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Sunday 29 January 2017

{Review} Caraval (Caraval #1) by Stephanie Garber

30964236Posted by Donna
Release Date: January 31st, 2017
Finished Date: January 21st, 2017
Publishers: Hodder & Stoughton 
Genre: YA, Fantasy
Source: For Review
Format: Paperback
Pages: 416
Buy: Amazon UK Amazon US / The Book Depo 
 
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'll ever find to magic in this world . . . 

Welcome, welcome to Caraval―Stephanie Garber’s sweeping tale of two sisters who escape their ruthless father when they enter the dangerous intrigue of a legendary game.

Scarlett has never left the tiny island where she and her beloved sister, Tella, live with their powerful, and cruel, father. Now Scarlett’s father has arranged a marriage for her, and Scarlett thinks her dreams of seeing Caraval, the far-away, once-a-year performance where the audience participates in the show, are over.

But this year, Scarlett’s long-dreamt of invitation finally arrives. With the help of a mysterious sailor, Tella whisks Scarlett away to the show. Only, as soon as they arrive, Tella is kidnapped by Caraval’s mastermind organizer, Legend. It turns out that this season’s Caraval revolves around Tella, and whoever finds her first is the winner.

Scarlett has been told that everything that happens during Caraval is only an elaborate performance. But she nevertheless becomes enmeshed in a game of love, heartbreak, and magic with the other players in the game. And whether Caraval is real or not, she must find Tella before the five nights of the game are over, a dangerous domino effect of consequences is set off, and her sister disappears forever.

The Review: I hadn't heard of Caraval until it arrived from the publishers from one day and since it arrived it's all I've been hearing about in the blogging world. When there is a lot of hype about a book even before it's release, I'm immediately interested and so of course, I just knew I had to find out why everyone loves this book already.

Caraval is a story that offers magic, adventure, romance and of course mystery. The mystery aspect really is a big part of this story - such a big part that for most of the story you have absolutely no idea what's going on. It's mind-blogging and interesting that you can't help but want to keep turning the pages. It's quiet a slow burning read - one that doesn't pick up until the last 100 pages of so but even though I found it a slow read, I was still very much interested in how the story was going to play out.


Scarlet's journey wasn't easy - it was hard, brutal and scary and the world of Caraval was more than happy to keep Scarlet from finding her sister. She did have the help of Julian who himself hides more secrets than he's willing to share. Their journey to finding Tella was intriguing and even though I'm not a fan of Tella I did want to see her safe for Scarlet's sake. Their romance for me was the best part of the story because it was unexpected and innocent and they did have a some lovely touching moments in between the craziness that is Caraval. 


In all, I believe Caraval will be a hit for many readers and it's definitely a story I enjoyed - especially with that twist at the end of the story that you won't see coming. 


Thank you to Hodder & Stoughton for giving me the opportunity to review this book in exchange for an honest review. 

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