I really enjoyed this book. Some elements in it were predictable, but the concept for the book was a new one for me. I appreciated the twists and turns. I changed my predictions for the ending more than once during my reading. I would definitely recommend to any lover of YA fantasy, and I'll be telling those coming through my store.

This book was definitely high on my most anticipated books of 2017, not just January. I found it so easy to get lost in its magic, in its characters, in its story, until I was finished. And then I was wanting more. I loved Scarlett’s dedication to her sister, the bond between them, the whole idea of Caraval. It was a book that suck me in and I didn’t want it to let me go.

Scarlett was a determined and protective character. She was willing to do whatever it took to make sure her sister was safe from their father, even marrying someone she never met as long as it meant getting them both away from their father. She could be quick to anger, especially if she felt betrayed or if someone had just put her sister in danger. She was smart, loyal, compassionate, and good to have on your side as long as you didn’t cross her. I loved her relationship with her sister Tella and the agreement turned more she had going on with Julian.

I loved the supporting characters and all they brought to the book. Tella was much more impulsive than her sister but just as willing to protect Scarlett and make sacrifices for her. Julian was a bit of a scoundrel with a good heart and so easy to like. Even with the whole book being in Scarlett’s POV, they were still complex and developed characters. The banter between Scarlett and Julian as they played the game was fantastic, as well as the chemistry. The sisterly bond between Scarlett and Tella was, as someone with three sisters, so familiar and I loved seeing how far they would go for each other.

Caraval itself felt like another character. It was so vivid and the world-building so infused with magic that it made it a place I would like to visit and a game I would want to watch. I thought the pacing worked really well, slow to really set the tone and the stakes of the game but picking up when the game started without feeling overwhelming. I loved that every time I thought I had something figured out, something happened to change my theory. I loved the magic, the darkness, the set up for the next book. Just everything.

Great book! Excited for my students to read it! Very unique, great characters.

Confession: I went into Caraval with a lot of trepidation. I don't read a lot of fantasy, I'm not a fan of magical realism, and *whispers* I was the one person I know who DNF'd Night Circus. I tried a printed copy, then the audiobook, and just wasn't feeling it.

Luckily, I enjoyed Caraval much more than I expected. I do like books with a fairy tale vibe and to me this read more like a fairy tale than fantasy, with a lot of fairy tale tropes woven in. What it also reminded me of was Alice in Wonderland -- in Caraval, Scarlett gets thrown into a world that doesn't make sense, where things -- and people -- are not always what they seem. That part of the story was interesting and keeps you feeling a little off-balance the whole time. I was certain that I'd figured out at least one of the major twists in this book...
Show spoiler ...but then things didn't turn out the way I was expecting.

A few things about Caraval were a mixed bag for me. The writing seemed simplistic for YA in some parts, but was really lovely in others. I wasn't crazy about the main character, Scarlett. I'm also the oldest of two sisters and a rule follower, so you'd think I'd relate to her, but Scarlett's stodgy, fearful nature often got on my nerves. The romance was classic Gothic/old school bodice ripper, with sweet, innocent Scarlett falling for the last man she should, then spending endless hours wondering if she can trust him or if he was who he seemed.

That said, the ending of the book was interesting and unexpected, and it looks like there will be a companion book about Scarlett's younger sister, Donatella. I'll definitely give it a chance!

Caraval was a twisty-turny book. It kept me on the edge of my seat, never knowing who to trust or what to believe. Honestly, I finished it yesterday and I’m STILL not sure what to make of what happened!! This book reminded me of a combination of Wintersong (because of the sisters) and Fever by Lauren DeStefano (because of the “carnival” and the dark and gritty plot).

The world of Caraval was absolutely gorgeous and breath-taking – the island it takes place on, Isla de los sueños (the island of dreams) is up there with Wonderland and Oz, in my opinion. It’s magical and fantastical and I’d love to go there and experience it for myself.

As I mentioned, the sisters in this – Scarlett and Tella – reminded me very much of Liesl and Kath from Wintersong, respectively. Both Scarlet and Liesl are headstrong and overprotective. Each ends up on a bizarre adventure in an attempt to save their sister. Both Tella and Kath are carefree and a bit immature. They don’t think about the consequences of their actions. The one big difference? There’s more to Tella than meets the eye.

