Legendary picks up where Caraval left us, dying for more story. This time, we're brought back to this magical world following Donatella, instead of Scarlet from the first novel. Legendary picks up the morning after the end of Caraval and Scarlet winning the game to save her sister. Before the girls have time to even process everything that has happened, they're presented with the option to follow the game to their next location where the perform a second Caraval as a present to the Queen.

For the first time ever, Caraval will happen more than one time in a year. But during this event, things that appear real, could be more than just part of the game. As the girls follow the game, there's more on the line than just winning this time around. We learn of some things that has happened with Tella, and some deals she has made with some unknown person that is causing her more trouble than help.

We also get our beloved characters from the first time around, but in a new light, because they're new characters in this game of Caraval. To be completely honest, after rereading Caraval to read Legendary, I have to say that I enjoyed Legendary way more. I feel like there is so much more intrigue in this one. Maybe because at the time I had read Caraval I knew it was all a game, but when it came to Legendary, I wasn't sure what to believe and what would happen. I'm super excited for Finale and to see how this wonderful trilogy wraps up.

Legendary was even better than Caraval! The characters were so fantastic and all so real. The stakes were even higher than ever before, and I found myself on the edge of my seat throughout the entire book. It was practically unputdownable! Highly recommended to every fantasy lover!

***Review posted on The Eater of Books! blog***

Legendary by Stephanie Garber
Book Two of the Caraval series
Publisher: Flatiron Books
Publication Date: May 29, 2018
Rating: 3 stars
Source: eARC from NetGalley

Summary (from Goodreads):

A heart to protect. A debt to repay. A game to win.

After being swept up in the magical world of Caraval, Donatella Dragna has finally escaped her father and saved her sister Scarlett from a disastrous arranged marriage. The girls should be celebrating, but Tella isn’t yet free. She made a desperate bargain with a mysterious criminal, and what Tella owes him no one has ever been able to deliver: Caraval Master Legend’s true name.

The only chance of uncovering Legend’s identity is to win Caraval, so Tella throws herself into the legendary competition once more—and into the path of the murderous heir to the throne, a doomed love story, and a web of secrets…including her sister's. Caraval has always demanded bravery, cunning, and sacrifice. But now the game is asking for more. If Tella can’t fulfill her bargain and deliver Legend’s name, she’ll lose everything she cares about—maybe even her life. But if she wins, Legend and Caraval will be destroyed forever.

Welcome, welcome to Caraval...the games have only just begun.

What I Liked:

I'm actually a bit disappointed by this book, which is of course very surprise given how much I loved Caraval, and given how much everyone has loved Legendary. I felt so meh about this book while reading it, and when I finished it, I was left with a rather sour taste in my mouth. Definitely not what you would want to feel after reading a supposed masterpiece. But these things happen.

Caraval followed Scarlett Dragna, who entered Caraval in order to save her younger sister Donnatella. Legendary follows Tella, who enters Caraval in order to save her and Scarlett's mother Paloma, who has been missing for years. Paloma is trapped in a card of the Deck of Destiny, a cursed deck of cards that contains the Fates. If the Fates are released, chaos will ensue (or something like that). If Legend gets the Deck, he could gain the powers of all of the Fates in the Deck. In order to save her mother, Tella must find the Deck of Destiny. In order to uphold her bargain with a mysterious criminal who gave her information about her mother, Tella must give the criminal Legend's true identity. Tella has neither of those things, and so she must enter Caraval and win - so that she will receive the ultimate prize from Legend. It's a tricky game that Tella is playing, and it is not without consequences - or sacrifices.

In the first half of the book, I was pretty engrossed in the story. I wasn't totally sold on the whole finding-my-mother thing, but I was intrigued, and I liked Tella. I liked seeing Scarlett and Julian, though I hated the unnecessary drama (more on that below). I looooved Dante's appearances. I even loved Jacks' ridiculous, cruel self. The first half of the book was so fascinating.

I liked Tella for the most part. In book one, I pretty much hated her and branded her the most selfish, unworthy sister ever. But I liked her in this book. She is bold and uninhibited, and while she seemed selfish in Caraval, she seems more selfless in this book. It's clear that she loves her sister, but is very guarded. She is selfless when it comes to Paloma, which is how this book came to be. Finding her mother is so important to Tella.

