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abby_ace_of_books 's review for:
Caraval
by Stephanie Garber
Three words: Gaslight. Gatekeep. Girlboss.
Caraval is one of those guilty pleasure favorites of mine that definitely doesn't deserve the rating I've given it, but I still love it. The vibes as a whole are what make it so enjoyable for me; the first time I read it, I really loved the world and just wanted to be a performer. I still think it's one of my favorites, but again, it's kind of one of those guilty pleasure books where I understand that it's not a story for everyone.
The concept is fairly simple: Scarlett and her sister, Tella, are invited to attend Caraval, a circus-like performance with a magical competition embedded within. This Caraval is different: it revolves around Tella and her disappearance. If Scarlett wants to find her sister, she must play into Caraval Master Legend's hands and remember that it's all just a game. I honestly think the plot is one of the weaker elements in this book. There are some mysteries going on, and at the heart of the story, we're just watching Scarlett try to find her sister. Every time I read this, I think I confuse myself further, but it's still enjoyable and super twisty. I also think the pacing is quite quick, which makes the book easier to read.
I really like the cast of characters presented in the novel. I like that Scarlett is a protagonist who isn't just a "strong woman" stereotype and whose growth is not only interesting but well-written. Her banter with Julian is fun to read, and as a whole, I really like Julian as a character. He's not super unique (sarcastic dude with a mysterious backstory), but I didn't mind it because he was one of the first characters I ever read about with that archetype. I'm not a huge Tella fan in this specific book, but I'm starting to understand her more the more I reread this. The rest of the cast is unique, and while not entirely memorable, they serve to enhance the magic of the story as a whole.
Caraval is a magical YA fantasy novel that centers around the love between two sisters and a magical performance that might be more real than the stories say.
4.75/5
Caraval is one of those guilty pleasure favorites of mine that definitely doesn't deserve the rating I've given it, but I still love it. The vibes as a whole are what make it so enjoyable for me; the first time I read it, I really loved the world and just wanted to be a performer. I still think it's one of my favorites, but again, it's kind of one of those guilty pleasure books where I understand that it's not a story for everyone.
The concept is fairly simple: Scarlett and her sister, Tella, are invited to attend Caraval, a circus-like performance with a magical competition embedded within. This Caraval is different: it revolves around Tella and her disappearance. If Scarlett wants to find her sister, she must play into Caraval Master Legend's hands and remember that it's all just a game. I honestly think the plot is one of the weaker elements in this book. There are some mysteries going on, and at the heart of the story, we're just watching Scarlett try to find her sister. Every time I read this, I think I confuse myself further, but it's still enjoyable and super twisty. I also think the pacing is quite quick, which makes the book easier to read.
I really like the cast of characters presented in the novel. I like that Scarlett is a protagonist who isn't just a "strong woman" stereotype and whose growth is not only interesting but well-written. Her banter with Julian is fun to read, and as a whole, I really like Julian as a character. He's not super unique (sarcastic dude with a mysterious backstory), but I didn't mind it because he was one of the first characters I ever read about with that archetype. I'm not a huge Tella fan in this specific book, but I'm starting to understand her more the more I reread this. The rest of the cast is unique, and while not entirely memorable, they serve to enhance the magic of the story as a whole.
Caraval is a magical YA fantasy novel that centers around the love between two sisters and a magical performance that might be more real than the stories say.
4.75/5