Recent Reads: Caraval by Stephanie Garber

Caraval by Stephanie Garber
Series: Caraval #1
Publisher: Flatiron Books
Publication Date: January 31, 2017 

 

Format: Paperback
Source: Bought and Own

Rating: 

Goodreads Synopsis: 

Scarlett Dragna has never left the tiny island where she and her 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 faraway, 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 the show. 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. Nevertheless she becomes enmeshed in a game of love, heartbreak, and magic.

Review: 

TRIGGER WARNING - for domestic/child abuse, violence, and attempted rape.

I bought a book... and immediately read that book! That is a win if ever there was one! And I loved it. It was just the escape I needed. This isn't a new book, so there are probably a number of reviews you have already read about it, but I really enjoyed it. Here are my thoughts. 

Caraval follows Scarlett, an older sister, in a household where their father is not a nice man. The Father reigns his household under his fist and when one daughter does something wrong he punishes her sister versus her. It is a controlling and horrible act. Scarlett wishes only to be out of this house and save her sister Donatella when she goes, and luckily she has an arranged marriage coming soon.

As her marriage approaches Scarlett, one last time, writes the master of a legendary game called Caraval in hopes of going and her wish is granted. She, her sister, and their travel guide Julian set on on the chance of a lifetime. When they arrive Tella is taken as the theme of the game. 

So Scarlett, as I noted is the older sister - I can speak from experience that is is built into older sister DNA that we are anxious, worrisome, and overbearing. We are perfectionists that often want to help all the time. I can appreciate that Scarlett is written this way, it is pretty spot-on. She is very worrisome, looking to save a sister that might not need saving, and always putting others before herself. 

Tella as the younger sister seems reckless and aloof most of the book, as it is told in Scarlett's POV. She is always trying to rile her father, sneaking out, escaping the house, messing with boys and Scarlett does not approve. 

The interesting part about this book, is while the father is the villain, he is absent for most the story. The real villain seems to be Scarlett's mind in this book. She is so worried about her sister and what might happen to her and all the rumors about what has happened at Caraval before that she constantly is in her own head about the bad things. Her father is still a viable villain though and the game leader Legend seems to have a part there too. 

I enjoyed the fast moving plot of this book and the whirlwind you are taken on as the reader with Scarlett. You feel how frantic she gets and want her to succeed. 

I saw that a few people were a little disappointed at the world building, and I can see that but inside the confines of Caraval the setting was magical, whimsy, and seeing it come together as I read was a lot of fun.

So if you are looking for a mystery, a game, a love story, and some violence this book is something that you might enjoy. There are elements of magic and trauma that make this plot a murky and entertaining one to be a part of.