Carnival Fantástico

by Angela Montoya, Unknown Author

An unputdownable romantasy following a young woman posing as fortune-teller at a magical traveling carnival, where the handsome boy who once broke her heart resurfaces and warns her that the carnival is more sinister than it appears.

Welcome to the Carnival Fantástico, a spectacle of magic and mischief, and the perfect haven for a runaway. Using her tricks and razor-sharp wit, Esmeralda becomes the carnival’s resident fortune-teller, aiming for the lead role in the Big Top Show. Success would mean freedom from her former employer, the commander of the King’s army.

Ignacio has defected from the army and is on the hunt for evidence of his father’s corruption. But the last thing he expects to find on his father’s trail of lies is the only girl he’s ever loved, spinning false fortunes at a traveling carnival.

Perhaps fortune has thrown them together for a reason. They strike a she’ll help him expose his father if he helps her secure the main act. But old feelings don’t die easily, and the commander’s secret isn’t the only thing they’ll need to confront.

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Romance, Romantasy, Audiobook, Magic, Fiction

Paperback

First published February 3, 2026

Reviews

[jenny reads a lot · Rating 5 out of 5]

A swoony YA romantasy with a sinister carnival, a 1920s backdrop, and plenty of mystery and intrigue.

I love Angela Montoya’s books and this was definitely a good time. It’s easy to read and binge-able perfect for younger readers and adults who enjoy YA books.

Whats to love…
- atmospheric
- sinister carnival setting
- second chance romance
- complex characters
- mystery & intrigue

What might not work for some…
- This is a YA book, the age rating is 12 and up, and it’s slightly mature for that age range but its still a book written for a middle school audience - If you’re an adult hoping for a YA book that reads like your favorite adult romantasy, you’re going to be disappointed.

4.5⭐️| TikTok | IG |

Thank you Joy Revolution for the gifted book. All opinions are my own.

[Azanta (azantareads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

OKAY TEA THIS WAS SO EXCELLENT. THIS is what i thought Caraval was gonna give. charming main characters omg

[_booktique2_ D Amora · Rating 4 out of 5]

GOSH do I love me a book with Carnival vibes😩 I eat stuff like this up EVERY. SINGLE. DAMN. TIME. ✨

Think Caraval and the Night Circus. Whimsical, mysterious, and messes with your head in the best way possible. With of course…romance😛.

Esmeralda and Ignacio took my breath way. Both in a good and bad way. Good because they were just so baby I wanted to protect the both of them with all my heart. And bad in the fact that I was literally fighting them in my head for not kissing and making up already LOL.

Overall this was a wonderful story. Plot twist certainly twisted. And the universe was just magnificent. As always, Angela Montoya does an amazing job crafting such a beautiful world. I feel like there’s more in store for this universe and I can’t wait🫣

GO ADD THIS TO UR TBR OR UR DANIAPHOBIC🙅🏻‍♀️

Tropes to expect🎟️:
-carnival setting
-second chance
-friends to lovers
-forced to work together
-YA

[Lina · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 / 5 Stars
This was a super fun read. It was whimsical, magical, sinister, and captivating. Esmeralda has been posing as a fortune teller with the traveling, magical carnival and has her sights set on becoming the new top act. That’ll get her what she has always wanted: money, freedom, and to feel chosen and loved. But when Ignacio, the former love of her life, shows up searching for signs of his father’s corruption, Esmeralda and Ignacio are forced to confront their complicated past. All while weird and alarming things keep occurring at the carnival.

You will probably like this book if you like:
🎪 YA/NA Romantasy set in a magical traveling carnival
🎟️ Second chance romance
🎪 Forced proximity
🎟️ Found family
🎪 Love letters
🎟️ Competition for the top act
🎪 Mysteries and intrigue
🎟️ Closed door romance

I loved the writing. It was playful and fantastical and perfectly illustrated all of the magic of the carnival and world. I could genuinely imagine all of the wonders which is a big feat because I usually don’t see an image in my head as I read. You could also sense the uneasiness that started to creep in as things got more dangerous and mysteries started to unravel.

