Review: Finale by Stephanie Garber
“Every story has four parts: the beginning, the middle, the almost-ending, and the true ending. Unfortunately, not everyone gets a true ending.”
The Basics
Title: Finale (Caraval #3)
Author: Stephanie Garber
Published: 2019
Publisher: Flatiron Books — Macmillan
Pages: 270
Format: Hardcover
Genres: Fiction — Fantasy, High fantasy, Romance, Fantasy romance, Young adult, Young adult fantasy
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Book Synopsis
Two months have passed since the Fates were freed from the deck of cards in which they had been imprisoned, and there have been no sightings of them…until now. Tella and Scarlett must work together with friends and potential foes to uncover and stop whatever the Fates have planned. To be successful, both sisters will have to make sacrifices and cope with unexpected and long-hidden truths. Caraval might be over, but the games are just beginning.
My Review & Overall Thoughts
TLDR: An exhilarating conclusion to the Caraval trilogy.
My first thought upon finishing Finale was “That was so good,” which was promptly followed by “I don’t want it to be over!” I felt sad when I turned the final page, as I had enjoyed the story so much. I could have easily continued reading about the Dragna sisters and their crew for another several hundred pages. Everything about this book is perfection, from its plot to its characters to its ending. I envy those who have not yet read Finale and get to experience its magic for the first time.
Finale’s plot is superb. It is fast-paced and filled to the brim with action and page-turning moments. It is also peppered with bombshell reveals, which if you’re anything like me, will have you exclaiming “What?!” And let’s not forget the romances, which are *chef’s kiss*. Julian and Scarlett are as adorable as ever, and Jacks and Legend compete for Tella’s affection (and who doesn’t love a good love triangle?).
Equally as praiseworthy is the book’s integration of magic. Finale and the previous two books seamlessly weave magic into the story. Magic enhances the plot without ever stealing the spotlight. Scarlett and Tella’s journeys are always front and center; magic just adds a bit of, well, magic to their stories. It also enriches the setting, allowing for the inclusion of such fantastical places as the Vanished Market and Immortal Library. Exploring these locations was so much fun – it felt like going on an adventure.
Finale also features a fair amount of character development. We learn more about each character, unearthing some shocking secrets. We also see the characters grow as they come to understand what they want out of life. Even Jacks grows in his own way, displaying a degree of vulnerability on a couple of occasions. You get the sense that underneath his apathetic exterior lurk actual feelings. I even found myself feeling sorry for him at one point in the story.
Bringing everything together is Garber’s writing. It is clear, descriptive, and evocative. She brings the Caraval universe to life, and she knows how to evoke an emotional response from the reader. Her use of dual points of view (Tella and Scarlett) not only deepens our understanding of the sisters but also helps to move the story along. Oftentimes, a chapter will end on a cliffhanger and then switch over to the other sister’s story in the following chapter. Thus, you are incentivized to keep reading in order to get back to the other sister’s storyline and see what happens next.
With regard to the ending, it is everything you could hope for. The story arc for each character is tied up nicely, but a couple of doors are left open for future books. All in all, I was happy with the ending and finished the book with a smile upon my face.
The not so good
It had to end. Finishing this book and by extension, the Caraval series was a bittersweet experience. I loved the story and enjoyed every second that I spent reading it, but finishing the book and having the leave the Caraval universe behind left me feeling a bit down. My one consolation is that Once upon a Broken Heart, which continues Jacks’ story, is now available. So, I will be able to step back into the world of Caraval soon enough.
Overall
Finale is a thoroughly satisfying conclusion to the Caraval trilogy. It has everything you could want in a finale (pun intended).
Have you read Finale? If so, let me know what you thought of it in the comments section below!
