Caraval (Caraval #1)

Caraval (Caraval #1)
By: Stephanie Garber
Publication Date: Jan 31, 2017

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Book Description

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.

My Review

Caraval is a magical, mysterious story about a girl named Scarlett who finally gets her chance to attend the legendary Caraval—an immersive game full of wonder, danger, and deception. But when things take an unexpected turn, Scarlett must navigate the challenges of the game to uncover the truth and protect the ones she loves.

Along the way, she finds an unexpected ally in Julian, a sailor who becomes her partner in unraveling the game’s mysteries. Their journey is filled with twists, turns, and just a touch of romance that keeps you hooked.

While there are a few slow moments, the ending completely surprised me! Overall, this is a clean and engaging read, and I’m excited to see where the next book in the series takes the story.

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