It also pulled off a second chance romance without a dual timeline really well. There were flashbacks from Esmeralda and Ignacio’s POVs to things that happened in the past, which were woven in nicely and helped paint a vivid picture of their love without spending too much time in the past. And their past love letters painted a really sweet picture of young love (you know I love a letter in a book).

I think the author also did a great job of portraying what it looks like to have insecurities and negative thoughts and then actively work on changing your thought patterns. It could have been super frustrating to see them both continue to assume the worst about themselves and have that be the reason they didn’t pursue each other, but each one of them worked to banish those thoughts when they crept in during later parts of the book. I think for a YA/NA (they are 19 in the present, so I am not sure if that is YA or NA. Let’s just say both), that is super important to teach.

Ignacio and Esmeralda were opposites attract in a really sweet way. They were childhood friends and loved each other when no one else did so I was really rooting for these two. My only frustration about their being one or two too many beats of them starting to talk and get to the root of their miscommunication only to be interrupted. And the ending was one or two beats too long too.

ೀ ⋆ Follow me on Instagram @book.recs.by.lina for book recommendations and general fun times ⋆ ೀ ⋆
_______________
Pre-Read Thoughts: When you've read too many contemporary romances and need to fix it up with something totally different. I am so deeply intrigued by a sinister, magical traveling carnival.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carnival Fantástico by Angela Montoya

Book Blurb: dual-POV YA romantasy pitched as Hotel Magnifique meets These Violent Delights, in which Esmeralda Montero, a thief pretending to be a fortune-teller, competes for the starring role at a magical traveling circus in the hopes of gaining the wealth and respect she's always longed for. But when the irritatingly handsome boy who once broke her heart resurfaces and warns her that carnival is more sinister than it appears, Esmeralda must decide whether fame and fortune are worth their deadly price.

Rating: ****
Feels: Joy, Amusement, Curiosity, Puzzlement
Style: Fantasy, Young Adult, Romance, Romantasy, Young Adult Fantasy
First published February 3, 2026 : 464 pages

Charm, wonder and a little bit of magic was sprinkled throughout this enchanting read. Esmeralda tug at my heart strings with her desire to be chosen, adored and wanting to be the main attraction at the Carnival Fantástico. I loved the little glimpses we got into her childhood and her blooming romance with Ignacio as they both grew up. He felt like all the green flags and I most definitely wanted him to get his happily ever after. Having the two thrown back together under the big top with all the mysterious going ons kept me entertained and glued to my book. Fanciful, Lucious and puzzling fun !!! I adored this read !!!

Favorite Quote: "He is not my anything." Not anymore. Once Ignacio Olivera had been her everything.

This book has:
Second Chance Romance
Love Letters
Grumpy x Sunshine
Friends to Lovers
Forced Proximity
Magical Carnival

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

OOOOH WOW!!!!

Isn't it a great feeling when one of your most anticipated releases is not only not a disappointment but also is completely fantastic and you loved every second???

I absolutely loved this!

The two POV characters, Esmeralda and Ignacio are both drawn to the mysterious carnival for different reasons and work to figure out its many secrets.

I am a sucker for any book with a carnival-type setting (despite not liking carnivals at all myself) and I loved the vibrancy and the mysterious atmosphere of the Carnival Fantástico. It was definitely giving me vibes of Caraval which is high praise as Caraval is one of my all time favorite books. There's a sense of wonder, fun enchantments, and a slight undercurrent of mystery. I loved seeing Ignacio and Esmeralda put the pieces together and learn about the carnival.

The romance was interesting in that the romance does not happen on page but happened prior to the events of the book and ended badly. There's a slight ex-to-more romance but it definitely doesn't take over the story. I liked the connection between the two of them and they had a lot of fun banter as well.

The book was very well written as well. The writing was atmospheric and compelling and made the story come to life, especially the evocative way the carnival was described.

I also loved that this was a stand-alone fantasy (though I am 100% DOWN for spending more time in this world!).