I adored Dante and his wicked, charming self. I actually didn't totally care for him in book one, but he's so swoony and magical in this book. And not just in a love interest kind of way - the game of Caraval would not be the same without his presence. He's a charming devil, but he's also kind and sweet. He has a commanding presence about him and he has a way of popping up whenever he is needed (and whenever he isn't).

There are many Scarlett/Julian cameos which I appreciate, though I wish they were all happy cameos showing Scarlett and Julian helplessly in love. I guess that will have to wait until Finale. Still, I'm glad that Julian and Scarlett are part of this book, and an important part.

I liked the Dante/Tella romance, but there wasn't nearly enough. The author teased with this romance.

Once I reached the second half of the book, I was kind of finished with it all. I'll talk about all of my dislikes next. I can't even say I liked the ending.

What I Did Not Like:

Ugh, where do I even begin? I just felt so meh about this book at the halfway mark and beyond. What went wrong, you might ask? I have no idea.

I was never truly sold on the whole I-must-find-my-mother plot. It seemed forced and contrived, like the author desperately needed a good reason to bring back Caraval for a second time in a short period (like The Hunger Games), and so she grasped at straws and came up with Scarlett and Tella's missing mother. I just never bought into that plot. It didn't feel important.

I didn't care for the barely-there tease of a romance that was Dante/Tella. I loved Dante. I liked Tella. I loved Dante/Tella. I didn't love the lack of kisses and swoon.

And the implicated love triangle - for both Tella and Scarlett! Like two completely separate love triangles going on! What the heck! I thought Julian/Scarlett was a done deal but apparently not. You know what I hate? When girls want to make their man jealous and so they flirt with someone else. Or go find their ex. And they call it "exploring their options" or some bull***t and they want to bring about some competition between their man and the ex/side man. For real? This isn't cute. There's nothing wrong with dating. But there IS something wrong when you claim you love someone and yet you go look for your ex or another man just to make the man you love jealous, or some bull***. That's playing games and it's maddening. I'm talking about Scarlett.

Oh but Tella is embroiled in her own love triangle, don't you worry. I know she is in love with Dante by the end of the story, and I know he loves her, but there is another guy that seems to be in love with Tella and noooooooo thank you. I actually LOVE this character and I wouldn't mind a Tella/This Character pairing IF Dante had never existed. Meaning, This Character as a love interest is so unnecessary. Why though. Why.

Speaking of unnecessary, let's talking about all the unnecessary drama that is in this book. I already talked about Scarlett's bull**** that she's pulling with Julian, but I hate that she also let's so many factors bring down their relationship. She takes every little thing as a reason not to trust him. She knows who he is, what his role in Caraval is, and yet she whines about it all the time. I liked Scarlett in the first book. But she really got on my nerves in this book. And as much as I liked seeing her and Julian in this book, I would appreciated it more if there was less drama and more swoon. More of them working together as a couple, rather than Scarlett acting like a crazy girlfriend who runs off to her exes every time she believes something about her man (to put the situation in modern terms; Scarlett technically never runs to any exes, but hopefully you understand the picture I'm trying to paint). The drama is just so unnecessary. But I guess it's middle-book drama?

I think this is part of my frustration with YA these days - the drama is so unnecessary, and sequels tend to suck. In adult romance, a book is a standalone and the story is done within that one book. Thank goodness.

The ending of this book is not a happy ending. For anyone.

Would I Recommend It:

Honestly, this is one of those books where you have to read it yourself. Decide for yourself. 99% of the people who read this book love it, so what do I know? I felt so meh while reading at least half of this book. And the ending made me so sour. Not just because of the obvious love triangles, but because of the drama, and the cliffhanger, and it was just so stupid.

But again, decide for yourself. I would say that if you're on the fence, maybe just stop with the first book. Wait until the third book publishes and binge-read the series. Or just stop with Caraval. Caraval had a lovely ending and you can imagine an epilogue of Scarlett and Julian 40 years down the road, happily ever after. No need to read about unnecessary drama.

Rating:

2.5 stars -> rounded up to 3 stars. Perhaps I'm being generous, and maybe I just really wanted to love the book. I was so excited about it and so prepared to love it like I did Caraval. But I'm glad I didn't buy this book because I would have regretted. I'm happy to have had the opportunity to review it (I was supposed to post this review two months ago, whoops), but I would have regretted spending the money on it. I will read Finale but it'll be a library request from me.

