Caraval by Stephanie Garber
“The future knows what we desire, unless there is something greater in our path that chases us away.”
Scarlett has always dreamed of seeing Caraval, the once a year performance and compettiotion run by the elusive Legend. When she finally receives an invation she finds out it wasn’t what she thought.

Pros:-

– Interesting and Imaginative
– Could relate to aspects of it

Cons:-

– Needs more world building
– Didn’t like the ending
– Just felt like it was missing something.

Ok, I actually read this in November but I had some troubles writing a review for it. One, because I suddenly became really busy – I got a temporary job and had some tests done at the hospital, and two, I had no idea what to say.


Overall I liked and thought it was ok, but it felt like something was missing so I just couldn’t get into it completely. I have no idea what, especially since all the other reviews seem to rave about it on Goodreads.


There were some great descriptions. It felt magical at times, and very cinematic. I could definitely see it as a film or series – I think Fox already has the film rights actually. There was one moment in particular where the main character’s grandmother was telling a story and I could perfectly imagine the transition that would lead to it and the different ways it could be filmed.


The characters were just ok. At times they felt a bit one dimensional, or a bit confusing. Scarlet, the main was… well I still don’t know what I think of her really. I liked that she wasn’t able to perfectly read people, like a lot of other heroines, but I couldn’t understand her. She seems too trusting – despite her constantly thinking she doesn’t trust easily- giving her past and the situations. At the beginning I thought she was very pragmatic, with the whole marriage thing and what not but I don’t think that ever shows up again. I also can’t stand what happened in the end, partially because of the decision she made. It just felt wrong … not wrong in that I can’t imagine her doing it but wrong in that I don’t think I would do it.


Just to add to it she seems to have a form of synaesthesia but I have absolutely no idea if it’s just her who has it. She never makes out that it is something unusual but she might not realise that it is since she doesn’t talk about it with anyone. I think that the story needs a bit more world building to help with that.


That being said, I kind of loved one of the fortune-tellers in the book. He had a really small role but something about him just stood out for me. He was the one with the tattoos when you do read the book, or those who already have. His was the most interesting form of divination and I liked what he said about fate, or the future … however you want to think about it.

 


The pace was good, lots action. It could have done without some of the action and still be a good book but its fine. It was great how you almost felt like a contestant in the game since there were so many twists and turns. It was fun trying to work out what was the truth and what wasn’t.


All in all, I just liked it. There was nothing really bad about it – even if I didn’t like the ending – but there wasn’t anything that really stood out for me either. It does make a good set up for the next book in the series and I liked it enough to want to read the next book, but I wouldn’t be too upset if I missed it. Love to hear your opinions, so get in touch.

 

 

Goodreads Link:


https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27883214-caraval