I received an advance reader copy of this from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

i thought maybe i would just give it a try since i read the first one but hoo boy, no i could not even give it a fair chance. DNF. i skimmed most of it and was like, nope. nope, nope, nope.

This book was everything I expected and more. I have adored Tella since Book 1 and was thrilled to know that she was going to get her own story and boy oh boy did Legendary not disappoint. I LOVED how she progressed from being reckless Tella to being this fierce, independent ball of fire.
Legendary packs so much action, twists, test of loyalties and OMG I thought I was mesmerized by the world of Caraval ...but Legendary somehow made me fall in LOVE even more?? Stephanie Garber's writing is so poetic and so freaking gorgeous that I forgot for a moment that I was reading a book. I was living in the moment, holding my breath for these characters, ready to jump in and save them at any point.
This book was a treat!!!

Welcome back to Caraval, where the game has just begun and the stakes are higher than ever.

"Every good story needs a villain. But the best villains are the ones you secretly like."

I've been trying to organize my thoughts and feelings for this book since I finished reading it back in March. Yes, for two and a half months. If you have been following me at all you know that CARAVAL was one of my top 10 reads of 2017, probably even my favorite read of the year. I've reread it 3 times and could probably go for another reread again soon. I was both excited and nervous to start reading LEGENDARY, it had some pretty big shoes to fill! I was worried it couldn't possibly live up to my love for the first book. I'm here to tell you that it surpassed everything I had hoped it could be.

"You have a voice for telling stories."

Why yes, yes you do, Miss Stephanie Garber. You're ability to weave a magical tale that can sweep readers off their feet is something I admire. I have seen her work described as overly descriptive and filled with too many metaphors, while this kind of writing isn't for everyone, I personally love the way that Stephanie uses this in her books. I think she definitely has a voice for telling stories.

"Before their relationship was much like Caraval. It had felt like a game."

LEGENDARY picks up right when CARAVAL leaves off. It took all the things I loved about the first book and brought them to a whole new level. The secrets, lies and romance are all so much more intense. If you've read CARAVAL, you know that Tella is not shy, or ashamed of her sexuality. So when she falls for the bad boy we get sooooo many more swoon worthy moments in LEGENDARY. Kissing, lots of kissing! Ha. When Tella enters the game she can't tell fantasy from reality and doesn't know who or what to believe. She may have to risk everything to win. But....

"Caraval wasn't won by playing it safe"

If you're like me and loved the first book but are worried this one won't be as good, don't be scared to read it! If CARAVAL wasn't you're favorite but you enjoyed Tella's character, I'd definitely recommend picking this one up. I want to keep this as spoiler free as possible, but the ending left me begging for more! I immediately messaged the author asking if she was going to continue the story. She of course could neither confirm or deny (at the time). It's now been revealed that there will be ONE LAST BOOK, called FINALE coming in 2019. I'll be impatiently waiting for it's release.

The follow-up to Caraval, and clearly the middle of the trilogy. The question of who Legend is and what he ultimately wants is teased, but there's the addition of the Fates and a fake engagement and meeting the Empress and, of course, finishing the most recent Caraval. Tella is more interesting than Scarlet, but the change in POV made me wonder whose story we'll hear in the next book.

As for the Caraval part, well... there were a lot of planned coincidences, and the prose is more overdone here than at other times (which is saying something). Plus so much was left hanging (who were the Fates? there have to be more, right? and what about Mom? who is/was she?) that it almost feels like there should be whole books about those pieces. I'd really love if the cards reappear, but somehow I doubt it.

eARC provided by publisher.

If Caraval was good, Legendary is even better. Some of this is due to the fact that we have experience with Caraval. We know that not everything is as it seems, and that includes the roles people have. We have fallen under the spell of the magic and myth. We know the Dragna sisters, empathize with them, and want them to find happiness after the horrors of life with their fathers. The sequel takes some unusual turns though which turns it into a very different story from the first and makes it a much stronger novel overall.

While Caraval is all about Scarlett's search for her sister, Legendary follows Tella as she attempts to uncover one of the greatest mysteries of Caraval as well as the unsolved mystery of her mother's disappearance. Scarlett is nothing but a minor character this go-round, and that is a good thing. Even though she is the younger of the two and somewhat sheltered by her older sister, Tella is the stronger of the two sisters. She is more aware of reality and subsequently less prone to fantasy. She is pragmatic, self-aware, independent, and highly determined. She is also gutsy, willing to solve problems and take risks to achieve her goals. You can't help but admire her for all of this.

