Drawing on elements of the dark history of the Spanish Caribbean, this fantastical examination of colonialism, abolition and culture is as heavy hitting as they come. I can’t say I enjoyed everything about this book, but it’s undoubtedly one of the best debut novels of the year. Let’s get into it.

Five years ago, Sofia’s brother left in the company of their master to visit Isla Bestia, the carnaval island. They never returned. Now that emancipation has been granted, Sofia is determined to go to the island and find her brother. But the eternal carnaval of Isla Bestia is a strange place, and as Sofia dives deeper into the revelry trying to locate her brother, it’s becoming easier and easier to lose herself without even realizing . . .

There’s so much to talk about with this one I barely know where to begin. I guess we’ll go with the characters as always. The MC we follow is Sofia, a recently freed slave of mixed heritage who is a character I find a bit odd, to be honest. She’s a very closed off person, often choosing to bury and sidestep messy emotions. She’s very academic and approaches the mystery of the carnaval island with a scientific twist. Like, even when we learn of how important her missing brother is to her, there doesn’t feel like there’s any major emotion to it. Like, the one big moment in the story when she exhibits uninhibited emotion is when she’s forced into a reckoning with her closest friend over their shared past. Her best friend Adelina, who she grew up with. To be more precise, her former owner, who she was given to as a child, but where for Adelina they grew up as besties, for Sofia there was very much the master servant dynamic to it. Together, the two become embroiled in the mysteries of carnaval while searching for their loved ones.

So the book is written almost like two separate novellas stitched together. In the first half we get this crazy atmospheric, phantasmagoric fever dream insane trip as Sofia becomes subsumed by the carnaval, the strange imagery and set pieces, while slowly realizing things don’t add up or make sense. The people behave strangely, time isn’t moving the way it should, she witnesses the impossible in a way that defies the possibility of hallucinations, the whole nine yards. It’s a pretty great trip with a deep sense of mystery to it, as the more she delves into it the more you can’t help but wonder what in the nine hells is going on on this island. And then we get the second half, when the curtain gets peeled back, and it’s a very jarring experience. It works thematically, as this is where we really get into the meat of what Rosalia wants to explore, but as a story it leaves a lot to be desired. The mystery of her brother takes a strange twist, and the mystery of the carnaval doesn’t quite work for me - I can’t quite equate what we see behind the curtain to what we see in the carnaval section as Sofia examines the situation she’s in.

But lets get into the ideas I picked up on explored in here, because there’s some interesting stuff. With Sofia and Adelina she dives into the complicated dynamic that slavery leaves when there’s genuine affection between master and servant - while acknowledging the reality of their emotions she goes straight into the complexity of it, not sugarcoating it or painting it as something better than what it is.

Through Sofia’s terrible childhood the trauma of destroyed families and community is touched on, the evisceration of her cultural identity as she has fragments of stories and tales that allow her to identify and start to unravel some of the imagery she’s exposed to but which are just that - stories. They’re not a part of her belief system or moral fabric the way they would be for someone raised into that culture, a very key difference.

And then of course, there’s the big one nearly all stories incorporating slavery have to confront - the response. How do you channel all that rage and grief, what do you do with it? I don’t think I’m being cynical by saying humans will only ever react one way to that kind of emotion, so that makes the way its addressed in this book feel strange, but that’s the point she’s going for; the preservation and proliferation of that identity and culture so desperately attacked by the colonizers is very much a form of retribution in itself. Not that there isn’t a violent component to the response we see in this story; I’ll leave that for you to find out about when you read it.

All in all, a great book that delves into some interesting stuff. I didn’t know about the way carnaval was used as a means of resistance to slavery before this, despite experiencing it every year growing up. I’m not sure I enjoyed the basic story that all this thematic work is wrapped around, but that’s could just be because it’s so unlike what I’d typically read as a genre reader. But all in all a book I’m happy I’ve read, and I’m looking forward to seeing what else Rosalia has in store for us in the future.

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I absolutely LOVED this book, it was a perfect mix of magic/fantasy and reality. The prose was incredible, and I almost want to read it again just to review some of the descriptors Rodrigo uses. It almost felt like two books in one because the story shifts, but I loved the peeling back of the curtain and discovering the truth behind Carnaval. Rodrigo handled the darker themes beautifully, while still making this book a celebration, and it was just incredible.

