While this book was a fun read it was not near as amazing as I had expected. I found the world building to be incredibly lacking. Thankfully I liked the writing and didn't find the romance to be as bad as most other YA romances.

I was really worried about all the hype surrounding Caraval by Stephanie Garber before I read it. It seemed like so many had read it already. They were all yelling about how amazing it was. I have a tendency to be a black sheep when it comes to popular books. I tried to go into Caraval with no expectations and it paid off. I enjoyed it a lot!

Caraval was full of magic and mystery. Secrets and half truths. I was pulled in from the very start of the story. Scarlett and her sister Tella escape from their abusive father to go to Caraval, a magical game where nothing is as it seems. That is where the story grabs you. I was looking forward to a lot of magic and atmosphere. The magic didn’t disappoint. Things were whimsical and delightful…and a little creepy at times.

Scarlett was what held me back from absolutely loving the book. She was an okay character. She was very cautious. She had her reasons but I did find all the hand wringing in the first half of the book tedious. Tella and Julian were much more interesting than Scarlett. Julian was so mysterious. I was really captivated by him the entire time.

I also didn’t love the romance. It felt a little insta-lovey to me. I never really felt their connection. I think there’s a lot of potential there, though. I’m very interested to see where that story line leads.

There were so many twists and turns in the second half of the book. I can honestly say that I had no idea how things were going to end or who the good guys were. It’s not often that a book keeps me guessing. It was a lot of fun. I was pretty surprised by the way things wrapped up too. It’s going to be a long wait for book 2.

Caraval was a fun ride from the first page. While there were a couple of things that I didn’t love, the magic and mystery more than made up for them. I think that I’ll end up loving the second book even more!

This wasn't exactly what I was expecting, and I finished it feeling sort of hoodwinked, but I'm going to withhold further judgment until I read the second book. I think I wanted it to give me the same feeling as <i>The Night Circus</i>, but it missed that mark. Of course, that's a pretty high mark to hit! The language is beautiful though, and the world-building is indeed magical. I didn't exactly buy into the love story either. I'd rather it have just focused on the sisters' relationship, but again, I'm withholding judgment until book two. Scarlett is a promising character (when she's not distracted by Julian's handsomeness haha), and I'm interested in seeing how she continues to grow and find her strength in the series. :)

It's only a game...

This was so magical! The world of Caraval and its performers was so enchanting!

Caraval is an annual performance overseen by Legend, a magical, mysterious figure. Those invited each year get to participate in the game-where the lines between truth and lies, fact or fiction, are blurred.
Scarlett and her younger sister Tella live on a tiny island with their father, the governor. He is abusive and downright evil. He has arranged a marriage for Scarlett, to a man from another island, whom she's never met. He sends her romantic letters and she can't wait to get married and be safe with him, away from her father. Tella argues there's more to life than being safe, and how can Scarlett be so sure the Count she is to marry isn't more cruel than their father? When they receive tickets to Caraval, Tella hatches a plan for Julian, a sailor, to take her and Scarlett away, against Scarlett's better judgment.

Once there, Scarlett is swept up in a journey that seems impossible to complete. Full of magic, mystery, and danger, can Scarlett remember what's real and what's not?

While I loved this novel as a whole I was disappointed in two things: Scarlett was annoying and idiotic a lot of the time, but I guess that's what made the character. The other thing I disliked was the supremely extravagant and somewhat disappointing ending, but it does lead in to a sequel, which is nice.

If you like highly descriptive, synesthesia-esque fantasy with a little romance thrown in, I highly recommend picking this up!

I received an advance copy of this novel via Netgalley. All opinions are my own!

I posted this review to Goodreads and to my Youtube channel.

goodreads review:
Scarlett and Donatella live on tiny island with their cruel, controlling father. Donatella is a free spirit always following her wants while Scarlett lives a careful life trying to protect her sister from her father's anger. Scarlett has just one hope and that is to marry well and leave the island. Scarlett has everything in place until a letter from the mysterious Legend appears inviting Scarlett and Tella to participate in Caraval, a mysterious game that promises the winner one wish.

I had mixed reactions to this book. The first few chapters were difficult for me to get through. The story moves very slowly and it take quite a while for the characters to stop talking about doing things and actually do things. However, once the game begins but the story becomes much more interesting. The only thing stopping me from really enjoying this book was the lack of world building. I felt like this should be a magical story that the reader come completely immersed but the world building just wasn't quite there.