The game this time around is also more interesting in my mind. No longer limited to a house but to an entire city, the possible clues are more difficult to find. At the same time, the stakes are higher given the bargain Tella makes and the repercussions should she fail. The game is no longer about one of the sisters either, for the truth behind the games will change the world should certain things come to pass. Everything is just a bit bigger about Legendary, which makes it a fitting title for the sequel.

Legendary is the type of novel where I lost complete lack of time and reality while reading. I became so immersed into Tella's story and the world of Caraval that I literally neglected everything to read it. I fell in love alongside Tella, felt her pain and frustration, and celebrated her wins. I went into mourning when I finished it because I knew it would be months before I get to experience Tella's world again. I want to go back and read the first novel again. I never want to leave this world of magic and legends. This feeling is why I read. Now, if only every book I read makes me feel this way.

My Highly Caffeinated Thought: A magical tale of filled with destiny, whimsy, and secrets begging to be told.

LEGENDARY continues to enchant with the magical world of Caraval. This time around readers are gifted to the story Donatella Dragna and her quest to save her mother. To be honest, I wasn’t sure if I would love this book as much as I did the first. The bar was set pretty high with CARAVAL. However, after the first chapter, Garber catapulted over that bar, destroying any trepidation I had. In one word, this book is spectacular.

What makes this and the previous book so great is the honesty and reality the characters bring the book. I know what you are thinking, but hear me out. Even though this is a continuing story filled with fantasy and illusions, at its core, it is about two sisters and their connection to each other while they navigate their own emotions and become who they are destined to be. The emotional push and pull the characters go through is heartbreaking at times, but it wouldn’t be a game if there weren’t sacrifices, right?

LEGENDARY is a bewitching story that I could not put down. I was instantly caught up in the deceptions and the intrigue, but then loved those quieter moments when I was able to get to know the characters. Garber did it again and I cannot wait for the final book in the series.

If you enjoyed Caraval you must read this book. It starts right where the first book left off, except we now follow Tella... Don't worry, Scarlett and Julian are still around. So much goes on in this book it is hard to review it in a way that is spoiler free. So just pick it up, prepare for you jaw to drop time and time again, and make no plans for when you finish it because you may just need to revisit the first book once you are done with this one.

This sequel to Caraval absolutely blew me away. I loved Caraval, but I believe Legendary is just as good, if not better. It's really important to read Caraval first because everything that happens in this book relates to the first book.
Tella is on a mission to find her missing mother, but in order to do so she must participate in and win Caraval on the isle of Valenda. She has promised to find out and reveal Legend's name to the anonymous "friend" who has helped her and her sister Scarlett escape their cruel father. As Tella becomes more involved in the game, she finds out she is a part of something much bigger than her mission. Tella will have to fight harder than she ever has before to win Caraval and to save the ones she loves from a horrible fate. Will she make it in time, or will the world as she knows it be changed forever?
I absolutely loved this book and was swept away in the world of Caraval from page one. The writing is exquisite and compelling, and the characters and the plot are well written to the point where I felt like I was experiencing the events firsthand. I can't wait for the next book! My heart was broken for the characters at the end of this book, and I don't know how I'm going to make it until next year! I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys YA fantasy, as well as a great story that will sweep readers away with the magic of Caraval. Also, you can judge this book by its cover, because the outside is as beautiful as the inside.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own, and a positive review was not required.

Legendary was the 2nd book and was able to capture my attention from the start. This book was in the view of Tella point of view and her struggle to find out how Legend really is without letting her sister know what is going on. Tella is also working on trying to find what happened to my mother after she left when she was a child. With the fates trying to come back and Tella being the only one who knows. Will Tella find her mother and Legend before it's too late?

"The air tasted like wonder. Like candied butterfly wings caught in sugared spiderwebs, and drunken peaches coated in luck."

Lovely writing! More fancy dresses, higher stakes, razor-tipped gloves, magic shops, fortune tellers, magic cards, tunnels, and secrets! This book was a boatload of fun!

The Pacing, World-Building, & Plot:

I found it quite easy to jump back into the world of Caraval. There is some summary in the first few chapters of Legendary to refresh the reader's memory of the first book, but the story takes off quickly with a twist right near the beginning. We get to see more of the Meridian Empire and Empress Elantine, which helps flesh out the world more than the first book. The mythology about the Fates also adds another dimension to the world-building. I loved it!