As for the other characters… Julian is cocky, sarcastic and a complete mystery. I was constantly shuffling back and forth, wondering if I could trust him or not. And even after finishing the book, there’s still something about him that’s nagging at me. I really wanted to like Dante. He was so kind in the beginning, but then certain things that happened later on had me rethinking everything he said and did. I think I liked Aiko, but I can’t be sure because we didn’t really get to know her very well. I really hope we learn more about her in the sequel because I think there’s more to her than we know. I REALLY wanted to like Count Nicholas d’Arcy. His letters had me hopeful, but then.. Sigh. Basically, I didn’t trust ANYONE at all and I’m dying for book two because I can’t wait to see where their stories all go next. Finally, obviously, I HATED their father with a passion.

The only negative thing I really have to say is this book started off REALLY slow. Like.. For me, it honestly didn’t pick up until about page 221. But once it DID pick up, it didn’t slow down again until the very last page – and then I was devastated that it was the last page and now I CANNOT wait for book two!!! That cliffhanger was INSANE!!!

Overall, if you can push through the first half and stick with it, the second half is AMAZING and mind-blowing. You won’t know who to trust, you won’t know what to believe – and you won’t want it to end.

I have to admit, I was pretty curious to read Caraval by Stephanie Garber, especially after reading so much hype about the book. I had heard the book was pretty awesome, and I couldn't wait to read it for myself to see what the fuss was about. I definitely was not disappointed; Caraval was great!

I absolutely loved the storyline for the book. It was mysterious and completely captivating. As I was reading the book, I actually felt like I was IN the story. All of the magical aspects of the book were completely fascinating as well. I love that the story kept me guessing throughout the WHOLE book; I never knew what to expect next as I turned the pages. I love when a book does that! I'm definitely on board for reading the second book as soon as it's released, and I was be impatiently waiting to get my hands on it!

There are SO many characters that I love in the story, including the main character, Scarlett. I love that she's so strong, despite the horrible father that she has, and that she's willing to do whatever she has to do to protect her sister. It was really interesting to follow her on her journey through this magical world. There was also Julian, who, to be honest, was hard not to fall in love with. *grin*. There are a few more interesting secondary characters in the story that you will love, and a few that will you will not love in the least, but they are all very well written, and I was left wanting to know more about quite a few of them.

Overall; Caraval was a really great read, and is definitely a most welcome addition to my bookshelf! I'm now even more excited to get my hands on the next book in this duology, which does not yet have a name or release date, but I still can't wait to have. Pick up a copy of Caraval today!

Happy Reading!

It was an okay book. The premise was good and well executed. It the voice wasn't there. It felt generic, cookie-cutter. I wanted something bold, something as daring as it was built up to be. My heart was never racing and I wasn't desperate to turn the pages. I felt...blah.

This book captured and help my attention from the very first page! And from then on, it was one wile ride! Garber’s world feels surreal, but somehow believable, and one can easily find oneself wanting to also enter the world of Caraval, to hear, feel, see, and smell the same things with the characters are.

And speaking of characters, they were all quite developed, and stuck to their way of being, while also developing throughout the book. I don’t know about you, but I get very frustrated with characters do things that are “out of character” for the sake of the plot. But you see none of this in Caraval! The characters all felt unique, and I liked that I found many of them to be unpredictable and mysterious, as it added to the overall effect of the plot. I also like being unable to predict how things will go, and I definitely had no idea how Caraval‘s plot would develop.

The main character, Scarlet, did furstrate me at times, but I also understand where she is coming from. And I like how she grew as a person while experiencing Caraval and through the relationships she forges while she is there. I also appreciated that the characters were diverse.

There is also a good dose of romance in this book, and the attraction between some of the characters was very believable. The growing closeness was not only portrayed realistically, but also with a satisfying amount of detail.

The imagery in this book is lush and described to the point where you almost believe it to be tangible. And I cannot begin to express how happy I am with them amount of imagination Garber is in possession of, and how much she chose to share with us through Caraval. The people, the landscape, the buildings, and even the fashion was delightfully magical, while also containing a very satisfactory amount of darkness, and I cannot wait to have the time to sit down and re-read this book!

I highly recommend Caraval to those who like a good mystery and scavenger hunt, all while being enchanted while trying to figure it out!

Caraval was so incredibly fun (and torturous) to read—much like the game itself.

