Review: Caraval by Stephanie Garber
“Dreams that come true can be beautiful, but they can also turn into nightmares when people won’t wake up.”
The Basics
Title: Caraval (Caraval #1)
Author: Stephanie Garber
Published: 2017
Publisher: Flatiron Books — Macmillan
Pages: 402
Format: Hardcover
Genres: Fiction — Fantasy, High fantasy, Romance, Fantasy romance, Young adult, Young adult fantasy
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Book Synopsis
Ever since she was a child, Scarlett has dreamed of participating in Caraval, the magical game put on by the illusive Legend and his band of performers. Year after year, she has written to Legend asking him to bring Caraval to her tiny island of Trisda, but every letter she has ever sent has gone unanswered – until now. Legend has finally responded to one of her letters and has invited both her and her sister, Tella, to his private island to take part in Caraval. Only Caraval is not quite what she imagined it would be. The line separating reality from fantasy is blurred in Caraval, and when Tella is kidnapped as part of the game, the stakes become much higher than Scarlett had anticipated.
My Review & Overall Thoughts
TLDR: Magic, romance, plenty of twists, and a well-crafted world – this fantasy will sweep you away.
Caraval is a bewitching and refreshingly original book. It transports you away from mundane reality to a magical island where nothing is quite as it seems. What is real versus make believe is rarely apparent, and that is what makes this book so much fun to read.
The plot is peppered with twists and jaw-dropping moments, such that any theories you form are swiftly and unceremoniously proven false. You will be speculating right up until the final page. This pervasive sense of mystery, coupled with fantastic world building, makes you feel as though you are participating in Caraval, piecing together clues right alongside Scarlett.
Speaking of Scarlett, she is a wonderful lead. She is fleshed out, possessing both a backstory and emotional depth. You cannot help but empathize with her; you feel the full range of her emotions, from frustration and sorrow to joy and elation.
The romance between her and Julian is perfection. It is a slow burn, filled with plenty of teasing and tension. There is also just enough uncertainty, particularly with regard to Julian’s suspiciously scant backstory, to keep you guessing about whether they will (or should) end up together.
Moving on from Scarlett, another great character is Legend. As the antagonist, he is fantastic. Rarely seen, he is a man of myth and legend (no pun intended), and that mystique is what makes him such an interesting, as well as memorable, villain. He could be anyone or no one.
Another laudable aspect of this book is its theme of sisterhood. The unshakeable bond between Tella and Scarlett is a central focus of the story. Their commitment to and unconditional love for one another is moving; in some ways, their love, not that of Julian and Scarlett, is the true love story of this book.
The not so good
Nothing in particular comes to mind.
Overall
Caraval is an escapist, captivating read. I am glad that it is only the first in a trilogy, as I cannot wait to delve more into the world of Legend and Caraval.
Have you read Caraval? If so, let me know what you thought of it in the comments section below!
