emruth13
Written on May 3, 2019
A heart to protect. A debt to repay. A game to win.
The stunning, internationally bestselling sequel to Caraval
'Extravagantly imaginative and enchanting . . . Pure magic and escapism' Cecelia Ahern
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.
The games have only just begun.
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What readers have said about Legendary:
'I daresay this one is even more magical than the last'
'Do you know what is an absolute magical delicious delight?! THIS BOOK'
'there is nothing quite like the amazement and sensational wonder of these books'
'Stephanie Garber is a master storyteller. Just like in the first book, Legendary's magic immediately ensnares the reader'
- ISBN10 1473629187
- ISBN13 9781473629189
- Publish Date 29 May 2018
- Publish Status Out of Print
- Out of Print 4 March 2021
- Publish Country GB
- Imprint Hodder & Stoughton
- Format Hardcover
- Pages 432
- Language English
Reviews
Emma (SCR)
Written on Mar 25, 2019
I thought that Tella was impulsive in the first book but in this book, we see that for her this is so much more than just a game. Tella has been through so much more than we thought in Caraval and in Legendary she goes through a hell of a lot more! Tella is strong, brave and determined.
Dante and Tella had such great chemistry and I loved their banter. I definitely fell for Dante in this book. We also meet Jacks in this book. Jacks is arrogant, There'sno other way to describe him. I was suspicious of Jacks from the minute we met him. There is just something about him that makes him untrustworthy.
As in Caraval this book is full of beautiful locations, magic and grandeur. Stephanie does an excellent job of creating a world that you can completely escape into. I also have a hardback copy of this book and the map on the inside is just beautiful.
Finally, I want to talk about the ending. Well it surprised me that is for sure! I am so damn excited for Finale!
Sam@WLABB
Written on Mar 21, 2019
I was utterly captivated by this story. This was a bit darker than Caraval and the stakes were a lot higher, and I just found myself falling deeper and deeper into this world with each chapter. I love that Garber expanded the magic in this book and gave us more background on the history of Legend. There is a HUGE reveal concerning Legend at the end of the book too, which definitely increased my interest in the next book ten-fold.
I am such a fan of this series and this world, and there were quite a few developments in this book, which have me chomping at the bit for Finale.
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Kat @ Novels & Waffles
Written on Jan 18, 2019
The story itself was very disjointed from Caraval and was more like a spinoff series than a direct sequel. A whole mythology was introduced that never once was mentioned in Caraval, thus making the story feel like it was taking place in a completely different world. And that’s probably why I liked this installment so much more.
Kelly
Written on Jun 28, 2018
Siblings Scarlett and Donatella are wonderful characters of contrast. Scarlett is an observationalist, Donatella is spontaneous, appearing nonchalant and indulgent. Comparatively, Donatella is an alluring character, her resolute and altruistic personality challenged misogyny and embraced her sexuality. Donatella is seduced by the centuries old mythological enchantment of the Meridian Empire and those who fabricated the human destiny and to conquer Caraval. As the participants disembark, peculiarly, Donatella is refused admittance and masquerades as the fiancé of heir to the Meridian Kingdom, the murderous Jacks. Suggested by the conceited Dante.
Although sexually attracted to Dante, Donatella understands the seduction of Caraval and Dante's character as a womanising charlatan. I found her constant need to evoke an emotional response in Dante exhausting, considering Donatella is a confident and assured young woman. Jacks is an interesting character, the nephew of Empress Elantine and heir to the Meridian kingdom. Notorious for his cruelty and violence, Jacks and Donatella establish an compromise. Their relationship is convoluted and exasperating, especially for Dante, unsuspecting that affection from the heir of Meridian kingdom is manipulation.
Caraval was believed to have been an illusion, participants indulging themselves within the festivities for the atmospheric experience. In this unprecedented event, Caraval will journey to Idyllwild Castle, an esteemed invitation by Empress Elantine on the eve of the Fated Ball. Once revered guardians now banished, the Fates are a foreboding folklore. As a child, Donetella reminisces the forbidden cards her mother kept, the Deck of Destiny, cards representing each Fate and the potential to foretell the future. A wonderful element of intrigue throughout the narrative. To conquer Caraval, Donatella will encounter ominous conundrum. Caraval and Legend eradicated from the Meridian kingdom to establish freedom for her mother. An insurmountable quandary.
Caraval is a breathtaking and atmospheric adventure of illusion and deception, Legendary is an exceptional sequel inciting intrigue, adventure and sensuality. Stephanie Garber is extraordinary, creating a lyrically exquisite narrative of wonderment and revelations. Dark, sinister and delicious. Absolutely superb.
writehollydavis
Written on Jun 22, 2018
nightingalereads
Written on Mar 4, 2018
cornerfolds
Written on Jan 18, 2018
Caraval was one of my absolute favorite reads of 2017 and I was pretty sure nothing could top it! Still, I had to get my hands on a copy of Legendary and I dug in as soon as I had it. I wasn't sure it would live up to the same magic as Caraval, but as I got deeper into the story, it appeared lightening actually had struck twice. What I'm trying to say is Legendary is somehow even better than its predecessor!
While Scarlett was the MC of Caraval, Legendary is Tella's story. I didn't have a problem with Scarlett while reading the first book, but Tella ended up being an even more fantastic main character! She was extremely relatable, always a bit terrified of everything happening around her, but staying strong to do what needed to be done. Everything that went on in this book was mysterious and Tella was never quite sure of herself. Though she definitely had some reckless moments, they were at least understandable and I enjoyed every minute I got to spend with her.
Of course, Tella isn't the only character in this story. Some other familiar faces are back from Caraval and while some have smaller roles, others become much more important. Dante quickly became one of my favorites, as did Jacks, one of the new characters introduced. There were a few minutes where I thought the dreaded love triangle might make an appearance, but luckily that wasn't the case. Still, I found myself feeling all kinds of feelings for both these mysterious (there's that word again) men! And the romance was absolutely swoon-worthy. Scarlett and Julian also showed up from time to time, but this story really wasn't about them and I found that I didn't much care what they were going through (but not in a mean way??). I just really wanted to spend all my time with Tella, Dante, and Jacks and thankfully, that's mostly what I got.
One of the things I wasn't quite sure of going into this sequel was where the story could possibly go. I knew there was more to learn about Legend and Caraval, but I had no idea what would happen next and whether it could possibly be as magical as the story of Scarlett making it through Caraval. Well, my fear was completely unfounded because Stephanie Garber's imagination knows no bounds. I was on the edge of my seat as Tella went into the game for herself this time around and with even higher stakes than when Scarlett played! There was so much to unpack in this story! I loved that we got a deeper look into the mythology of Legend and his game and where the magic comes from.
Which finally brings me to the world. Caraval already proved that Stephanie Garber can craft an incredible fantasy world and Legend put me right back into it. Though the game moved to a new location, I felt like I could picture each and every part of it. In fact, I find myself thinking about these amazing settings and picturing it clearly in my mind like I've been there amidst the palace and temples. This author truly has a gift.
I didn't think I could love a book more than I loved Caraval, but Legendary has surpassed it! It has everything - drama, magic, romance, mystery... Someone asked me to describe in a word what Caraval was and the only word I could use was "magic." Caraval, and Legendary by extension, is dark magic from the world to the characters to the story it tells. I absolutely recommend this book to any lover of fantasy and (obviously) anyone who loved Caraval!