I don’t even know where to begin. This is a twisted fantasy of sorts. A mystery. A romance. A game. Life and death and love and lies. All the fun stuff that keeps you up at night. It’s the sweetest part of dreams and the spine-tingling part of nightmares. I couldn’t stop reading it! And that ending? Nope. That will not do. I need the sequel as soon as possible.

The synopsis tells you everything you need to know but I’ll give you the basics. Caraval is an elusive and magical show that Scarlett has always dreamed of attending with her sister Tella. After years of writing unanswered letters to Legend, the creator of Caraval, Scarlett finally receives the invitation she’s been yearning for. This exciting news comes days before she is set to meet the Count, who is a stranger to her outside of their correspondence through letters, and incidentally the man she is arranged to marry. With the help of a charming stranger, Scarlett and Tella risk their lives to make the journey to Caraval. But now they are not only running from their abusive father—they also have to worry about winning the game. Will they survive?

That’s all I’m going to say about the plot. You can’t really trust anyone and it’s hard to tell what is real and what is part of the performance, but it is nevertheless entertaining. Instead of trying to figure out what’s going to happen next and who the bad guy is, I recommend that readers just sit back, relax (if you can manage your nerves) and enjoy the show!

This is such a fast-paced adventure and it's all wrapped up in a swoonworthy romance. I highly recommend Caraval to everyone!

Caraval was wonderful. It is Carnival plus The Amazing Race with a dash of romance and a pinch of magic.

Scarlett has dreamed of going to Caraval, the magical one week game where the audience gets to participate, for years. She has written to Master Legend every year but this year she gets a reply and three invitations. The problem is that her cruel father won’t let Scarlett or her sister Tella leave the island and Scarlett is to be married soon. With the help of the sailor Julian, the sisters are whisked off to Caraval. But Tella disappears immediately upon arriving and Scarlett doesn’t want to play without her sister. She is going to have to because finding Tella is the game of this year’s performance and nothing is as it seems. Scarlett is going to need every scrap of courage to save her sister and herself.

This story was captivating. The world of Caraval is magical it’s like Venice mixed with Disneyland mixed with Wonderland. I found it almost tangible and descriptions are full of details without getting lost in them.
Scarlett is our main character. She is super protective of Tella because of the abuse from their father. She just wants to be safe. Because of that Scarlett wants change in a way she can control. When things are out of her control all she wants to do is retreat. Like find Tella and go home to be married before her father finds them. I really liked how as the book when on Scarlett grew up. She never lost her mission to find her sister but she also came to understand herself more. I did wish that she wouldn’t jump to conclusion so fast but at least she will wait for an explanation.

My favorite part of the whole book were the relationships. The relationship between Scarlett and Tella, as tight as two very different sisters can possibly be. The relationship between Julian and Scarlett as they work together. And the cute cute romance. I like when the relationship is spikey and then as they come to know each other trust happens.

I had one problem with the story and that was that anything unexplainable or not explained was a result of magic. If there was a plot hole then the magic made it happen. The story of Rosa and Dante and Julian is kinda important and with the way everything ends, it makes the whole matter irrelevant and a lie. Which means I don’t really know what happened and it makes some of the connections between characters not work. I don’t mind the “tricked you” but I actively dislike the “it was all a story that wasn’t real and worked for plot but now I’m a big hole”.

I am super excited for Tella’s story and hope that her restless streak doesn’t get her killed.

**This book was reviewed via Netgalley**

Sub rosa.

Beneath the rose, nothing is safe, yet all is sacred.

Caraval whisked me away from word one. Garber has woven true magic, as only the best authors can, opening the door to a wondrous new world.

For years, Scarlett has written to the Master of Caraval, a unique performance of magick and mystery, beseeching him to bring his show back to her home island. For years, there is no response, until the day comes that Scarlett sends a final letter saying she will not write again, and that she is to be married. An invitation is sent to Scarlett, inviting her, her fiancé, and her sister Donatella to Master Legend’s private island for this year's Caraval.

Despite the great risk, Scarlett and Donatella end up at Caraval, where they learn there is so much more to this game than they ever could have imagined. They will be tested to their very limits, in ways both subtle and overt, and will find strength they never knew they had. Strength to find themselves, strength to break the chains that bind them.

