. But this is a treacherous game that is being played and its hard not to loose yourself in the story. There were times when I felt like I was a player. That I was in the game to win. Scarlett has her eyes open throughout, everything she learns we learn. There is no point trying to guess what will happen in the future till it happens.

There is also a hint of romance in this tale Not enough to overwhelm the story. But enough to get a little bit excited to see how the relationship between Julian and Scarlett develops over time.

Caraval is a magical, fairy tale ride of a book. This is a wildly intelligent read that will pull you in with its uncanny and treacherous story.

Scarlett Dragna is about to get married to a Count she has never met. That’s ok though, she’s hoping it will lead to safety for her and her sister away from her abusive father and the tiny isle of Trisda she has never once left.

But her sister Tella is determined to help her live a little and when an invitation arrives for them to visit the magical Caraval, a once-a-year, five-day performance where the audience participates in the show, she forces Scarlett’s hand so they have to go. But there’s a dark side to Caraval and although Scarlett has been told that everything that happens during Caraval is only an elaborate performance when Tella is kidnapped by the show’s mastermind organiser, she has to find her before the game is over, and her sister disappears forever.

This is billed as the perfect book for those that love The Night Circus, and honestly … it is!

It’s a little lighter and aimed more at Young Adults or at the fantasy market but the writing has some wonderful poetry to it. The world is absorbing and the characters are believable. If I wanted to be hypercritical I would say that the author could have dug deeper still into the motivations of the characters and fleshed them out even more.

That being said though I’d still thoroughly recommend it – it’ll bring a flash of glorious colour to your winter nights!

4 Bites

NB I received a free copy of this book through NetGalley in return for an honest review. The BookEaters always write honest reviews

I had high expectations and low expectations stepping into Caraval. Everyone who’s read it has been gushing over what a masterpiece it is. But then it was also endlessly compared to The Night Circus. Confession: I didn’t like The Night Circus, so I was concerned that I just wouldn’t be the target reader for Caraval. Within the first few pages, it was clear that I was going to fawn over it.

“Remember, it’s only a game…”

Is it just a game? Is any of it real? Like the players, it certainly didn’t feel like a game judging by the amount of times my heart rate increased. I loved discovering new clues alongside Scarlett, stumbling into roadblocks, and overcoming seemingly life threatening obstacles. I haven’t been swept away in such a carousel of a story in a long time and am delighted I got to experience such an adventure in Caraval.

Caraval - Stephanie Garber UK editionStephanie Garber is a beautiful writer. Her sentences strung together so fluidly, painting a fitting picture for the Caraval world she created. Scarlett, Tella, and Julian jumped off the pages straight away. She wrote such a strong opener with well developed, three-dimensional characters; I was sucked in immediately and had no choice but to stay up and read until the small hours of the morning.

The twists were clever and not too over the top, bringing the final chapter to a satisfying conclusion. I believe there is a sequel planned, but I felt a good deal of closure with the ending as it is (but I am definitely going to be first in line to step back into this world!)

Caraval may end up being one of the biggest YA books of 2017. And rightfully so!

Thanks so much to Hodder & Stoughton for giving me a copy to review through NetGalley!

..."real or not, she must find Tella before the game is over, and her sister disappears forever . . ."

There you have it; real or not. This is for me the central theme of Caraval. Whilst this book is many other things; a tale of the bond between sisters, an account of familial abuse, a love story....despite everything else, the author is always circling around this difficult to answer question. It is what makes this so captivating to me as a reader and it is what pulled me by the hand right up until the final pages. I was, from the very first, completely willing to take part in the performance laid before me.

I have read books before where plot twists spiral around one another, linked so densely and so tightly sequenced as to confuse and frustrate. However here Stephanie Garber weaves with a deftness which leaves no doubt as to her skill as a writer. Even as shock after horror after revelation shower down upon the characters, I was never overwhelmed because it is all part of the game - and that is where Garber has struck gold. She has created a plot within which every whim and desire can be done and undone. Nothing, once decided on, is set in stone. By doing this there is no expected - leaving me as invested in the outcome as Scarlett herself - and as unsure as to where we're headed next.

Garber has also created some wonderful characters; both Scarlett and Donatella appealed to me from the start. Scarlett is self-sacrificing, sensible and almost completely, miserably accepting of her lot in life. Donatella however, just as self-sacrificing in a less obvious way, is still full of fight and fury against their situation. The contrast really heightens Scarlett's journey throughout the performance (note performance, rather than competition, is how I view the central conceit)- and Garber gives her the perfect partner to play against in Julian.

