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Stephanie Garber’s Caraval was one of my most anticipated reads for 2017. While, unfortunately, it did not quite live up to my very high expectations for it, I still found it an entertaining enough read that I wanted to continue the series, especially once I read the premise for the second book, Legendary, and saw that the story was being told from the perspective of my favorite character from Caraval, younger sister Donatella Dragna, or Tella as she is called. I didn’t feel like nearly enough attention was paid to Tella in the first book, so knowing that the second book is her story made Legendary a must-read for me. I kept my expectations in check this time around and I’m thrilled to say that Legendary far exceeded all of my expectations and now has me eager to complete the series.
Reviewing middle books in a series is always so hard for me. I want to gush about everything I loved, but it’s hard to do it without potentially spoiling the first book for anyone who hasn’t read it yet. I’ve therefore decided to do this review a little differently than I normally do and just present you with all of the reasons why Legendary worked so much better for me than Caraval did. Hopefully it’s not spoilery, and if it is, hopefully it’s only mildly so.
5 REASONS WHY I ENJOYED LEGENDARY MORE THAN CARAVAL
1. Tella is a more compelling narrator than Scarlett. I’ll admit it…and I’m pretty sure I admitted it when I reviewed Caraval, Scarlett was not my favorite Dragna sister. While I liked her loyalty and devotion to her sister, Tella, beyond that she just didn’t really hold my attention at all. Tella, on the other hand, is a much more complex and interesting character. She’s the sister who everyone thinks is just high strung and flaky, and so they always underestimate her. I enjoyed watching the second installment of this series unfold through Tella’s eyes and even more so, I loved getting inside her head and discovering that there really is so much more to her than people give her credit for. Tella was actually my favorite character in Caraval and even though that first book was only an okay read for me, as soon as I heard Legendary was Tella’s story, I knew I had to continue the series and I’m thrilled that I did because the second book far exceeded my expectations and that’s mostly because of the change in perspective from Scarlett to Tella.
2. Caraval Fall Out. Something that really made Legendary a more interesting read for me than Caraval was the fallout from being in an environment where literally no one could be trusted. Now that Scarlett and Tella are interacting with some of the Caraval players outside of the game, it adds an underlying element of mistrust in all of their interactions that I found very entertaining. It’s like “Can I trust you now? Do you really like me or is this still an act?” All of the players are clearly gifted actors so it was easy to understand why Tella and Scarlett remained so suspicious of them.
3. Greater sense of urgency. Instead of just being an elite game that everyone is dying to play as in the first book, this time the Caraval experience has much higher stakes, thanks to a bargain Tella has secretly made with a mysterious and shady individual. There’s something she desperately wants that he says only he can deliver, but he’ll only do so if she can get something for him in return, the true identity of Caraval mastermind, Legend. Legend’s identity is one of Caraval’s best kept secrets and the only way she can get it is to win Caraval. As soon as Tella begins to play, however, she learns that this Caraval is quite different from the first one she participated in, dangerously so. It becomes clear that Legend has enemies who will stop at nothing to take him down and won’t hesitate to take Tella down as well if she gets in their way.
4. Rules are Made to be Broken. One of the reasons I wasn’t keen on Scarlett in the first book was her refusal to let the main rule of Caraval sink into her head. No matter how many times people reminded her it was just a game, nothing was real, she just took everything so seriously and kept diving off the deep end. For that reason, I loved the twist Garber throws in Legendary. Instead of being told that nothing is real and everything’s a game, Tella is instead warned that this time around, everything IS real. It keeps Tella and the reader in a constant state of doubt over whether things are real or not because this situation is the exact opposite of what we and Tella were expecting and it’s hard to believe Caraval would completely change up its number one rule.
