YA Buddy Readers' Corner ♥ discussion

Stephanie Garber’s limitless imagination takes flight once more in the colorful, mesmerizing, and immersive sequel to the bestselling breakout debut Caraval

A heart to protect. A debt to repay. A game to win.

After being swept up in the magical world of Caraval, Donatella Dragna has finally escaped her father and saved her sister Scarlett from a disastrous arranged marriage. The girls should be celebrating, but Tella isn’t yet free. She made a desperate bargain with a mysterious criminal, and what Tella owes him no one has ever been able to deliver: Caraval Master Legend’s true name.

The only chance of uncovering Legend’s identity is to win Caraval, so Tella throws herself into the legendary competition once more—and into the path of the murderous heir to the throne, a doomed love story, and a web of secrets…including her sister's. Caraval has always demanded bravery, cunning, and sacrifice. But now the game is asking for more. If Tella can’t fulfill her bargain and deliver Legend’s name, she’ll lose everything she cares about—maybe even her life. But if she wins, Legend and Caraval will be destroyed forever.

Welcome, welcome to Caraval...the games have only just begun.

The date is near!

so excited to finally start legendary!!

jolie wrote: "so excited to finally start legendary!!"

Same!

Ready to get my hands on a copy!

Was so excited to get my copy. Read the prologue some time ago-it sets the tone nicely. I’d always thought this was a duology, but there’s mention of part 3 on Goodreads.

Beautiful cover, just like Caraval.

Prologue - chapter 4: (view spoiler)[ So I wasn't a fan of Tella in the first one and this one seems to focus more on her so hopefully this goes well. I want to know who this mysterious "friend" is that's helping her because I'm sure we all know this isn't going to go over well. Happy to see some of my faves from the first one: Julian and Dante. And please let us learn more about Legend! (hide spoiler)]

Prologue-chapter7. (view spoiler)[ Dante is definitely up to something, but I can’t help think he’ll be useful. Tella is playing a potentially dangerous game, and her need to find her mother is stopping her acting rationally. (hide spoiler)]

Prologue- Chapter 22 (view spoiler)[Scarlett seems a little bit off in this book. I wish she'd play the game with Tella. I'm also wondering if Finale is going to take turns with the sisters' perspectives since the first book was the POV of Scarlett and this one is the POV of Tella. That would be interesting. (hide spoiler)]

Up to ch11. Waiting for the start of the game. Dante is infuriating, but I’m still convinced he’ll play a bigger part in proceedings.

Finished. I think I liked this one more than Caraval. (There weren’t as many mentions about the color purple in it.) It was neat to focus on Tella in this book but sometimes her independence comes off as stupidity and pride. There are seemed to be a fair bit of vampire imagery in this book, which seemed odd at times.

Night one. Not sure about less purple-it features heavily in the shop Tella has just gone to. Dangerous times, but I’m intrigued as to who is playing what role here.

Chapters 5-10: (view spoiler)[ oh Tella, you're not very bright. First making deals with fortune tellers and now going off to a party to meet a stranger all the whole claiming to be a fiancé of an emperor. I still love Garbers imagery though. (hide spoiler)]

Chapters 11-15: (view spoiler)[ had a feeling the guy from the carriage was the "fiancé" but was rather shocked he was also the friend. What has Tella gotten herself into? (hide spoiler)]

Night two-up to ch22. So many questions, my head is hurting! Want Tella to succeed but I’m concerned to know what price she’ll pay.

Up to ch29. (view spoiler)[ So, is Dante Legend? Whatever, he’s looking out for Tella. (hide spoiler)]

Up to ch37. I hope we’re not being given the full story about mother. Tella is seeming to jump to conclusions very quickly.

Finished. Review on home page. Loved it, perhaps more than Caraval but for different reasons. Can’t shake Mimi Albert’s review out of my head...she’s right. This is more than a game.

Just started legendary and I got in a slump. Go figure -_-

Chapters 16-19: (view spoiler)[ well now the game is in full swing. Tella seems to be very flippant about everything and I'm sure that's going to bite her in the ass. She's still not my favorite person and I'm finding it hard to root for her. I'm much more intrigued by all of the other characters. (hide spoiler)]

Chapters 20-27: (view spoiler)[ Hmmm what's up with Scarlet? I mean, I trust her more than I trust Tella but she's definitely up to something. And holy cow, those Fates aren't to be toyed with. Bless Dante (hide spoiler)]

Started today. Chapter 1-8 (view spoiler)[ I wonder if Tella's "friend" is actually Legend playing with her. I also wonder if we've met Legend already or if he's been hiding this whole time. I'm glad Scarlett is happy with Julian. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 9-17 (view spoiler)[ I wondered if the 'heir' was the snotty nobleman that Tella had ridden in the carriage with, but I didn't think he would be a Fate. That's a cool twist. I like Dante better in this book, he obviously cares for Tella. Hopefully he can help her win the game and save everyone. Although, since it's Caraval, I wonder what is true and what's pretend. (hide spoiler)]

Chapters 28-38: (view spoiler)[I'm sooo close. What did Dante give up so Tella could open the vault?? What was Scarlet doing with Jacks? Who is Legend? WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN?? (hide spoiler)]

Finished: (view spoiler)[ ok that turned out to be realllly good. Dante is Legend?! Coming from the first book I would have never thought that but I could definitely see hints during this one. And now he's the empress's son? Game or no game? And the fates are free. So this can't be good. I'm so excited for the next book! (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 18-25 (view spoiler)[ Whoa! So it's definitely not just a game. Fates are real and trying to murder Tella apparently. This book is getting crazy! I still really like Dante and wonder if he's Legend. I kind of hope not. And the mom stole the Fate cards and was a famous thief. So much drama!! (hide spoiler)]

Aly wrote: "Chapter 18-25 [spoilers removed]"

Haha this book is total drama in the best way!

