YA book review: Caraval by Stephanie Garber

Caraval by Stephanie Garber

Caraval is a famous, elaborate carnival where the audience participates in a devious game over several days. Scarlett and her sister Tella grew up on stories of Caraval and its magician mastermind, Legend.

Now in her late teens, Scarlett agrees to marry a count she’s never met in hopes of getting herself and Tella away from their abusive, evil father.

Weeks before the wedding, an invitation to Caraval arrives -- and Scarlett and Tella escape with a mysterious sailor. But almost as soon as they arrive at Caraval, Tella disappears.

Scarlett knows that everything that happens in Caraval is only a game, yet as she plays she begins to unravel secrets from her past -- and realizes something more sinister could be afoot in the game. She begins to believe that if she doesn't find Tella herself, and soon, that Tells won't survive.

This is a world where nothing is certain -- clocks become doors and you never can be certain in whom to place your trust. The real main character of this book is Caraval itself, a wicked and imaginitive place that you’ll both love and fear. The novel has both the wonder of magic seen through a child's eyes, and the horror of seeing a fatal crash developing without being able to stop it.

Caraval is likely the first of a series, so buckle up for a wild ride in this fantasy realm.