An enthralling, magical read that will hold you captive and wanting more. Even than, it will leave you begging for more! I absolutely loved this book. Garber took everything I loved about Caraval, to a whole new level. Her writing and storytelling is perfection. With her visually stunning descriptions of the world of Legendary, and enchanting Caraval games, to the lively characters, everything about this book easily comes to life, and makes you feel as though you're part of it.
This is a story I wanted to crawl into, and hang out in. The characters really made this story for me. What annoyed me about Tella in Legendary, I absolutely loved about her in this book. I realized that much of what she does previously, is not without reason. Everything I thought I knew about her was wrong. I greatly admired her in this story, and love that this story is told from her perspective. Numerous times I found myself agreeing with her decisions, had I been in her shoes.
Along with Tella, I really enjoyed getting to know more about Dante and Legendary. There is so much more to these two characters than I previously thought. I'd like to say "I KNEW IT", but everything in this story is so much more complicated, and twisted. From the characters, to the game, the stakes are deadly, and are much more real than they were in Caraval. Just as I think I have things figured out, something happens that makes me second guess myself. I love it when a book does that.
This book is a WOW book for me. It's one that does such an incredible job at creating a story, characters and their world so vividly you feel as though you're there while reading the book. This book is a masterpiece of deception, and truth that's so deeply embedded into the story that you won't figure it out until the story is completely unraveled. I'm in awe of how Garber created a story so complex and layered and did so, so perfectly.
This book is one of my all time favorite reads of 2018! I highly recommend picking up this series. I can not wait to find out what happens in FINALE! After this book's ending, I NEED ANSWERS!

A decent sequel in the Caraval series but not as magical as the first. It doesn't have the same oompf as the first book, but sequels often suffer from second book syndrome, where they're more of a bridge between the setup and the conclusion in books one and three. I'll be interested to see what happens in book three.

This book was a little difficult to get into at first since it follows Donatella, rather than Scarlet as in the first book, but it was better than I expected once I got used to that. This follows a completely different storyline with even more magic than Caraval and was just as interesting of a read. I highly recommend it.

DNF - The writing felt less polished and overly simple than it was in Caraval. It didn’t feel like the same author. I had heard others say this was better than the first book so I went in excited to read it (though Caraval wasn’t a perfect read—the romance felt rushed and shallow—I still enjoyed the magic and wonder of its story), I have to say that I’m disappointed that Legendary held no real pull for me. Tella was a difficult character to connect to, even in book one, and she felt even more out of reach in her own book. The plot was ho-hum and there was a lack of that same magical appeal the first one managed to capture so well. Because of that, I couldn’t get into it nor finish the story. Others have loved it so I’m in the minority, but I’m sad all the same.

I really enjoyed Caraval, so I was really looking forward to this sequel. I will admit that I did not like it as much as the first. This book is from the perspective of Scarletts sister Tella, with Scarlett and Julian making brief appearances throughout the book. Why invest so much time in creating characters people care about and then practically dumping them in the sequel? I had a hard time getting into this book because it was slow and not as exciting. I did find the storyline about trying to find their mother to be interesting.

Wow!! I am falling in love with this series! Stephanie Garber has a way to pull you into her stories. They are better than Legends (haha!). This picks up the very next day after Caraval. I love how no time is wasted. This story all takes place from Tella's perspective. At first this didn't thrill me as I found Tella flighty and annoying in the first book. But this changed all that. Her reasons for her actions are so much deeper than I imagined.

This book had me guessing at every characters motive. Even Scarlett's a bit! Lots of twists and added depth to the game. I definitely got swept away. No regrets. I want the next book NOW but sadly must wait for it to come out. This has assuredly taken a top spot for one of the best books I have read this year!

It isn't often that a sequel can outdo the original, but Legendary does just that. Where Caraval left us waiting for more, Legendary once again explores the mysteries of Caraval and through the unique perspective of the other sister.

Review originally posted on my blog at https://pidginpeasbooknook.blogspot.com/2018/09/review-legendary-by-stephanie-garber.html


I hate to say it, but I think I'm giving up on this series. The idea of Caraval, with its magical game where you never know what is real and what is not, was absolutely fantastic to me. I couldn't wait to get my hands on it. And I thought it was pretty good - the beginning was amazing, but the ending left me disappointed (you can read more in my review here if you'd like). But Legendary did not give me the same magical feels, I'm sorry to say.

