In my Facebook Group, “The Reader’s Guild,” we were discussing what book world readers would want to fall into. One of them suggested the world of Caraval. Until that point, I had never heard of the book, but was intrigued by this reader’s answer. 

So I went looking, and when I found this book available on my Libby account as an audiobook, I downloaded it immediately. After listening to this enchanting book, I have to say, if I had a chance to jump into a story world, this would be one of my top choices too. 

Before we dive in to the review on the book, here is a reminder of how I rate what I read (these will be on a scale of 1-10, 1 being low, 10 being high):

• Plot Structure: How well the story was put together.
• Character Development: Level of growth a character achieves and how well the author makes them feel “real.”
• Language: Level of swearing, innuendos, verbal abuse, and other triggers.
• Violence: Level of fight scenes and gore.
• Sexual Content: Level of physical intimacy.

Something new this year will also be my star ratings. As I’m a reviewing with Reedsy Discovery, I will be sharing more of those books here as well. They have a specific star rating system that I will be using when rating books.

Here are the star ratings and what they mean:

Anything less than two stars will not be posted as I don’t want to waste your time or mine.

If you would like an editorial review for your own book with content ratings, you can contact me directly, or request me as your reviewer on Reedsy Discovery.

Disclaimer: The more I write, the more I critique books harder on plot structure and how the various elements work together. Thus my reviews reflect this. However, if you see a book appear on the blog, it’s because I enjoyed reading and thought you, as a fellow bookie, would enjoy it as well. As always, reading is subjective and what resonates with me may not resonate with you. And that’s OK! We’re in this to discover new books that are family appropriate and worth taking the time to read.

Book Description:

Welcome, welcome to CARAVAL, Stephanie Garber’s enchanting, NEW YORK TIMES bestselling fantasy debut about two sisters swept up in a mysterious competition filled with magic, heartbreak, and danger

Scarlett has never left the tiny island where she and her beloved sister, Tella, live with their powerful and cruel father. Now Scarlett’s father has arranged a marriage for her, and Scarlett thinks her dreams of seeing Caraval, the far-away, once-a-year performance where the audience participates in the show, are over.

But this year, Scarlett’s long-dreamt-of invitation finally arrives. With the help of a mysterious sailor, Tella whisks Scarlett away to attend. Only, as soon as they arrive, Tella is kidnapped by Caraval’s mastermind organizer, Legend. It turns out that this season’s Caraval revolves around Tella, and whoever finds her first is the winner. 

Scarlett has been told that everything that happens during Caraval is only an elaborate performance. But whether Caraval is real or not, she must find Tella before the five nights of the game are over, and her sister disappears forever.

Continue the adventure in Legendary and Finale―out now!

My Review:

Caraval by Stephanie Garber has to be one of the best books I read in 2024. The way color is connected to the emotions of the character, making it more than just a visual thing, is absolutely enchanting. And the fact this story has a base in Spanish culture, adds another layer of mystique to the novel. 

In the beginning, the use of color is used to denote Scarlet and Dona Tella Dragna’s father, from his purple suit to the color of the bruises he leaves behind when they displease him. We feel this color. We don’t just see it.

Garber also uses color to give the magic around Scarlet (our primary POV) life. The way she sees things, and the colors described, give us wonderful insight into her state of mind without every explaining anything to the reader. When her sister is taken, Scarlet must push past her fears to gain what she truly values (which is more than just a romance).

I also loved the use of magic and the consequences of it throughout the story. Secrets are the currency, and you must give as much as you take. Multiple characters make mistakes and you, as the reader, are constantly on the edge of your seat to see what the consequences of their choices will be.

Some things to be aware of with this novel, is that it will push the bounds of no-spice fiction. Characters don’t always have the best morals or intentions, and readers must judge for themselves on how far is too far. Nothing really goes beyond hand holding, embraces, and kisses, however, the emotions around several of these occurrences suggest that more “could” happen, even if we don’t see it.

There is also a high level of manipulation that goes on in this novel, as well as a suicide that happens at the end when a character jumps off a ledge. So if these are triggers for you, please take care.

How I rated this series:

• Plot Structure: 9/10; Exquisite plot, rich with details without burdening the reader with exposition. There are several turns and plot twists that help keep the reader engaged from start to finish. Plus, the tease at the end for what’s in store in the following books was perfect.
• Character Development: 9/10; Scarlet is a fully 3-D character where her wants and needs feel realistic and human. She wants love after never getting it at home, but she also wants to save her sister. The pull between those two factors cause wonderful tension in the story.
• Language: 3/10; Strong words are spoken, but no strong cursing.
• Violence: 5/10; People are murdered, physical abuse from the father, and a suicide at the end. No graphic details are mentioned, but the elements are there.
• Sexual Content: 4/10; While no explicit scenes are present, and everything stays in the kissing realm, I would not recommend this book for readers younger than thirteen because of the emotional charge behind the actions. There is also an invitation from Julian to Scarlet to share a bed with him, but she refuses.

Conclusion:

Caraval is an enchanting tale of magic, mischief, and mystery filled with a riot of color. If you love to read fantasy romance with rich world building, don’t miss this book along with the rest of the trilogy, Legend, and Finale.