Caraval Paperback – May 1, 2018

Caraval by Stephanie GarberRating: 5/5 starsI just finished Caraval and I'm emotionally devastated in the most beautiful way possible. Stephanie Garber didn't just write a fantasy novel—she created an immersive experience that left me questioning reality and completely obsessed with a world I never want to leave.From the moment Scarlett Dragna receives that coveted invitation to Legend's mysterious carnival, this book refused to let me breathe. Living under her cruel father's control, Scarlett has spent years protecting her sister Donatella while clinging to the safety of an arranged marriage. But when the chance for adventure finally arrives, she seizes it with a courage that surprised even her.Watching Scarlett transform over those five nights of the game was absolutely captivating. She begins as someone afraid of her own shadow, following rules to survive, and evolves into a woman who faces down her tyrannical father and declares she's not afraid anymore. That confrontation scene where she threatens to expose his murderous cruelty? I was cheering through tears. Her journey from victim to someone claiming her own power felt authentic and hard-earned.But let's talk about Julian because this man completely wrecked me. Their relationship starts with mistrust and banter—exactly the kind of enemies-to-allies dynamic I can never resist. Julian saves Scarlett's life repeatedly, gradually earning her trust through actions rather than words. The slow burn between them is expertly crafted, full of heated moments and tender vulnerability that feels earned rather than rushed. When he finally drops his guard and kisses her in the rain, it's the kind of swoon-worthy payoff that makes you believe in fictional love.The revelation that Julian was hiding his identity as Legend's brother should have felt like betrayal, but instead it added layers to their connection. He stayed in the game because of Scarlett, and that choice meant everything. Even when Legend brutally stabs Julian in front of her, their love proves real and worth every risk.Garber's world-building is absolutely magnificent. Caraval is this extravagant carnival that exists somewhere between dream and nightmare, where nothing is as it seems but everything feels dangerously real. The atmosphere shifts from eerily abandoned fog by day to explosive color and magic by night, creating this constant tension between wonder and dread. Every detail—from shops that trade in secrets to clockwork doors opening into hidden realms—pulls you deeper into the illusion.The rules themselves create perfect suspense: five nights to solve Legend's twisted clues, with constant warnings that you can go mad or die if you get too caught up. The tagline "Remember, it's only a game" becomes increasingly hollow as the stakes feel more and more real.Speaking of stakes—those fake deaths nearly destroyed me. When Legend stabs Julian, when Donatella leaps from that balcony, I was absolutely shattered alongside Scarlett. Garber doesn't hold back on the emotional devastation. But she earns our trust in her storytelling. The revelation that no Caraval player can die during the game doesn't feel like a cheat—it reinforces the themes about reality versus illusion while showing that trauma and growth can emerge from even fabricated experiences.Legend himself is a masterpiece of character creation. The twist revealing him as both Dante (the performer Scarlett met early on) and Daniel (Tella's fake fiancé) is brilliant narrative construction. He was manipulating events from right beside them, and realizing that makes you want to immediately reread and catch all the hidden clues.What makes this book exceptional beyond the fantasy elements is its emotional depth. The sisterly bond between Scarlett and Donatella drives every decision. The themes of choice versus fate, the power of believing in yourself, the question of what's real versus what's performance—they give weight to all the magical spectacle.Scarlett learns to trust her instincts and desires, stepping out from under her father's control. Julian chooses love over his original mission, proving we can redefine ourselves through our choices. Even the exploration of illusion becomes meaningful—sometimes you must act with faith even when you doubt what's real.This book is a testament to the magic of storytelling itself. Garber doesn't just tell a story; she creates an experience that lingers long after you close the book. The emotions it evoked feel real and lasting, despite being built on elaborate illusions.Caraval balances world-building, suspense, romance, and thematic depth with incredible skill. It's the kind of book that makes you laugh, gasp, and sob within the same chapter. The writing is lush and atmospheric, the characters grow and bleed and love in ways that make you deeply invested in their fates.If you love immersive fantasy worlds, complex family dynamics, slow-burn romance with real emotional stakes, and stories that blur the line between reality and magic, this book will consume you completely. Just prepare to be emotionally wrecked and completely obsessed with getting your hands on the sequel.

