Caraval

Written by Stephanie Garber

Narrated by Rebecca Soler

"Actor Soler's lively narration swiftly draws listeners into the magical spectacle at the center of Garber's YA novel" — Publishers Weekly, best audiobooks of 2017

Welcome, welcome to Caraval — Stephanie Garber’s sweeping tale of two sisters who escape their ruthless father when they enter the dangerous intrigue of a legendary game.

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 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. But she nevertheless becomes enmeshed in a game of love, heartbreak, and magic with the other players in the game. And whether Caraval is real or not, she must find Tella before the five nights of the game are over, a dangerous domino effect of consequences is set off, and her sister disappears forever.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Macmillan Audio
• Release date: Jan 31, 2017
• ISBN: 9781427279750

Stephanie Garber

Stephanie Garber is the No. 1 Sunday Times, New York Times, and internationally bestselling author of the Caraval series and the Once Upon a Broken Heart series. Her books have been published in thirty languages.

Reviews for Caraval

[Elainea Kowasic · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I love a good character driven plot.

Was this book just that? No.
Did this book have character development? No.
Did this book having a wondrous setting? Yes.
Was there lots of flowery detail? Yes
Oh and yes, that were pretty dresses.

After hearing so many people in the YA community recommend this book, I gave it a try and it definitely did not live up to the hype. If you are new to YA fantasy give it a try but, if this is your favorite genre, skip it.

[Tonya Luttrull · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

All I can say is WOW!! Mind blowing! This book did not let me down! Stephanie Garber put a lot of heart and thought into this book. I felt like I was right there with Scarlett, Tella, and the rest of the cast for "Caraval"

This story starts with Scarlett as a child writing letters to Legend asking for him to bring Caraval close to where she and her sister, Tella, live. Tella has always loved the game of Caraval, and well, Scarlett loves her sister and wants to see her sister happy.

When a mysterious guy shows up and finds out about them getting a gift from Legend to attend Caraval, Julian could not wait to help the girls out, only because he wanted to be selfish and go to the game himself. Bt their father finds him down stairs and making a run for their lives, Scarlett gets knocked out and ends up on the island where Caraval is.

Inside Caraval, there are so many twist and turns, that you are not sure what is real and what is not real. Is the game playing games with them or is it only feeding off of fear. When Scarlett finds out the game includes finding her sister and her fear only increased her need to find Tella, then the games becomes deadly. Scarlett soon questions if Julian is there to help her or destroy her. She doesn't know what is real in the world of Caraval.

The journey this book to me on was amazing. I was wishing I was there to play the game.

The question of this game is who is Legend? Who is Julian? Where is Tella? What is the secret of this game?

A must read!

[Nikki O. · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

DNF’d at Chapter 15. I couldn’t get into the story, it was a bit messy. The narrator made the lead character appear very annoying to me.

[Nicole Kallas · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Different, not predictable. I very much enjoyed it and I am grateful that it is a series and to have found a new author.

[badeyilmaze2022 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It gets super overwhelming I was baffled but I got a really bad spoiler

[peppipirkola · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC!!! The storyline is so good and the way Stephanie has written it makes you feel like you are in the story?One of the best books i have read. 1000000000/10

[dhruvi · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I liked the book, ending felt a bit rushed but easy to get through and I was surprised by the plot.The screams in the narration sounded a bit off but not too big of a problem.

[Proverbs ThirtyOne · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I mean it was a fantasy book. Lol. I just don't know how I feel about it. So many twists and turns. I didn't expect the end. It felt weird. But I'm curious now and will probably continue the series.

[al.grisham227 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I enjoy the world building. The FMC was a bit irritating in the beginning, but she grew on me! Garber is good at twists and surprises which keeps me reading!

[Lindsay DiLernia · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Love this twisted and chaotic book! I never knew who was in and who wasn't.

[Saphirakay · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Struggling to get through this book, mfc is so annoying it's always sister this or father that. Plus, narration is not the greatest. Prob gonna be a dnf book.

