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elizaeaa22's review
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Rape
Minor: Physical abuse, Violence, Death of parent, and Abandonment
jareeda16's review
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse and Death of parent
Moderate: Murder
Minor: Grief
lermaline's review
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
J'aimerais en savoir plus sur la manière dont le monde en est arrivé à son état actuel, comment la magie fonctionne en détails. Cependant le livre, pourtant recoupant certains parties des contes préférés de l'autrice, et semblant être adapté aux ados, contient énormément de scènes de violence graphique. Cela ne me semble pas cohérent, ou du moins pas bien géré.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Stalking, and Abandonment
Minor: Grief, Death of parent, and Colonisation
abookisthegatetothesoulgabi's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
My fave book series since it came out!
Content Warnings
Minor: Emotional abuse, Kidnapping, and Death of parent
carnet_de_liseuse's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood
Moderate: Child abuse, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, Suicide attempt, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Death and Death of parent
giulianalb99's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Español:
⚠️ESTA REVIEW CONTIENE SPOILERS⚠️.
Caraval de Stephanie Garber es un libro de fantasía (y diría que también misterio) que trata sobre Caraval, un lugar donde la magia y la realidad se confunden de maneras inimaginables, una competición que dura cinco días y cuyo gran premio es un deseo. Este juego no es como los demás. Para Scarlett Dragna y Donatella (su hermana pequeña) ese concurso significa la libertad: es la vía de escape perfecta para dejar atrás a su padre y sus abusos. Caraval es magia. Misterio. Aventura. Cuando las hermanas reciben por fin las ansiadas invitaciones para Caraval, parece que sus sueños se han hecho realidad. Pero Tella desaparece momentos después de su llegada, secuestrada por el organizador del espectáculo, Legend.
Scarlett tiene entendido que todo lo que sucede en Caraval es una ilusión. Sin embargo, pronto se ve sumida en un peligroso juego repleto de amor, magia y desconsuelo. Real o no, deberá encontrar a Tella antes de que termine el juego o perderá a su hermana para siempre.
➵Los sueños que se hacen realidad pueden ser excesivamente bellos, pero también se pueden convertir en pesadillas cuando la gente no se quiere despertar.
Creo que me han gustado todos y cada uno de los personajes de esta historia (menos el padre, obviamente).
Una de las cosas que más me ha gustado ha sido el amor de Scarlett por su hermana Tella, dispuesta a darlo todo por recuperarla. La verdad es que esta protagonista me ha gustado, pero ha habido algunas ocasiones en las que me ha puesto un poco nerviosa. Demasiado cabezota y tozuda, al principio del libro tiene unas ideas en la mente y es imposible que nadie se las cambie, pero a medida que iba leyendo podía ver perfectamente su magnífica evolución. De querer llevar a cabo sí o sí su boda (con un prometido que no conoce) a querer dar su vida por encontrar a su hermana y decidir quedarse con Julian. Y no sólo eso, sino que también se da cuenta de muchas cosas que, por primera vez, hacen que tome una decisión pensando en sí misma, poniéndose a ella por delante. A mi parecer, creo que es súper fuerte, decidida y capaz de hacer cualquier cosa por las personas que quiere.
Tella me ha encantado, y ya sé que no sale casi nada en este libro, pero es que su actitud y su manera de vivir me ha parecido súper curiosa, ya que se puede ver perfectamente que ella y su hermana son totalmente opuestas. Obviamente no puedo decir mucho más de ella, pero estoy ansiosa por leer el segundo libro de esta trilogía, porque se centra en su historia y es que no puedo esperar más.
Julian está añadido definitivamente a mi lista de crushes infinita. Aparte de guapísimo, su actitud y forma de ser son geniales. Me encanta al principio cómo vacila a Scar todo el tiempo y lo seductor que es durante todo el libro ha sido lo mejor, además de su humor. Repleto de secretos, este personaje pasa de misterioso a abrirse poco a poco con Scarlett, y gracias a eso se va desarrollando una relación entre ambos que me ha fascinado por completo. Por cierto, quiero un Julian para mí (por si alguien encuentra alguno).
El personaje de Legend me ha parecido una maravilla lo bien que está escrito. Alguien súper oscuro mezquino y misterioso, que se vuelve cada vez más villano con cada juego de Caraval, le encanta jugar con la gente y disfruta con ello. Como he dicho antes, quiero leer YA el segundo libro para saber más sobre él y sobre todos los secretos y misterios que esconde. Me ha parecido un personaje increíble y súper original. Un villano con todas las letras.