I absolutely loved this book. I've had this author's first book on my TBR for ages and I'm definitely going to read it soon.

[°❀⋆.monica ೃ࿔*:･ · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘carnival fantástico’ was exactly as it advertised - fantastic!! I had such a fun time with this book and I loved all the messages within it!

I read this author’s previous work ‘a cruel thirst’ last year and even in just a single book, the author’s writing has improved tremendously. the issues that I had with her previous work were not a problem in this story and I truly believe she has improved so much!!

I really liked our two main characters, esmeralda and ignacio, both together and individually. I felt like they both had very distinct personalities and that we got to know them as characters through the story. they were flawed and selfish, but also considerate and protective. these characterizations made them feel like real people and like someone I want to root for!

the second chance romance in this was super cute and I loved reading their past intersections and just how adorable they were as teenagers. it made my heart melt!

lastly, I really loved the plot itself. as a huge fan of the caraval series, it was so much fun to read a story with a similar setting but was still different enough to stand on its own. the pacing was perfect, the climax didn’t feel dragged out or cut short, and I felt content with the ending when I finished this standalone.

thank you to NetGalley, Joy Revolution, and the author for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Dahlia (ofpagesandprint)]

Carnival Fantástico is a darkly enchanting and whimsically romantic YA romantasy with captivating characters, a propulsive plot, and a beautiful romance.

I had the honor of beta-reading this book, and it instantly swept me into a world of dark magic, spellbinding love, and a wonderful ostrich. The characters were terrific with wonderful development, and the romance is one of my favorites—emotional and heartwarming, with lots of tension, banter, and slow burn. The circus was stunningly described and filled with whimsy, magic, and secrets. The pacing was great, and the story finished with a tender, twisty ending. Fans of The Night Circus, Revelle, and Hotel Magnifique will adore this funny, swoony, lovely story. Carnival Fantástico was truly fantastic.

[Ayushi (bookwormbullet) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much to Joy Revolution Books and Underlined for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I always have so much fun with Angela Montoya's books, and Carnival Fantástico was no exception. I love how enchanting (and sinister) the circus vibes here felt. Ignacio and Esmerelda's love story was so freaking cute. I am a sucker for second chance romances, and I thought their romance was really well integrated into the overall plot. I love the letters that were included in the book between the two of them when they were children--those were adorable. The humor and slapstick comedy was also very fun, and very Angela. I found myself laughing or chuckling several times throughout this book at the dialogue in particular. I think this might be my favorite book of hers yet! I'd rate this book 4.5 stars rounded up.

Follow me on TikTok | Instagram | Twitter for more book reviews & recommendations!

[✨⚡ Kelcey (felinebooktrovert) ✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Random House for this arc in exchange for an honest review!

2.75 stars

This was just...okay.

A really interesting storyline but nothing wowed me here. The characters were okay, if a bit annoying at times. The magic was pretty cool, though it could be confusing.

And it was just too young for me. The characters are 18, almost 19, so I was initially hoping this story would have a little more maturity to it, but that wasn't the case here. Just no real depth, no emotional maturity, the language was really young, etc.

I think Angela Montoya just isn't for me, but I do think younger audiences will really enjoy this.

[Basma · Rating 3 out of 5]

this had SO much potential and unfortunately was just not executed super well. I had a similar experience with one of this author’s other books and I fear her writing just might not be for me. The stories always feel a tad underwhelming in story arcs and like some fine tuning to be a 4 or 5 star read

in the positives, I LOVED the Carnival and the magic of this book. My instinct was to compare it to Caraval and as far as carnivals goes, this one is so much better. I also really loved the plot and the twists we got!!

However, my biggest issue with this book is that the main tension between our characters for like 70% of the story is the SIMPLEST miscommunication. I can let a miscommunication trope slide but this was their only source of conflict and it was almost corrected like six times and then they just stopped talking?? It just felt like a cop out to add some sort of angst between our romantic leads and I needed so much more. I also feel like because of this, the characters don’t get fleshed out as much and we really missed out on an excellent romance. The potential was there!! If they learned to talk!!

