Scan barcode
deluna's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Kidnapping, and Murder
kayceeisbookish's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Kept me guessing the entire time. What a wild ride. So worth the hype around it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Blood, and Grief
hue's review against another edition
mysterious
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
1.0
Yuck!
I can't believe this is a trilogy. . .
I can't believe this is a trilogy. . .
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Murder, Abandonment, and Sexual harassment
khernandez44's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
Caraval had me hooked from the beginning. It was definitely a page turner. I felt like the ending was a rushed and the imagery was kind of hard to keep track of, but other than that, it was a fun read!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Physical abuse
Minor: Child abuse, Death, and Suicide
kelseypoisal's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
the premise of this book is very intriguing! I enjoyed it, but I felt like it could have been more. some of the clues were vague and her answers to them were just okay. it felt like it was really supposed to be a mystery book but she was just stumbling through it rather than really figuring things out. it was captivating, though, and I didn't want to put it down!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
uselesspirateraven's review
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Physical abuse, Sexism, Toxic relationship, and Blood
Moderate: Self harm, Sexual content, Suicide, and Gaslighting
Minor: Emotional abuse and Sexual assault
pianokeys's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Kidnapping
beckyyreadss's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was the book club’s pick of the month for August. This has been on my TBR for a while, and I always walk past it in bookshops and just never caught my eye enough to start it. I’m really glad I started this book, even if it did mess with my head a little bit.
This book is based on Scarlett, and she has never left the tiny isle of Trisda, pining from afar for the wonder of Caraval, a once-a-year week-long performance where the audience participates in the show. Caraval is magic. Mystery. Adventure. And for Scarlett and her younger sister Tella it represents freedom and an escape from their ruthless, abusive father. When the sisters’ long-awaited invitations to Caraval finally arrive, it seems their dreams have come true. But no sooner have they arrived that Tella vanishes and is kidnapped by the show’s mastermind organizer, Legend. Scarlett has been told that everything that happens during Caraval is only an elaborate performance. But nonetheless she quickly becomes enmeshed in a dangerous game of love, magic and heartbreak. And real or not, she must find Tella before the game is over, and her sister disappears forever.
I liked the storyline; it reminded me a lot of Alice in Wonderland meets Willy Wonka. The way that this book kept twisting and turning. It was magical and the game had me stressed. I didn’t want to trust anyone – Dante, Julian, no one. It had me on EDGE. I wanted to hug Scarlett throughout the whole book, she was going through it and all she wanted to do was enjoy the games and then she was more worried about her sister that she couldn’t enjoy it. Also, the way that she stood up for her father was so brave and I was screaming and dancing for her at that point and I'm glad that her and Tella got out and are safe. Julian took a while to grow on me, mainly because I didn’t trust anyone from the games and thought he was going to betray Scarlett which he kind of did but for good reasons, so I'll forgive him.
Is it bad that I was more intrigued on who was Legend rather than if Tella was going to be saved? Like I understand Tella’s behaviour because her father is a jackass, but she still needs to warm up to me because her character was annoying me throughout the book especially with the reveal at the end and how she had a plan the whole time but couldn’t trust her sister? Like Scarlett was getting married to save you and you were plotting behind her back? I feel like Tella needed to grovel for forgiveness more for what she put Scarlett through, the first thing she was focusing on after all that was going to the party and bringing Scarlett, like girl. Scarlett might want to sleep, or you know take a breather not go to a party. I am aware this is a young adult book, but their father got off WAY too easy for my liking. I wanted him punished or even killed for what he did, and I hope he doesn’t get a redemption arc because he doesn’t deserve it. If I see that man again in this series, I'll cry.
The ending left more questions than answers and I have a feeling Tella is going to become a problem rather supporting her sister with whatever they do next.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Suicide, Blood, and Murder
Minor: Sexual assault, Kidnapping, and Abandonment
kymboh78's review
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I teeter between four and five stars, overall giving it 4.5 but Goodreads doesn’t have that option yet.
I can say this is the fastest I’ve read a book in a minute. Having a three hour flight helps—but what helps even more is getting wrapped up in the story. The magic of Caraval easily sweeps off the page and captures you much as it captures the players in the book.
But let’s breakdown the good, the bad, and the ugly.
The Ugly—
My biggest grievance with this book, and the biggest reason I knocked off half a star is because I found the main character incredibly irritating on more than one occasion. You might be asking, well then how and why did you keep reading? For me, it wasn’t a deal breaker because it wasn’t constant. There was enough going on (and I think the story being told in third person really helped) that we weren’t always in her head hearing her regrets or having her narrate everything she was going through. Although, I will admit, I think the author has more freedom with adding details in the first person.
The Bad—
Some might argue this is literally the ugly of the book, but what I mean by “the good, the bad, and the ugly” is what I found my least favorite to favorite about the book. So take that with a grain of salt.
There weren’t any trigger warnings at the beginning of this book.
I understand the book was published in 2017 and trigger warnings weren’t really a thing then, but as the book has gained more popularity and new editions have been released, I wish there was a list of trigger warnings (I also think we as reviewers have a duty to mention these as well). Although these weren’t necessarily heavy throughout the book (depending on your definition) I do believe that for some, even the smallest blindsided mention of some topics can lead to hard traumatic triggered events.
With that being said, here are some trigger warnings.
- Domestic violence/parental abuse: this is the most prominent
- Suicide: mentioned a couple times
- Death
- Arranged marriage: this is a focus of the book
I can say this is the fastest I’ve read a book in a minute. Having a three hour flight helps—but what helps even more is getting wrapped up in the story. The magic of Caraval easily sweeps off the page and captures you much as it captures the players in the book.
But let’s breakdown the good, the bad, and the ugly.
The Ugly—
My biggest grievance with this book, and the biggest reason I knocked off half a star is because I found the main character incredibly irritating on more than one occasion. You might be asking, well then how and why did you keep reading? For me, it wasn’t a deal breaker because it wasn’t constant. There was enough going on (and I think the story being told in third person really helped) that we weren’t always in her head hearing her regrets or having her narrate everything she was going through. Although, I will admit, I think the author has more freedom with adding details in the first person.
The Bad—
Some might argue this is literally the ugly of the book, but what I mean by “the good, the bad, and the ugly” is what I found my least favorite to favorite about the book. So take that with a grain of salt.
There weren’t any trigger warnings at the beginning of this book.
I understand the book was published in 2017 and trigger warnings weren’t really a thing then, but as the book has gained more popularity and new editions have been released, I wish there was a list of trigger warnings (I also think we as reviewers have a duty to mention these as well). Although these weren’t necessarily heavy throughout the book (depending on your definition) I do believe that for some, even the smallest blindsided mention of some topics can lead to hard traumatic triggered events.
With that being said, here are some trigger warnings.
- Domestic violence/parental abuse: this is the most prominent
- Suicide: mentioned a couple times
- Death
- Arranged marriage: this is a focus of the book
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Domestic abuse
Minor: Suicide
sadie_g's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
I was obsessed with this book from the start and just kept thinking about it.
Loved the banter and the romance in this, and the bond between Donatella and Scarlet is so strong and beautiful. This is such a magical and unique setting and I could imagine it all through the writing. I really thought I knew where things were going but it kept surprising me in the best ways. I’m so excited to read the rest of this series.
Loved the banter and the romance in this, and the bond between Donatella and Scarlet is so strong and beautiful. This is such a magical and unique setting and I could imagine it all through the writing. I really thought I knew where things were going but it kept surprising me in the best ways. I’m so excited to read the rest of this series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Suicide, Violence, and Blood
Minor: Sexual assault, Kidnapping, and Abandonment