therealsouls's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-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
4.25
4.25 stars
Three words: oh my god. THIS IS NOT A FANTASY BOOK. THIS IS A DIFFERENT GENRE.
"Caraval" recounts a tale of two sisters, bound by a strict father, who flee to participate in one of the most magical games: caraval. Created by an individual named Legend, the game is world-famous and changes their players once they leave.
I have to say, I felt like I participated in the game myself. I loved this novel, and the fact that you had to remember that it's just a game made everything so complicated. Caraval led you to formulate theories and perceptions unlike any other novel, as it was saturated with mystery. I loved the complications, but they're also the main reason I gave it a lower rating; it can get twisted at times.
Stephanie Garber brought to life characters that will rest in my head forever as a souvenir. They were relatable, diverse, and had their own flaws. Love Scarlett. Hate Governor Dragna.
Keep writing, Stephanie.
Three words: oh my god. THIS IS NOT A FANTASY BOOK. THIS IS A DIFFERENT GENRE.
"Caraval" recounts a tale of two sisters, bound by a strict father, who flee to participate in one of the most magical games: caraval. Created by an individual named Legend, the game is world-famous and changes their players once they leave.
I have to say, I felt like I participated in the game myself. I loved this novel, and the fact that you had to remember that it's just a game made everything so complicated. Caraval led you to formulate theories and perceptions unlike any other novel, as it was saturated with mystery. I loved the complications, but they're also the main reason I gave it a lower rating; it can get twisted at times.
Stephanie Garber brought to life characters that will rest in my head forever as a souvenir. They were relatable, diverse, and had their own flaws. Love Scarlett. Hate Governor Dragna.
Keep writing, Stephanie.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Child abuse
emma_grace_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This book was fantastic.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Violence
rachelmerrie's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-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
2.0
This was incredibly painful to read. The main character was so frustrating and naive. The whole theme is “nothing is real” and she prided herself in believing she was the perfect person for the game because of her upbringing, yet her personality and emotions kept getting in her way. Things kept falling into her lap.. she did absolutely nothing to deserve the things she was given.
“Are you sure it wasn’t an illusion” “I’m POSITIVE” was repeated over and over again 🤦🏻♀️
“Are you sure it wasn’t an illusion” “I’m POSITIVE” was repeated over and over again 🤦🏻♀️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Child abuse
Moderate: Sexual harassment
elee353's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, and Physical abuse
Moderate: War
nikayawyatt's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse and Violence
ang3lina_'s review against another edition
adventurous
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse
Moderate: Murder, Suicide, and Blood
passionatereader78's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Scarlett can't wait to be married so she can get her sister and herself away from their abusive father. Tella has different plans for them however. They have been invited to Caraval! Tell snicks off and leaves a letter for Scarlett to follow her. When Scarlett gets to the island she is informed that she will be playing the game to find her sister. This was an enjoyable read. I liked the characters and the twists. I would have liked better clues.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse
crgrace's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Bullying, Child abuse, Gaslighting, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Death, and Murder
Minor: Blood and Torture
ablespia's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide and Child abuse
Moderate: Violence
saryy's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
1.5
I don't have lots of great things to say about this one, unfortunately.
II should've been great, the premise was intriguing and offered a lot of mystery, but it all fell flat. the execution was very flawed, the characters basically running in meaningless circles until the last chapter or so. and the ending was very very disappointing. thee romance was lacking, couldn't understand why they were even pulled towards one another in the first place. and the plot was extremely thin even though it had so much potential.
i think what I disliked the most was the writing. it was as subtle as metal pipe to the head. never leaving you to draw your own conclusions or make assumptions, just telling you outright what you're supposed to think and how the characters are feeling instead of actually showing it. it was very weak over all.
i should have dnf'd but here we are. Definitely not picking up the rest of the series though.
II should've been great, the premise was intriguing and offered a lot of mystery, but it all fell flat. the execution was very flawed, the characters basically running in meaningless circles until the last chapter or so. and the ending was very very disappointing. thee romance was lacking, couldn't understand why they were even pulled towards one another in the first place. and the plot was extremely thin even though it had so much potential.
i think what I disliked the most was the writing. it was as subtle as metal pipe to the head. never leaving you to draw your own conclusions or make assumptions, just telling you outright what you're supposed to think and how the characters are feeling instead of actually showing it. it was very weak over all.
i should have dnf'd but here we are. Definitely not picking up the rest of the series though.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Child abuse, Gaslighting, and Death