5. Less “Purple” Prose. I was not a huge fan of some of the writing in Caraval. In some ways it felt like Garber was just trying too hard to convey a sense of the magical atmosphere that is Caraval, using overly flowery descriptions that sometimes didn’t make sense and therefore slowed down my reading of the story. That said, however, Garber really hits her stride in Legendary and her efforts to capture the magical atmosphere of the latest Caraval setting just felt so much more effortless. I really appreciated how easily I was able to breeze through the writing this time and only stumbled over an occasional “purple” phrase: “The air tasted like wonder. Like candied butterfly wings caught in sugared spiderwebs, and drunken peaches coated in luck.” I’ll admit that one gave me pause, but generally speaking, the descriptions just felt so much more natural and streamlined in Legendary and Garber has done this while still retaining all of the magical quality that is Caraval.
BONUS REASON (BECAUSE I JUST COULDN’T STOP AT 5!)
The Fates. I can’t really say anything about this without spoiling the second book. If you’ve already read it, you know what I’m talking about, and if you haven’t, you‘ll know why I loved this part so much. The addition of the Fates to the story was both unexpected and totally brilliant.
So there you have it. I hope I’ve managed to convey my love of the second book without completely spoiling the first for those who haven’t started the series yet. I’ll close by saying while I may have gotten off to a rough start with the Caraval series, I’m all in now and can’t wait to get my hands on the final book in this magical trilogy.
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Such an amazing sequel! I loved Caraval but this book definitely was an amazing addition to this series and you get to see so much more into the game and the characters and you see motivations and this book takes you through so much! Loved it from start to finish!
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The sequel to Caraval left me wanting more. From beginning to end I was completely immersed in Donatella’s journey in uncovering Legends true identity. I cannot wait until the next book!
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This was better than the first book! I couldn't put it down. I loved every moment of it. I liked that we got to see Tella and her side of the story. Even the plot twists I was expecting shocked me when they happened. I will be impatiently waiting for the next book.
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When I began reading Legendary, I was worried that it wouldn’t measure up to Caraval. By the end of the first page, I knew I had nothing to worry about. Legendary was captivating and an utter delight to read. The world, the characters, and the plot were absolutely brilliant. I loved how Stephanie played with the reader’s expectations regarding Caraval. In Legendary, she introduced a much bigger and more complicated world than I could have ever imagined.
It’s important to note that this is Tella’s story, not Scarlett’s. That shift threw me a bit for the first few chapters but once I adjusted, I actually grew to love Tella as much as Scarlett. She was determined, brave, and compassionate. The other characters were just as amazing. I loved the little peeks we got into Scarlett and Julian’s lives after Caraval! However, there were two characters, one new and one returning, who completely stole the show. In Stephanie’s own words, “beware of boys with hearts made of black.” (But I’m pretty sure you’ll fall in love with them anyway).
I absolutely loved how the world became so more complex and larger in this installment. The juxtaposition of myth, reality, and the game created an atmosphere where I wasn’t sure what was real or which character to trust. Prepare to question everything. The idea of the fates was executed so well, I’m still in awe of how Stephanie crafted that aspect of the story. Some readers may not like the more abstract tone of this book but I absolutely loved it. I thought that it worked very well for the story and made for a riveting reading experience.
Legendary was one of my favorite books in 2018 so far. It was enchanting, absolutely magical, and entertaining. Just remember, it’s only a game. Or is it?
*Disclaimer: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
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Legendary by Stephanie Garber is the 2nd book in the Caraval series. I recommend reading the first book Caraval first, for a better understanding. Utterly delightful in every sense of the world. Be prepared to be swept up in this story and these characters. Very unique young adult story,
I received this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
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First let me say that I LOVED Caraval! The setting, the romance, the mystery, and the constant plot twists- made it such a thrilling read. I loved that Tella and Scarlett had to rely on their love for each other in order to overcome their traumatic pasts, while also staying true to themselves. And I am happy to report that Legendary did not disappoint! It was just as good as the first book, if not better! Everything we thought we knew about “the game” in Caraval, is veiled in a whole new mystery here and it is absolutely magical!
Here’s what I loved most:
I did have some reservations in book 1 with the Scarlett and Julian’s relationship- I found it disingenuous at times. The “good girl,” “bad boy” act was a little predictable. However, the romance in this book is completely different and it issuper steamy, mysterious, dangerous, and I loved it! But don’t worry, there is no shortage of bad boys in this book either! In fact, there are several of them and they are all completely swoon-worthy!
