Scan barcode
A review by annad318
Caraval by Stephanie Garber
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
I've been a fan of Once Upon a Broken Heart for a while, but I was hesitant to read this book. I'm not sure why...probably because Scarlett and Donatella's story wasn't compelling enough for me. However, I finally tried it and listened to the audiobook on Hoopla. The reader, Rebecca Soler, did a great job.
I really admire how Garber blends fantasy with reality in her stories. Although "UOABH" had its fair share of clichés and tropes, I still found them quite enjoyable. However, in this book, there weren't as many. I also appreciate how Garber portrays her female main characters. They're not flawless, but they're always relatable and endearing.
The memes about Scarlett mistaking every guy in a top hat for Legend are spot-on and really funny. I loved the mystery and suspense throughout the book. The part near the end where Scarlett and Tella desperately try to convince each other that they're not crazy was both frustrating and hilarious.
Some of the challenges Scarlett faced due to the clues felt less important or high-stakes than they could have been. I think the scene where she drank the cider could have been better. Overall, this book is enjoyable, but it didn't fully immerse me. That might be due to listening to the audiobook; reading it might require more effort and feel more engaging. Like Lightlark, I'm not itching to dive into the second book, but I'm definitely intrigued by Donatella's story.
I found Scarlett and Julian to be a cute pairing. The flirting was there right away, so the book feels like a he-falls-first situation.
I really admire how Garber blends fantasy with reality in her stories. Although "UOABH" had its fair share of clichés and tropes, I still found them quite enjoyable. However, in this book, there weren't as many. I also appreciate how Garber portrays her female main characters. They're not flawless, but they're always relatable and endearing.
The memes about Scarlett mistaking every guy in a top hat for Legend are spot-on and really funny. I loved the mystery and suspense throughout the book. The part near the end where Scarlett and Tella desperately try to convince each other that they're not crazy was both frustrating and hilarious.
Some of the challenges Scarlett faced due to the clues felt less important or high-stakes than they could have been. I think the scene where she drank the cider could have been better. Overall, this book is enjoyable, but it didn't fully immerse me. That might be due to listening to the audiobook; reading it might require more effort and feel more engaging. Like Lightlark, I'm not itching to dive into the second book, but I'm definitely intrigued by Donatella's story.