**Thank you to NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing, and the author for providing me with an ARC!!**

Beasts of Carnaval is a lush tale brimming with magical intrigue, historical weight, and a touch of mystery. The story follows two young women with a complicated shared history as they journey aboard a ship and immerse themselves into the Carnaval while each searching for lost family members - their father and brother.

Much of the narrative unfolds through vivid, carnivalesque spectacles, immersing the reader in a world of dazzling performances and eerie allure. As the story progresses, it takes a darker, almost hallucinatory turn, evoking a trippy, wonderland-like atmosphere that deepens the mystery of what could have happened to their loved ones.

I deeply appreciated the novel’s thoughtful engagement with cultural and historical themes, including slavery, colonialism, and systemic bigotry, all woven seamlessly into the plot. The rich mythology of the Mother added another layer of depth, grounding the magic in a legacy that felt both ancient and relevant.

The ending was bittersweet, beautiful, and fit perfectly with the tale.

Beasts of Carnaval is a dazzling debut, perfect for readers who love magical realism with historical context (colonialism themed) with a dreamlike edge.

Rosália Rodrigo’s Beasts of Carnaval is a mesmerizing blend of myth, magic, and cultural spectacle that pulses with the rhythm of Brazil’s most iconic celebration. From the very first page, Rodrigo immerses readers in a world where ancient spirits and modern revelers collide beneath a sky glittering with fireworks and feathers.

The novel’s strength lies in its vivid prose, deeply atmospheric setting, and complex, beautifully drawn characters who grapple with identity, history, and power. Rodrigo weaves Afro-Brazilian folklore seamlessly into the plot, offering a celebration of cultural heritage while also confronting themes of colonialism and resistance. The supernatural elements are both haunting and exhilarating, adding layers of suspense and wonder without overpowering the emotional core of the story.

Thank you to NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing, and Rosália Rodrigo for providing me with an ARC of this absolutely unforgettable novel. Beasts of Carnaval beautifully blends the imaginative with real cultural traditions in a way that is both powerful and moving.

I enjoyed the vivid imagery of the Carnaval sights and sounds, especially the vejigantes. At first I thought that the telling of so many of the nights of Carnaval was a bit much, but once I figured out what happening, I understood completely why the author made a point of showing you the endless empty celebrations. I thought the resolution didn’t rise to the level of everything to that point, but it was complex enough that I felt it gave closure to the characters.
As a Puerto Rican, I deeply appreciated the aspects of the story that spoke to the wrongs committed by the Hisperians (a substitute for the Spanish) invaders and conquerors. The slavery and deaths of the indigenous population complicate the relationship between the main character, Sofia, and her former owner and now friend, Adelina. The mestizaje, the racial blending that occurred between Indigenous populations and the Hisperian colonizers is also included as a challenge for Sofia to deal with.
I facilitate a Puerto Rican book club and will be recommending this book to our group.
I received a reader copy of this book from NetGalley.

This had that element that I was hoping for from a historical element that I was looking for. Rosália Rodrigo wrote this perfectly and am excited for more in this series. It had that element that I was looking for and was invested in what was going on in this historical fantasy concept. It was everything that I wanted from this type for book. The characters had that feel that I was looking for and thought they worked well overall. I could see the inspiration from Puerto Rico and thought it worked so well. I really loved the cover and how everything worked with the mythology element.

What can I say about this book other than it was probably one of the most beautifully devastating books I have read this year. It speaks on family, identity, the horrors of colonization, and so much more. I loved the way this book was written it’s so beautiful and allows for one to just be drawn in to this world. I loved Sofia and every character in this book! The first of this book you are stuck with Sofia in this fever dream wondering what’s real and what’s not. This place, Carnaval sucks you in with its magic and makes you want to thank it for making you forget everything but it. Then as Sofia is able to fight back against this fog of entertainment as she tries to find her brother you see the horror that is surrounding this place and why. There is no hiding the suffering the natives of the land went through when the colonizers arrived and destroyed everything in their path and even years after how the people suffer not truly free. All I know is Sofia is a much better person than me because the anger and resentment would have made me go along with destroying everything alongside myself. I cannot recommend this book enough. Thank you NetGalley and
Harlequin Trade Publishing | MIRA for this book!

