Sometimes you will do anything to escape the life you are living. For the last 7 years Scarlet has written to Legend begging for either Caraval to come to her town, or for her and her sister to be invited to Caraval. Many of my fellow readers assumed Caraval was a circus or carnival with a fancy french name. But it is missing that pesky letter n. A real carval was a sailing ship in the 18th century. So I guess that does come into play. I mention this because I was expecting a book about a wild carnival and got less and more than I was expecting.

Scarlet and Donatella live in an abusive home. Donatella is the younger daring sister of Scarlet the rational protective older sister. Their mother disappeared seven years ago and ever since, Scar has wanted to take Tella to Carval to make her happy. After sending her last letter to Legend, the leader of Carval, stating that she no longer wishes to go, she finally gets tickets. But being the rational sister, there is no way she can skip off. She is to be married in a week and that is the only way she can see to escape her household and protect her sister.

When I said Tella was daring, I meant it. She enlists the help of Julian, a roguish seaman to kidnap Scar and abscond to Caraval. Everyone attending Caraval makes the choice to watch, or to play. For those who play, they are told over and over again to remember that it is just a game. Play wrong and you could go crazy, play well and you could win a wish.

This is a crazy world and a crazy book, that while a little slow reading, is thoroughly engrossing. Magic is all around, and the world is practically turned upside down. You play at night and rest in the day, give secrets to pay for new dresses, etc. It is almost like an expanded Wonderland, but animals don’t talk (at least not in this book). While a sequel has not been formally announced, you can not get the end and not go “sequel please” because there are big unanswered questions. It has an ending like first Tom Cruise Mission Impossible movie where right is left, left is right, and who is who? While the twists and turns are mind bending, you are ready and waiting for more. So please, don’t make us readers wait too long.