I feel that romance is difficult in YA Fantasy - everything has been done before. Garber earns my unending thanks for not including a love triangle here (my bane) and instead uses the time to build something between Julian and Scarlet which is bathed in all the secrecy and costume of Caraval, yet at the same time has some truly shining moments of honesty (or are they?!). There are layers upon layers to Julian's character and he is fascinating to read - especially in conjunction with the endless veneers of plot constantly concealing his true intentions and feelings.

My only slight criticism would be that I felt there could easily have been another fifty pages added. The fast pacing occasionally stumbled in its haste, meaning important scenes felt slightly rushed in the need to not linger too long and instead move straight to the next. Sometimes a little lingering gives not only the reader time to breathe but also the characters themselves.

Why should you pick up Caraval? If you're not interested in rich description, full and compelling characters, a beautiful world, a dark and complex plot and both romantic love and sisterly adoration then you probably shouldn't. However you would be missing out. This is a fantastical and wholly vibrant debut which kept me guessing until the very end and made me itch to re-enter the Caraval and relive the race for the winner's wish.

Scarlett is the sensible older sister, looking to escape her abusive father by marrying a count she's never met. Donnatella is the flighty younger sister who has a penchant for bad boys. They are both invited to take part in Caraval - a five night extravaganza where you're wildest dreams can come true, inhibitions abound and you can complete the treasure hunt to win a wish. However, it seems too good to be true and things escalate as Donnatella is kidnapped by the master of Caraval - Legend - and the game is on.
Romance, magic, peril, fear and love mingle to form a rich and exciting story.
3.75 stars

An interesting novel - strongly reminded me of Dostoevsky's concept of Carnivalesque. A novel that questions the main character - and essentially the reader's - concept of reality.

This was a wonderfully unique story.
I am very much looking forward to the next book in the series to be released.

I found this book somewhat enjoyable but found the romance and the relationship between the sisters strange. Nearly every single character was very unlikable and I struggled to find any redeeming qualities in them which made this difficult to read.

Having said that, I really liked the concept of the book and some of the scenes were very beautiful.

Caraval,  Stephanie Garber

Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews

Genre:  Sci fi and fantasy

Well, this really is a magical book, and that part I adored. Its so full of secrets, of things that are not as they seem, of twists and turns that predicting who is who and what will happen just isn’t possible.

Its got a YA feel to it, and yet if you like reads that are pure fantasy, full of magic, colour and impossibilities this will appeal whatever your age. For me the magic was the best part,
I liked Scarlett and the mysterious Julian, enjoyed meeting the weird and wonderful characters of Caraval, was entranced by the danger disguised as fun feel of Caraval, the way we never quite know if the dangers are real. There were plenty of unexpected events, things that totally came out of the blue and the ending...well, didn’t see that coming.

I did feel a little confused at the finish, had to go back a reread parts to fit it all together, and TBH it was a little ambiguous for me, I like things to be more defined, but then again leaving parts open mean that the reader can kind of put their own ending in ;-) if they want.
I didn’t realise there was a second book until I came to write my review, and that makes more sense of the ending, but as Caraval is over what will it be? Will it be what we've seen but from another perspective, or will the main players, Scarlett, Tella and Julian be part of some kind of follow up and consequences of the decisions in Caraval, and the events behind them? Will we ever know the real story about their grandmother and Legend, and who is their mother and what happened to her?
Of course the big question they’re all asking (and me) is who is Legend, what and what are his motives?

It kind of ends leaving me with more questions that I started. I want to read book two of course and I think it’ll be one of those duos where book two will make more sense of book one for me, and I’ll read both together and enjoy the story fully knowing the whole picture.

Stars: Four, a fabulous magical read, that might become a five when I’ve read book two :-)  

ARC supplied for review purposes by Netgalley and Publishers

I was drawn in by both the cover and the description for Caraval. For readers who enjoyed Night Circus and DreamHunter this is one you'll likely enjoy.
This story moved a little slowly for me, a tale of two sisters would do anything to protect each other, one rebellious one cautious lost in a magical world. The story felt like it was being dragged out for me, it could quite easily have been a novella.

Oh my, I enjoyed this book so, so, so much! The magic, the relationships, the never knowing what to believe, who to believe! It was spectacular and really put me in two minds as to whether or not I'd want to actually visit Caraval myself.

I really enjoyed the entire plot and the characters, all the twists and I am definitely interested in seeing where this story goes.