It's only just a game... Caraval by Stephanie Garber
“Every person has the power to change their fate if they are brave enough to fight for what they desire more than anything.”
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.
Caraval by Stephanie Garber
 |
| Amazon | Book Depository | Barnes & Noble | Books.A.Millon | Goodreads |
★★★★★, a game that every reader won't be able to get enough of.
This one has completely changed the way I view whimsy, and how suspense is written. I have never seen a book written like this, and I have completely fallen in love the Garber's characters and world. Ah, I just can't get enough! The ideas that inspired the characters, locations, and unique front are shocking to be coming from a debut author. Garber you are mind-blowing!
Being a sister myself, I know how close a bond I have with them; and it was refreshing to see Garber capture this element beautifully throughout the book. Scarlett and Tella are one of my favorite sister-duos to date, they are very different form one another; which makes their bond more realistic, because most sisters are. I am more of a Tella, but my older sister is defiantly a Scarlett. I just love that while reading this I thought of her a lot, and I might just have to have her read this series too. Julian is... Julian. I love how devious and mysterious he is, but also cunning. He had to be my favorite character from this on, hands-down. I really loved how Garber wrote him too. There were many times throughout the book you could see his thought process, but at the same time question his motives; it was ingenious. But finally, WHO IS LEGEND?!?! I hope that later in the series we get the chance to meet who he is, because there are so many complex elements to Caraval; he must be a character who is the most devious of all.
Garber's writing style blew me away. This is just her debut and I can't get enough of her! The way she writes sounds like she has been writing for ages. I loved that way she created this world, introduced characters, and made readers guess at every turn. She held my attention from the first words to the last pages. Her style makes her one of the most prominent voices I've ever read from. I love how she took betrayal and manipulation and made it into something beautiful and whimsical. I have never had an author do that before, and I have been swept too far away with no intentions of ever coming back.
Caraval is one of my top read of this year, and one this I will be recommending for many to come. Garber has easily become an author that I will be coming back to again and again. Through her renowned writing style, and whimsical world and characters; Garber has created a show-stopper that many years will be tripping over themselves for the next installment. I can't wait to see what journey she will take us on, and what puzzles she'll have us decode next.
The games have only just begun... Legendary by Stephanie Garber
“Every good story needs a villain. But the best villains are the ones you secretly like."
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.
Legendary by Stephanie Garber
 |
| Amazon | Book Depository | Barnes & Noble | Books.A.Millon | Goodreads |
★★★★★, just when I thought Garber has done it all, remember the games have only just begun.
If I thought Caraval was amazing, Legendary his flipped me upside down. I love it. Just when I think think I've discovered Garber's plot, she pulls the rug out from underneath me. I couldn't help getting swept away again, in this dangerous world of whimsy, it's hard not to. I loved Garber's unique flip of perspectives, her unique character choice, and finally finding out who Legend is. With all these combined, I have fallen even more into this story, and I don't have any intention of coming out soon.
This one is told from Tella's perspective and I couldn't get enough! I loved her unique perspective and how it was her turn to play the games. At first, I was a little apprehensive to read from her perspective, but after this one, I love her so much as a character. She reminds me of myself; fearless and driven, it was really refreshing. Even with the perspective change, Garber kept her original style and voice. This is one of the most difficult things for an author to master, but Garber did it resiliently. I have never seen such a smooth transition from one perspective to another, and I really enjoyed seeing her challenge readers with Tella's perspective. With this one being the squeal to Caraval, I feel like Garber has shown readers her full writing potential; she has shown readers how prominent and versatile her voice is through her character and world development.
I'm not going to lie, I was a little shocked at how many new characters Garber add to the plot. I absolutely loved the Jack of Hearts; Jacks, well loved to hate. I love me some good villains, and he is one of my favorites. I loved his devious smile and mysterious motives, he had me at the first scene he was in. He's spicy cinnamon roll, with extra spice. I was really shocked at how close he grew with the original character line-up. But I am still at little apprehensive about his motivates, I am curious to see where he will end up in the nest installment. Now...it i time... WE FINALLY KNOW WHO LEGEND IS!!! All I'm gonna say is yes...yes, Yes, yEs, YES! I am so happy with who they end-up being, and it's so perfect. They my ultimate cinnamon roll, but I'm so frustrated with them. Oh, I cannot. I am hysterically laughing with Tella right now. I am so nervous to see where Garber is going to take us. I just don't what going to happen, I just want everyone to be happy, but I have a feeling we're going to have to sacrifice so much to get there. Garber, you kill me.
All in all, Legendary has set the stage. I haven't read a series this good in a long time and can't wait to see where Garber takes this next. With the impeccable writing style, original character choice, and vivid world; Legendary has readers on the edge of their seats. Through her unique writing style, Garber has guessing at what she has in-store next. I am anticipating the day I get Finale in my hands. So, until then Garber, I will be waiting...
No comments:
Post a Comment