A review by kirrakira
Caraval by Stephanie Garber

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

3.5

I liked this book but I didn't love it. I read the OUABH series by Stephanie Garber before reading Caraval (which is backward, I know). I really enjoyed the whimsy and magic of the world in OUABH, and Carval is supposed to be in the same universe, so I thought it would be the same. However, the world didn't feel nearly as magical, and the magical elements weren't exactly explained, so I felt confused. Both the Caraval series and OUABH series are written in 3rd person point of view, which didn't bother me so much in OUABH, but in Carval, it left me feeling disconnected from the characters. In Caraval Scarlett is our main character. She's a very cautious, protective older sister. Who is set on obeying her abusive father (out of fear) who has given her an arranged marriage to a mysterious Count. Throughout the story these are Scarletts main concerns and they are repeated constantly. However, near the halfway mark, her personality does progress, and she becomes a more interesting main character.
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