thank you netgalley for this ARC.

I really loved this story. Think the night circus meets Caraval with a twist. The whole time I was reading this I just couldn't get enough!!!

Thank you NetGalley for an arc of this book!!

I unfortunately had to DNF this book because I was insanely bored. I couldn’t even get past 50 pages. Maybe I’ll pick it up later on and decide I like it but as Aragorn says “ it is not this day”.

1 star ⭐️

Carnival Fantastico is a fast paced book based in a carnival, but as Esmeralda is competing to be a main act and win her chance to stay at the carnival for longer, she’s now noticing things might not be as they seem. Her old love is now back and they must fight to stay out of his fathers grasp, win the completion, and discover what is truly going on at the carnival.

There was so much going on in this book and they were pulled off very well. We have competitions, old loves coming back, tales of magic, running away from war/abusing fathers. Honestly this book will never have you bored.

Step right up to the greatest book on Earth. It will dazzle and delight. It is Carnival Fantastico, a spellbinding YA romantasy by the one and only Angela Montoya.

This magical traveling carnival is the perfect place to hide from your past. It is here where, after being betrayed by her one true love, Esmeralda pretends to be a fortuneteller. Ignacio, the lost love Esmeralda is trying to forget, is determined to expose the dastardly deeds of his father. Esmeralda needs him to help her win a competition that determines the next main attraction and Ignacio needs her to help dig up the dirt on Dad. But, there’s something very sinister lurking around the big top

This book is a thrill ride that I read in one sitting! Our MCs are childhood friends to lovers and then enemies to lovers. She is tough as nails while he is sweet as cotton candy. I just loved everything about it!

Thanks to NetGalley and Joy Revolution for finally approving my request to view this most anticipated arc. Carnival Fantastico is coming to town February 3, 2026.

An absolutely stunning read that has all the vibes of carnivals and second chance love. Angela is one of those authors that makes you fall in love with the characters right off the bat because the MMC is sweet and the FMC is such a feisty and strong person that stands out in the times. I love how magical this book was, and one of those reads that you wish you could transport yourself to. I love the representation of Latinx culture as well. Excellent read!!

The magic system is so fun, the yearning is there omg. The writing is easy to follow and I really love the con man trope.

She is magic!

Will be buying a hard copy!

Thank you so much! Was not trying to post spoilers.

Angela Montoya’s Carnival Fantástico is an enchanting rollercoaster ride with incredible characters & tension as taut as a tight rope. Montoya excels in writing immersive settings! I felt like I was IN the carnival myself, & I was experiencing every twist & turn with Esmeralda & Ignacio. The immaculate romance combined with such mystery & intrigue had me on the edge of my seat with each page. I adored every single aspect of this book. Carnival Fantástico is another truly spectacular story from Montoya, & I highly recommend it, especially for fans of fantasy & romance. Thank you to Angela & Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Although sometimes I consider myself a bore, fusspot, or stick in the mud; I am also very curious. The performances provided lively distractions while I tried to figure what was going on behind the scenes. Esmeralda and Ignacio’s stories provided heart while I tried to figure out why. A story to be enjoyed by all audiences.

I absolutely ate this up, the plot was so incredible, the characters were so well written and oh my goodness the yearning, woah.
I loved the romance between Ignacio and Esmeralda they were so adorable and the second chance just really hit for me honestly.
I really enjoyed Ignacio as a character he was really well written and i just love him ok
The plot was really fun, and the setting was so atmospheric and interesting and you can just sense the carnival vibes through the pages (or in my case the screen), and while i did guess the plot twist it was still a really fun read and i would totally recommend it!!

I love all of Angela Montoya’s books and I could never choose a favorite, but this one is absolutely phenomenal! I was so excited to get an ARC of this one because as soon as she announced that she was publishing a book about an enchanted carnival with childhood friends to lovers (my personal favorite trope) I was HOOKED.
This story was so fast paced, I couldn’t put it down for long because there was always something happening. Whether it was action in the carnival, or the amazing tension between the main characters. And let’s talk about these MCs because 😱 I loved how strong and fierce they both were and yet they still each had a vulnerability to themselves and not just for each other. You really were rooting for their romance but also their happiness as individuals. I absolutely fell in love with them.
There were amazing twists and turns that kept me guessing and a found family I wish very much I could be a part of too. 💜

I absolutely loved Carnival Fantástico. It was such a magical, fun, and fast-paced read. The carnival setting was so vivid and chaotic in the best way. Everything felt alive and a little dangerous, which made it even more exciting.