Scarlett has been protecting her sister, Tella, from their father's rages since Mother left. As Scarlett’s marriage approaches, she writes one last time to Legend, hoping for tickets to Caravel, a show/game where the audience participates. Amazingly, he finally answers and sends tickets for Scarlett, Tella, and Scarlett’s fiancé. Scarlett’s protective nature kicks in, and she second guesses herself (something that happens frequently) so Tella has to trick Scarlett into actually going. Once there Scarlett discovers her sister is part of this year’s game and must be found in order to win the prize—a wish granted. The game is five nights long and filled with adventure, betrayal, romance and danger.

I must admit, I got frustrated with Scarlett’s stubbornness. Her loyalty to Tella is amazing, but her fear of change, and desire for safety, above all else, made me want to scream. I get that she thinks Tella is in danger, and she is, but it wouldn’t hurt to see the world around her and appreciate it. It takes forever for her to realize that Tella would want that for her. Color plays an important part in the game clues. Fortunately Scarlett sees color in great detail, even emotions seem to come in color for her. This attention to detail helps her to figure out the clues in the game.

Since this is a series starter there are still many unanswered questions at the end. Quite a few of which were just put in place in the last few chapters. Goodreads says it is a duology; let’s hope that is right. I’ll be buying this one for school. I can think of several who will want it. I have seen comparisons to The Night Circus in other reviews, but I feel like that is a stretch. The setting could be considered somewhat similar, but not the characters or writing style.

Okay, get ready for the gush because holy cow was this book a blast. Seriously, I cannot stop thinking about it and it's one of those books that I can just picture teens reading over and over again (at least I know I want to read it over and over again). Garber has done something extraordinary here and while the concept isn't necessarily new, what she did with it is totally unique and utterly fantastic. It really does have everything - mystery, intrigue, romance, magic, twists, turns, family drama, villains who may not be villains, heroes who may not be heroes and so....much....more! I tip my hat to Garber because she really takes her readers for one helluva ride, one that I'm certainly not ready to end. All in all - an absolute must have for every YA collection whether it be home or library. I've already gotten it into the hands of readers and I can't wait to share it with more!

Scarlett is betrothed to someone she hopes will be kinder than her cruel father. Her sister Tella, however, longs for another life for both sisters, and when Scarlett recieves an invitation to Caraval, a once-in-a-lifetime performance of magic, it is Tella who whisks her sister away.

Tella is kidnapped by Legend, the mastermind of Caraval who has put Scarlett's sister's life as the prize. Joined by the mysterious Julian, Scarlett is determined to save her sister and herself, but she will soon learn that nothing is what it seems in Caraval.

Lovely engaging magical read!

Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review.
Thanks to NetGalley and Flatiron Books for the opportunity to read and review Caraval by Stephanie Garber! Scarlett and Donatella are treated harshly by their father. They have both always wanted to see Caraval since their grandmother told them stories about it years ago. They plan on running away to see Caraval and never coming back to their father. He has threatened them with harm if they ever leave and he has even gone to the extreme lengths of committing murder to keep Scarlett and Donatella on the island with him. Tella left their rooms a mess to make their father believe they were kidnapped while they sailed with Julian to Caraval, Legend's private island. The game on Caraval that Legend controls is adventurous, daring, mysterious and frightening. Scarlett never knows, from beginning to end, what is real and what is just the game. I grew to care about Scarlett and I wanted her to finally find happiness. I also admire her for the bravery and love she demonstrates to help her sister, Tella. Their father is selfish and violent and I wanted the sisters to be free of him. I also like the setting and time the story takes place in. It was familiar but also new at the same time because of Stephanie Garber's clever writing. 5 stars for the magical mystery of the game and all of its characters!

Caraval is a sparkling story that keeps you guessing until the very end. I loved the world building and performance aspects; it also had a bit of a Sherlock vibe that I was totally into. Caraval is a perfect choice for fans of the Night Circus.

Three and a half stars: A book with dazzling magic and lovely writing, but the characters and romance are disappointing.