Personajes como Dante, Aiko y Jovan que, aunque no aparezcan demasiado, me han parecido súper curiosos y a la vez importantes en la historia, y creo que aparecerán más en los próximos libros (aunque es una suposición mía, no lo sé si será verdad).
➵Toda persona tiene la capacidad de cambiar su destino si tiene la suficiente valentía para luchar por aquello que desea más que cualquier otra cosa.
Ahora toca mi opinión. Sinceramente, me compré este libro por insistencia de una amiga y fui a ciegas, ya que no tenía ni idea de qué iba, y menuda sorpresa. No tengo palabras para describir tremendo libro. La autora escribe increíblemente genial, su pluma es una pasada y me ha encantado cómo describe absolutamente todo, añadiendo metáforas preciosas. Me enganchó desde que la primera página hasta la última, y es que leí trescientas páginas en un día porque no podía soltarlo. Al principio no entendía en absoluto lo que estaba pasando, pero a medida que pasaba la historia se hacía muchísimo más interesante y quería saber constantemente a dónde Scarlett tenía que ir y qué buscar para obtener las pistas del juego. Los plot twists me han parecido bestiales, adiviné uno que otro pero con cada página que pasaba había uno nuevo y es que no paraba de sorprenderme (todavía sigo flipando). La relación de Scarlett y Julian me ha parecido súper bonita y la he amado desde el principio y quiero leer más sobre ellos. Sigo sin palabras, no voy a superar este libro en mucho tiempo. La cantidad de páginas anotadas no es ni medio normal😂, pero todo lo que me ha hecho sentir la autora con este libro… bfffffff, increíble.
¿Algún punto negativo? Quizá que hay dos o tres capítulos en mitad del libro que se me hicieron un poco largos pero después remontó de una manera impresionante, pero poco más.
Lo recomiendo a absolutamente todo el mundo en la faz de la tierra.: ¡Vas a ser incapaz de soltarlo!
Al final he decidido cambiar a 4,75 mi puntuación porque estoy segurísima de que el segundo libro me va a encantar muchísimo más. ES QUE ES DE TELLA Y NO PUEDO ESPERAR A LEERLO😭.
Por último y no menos importante antes de leer el libro, busca información sobre los <i>trigger warnings porque puede haber algunos temas que pueden ser duros para algunas personas.
🎪🎠🎩🥀
English:
⚠️THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS⚠️
Caraval by Stephanie Garber is a fantasy (and also mystery) book about Caraval, a place where magic and reality blend in unimaginable ways, a five-day competition whose grand prize is a wish. This game is not like the others. For Scarlett Dragna and Donatella (her little sister) that contest means freedom: it is the perfect escape route to leave behind their father and his abuse towards them. Caraval is magic. Mystery. Adventure. When the sisters finally receive the long-awaited invitations to Caraval, it seems that their dreams have come true. But Tella disappears moments after her arrival, kidnapped by the show's organizer, Legend.
Scarlett understands that everything that happens in Caraval is an illusion. However, she soon finds herself drawn into a dangerous game filled with love, magic, and grief. Real or not, she must find Tella before she finishes the game or she will lose her sister forever.
➵Dreams that come true can be beautiful, but they can also turn into nightmares when people won't wake up.
I think I liked each and every one of the characters in this story (except the father, obviously).
One of the things I liked the most was Scarlett’s love for her sister Tella, willing to give everything to get her back. The truth is that I liked the fmc, but there were some occasions in which she made me a little nervous. Too stubborn, at the beginning of the book she has some ideas in her mind and it is impossible for anyone to change them, but as I kept on reading I could perfectly see her magnificent evolution. From wanting to carry on with her wedding (with a fiancé she hasn’t met) to wanting to give her life to find her sister and decide to stay with Julian. And not only that, but she also realizes many things that, for the first time, makes her start thinking of herself, putting her first before anyone. In my opinion, I think she is super strong, determined and capable of doing anything for the people she loves.
I loved Tella, and I know she doesn’t appear too much, but her attitude and her way of life were super curious to me. You can perfectly see that she and her sister are totally the opposite. Obviously I can't say much more about her, but I'm looking forward to reading the second book in this trilogy, because it focuses on her story and I just can't wait any longer.