Esmeralda was such a cool main character. I loved how clever and bold she was, and I was totally rooting for her the whole time. And the romance? So good. It had just the right mix of tension, sweetness, and that little bit of history that makes things extra interesting.

The story was full of heart, a bit of mystery, and so many moments that made me smile. I didn’t want to put it down and I honestly wish the carnival was real because I’d 100% go.

If you’re into magical settings, fierce girls, and romance with spark, this one is a total win.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review an early copy of this book.

This book was an interesting read! I loved the fact that it centered on a magical carnival and second chance lovers. However, the writing was a bit more on the telling rather than showing side and even though it was told in dual POV, I found myself confused on whose POV I was reading. The twists were predictable for the most part and honestly I’m just not a huge fan of the miscommunication trope for the romance in this book. Maybe I just went in with too high hopes since I generally love these magical circus type books.

This book was well written, a solid story, and well developed characters, but I felt a little bored. Maybe a me problem but it just didn’t feel like anything fresh and unique and after reading hundreds of fantasy books I’m always looking for something that feels different. So I think it’s a solid read for most people and I think it’ll be enjoyed, it just wasn’t for me at this time, but there wasn’t anything specifically wrong.

Angela Montoya once again delivers a dazzling Romantasy that sweeps readers into a world brimming with magic and wonder. Carnival Fantástico shines with its original magical elements and vividly imaginative setting, making it a story you won’t want to leave behind.
I absolutely loved the main character—complex, relatable, and full of heart. Montoya’s signature witty banter sparkles on every page, adding humor and warmth to the romance and adventure alike. Her ability to blend levity with high-stakes fantasy makes the narrative impossible to put down.
Angela Montoya blends romance, fantasy, and clever humor flawlessly.

Angela Montoya was able to weave a strong concept and was able to weave characters that I was wanting. This was a strong concept and enjoyed the fantasy romance going on through this book, it had that element that I was expecting from the description. The characters were everything that I was wanting and enjoyed how they worked in this universe. It was everything that I was looking for and was glad I read this, and had that magical carnival element that I was hoping for.

This was NOT on my August hopefuls but Angela Montoya is a priority read author for me and bet I was not waiting when I got the ARC approval email. This story is dual POV following Esmeralda and Ignacio. Esmeralda ran away nearly a year ago from her former employer but her contract at the carnival is nearly at an end and so is her safety. Her hope is to get selected to be the lead act which means the yearly contract won’t apply to her and she can stay as long as she wants.

Ignacio, her former lover and past employers’ son, finds himself in Carnival Fantastico to find evidence against his father. Together the two work to help each other out, but what they uncover is beyond what they could have ever imagined. If you enjoyed books like Revelle or Caraval and you like your magic with a bit of underlying darkness and you want to scream JUST KISS ALREADY Carnival Fantastico comes out on February 3rd and you should add it to your TBR.
In the meantime, if you want to get better acquainted with Angela and dive into her other stories, she does have a few out!

Sinner’s Isle is perfect for those that loved the movie Sinbad growing up.

A Cruel Thirst is a great choice for fans of Legend of Zorro!

I loved absolutely everything about this book. I'm a sucker for a book centered around a circus, and a magical circus at that, completely sold. This book had mystery, tension, second chance romance, sinister undertones, and lovable characters. Estefan the Ostrich might be my favorite creature ever.

Ignacio and Esmeralda are perfection. Esmeralda has huge abandonment issues that she tries to work through throughout the story, and Ignacio really struggles with not feeling like he's good enough. They are quite the pair, but the love that they have for each other is so strong, I really loved their journey. I really loved that Esmeralda was such a strong female character, she had her flaws and her insecurities, but she really put herself forward in accomplishing the things that she wanted/needed. Ignacio was so romantic and sweet and charming. I just wanted to give him a big hug through most of his inner dialogue.

The mystery behind the magic is such an interesting thing, I don't want to go on too much about it before release date, but it was a fantastic part of the story and the reasonings behind the happenings in the story.

If you like a magical circus story, with some darkness and romance thrown in, this will be such a great read for you. I absolutely loved it!

I really liked this!! I thought it was going to be a Caraval 2.0 but I was pleasantly surprised. I loved the plot and the evolution of the characters!

A magical circus with something dark going on behind the scenes sign me up. This book did good bringing the circus vibes with something going on behind the scenes. The romance is cute but a little annoying with miscommunication and stuff but that’s just my opinion. I like the characters and the setting and pacing was nicely done. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

I absolutely loved this book! So much so that I finished in one day. The author did an amazing job keeping the plot going without it getting boring which is something I really look for in books. The characters were unique and I became very invested in their journey. I will be recommending this book to all of my friends and family.