Reviews

Caraval by Stephanie Garber

liv_tir's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional funny lighthearted mysterious 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? No

3.5

loude's review against another edition

adventurous inspiring mysterious reflective 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? It's complicated

5.0

This book kept me guessing from start to finish. I never knew what was coming next, and it felt like I was playing a game alongside the characters, trying to predict the twists and turns. It’s brimming with magic, and Stephanie Garber’s writing style draws you deeply into the story. An amazing tale, and I can’t wait to dive into book two!

sammyclem's review against another edition

adventurous emotional 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? No

4.0

aris12's review against another edition

adventurous lighthearted mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

shapeoflobster's review against another edition

2.0

Disappointing. I did not get the hype for this at all.

morgann_ashh's review against another edition

4.0

I was immediately entranced by the story's setting and plot from the book "blurb" and the first 50 pages. It felt like a carnival twist on Hunger Games: magic, wonder, escape, and competition. The setting was fascinating and Garber has a beautiful way with words when describing setting. She uses unique metaphors and descriptions to describe the setting or characters. In addition, I love how emotions were described by colors. It was such a unique reading experience seeing how Scarlett interpreted emotion through color. The plot had me HOOKED the first 250 pages. I stayed up until 4 am because I was engaged in the story. I woke up the next morning not fully remembering what happened because I was so tired when I forced myself to push through. I enjoyed the relationship between Julian and Scarlett. I especially loved Julian's character: his playful banter but also his assertiveness. The last hundred pages is when the book lost me a little bit, which is the reason for the docked star. [SPOILER] I liked the twist that all the characters we have come to know we're actually players in the game and there was an underlying motive taking place. Then, Scarlett found her sister and that whole scene felt off to me. The Tella at the end didn't feel like the Tella at the beginning, and I know it was all apart of the game but why couldn't they have let Scarlett in on it? Also, they put her through so much pain! She watched two people she loved DIE and then the next day Tella is all excited and chatting up a storm and Julian is just like standing there at a party. POOR GIRL is struggling with grief that she just found out was all an ACT??? and you want to go to a PARTY?? I don't know, it all just felt quick and not emotionally sensitive to Scarlett's situation. Also, I feel like this book could have been a stand alone. Either way, I will be continuing with the next book in the series.

jai_meow's review against another edition

4.0

i need the second book asap

maisiegoffin's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-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? No

3.5

kayleevkd's review against another edition

adventurous hopeful mysterious 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? It's complicated

5.0

spttsn's review

adventurous mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

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

3.25

This was a really great book, up until the end. I enjoyed being swept away in the world of Caraval, the mystery and the otherness of it all. I was not a fan of how everything was wrapped up, and not a huge fan of the dynamic between the two sisters either. 

Up until the last 100 pages, it was a 4 star read, but the ending really brought it down for me. I'm not overly interested in reading the sequel, but I'm not completely opposed to it in the future.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse and Physical abuse

Moderate: Suicide, Violence, and Murder