Caraval

Caraval by Stephanie Garber

Welcome to Caraval, where nothing is quite what it seems.
Scarlett and Tella have never left the tiny isle of Trisda, pining from afar for the wonder of Caraval, a once-a-year week-long performance where the audience participates in the show.

Caraval is Magic. Mystery. Adventure.

When the sisters’ long-awaited invitations finally arrive, it seems their dreams have come true. But no sooner have they arrived than Tella vanishes, kidnapped by the show’s mastermind organiser, Legend.
Scarlett has been told that everything that happens during Caraval is an elaborate performance. But she quickly becomes entangled in a dangerous game of love, magic and heartbreak.

And real or not, she must find Tella before the game is over, and her sister disappears forever.

Caraval was my favorite book I read in 2017! It is a richly imaginative story that made me feel like a kid again. The characters are surrounded by mystery and intrigue and the setting transports you into a fantasy realm where you feel like absolutely anything is possible. The main characters do a great job of sweeping the reader along with them as they hunt for clues and race around to solve the mystery before the end of the game.

I could totally relate to the female protagonist, Scarlett Dragna, who had a very cautious personality and liked to play it safe. But while playing the game she is taken out of her comfort zone and forced to take chances. Scarlett’s excitement for Caraval is thoroughly contagious and I found I couldn’t wait for her to start playing the mysterious game so I could find out what it was all about and explore this magical island. Scarlett is a smart character so she ends up asking the same questions that are running around in the reader’s mind, which I found refreshing. And just in case you can’t relate to Scarlett, Stephanie Garber made her sister’s character, Donatella, the exact opposite of her cautious sister.

This book is primarily a story about the deep love that exists between these two sisters but it is also crammed with romance. I love a book that can keep me guessing. Throughout the story you find yourself trying to work out what is real and what is not. Also, just when I thought I had the story all figured out it went and surprised me and took the plot in an unexpected direction. Caraval is written in a manner that makes it an easy read that you can quickly plough through.

Caraval had a fascinating plot, intriguing characters and a beautiful setting. This magical story has all the right ingredients to mesmerize younger and older readers alike. I can’t think of anything negative to say about this book. The only disappointing thing about this book is that I didn’t write it myself.

When Stephanie Garber was asked this question on Goodreads she responded “… The film option for Caraval has been picked up by 20th Century Fox, so it’s definitely a possibility, but who knows what will actually happen.”

The Forbidden Game Series by L.J. Smith: If you like this whole concept of a game where the players become part of the game realm when they play it, you might want to head to your library and see if you can find this book. It is by the same author of Vampire Diaries. The best way for me to describe it is that it’s like the darker, steamy YA version of Jumanji. So if that sounds like something that would appeal to you, then you might want to check it out.

Happy Reading!