What I liked: I liked getting a peek into Tella's side of things as the narrator. Caraval is from Scarlett's point of view, so I liked seeing the differences in the sisters. (Although is it just me or does Scarlett become totally bland in this one?? I had like zero interest in her story line this time...)

I thought the mystery of what happened to Tella and Scarlett's mother, as well as Tella's complicated feelings towards her, were pretty intriguing. I liked seeing Tella wrestle with her own perception of her mother as she kept uncovering more and more parts of the mystery.

And I loved the Deck of Destiny story line! I could devour a spin-off series just set in that world. The cursed cards, the Prince of Hearts, the gods coming back among the mortals... all of that was really intriguing to me. But unfortunately, there's another side to that that I didn't like, which I'll get to in a second...

What I didn't: Ok, so here's my main issue with this book... My favorite aspect of Caraval was the actual game play itself, following Scarlett as she searched for clues and found secret passageways and made progress in the game. So I was willing to give Legendary a shot, since that synopsis sure sounds like it will involve following Tella as she plays the game this time, right??

WRONG.

There is little to no actual game play by Tella herself. We are told that others around her are playing the game, but she's on her own agenda which does not involve the same kind of game play as the first book. It was far less magical for me, and far less interesting.

And, like I said above, I did love the Deck of Destiny idea... but here's what I don't like about it: The Deck of Destiny plot line feels like a totally separate series. It has its own characters and world and rules, and while I was really into it all, I was kind of like... "what does this have to do with the world of Caraval??" This book didn't feel like a continuation of Caraval to me much at all, except for the fact that we are told there is a game going on in the background.

Also, the reveal of Legend's identity was so disappointing to me. (SPOILER: It's Dante. Big surprise.) Legend just started off as such an amazing, mysterious character, this shadowy person that no one really knows anything about, pulling the strings from behind the scenes. So for all that build-up, I just felt like the reveal was really anticlimactic, and now that we know who he is, all of that magic and mystery is gone for me.

TL;DR: Despite what the synopsis promises, Legendary is hardly about the game at all, but rather about Tella discovering her own secrets. So if you were more into the characters from Caraval and less into the game, then I would say definitely keep going and give Legendary a try. If you're like me, though, and the game was what made it magical for you, you may be disappointed in this one.


Overall rating: 2 out of 5 stars

I enjoyed Legendary even more than Caraval! The characters were great, and it was interesting to see inside Tella’s mind this time. I’m curious to know what’ll happen in the finale, aptly titled Finale!

Flatiron Books and NetGalley provided me with an electronic copy of Legendary. I was under no obligation to review this book and my opinion is freely given.

Legendary is the continuation of the story about the Dragna sisters, Donatella and Scarlett, and takes place directly after the events that unfolded in Caraval. A world of magic and subterfuge awaits Tella, as she soon realizes that not everything is how it seems. Having made a bargain with a stranger, Tella now owes a debt that may be impossible to pay. As Tella and Scarlett go through a second game of Caraval, will the sisters be able to figure out the truth from the lies? When the secrets of the past threatens all that Tella holds dear, her response may have the power to destroy or to set them all on the right path.

Let it first be said that fantasy is not the genre that I would choose to read, given other choices. However, I very much enjoyed both Caraval and Legendary, for the elaborate world building and well developed characters. As fantasy is the world of make believe, the author has done a good job of turning a tale that has mass appeal to teens because of the recognizable issues that both Tella and Scarlett must face. I was worried that Legendary might be more of the same, but there is a new layer to this book that gives it a fresh take on the world created by author Stephanie Garber. I would recommend Legendary to other readers, but I would advise that those new to the series start with Caraval. Although enough of the original book is glossed over in these pages, the series is best enjoyed from the beginning.

This was the perfect sequel to Caravel! Although it started off a little slow for me once I got invested I couldn’t put it down. Can’t wait for the next book.

Anticipating the next book already!
Legendary by Stephanie Garber shows us that Tella and Scarlett are once again playing a Caraval game. Tella thinks their mother is alive and wants information to find her, while Scarlett just wants some fun and excitement. Tella’s discovery of who her pen pal friend is floors her and she’s reeling from the revelation and its complications. Once again, the game may or may not be real, in all or parts, and the characters may or may not be trustworthy. Tella is shown an unkind memory of her mother and feels as though her mother didn’t love her at all. Her push and pull relationship with Dante is another matter she’s unsure of, but that’s just the way Caraval is. As the story concludes, it’s clear that a third book is in Caraval’s future. The enticing ending of Legendary makes me vested in this series. 4 stars!