There wasn't a whole lot of "action," but the romance, plot twists, and difficult choices kept me interested. And there are some huge decisions Tella has to make. I love it when characters are forced to choose between two difficult paths. Fate versus choosing your own future is a large theme in Legendary that, in some ways, makes this book more complicated than Caraval. The plot feels much more intricate, and the writing is somewhat flowery, but not distractingly flowery this time. But as in Caraval, the multi-format (letters, clues, etc.) help move the pace along and encourage the reader to join in the mystery and magic to help solve the "game." Garber really put a lot of imagination and creativity into this book.

Tella & the Romance:

I have to say, sometimes Tella seems a little full-of-herself, thinking that all the guys must desire her because she's so beautiful and such. But I suppose this is just part of her personality, and this character trait does seem to be balanced out by her courageous determination and perseverance. As a character, Tella does show a great deal of growth. She moves from not wanting love to truly longing for it. Throughout her quest to find her mother, she really struggles with her heart - literally and metaphorically. Sinister Death tugs at Tella's heart, a side effect from what happened at the end of the first Caraval.

"Death visited Tella while she slept. The tips of his claws stroked the back of her neck, while his shadow followed her into pristine dreams, poisoning all the colors until everything tasted of dust and withered to ash."

On a somewhat happier note, the romance in this book is full of mystery and magic! Tella's suitors are two very different people, but I found myself rooting for Dante. The scenes between him and Tella are filled with longing looks and tender touches. And of course he has to rescue her after a terrible thing happens. I hope their romance will have a chance at a proper ending in the third book. Can't wait!

Final Thoughts:

Near the end of the book, I did notice that Jacks's danger factor seems to diminish a great deal, and the ending is not exactly the big showdown I was expecting. But perhaps there will be more showdowns in the third book. Tella's encounter with the Undead Queen and Her Handmaidens is seriously creepy. I hope we'll get more interactions with the Fates in the conclusion.

In addition, I was still left wondering about some things. Like who exactly was responsible for cursing Tella's mother? That answer was not actually provided. And where exactly did her mother go after she left Tella all those years ago? I'm hoping a real interaction between Paloma and her daughters in the next book will supply some of those answers.

The number of typos in the hardcover copy was surprisingly noticeable, but I won't subtract from my rating. Overall, this is definitely a spine that shines, and I can't wait for Finale!

Tella , Tella...she sucks! Hopefully she will redeem herself in the next book. In Legendary, we see Tella finally being able to play the game and boy does she play. Tella told so many lies it was hard to keep up. I might be biased but Scarlett is ten times a better person, that is saying a lot. In Caraval, Scarlett spent the entire worried about her sister, and trying to find her. In Legend, Tella basically spent the entire time avoiding Scarlett, and manipulating any and everyone. Tella was so fearless at times it made her do dumb things, that if were thought through properly could have been avoided...i know I gripe about Tella but I did enjoy the book, the pacing at times was slow but then it picked up! Tella also defended Scarlett, which I loved there relationship is amazing! When you get pass the lying and manipulation, great girls really. We got to see Tella question things that Sacrlett would have just let go, Tella refused to be pacified. She was quite refreshing at times, If you get a chance definitely check out this series!

Such an exciting second installment of Caraval! I am already looking forward to reading the next book!

Originally posted on Forever Young Adult on 2018 June 12

BOOK REPORT for Legendary (Caraval #2) by Stephanie Garber

Cover Story: Aces
BFF Charm: Yay
Swoonworthy Scale: 8
Talky Talk: Quit Playin’ Games With My Heart
Bonus Factors: Tarot, Series Standalone
Relationship Status: Wicked Game

Cover Story: Aces

While not quite as pretty as Caraval, Legendary is still a pretty good cover. It definitely screams “mystery and fantasy,” but in a more elegant way than most other YA fantasy I’ve seen. I’m so glad the designers went with generally abstract covers for this series, because it easily could have gone oh-so-very wrong. (I don’t know how they resisted Fancy Dress Cover temptation, given Scarlett’s wardrobe in Caraval—but I digress!)

The Deal:

Warning: if you haven’t read the first book in the series, spoilers abound!

After winning the game of Caraval, sisters Scarlett and Donatella (Tella) are free—or so Scarlett thinks, anyway. She doesn’t know that Tella made a bargain to uncover Legend’s identity in exchange for finding their mother, and that the next game of Caraval, which is happening almost immediately after the previous one ended, has even higher stakes than the last.

