Scan barcode
xaniris'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? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
eglelaka's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
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? It's complicated
5.0
logankier17's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
5.0
stacias99's review against another edition
3.0
I have mixed feelings about this read. I mostly enjoyed the idea of the book (the plot), but did not enjoy the characters overmuch. While I was reading, I kept thinking "Scarlett is so stupid. How is it possible to be that stupid?". That took away from my enjoyment of the read. Because I found the protagonist to be extremely ignorant, her motivations and actions did not always make sense to me. Additionally, this read verged on the edge of being more of a romance than a fantasy (and that's always a negative for me). I'm not sure if I'll continue the series or not.
chroniclesofabookmum's review against another edition
5.0
“Whatever you’ve heard about Caraval it doesn’t compare to the reality. It’s more than just a game or a performance. It’s the closest you will ever find to magic in this world”
REMEMBER, IT’S ALL A GAME. WHAT HAPPENS BEYOND THIS GATE MAY FRIGHTEN OR EXCITE YOU. BUT DON’T LET ANY OF IT TRICK YOU.
Once a year the infamous Master Legend hosts Caraval – open only to those who have been invited. This year the week-long game is on Legend’s glittering Isla de los Sueños, where the winding streets are an elaborate snow-covered maze and the people are never who they seem to be.
At midnight on the first day, the show begins and the visitors become players. Each of them is vying for the coveted prize: a single wish. All they must do is unravel the mystery of Caraval. But in a game where danger hides behind every charming snake, running isn’t without kiss and their wish might be their last..
“Welcome, welcome to Caraval! The grandest show on land or by sea. Inside you will experience more wonders than what most people will see in a lifetime.You can sip magic from a cup and buy dreams in a bottle. But before you fully enter into our world, you must remember it’s all a game. What happens beyond this gate may frighten or excite you, but don’t let any of it trick you. We will try to convince you that it is real, but all of it is a performance. A world built of make believe. So while we want you to get swept away, be careful of being swept too far away. Dreams that come true can be beautiful, but they can also turn into nightmares when people won’t wake up”
I apologise for the long quote, it is just so beautiful and necessary it needed to be included. This was a re-read for me and I feel like I loved it even more second time round. This book is just so whimsical and enchanting.
The world in which Garber has created is so unique, magical and just generally fantastic. I found myself struggling to put Caraval down and wanting more and more. In fact I hardly put it down as I read it in less than 24 hours. I just can’t get enough. I want to have a go, please pick me Master Legend! Stephanie has such a way with words that you can easily put yourself into the world and live it through the characters eyes. She has such a beautiful flowery writing style, that just flows perfectly. I feel like the writing style itself really does allow you to full immerse yourself into reading the book, and the easy prose makes it an enjoyable and addictive read.
I love the dark and eery atmosphere that is portrayed within this book. With each turn of the page you are wondering whether something bad is going to happen. The violence within it can be brutal and disturbing, whilst that may not be for everybody, it definitely was for me and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I feel that it worked perfectly with the mysterious plot and didn’t feel forced at all.
What I really loved about this book was not knowing what was real and what was not. I could not decipher when Stephanie was messing with my emotions and when to take what she was writing as verbatim. I found that I was constantly on my toes second guessing what was going on and that is something I really enjoy in a book. I think it takes such a talent to immerse the reader that much, send them down so many different paths with different theories, convincing them that they are correct and then BAM plot twist. The last 80 or so pages, were so jam packed with twists and turns, it was fantastic and really kept me on the edge of my seat. As soon as I finished I wanted to pick up Legendary and plunge myself into this fantastic world again.
The first time I read this book I definitely did not ship Julian and Scarlett, I just spent my time eye rolling, I was not feeling it. However the second time round I really warmed to them and found myself routing for them, I have officially been converted. An opinion that didn’t change was that Scarlett annoyed me. In parts she came across as so whiny and stupid I found myself wanting to shout at her. GET ON WITH IT. Towards the end, I feel like Scarlett really came into her character and I began to really warm to her. I am looking forward to seeing her character develop in Legendary.
