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.
432 pages
Published January 31st 2017
(Flatiron Books)
First Impression
Set in 3rd person Caraval begins with Scarlett, who finally gets a response after 7 years of writing to the Caraval. Scarlett receives an invite to join in the performance with her sister, Tella and her fiance she has yet to meet. They gain the chance to win this year’s prize of a wish on the condition that they leave the isle of Trisda.
Scarlett rushes to find Tella to share her news, only to find her with a sailor, Julian. After a confrontation between the group and their father. Tella put a plan in motion to escape with the help of Julian, for her and her Scarlett.
I read Caraval as a Buddy Read and also a Group Read found it captivating and exciting…
The journey that Caraval took the reader on was magical with unique buildings reminding me a lot of Alice in Wonderland with emotions linked to colours. Tella seemed to me quite selfish always thinking about her needs above anyone else. Could her father’s lack of love be the true reason why??
Julian enjoys playing the part whether it a sailor or a fiance coming across as very coy giving him a mysterious vibe.
Scarlett, herself is determined to protect her sister at all cost, but no matter how hard Scarlett tried to care for Tella it was never enough to fill the hole their mother had left when she abandoned them and they father.
The added diagrams of notes and letters teleports the reader further into the story as it darkens twists that kept you guessing throughout with an unexpected ending.
I really enjoyed reading Caraval and look forward to reading the next book in the series, Legendary.
“Every person has the power to change their fate if they are brave enough to fight for what they desire more than anything.”
“Hope is a powerful thing. Some say it’s a different breed of magic altogether. Elusive, difficult to hold on to. But not much is needed.”
Check out the reviews from the group members…
https://nogenreleftbehind.com/blog/caraval-by-stephanie-garber-review https://rincondejoss.com/libro/besties-reads-caraval/
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