Goodreads Review: 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.
If you've thought this book won't live up to the hype... think again. Caraval turned out to be exactly what I was expecting it to be and thanks to Stephanie Garber, Flatiron Books and Macmillan Audio for making that happen! There was no disappointment at all, and when a book gets a lot of hype, myself and a lot of fellow readers that I've spoken with are hesitant that the book won't live up to the hype. Well guys... this one does!!!
I love that the setting starts on a gloomy island, with her sister getting in over her head and her father is less than pleased. You immediately get back story on Scarlett and her sister Tella, which I love. I'm not a huge fan of when a book goes to chapter 2 or even 3 sometimes before you actually learn about the character. Garber elaborates on her details of expression for each character where you can visualize each person and even hear the accents! I was able to review Caraval through an audio book version from the lovely Macmillan Audio and I was able to hear Julian's sexy accent materialize, even if Rebecca Soler was the person behind his voice! lol May I just say, that Soler is the best voice actress that I've come to hear thus far in my audio book journey and I've listened to a lot.
Once the characters, Scarlett, Tella and Julian all reach Caraval, the fun really begins. Legend is no ordinary person, or ring master. He is full of secrets and surprises that are not always good and safe and I loved every second of it! The adventures in Caraval unfold to us as fast as a carousal, or a magical carousal is more like it! Hahaha The characters that are exquisitely woven into the story present themselves with life, magic and a certain darkness that draws you as the reader into the story more and more. Garber has a dark side, do not be fooled by her niceness! Which, by the way if she actually reads this review, Stephanie, I want you to know that you are one of the nicest authors I've had the pleasure of reading tweets and instagram posts from, but I know there's something inside of you because, I mean come on!? You wrote Caraval!!! The story itself unfolds eerily, magically, and suspense-fully that it will be very hard to not turn the next page or to press stop or pause on your audio book. If I may, the audio book, brings this book to life even more if it's possible and I would know, because I had the ARC and the audio book, so the reading could continue as much as possible! I would highly recommend buying the audio book version from Macmillan Audio!
I can't wait for the next installment, or at least I hope there will be one! Garber may or may not lead you into thinking there will be another one hehehe. May the excitement of Caraval live long and prosper!!! Wait, can that saying go along with another installment of a novel? Well, I say it can and this is Justicereads blog so there!! Good bye my fellow friends and followers. I hope you have enjoyed my review of a very magical Caraval and my biggest hope is that it will make you want to read it more than you may have already felt!! Bwahahaha!!! *Laughing evily**
And if you were kind enough to read my whole opinionated review, that I must return the favor with a giveaway!! One lucky person will win an ARC copy of Caraval and some bookish goodies!!! Three other lucky winners will each win one amazing ARC from 2016, Stealing Snow by Danielle Paige, Girl in Pieces by Kathleen Gasglow and The Serpent King by Jeff Zentner. Enter the rafflecopter below for your chance!
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