If you’re looking to get swept away into a magical adventure this year, Caraval is just the ticket you need. I’ve had my eye on this book for almost a year, and I was lucky enough to receive an ARC from the lovely folks over at Flatiron Books, but I’ve made myself wait until now to review it so that I can give it the proper build-up it deserves before it’s release later this month.

If you’re a fan of The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern, you’re going to fall in love with this book. I can think of no higher honor, as The Night Circus remains one of my all-time favorite books on this earth. I’ve been craving another mystical romp through a magical circus/carnival ever since I put that book down two years ago. And I finally found it in Stephanie Garber’s gorgeous Caraval.

This is book that will draw you in from page one and leave you aching for more. In fact, if I have any one complaint about this book it’s the fact that I wanted more of everything. More of the caraval, more of the magic, more of the strange people and places and trades, and more of the mystery. There was never enough of anything because it’s all drawn up so perfectly that you can’t help but feel greedy and left wanting. I’m so glad that this is going to be a duology, because another book is EXACTLY what the doctor ordered here (and by doctor, I mean me).

THINGS TO FAN OUT ABOUT IN CARAVAL:

1- There are puzzles and topsy turvy wonderland-esque riddles and tons of twists and turns you will not see coming. It is definitely in the same vein as Tahereh Mafi’s Furthermore, Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland, and other delightfully mysterious books. So if you’re looking for a story to keep you guessing, look no further.
2- The world-building is exquisite. There are so many little tastes into this strange world that you are definitely going to want to move there and experience Caraval for yourself.
3- Scarlett and Julian. I don’t think I can even say anymore than that without giving things away, but let’s just say YES YES YES YES. I am shipping the heck out of them now.
4- Thrilling chases, violent crimes, and a ticking clock that runs through it all. Caraval is going to keep you on your toes. There were some truly cringe-worthy moments where I was left gaping over what happened. Like, truly, my mouth was hanging open in shock.
5- And an ending that appears to tie everything up nice and neat only to throw you a HUGE cliffhanger right at the end and make you want to throw the book across the dang room.


THINGS I’M HOPING FOR IN THE SEQUEL:
1- More of everything (as stated earlier), but especially more of the Caraval’s actual atmosphere. I want more of the crazy little shops that sell everything under the sun for a price – from protection spray that can cost you your deepest fear to a dress than can take two days from your life – more of the quirks that make Legend’s little game so freaking magical. I would read an entire book where the characters did nothing but walk around Caraval to explore the nooks and crannies. Stephanie, if you’re reading this – I’m not even kidding. I don’t even need a plot. I just want to explore your world more thoroughly. That’s how much this world tantalized and enthralled me.
2- LEGEND. I want to actually meet him because now I’m very invested in knowing who he is and what his true motives are.
3- A better character ARC for Tella. While I liked Scarlett more and more as the story progressed (she grows a lot over the course of the story), I really felt agitated by the way Tella acted and at the end I didn’t feel she had experienced a lot of growth. I won’t give anything away, but she kind does some real messed up stuff in the first book, and I’d just like to see some true character growth out of her in a sequel.

If you’re looking for a book to start the year off with a BANG, this is definitely a great choice. You won’t be able to look away until the very end.

REVIEW: Was this book weird? Totally and deliciously! It's weird along the lines of Alice in Wonderland or Charlie and the Chocolate Factory or even The Wizard of Oz. We have two sisters and a rogue sailor who "fall down the rabbit hole" into Caraval, a land where magic rules and nothing is as it seems. Along the way, one of the sisters--Donatella--is kidnapped and made the centerpiece of the game. The player who gets to Donatella first wins a wish from Legend, the creepy creator of the game.

This book has everything: mystery, adventure, romance, illusions, fighting, murder, lies, beautiful dresses, and plenty of twists. Julian is a swoon-worthy love interest, and there's a nice little twist at the end as well.

I especially love the way debut author Stephanie Garber weaves color and scent descriptions into everything--the clues, the facial expressions, the emotions. Scarlett hates plum purple because it's the color of her fear. Gold is happiness. Black, of course, is blood and death. Scarlett's father smells like lavender and anise. While inside Caraval, Scarlett wears a dress that constantly changes its color and form to reflect Scarlett's mood and feelings. Just gorgeous!

