Review: Caraval by Stephanie Garber

Category:

Fantasy

Rating:

Introduction:

A legendary competition.
A mesmerizing romance.
An unbreakable bond
between two sisters.

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.

Review:

Reviewed by Jessica Dawson

Stephanie Garber’s Caraval is one of those rare gems that makes you want to twirl in circles, hug the book to your chest, and then immediately demand everyone you know read it so you can gush together. Let me start by saying: Garber doesn’t just write; she weaves. Her words are threads of pure magic, and together they create a story so immersive it feels like stepping into a world made entirely of moonlight and secrets.

The plot follows Scarlett Dragna, a girl desperate for adventure but shackled by her oppressive father. When Scarlett and her sister Tella are invited to Caraval—a legendary, once-a-year performance where the lines between reality and illusion blur—things get wild. Think Alice in Wonderland meets The Hunger Games, with a dash of Tim Burton’s aesthetic flair. From the moment Scarlett sets foot on the island, you know you’re in for a ride where everything feels like it’s dipped in glitter and hiding something dangerous.

Garber’s writing is what truly sets this book apart. It’s not just descriptive; it’s alive. She doesn’t tell you that something is red—she’ll tell you it’s the color of freshly spilled secrets or burning passion. Every sentence is a little piece of poetry, drenched in atmosphere. It’s the kind of writing that makes you pause mid-paragraph just to marvel at how beautiful words can be. And honestly, it’s a little unfair. How dare she make me want to tattoo entire sentences on my soul?

The characters are another standout. Scarlett is no cookie-cutter protagonist. She’s brave but cautious, determined but unsure—a walking contradiction that feels wholly human. And don’t even get me started on Julian, the roguishly charming sailor who seems to have a secret tucked behind every smirk. Their dynamic? Chef’s kiss. And Tella, Scarlett’s impulsive and daring sister, brings a chaotic energy that keeps you on edge.

But the real star of the show is Caraval itself. The setting feels like its own character—mysterious, enchanting, and just the right amount of sinister. The rules of the game are maddeningly unclear, and that’s the genius of it. Like Scarlett, you’re constantly second-guessing what’s real and what’s just an elaborate trick. Is that helpful stranger a friend or a trap? Is that clue leading Scarlett closer to Tella or deeper into danger? You never quite know, and it’s absolutely addictive.

And can we talk about the twists? There were moments where I audibly gasped and yelled, “WHAT?!” (Startling my dog, who is not a fan of plot twists, apparently.) Garber is a master of misdirection. Just when you think you’ve figured it all out, she pulls the rug out from under you—and you love her for it.

In short, Caraval is a feast for the senses, a labyrinth of mysteries, and an ode to the power of storytelling. It’s whimsical and dark, romantic and thrilling. It reminds you why you fell in love with books in the first place. If you’re on the fence about reading it, here’s my advice: Don’t wait. Dive in. But fair warning—you might not want to come back.