This book literally left me in a hangover because what was that? I purchased the second book right away and now I’ll have to wait two weeks for it to arrive 😭The first 270 pages were PERFECT. No flaws, absolutely perfect. After that, it got a little confusing and maybe even a little rushed because so many things happened in less than 140 pages…but it’s still a 4.5 stars book for me. And quickly became one of my favorites <333

Very fun, and the package came in safely no torn pages

スカーレット（Scarlett)とドナテラ(Donatella)はひとつ違いの姉妹だが、外見も性格もまったく異なる。スカーレットは生真面目で責任感が強く、テラは自由奔放だ。母親がこつ然と姿を消したのは2人がまだ子どもの頃で、それからのスカーレットは母親の代わりに残酷な父親から妹を守ろうとしてきた。だが、それも限界に達していた。そこで、故郷の小さな島の知事を勤める父が隣国の貴族との結婚をアレンジしたとき、スカーレットは妹と一緒に父から逃れる唯一の機会だと期待をかける。結婚式を目前に控えたとき、スカーレットは「カラヴァル（Caraval)」の主であるレジェンドから手紙を受け取った。カラヴァルは、魔術師のレジェンド（Legend）が作り上げたマジカルな場所である。かつては、サーカスのように地方を巡業して魔術を披露していたのだが、参加者の女性が死亡した事件をきっかけにしばし中断されていた。レジェンドはふたたび魔術のパフォーマンスを始めたのだが、事件以降はカラヴァルから出ることはなかった。スカーレットにカラヴァルとレジェンドのことを教えてくれたのは、祖母のアナリースだった。50年前にレジェンドがこの島を訪問したときに見初められたという祖母はもう亡くなったが、愛よりも絶大な魔力を選んだレジェンドは当時と同じ歳のままだという伝説だ。マジカルな体験を夢見るスカーレットはレジェンドに「この島に来てほしい」という手紙を7年間書き続けたのだが、返事をもらったのはこのときが初めてだった。しかも、「招待者のみ」の次のパフォーマンスへの招待状つきで。だが、そのパフォーマンスに参加したら、結婚式を逃してしまう。理性で諦めていたスカーレットだが、ドナテラと島に短期滞在している水夫のジュリアンの策略で3人揃ってカラヴァルに行くことになる。カラヴァルに向かう途中でスカーレットはドナテラと別れ別れになる。ジュリアンはカラヴァルの内部に入り込めばすぐに会えると約束するが、足を踏み入れたとたん、スカーレットは望まないゲームを戦うことになる。なぜなら、妹を無事に取り戻す唯一の方法がゲームに勝つことだからだ。しかし、すべてが魔法で操られているカラヴァルでは、偽りと真実の違いがなかなか見分けられない。誰がレジェンドの雇ったパフォーマーで、誰がゲームの参加者かもわからない。そのうえ、金貨も常識も通用しない。ここでの通貨は、「秘密」や「2日分の命」といったものなのだが、取引を終えるまでそこに隠された罠には気づかないようにできている。だから簡単に取引はできない。ルールが理解できないままにゲームを戦うスカーレットは、レジェンドが隠れた目的を持つことに気づき始める。ゲームごとに顔を変えるというレジェンドは、いったい誰なのか？ レジェンドが魔法で操るゲームに勝つ方法はあるのか？ そもそも、「誰も信じるな」という忠告を与えた人物を信じていいのか……？舞台のカラヴァルはベニスのような場所だが、すべてに魔法がかかっているために、ディズニーランドかユニバーサル・スタジオのような印象を与える。表層は人畜無害のテーマパークなのに人が死ぬ可能性があるギャップが不気味さを際立たせている。ティーン対象のYAファンタジーなので恋の部分は単純すぎるようにも感じるが、魔術が支配する世界や不気味なテーマパークを走り回る冒険の部分は、自分でも体験したくなる（もちろん生命の危機がない範囲で）。