This book follows Sofia who is searching for her brother. It was beautifully written and pulled me into this world from the very first line. The more Sofia explores the island, something sinister and dark threatens to blue her past with her now. This book has stuck with me long after finishing it.

Such an interesting premise and fantasy—unlike any I’ve read before. It was atmospheric, dream like, and creepy. The characters and their relationships were well drawn. I loved it!!

Brilliant writing. Beasts of Carnaval is filled with longing, pain and hope. The pain of indigenous people enslaved, the hope to be free from the past. Excellent characters and scenes. Well done.

A solid and strong debut, Beasts of Carnaval follows Sofía, a freedwoman who travels to Isla Bestia to search for her twin brother who’s been missing for years. The island has rumors of endless revelry and visitors who never return, so Sofía is determined to figure out its secret with her friend/former mistress Adelina. But something weird is happening on the island and to its inhabitants.

The writing is atmospheric and rich, and it discusses complicated topics like colonialism and slavery and its effects even after it’s abolished with care and nuance. I enjoyed the author’s note at the end and the extra resources the author provides, and I did like how open the ending was, to emphasize how there’s no easy answer or solutions to resolve its aftermath. The characters were generally developed, with their own ways of thinking and goals, and the Indigenous culture and Puerto Rico-inspired setting were fascinating. There’s also no romance, in case any reader is expecting that.

It’s a strong debut, but I had some trouble getting absorbed in it. I’m not sure what it exactly was as I thought generally everything was decent. It is on the slower side, with a lot of the writing dedicated to introspection and building up the atmosphere, and it was very fever dream-esque where you’re not always sure what’s actually happening, and I feel like the second half, while it’s an interesting change, kind of lost the plot and didn’t develop relationships as well as it should have. I liked how it handled the themes and the fraught relationships characters had with each other, but I’m not sure I ever quite came to care for the characters.

Overall, though, if you enjoy alternate history with magical realism and themes of decolonialism with atmospheric writing, you’ll enjoy this!

Thanks to Netgalley and MIRA for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!

I couldn't believe this was a debut novel! This book was so well crafted from the pacing, to the characters. I enjoyed this a lot and look forward to what's next for the author.

This atmospheric book is beautiful. I love the cover I love the excitement and the energy that comes off the pages. I will say i got so lost in the environment of the book I sometimes didn't think so much about the plot but i did want a resolution and I wanted her to find out what happened to her brother.

Review copy provided by the publisher.

Sofía has been waiting for years for her twin brother Sol to return. He was taken away by their former owner, now employer, to serve as his valet during a stay at an expensive resort, and neither of them has been heard from since. Adalina, her owner's daughter and her best friend, insists on accompanying her--which means Sofía has access to the absolute most lavish and decadent aspects of the resort while she's searching for her father.

This is, however, a fantasy novel. So the resort is ominously not the paradise it seems. Instead of having her questions answered, Sofía gets lost in a jumbled spiral that even her scientist mind can't make sense of. No one around her seems to notice that anything is wrong, but the one thing she can hold onto--she hopes--is that she is there to find Sol, or at least find out what happened to him.

Most of the other specifics I could give here would be major spoilers, so I will just say some more elements of this book: intense grappling with the interpersonal ramifications of colonialism. Aro-ace heroine. Stubborn, imperfect, caring community members whose vision for their community doesn't always line up. Deeply weird magic happenings. And, of course, the titular Carnaval, in all its vivid glory.

DNF. I’m deeply confused about this one, because the other early reviews I’ve seen have me wondering if I read the same book as everyone else. Lush? Intoxicating? Fever dream? What???

I was bored. I was so bored. The island doesn’t seem fantastical in the slightest – I was expecting magic, and instead, masks and hedge sculptures and (admittedly mysterious) mirror mazes? Seriously? I’ve encountered all those in the real world, and while I freely admit they’re all impressive in the sense that I couldn’t make any of them… I wanted impossible wonders, you know? Gymnasts and tightrope-walkers – don’t cut it. I guess if the prose had been jaw-droppingly stunning, it might have worked, but it’s not. It’s not completely plain or anything, but it’s not magic.

