My Review

I think I found a new favorite author! Caraval was filled with so many twists, turns, and secrets, and I had absolutely no idea what was real and what was not. As soon as I came up with a new theory, it was dashed when the author revealed a new secret along the way.

The characters were superb, the plot was unique and exciting, and as a reader, I was immersed in the adventure as if I was actually living in the book rather than flipping page after page.

If you are looking for a little bit of magic and mystery, Caraval is the perfect book for you. I’m looking forward to reading the next two in the series!

My rating: 5+ stars

Favorite Quote

Inside the house, violin music, richer than the darkest chocolate, started playing. It seeped outside and whispered to Scarlett as Julian’s smile turned seductive, all shameless curves and immoral promises. An invitation to places that proper young ladies didn’t think about, let alone visit. Scarlett didn’t want to imagine what sorts of things this smile had convinced other girls to do.

“Don’t look at me like that,” Scarlett said. “It doesn’t work on me.”

“That’s why it’s so fun.”

Blurb

Scarlett Dragna has never left the tiny island where she and her sister, Tella, live with their powerful, and cruel, father. Now Scarlett’s father has arranged a marriage for her, and Scarlett thinks her dreams of seeing Caraval—the faraway, once-a-year performance where the audience participates in the show—are over.

But this year, Scarlett’s long-dreamt-of invitation finally arrives. With the help of a mysterious sailor, Tella whisks Scarlett away to the show. Only, as soon as they arrive, Tella is kidnapped by Caraval’s mastermind organizer, Legend. It turns out that this season’s Caraval revolves around Tella, and whoever finds her first is the winner.

Scarlett has been told that everything that happens during Caraval is only an elaborate performance. Nevertheless she becomes enmeshed in a game of love, heartbreak, and magic.