Caraval’s clarion call of mystery and magic draws you in, whispering seductive secrets. It rings with the scintillating prospect of self-transformation. Caraval lays you bare, revealing your deepest, darkest dreams, fears, and yes, even hopes. Beneath Caraval's roses, secrets are safely revealed through elaborate illusion, weaving the strongest of alchemic transformation. If you pay close enough attention, you may find you've gone through your own alchemic journey along with Scarlett and Donatella.

I found Caraval to be a rich, grown-up version of beloved classics such as Michael Ende’s The Neverending Story, and ACH Smith’s Labyrinth, with a touch of the surreal found in the movies Inception and Pan’s Labyrinth. I love that Scarlett seems to be a synesthete, experiencing emotions as colours she can 'see’. This isn't a concept played with too often in books I've read, and it is such a fascinating condition.

Echoes of the Stanford Experiment rang through this novel too. Caraval allows the players to let their innermost selves out, their Shadows, in keeping with the alchemic theme. It's all illusion after all, and what happens in Caraval, stays in Caraval. Except it doesn't, does it. It exposes your darkest self and deepest fears, and that changes everyone, and most people aren't equipped to deal with that after the illusion is broken.

🎻🎻🎻🎻🎻 Highly recommended, if you love fantasy, especially books such as Labyrinth and The Neverending Story.

I loved everything about this book. I can see it becoming one of the next big YA reads for the year. The adventures of Caraval that Scarlett, Julian and Tella were part of, were fascinating and riveting. Scarlett was quite the stick in the mud in the beginning but I loved seeing her change roughout the few days she was challenged at Caraval. Tella actually was my favorite and I can't wait to see what adventures are in store for her and Legend if the author continues this story. There was plenty of mystery and just the right amount of love story. Simply magical and wonderful.

I almost didn't pick up on this book, but I kept seeing it on everyone's most anticipated books for January, so I decided to check it out and get the e-galley. And I am so glad I did. The hype around this book is very deserving, it is amazing and hard to put down. I advise you to pick it up on a day when you have nothing else planned, because you will not be able to put it down. I curled up with it on a recent rainy Sunday and had a really hard time putting it down.

Scarlett is a great main character. She is tough and has survived much in her young life. I also admire her relationship with her sister. But she still has her flaws and doubts about what she is doing. Scarlett at times is a mess, and so unsure of herself that you doubt the book will have a happy ending. But she manages to survive and go on against the odds.

Julian, Scarlett's love interest, is a very interesting character. I spent most of the book trying to figure out his true identity, or was he just one of the hired players playing his role. He was mysterious and yet so protective of Scarlett, that I just wasn't sure what was motivating him. Their romance is wonderfully done as well. I sometimes felt as Scarlett did that he was not to be trusted, but there was no one else she could trust.

There are lots of other good characters that pop up through out the story, but there is one that we never meet, but whose presence is felt through out, Legend, the Caraval's organizer. Scarlet is always second guessing his motives and his clues to finding her sister, so you always feel like he might just be behind the next corner, or hiding in the shadows watching her.

The Caraval itself is almost a character as much as it is a setting. It is spooky and otherworldly and utterly captivating. I could picture it very well from the authors descriptions, and it truly felt magical in every way, and except for some of the scary things that went on, it sounded like a great place to visit, but I think I would be a spectator not a participant.

I simply could not put this book down! Every time I thought I had the plot and characters figured out, I'd be thrown for a loop! The book strung me along though many ups and downs only to lead me to a sequel! ARGHHH! What will happen next??!?!?!?!

Not quite sure how far she'd already fallen, she imagined loving him would feel like falling in love with darkness, frightening and consuming yet utterly beautiful when the stars came out.


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I read this before Christmas, and it was like the most wonderful gift. Like all gifts, if unwrapped slowly, the anticipation is built and, if the present is worth anything, the end is an explosion of fireworks, hysteria, and utter glee at all your questions being answered...and all your wildest fantasies coming alive.

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And that's exactly what Caraval was like. I'm not quite sure what I was expecting, but not once was it anything that happened in this story. But, the best part is, you really don't have to strain yourself trying to figure everything out. In fact, I quite enjoyed unraveling the mystery bit by bit...without having to drive myself insane to feel like I was keeping up with everyone and everything.

"Don't look at me like that," Scarlett said. "It doesn't work on me."
"That's why it's so fun."


No, the beauty of this story is the simplicity. Not once does Garber try to make Caraval something it's not. Instead, she ventures into a world of vivid imagination, creating something that feels real, palpable...well, at least in fantasy.