I found some of the plot twists in book 1 predictable, but book 2 was full of surprises and twists that I didn't see coming at all! I don’t want to spoil anything, but the twists in Tella’s game are so brilliantly crafted, while still leaving lingering questions for the next book.
The “game” of Caraval continues to be a constant labyrinth of mystery, but the scope was so much bigger and more dangerous in book 2. Tella’s stakes for playing the game felt so much higher, so I was much more invested in her journey. It is not only her own destiny on the line, but her mother’s and Legends.
In book 1, I also really wanted Scarlett to have more agency in her own game. However, Tella is everything you could want in a fierce female character. She plays the game on her own terms and stays true to herself throughout. I really fell in love with her character in this book.
I loved that Garber played with the theme of “fate” in this book. I don’t feel that there was much of this theme in book 1, but I loved that so much of Tella’s story grappled with the idea of fate. From the Deck of Destiny to her mother’s ring, everything connected back so beautiful to a grand plan for Tella’s future.
Few
Things that I didn’t like:
The stark contrast between the sisters. They were just so different that it didn’t feel natural at times. I get that sisters are usually very different, but it seemed like Garber was going overboard in her attempt to make them complete foils of each other, maybe in order to make the two books contrast each other. This just seemed to be heavy handed at times.
Sadly, Scarlett was not involved in this story much. This was a shame because one of the things that I loved so much about the first book was the dynamic of the sisters. Even though Scarlett was the one in the “game” in book 1, it still felt as if Tella was somehow working in her favor and doing her part to guide Scarlett behind the scenes. Unfortunately, I didn’t get that feeling with this book. Tella felt very much on her own, so I was really missing the sibling support from this book.
Both Caraval and Legendary were brilliant, well written, and thrilling reads! I would recommend them to anyone looking for a little adventure, magic, and mystery.
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If you thought Caraval was entertaining, you are in for a treat with Legendary. It's a bittersweet feeling when you finish a book. And Legendary is the bittersweet chocolate ganache on top of the Caraval cake (did you enjoy that lame pun? I did.)
All the hopes and dreams that were built up in Caraval have a different test/trial in Legendary. New hopes, wishes, and dreams are equally tentative. We were told in Caraval it's all a game. In Legendary, it's said to be real. But which is worse, thinking it's a game or knowing it's real?
Legendary stole my heart and I'm left in mourning. I'm mourning my hopes and denials. You can only blindly cling to naivety for so long. When the truth comes out, you are left to mourn the loss of your innocence.
Legendary leaves your innocence in tatters on the stairs of a temple seemingly forgotten. It leaves your heart bleeding on its pages. Legendary left me hoping for...everything! But don't cling to despair the way I am because eventually the next book will be here. Just grab your blanket and rock in the corner with me while we wait!
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Stephanie Garber has done it again! I found this sequel to be even more exciting than Caraval! The games and secrets are more twisted! I love all of the magic and new characters!
Thank you Netgalley for providing this copy in exchange for an unbiased review!
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I have no idea how this happened, but I didn't love this book. I adored CARAVAL, but somehow the series lost it's magic for me in this second book, and I'm staring at all the five-star reviews on Goodreads wondering how I missed what everyone else is raving about. Don't get me wrong, I certainly didn't hate it---I didn't even really dislike it. I just didn't feel much for it at all.
So, what happened? Let's see...
What Fed My Addiction:
The gorgeousness of Caraval.
Garber's descriptions are lovely and beautiful, and Caraval is a place of amazingness to behold. Also, I want to be wearing Tella's stupendous dress made out of actual flowers. As far as settings go, Caraval is pure perfection.
The writing.
Garber's writing might fall into the purple prose category sometimes, but I love it.
Tella.
She's free-spirited and gutsy.
The romance.
Sure, there's some brooding happening here, but I was generally on board with the romance---just wish there had been a little more of it.
The ending.
