♥!The Young Adult Book Club!♥ discussion

Caraval by Stephanie Garber



Remember, it’s only a game…

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.

Welcome, welcome to Caraval…beware of getting swept too far away.

Question. I really want to read this book but I can't read any book with magic in it and I was wondering if someone could just clarify for me, that it doesn't go into actual Magic so I can read this book without reservation?
Thank you

It's not like a book ABOUT magic so much. Magic happens, kind of, but not like abracadabra style? Does that make sense? It's more of a thriller/mystery to me than a book about magic. It was great, you should give it a try!

I'd say the book is magical, but not about magic. I agree that it is like a mystery/thriller. There's new twists around every turn and it's hard to guess what's coming. Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It kept me interested trying to guess where it was going!

To me this book was nothing but romance. It wasn't even a good romance either. I haven't read The Night Circus yet but I know people aren't happy about them being compared, since the book isn't all that "magical" I guess. I couldn't stand Scarlett or Tella so I have no plans to read the next book.

Michaela wrote: "Question. I really want to read this book but I can't read any book with magic in it and I was wondering if someone could just clarify for me, that it doesn't go into actual Magic so I can read thi..."

I'm reading it right now and have encountered several instances of magic. Since you're avoiding all magic I would pass on this book.

Loved the book. Different from my normal reads but I was captivated all the way through

I definitely thought this book was very engaging, I enjoyed most of it but I did not care for the last two chapters/epilogue (view spoiler)[I did not like Tella at all, and she was not redeemed with that quick fix at the end. I felt like the ending was so anticlimactic, everyone was just magically saved, there were no real consequences to the game. And we never got to meet Legend. (hide spoiler)]

Here's my review if you want to check it out :)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I really liked this one, I thought the romance was cute. I did NOT like the Night Circus though. I thought that was SO boring. At least Caraval had some action and excitement along the way.

I really liked this book. For a YA novel it truly worked in all aspects for me.

It looks so interesting. I want to read it now!!!!

Michaela wrote: "Question. I really want to read this book but I can't read any book with magic in it and I was wondering if someone could just clarify for me, that it doesn't go into actual Magic so I can read thi..."

There is magic, but it is never explained or gone into detail. I'd say it's magic-lite.

I just started reading this book and I am flying through it! I can't wait to finish it this weekend

I loved this book (with the exception of the ending). I have not read through a book this quickly in some time. I found myself sucked into this world right away and was a HUGE fan of Stephanie Garber's writing. I thought the concept of Caraval was incredibly interesting. Having not read the Night Circus, I'm not sure how similar the two are, but I've head many many readers compare the two.

Personally, I liked the characters of Scarlett and Julian. I liked how Scarlett's primary motivations were to find her sister and I liked the relationship that blossomed between the two leads.

I HATED Tella, I thought she was far too selfish throughout the entirety of the book (especially the ending).

I'm hoping the sequel will fix the issues I had with the ending. I plan on checking out the next book(s?) in the series.

I have a spoiler-y review up on my blog (http://coffeecocktailsandbooks.wordpr...) if you want to learn more about the things I liked and disliked and if you want to discuss more!

My review for Caraval can be read on my blog: She's Going Book Crazy

I just finished it. I liked it but I don't know if left something to be desired. I was a bit surprised by the ending. I also hated Tella the whole time even after the ending. I liked Scarlett and Julian okay although I'm still a bit confused by the ending. So do they plan to leave the show or stay? Will Julian take off with her? I kept thinking the whole time Julian was Legend and even when he said he was his brother I was still thinking maybe he was Legend. I'm wondering if Tella will somehow end up with Legend in the next book?

I just finished this book.

I found this book to be quite captivating. I couldn't put it down, something I haven't been able to find in a book for awhile. I did find Scarlett to be quite annoying and I'm probably in the minority here but I did like Tella.

I also thought Julian was Legend for awhile there.

I can't wait for the next book, as it seems that it'll be a Tella pov and maybe a romance with Legend. I for one would love to learn more about this two.