anielabooks's review against another edition
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
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Murder, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Blood, Child abuse, Violence, Alcohol, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Grief, Kidnapping, Injury/injury detail, and Physical abuse
Minor: Abandonment, Confinement, and Rape
booking_along's review against another edition
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!
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!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Bullying, Gaslighting, Toxic relationship, Violence, Child abuse, Death, Confinement, and Suicide
tenshiwing07's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood and Physical abuse
Minor: Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, Confinement, and Emotional abuse
lynnloveshobi's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
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
One of the best book i have read in a long time, I'm low-key breathless, can't wait to read the next one
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Suicide, Child abuse, Abandonment, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Kidnapping, Murder, Gaslighting, Suicide attempt, and Violence
Minor: Body horror
cady_sass's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
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
This is SO uniquely crafted and effective in world building. The storyline, however, leaves a little bit to be desired- it’s a little muddled and convoluted, and at times I found my mind drifting because I wasn’t staying engaged anymore. For the first half of the book I thought I picked an easy 5 star read for my first of the year! Alas, not quite. The back half of the book just didn’t do it for me, until the ending which i actually really liked. The love story (can you even call it that?) falls flat and feels contrived, the sisters dynamic isn’t fleshed out enough before all hell breaks loose, and the character arc for Scarlett from judgy and prude overprotective sister to heroine superstar with a backbone who can stand up for herself does not transition smoothly and feels undeserved. But it’s YA, and instalove is a thing (just not for me), and I will give credit to all the things I did love: the minor characters SOLD the entire experience, the exchange of “currency” for goods/information, the effective twisting storyline around who you can and can’t trust. I did overall really, thoroughly enjoy the ride and am looking forward to the next 2 books.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Classism, Gaslighting, Murder, Death, Blood, Physical abuse, Violence, and Child abuse
vicwaltz's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting and Child abuse
Moderate: Kidnapping
schmolly's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
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? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, and Suicide
cheesy_crackers's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-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
I liked this book, the plot was nice, with twists and turns and overall it was a pretty good read.
One thing I did not like about this book though, was that the ending fell very flat. I mean there was so much hype about the whole thing and in the end it isn't really explained very well, and she just loses all emotion. Another thing I didn't like was how suddenly towards the end of the book she just starts actually liking Julian, she goes from hating him to being ok with him and then suddenly she can't live without him, it just doesn't make sense.
Spoiler
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Cursing, Gaslighting, Toxic relationship, Abandonment, Emotional abuse, Death, Injury/injury detail, Kidnapping, Suicide, Violence, Physical abuse, and Suicide attempt
nasya_4567's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
It’s hard to get into. Like I had to read the first few chapters multiple times before I actually got going. Might be because I was in a book slump 😀
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Physical abuse, Suicide, Domestic abuse, Suicide attempt, and Bullying
Moderate: Abandonment, Confinement, Death, and Death of parent
rosenau's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Suicide attempt, Violence, Bullying, Injury/injury detail, Murder, Body shaming, and Suicide
Moderate: Gaslighting