I was interested enough in the ending of the book to be eager for the next book---which was sort of a coup since I wasn't all that engaged in this one.
What Left Me Hungry for More:
Lacked action.
Tella didn't really do much of anything except for look at all the prettiness of Caraval (which I can totally understand, by the way) and talk to people.
Completely predictable.
There was not one twist in this book that I didn't see coming from a mile away. It all seemed SO obvious to me. Sometimes I'm okay with that, if I'm kept guessing at least a little bit along the way or if I'm really invested in seeing how the character comes to terms with what I'm sure will happen, but that just wasn't the case here.
Anticlimactic.
I guess this was partially because of the fact that I saw all the twists coming. But also, when they did happen, they just kind of happened and then ... nothing. We moved on. (Check out the review on the blog for a spoiler that I put here.) There's a big secret with Scarlett (the only aspect of the book that I didn't figure out ahead of time), and when it's revealed what it is, it's like ... oh, okay. I just didn't feel anything through any of this book besides like one romantic scene. (Okay, I need to stop thinking about this now, or my rating is going to drop further.)
So, I don't know what happened here. Everyone else seemed to love this book, so I guess I missed something essential. Like I said, it was good. Fine. Just nothing spectacular. I'm still hopeful that I'll love book three as much as CARAVAL, though. Garber's writing and the setting boost this one up to 3/5 Stars.
***Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***
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For the last couple of years, I have sponsored a tiny little book club at the high school where I teach. The first book we chose to read this year was Stephanie Garber’s Caraval, and everyone really enjoyed the book. As much as I love literary fiction and books that provoke thoughtful discussion and introspection, I also enjoy the occasional “brain candy” that really only serves one primary purpose–to entertain. As I read Caraval with my students, I had to remind myself–frequently–that the book was written with THEM in mind, and not as deeply profound fiction. Once I became used to the cliche-riddled and simplistic prose geared toward young adults, I found myself flying through the pages and totally immersed in the story.
The same proved to be true for Legendary, the follow-up book to Garber’s Caraval. Legendary is the second book in what will become the Caraval Series and will end with the third book, Finale, which will be released next year. Legendary picks up on the same night that Caraval ends, but instead of following the adventures of the oldest Dragna sister, Scarlett, Legendary focuses on her younger–and much bolder–sister, Donatella. Tella receives a note from “a friend” implying that Tella owes him something in exchange for information about the whereabouts of her mother, Paloma, who disappeared several years earlier. When Legend’s Caraval takes Tella, Scarlett, and all the players from the previous game to a new island in celebration of the empress’s birthday, Tella’s connection to her mother’s Deck of Destiny and the Fates connected to them throws her right in the center of the “game.”
Although I enjoyed Caraval, I actually found myself much more captivated by the story of Legendary. One of my chief complaints about Caraval was that Scarlett’s character was a tad irritating to me. Her journey to becoming braver and more willing to take risks took entirely too long for me, and even then, she never felt like a true heroine of a story. Legendary provides readers with the protagonist we craved in the previous book. Tella is stronger, more independent, and more willing to fight for what she wants, and as a result, her story is much more exciting. In addition, all the questions that Caraval seemed to leave unanswered are addressed in Legendary and with much less obvious plot holes AND less obvious twists. The writing is still full of cheesy lines about things like getting lost in a handsome man’s eyes or his touch setting someone’s skin on fire, but the cheesiness just seems to work better this time around. Don’t get me wrong–Caraval was a fun ride as well–but the minor issues that I took with the book were much more insignificant in Legendary. Tella’s quest to find and save her mother had a few predictable elements, and her story with Dante felt very similar to Scarlett’s story with Julian from Caraval (girl meets boy, girl is infuriated by boy several times, but girl is obviously incredible attracted to boy), but Tella’s spunk gave Legendary the spark it needed to keep me even more captivated.
Garber has also created another magical world full of wildly interesting characters. Many familiar faces are back, such as Nigel, Jovan, and Aiko, but readers who are hoping for a focus on Scarlett and Julian’s relationship will be disappointed. The focus is all on Tella this time around, and although Scarlett and Julian are both present and, at times, play important roles, their relationship is mostly insignificant to Tella’s adventure.
