Caraval (Caraval, #1) in Addicted to YA

From the Bookshelf of Addicted to YA…

Caraval (Caraval, #1)

Stephanie Garber

Start date: June 1, 2025

Finish date: June 30, 2025

Discussion: BOTM Currently Reading

Why we're reading this: Won the poll for the re-read for June
[close] Won the poll for the re-read for June

Find A Copy At

Libraries

Group Discussions About This Book

Showing 2 of -109 topics — 1,280 comments total

BOTM Currently Reading

This topic has been closed to new comments.

* Current BOTM Reads
By Jeff , ThisGayReads · 1 post · 1791 views

last updated Oct 18, 2023 01:24PM

Re-Read: Caraval
By Bailey · 15 posts · 68 views

last updated Jun 10, 2025 06:23PM

showing 10 of 14 topics view all »

What Members Thought

May 18, 2018 Paperback Princess rated it really liked it

Shelves: re-reading, library, digital, 2018, 2020

I really enjoyed Caraval, but some parts I am quite confused. I'm yet to fully digest this book. ...more

2 likes · Like · see review

Jun 16, 2018 Caitie (caitiegirlreads) rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2018-reads, acquired-in-2018

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. My initial thoughts were 5 star favorite ! Stephanie is masterful with words and descriptives -- I fell in love with her world and her characters. I loved the journey through Caraval, but I鈥檓 struggling with part of the plot, specifically the ending. After further reflection there is a bad taste in my mouth, flavored very recent personal life experiences. My apologies in advance that this post is longer than my usual and very personal.

Caraval begins with 2 sisters Scarlett and Donatella. Scarlet My initial thoughts were 5 star favorite ! Stephanie is masterful with words and descriptives -- I fell in love with her world and her characters. I loved the journey through Caraval, but I鈥檓 struggling with part of the plot, specifically the ending. After further reflection there is a bad taste in my mouth, flavored very recent personal life experiences. My apologies in advance that this post is longer than my usual and very personal.

Caraval begins with 2 sisters Scarlett and Donatella. Scarlett writes to Legend the leader of the famed Caraval performers attempting to get him to bring his perfomers to her island. One year, she and her sister receive "by invite only" to come to Legend's Island and experience Caraval. Both sisters love each other with a fierce love, forged by their need to protect each other from their terrible Father. Through a mad series of events... the sisters and a boy named Julian find themselves on Legend's island and they discover that the game/performance that is Caraval is not what they expected. This years prize... One Wish.

***SPOILERS AHEAD***

I breezed right over it in the romance, excitement, plot twists and shock over the murder of a character I was becoming attached to... the moment that the entire book is working towards, and in the light of morning without Caraval鈥檚 Magic it all seems a bit fuzzy.

Tella鈥檚 Leap.

Was it self sacrificial or the uglier and darker word associated with her actions?

And was it really the only way to save them from their terrible Father?

If One-Year-Ago-Caitie was talking to me about this book, she would have told me to get over it. She would say it was just a story, that Legend's magic twisted Tella even before she began the game. The whole point of the story is that nothing is as it seems and that's what makes this book so unique and so tantalizing and wonderful.

In November, my Dad took his own life. He had lost sight of all hope and was trapped in the darkness of his own mind. And as much as I want to I can鈥檛 just wish my Dad back to life. And while (we know) he believed he was sacrificing himself to save us, as dark and twisted as that belief was. He鈥檚 gone.

My feelings now for the wonder of Caraval are bitter sweet. I wish that the ending hadn't hit so close to home. I will be reading Legendary sometime in the future because I love the voice that Stephanie Garber writes with, and I would love to read the unpublished novels preceeding and proceeding this series.

Have you ever read a book that too closely mirrors real life experiences... either fantasy or contemporary? Did it change how you liked the book for the better or worse?

...more

1 like · Like · see review

Sep 20, 2017 Naomi rated it it was ok

Ugh. No. This was just bad. The premise was interesting. I like riddles and complex plots and plots revolving around sisters. But this was not that at all. The story felt regurgitated. Like the author took the most common twists and plot points of every YA fantasy novel ever and mushed them together. (view spoiler) ...more

1 like · Like · see review

May 04, 2019 Damien rated it it was amazing

Loved it! From the twists and turns, this book had me at the edge of my seat to the very end. Do I recommend this? Hell yes!

Like · see review

Jan 13, 2019 Nicki rated it it was amazing

Caraval is a book of mystery and adventure! It is a daring trip into a "game" that does not appear to be a game at all. What is real? What is simply a clue to win the grand prize? Is it magic or illusion?

Stephanie Garber spun one heck of an enchanting tale! Thank you for the mesmerizing story! I was enthralled! ...more

Like · see review

May 05, 2017 Rachel rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Love this fantasy world the author has created. The writing kind of reminded me of Cinder. But I loved this book and don't know if I'll be able to handle waiting for the next book. ...more

Like · see review