[Rmplift, Rachel Phillips · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF



Free copy from NG

[Astrid Pizarro (Book Lover's Book Reviews) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5

I loved circus vibes and the mystery behind Carnival Fantastico
Esmeralda has very little time left in the Carnival Fantastico, she enters the Running to be the Lead act which means she won’t be kicked out of the Carnival when her year is over. Her plan seems simple into Ignacio, the lover of her life, arrives to the Carnival with a mission in mind. Ignacio noticed his father had received letters from the Carnival, he made his way there to see who was threatening him while being suspicious of Esmeralda knowing she was there. Esmeralda and Ignacio cross paths while on their individual missions when they realize there is something more to the Carnival.

I loved how Carnival Fantastico connected to Ignacio’s life, the second half of the book was action packed while they both investigate the Carnival.I also really loved the banter between Esemralda and Ignacio as they both think they were abandoned by the other only to realize they were both set up. Even though I guessed one part of the twist in the story, it was still shocking how everything unfolded, revealed and connected in such a full circle way. I wish I could get more from this story perhaps a prequel into Ignacio’s family history.

[M · Rating 4 out of 5]

“For anyone who has ever been told you are too much or not enough, listen to me well: You are fantastical in every damn way.“

* dual POV
* letter writing
* forbidden love
* second chances
* found family
* whimsical and unruly magic

Esmeralda is such a feisty, hilarious fmc and I love that Ignacio never tries to dim her. Angela Montoya always writes green flag male leads and it’s honestly so refreshing to root for a man for a change.
I also adored the family Esmeralda finds with the other carnival performers. Gabriel and especially Camila- she might be my favorite side character of all time!
I’m picky about the books I buy - knowing/hoping my 3 daughters will eventually look to my shelves for a swoony romance and I absolutely want them to fall for men like the ones Angela writes!

thank you to Joy Revolution & Random House Children's books for this eARC!

[Arianne Laporte · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 star

this book was everything i wanted Caraval to be

a book full of magic and whimsy!

my favourite thing about fantasy is that you get to experience places and worlds that are so different and full of enchantment, the perfect escape for someone like me that is always daydreaming and this book gave me all of that.

if you enjoyed Caraval, i'm certain you would love this book because this carnival was packed with wonders!

[Ebbalovesbooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5 ⭐. It had great potential and honestly I don’t know why I didn’t absolutely loved it! It has all the elements for me to love this book.

I had a hard time getting into it and it most likely was because of that.

It’s kind of like Carnival but with another story and world. It has good plot twists and is an enjoyable read! Recommend reading this.

[Holly (IG Hollys_Book_Musings) · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a DNF for me at 49%!
Overall, I was enjoying the story, but one F word and too many sexual/sensual thoughts, and the mentions of LGBTQ characters might mean more in later books. And there was just too much swearing in general. I also didn't like the fact that when they were younger (teens) they mention how the 2 main characters had had sex in the past. Not okay for teens to be doing that even if not on page. The author made it seem like it was beautiful and acceptable to be done as teens.

I would not let my teens read this one nor recommend it to my nieces/nephews.

Content guide:
Language: Frequent mild language: 8x d*mn, 4x h*ll, 1x *ss, occasional strong language: 2x sh*t, 2x b*stard, 1x f*ck
Sexual content: a couple girls are assumed to be in love with each other, FMC has memory of “skin against skin”, two male characters are mentioned as being a couple briefly but separated until one is finished with the circus, brief kissing, mild sexual thoughts about love interest
Substance use: drinking mentioned (illegal for everyone except elite soldiers), some characters drink something that is probably alcoholic,
Prejudices: none
Religious content: Polytheism
Other: main character is a “fortune teller”, magic, speakeasies (MMC and some side characters visit), gambling (mentioned)

[Jenna Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was excited for this as a long standing fan of the Night Circus. While the imagery, mystery, and lore were enjoyable, the second chance romance was extremely overbearing and interfered with the flow of progression of a somewhat predictable main story. If you love sappy obnoxious childish romance, you may enjoy this more than I did.