Readers who haven’t read Caraval should definitely pick it up and give it a read before reading Legendary, but they should also be aware that although the writing style is the same, the characters are the same, and some elements of the plot are similar, the two books feel very different. In most cases, a follow-up is not nearly as good as the original, but in this one, I think Legendary is the winner.
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Caraval had captured me in a way few books ever have, so I was both excited and nervous for Legendary. But this sequel does not disappoint.
I'm not going to go into much detail for fear of spoilers. This is one of those books that you want to go in knowing as little as possible because the twists and turns are more fun that way. It's also a little hard to review because there's so many aspects that make it so much fun to read.
Tella is a different narrator from her sister, and I think Garber handles that difference really well. Scarlett is still part of the story, and important, but this is Tella's story and she gets to control it.
I was so captivated by this story. There were so many twists and turns, so many that I never even saw coming, that it was hard to put it down. While Caraval is all fun and games, Legendary raises the stakes and keeps them raised.
Legendary is a worthy sequel, one that will make you wish you had the final book in your hands immediately. BECAUSE. I. NEED. MORE.
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Summary
This book follows the story of Donatella and Scarlet to yet another mysterious Caraval festival. Tella embarks on a journey to find out Master Legend's true name in order to learn the whereabouts of her mother. Unfortunately, winning Caraval is the only way to be able to learn his true identity. Donatella plays the game for real this time and battles with many trials and tribulations along the way.
Likes
This book was absolutely fantastic! I loved it just as much as the first and it enveloped me in an entirely different way. Scarlett was not a large part of this book and I found myself liking Tella a lot more! I know that may sound strange but Tella has this fire about her that is burned by a deep desire to find out why her mother left them. I thought that this book was also full of the same amount of twists and turns that kept me guessing page by page. I thought that the unique twists Garber threw in really developed the story into something that was more about just Tella winning Caraval and finding out who Legend truly is. I feel like this book has the best kind of magical element and you really feel transported to the world of Caraval. I think that's what sets this story apart for me: I felt like I was there and like I was right beside Tella as she was playing this difficult game.
Dislikes
I cannot note any specific dislikes to this book. I thought that the cover was absolutely gorgeous and played off of Caraval's so well. I didn't really care for the love story in this book because it didn't feel like it had a place in the game. Tella was being torn in every which way and I wanted to know more about her mother rather than a relationship. The balance was good, though, and I felt like there was enough genuine storyline which played well with the romance piece. It was also opulent, which is a weird word to describe a book, but I felt immersed in the world.
Recommendation
If you liked Caraval, then you will love this book! I would also recommend this to anyone who loves magic and wants to be transported to a new world!
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“Caraval’s games had truly begun. As everyone around her reached for falling stars, Tella thought of all the times she and Scarlett had dreamed about Caraval, about Legend. Now Tella had to win the game or she would never dream again.”
This is the second book in the series Caraval and it should be read in order. It’s a rich, decadent story of mischief, mystery and a game that is more than just a game with real consequences. In this second story, Scarlet’s sister is our protagonist, Tella. This Tella is different from the first time we met her. She still has her impetuous streak but she appears to be more grounded. After tangling with Death for the first time, she realizes that her decisions and actions do have consequences and she’s not always willing to pay the price. This book shows you why she is the way she is and it’s a mystery. The plot is so intrinsic that it can get confusing at times with different plot points happening at once, it lays the groundwork for more books. Our shining star Tella, has so many different layers to her just like the mysterious Legend. He’s still a shadow figure that plays his puppets and I cannot wait to find out more. The sister dynamic is also different this time and more fleshed out. Scarlet and Tella are my favorite ship of the series. Their sister bond is tested but this time I’m better able to see the love between the two.
