Review: Caraval

  Caraval
  Stephanie Garber


Step into the magical world that is Caraval.

Growing up hearing stories of the magic that ignites Caraval and the mysterious ringleader, Legend, Scarlett has decided to write (many) letters in hopes of being sent an once-in-a-lifetime invitation.

At last, her letters are answered, accompanied with the ticket inside the mysterious week-long event.

Scarlett and her sister, Donnatella - Tella, for short - have been raised on a tiny island under the abusive hand of their father. Since their mother died, they have relied on each other for everything. Their father uses this to his advantage and the girls are pawns in his game of ruling his household.
Her father has planned a marriage for Scarlett, to which Scarlett is ready for. Curious, as she has never met the man she is to spend her life with, she is trusting in that her life will have the happily ever after she has been dreaming about.

Tella thinks she is out of her mind to believe in such things, and when the invitation comes to runoff and play the game that only few ever see, she knows her and her sister must go. Scarlett wanted nothing more in her whole life... but now that she has the opportunity, she is not so sure.

With the help of a friendly stranger, they step off their island for the first time in their lives.
Through storms and tricks, they reach the grounds to which the games shall be held.

Within hours of being inside, Tella is taken.

To win Caraval, and this years prize of a single wish, one must find the girl before the last day.
That gives Scarlett, and her mysterious (and frustrating) company, Julian, only 5 days.

However, Scarlett must do it in 3 if she is to make it home to her wedding, and hopefully keep her father's anger at bay.

Let the games begin.



This story is enthralling. You can feel the magic coming off the pages from the very beginning. Garber has weaved a wonderful world of pain, of love, of trickery and the power of belief.  This is one of those stories you do not want to put down as you grip the pages, begging to find out what is going to happen next.
Never a dull moment (once the game starts), Scarlett's journey to find her sister is a powerful one. We see her pushed to the edge of her personal beliefs, of her past, of her future, we see her deepest secrets, we see the power of sisterhood and the power of love; in all their forms.

Grab the kleenex for this one ladies and gents, you will need them.

When the game is finally over you will be sad to see it go, but you will never stop believing in it's magic.