Tella’s determination is destined to be her downfall. Somehow, she has to protect her sister and herself in her quest for their mother. If she fails, she dies. But if she succeeds in unmasking Legend, the glittering, enchanted world of Caraval may be lost forever. She has a deadline to meet, and all the beautiful dresses and eerily handsome princes in the world can’t stop her.

It’s only a game…but tell that to Tella’s ever-slowing heart.

BFF Charm: Yay



I wasn’t the biggest fan of Tella in Caraval, thinking I liked circumspect Scarlett better—but that’s because we didn’t get the chance to get into Tella’s head. Tella is not nearly the flighty, fragile thing that Scarlett thinks. Sure, she likes drinking champagne and kissing boys (me too!), and makes some bad choices in kissing partners occasionally (haven’t we all?), but Tella has a steely core that belies her outward appearance. Even when she’s angry with her sister and mother and the world, she’s fiercely loyal and fiercely determined. You can’t help but admire that.

Swoonworthy Scale: 8

Stephanie Garber writes a heck of a kissing scene, you guys—and since Tella likes to kiss boys as a hobby or general lifestyle choice, we get some more action than in Caraval. It’s as if Stephanie Garber read my mind: MORE KISSING! More putting of the face upon another face! The people [me] demand it!

Talky Talk: Quit Playin’ Games With My Heart

I love this series: first, because Garber’s writing is so lush and beautiful without going full purple prose. Second, because I love the sheer instinct-upending terror of a game that may or may not be real. As someone who thrives on routine and reliability, the very idea of entering a world where illusions abound makes me feel like somehow I just time traveled back to my first year of law school (but sexier, and with better clothes).

I didn’t know how the stakes could get any higher than the last game of Caraval, but Garber has indeed upped them, and her pacing is top-notch. Once you pick up this book, it’s incredibly hard to put it down: the world of Caraval is beautiful and dangerous, and who needs to do things like “dishes” or “work that pays you in real human earth dollars” when you could be living vicariously through Tella? (And how much longer does she have to live?! How can you put it down without knowing how it will end?)

Bonus Factor: Tarot



Garber has created a tarot-like deck of cards that have far more to them than meets the eye. If you love tarot and its imagery, you might find some similarities; even if you don’t know a thing about it, her descriptions of the cards are far more eerie than anything Rider-Waite has to offer.

Bonus Factor: Series Standalone



What I loved about Caraval was that even though I knew it was to be a series, it read like a standalone, which makes waiting for the sequel so much easier. Legendary is the same: its ending could function as the end of the series, but there is one more book left. (That was news to me up until recently—when I finished the book a few months ago, I indeed thought it was the end of the series, and was perfectly satisfied.)

Relationship Status: Wicked Game

I jumped at the chance to go out with the beautiful world of Caraval once more, and our date kept me guessing the entire time. Usually I don’t go for game-playing, but when it looks, smells, sounds, and even tastes so rich, who am I to say no? Now I hear that we’ve got a third date planned, so I’m off to find the next magical ballgown—and maybe some protective charms so I won’t lose my head.

Literary Matchmaking:



If you like games come to life with dangerously sexy gamemasters, read the classic Forbidden Game series by L.J. Smith. (Posh and I both regard this as a favorite from our actual teen years!)

If you want more lush, gorgeous writing (and a good dose of tarot), you’ll naturally have to read (or re-read) The Raven Cycle series by Maggie Stiefvater.

For deadly-serious stakes and a fierce, stubborn protagonist (plus bad Fancy Dress covers that will make you extra-grateful for the Caraval covers), make sure you read The Winner’s Trilogy by Marie Rutkoski.

FTC Full Disclosure: I received a free review copy from Flatiron Books. I received neither money nor a pet unicorn for writing this review, despite how hard I wished for one. Legendary is available now.

Loved the first one and this one was even better! This book was exactly what I wanted and it left me wanting so much more! Stephanie Garber did a fantastic job of expanding her universe and creating colorful and enjoyable characters.

Rating: 3.5. I enjoyed this book as a whole, a lot more than the first one. I liked following Tella's point of view. She was a much more interesting character than Scarlet proved to be in Caraval. Dante proved to be very similar to Julian but I still liked his scenes. I liked learning more about the Fates and Legend and his magic and the ending sets up the 3rd book nicely. I definitely want to see how this trilogy wraps up.