Julian is definitely added to my endless list. Apart from being very handsome, his attitude is amazing. I love how he teases Scar all the time at the beginning and how seductive he is throughout the book it’s the best, plus his humor was on point. Full of secrets, this character goes from mysterious to gradually opening up to Scarlett, and thanks to that a relationship develops between them that has completely fascinated me. By the way, I want a Julian for myself (in case anyone finds one).
The character of Legend is amazing how incredibly written he is. Someone super dark, mean and mysterious, who becomes a worse villian with each Caraval game, he loves to play with people and enjoys it. As I said before, I want to read the second book RIGHT NOW to find out more about him and all the secrets and mysteries he hides. He is such an original character. A villain with all the letters.
Characters like Dante, Aiko and Jovan who, although they don't appear too much, I found them super curious and at the same time important in the story, and I think they will appear more in the next books (although it is my assumption, I don't know if it’ll be true).
➵Every person has the power to change their fate if they are brave enough to fight for what they desire more than anything.
Now, my opinion. Honestly, I bought this book because a friend insisted me on reading it and I went totally blind since I had no idea what it was about, and what a surprise. I have no words to describe this tremendous book. The author writes incredibly great, her pen is amazing and I loved how she describes absolutely everything, also adding beautiful metaphors. It had me hooked from the first page to the last, which is why I read three hundred pages in a day because I just couldn't put it down. At first I didn't understand what was going on at all, but as the story progressed it became so much more interesting and I constantly wanted to know where Scarlett needed to go and what to look for to get the clues to the game. The plot twists were incredible, I guessed some of them but with each page that I turned there was a new one and it just kept surprising me (I'm still freaking out). Scarlett and Julian's relationship was super cute and I've loved them from the beginning and I want to read more about them. I'm still speechless, I won't get over this book for a long time. Everything the author made me feel with this book... bfffffff, incredible.
Any negative point? Perhaps there are two or three chapters in the middle of the book that were a bit long to me but then it got back in an impressive way.
I absolutely recommend it to everyone on the face of the earth: You won’t be able to put it down!
After thinking about it, I decided to change my score to 4.75 because I am very sure that I am going to love the second book much more. IT'S ABOUT TELLA AND I CAN'T WAIT TO READ IT😭.
Last but not least before reading the book, look up information about trigger warnings because there may be some topics that can be hard for some people.
⚠️ESTA REVIEW CONTIENE SPOILERS⚠️.
Caraval de Stephanie Garber es un libro de fantasía (y diría que también misterio) que trata sobre Caraval, un lugar donde la magia y la realidad se confunden de maneras inimaginables, una competición que dura cinco días y cuyo gran premio es un deseo. Este juego no es como los demás. Para Scarlett Dragna y Donatella (su hermana pequeña) ese concurso significa la libertad: es la vía de escape perfecta para dejar atrás a su padre y sus abusos. Caraval es magia. Misterio. Aventura. Cuando las hermanas reciben por fin las ansiadas invitaciones para Caraval, parece que sus sueños se han hecho realidad. Pero Tella desaparece momentos después de su llegada, secuestrada por el organizador del espectáculo, Legend.
Scarlett tiene entendido que todo lo que sucede en Caraval es una ilusión. Sin embargo, pronto se ve sumida en un peligroso juego repleto de amor, magia y desconsuelo. Real o no, deberá encontrar a Tella antes de que termine el juego o perderá a su hermana para siempre.
➵Los sueños que se hacen realidad pueden ser excesivamente bellos, pero también se pueden convertir en pesadillas cuando la gente no se quiere despertar.
Creo que me han gustado todos y cada uno de los personajes de esta historia (menos el padre, obviamente).
Una de las cosas que más me ha gustado ha sido el amor de Scarlett por su hermana Tella, dispuesta a darlo todo por recuperarla. La verdad es que esta protagonista me ha gustado, pero ha habido algunas ocasiones en las que me ha puesto un poco nerviosa. Demasiado cabezota y tozuda, al principio del libro tiene unas ideas en la mente y es imposible que nadie se las cambie, pero a medida que iba leyendo podía ver perfectamente su magnífica evolución. De querer llevar a cabo sí o sí su boda (con un prometido que no conoce) a querer dar su vida por encontrar a su hermana y decidir quedarse con Julian. Y no sólo eso, sino que también se da cuenta de muchas cosas que, por primera vez, hacen que tome una decisión pensando en sí misma, poniéndose a ella por delante. A mi parecer, creo que es súper fuerte, decidida y capaz de hacer cualquier cosa por las personas que quiere.