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It's a world we all want to escape into, to become a part of...that is, until things don't seem so pretty. Until seemingly vile people begin to surface and even less appealing scenarios arise. Not all is as it seems in the beautifully alluring world of Caraval...and Scarlett has a front row seat.

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Scarlett has always wanted to attend Caraval, admiring it from afar since she was a child. She and her sister Donatella dreamed of the day the Caraval Master would write back and say he was finally bringing the show to them, that they'd finally get to see the show of all shows. After all, he is a man of legend, and his show and it's performers proceed him. But perhaps the Caraval Master isn't as illustrious and kind and amazing as he seems...maybe he's more monster than man, and he's finally taken notice of Scarlett's pleas.

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Not only did Flatiron send me an ARC of this novel, they also, additionally, sent me the audio version to listen to for my enjoyment. I'll admit this is my first audio version of any book EVER, but I found it to be quite nice and it really enhanced the story after I had read it already. It was nice to lay back and listen, to hear the different voices and see the book from a different perspective. I had thought it would hinder my enjoyment of the story, but it actually enhanced it. It's apparently narrated by the person who also did the Lunar Chronicles, so perhaps this will help sway your decision. She really put everything into the voices and I think added something special I hadn't realized was possible. (Look at the end of my review for a free clip of the audiobook version).

"...Follow the boy with a heart made of black."


I can't quite explain the magic of this story, only that it seems unparalleled, at least while you're entwined within its pages. There were moments where I felt 'color explanation' was overused, and that might be my only lingering concern when I think back, but then again, I remember truly enjoying the visceral feelings I experienced when they were used-so can I really complain?? Colors, as a closet artist, are like crack to me, so seeing them so intricately used within the story is thrilling...if not overly so.

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So, if you're looking for a fun, quick read where you're surrounded by magic, intrigue, and a mystery that gets more dangerous with each passing page-this is the book for you. Scarlett is an intelligent girl, and by a certain point in this book, she has no clue who to trust. Her enchantment with the traveling show begins to fade as things begin to turn darker...and instead of a fantasy, it's a race to save her sister's life.

But before you fully enter into our world, you must remember it's all a game. What happens beyond this gate may frighten or excite you, but don't let any of it trick you. We will try to convince you it's real, but all of it is a performance. A world built of make-believe. So while we want you to get swept away, be careful of being swept too far away. Dreams that come true can be beautiful, but they can also turn into nightmares when people won't wake up."


I can't help you with who to trust...but I can assure you that someone stole my heart from the moment we meet him-whether he's friend or foe, I can't say...but damn if he isn't sexy as hell. Have fun. *smirky face*

Metallic and wet and just a little sweet. Bravery and fear and something else she couldn't distinguish. Dimly, she knew she tasted his blood. It was like no other gift she'd ever received. Strangely beautiful, alarmingly intimate. And she wanted more of it. More of him.


If you want a clip of the audible of Caraval, click HERE, courtesy of Flatiron.

Two sisters have always lived under the repressive, abusive thumb of their cruel father. Spurred by the remembered tales of their now-missing mother, they dream of Caraval, which is a near-legendary annual carnival-slash-contest run by a ringmaster who calls himself Legend. Legend is rumored to have a dark side, but the prize that goes to the annual winner at his events lures in participants: the magical granting of any wish.

This year, Scarlett has nearly given up on Caraval. She's been engaged, and although she's never met her suitor face-to-face, she holds hope that marriage will be her escape. Of course, it would be this year that Legend finally responds to her long series of 'fan' letters, sending her a personal invitation and free tickets to the game. Conveniently, her sister Tella has just made the acquaintance of an enormously handsome young sailor who is willing to smuggle the girls off their island home and off to the ball...

There's some dithering about the risk, but it's a foregone conclusion that the sisters will attend Caraval. But once there, they will find that the game may involve both of them more deeply than they had ever guessed.

The overall feeling of the book is that of YA romance, although the bulk of the page time is actually given over to running around and plots. I still think that romance readers will like the book more than fantasy/adventure readers. Of course, those who enjoy the subgenre of YA books centered around the idea of a 'game' will also appreciate the concept. However, for me, I had a hard time getting into the story simply because the settings were so very vague and unformed. At no time could I really picture the world or physical layout that all the action was taking place in. I think that the game scenario of Caraval would've stood out more sharply if it had a firm 'real-world- background to stand out from, but the sisters' home is only vaguely delineated with wavy fairy-tale-esque lines. On the island where Caraval has been set up, we know that there is a gated enclosure, and then that there are balconies overlooking the 'action' for spectators - but then most of the action seems to take place inside buildings. What are people actually watching? Is it magic? It never really becomes clear.