I am in awe with the world Stephanie Garber has created and I cannot wait to dive straight back in with Legendary. I 100% recommend that you read this book! I love it so much and I am convinced that you will too.
“Every person gets that one impossible wish, if the person wants something more than anything, and they can find a bit of magic to help them along.”
REMEMBER, IT’S ALL A GAME. WHAT HAPPENS BEYOND THIS GATE MAY FRIGHTEN OR EXCITE YOU. BUT DON’T LET ANY OF IT TRICK YOU.
Once a year the infamous Master Legend hosts Caraval – open only to those who have been invited. This year the week-long game is on Legend’s glittering Isla de los Sueños, where the winding streets are an elaborate snow-covered maze and the people are never who they seem to be.
At midnight on the first day, the show begins and the visitors become players. Each of them is vying for the coveted prize: a single wish. All they must do is unravel the mystery of Caraval. But in a game where danger hides behind every charming snake, running isn’t without kiss and their wish might be their last..
“Welcome, welcome to Caraval! The grandest show on land or by sea. Inside you will experience more wonders than what most people will see in a lifetime.You can sip magic from a cup and buy dreams in a bottle. But before you fully enter into our world, you must remember it’s all a game. What happens beyond this gate may frighten or excite you, but don’t let any of it trick you. We will try to convince you that it is real, but all of it is a performance. A world built of make believe. So while we want you to get swept away, be careful of being swept too far away. Dreams that come true can be beautiful, but they can also turn into nightmares when people won’t wake up”
I apologise for the long quote, it is just so beautiful and necessary it needed to be included. This was a re-read for me and I feel like I loved it even more second time round. This book is just so whimsical and enchanting.
The world in which Garber has created is so unique, magical and just generally fantastic. I found myself struggling to put Caraval down and wanting more and more. In fact I hardly put it down as I read it in less than 24 hours. I just can’t get enough. I want to have a go, please pick me Master Legend! Stephanie has such a way with words that you can easily put yourself into the world and live it through the characters eyes. She has such a beautiful flowery writing style, that just flows perfectly. I feel like the writing style itself really does allow you to full immerse yourself into reading the book, and the easy prose makes it an enjoyable and addictive read.
I love the dark and eery atmosphere that is portrayed within this book. With each turn of the page you are wondering whether something bad is going to happen. The violence within it can be brutal and disturbing, whilst that may not be for everybody, it definitely was for me and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I feel that it worked perfectly with the mysterious plot and didn’t feel forced at all.
What I really loved about this book was not knowing what was real and what was not. I could not decipher when Stephanie was messing with my emotions and when to take what she was writing as verbatim. I found that I was constantly on my toes second guessing what was going on and that is something I really enjoy in a book. I think it takes such a talent to immerse the reader that much, send them down so many different paths with different theories, convincing them that they are correct and then BAM plot twist. The last 80 or so pages, were so jam packed with twists and turns, it was fantastic and really kept me on the edge of my seat. As soon as I finished I wanted to pick up Legendary and plunge myself into this fantastic world again.
The first time I read this book I definitely did not ship Julian and Scarlett, I just spent my time eye rolling, I was not feeling it. However the second time round I really warmed to them and found myself routing for them, I have officially been converted. An opinion that didn’t change was that Scarlett annoyed me. In parts she came across as so whiny and stupid I found myself wanting to shout at her. GET ON WITH IT. Towards the end, I feel like Scarlett really came into her character and I began to really warm to her. I am looking forward to seeing her character develop in Legendary.
I am in awe with the world Stephanie Garber has created and I cannot wait to dive straight back in with Legendary. I 100% recommend that you read this book! I love it so much and I am convinced that you will too.
“Every person gets that one impossible wish, if the person wants something more than anything, and they can find a bit of magic to help them along.”
clace_19's review against another edition
5.0
4.53
Magical, vivid and awesome
Scarlett was lit!!!!!
Julian and scarlet together are
Magical, vivid and awesome
Scarlett was lit!!!!!