And in fairness, maybe I’d have gotten magic if I’d stuck with the book longer – I tapped out at 21% – but there was just no incentive to keep going. The characters are fine, pleasant but not very interesting, and I didn’t care about the quest for the missing brother – he was MIA from before the book started, so I didn’t know him, even with Sofía’s thoughts about him. I didn’t feel Sofía’s worry for him, or how she missed him: I felt like they were told to me, but I didn’t experience them. The prose isn’t bad at all, and there are moments when it’s great, but it’s not the lush, decadent writing I was really hoping for.

The colonialist themes are written really well: Sofía’s complicated position, as an ex-slave but priviliged compared to many of her people, was very clear, and seeing how she was cut off from her history and culture and language – because the colonials suppressed all those things – was heartbreaking. The gradual reveal that Carnaval is built out of stolen pieces of that culture – even at 21% that was already becoming clear – was awful.

But that’s not enough by itself to hold my attention. Reading this made me tired, each chapter was an effort, and I’m just not enjoying it.

I do think this is one of the better books I've DNFed. Maybe the real issue is that it wasn’t what I wanted it to be? And maybe a bit mismarketed, unless it becomes extremely fantastical later on…

Beasts of Carnaval is a lovely fantasy full of evocative and engaging imagery and lush description, drawing on Caribbean and African lore. It's too bad the characters aren't quite as well handled. Every time it seems like we might get to know one of them more deeply, the plot intervenes, leaving them superficial and unexplained. Likewise character relationships, at which the author hints and hints at developing but ultimately reveals as lots of nothing. Too much of the novel felt like a film treatment instead of a novel. There's nothing wrong with that, but it's not a novel: it's a film treatment. I'd much rather have read a novel with character and relationship development and getting to the truth of the place and characters and emotions. This is dazzling, but the dazzle is rhinestones, not diamonds.

Rosalia Rodrigo’s debut novel, Beasts of Carnaval, immerses readers into a fantasy world based on Puerto Rico’s colonial history and Taino culture. One of my favorite aspects of the novel was learning some Taino language, culture, and history. The main character, Sofia, visits a La Isla Bestia, where Carnaval happens every night. She is seeking her twin brother, Sol, who arrived on the island five years earlier with their former enslaver. This mysterious island offers visitors flowing wine, extensive buffets, acrobatic shows, gambling, and all forms of pleasures. But there seems to be a sinister side to the island. Can Sofia resist the temptation to be swept away by merriment and stay focused on her aim? What is truly happening at La Isla Bestia?

Rodriguo excels at setting each scene with colorful language and imagery. Her writing allows readers to envision the wondrous nature of Carnaval and the island’s landscapes. Beasts of Carnaval tackles important issues like slavery, colonialism, sexism, racism, and colorism. It encourages readers to imagine an alternative world where white colonizers never brought war, slavery, the patriarchy, environmental devastation, and human exploitation. Sofia’s complicated relationship with her twin brother Sol and her enslaver’s daughter-turned-friend Adelina are compelling and explore important notions of revenge, forgiveness, and power. There are chapters in the first half of the book where not much in the plot moves forward while Sofia enjoys Carnaval every night, and I think building up the sinister nature of the island during this part could have increased the tension. The last third of the book has an exciting pace and a satisfying conclusion.

I recommend this book for readers interested in a fantasy based on indigenous Caribbean culture and history where a central theme tackles navigating and overthrowing oppressors. The author’s note sums up Rodrigo’s intention:

“At its core, this is a story about joy; art and cultural reclamation as a form of rebellion; and how choosing to honor the stories, ways, and words of our ancestors is an act of liberation. Which is not to say there is one right or wrong way to fight against systems of oppression. The unfortunate truth is that for a people colonized, every path to liberation demands a price.”

Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for an Advanced Reader Copy.

Thank you for the opportunity to read this ARC!

So, this was very different, and honestly, really enjoyable. I was genuinely not sure what to expect, but I took a day or two to get into it; once I did, it was surprisingly deep, unique and magical. Our FMC, while strong and intelligent, did annoy me at times, but it was easy to move on from being annoyed when there are so many strong aspects to this novel.

The main takeaway from this book: it is not what you expect; the deeper meanings creep up on you, and they are so worthwhile.