Anyone who can come up with such a fantastical, magical, mysterious world will always be loved by me. Stephanie was able to make a new story that kept me on my toes, had enough new things to discover yet was still the world I fell in love with from Caraval. But that ending though! I will attempt to patiently wait for the third book... but trust me, it will be hard!

Caraval has been an annual game but suddenly it is being held just a short time after the last game ended. Scarlett won last time as she attempted to save her sister. This time around, it’s her sister Tella, who takes center stage in the competition.

There are a number of mysteries: why is the game happening so soon, who is Legend (the game’s creator) and can anyone be trusted? What makes this installment so delicious is the interplay between Tella and two characters: Dante and a mysterious guy whom Tella initially looks to for help. The dialog is sharp and striking, refreshingly crisp. These two potential romantic partners are at times attractive, sympathetic, untrustworthy and also infuriating. They may be a source of help or her real nemesis. One might think Tella has made a deal with the devil. It’s the constant battle between their words and their actions that keeps Tella continually unsure of their intentions. She reasons with her heart about what she should do and who can get her what she really wants.

There is one disappointment in this book and it is the absence of Julian and Scarlett. They play such a diminished role and are sorely missed. After all, they are the couple who infused the first book with a delicious romance. Here there’s much more tension between Tella and the men who tease and taunt her; a sizzle with an added element of fear. They are strong characters in their own right.

This is a little darker than the first book but that only adds to the tension. The allure of the game and the high stakes are of tremendous import to Tella. The characters are complex and never reveal their true intent. It is the interplay of the characters that overrides the game itself. Readers will be riveted to this installment and Garber will cement her popularity as a great Young Adult writer.

I was worried I wouldn't end up enjoying this as much as the first, but it was just as much of an adventure this time around. I did find it dragging in parts, and it took me longer to get through then I would have expected, but I'm still glad I finished it. It was a lot different having the story from Tella's POV this time, but that wasn't a bad thing. She was an interesting but somewhat underdeveloped character in the first book, so this is really the first chance you have to see what she's like. I'm curious to see what the set-up for the final book is - both girls? Dante? Everyone? I can't wait to find out!

Sadly, I couldn't finish this.

The first book was full of mystery and excitement and magic... but it seems to have vanished from this. I really couldn't connect with Donatella at all. I mostly found her pretty basic, spoiled and just not my kind of heroine.

It's sad, I truly enjoyed and loved the first book and was super excited about reading this one, but I just couldn't do it.

Legendary starts immediately after Caraval ended but this time through the eyes of Donatella Dragna. Tella has been in contact with a friend who gave her various helpful information and the location of her missing mother for a price. Now that the Dragna sisters are free of their abusive father and the island of Trisda, her friend is intent on collecting their payment--Legend's real identity.

Now, another game of Caraval is underway and Tella plans to play the game this time in order to learn the truth about Legend. If she doesn't win, more than her life may be at stake. But remember, it's all just a game.

~~~

**WARNING!!! Mild Spoilers Ahead!!**

Many authors suffer the fate of sophomore slump with their second books, however I believe this one breaks that tradition. Soon as the game started, I too questioned what was real and who was acting. The urgency of winning the game in time felt more real to me this time around as opposed to the first book; however I dont know if that is because the game was real this time or not.

The pacing was great and the emotions felt realistic. Thinking back on it, I should have known that the author would set Tella up for falling for Danté. With two sisters and one having had the choice between Dante and Julien, it would make sense that Tella would end up with whomever Scarlet didn't choose. Not sure if it's a cliché or not, but something I should have picked up on sooner.

This book also delivered many shocks that I was all for. <spoiler> I had hoped more would have developed between Tella and Jacks, but probably because I fell in love with his story. If Tella was "fated" to be his true love, then why just leave it hanging like that?? Kind of a bummer but I suppose I'm glad it didn't turn into a love triangle. </spoiler>Who knows, maybe it will be touched on again in Finale.

One thing's for sure, you should definitely pick this up as soon as you finish Caraval. You wont regret it.