Welcome, welcome to Caraval--Stephanie Garber's sweeping tale of two sisters who escape their ruthless father when they enter the dangerous intrigue of a legendary game. Scarlett has never left the tiny island where she and her beloved 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 far-away, 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. But she nevertheless becomes …
Welcome, welcome to Caraval--Stephanie Garber's sweeping tale of two sisters who escape their ruthless father when they enter the dangerous intrigue of a legendary game. Scarlett has never left the tiny island where she and her beloved 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 far-away, 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. But she nevertheless becomes enmeshed in a game of love, heartbreak, and magic with the other players in the game. And whether Caraval is real or not, she must find Tella before the five nights of the game are over, a dangerous domino effect of consequences is set off, and her sister disappears forever.
It felt very whimsical and magical, I felt as if I was reading Alice in Wonderland at times. Stephanie Garber certainly has a way with words, but that's all that stood out as special in this book. Overall it was enjoyable, if not a little average
It felt very whimsical and magical, I felt as if I was reading Alice in Wonderland at times. Stephanie Garber certainly has a way with words, but that's all that stood out as special in this book. Overall it was enjoyable, if not a little average
Review of 'Caraval: The mesmerising Sunday Times bestseller' on 'Goodreads'
No rating
Shades of Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern but not quite such velvet prose. A fun story, starts a bit YA for my liking but gradually gains pace. The book ends well and there is the promise of a further book but personally I think I will leave it here as it felt right. Sometimes books go on and on and much like film sequels, just get worse and worse!
In short : Not too taxing. Enjoyable adventure story set on a mysterious island where nothing is as it seems.