Scarlett has written letters to the mysterious Legend for seven years, begging him to bring his magical Caraval to her part of the world. Her letters have gone unanswered until the last one. Just days before her arranged marriage, Scarlett finally gets a letter from Legend inviting her and her fiancé as well as her younger sister, Tella, to attend Caraval. Unfortunately, Caraval is a boat trip away, and there is no way Scarlett can leave as she will risk the wrath of her abusive father. Tella has other ideas, and Scarlett soon finds herself waking up in a boat with a handsome sailor, Julian, on her way to Caraval. Once she arrives, Scarlett learns that Tella has been kidnapped by Legend, and to get her sister back, Scarlett must play the elaborate Caraval game. A game full of magic and mischief where one can literally get swept away. Will Scarlett solve the mystery of Caraval and get her sister back?
What I Liked:
*Caraval is one of the buzz books for 2017, and though I have been avoiding hyped books, I couldn't resist this one because I was drawn to the magic and the setting. Needless to say, the world of Caraval and the magical part didn't disappoint. I loved getting swept away into this strange world. If you love books with gorgeous writing, magic and mystery, this is a fun one to try.
*What I loved the most about this book was the setting. Once Scarlett enters the world of Caraval, the book takes off. I loved the strange setting, filled with magic, mirages, mystery and mayhem. This strange world was amazingly crafted and the descriptions were filled with lovely metaphors and similes that I thought were enchanting. I thought the writing was wonderful, and I would recommend reading this one for the Caraval setting and the sumptuous writing.
*I liked that the story had a dreamlike quality, and you never knew what was real or imagined. In Caraval, there are plenty of illusions and strange occurrences that left me wondering as to what was going on. If you think you have it figured out, think again. I enjoyed the mystery and all the twists and turns. This book will keep you guessing until the final pages.
*The ending is satisfactory, and there isn't a cliffhanger or a bunch of nagging questions. Scarlett's story is tied up, while an interesting tidbit is left regarding Tella and a sequel.
And The Not So Much:
*I struggled with the characters. Tella is reckless and wild, and not present for most of the book. I had a hard time understanding Scarlett's love and devotion to her sister because from what little I saw of Tella she was selfish. I never felt the sister bond, and I thought the author should have done a better job showing the sisterly love. Scarlett was a struggle for me throughout. She comes off as rather spineless, and she has naive ideas about life and love. She is determined to escape her father, and she thinks that she will be saved by an arranged marriage to a man she has never meant. She has these Cinderalla like notions that drove me crazy. She does grow throughout the book, but not enough to satisfy me. I wanted her to be bold and fierce. She finally does show some gumption in the final pages, but it was too little too late for me. I was also frustrated with Julian. I wanted to like him, but I never knew who he was. Even when all was revealed at the end, I was still left confused by him.
*The romance didn't really work for me. There really isn't much buildup and then all of a sudden Scarlett is in love. I wanted more development and all of that. It felt to rushed and too much like insta love for me.
*I was left wondering about Scarlett's father and the Count. What happened to them? Not that it was a big important part, but I still wanted to know, and how did they get there in the first place?
*I was also bothered by all the buildup and mystery surrounding Legend. I wanted to get to know the man behind the curtain. Who exactly is Legend?

Caraval is a book that will certainly appeal to many readers. It has a gorgeous and imaginative setting, romance and mystery. I enjoyed the setting and the lovely writing, but I was disappointed in the characters and the hurried romance. Still, I would recommend this one based on the creative storytelling and the stunning setting of Caraval.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own, and I was not compensated for this review.
Posted@Rainy Day Ramblings.

Caraval didn't live up to the hype. The plot was more confusing than intriguing, leading me to reread pages and chapters in the vain hope that something might start to make sense. I wish I could have been sold on the fantastical world of Caraval, but while the world-building had its moments of magic, it was bitty and difficult to immerse myself in. The characters, likewise, were two dimensional and predictable.

This is how I described this book to my students; "it's about an enchanted island full of magic. The participants are playing a game, and at the end, they will be granted one wish. However, Scarlett is not entirely sure if she is playing a game; she can't figure out what is real, and what is fantasy."

I loved this book! The descriptions are so vivid, I could see everything as I read. Caraval is a fantasy world where dresses change color with changing emotions, bridges move from one place to another, currency can be secrets or one day of your life and there are trap doors and hidden tunnels that you can get lost in.

Some of the images from the book:

"Someone screamed. As hot and bright as fire."
"The world tasted like lies and ashes when Scarlett woke."
"...pillows as dark as nightmares..."
"Behind her a cloud drifted over the moon, covering all but two two points of light, which hovered behind her silver hair like devil's horns."

