A review by beccaj11
Caraval by Stephanie Garber

adventurous challenging dark mysterious sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

I see why people compare this to The Night Circus. Its world building style and premise (at its very bare bones) are similar. But it is a vastly different story. The sinister nature of the plot surprised me. I felt as tense and off kilter while reading it as Scarlet felt playing the game. 
I think the book was vivid, well-written, creative, and gripping.

However, I was not sold on the ending. I can’t explain without giving spoilers, but I just found it hard to accept and felt like it lacked sincerity. The whole last scene with the struggle and the domino of plot twists was just too much.