Tella me ha encantado, y ya sé que no sale casi nada en este libro, pero es que su actitud y su manera de vivir me ha parecido súper curiosa, ya que se puede ver perfectamente que ella y su hermana son totalmente opuestas. Obviamente no puedo decir mucho más de ella, pero estoy ansiosa por leer el segundo libro de esta trilogía, porque se centra en su historia y es que no puedo esperar más.
Julian está añadido definitivamente a mi lista de crushes infinita. Aparte de guapísimo, su actitud y forma de ser son geniales. Me encanta al principio cómo vacila a Scar todo el tiempo y lo seductor que es durante todo el libro ha sido lo mejor, además de su humor. Repleto de secretos, este personaje pasa de misterioso a abrirse poco a poco con Scarlett, y gracias a eso se va desarrollando una relación entre ambos que me ha fascinado por completo. Por cierto, quiero un Julian para mí (por si alguien encuentra alguno).
El personaje de Legend me ha parecido una maravilla lo bien que está escrito. Alguien súper oscuro mezquino y misterioso, que se vuelve cada vez más villano con cada juego de Caraval, le encanta jugar con la gente y disfruta con ello. Como he dicho antes, quiero leer YA el segundo libro para saber más sobre él y sobre todos los secretos y misterios que esconde. Me ha parecido un personaje increíble y súper original. Un villano con todas las letras.
Personajes como Dante, Aiko y Jovan que, aunque no aparezcan demasiado, me han parecido súper curiosos y a la vez importantes en la historia, y creo que aparecerán más en los próximos libros (aunque es una suposición mía, no lo sé si será verdad).
➵Toda persona tiene la capacidad de cambiar su destino si tiene la suficiente valentía para luchar por aquello que desea más que cualquier otra cosa.
Ahora toca mi opinión. Sinceramente, me compré este libro por insistencia de una amiga y fui a ciegas, ya que no tenía ni idea de qué iba, y menuda sorpresa. No tengo palabras para describir tremendo libro. La autora escribe increíblemente genial, su pluma es una pasada y me ha encantado cómo describe absolutamente todo, añadiendo metáforas preciosas. Me enganchó desde que la primera página hasta la última, y es que leí trescientas páginas en un día porque no podía soltarlo. Al principio no entendía en absoluto lo que estaba pasando, pero a medida que pasaba la historia se hacía muchísimo más interesante y quería saber constantemente a dónde Scarlett tenía que ir y qué buscar para obtener las pistas del juego. Los plot twists me han parecido bestiales, adiviné uno que otro pero con cada página que pasaba había uno nuevo y es que no paraba de sorprenderme (todavía sigo flipando). La relación de Scarlett y Julian me ha parecido súper bonita y la he amado desde el principio y quiero leer más sobre ellos. Sigo sin palabras, no voy a superar este libro en mucho tiempo. La cantidad de páginas anotadas no es ni medio normal😂, pero todo lo que me ha hecho sentir la autora con este libro… bfffffff, increíble.
¿Algún punto negativo? Quizá que hay dos o tres capítulos en mitad del libro que se me hicieron un poco largos pero después remontó de una manera impresionante, pero poco más.
Lo recomiendo a absolutamente todo el mundo en la faz de la tierra.: ¡Vas a ser incapaz de soltarlo!
Al final he decidido cambiar a 4,75 mi puntuación porque estoy segurísima de que el segundo libro me va a encantar muchísimo más. ES QUE ES DE TELLA Y NO PUEDO ESPERAR A LEERLO😭.
Por último y no menos importante antes de leer el libro, busca información sobre los <i>trigger warnings porque puede haber algunos temas que pueden ser duros para algunas personas.
🎪🎠🎩🥀
English:
⚠️THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS⚠️
Caraval by Stephanie Garber is a fantasy (and also mystery) book about Caraval, a place where magic and reality blend in unimaginable ways, a five-day competition whose grand prize is a wish. This game is not like the others. For Scarlett Dragna and Donatella (her little sister) that contest means freedom: it is the perfect escape route to leave behind their father and his abuse towards them. Caraval is magic. Mystery. Adventure. When the sisters finally receive the long-awaited invitations to Caraval, it seems that their dreams have come true. But Tella disappears moments after her arrival, kidnapped by the show's organizer, Legend.
Scarlett understands that everything that happens in Caraval is an illusion. However, she soon finds herself drawn into a dangerous game filled with love, magic, and grief. Real or not, she must find Tella before she finishes the game or she will lose her sister forever.