[jessmettaa · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

loved listening to this on audiobook, the narration made it a lot more dramatic and felt like i was a part of the world witnessing everything unfold

[cantubts13 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I love this book so much!! It’s literally a perfect fantasy.

[Aljazi Almuhanna · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

PEOPLE YOU MUST READ THIS BOOK BECAUSE IT IS AMAZING! CHAPTER 37 WAS AN EMOTIONAL ROLLER COASTER! I CRIED, SCREMT, AND GOT ANGRY AT THE SAME TIME. I CANT EXPLAIN IT, BUT I FELT 10 EMOTIONS AT ONCE. IT WAS OVERWHELMING (in a good way) TO SAY THE LEAST. ISTG PEOPLE YOU MUST READ THISSSSS!!!!

[Marco · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

It was a very entertaining story. What I didn't like it was the way the book was written. Similes and metaphors were a bit weird! Some kind of understandable. But I enjoyed it anyway.

[Inês Serra · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

A nice read, even if it lost me somewhere halfway. Can't pinpoint exactly why, but I really struggled with finishing it. Something is missing... Overall tho, it was a nice read.

[Ashe · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I didn't love the narrator with this one. Consistency wasn't done well and tones and fluctuations were off. Plus emotion really fell dead here.

[Sara Holmes · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I was immediately pulled in. The story and characters are so vibrant! I loved it

[Lenka Klčová · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Great book, great job and worldbuilding by Stephanie? and was lovely to be able to hear this as audiobook. Sure thing I love it and will continue with Legendary

[Micaelah K · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Seriously haven't stumbled upon a book like this in a long time! The romantic sub plot was perfectly written and the book in general was such a fun read.

[Neyli · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Well, it was not what I was expecting. I really feel played dumb, but in a good way. I have to say that I'm hoping for the next book, because I want to see how is going to improve Stephanie Tella's character.

[Katie Brummell · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Caraval by Stephanie Garber
3.5 ⭐️
YA Fantasy
Format: Audiobook
Book 42 of 2022

This book was all the rage for a hot minute. I finally got around to reading it. I decided to listen to it on audiobook. Upon further reflection I've decided to drop it a half star from my tictok review. Overall, I thought the book was interesting and it kept me on my toes at times, I found the character of Scarlett to be obnoxious at times, a little whiny and often prudish. This is a 3 part series. I have yet to decide if I am going to finish it. That should tell you something, if I'm not chomping at the bit to finish a series then it wasn't prime reading for me. I will say that I liked the format of the physical book, with all the letters inside. Maybe, it was the narrator that made me dislike Scarlett?
????

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. And whether Caraval is real or not, Scarlett must find Tella before the five nights of the game are over or a dangerous domino effect of consequences will be set off, and her beloved sister will disappear forever.
#books #caraval #yafantasy
#bookworm #reading
#bookreview

[Tadeja Kuhar · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

3.5⭐️ for the book and plot twist
5⭐️ for the narrator

[Rita Barbosa · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Caraval was different than I imagined and I loved every turn of the page. It is dark and red and you never know what to expect. I heard great things of the next books from this author and I can't wait! And I really liked the voice of the audiobook!

[Bouchra Bouzrhiba · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Thé audiobook is great! Thé voice ♥️♥️ good job. And I loved caraval

[brooke katz · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I enjoyed every moment of this book. It was exciting, it had Agatha Christie type mystery, where you never knew what was going to happen or who you could trust. I finished the book and I still don't fully trust everyone. The imagery came alive I felt like I was in the game. I would highly recommend this book.

[keianna · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The audio skips in several parts of the book, but the story was absolutely amazing.

[Paloma · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I loved the story kept me guessing of what would happen next. The world of Caraval is so fun and full of mystery.

[Piper Powell · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It’s so wonderful and amazing book, I think of me and my sister, I’m Donatella and she is scarlet

[Michelle Huyghe · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Very nice voice to listen to next to a head turning story which makes you doubt everything that’s going on