[jenn (journeybetweenpages) · Rating 3 out of 5]

the dark atmospheric carnival setting reminded me of the night circus but more fun and engaging. the audiobook narration was super well done so i definitely recommend reading in that format. i would have given this a solid 4 however the repetitive dialogues and miscommunication sadly did not work for me.

[Rachel R · Rating 4 out of 5]

(3.5 rounded up)

This second-chance romance was such a fun read, featuring a strong female main character, playful banter between the MCs, adorable letter exchanges, and some delightfully chaotic carnival moments.

That said, I did wish the miscommunication that caused the MCs to drift apart hadn’t been dragged out for so long. It was referenced quite a bit, and as a reader who already knew the truth, it became a little frustrating watching the characters stay in the dark for half the book.

While I enjoyed the romance, the overall story felt slightly underdeveloped. The main plot doesn’t fully come together until the second half of the book, and when it does, the explanations feel somewhat rushed.

Thank you to Netgalley and the GetUnderlined team for the ARC!

[AshleyReadsThings · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was NOT on my August hopefuls but Angela Montoya is a priority read author for me and bet I was not waiting when I got the ARC approval email. This story is dual POV following Esmeralda and Ignacio. Esmeralda ran away nearly a year ago from her former employer but her contract at the carnival is nearly at an end and so is her safety. Her hope is to get selected to be the lead act which means the yearly contract won’t apply to her and she can stay as long as she wants.

Ignacio, her former lover and past employers’ son, finds himself in Carnival Fantastico to find evidence against his father. Together the two work to help each other out, but what they uncover is beyond what they could have ever imagined. If you enjoyed books like Revelle or Caraval and you like your magic with a bit of underlying darkness and you want to scream JUST KISS ALREADY Carnival Fantastico comes out on February 3rd and you should add it to your TBR.
In the meantime, if you want to get better acquainted with Angela and dive into her other stories, she does have a few out!

Sinner’s Isle is perfect for those that loved the movie Sinbad growing up.

A Cruel Thirst is a great choice for fans of Legend of Zorro!

[Laurensliterarylair · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much Angela Montoya, Netgalley, and Joy Revolution for the chance to read this book. Oh my gosh this book is everything. From the magic to the carnival each piece of the book makes this story as fabulous as it is. I adore Ignacio and Esmeralda with their rich history and watching their love continue to grow is so special.

Angela knows how to write characters that you adore and instantly fall in love with. it’s so obvious how obsessed with her Ignacio is from the first few chapters and you only fall in love with him more and more. Esmeralda is strong, confident, and a little chaotic. Ignacio is a lover and a sweetheart. Honestly the whole time reading this I thought to myself “this is how you write a second chance romance.”

Ultimately the plot, the characters, and all the adorable details from the tiny giraffe to the ostrich had me captivated from the first page. I was in awe of the world building and the pacing of this book. Job well done 🥹🩷.

[clairetweetie · Rating 4 out of 5]

*thanks to Netgalley and Random House Children’s Books for sharing with me this arc, and thanks to the author Angela Montoya for this story! this is my completely honest review*

4.25⭐️

Carnival Fantastico is such a exciting and lovely read for me 🎪✨ i went into it wanting something engaging and immersive, and it really delivered 🫶

the overall pacing felt just right for my taste, moving at a medium to slightly fast pace that kept me interested without ever feeling rushed.
and i really appreciated that this is a solid standalone. a lot happens throughout the story, and i never felt bored, and everything still wrapped up in a satisfying way at the end 📖💫

the romance is a major part of the story, and honestly, it completely worked for me ❤️ the second-chance romance between fmc esmeralda and mmc ignacio is handled so beautifully 💕
the foundation of their relationship felt emotional and genuine, and the childhood love / penpal element added such a touching layer 🥹🥹❤️
i usually don’t gravitate towards second-chance romance that much (just personal preference 🥹), and rarely do I cry over romance in a book, but this one actually got to me!!! 🥹🥰🥰i teared up more than once, which really surprised me 💌

i also liked the dual pov!! being able to sit in both esmeralda’s and ignacio’s thoughts made it so much easier to connect with them and understand their emotions 💭🤍 i really liked both of them as characters (they are both extremelly likable characters 🫶) and found myself rooting for them the entire time 💛

the mystery element of the story also worked really well for me 🔍✨ i liked how carefully the truth was revealed. the pacing of the mystery felt very intentional, keeping me curious without overshadowing the emotional core of the story.