Tella plays a new game of Caraval and this time the consequences are real. Rather than playing pretend the consequences aren’t just limited to the game but are bleeding out into the world outside of Caraval. As Caraval leaks out, Tella races against the clock to find the answers she desperately needs. I loved Tella, Tella isn’t a heroine that waits for a hero, she’s out there making her own story and finding her own answers. To my romance loving heart, romance is more prevalent in this second novel. There are suitors to use and there are suitors to find, Tella finds herself embroiled in a game that has more players and pieces to move. While she’s known for making independent moves, I loved that she also had to learn how to play as a team.
Caraval is a story that is descriptive and invokes emotion. The fabrics, the costumes, the people all very much come alive in the pages of this book and it leaves you hungry for the next.
Tags: magical realism, romance, Young Adult
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Picking up immediately where Caraval ended, Legendary wastes no time establishing the need for a new set of riddles and a wholly different challenge from the first book's kidnapping. Donatella Dragna, more figure than character in the previous book, moves to a position of prominence as Legend and his troupe of players prepare for a special performance in honor of the empress' birthday.
The magic of Caraval departs its master's private island and manifests in the winding, crowded streets of Valenda. Divided into different quarters, each home to particular industries or amusements, the capital city gives the game a wilder feeling. With the festivities removed from Legend's domain, reality and fiction blur in a more frightening effect than before.
The setting is no less magical for taking place in the "real" world, though. Garber introduces more of the realm beyond Caraval in her sophomore novel, expanding on the political and religious history of the Empire. Most important of all are the Fates, a group of god-like beings with the power to influence human lives, and who were once said to hold dominion over mankind.
Each Fate has a rather macabre representation: the Cruel Prince weeping blood with a red stain at his mouth; the Maiden Death, her head encased in a cage made of pearls; the Undead Queen, with one eye shrouded by a jeweled patch and blue lips. Their inclusion deepens the questions of free will touched on in Caraval: How free are your choices when someone else manipulates the world in which you make them? And are they any less important, if the reality they affect is proven false?
We view this grander struggle through the eyes of the younger Dragna sister, Donatella. Where her sister was cautious and methodical, using her instinct to verify rather than inspire her decisions, Tella charges forward headlong. This recklessness keeps the pace and tension high as her search for the key to Caraval—and Legend's real name—leads Tella further from the other, oblivious players.
Like her sister before, she receives help from a player who may or may not be acting in earnest. Heavily-tattooed Dante plays a significant role, ambiguous in the same way Julian was before him. The chemistry between he and Tella rings a little truer; already well-aware of Caraval's duplicity, she questions his every movement and never trusts him above her own judgement. Her skepticism adds substance to a fast-developing partnership with an amply dark undercurrent of its own.
It's a pleasant change of pace for Donatella emerge from her minimal role in Caraval and take over the sequel's narrative while her sister lingers off-page. (Yes, Scarlett and Julian return, but the focus remains solidly on Tella!) The compressed timeline means that unresolved issues from the first novel stay dangling at the end of Legendary as well. Introducing a larger conspiracy involving royal succession, magical imprisonment, and the threatened return of less-than-benevolent immortals keeps the plot humming along at a brisk pace. It's an exhilarating read that returns to all the strengths of Caraval and finds a way to make them even grander the second time around. I deeply enjoyed returning to the mystical and mystifying world of Caraval, and I can't wait to see what lies in store for both of the tenacious Dragna sisters!
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I really love the world of Caraval! I love the clothes, the setting and the descriptions. But when it comes to dialogue and plot I am always left wanting a little more. I think people who passionately loved Caraval will love this one. I enjoyed most of it. And I love Jacks! He was such a great new character.
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One of the books we’ve been asked a few times to cover on the podcast was last year’s breakout debut Caraval by Stephanie Garber. Here’s the thing: I liked Caraval, but I didn’t love Caraval. My biggest issue with the book was that I didn’t understand why Scarlett was the protagonist while her much more interesting sister Donatella was waiting in the wings.