I received an ARC of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was the second installment in the Caraval series which promised to get to the heart of the mystery. While the story did do that, all was revealed unenthusiastically with recycled elements from the first book.

We unfortunately read from Tella's POV this time and I have to say that the author didn't make me like her much more than I did in the first book. There's something about her arrogant personality that I just can't connect with. Our previous main character, Scarlett, still made appearances throughout this story but had no further development. Honestly, she could've been written out and it wouldn't have made much of a difference to the plot.

The Caraval game itself started almost exactly the same as the first book, just with a different sister being the star of the show. After hardly learning about the allure of this traveling carnival in the first book, I was really hoping to get more atmospheric descriptions this time around. While the author did become more descriptive, it was only in regards to the city they were playing in rather than the game itself. This is honestly such a missed opportunity.

It was interesting to see how the two separate Caraval games connected and that there was a secret purpose for these teenage girls to be included from the very beginning. However, it was often very dull as Tella roamed the city looking for clues. I was really expecting shocking twists and turns, like in the first book, but was thoroughly disappointed. The reveal of Legend's true identity was given away too early in the story and in a way that didn't offer any surprises.

Finally, the magical backstory was extremely hard to follow. So much so that the author included a glossary of historical magical elements at the end. Readers shouldn't need this reference material; we should be made privy to this information in a concise way as the plot is built up.

Nothing about Legendary made me excited for the third book in the series and I haven't decided if I'll bother reading Finale to see how the story ends when it's released.

The second I had this on my NetGalley dashboard, I downloaded it and dove right in. Legendary was one of my most anticipated releases for the year. Caraval was fantastic, and more than that, I have some very special memories related to that book: it was the book I was reading when I went into labor, the first book I finished after Rosalie was born. This series is very deeply embedded into my heart now and I am so happy to tell you all that Legendary does not disappoint.


In fact, I'd even go so far as to say it was better.


It was hard not to compare the two books while reading. Caraval was narrated by Scarlett, but Legendary starred Donatella and I think it was all the stronger for it. I loved Scarlett, don't get me wrong. But Scarlett's life at the beginning of Caraval was very much ruled by fear. Tella, on the other hand, is much more of a go-getter, a protagonist who really drives the story instead of being lead around by it. Tella is the kind of person who takes chances and leaps of faith, she's sometimes too reckless but she's also very cunning and very smart. She is often grossly underestimated by her opponents. I just found her to be a great, engaging, exciting main character. I loved being in her shoes.


Legendary has another round of Caraval, which is only supposed to happen once a year, but this time is happening just a few weeks later for a special occasion. I usually dislike this type of plot, where it's just a rehash of the first book (think Catching Fire.) But I just LOVE the game of Caraval so much, I didn't mind it at all. I loved it, in fact. Garber just has this way of completely messing with your head. You're told over and over again that it's only a game, none of it's real. You're explicitly told this! And yet you can't help but fall for it all anyway. This round of Caraval swept me off my feet entirely. It was so much more magical and fun this time around, even though the actual magic was kept to a minimum this time. (There are no magically changing dresses, for instance. Though I promise there is not a lack of costume porn.)


There is a love triangle in Legendary. Kind of. It may just be my hate-to-love shipper heart that's reading more into things that it should be. But there are two guys vying for Tella's attention. I will not say anything more about their identities but I loved them both so much. I truly could not pick a team because there was the guy I loved and the guy I think Tella was better with. But then there were TWISTS. Ahhh. Also for my fellow hate-to-love shippers, feast your eyes on this beauty:

(He's carrying her in his arms after doing a REALLY NICE THING FOR HER and also she's injured.)


"I still hate you."

"It's probably for the best."


I nearly fell out of my bed, okay. There is a lot of this with BOTH ships! Both are hate-to-love! If this is at all your jam, this book is definitely for you.


The world is also expanded a bit in Legendary. Scarlett's world felt very close and small, but in this book we're traveling some, to the city of Valenda. There are different districts and castles and palaces and temples. We get to see a bit of the religious belief of this world. We even get some creation myth stuff, which was awesome. I loved the expansion of the Fates especially. The myths and the truths surrounding them are fascinating and I really, really want to learn more. That said, some of the world building felt a little silly at times. Not in the big pieces, but just the small ways, like technology and magic. The every day stuff. It felt almost "throw at the wall and see what sticks." But at the same time, that just fed into the whole whimsy and Wonderland feel of the story, so I couldn't really complain that much.


