Two stars might be a little unfair to this interesting and well constructed book. I enjoyed all the 80s references and I found the story engaging. However it made me feel so sad. Every character in the book is having an awful time and all end up pretty much the same. Call me fanciful but I like a bit of hope and happiness at the end of a story.
I enjoy Paul Cornells writing and thoroughly recommend his Shadow police series.

Meh . . . . just meh. As young adult fantasy ficition goes there is a lot better out there. This story had vaguly interesting parts, rhe idea of the Caraval is pleasing but the while thing just could have been much better.