Reviews with content warning for Child abuse - Caraval

Reviews tagging 'Child abuse'

Caraval by Stephanie Garber

394 reviews

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

akswhy's review against another edition

Go to review page

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

juliannecridlin's review against another edition

Go to review page

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

claire_huntley22's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous 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

4.25

Content Warnings

redempta's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.25

4.25 🌟

I wasn't expecting to like this book as much as I did. I'm slowly entering the world of fantasy books and this one was a good one. I think it's a good introduction to fantasy.

The next book is about Donatella and I'm a bit apprehensive about it, as she wasn't my favourite character. But I might be surprised in a good way

Content Warnings

hue's review against another edition

Go to review page

mysterious

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No

1.0

Yuck!

I can't believe this is a trilogy. . .

Content Warnings

khernandez44's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous emotional mysterious fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

Caraval had me hooked from the beginning. It was definitely a page turner. I felt like the ending was a rushed and the imagery was kind of hard to keep track of, but other than that, it was a fun read!

Content Warnings

tobias_lmn's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

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

5.0

I just got into reading again, so idk if my opinion is actually useful at all, but I can tell you I read this in six days and only bc i had things to do. I literally couldn't stop reading.

Tho I didn't expect the amount of romance that was in this, I actually enjoyed it, even tho I'm not a big fan of romance. I loved Julian, but I also loved the way I could empathize with him AND Scarlett.

Also, about Scarlett, I'm not gonna say that she's the best character development I've read in my entire life, but it is true that I enjoyed the way she slowly started to care more about herself and what she wanted than what her sister needed, or "what had to be done".

ALSOOOO, I loved that she didn't instantly gave in to Julian when she met him again like I first thought she would (I would've, he's so hot, I don't think I have ever been this gay about a character before hahaha). THO I did find it weird that he was definitely more than 60 and she was 17, like why'd you do that to me, they were so pretty just like that

Basically, if you're looking for a romantasy, I think this is your book, and if you're not, I insist in giving it a chance, it is actually good even if not everyone on "booktok" agrees, do NOT listen to them.

I'm sorry about my english, but I'm actually from South America, so Spanish is my thing but meh.

Content Warnings

beckyyreadss's review against another edition

Go to review page

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

4.0

This was the book club’s pick of the month for August. This has been on my TBR for a while, and I always walk past it in bookshops and just never caught my eye enough to start it. I’m really glad I started this book, even if it did mess with my head a little bit.

This book is based on Scarlett, and she has never left the tiny isle of Trisda, pining from afar for the wonder of Caraval, a once-a-year week-long performance where the audience participates in the show. Caraval is magic. Mystery. Adventure. And for Scarlett and her younger sister Tella it represents freedom and an escape from their ruthless, abusive father. When the sisters’ long-awaited invitations to Caraval finally arrive, it seems their dreams have come true. But no sooner have they arrived that Tella vanishes and is kidnapped by the show’s mastermind organizer, Legend. Scarlett has been told that everything that happens during Caraval is only an elaborate performance. But nonetheless she quickly becomes enmeshed in a dangerous game of love, magic and heartbreak. And real or not, she must find Tella before the game is over, and her sister disappears forever.

I liked the storyline; it reminded me a lot of Alice in Wonderland meets Willy Wonka. The way that this book kept twisting and turning. It was magical and the game had me stressed. I didn’t want to trust anyone – Dante, Julian, no one. It had me on EDGE. I wanted to hug Scarlett throughout the whole book, she was going through it and all she wanted to do was enjoy the games and then she was more worried about her sister that she couldn’t enjoy it. Also, the way that she stood up for her father was so brave and I was screaming and dancing for her at that point and I'm glad that her and Tella got out and are safe. Julian took a while to grow on me, mainly because I didn’t trust anyone from the games and thought he was going to betray Scarlett which he kind of did but for good reasons, so I'll forgive him.

Is it bad that I was more intrigued on who was Legend rather than if Tella was going to be saved? Like I understand Tella’s behaviour because her father is a jackass, but she still needs to warm up to me because her character was annoying me throughout the book especially with the reveal at the end and how she had a plan the whole time but couldn’t trust her sister? Like Scarlett was getting married to save you and you were plotting behind her back? I feel like Tella needed to grovel for forgiveness more for what she put Scarlett through, the first thing she was focusing on after all that was going to the party and bringing Scarlett, like girl. Scarlett might want to sleep, or you know take a breather not go to a party. I am aware this is a young adult book, but their father got off WAY too easy for my liking. I wanted him punished or even killed for what he did, and I hope he doesn’t get a redemption arc because he doesn’t deserve it. If I see that man again in this series, I'll cry.

The ending left more questions than answers and I have a feeling Tella is going to become a problem rather supporting her sister with whatever they do next.

Content Warnings

sadie_g's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous emotional mysterious fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

I was obsessed with this book from the start and just kept thinking about it.

Loved the banter and the romance in this, and the bond between Donatella and Scarlet is so strong and beautiful. This is such a magical and unique setting and I could imagine it all through the writing. I really thought I knew where things were going but it kept surprising me in the best ways. I’m so excited to read the rest of this series.

Content Warnings

More...