My one true complaint is the writing. In Caraval the writing was flowery, colorful, and overly descriptive, but I always assumed it was because of Scarlett's synesthesia. She experiences her senses differently from normal people. But the same over-the-top descriptions happened in Legendary too. I rolled my eyes a handful of times at phrases like "he smelled like secrets." The writing is not my favorite and I can see how others would find it distracting. Everything else was just so amazing for me that the writing style barely affected me at all.


I loved Caraval. I know it's a polarizing book and some people really hated it. But I LOVED it. Legendary was twenty times better. A complete level-up from the first book, taking all the great things about book one and making them better, while leaving behind the not-as-good bits. So much dark whimsy, magic, romance, and a sense of unreality I've never seen before in any other series. The romances made it even better for me. I'm a megafan and I really, really need to know if a third book is coming because I need more.

I loved Caraval so I had to read Legendary and see how the story continues.
It took me several weeks to finish Legendary. It was slow paced and boring at times. Some chapters were interesting and others were dragging. Sometimes I found it overly descriptive. I felt like it could have been 50-100 pages shorter. I liked the characters. I think the description of the settings and the events were a bit too much and long.
Thank you Netgalley for the ARC

Much like my review of Caraval, it's difficult to contain my thoughts on Legendary in a single review. This is the kind of book that makes me want to throw a copy at everyone I know because the pain of getting hit by a book wouldn't be as painful as reading the ending of this book. My heart goes out to Tella. Talk. About. A. Cliffhanger.

But I could spend this entire review lamenting over the ending so backtracking to the book as a whole, Legendary is pure magic. ALL THE FEELS I had from Caraval returned but not in the way I expected. To be honest, I wasn't sure how I felt about reading from Tella's point of view. We meet her in Caraval but it's her sister, Scarlett, who steals the show so I never really developed any interest in Tella's tale. And then I read Legendary and I can't believe I ever considered not reading the sequel (it was the briefest of moments, I promise).

The strength of sisterhood and family came forward once more. Even though Tella and Scarlett were together again, there was a good deal of tension and I felt like the sisters had both gained and lost something during the last Caraval. This time, they're in a new city and secret lurk in the shadows. Foreshadowing for the third and final book, Finale? I mean, I hope so!

I liked that Tella doubted everything. As someone who does the same, I immediately connected with her, a connection that only grew stronger the more I read. Tella has that air of uncertainty and combined with the illusions of Caraval, constantly questioning what is and isn't real, she made for an intriguing point-of-view character.

Tella made this story magical. Plain and simple. If she hadn't been doubting herself -- her choices, the game, her feelings -- then I wouldn't have started doubting. And I needed to doubt as the reader. That's the beauty of these books. Garber sets the scene but the characters lead (and mislead). Combine the mystery with deadly stakes and Legendary stole the show.

I think I actually liked this book more than Caraval, if that's even possible. Here, there are lives on the line, hearts stopping (literally), powerful and elusive Fates walking the earth. . . there's magic. There's love. There's excitement. There's tragedy.

There's hope.

Without that underlying light, the smallest of chances that things will work out, the magic makes no impact. But Garber packed Legendary full of hope. . .

. . . and then smashed a wrecking ball through my heart.

Just. That ending. Did the Prince of Hearts curse me too? Because I think my heart stopped a bit. And that's not even all of it because WE LEARN LEGEND'S IDENTITY.

Like WHAT.

I had a guess. There's a moment in the book where you start thinking and I'm both glad and upset that my guess was right because it made the ending that much more heartbreaking.

BUT. . . but. . . there's another book. Told from the point-of-view of both Scarlett and Tella, from what I've heard. So hopefully we get some answers.

In the meantime, go read Caraval. Grab a copy of Legendary and read it too. And then happily suffer with me while we wait for Finale!

Newly released fantasy novel LEGENDARY by Stephanie Garber is the sequel to Caraval. And you should read those two books in order so as to fully understand the story of Donatella and her sister Scarlett and the imaginative fantasy world in which they live. I am keeping my review brief and relying on the recommendations of several fans (ranging in age from teens to mid-80s!) who are eagerly looking forward to this addition to the series where Tella is on a quest to learn the true name of the Caraval Master Legend. To do so, she must solve puzzles and riddles and win Caraval.

LEGENDARY received a starred review from the Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books and was on many "most anticipated book" lists. Unfortunately, I missed the opportunity to read the preview so I am giving this a neutral 3 stars, recognizing that it likely merits more.