CARAVAL - Stephanie Garber

4 stars

So I DNF'd this book years ago, but I guess I'm a different reader now, or maybe I just missed the magic the first time—because now it's a new favorite. Sometimes, second chances are worth it...

Concept: ★★★★★
Plot/Pacing: ★★★★
Main character: ★★
Enjoyment: ★★★★

Scarlett and her sister, Donatella, live on an isle under the controlling rule of their abusive father. Scarlett believes in happy endings. Donatella...doesn't so much.

So when their grandmother tells them tale after tale of the mysterious Legend, the man behind the magic of the realm's mystical Caraval game, Scarlett's the one who writes to Legend year after year. If Legend would only invite them to participate in Caraval, then Scarlett and Donatella could win the game and be granted the grand prize... one wish. No restrictions.

For two girls with a very bleak future, winning Legend's elusive wish is one of their last shots at happiness.

So when Scarlett's letter finally arrives with invitations, Scarlett and Donatella can't believe it.

It's all about to begin, now. And remember, it's only a game.... (Right?)

Filled with lush descriptions, fantastical and transportive scenes, and enough twists and turns to actually surprise this jaded YA reader more than once, Caraval was more than worth the read!

My thoughts:
Alright, so like I said from the beginning, this was a second-chance read for me. In 2018ish, I tried to pick this up and actually DNF'd it a few times within the first few chapters. I just couldn't get into it, the main character bothered me (I have a personal taste issue with really naively-written older teen characters), and I just. didn't. vibe.

But then, this author came out with a spin-off series in this universe in 2021 called Once Upon a Broken Heart. And I totally loved it. It made me curious enough to give Caraval another shot—again—and see if anything good lay beyond the opening part of the book.

Spoiler: a LOT of good things exist beyond the weak opener. So if you're like me, maybe give this one another shot.