Review: Caraval by Stephanie Garber

Okay, so I don’t think I have properly fangirled over a book on here yet, so the time has come! I just emerged from an intense binge-read of Caraval by Stephanie Garber and it was absolutely incredible! I have been reading a lot of YA Contemporary novels, so Caraval was a refreshing trip back into the world of fantasy. I am in love with this novel, and I wish I had a copy to keep (I checked mine out from the library)!

The Story:
Trapped in a home with an abusive father, Scarlett and Tella Dragna long to escape their dark and painful reality.  For years they have hoped to attend the annual Caraval, a faraway performance where the audience members are also the participants.  When two invitations arrive inviting the sisters to attend the magical and mysterious event, Tella cannot pass up the opportunity.  Meanwhile, Scarlett has been engaged to a man she has never met by her father, so she struggles to take a risk instead of the path to definite safety.  

When a dashing sailor whisks away Tella and Scarlett to Caraval, Tella is kidnapped by Legend, the mastermind behind Caraval.  Scarlett discovers this year’s Caraval revolves around rescuing her sister, so her doubt slips away as she pushes her own boundaries to save Tella.  Magic lingers in the air, and no one is who they seem to be in the world of Caraval. 

What I Liked:
EVERYTHING!  Okay, I probably need to chill out a bit (a bit?), but this book is incredible.  Here’s a more detailed breakdown of what I loved about Caraval.

• The Villains:  One of my favorite parts of this novel was the villains.  There were a couple (won’t say who), and they were all perfectly executed.  They were dark, methodical, and added depth to the storyline.  Ultimately, it was the villains who really made the other characters shine.
• Julian:  To be clear, Julian is the sailor who brought Tella and Scarlett to the island.  I was in love with his character throughout the novel.  His whole “I’m not as good as you think I am” attitude was a basic trope, but I admired his character enough to overlook it.  I appreciated how Stephanie Garber pinpoints his flaws to show Scarlett how good and evil are not black and white.
• Caraval:  I applaud Stephanie Garber for her creativity.  I have read a TON of books and I can say without a doubt that I have never read anything like Caraval.  Her ability to formulate an entirely new and unique competition inspires and thrills me.  She incorporates magical elements seamlessly into the story in ways unlike any depictions of magic I have ever read about before.  Another aspect of Caraval (the competition) I enjoyed was the blurring between the game and reality.  As I turned the pages, I was never sure if the words I was reading were actually a part of the story or if the events were a byproduct of Caraval's magical twists and turns.  
• Scarlett:  If you are looking for a strong, female protagonist, then Scarlett is your girl.  Her ambition to find her sister is enduring as she demonstrates how she will sacrifice anything to save her life.  While her character seems a bit on the passive side at the start of the novel, she ultimately grows to find herself when she is faced with challenges unlike any she could have ever imagined.  ​

​What I Didn’t Like:
I have to wait for the sequel.

Recap:
Overall, Caraval may be my favorite book I’ve read this summer!  I loved both the characters and the setting, and I cannot wait for the sequel.  I recommend this book to anyone looking for the next great fantasy and who has a lot of time on their hands (you will want to read this one in one sitting).

Rating: 5/5

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