***********************************************************************************************************************************************************

Reading from the 2nd of July 2018

***********************************************************************************************************************************************************

Ch 8. (view spoiler)[Why do I think this fiance Dante just gave her is going to cause her trouble now? (hide spoiler)]

It's timeeee... this better be magical

1-7 (view spoiler)[ she has to play! I am so excited for the game to start!! I love the trades and the whole thing. This is quite the different setting, but I still think it can be amazing. (hide spoiler)]

Jamie wrote: "Ch 8. [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ I actually like Dante.. but I'm interested to see if the fiance is going to show up in the story. You would think he would if this game is for Empress Elantine (hide spoiler)]

wow I never really replied here

Chap 1-7
(view spoiler)[
I thought I'd enter slump and probably hate this book so far I have been interested except for the romance part.Donna is not an invited guest? lolol so much for the trouble! (hide spoiler)]

@Bhavik why? Did you not like the first one?

Amanda wrote: "@Bhavik why? Did you not like the first one?"

Yeah..it wasn't worth the hype for me.
I dont remember what I didnt like about it since I read it more than a year ago and the RTC remained RTC but I still know the uneasy feeling about it.
The Night Circus felt better than this but again it wasnt worth the hype according to me!
So I am betting on this one to be good because I know Authors usually change for the better!

I liked The Night Circus too, but I felt like the first book in this series had so many original ideas but that it could have been done better. We'll see what i think of this one in the end.

End of 16 (view spoiler)[ Wow that was rather gutsy. I would have chosen The Shattered Crown or Mistress Luck. Probably Mistress Luck. I would love to see fan art for the Fates. I hope they are involved in the.novel. (hide spoiler)]

Amanda wrote: "I liked The Night Circus too, but I felt like the first book in this series had so many original ideas but that it could have been done better. We'll see what i think of this one in the end."

Yes exactly!
There was a nice plot and idea but the execution and character development werent satisfying

Chapter 3: (view spoiler)[ I'm not sure how I feel about Tella, I never really got her character in the first book, and even now as I'm reading I just don't find myself excited to read a whole book from her perspective. Only time will tell though! (hide spoiler)]

Night 3 of Caraval: (view spoiler)[ It is so obvious that Scarlett is hiding something big, but I really have no idea what it is? Obviously Tella is clueless as well, but I couldn't even begin to guess what kind of thing it is that she is hiding. I hope it has nothing to do with Julian though, because if she breaks his heart it will break mine too! (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 38: (view spoiler)[ Dante is one of my favourite characters at the moment, I really REALLY want to know what he has done for Tella, because I am sure that it is going to be something huge, and I am scared to find out what it is! (hide spoiler)]

Finished: (view spoiler)[ I neeeeeed book 3 urgently!!! I really want Julian & Scarlett to be developped more, because they were really on the sidelines of this book. And I was a little disappointed about Dante being Legend, because it didn't feel like a huge twist. But on the same token, I didn't think it would really be him, so I guess it was in a way. I can't wait for him to be reconciled with Tella though!!! (hide spoiler)]

End of night 2 (view spoiler)[ Something is up with Scarlett. She is hiding something. Once again I'm guessing who Legend is. This time I think it might be Dante. I don't really like Scarlett so far in this book. I was always more drawn to Tella's character, but Scarlett is all wrapped up in Julian. Why isn't she playing? I thought the two of them were going to play. I think Scarlett is doing something shady. (hide spoiler)]

End of ch 22 (view spoiler)[ oh how could I forget Aiko? Of course she used her first question asking something dumb. Ugh (hide spoiler)]

Amanda wrote: "Jamie wrote: "Ch 8. [spoilers removed]"

[spoilers removed]"

: (view spoiler)[That was my thoughts exactly. Royal game=royal quests. (hide spoiler)]

40% (view spoiler)[SO Dante knows he is the Jack of Hearts. Interesting. I am curious if his feelings for Tella are real. Or is he using her for something.. It is hard to tell being is is part (big or small..) of Caraval so trust is an issue. But I THINK I like his character. (hide spoiler)]

End of What was Supposed to be Night 4 of Caraval. (view spoiler)[ Okay so if the Aracle says whatever it thinks will help it get free, then will her mother really die if she doesn't hand Legend over? Would Legend free her mom rather than Jacks? I think he would, why else gove her the clues that lead to her mom? I think this is all real this time. (hide spoiler)]

Lara wrote: "Night 3 of Caraval: [spoilers removed]"

I thought the same thing (view spoiler)[ She's clearly hiding something big. I think she is working with Legend.. whoever he may be. (hide spoiler)]

Hi, I am joining this :)