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noellegrace8's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Overall, this was an interesting book. I was definitely kept intrigued by what was going on. It wasn't a simple breadcrumb plotline - there was so much to unravel, I'd never have guessed how it ended. I liked the atmosphere of the book a ton. All the descriptions of carnival-like actors and shops, different forms of currency outside of money, and extravagant outfits/decor made for nice visuals as I read. I also enjoyed reading from the POV of a girl with synesthesia!
That being said, I didn't particualarly enjoy or relate to the characters, which made it a labor to get through at times. To be honest, Scarlet was a bit dull and ignorant a lot of times, Tella was too self-centered and immature, and Julian just seemed like a less established/convincing Jacks. Like the Wish.com version.
I also found the plot to be weirdly dark in contrast to the way it was written and all the description. Which isn't necessarily bad, it just felt... odd sometimes. I will also say, the jump was brutal. Not a fan. The ending felt like that community episode where everyone's acting, trying to teach everyone else a lesson, so you end up having no idea what's real or fake. Which would fit the idea of the book, except that it just didn't feel very well planned. For example, why not just kill that absolute mambajamba, their father? Why resort to some elaborate plot? Just stab him for being an abuser and get it over with.
But I look forward to seeing where the next book goes. I am 100% interested in seeing Jacks again, and hearing about that story.
I give Rebecca Soler 4/5⭐️'s. As I've stated many times, she sounds too much like a little girl too often. Also, when she screams/has a lot of emotion, it's not only too loud, but is overdone & doesn't fit the vibe. And again with the stuffy nose thing at times. But generally, she provides a solid read. I really prefer when she's narrating, it's just the dialogue that I tend to take issue with.
That being said, I didn't particualarly enjoy or relate to the characters, which made it a labor to get through at times. To be honest, Scarlet was a bit dull and ignorant a lot of times, Tella was too self-centered and immature, and Julian just seemed like a less established/convincing Jacks. Like the Wish.com version.
I also found the plot to be weirdly dark in contrast to the way it was written and all the description. Which isn't necessarily bad, it just felt... odd sometimes. I will also say, the jump was brutal. Not a fan. The ending felt like that community episode where everyone's acting, trying to teach everyone else a lesson, so you end up having no idea what's real or fake. Which would fit the idea of the book, except that it just didn't feel very well planned. For example, why not just kill that absolute mambajamba, their father? Why resort to some elaborate plot? Just stab him for being an abuser and get it over with.
But I look forward to seeing where the next book goes. I am 100% interested in seeing Jacks again, and hearing about that story.
I give Rebecca Soler 4/5⭐️'s. As I've stated many times, she sounds too much like a little girl too often. Also, when she screams/has a lot of emotion, it's not only too loud, but is overdone & doesn't fit the vibe. And again with the stuffy nose thing at times. But generally, she provides a solid read. I really prefer when she's narrating, it's just the dialogue that I tend to take issue with.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Blood
Moderate: Cursing, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Grief, Murder, Abandonment, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Medical content, Kidnapping, Stalking, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Colonisation, and Classism
debonthebackstreet's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Suicide, Blood, Kidnapping, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
aprilb_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Murder, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Kidnapping, and Toxic friendship
frawst_disasta_reads's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I couldn’t get over how much I loved this book. I could have devoured the entire book in a day, but unfortunately the appearance of my friend took away my reading time.
The aspects I loved? Scarlett. She obviously loves her sister and would do anything for her. Caraval was such a beautiful and rich, albeit mysterious and creepy, setting . I couldn’t get over how invested I felt in Scarlett and her obvious desire to save her sister.
The aspects I loved? Scarlett. She obviously loves her sister and would do anything for her. Caraval was such a beautiful and rich, albeit mysterious and creepy, setting . I couldn’t get over how invested I felt in Scarlett and her obvious desire to save her sister.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, and Physical abuse
Minor: Suicide
notschshelby's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Suicide
var_klar's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
The plot twists in night five were SO unexpected!
The first half or so was not as eventful, which is why I did not give it five stars, but once it picked up speed, I could barely put it down. It was so magical and I really love Stephanie Garber's writing style!
The first half or so was not as eventful, which is why I did not give it five stars, but once it picked up speed, I could barely put it down. It was so magical and I really love Stephanie Garber's writing style!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Violence
disasterkid101's review against another edition
dark
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
3.75
This book took me through LOTS of twists and turns. It made me feel almost as if I were solving a murder. Drawing up theories in my head on who everyone may truly be, feeling sceptical about certain characters that give of suspicious behaviour. It was very entertaining, heavy with detailed writing, you could almost get lost in the descriptions. What probably bothered me the most about Caraval was the unrealistic naivety of certain characters. That may also just be a deliberate element that was put into the story to add more aspects of betrayal and confusion. A very very good read, hopefully the rest of the series is just the same, because I am eager to know what happens next.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, and Injury/Injury detail
akswhy's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
Largely nonsensical [derogatory] and jarringly dark for a YA novel. If you must read it, check the trigger warnings. The dizzying, half-formed plot is not worth the trouble in my opinion.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Blood, Abandonment, and Alcohol
juliannecridlin's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse and Death
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