Caraval by Stephanie Garber

One of my most anticipated reads since I discovered the world of BookTube was Caraval by Stephanie Garber. It was one of the books in my inaugural book order from Waterstone's and included in my first book haul video on my YouTube channel. I was beyond anxious to read it and I was determined to get the hardback version. It's beautiful without the jacket.

It did not disappoint. From the first page to the very last, I did not want to put this book down. I was reading from the moment I got home from work to the moment I put out the light at night. I delayed putting the light out because the suspense just shot through the roof when I was supposed to be asleep (usually around midnight). I practically devoured this book in the space of three days. It was that captivating. 

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. [Goodreads]

Within this book, I found myself loving it because the characters that Garber created reminded me of some from a TV show that I have such a love for that it made the book all the more more captivating and the characters all the more endearing. I mention them in my video if you want to find out who they are.  

★ ★ ★ ★ ★