➵Dreams that come true can be beautiful, but they can also turn into nightmares when people won't wake up.
I think I liked each and every one of the characters in this story (except the father, obviously).
One of the things I liked the most was Scarlett’s love for her sister Tella, willing to give everything to get her back. The truth is that I liked the fmc, but there were some occasions in which she made me a little nervous. Too stubborn, at the beginning of the book she has some ideas in her mind and it is impossible for anyone to change them, but as I kept on reading I could perfectly see her magnificent evolution. From wanting to carry on with her wedding (with a fiancé she hasn’t met) to wanting to give her life to find her sister and decide to stay with Julian. And not only that, but she also realizes many things that, for the first time, makes her start thinking of herself, putting her first before anyone. In my opinion, I think she is super strong, determined and capable of doing anything for the people she loves.
I loved Tella, and I know she doesn’t appear too much, but her attitude and her way of life were super curious to me. You can perfectly see that she and her sister are totally the opposite. Obviously I can't say much more about her, but I'm looking forward to reading the second book in this trilogy, because it focuses on her story and I just can't wait any longer.
Julian is definitely added to my endless list. Apart from being very handsome, his attitude is amazing. I love how he teases Scar all the time at the beginning and how seductive he is throughout the book it’s the best, plus his humor was on point. Full of secrets, this character goes from mysterious to gradually opening up to Scarlett, and thanks to that a relationship develops between them that has completely fascinated me. By the way, I want a Julian for myself (in case anyone finds one).
The character of Legend is amazing how incredibly written he is. Someone super dark, mean and mysterious, who becomes a worse villian with each Caraval game, he loves to play with people and enjoys it. As I said before, I want to read the second book RIGHT NOW to find out more about him and all the secrets and mysteries he hides. He is such an original character. A villain with all the letters.
Characters like Dante, Aiko and Jovan who, although they don't appear too much, I found them super curious and at the same time important in the story, and I think they will appear more in the next books (although it is my assumption, I don't know if it’ll be true).
➵Every person has the power to change their fate if they are brave enough to fight for what they desire more than anything.
Now, my opinion. Honestly, I bought this book because a friend insisted me on reading it and I went totally blind since I had no idea what it was about, and what a surprise. I have no words to describe this tremendous book. The author writes incredibly great, her pen is amazing and I loved how she describes absolutely everything, also adding beautiful metaphors. It had me hooked from the first page to the last, which is why I read three hundred pages in a day because I just couldn't put it down. At first I didn't understand what was going on at all, but as the story progressed it became so much more interesting and I constantly wanted to know where Scarlett needed to go and what to look for to get the clues to the game. The plot twists were incredible, I guessed some of them but with each page that I turned there was a new one and it just kept surprising me (I'm still freaking out). Scarlett and Julian's relationship was super cute and I've loved them from the beginning and I want to read more about them. I'm still speechless, I won't get over this book for a long time. Everything the author made me feel with this book... bfffffff, incredible.
Any negative point? Perhaps there are two or three chapters in the middle of the book that were a bit long to me but then it got back in an impressive way.
I absolutely recommend it to everyone on the face of the earth: You won’t be able to put it down!
After thinking about it, I decided to change my score to 4.75 because I am very sure that I am going to love the second book much more. IT'S ABOUT TELLA AND I CAN'T WAIT TO READ IT😭.
Last but not least before reading the book, look up information about trigger warnings because there may be some topics that can be hard for some people.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Murder, Gaslighting, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Bullying, Confinement, Cursing, Misogyny, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, and Alcohol
rylin_marie's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
4.5! this book was so magical i’m in love. this book is way too underrated. there were parts where i cried, laughed, smiled, and gasped. this book was a rollercoaster of emotions for me.
🎠~she imagined loving him would feel like falling in love with darkness, frightening and consuming yet utterly beautiful when the stars came out~🎠
-literal poetry. this line is just so pretty. it painted a picture in my brain. stephanie garber is literally the queen as describing things.
🎠~hope is a powerful thing. some say it’s a different breed of magic altogether.~🎠
julian is mine. i am his. i love him.
okay, i’m literally so happy. stephanie garber is a new favorite author. the acknowledgments made me smile. i love how the first thing she put was “thank you, God, for being faithful when i was faithless, for your love, and for every miracle that made this book possible.” i will forever love stephanie garber for this.
🎠~she imagined loving him would feel like falling in love with darkness, frightening and consuming yet utterly beautiful when the stars came out~🎠
-literal poetry. this line is just so pretty. it painted a picture in my brain. stephanie garber is literally the queen as describing things.