overall, carnival fantastico was such a solid and satisfying read 🫶
i honestly wasn’t expecting it to be this exciting, emotional, romantic, and well-paced, so i was really surprised in the best way!! 💕💕
i would really recommend this if you like a romantic, circus/carnival themed YA fantasy romance🎪📚✨

[Stephannie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, this was a solid 3.5⭐ for me:

The setting was probably my favorite part. The whole time I was reading, I kept picturing this mash-up of a traveling circus and Mardi Gras. Everything was colorful, theatrical, a little chaotic, and very focused on spectacle. The descriptions of the outfits and the atmosphere really leaned into that, and that’s where the book felt the strongest to me. You can tell it wants you to see everything. The magic used in the story was unique as well. Just touches of it here or there without it being overly far-fetched. It’s subtle and I really liked the flavor it added to overall story.

That said, the story does contain the miscommunication trope, which isn’t really one of my favorites. To me, this trope can feel tired and overused in too many stories, often just to build mistrust or tension between the MCs instead of giving them real chemistry. That isn’t the case here, thankfully. Here it’s used more as a quasi–plot device that moves characters into place, which was way more interesting to me. It gave me background master-puppeteer vibes - the pulling of strings to set the stage. I also liked that they do try to hash things out but keep getting interrupted, which was amusing as well.

This is perfectly marketed as YA. Both MCs feel young in their singular-minded focus, their reactions to events around them, and their goals.

The plot itself was interesting, but it took a little while to get there. Once it found its footing, I was invested enough to see it through, even if it didn’t fully wow me. While I did have an idea of what was going to happen, it took a while for those predictions to form, which I count as a huge success for the author.

This book had great visuals, a solid storyline, and I had an overall enjoyable time.

[Kim (readerbydusk) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I requested this ARC purely because it gave me strong Caraval energy, and as someone who adores that series, I went in hoping for magic, mystery, and a little theatrical chaos. What I didn’t expect was for Carnival Fantástico to deliver the exact experience I always wanted from Caraval… and then go even further. Honestly, it felt more Caraval than Caraval itself, and that’s saying something.

The atmosphere is easily the book’s biggest strength. A magical traveling carnival is already a dream setting, but the author brings it to life with such vivid detail that I could practically hear the music drifting through the tents. Every performer has their own personality and power, from the mysterious carnival master to the artists whose talents feel both enchanting and dangerous.

The characters are fun, distinct, and full of energy, and I loved how their personalities bounced off one another. The relationships (especially the complicated, love‑hate dynamic between the two leads) add tension without overshadowing the magic. If anything, I just wished we’d seen more of the carnival actually traveling, because the world is so rich that I wanted to follow it from city to city.

↪ 4 stars

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Children's Books for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

[Samantha Matherne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Magically sinister. Carnival Fantastico is great for fans of Caraval or Water for Elephants, but the vibes and lore are much more sinister than either of those. Esmeralda works hard to find her place in the carnival to dazzle the audience and feel loved, while Ignacio starts off lost as to how to bring his militarily powerful father to justice. Both Esmeralda and Ignacio have cause to believe the other walked away from their relationship, yet the carnival has a mysterious way of bringing them together again in a sort of alliance. Much at the carnival is not as it seems and events feel suspiciously off from the beginning. Emotions are high with action and intrigue nonstop from chapter one. I could hardly put it down. A bit of historical fiction based with a 1920s backdrop, love story at the center, and meaningful deception throughout, the truth behind the magic is shocking and heartbreaking with deathly answers. Love it and will surely read more from Montoya.