There are more colors in this book than a 24 box of crayons. But purples, reds and blues dominate. The food imagery is delectable and made me crave sugary sweets as I was reading. It was simply exquisite.

This was a book that I couldn't put down. Not only was it beautifully written, but the story was so twisty that I would have to read on when I should have been turning off the light! I sped read the last 60 pages because I had no idea how it was all going to end. It was the kind of book where you are having a conversation with someone, but what you're really thinking about is Caraval!

I'm looking forward to the next installment of Scarlett's adventure, and I'm sure you will be too!

Unfortunately, I was not as impressed with Caraval as I expected to be. Which, trust me, shocked me just as much as it might shock you. Books like this, with themes of magic and intrigue are usually my bread and butter. I wholly expected to be swept away by this story. If Caraval had spent more time with the world building and character building, instead of so much time with sweeping purple prose, I really think this would have been a winner for me. More on that below.

First off, Scarlett is a tough character to love. Although I adored her connection with her sister, and applauded her fierce protectiveness, there wasn't much else about Scarlett that endeared her to me. She was frustrating, to say the least. I absolutely don't mind a character who puts others above themselves, especially when it comes to family. However the lack of character development in this case drove me mad. Scarlett barely learned. She barely grew. She made the same mistakes over and over, while lamenting her situation instead of doing something about it. I was only just starting to see a spark of a woman who might have gained something from all of this, when the book ended.

My other big issue, as I mentioned above, was that no real love was given to the world that Scarlett and her sister inhabited. From the island that they felt imprisoned on, to the surrounding islands, all the way out to Caraval itself, all it was just implied. Here is an island. It hold magic. This man who has a lot of power, due to a very quickly told backstory, holds a game here that you might win a wish out of. Done, and done. I was given only the briefest glimpse into anything, even when Scarlett was running all over the game itself. Again, frustrating. I'd have loved to see much less purple prose, and much more actual description. I wanted the world brought to life for me, and I truly believe it would have helped massively.

I believe I truly understand why a lot of people adore this book. The concept of a magical island, the idea of a game that pushes the very folds of reality, is a fascinating thing. If only it had been more fleshed out, and given much more attention, I would have fallen in love too. My Fantasy driven mind demands a foothold in any new book I read. A place that is described beautifully enough that I can find myself there in an eyeblink. Caraval lacked that for me, and so the story just felt flat.

I loved this book. It's ages since I read something just for me and that's novel just fit my mood. I loved the characters and twists and turns in the plot. I am assuming there will be a sequel

Opening line:
"It took seven years to get the letter right."

Wow! What a crazy ride! Seriously. I had no idea how this story was going to go with all the twists and turns and surprises. I thought I guessed, then I tried again and then I was wrong.
Scarlett is the main character and has been wanting to escape her father for years and she would except for wanting to protect her little sister, Tella. When they receive tickets to Tella makes sure they get away--with the help from the handsome and devious Julian.
Julian. What to say about him? Handsome and muscled and not at all who he claims to be. I'm just going to end there...
Caraval is such an unusual and complex story. There's a mysterious game with colorful players and strange buildings. The story is as layered as the characters and the tunnels that run under island. There is a new adventure in every chapter and a new misdirection.

My advice: don't try and figure anything out, just read and enjoy. Then maybe reread once you figure everything out.

Thanks to netgalley for the early read!

Violence: fighting, murder most foul (sorry, couldn't help it)
Language: no
Sex: kissing, tension,

CARAVAL by Stephanie Garber has been chosen as The Marvelous Young Adult Novel for February and March 2017 by The Marvelous Site. The review below is a reviewaka, based on an ancient Japanese poetry form. (To learn how to read a reviewaka, please go to http://www.themarveloussite.com/quick-guide-to-reading-a.html.)

Caravan /
by Stephanie Garber /
c2017 //

dangerous intrigue /
a nighttime, magical game /
loyalties tested //

richly descriptive treasures /
hidden in this fantasy //

MM

This reminded me in equal parts Alice In Wonderland and The Night Circus. As in those two novels nothing what it seems to be and trying to distinguish fact from fiction becomes a big part of the novels allure. I've read that the movie rights have been sold, so I'm excited to see how it visually plays out on fi