CARAVAL [REVIEW]

Caraval (Caraval #1) by Stephanie Garber

my rating : ★★★★★

genre : fantasy

goodreads rating : 4.08

**SPOILERS**

It feels like such a long time since I have read a fantasy book that I really loved. 

SYNOPSIS

Remember, it’s only a game…

Scarlett Dragna has never left the tiny island where she and her 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 faraway, 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. Nevertheless she becomes enmeshed in a game of love, heartbreak, and magic. And whether Caraval is real or not, Scarlett must find Tella before the five nights of the game are over or a dangerous domino effect of consequences will be set off, and her beloved sister will disappear forever.

Welcome, welcome to Caraval…beware of getting swept too far away.

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THE CHARACTERS 

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I find, as I’m writing this review that it’s really hard for me to write positive reviews, so I’m sorry but this will probably be quite short.

THE FATHER

This guy, oh my god let me tell you. He is literally the definition of a monster.His wife dies adn so he becomes this horrible strict control freak? Dude’s got issues, and two daughters. Basically, if one of his daughters ever does something that he views as out of line then he punishes them. Let’s say, for example, that Scarlett stayed out too late or said she didn’t want to get married anymore, her father would punish her by beating her sister Donatella. Charming, right? I can see why the girls want to get off the island.

SCARLETT

Scarlett is the elder sister, she’s supposed to be the sensible one who does no wrong and says nothing when her father forces her into an arranged marriage. and, yeah, when we first meet her that’s who she is. However, as the story progresses we really see her start to embrace herself more and come out of her shell. I’ve seen a lot of criticisms of Scarlett’s character, which I understand, but personally I really liked her. I didn’t mind that it took her the majority of the story to become fearless – but even then, Scarlett still had her worries. I really liked this because I thought it really stayed true to her character, for most of her life Scarlett has basically been raised to be this flower petal who always does the right thing and then next thing she knows she’s being kidnapped by her own sister and a man she’s never met. Of course, she can’t just shake off literally a life’s worth of lecturing and threats in a few pages.

DONATELLA

Okay so she can be a bit annoying at times but she’s pretty much kidnapped right off the dot (not a spoiler, don’t worry!) so we don’t have to deal with her much. She’s pretty much the typical younger sister – young, rash and too trusting.

JULIAN

Who doesn’t love a mysterious bad boy who just can’t seem to stay away? I really loved his character and found learning about him throughout the novel to be really rewarding, and I think he’ll be an even more interesting character in book 2.

CARAVAL

Fight me, the carnival felt ike a character in and of itself.

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THE BOOK 

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Guys, this book had so many plot twists honestly by the time you finish reeling from the first twist there’s another!

This is honestly like nothing I’ve read in a while, the writing is brilliant and the author talks in colours which was something I found I really loved. The writing is so surreal and really suited the world.

Basically, this book will have you yelling “is this real life or just fantasy!”

I really loved this book, the writing is to die for, the characters are amazing and have their own unique qualities and the world is mid-boggling and astounding!

Sorry guys, this review was really lack-luster and I’m not proud of it. I’m sick and I’m tired but don’t let this crappy “review” fool you, this is truly a fantastic book!