Beasts of Carnaval-Rosália Rodrigo
“A labyrinth stretched over acres of land. The complex latticework of hedges encased the venue like an enormous green spiderweb, drawing intricate spirals around the gardens below. Weaving through and around it all was a great river extending far beyond the grounds of the Flor de Lis, toward the chain of shadowy mountains in the distance.”
Sofía lives on a sugarcane plantation called Hacienda Esperanza in the town of Etérea. A former slave on the plantation, she now lives there with her former owner’s daughter/her now-friend, Adelina. Sofía makes the decision to leave Etérea to travel to Isla Bestia in the Gilded Island, where the infamous Carnaval de Bestias occurs. Her goal is to locate her twin brother Sol, who disappeared five years prior while visiting the Island with their former master, as his valet.
What I Liked:
-The atmosphere in this book was amazing. Any book with a carnival/circus atmosphere, I am here for it. This had vibes of the Jim Henson movie Labyrinth mixed with the Caraval series by Stephanie Garber (both of which I loved). Also throw in some Alice in Wonderland. This had a darker aspect to it vs Caraval, which makes sense, seeing as this is an adult novel. Things were extraordinary and magical, but they were also a bit scary and didn’t seem totally safe. What I really think made it stand out for me though was that there was an element of folklore and culture that I haven’t seen elsewhere, specifically regarding Hisperia, where Sofía was stolen and enslaved from. It built a deeper connection for me with Sofía’s character.
-Going along with that amazing atmosphere, the imagery and description was on point here. Carnaval was so vividly written that I could see it in my mind perfectly and almost feel the air of debauchery that surrounded the event.
-I think that the relationship between Sofía and Adelina was very well-written. Sofía goes through some major internal struggles throughout the book regarding that relationship. Adelina has basically been her best friend most of her life, especially since Sol vanished, and you can tell Sofía cares for her deeply. That doesn’t change the fact that Sofía was enslaved by Adelina’s family, or that she was “given” to Adelina, basically as a gift. Adelina didn’t make these choices herself, and always treated Sofía the best that she knew how, but she is very clueless about what Sofía struggled with, and how she was partially responsible for that.
What I Struggled With:
Things were disjointed. It was like everything was a happy party with maybe a tinge of something unsettling, and suddenly everything was super sinister. I kind of felt like I got whiplash. That wasn’t a MAJOR deal for me though. Coyabay really improved the atmosphere though, and I enjoyed the scenes in the book that are set there.
Overall, I really enjoyed the book. I think it will be a great addition to the booklist for our Gothic Fiction book club!
**Thanks to Harlequin Trade Publishing and MIRA for the ARC of this book!
www.goodreads.com/smmorris821

Vibes: Magical Realism, Cultural Reclamation, Family Bonds

Beasts of Carnaval is an absolute must read for fans of Caraval or The Night Circus. It has the same fanciful, mythical vibes of an unending party, but with a mysterious undertone. The story is set on the Caribbean-inspired island of Etérea. Under the rule of the Hisperian Empire, recent legal changes have ended plantation slavery on the island. Sofía, formerly enslaved, now finds herself unsure of her future. Like many other newly freed men and women, her cultural identity was taken and erased during the diaspora of slavery.

Five years before the events of the novel, the plantation owner Don Reynaldo de Esperanza left on holiday to the famed Carnaval de Bestias on Isla Bestia. With him, he took Sofía’s twin brother, Sol, as a valet. The plantation continues to operate as Don Reynaldo’s daughter, Adelina, takes over in secret. Adelina is happiest when tinkering with machinery. Her main efforts (besides keeping the sugarcane business afloat) are directed toward instituting work reforms and automation. She spent her formative years considering Sofía a companion, not a servant. As such, when Sofía attempts to leave to find her brother, Adelina joins her hoping to discover why her father never returned.

Sofía is a very easy FMC to root for; she’s grounded, methodical, and logical. She isn’t written without flaws, but her choices make sense based on the information she has. She’s not frustrating. You want her to find her brother. You want her to succeed and be happy. She carries a lot of pain and trauma, but she gets things done.

The novel is listed as Adult Fiction, but there is no content that would keep it off YA shelves. There is, in fact, no romantic subplot. It’s a breath of fresh air. Thematically, love is explored through sibling bonds and found family. We finally have a heroine who is not pining after a man in a masquerade mask. I was happy to see it.

I had concerns around the halfway mark that the novel might not stick the landing. But thankfully, the plot points I feared might be forgotten in the mid-novel shift were all resolved by the end.