🎠~hope is a powerful thing. some say it’s a different breed of magic altogether.~🎠
julian is mine. i am his. i love him.
okay, i’m literally so happy. stephanie garber is a new favorite author. the acknowledgments made me smile. i love how the first thing she put was “thank you, God, for being faithful when i was faithless, for your love, and for every miracle that made this book possible.” i will forever love stephanie garber for this.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, and Alcohol
wickedgrumpy's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
2.25
This book was very much whimsical nonsense tied up in a mystery that was reminiscent of a studio ghibli movie. You question what is real and what is not, if what has happened actually did happen.
There was enough mystery and world building to keep me interested in reading more, though the characters were a bit one dimensional they managed to hold my attention.
Other books I've read with this vibe did not have strong enough characters to keep me engaged and since this was a debut novel it has a lot of promise for what comes next.
There was enough mystery and world building to keep me interested in reading more, though the characters were a bit one dimensional they managed to hold my attention.
Other books I've read with this vibe did not have strong enough characters to keep me engaged and since this was a debut novel it has a lot of promise for what comes next.
Content Warnings
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Stalking, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
lily_june's review
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Physical abuse, Death of parent, and Abandonment
mary_do_12's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
31.01.2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️
i don’t like julian (sorry not sorry)
18.01.2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
i decided to re-read caraval, because my first reading experience was majorly influenced by my biased view concerning julian (as you can tell).throughout basically the whole book i was convinced he hooked up with tella, which clouded my perception of him totally. now, going into the book again while knowing that that was actually not the case, i’ve found myself enjoying his character more.
(also i want to desperately read “once upon a broken heart” and i told myself i’d need to finish this series first)
it’s only been a year since i first read this book, but i had forgotten basically all of the plot twists already. while this made the reading experience more interesting, it also left me — again — very confused. and that‘s the issue i have with “caraval”.
the game isn’t logical whatsoever, and it feels like it doesn’t follow a clear path at all. instead, it was very mysterious and unclear. the clues given were vague and at no time in the book i could’ve confidently said that i believed scarlett was on the right path.
as for the actual game of caraval, it’s such a mystery and somewhat a fever dream to me that i lost all sense of direction while reading about it. even at the end of the book, i had some difficulties tying lose ends together and processing what in the world just happened. and while that is also the charme of the book, it was something that left me startled and restless. i suppose that is the only reason i cannot wholeheartedly give this book any more than four stars.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
i don’t like julian (sorry not sorry)
18.01.2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
i decided to re-read caraval, because my first reading experience was majorly influenced by my biased view concerning julian (as you can tell).
(also i want to desperately read “once upon a broken heart” and i told myself i’d need to finish this series first)
it’s only been a year since i first read this book, but i had forgotten basically all of the plot twists already. while this made the reading experience more interesting, it also left me — again — very confused. and that‘s the issue i have with “caraval”.
the game isn’t logical whatsoever, and it feels like it doesn’t follow a clear path at all. instead, it was very mysterious and unclear. the clues given were vague and at no time in the book i could’ve confidently said that i believed scarlett was on the right path.
as for the actual game of caraval, it’s such a mystery and somewhat a fever dream to me that i lost all sense of direction while reading about it. even at the end of the book, i had some difficulties tying lose ends together and processing what in the world just happened. and while that is also the charme of the book, it was something that left me startled and restless. i suppose that is the only reason i cannot wholeheartedly give this book any more than four stars.
scarlett as the protagonist was easy and enjoyable to read about, though i found her frequent thoughts and worries about safety and responsibility sometimes just a little too much. i can’t really complain though.
although i did come to understand and appreciate julian’s character a lot more, he is not the love interest for me. for that title he was lacking something that i can’t quite define (my rating is fully based on vibes, i admit it). i cannot deny that his relationship and chemistry with scarlett was unmatched though.
some things felt very random in the story, but looking back i can understand that they are related to the whole, wide story.
all in all, an enjoyable, if very confusing read.
although i did come to understand and appreciate julian’s character a lot more, he is not the love interest for me. for that title he was lacking something that i can’t quite define (my rating is fully based on vibes, i admit it). i cannot deny that his relationship and chemistry with scarlett was unmatched though.
some things felt very random in the story, but looking back i can understand that they are related to the whole, wide story.
all in all, an enjoyable, if very confusing read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Child abuse