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[katara]

Caraval (Caraval #1) by Stephanie Garber

Genre:
Fantasy, Magical Realism, Romantasy, Romance, Young Adult, Mystery, Book Series

Publication Date:
September 29, 2016

Page Numbers:
407

Read/Finished Date:
February 26th, 2026 - February 27th, 2026

Rating:
1/5

Premise:

A legendary competition.
A mesmerizing romance.
An unbreakable bond
between two sisters.

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. And whether Caraval is real or not, Scarlett must find Tella before the five nights of the game are over or a dangerous domino effect of consequences will be set off, and her beloved sister will disappear forever.

Welcome, welcome to Caraval . . . beware of getting swept too far away.

Review:

One of the most disappointing books I had on my TBR. I am really glad I didn't listen to the hype and buy the entire series. Scartlet annoyed me immensely. While I understand her need to protect her sister, she tried a little too hard. If I were Tella, I would have run too.

I don't see myself reading the next books in this series.