Reviews with content warning for Suicide - Caraval

The world of this book absolutely captivated me. I truly enjoyed observing Scarlett throughout her time in Caraval. The ending made me feel satisfied while still yearning for more time with the characters. One character I felt very drawn to was Legend, he has absolutely amazing character traits. Somehow he is ever-present in the game while also feeling distant. I will absolutely pick up the next book in this series.

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fka_bix's review against another edition

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3.25

It was very much so “okay” I didn’t get into it much until 60% through and the ending was decent. likely will read Legend + Finale, but in no rush (mostly waiting for Jacks to show up because I read OUABH and BONA first and I LOVED those two books, but I’m actually glad I read those first even though they’re somewhat meant to come after)

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tays_books's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

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gisele47's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective relaxing tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This book was magical. The way the author describes imagery of characters and environments in Caraval was intricate and colorful.

Spoiler

I felt like I could see the colors of what the author was describing, and it lended itself to the notion of beauty as a distraction within the plot.

It really reminded me of Alice and Wonderland in some ways.

I really liked the focus on the bond between siblings, and the ways your relationship to your siblings may change and may stay the same as time passes.

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booking_along's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

reread 2023:

i don’t really have any other things to say or thoughts to add to my first ones.

this is very strange.
sometimes very overwritten and too much and trying a bit too hard to not say anything while filling pages with nonsensical words.

i love the idea and the characters and plot idea isn’t bad overall but i wish it wasn’t as flowery and nonsensically written in a way that one never really knows what’s going on and if something is happening or not.

it’s not bad but i think it’s a specific type of writing that you have to be a specific reader to love.
as in if you don’t mind not understand how why or what even after finishing it all and having things described to you in colors for no real reason (dead is apparently purple) fantastic.

look i enjoy description and i like flowery writing but there is a point where i just want a clear answer to things. and in this first book that never really happens

i will continue on with this series this time and see if this writing continues as it’s been done here or if at some point an actual story is being told in a clearer and more easily understandable way.

first read 2018:
3 stars

this is such a strange book!

i really loved parts of it, but the other parts that i didn’t enjoy, those i REALLY did not like!

in some ways this book reminded me a lot of alice in wonderland.

a lot of strange things are happening that make no sense and that are not getting explained at all.
there are also way more overused stereotypes in this book especially gender wise than there should be especially for such a super strange book!

but the writing is so good, and the plot ideas that i could understand and made sense were fantastic...

a very strange mixture!

i know that i will only define my personal option of this book - if i enjoy it or not- when i reread it someday.

for books this strange i need a reread to really form my option and decide how i feel about them.
or in other words: i need a reread in hopes that i will either understand more of it in that go around OR not like it because it will be just as strange and not understandable to me as this time around.

for now i can only say: super strange and over the top whimsical and unexplained reading experience!

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