Caraval (Caraval, #1)

by Stephanie Garber

[bookishzelda]

The circus has always been magical to me. When I was a kid we would go to Circus World in Wisconsin and even in the off season when the place was a ghost town. There was something about it. Caraval definitely captures the magic that I think of when I think of a circus but infuses it with also intrigue and suspense. I found myself flying through the pages until the very end.

At the root of the story is the two sister, Scarlet and Donatella. Both suffer the abuse of their horrid father who uses their love for one another as a weapon. Scarlet is the older and more cautious of the pairing. While Tella is more eccentric and risk taking. Although Scarlet sees her upcoming wedding as an escape, Tella sees it as moving from one prison to another.

Once they reach Caraval the story focuses around Scarlet as she searches for Donatella. You really see her character develop as she starts to let loose a little. Not to a crazy extent but she starts to really see even herself in a different way. The Caraval allows her to get a window to her own soul.

I loved the romance. It’s one of my favorite kind. I loved how the characters play off each other. I liked all of their interactions.

Caraval reminded me of Halloween. People use it as an excuse to throw common sense and propriety to the the wind. Everyone's true colors are on display because they believe there are no consequences for their actions. Which also makes it very unpredictable and exciting. You never know what is around the next corner. Good, bad or otherwise. I could see how people would be easily caught up in it...of course you have to remember it’s only a game.

I can’t wait for the next story. I had mixed feelings about the books ending. Not because of the writing and plot. I thought it was fantastic, it was more about the characters. I kind of felt like I was in Scarlett’s body going ohh hmm. So it will be exciting to see where it goes!