Thank you to Random House Children's, Joy Revolution, Netgalley, and my local indie bookstore Cavalier House Books for early access to the book.

[raechill_reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

*4.5 (not an average of the below)
Setting: 4.5
Characters: 4.5
Plot: 3
Personal Enjoyment: 4.5
Binge-ability (aka how addicting): 4

Setting:
I honestly love a magical carnival book and this one did not disappoint. It had magic and mystery which kept me wanting to read

Characters:
Angela's characters are probably one of my favourite thing about her books, I feel like she really writes them in a real & authentic way (her mmc's are some of my favs) and the banter is so fun to read. Esmeralda is so confident and sure of herself and Ignacio is definitely a simp (and we love it). The only thing i wish we had a little bit more of was some more moments of dialogue/banter between our two main characters

Plot:
An enjoyable plot probably just a bit more predictable if you read a lot/it is obviously catered to young adults so this could just be as expected

Personal Enjoyment:
This book is definitely a good time

Binge-ability (aka how addicting):
I felt like the book was really engaging and it kept me wanting to keep picking it up.

If you liked Divine Rivals or Caraval you could definitely enjoy this book

Tropes:
*second chance romance
*childhood friends
*magical circus
*dual pov

*thank you to Penguin Teen Canada for the ARC

[Aubrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Carnival Fantastico was amazing.

I absolutely adore Angela's writing.

Emeralda and Ignacio both have their flaws, and they both can be a bit annoying at times, but I think you have to really try to understand why they acr the way they do. Both of them have been hurt tremendously, and they're both running away. In order to get away, you can't always keep people close.

Miscommunication is an ick for me, and this seemed like an easy fix if they'd just both admit the truth. But like I said, you have to try to understand them to understand the miscommunication.

I loved Esmeralda's friends. They added a bit of humor and love to the story.

I don't feel like the story lagged anywhere, and I was engaged throughout. I honestly would like to take a deep dive into the lore that was woven into Esmeralda and Ignacio's story.

Carnival Fantastico is incredibly unique, which I believe makes it all the more enjoyable. The magic, the world, the characters. It's all created by her imagination, and is beautifully written.

One of my favorite parts of the story was the golden egg. It reminded me of the frying pan from This Cruel Thirst.

[Rikka Kang · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was fantastico. Angela knows how to write a story that keeps the reader engaged and on the end of their seat. Carnival Fantastico fits the same vibes as her previous writes but with a great twist with this new setting. Esmerelda and Ignacio are characters that are easy to fall in love with and get invested into their story, you can't help but want to see them find their way back to each other.

This story has so many complex strands weaved together like the tent of the circus, one frayed end can make the story change immensely. This one though, it keeps adding in different layers and taking your brain into so many different theories on where it will go, not even La Paloma Blanca could have predicted that ending.

Overall, this book did not disappoint, and I loved being able to dive in and experience another wonderful book by Angela.

[Gemma Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the premise of this, as I'm always a fan of romantic pairings with a more rougish female lead and a more uptight male lead. So for her to be a scam artist that had run away with the circus, that was right up my alley.

However, this didn't quite hit the mark for me. There were several mysteries or problems hinted at, as far as the circus being possibly evil, or at least not what it seemed, the reason behind the war that was being fought, the reason for their initial breakup, etc, and I guessed what was happening with all of them pretty early on. I thought the miscommunication that led to their break up was drawn out too long, it was pretty obvious early on what had gone on there, so I thought their relationship development suffered for it. I never fully got the connection between them. That being said, I did like the setting of the magical evil carnival. I felt like for a standalone novel it was maybe trying to do too much, with a class war, a war war, an evil god, etc. I think it would have been more successful if it was only about the evil carnival.

The ending's explanation for everything just felt like too much of a reach. An entire war was being fought between two countries to power the magic of the carnival? It seems like after years and years all the other people in the army or government would have figured out that the war was totally pointless? This is why I thought the whole war plot was unnecessary, it would have worked just as well to have an evil ringmaster in cahoots with the god solely for his own eternal youth and fame.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.