Also, why I very much like plots with abrupt reversals and hidden agendas - I felt like there were just a bit too many here, and not all of the revelations really made an enormous amount of sense with the given background.

Overall - this was OK, but I won't be holding my breath waiting for the sequel that is very clearly planned.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Flatiron Books for the opportunity to read. As always, my opinion is solely my own.

Scarlett has grown up hearing stories of Caraval from her grandmother and has always been enchanted by the wonder of a traveling performance where the audience takes part. But living all her life on an island with her sister and controlled by their cruel father, she's never been able to go herself. Now when Scarlett is weeks away from an arranged marriage she hopes will take her and her sister far away from their home and father, she finally receives an invitation to the show. Scarlett isn't sure what to do, but Tella takes things into her own hands and makes the decision for Scarlett - they're going to Caraval. But as soon as they arrive at the show (with the help of a roguish sailor) Tella is kidnapped by Caraval's mastermind Legend. Now Scarlett must find her sister and win the game before the show ends, her father finds out where she is, and she loses everything.

While life with their father has made Scarlett cautious, Tella has grown up wild and rebellious. In the beginning I didn't know what to think of either of them, but as the story went on, I grew to like Scarlett a lot more - and Tella a lot less. Although Scarlett's behavior could be frustrating at times, I can definitely relate to her. She is not a risk taker by nature and is trying to make as few waves as possible. All she wants is to protect her sister and get them both away from their father. Although Scarlett has never met her fiancé, she sees her arranged marriage as the way to do that, and she is terrified of messing that up. Tella, on the other hand, wants Scarlett to get out and live life. But she also comes across as very selfish, and I didn't like her thorough most of this story.

From the start I admired Scarlett for her loyalty to her sister and determination to rescue her at all cost, but the more she got caught up in the performance of Caraval and began to take risks and make choices for herself, the more I liked her. It was rewarding to see Scarlett worry less as she took control of her own life. As much as this tale is a fun and mysterious fantasy, it is also the story of two girls who have grown up in an abusive home, who have learned to survive in different ways, and who have to figure out their own ways to escape. I think the true magic of this story is the mix between the enchanting fantasy and brutal, honest themes.

Did you notice I mentioned a sailor above? Well that is Julian. We meet him in a bit of an uncomfortable and compromising situation, but as is everything with Caraval, nothing is what it seems. As with Scarlett, I grew to like him a lot more as the story continued. He begins as a sort of reluctant ally to Scarlett on her quest to rescue her sister, but their relationship slowly changes and deepens as the book continues. This is a slow burn, and as with everything in Caraval, Julian isn't exactly what he appears. But he is good for Scarlet, and I loved seeing them begin to trust each other. Julian challenges her, and they rescue each other repeatedly, and I enjoyed their interactions so much. I only wish that once the dust settled from all the revelations, we'd have a chance to get to know him even more.

I don't know where this story is going. I know there will be a sequel, and the end of this book seems to set that up as a companion following another character. However, I'm not sure Scarlett's story is completely over either. As long as no one messes with Scarlet and Julian, I can't wait to find out what happens next. We still have some revelations to uncover and mysteries to solve.

Caraval has a lot of hype. A lottttt of it. And that definitely played into my reading of the story. On the one hand, I can see the comparison to The Night Circus, and if I'd read Caraval without anyone telling me it was similar, I would have made the connection myself. A magical circus-like place that is only opened at night? In this case it's a game, but its impossible to miss the similarities. While that helped to define this story, it also managed to work against me a little bit. Because, while I enjoyed Caraval a great deal, The Night Circus is one of my favorite books of ALL TIME and in comparison, this just isn't quite there for me. But still Caraval was a really great story, full of twists and mysteries and magic. I'd highly recommend it.

Love Triangle Factor: None. (Spoiler: Scarlett does have a fiancé when the book begins, but she's never met him and has no romantic feelings for him besides hoping he'll be able to rescue her and her sister from their father. /End Spoiler)
Cliffhanger Scale: Low. Epilogue definitely sets up another book. But story does not end in a painful or dangerous way.