Julian and scarlet together are
ladycornflower's review against another edition
5.0
Unexpectedly phenomenal.
I am not a fantasy girlie, but this was really fun!
I am not a fantasy girlie, but this was really fun!
ohyouread's review against another edition
5.0
I knew I would love this book even before I started it. So many friends have told me to pick Caraval up and this year, I told myself that I would read 1 book series a month. This is the perfect time to finally see what all the hype is about.
I loved every second of it and can’t even imagine where Stephanie Garber plans to go from here. There are 2 more books in this series and a new one was just released. I hope that each book is another competition. That would be amazing!
Julian looks like he could kill you, but is a cinnamon roll and I will fight for him with everything I have. If he turns into a Tamlin, I will go crawl under a rock a die. That has been decided already. I’ve been scouting spots at a quarry already.
Scarlet gave me heart palpitations throughout the entire book. She makes the dumbest choices, but somehow Julian is always there to fix her problems. That’s why I am claiming him now!
I loved every second of it and can’t even imagine where Stephanie Garber plans to go from here. There are 2 more books in this series and a new one was just released. I hope that each book is another competition. That would be amazing!
Julian looks like he could kill you, but is a cinnamon roll and I will fight for him with everything I have. If he turns into a Tamlin, I will go crawl under a rock a die. That has been decided already. I’ve been scouting spots at a quarry already.
Scarlet gave me heart palpitations throughout the entire book. She makes the dumbest choices, but somehow Julian is always there to fix her problems. That’s why I am claiming him now!
briarsinthereads's review against another edition
5.0
『Writing:』5/5
『Spice:』0/5 - but slow burn love is 3/5
『Tension:』4/5
『Sad:』3/5
『Funny:』3/5
『Overall:』5/5
'*•.¸♡ read this if you like ♡¸.•*'
❥ mysterious carnivals
❥ an enchanted island where everyone is playing a game
❥ slow burn love story
ᴺᴼᵂ ᴾᴸᴬᵞᴵᴺᴳ : Carousel - Melanie Martinez
｡･ﾟﾟ･Quick Plot･ﾟﾟ･｡
Scarlett and her sister Donatella have always dreamt of visiting Caraval, the mysterious carnival / amusement park that is also half game and escaping their abusive and manipulative father. Year after year, Scar writes to Master Legend, the man behind Caraval, and begs him to come to her island. Year after year, he doesn't respond...until he does. Enclosed is tickets to the wonderous Caraval, which turns into a trip that tests her sanity and her sisterhood.
*+:｡.｡ Characters ｡.｡:+*
Scarlett- She's a great FMC. I liked her personality a lot, and I loved her undying devotion to Tella.
Tella- Boy crazy, gets in trouble easily.
Julian - This boy gave me WHIPLASH.
Count Draga - what a bee hole.
❣ Quotes❣
"Are you still set on revenge?" she asked.
"Would you try to stop me if I was?"
'*•.¸♡ things I liked ♡¸.•*'
Honestly, I've wanted this book for a while because it semi reminded me of the Darkmoon Fair in World of Warcraft, and it didn't disappoint. The world building was IMMACULATE. I was sucked in from the first chapter, and would genuinely get mad when I had to stop reading to do something pesky, like go to work. The whole story was absolutely entrancing, and I can't wait to read the other two books in the trilogy.
→ things I didn't like ←
How it seemed like sometimes Scarlett wouldn't use her common sense- it was frustrating from an outsider's point of view because sometimes everything was screaming DON'T TRUST THAT PERSON and Scar was just like "Oh, what a great person!" Honestly though, this really led the story on more because she was forced to learn from those mistakes.
︶꒦꒷♡꒷꒦︶Summary︶꒦꒷♡꒷꒦︶
I would highly recommend this book to people who like fantasy novels or liked Hunger Games. It gives the same vibe without the same premise. It's definitely a plot that I haven't read before! In my opinion, teens and older would be able to read it. There's no spice or implied spice.