Hi everyone! Welcome to my stop on the Caraval blog tour. Check out my review below and then click the invite to get your sneak peek at the world of Caraval before it releases. Make sure you also stop by the other blogs and see their excerpts!
Caraval
Author: Stephanie Garber
Release Date: January 31, 2017
Publisher: Flatiron Books
Format: paperback ARC
Pages: 416
Source: Raincoast Books
Amazon| Chapters/Indigo | Kobo | Book Depository
Summary:
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. (Goodreads)
Favourite Quotes:
“No one is truly honest,” Nigel answered. “Even if we don’t lie to others, we often lie to ourselves. And the word good means different things to different people.”
Review:
*I received a copy of this book from the Raincoast in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion.*
O-M-G. Where do I even start with Caraval? The hype has been SOOOO real for this title so I went in with pretty high expectations which always scares me half to death because if it flops after that I’m devastated. Thankfully, Caraval did the exact opposite. It gave me even more excitement and wonder than I had hoped for.
Who loves swoony boys? *Raises both hands, feet, and a wand or 5* I loved both Dante and Julian. Each had his own mix of dark, charming, and shrewd in just the right amount to make that character compelling. Okay, I’ll admit it…I had a bit of a soft spot for Julian more than I did for Dante but like I said they were both great.
I really liked Scarlett as well! She is fiercely dedicated to her sister and ensuring their long-term safety. She shows a lot of growth throughout the book while navigating her way through Caraval. I do wish Tella had appeared in the story more so that we could see their dynamic together but hopefully she’ll have a big feature in the next one!
Stephanie built a beautiful, vibrant world of magic and intrigue in Caraval. Although I was reading black text on a white page, my head was filled with colour while reading. As it is such an important part within the book, colour was given the royal treatment. Things aren’t always simply blue or red, etc.; we see periwinkle and cerise and the like. I loved the details of everything in Caraval but the use of colour stood out to me the most. The rights have already been sold for a major film release and I’m seriously hoping that happens soon because this would look stunning on screen.
Final Verdict:
I adored every second of Caraval. It was exciting, adventurous, beautiful, and overall very entertaining. It lived up to and even surpassed my expectations for the story and I cannot wait to see what happens with Tella and Scarlett (Crimson…I loved that cheeky pet name) next!
Excerpt
Brains, Books, and Brawns 