Even though it's a January release, I have no doubt at all this book will make it on many "Best of 2017" lists. According to Ms. Garber's website, Caraval has already been optioned for a movie by Twentieth Century Fox. Awesome!

THEMES: sisters, abuse, lies versus truth

THE BOTTOM LINE: A must for any library serving teens! Beautifully-written and super-fun!

STATUS IN MY LIBRARY: On order. I can't wait to booktalk this one!

RATING BREAKDOWN:
Overall: 5/5
Creativity: 5/5
Characters: 5/5
Engrossing: 5/5
Writing: 5/5
Appeal to teens: 5/5
Appropriate length to tell the story: 5/5

CONTENT:
Language: none
Sexuality: mild; ogling, appreciation of male abs and muscles, kissing, "sharing a bed," potential rape that never happens
Violence: medium; knife violence, murder, father-daughter physical abuse, suicide
Drugs/Alcohol: mild; several magical elixirs

Oh my god, I loved this book! The world is absolutely amazing! Twists and turns and secrets and magic...I literally couldn't put it down! I finished it in pretty much one sitting!
The characters are wonderful, but man, that world! The Caraval is a place I'd love to visit, and a dangerous game that I'd love to play.

Wow, what a page turner! Think of Nerve mashed with Circus Mirandus, on a teen level. What is part of the game, and what is real? Your mind will whirl trying to figure it out! Congrats to Stephanie on an awesome debut!

This book, guys! THIS BOOK!! As most of you know, I’m quite hesitant about reading fantasy books. I struggle with them often, making my enjoyment of them rather hard to come by. But, oh boy, did I LOVE Caraval!! Everything about this book was utter perfection and I can’t even handle my own excitement right now!!

Scarlett and Tella, two completely opposite sisters, have been living a rather poor life. Their father is horrible to them, and both sisters do anything they can to protect the other from him. Scarlett has gone so far as to agree to an arranged marriage with a man she’s never met, solely for the purpose of escaping her father’s bad temper and evil ways, and in hopes of bringing her sister along with her. Caraval has always intrigued the sisters since a very young age when their grandmother told them all about her experience there herself. After many, many letters written to the brilliant mind behind Caraval, they are finally invited to join Caraval as special guests. When Tella is kidnapped as part of the game of Caraval, Scarlett must play the game, and win, in order to save her sister and return home in time for her wedding.

I loved the strong sisterly bond between Scarlett and Tella. They had each other’s backs at all costs, and I loved seeing such a strong familial bond between siblings. There was also a bit of a romance in this story, which I won’t say too much about since I don’t want to give anything away. I’ll just say I totally shipped it. Hard. The characters in this story are some of the best I’ve ever read. The way Stephanie Garber can make me care about even an evil character is incredible.

Everything about this story was amazing. The world of Caraval was so magical and intriguing. I adored how nothing was as it seemed, always keeping me on my toes. Caraval isn’t just a game… it’s a performance filled with deception, trickery, and loads of twists and turns. When you finally think you may have an idea what’s real and what’s fake, another twist knocks your socks off. This story is seriously incredible. The vivid world of Caraval Stephanie Garber creates and the boatload of complex characters, along with her absolutely gorgeous lyrical writing, made this my favorite book of 2016!

Scarlet and her sister Tella live on an island as virtual prisoners of their abusive, cruel father. To save herself and Tella, Scarlet agrees to an arranged marriage to an unknown suitor. Following the wedding, both girls will leave the island and face the unknown. Scarlet fears staying far more than committing her future to a stranger. For years the sisters have repeatedly tried to save one another, often at a cost to their own well-being. When an invitation to the elusive, once-a-year Caraval game arrives, Tella insists they go and Scarlet very reluctantly agrees. The girls get separated as they arrive for the game and Scarlet spends all of her time searching for her missing sister. The game is mysterious and even dangerous. Lies are told and people pretend, so no one really knows what to believe. All Scarlet wants is to find Tella and leave the game. Garber’s magical world of Caraval is complex and mysterious, and inventive and exotic. As romance blossoms, Scarlet and her companion Julian are caught up in the frenzy of the game. The pace is swift and the tensions are palpable as the game progresses. There’s so much to like in this story of duplicity, lies, threats and challenges.