Lucky for me, the sequel, Legendary, changes gear and Tella gets to take center stage. Kudos to Stephanie Garber, because this was a fantastic choice. Tella was a dynamic, active protagonist in all the ways I was missing with Scarlett. Tella also gets not one but two mysterious, morally compromised love interests, for which I will be forever grateful. (Surprising to no one: I found the romance a bit too saccharine for my taste in Caraval)
Legendary also followed my most important rule for sequels–the stakes have to be raised in order to keep my interest. Caraval was truly a game, an insular story with only the fate of the Dragna sisters at play, while Legendary expands to bring the fate of the world onto the table.
With its more immersive worldbuilding and mythology, dangerous romance, and compelling lead, Legendary is worth picking up for anyone who read Caraval and will leave you anxiously awaiting the grand Finale in the series coming out next year!
As always, big shout out to the publisher, Flatiron Books, who was kind enough to send us an early copy to (p)review!
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Legendary was very good. The characters evolved and it kept you guessing as to who Legend was. Tella was a good character but was second guessing herself too much. I would definitely recommend this book to the teens in my library.
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"'As fantastical as Caraval might feel, the next five nights are very real."
Stephanie Garber has flipped the tables on us.
Everything that you thought you knew about Caraval... think again.
Legendary meets us right where Caraval left us and we don't get much of an 'intermission' from the action between one game and the next--which is great news! Tella has been hiding quite a few secrets throughout the duration of Caraval and has been conspiring with a quite mysterious individual about the whereabouts of her mother. This mysterious individual is set on finding the identity of Legend, and much of the novel revolves around this mission, but there is also a larger-picture mission of the game of Caraval this go-around... putting Tella 'between a rock and a hard place' when it comes down to 'crunch time' at the conclusion of the game.
The magical elements in this novel are just as whimsical as in Caraval.. but in my opinion, even better. Tella has this deck of cards that are much like tarot cards--they each have a character or symbol presented on them that are symbolic of some type of foretold future. And these characters were all strange and magical and had these incredible mini-stories behind them. It was very reminiscent of The Hazel Wood in that sense-- you get a story-within-a-story effect of having these "fictional" (or maybe not so fictional) characters.
And oh man, you just thought you loved Scarlett... Tella is such a sassy, fierce little spitfire.
I adore her character!
"Tella often imagined she knew what people thought when they saw her. One look at her honey-blond curls, her girlish smile, and her pretty dresses, coupled with the fact that she liked to enjoy herself, and people dismissed her as a silly girl. Tella might have been many things, but she was far from silly or worthless or whatever labels people liked to affix because a person was young and female. Tella liked to think that was where much of her strength came from.
She was bold. She was brave. She was cunning.
And she was going to come out of this triumphant--no matter the cost."
I have a two-year-old daughter who, without outside influence, has morphed into this sassy, girly little thing who loved dolls and princesses and all things sparkly. But she is also irrationally independent for her age, loves to play outside, loves learning, and is stubborn to her core. Tella is the epitome of the perfect fictional female character that I would want my daughter to see. Tell shows girls that its okay to be prim, fashionable and girly and at the same time be a stubborn dream-chaser who is fiercely loyal to those she loves, never gives up, and doesn't let anyone walk all over her. Major hat-tip to Stephanie Garber for creating this fantastic image of fierce (young) womanhood.
And that ending....
Perfection. Absolute Perfection..
I 100% called that ending.. and I was totally okay with that (and that never happens). The theatrics of the entire conclusion of Legendary was phenomenal and I am just dying to get my hands on Finale ASAP.
Thank you to Flatiron Books and Stephanie Garber for providing me with a DRC of this title via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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If I had read this book right after Caraval a couple of years ago, I would've been all about it. Garber includes really interesting new information about the world and magic system. I was intrigued by the new characters, political system, and the Fates. She did a great job implementing new aspects of her world, and I was really into those things.
However, the romance was where the novel lost me. Nothing seemed genuine or real. I guess that's sort of the point. On the other hand, this Caraval wasn't a game, it was real. So why weren't the relationships seen as real? The characters also lost me. None of them were relatable and I didn't believe they would actually do some of the things they were doing. I know they're her characters, not mine, but she portrayed them one way and then they acted another.
It just didn't make sense to me. I won't be reading the third book. Caraval has lost me.