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Caraval (Caraval, #1)

Stephanie Garber

Start date: October 1, 2022

Finish date: October 31, 2022

Discussion: ❃Book of the Month (BOTMs)❃

Why we're reading this: October 2022 Book of the Month
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❃Book of the Month (BOTMs)❃

* January 2023 - One of Us is Lying
By Alexandria , The Third Book Nerd · 1 post · 18 views

last updated Jan 04, 2023 08:32AM

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December 2022 - Red, White & Royal Blue
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last updated Jan 04, 2023 08:32AM

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What Members Thought

Jul 22, 2021 isa ☆ﾐ rated it it was ok

"Dreams that come true can be beatiful, but they can also turn into nightmares when people won't wake up."

So to be honest I feel like this book was kind of a dissapointment? Like I went in with really high expectations because bookstagram has hyped up this book but it didn’t really meet my expectations. Like the book wasn’t bad, it just wasn’t that good. I think I would have enjoyed this book a bit more for like 1-2 years ago tho!

Will probably still finish the series tho :-)

❤️🖤🎪🎭 ...more

49 likes · Like · see review

Aug 27, 2023 Lovisa rated it liked it

Shelves: triologys-3, 1111, own

Good soup

11 likes · Like · see review

Aug 07, 2021 Sophie rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, books-i-stayed-up-till-2-am-for

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Oh. My. Gosh.
I can barely type. I can’t believe I just put myself through all of that, and that ending? Wow. This is probably going to be long, I just set down the book and I feel like ranting.
Characters:
Loved Scarlett. I don’t care what you think, definitely one of my new favorite characters of all time and an amazing main character. Not once did I find her annoying, and I feel that I would have made very similar decisions throughout the game, despite the fact that Scarlett is undoubtedly smart Oh. My. Gosh.
I can barely type. I can’t believe I just put myself through all of that, and that ending? Wow. This is probably going to be long, I just set down the book and I feel like ranting.
Characters:
Loved Scarlett. I don’t care what you think, definitely one of my new favorite characters of all time and an amazing main character. Not once did I find her annoying, and I feel that I would have made very similar decisions throughout the game, despite the fact that Scarlett is undoubtedly smarter than I am. There were so many moments where she had such amazing character development, and it honestly just feels so different then the average ya heroine. She was cautious and had to learn to be less “safe” but it wasn’t stereotypical and it was such great development. She was such a smart girl, and her love for her sister was absolutely amazing.
Tella reminded me so much of my younger sister it was almost scary. She was so impulsive and just the polar opposite of Scarlett in so many ways, which made their love for each other so much more amazing. She was the annoying younger sibling who doesn’t get enough credit for how smart, clever, and brave they actually are. Tella was this person described in a character, and I absolutely loved all the scenes she was in (well most of them anyway)
Julian..I don’t even know where to begin. I love him so much, and I think I found myself a new boom boyfriend, but I completely understand how he seems like an entirely different person once the game ends. Also, a little bit before I hit halfway through, I was completely convinced he was Legend. Then she had that dream while she was dead and I was like, “OH MY GOSH I WAS RIGHT, MY STUPID THEORY WAS RIGHT” and yeah, my stupid theory wasn’t right, but can we just talk a second to appreciate that the author included all the little things in there? Like the guy in the top hat walking by the carousel that ended up being Scarlett’s fiancé, or the tattoos on Dante’s arms, and just the amazing little details that gave the book a literal mind of its own? Also, loved how Julian had to keep coming back for Scarlett even though he was supposed to leave her. How freaking cute is that?!?!?
Aiko- I’m not going to lie I envision her as being short, and after the scene where Scarlett first meets her I rally wanted a chocolate covered waffle with rose petals on top. Sounds so good. After reading this book, I’ll definitely grow attached to roses- I don’t know why, it’s just going to be one of those little objects that just reminds you of books, you know??
Dante- I don’t know, he was so weird but also so great. I am not going to lie, I definitely shipped him and Scarlett hard when the first met. Like, over her and Julian. I really didn’t like Julian in the beginning, because I felt like Tella was going to find out and end up getting mad at Scarlett because she was dating Julian in the beginning, but turns out that wasn’t even true, so…yeah. But I like Dante well enough, and I will say I was very shocked emergent he died. Not to the point where I cried or anything though.
Plot:
Um, I think this should be the example book for every other book as far as plot goes. There physically could not be more layers to this book. My mind can’t comprehend the ones there already are, much less if there were more. No one is who you think they are, there for what you think they are, or want what you think they do. Certain people *cough cough* JULIAN *cough cough* revealed a secret identity, and then revealed another secret identity because he lied the first time, and then repeats the process. It was quite emotionally tolling and an extremely wild ride, especially since I read the majority of it in less than 24 hours. I was kind of in a reading slump when I started reading this, but that has definitely changed, as this book has entirely freed me from it. I don’t know if I’m ready for the next book, to do this all again; but we’ll see.
Random, but I feel like the thing at the beginning (and in the cover) was meant for the readers. “Welcome, welcome to Caraval, beware of getting too far swept away.” Because it was so emotionally tolling, I was crying, I was laughing, J was talking to my imaginary camera man, I was screaming, I was wanting to throw the book across the room. Because like that whole thing at the end after the carousel with Legend and Julian? Nope. I’m done. Not anymore. But my point is, I got so far swept away, everything was real. All of Julian’s lines were real, and they really did just say that because that’s exactly the point. In the end, it was all just a game. All just actors. My brain still can’t seem to wrap around that. But this book has been on my tbr for months, and it definitely did not disappoint me.
Writing style: for some reason I can’t stop thinking in the Caraval writing style, that’s how much I loved it. Favorite writing styles ever. So addicting, so proper, so dark, but also so funny at the right times. Stephanie Garber truly is a very gifted author. I am so thankful that this book was not spoiled for me, I don’t think it would have been nearly as enjoyable without the plot twists and the shock from everything. It was perfectly paced, I loved the spacing (night four of Caraval, etc.) and honestly I just have no critiques, I loved it so much.
As I mentioned, I was in a huge reading slump when I started this, and I found a 24 hour reading challenge that I watched that made me kind of in the mood to read, and I made a goal for myself to finish it in a day. I met the goal, I’m and I’m so glad I did. Truly just an amazing read.
Thank you God for helping me find this title, and for your everlasting love on everyone on the Earth, and all the new things I have learned about you.
Age rating: 12+ (violence, disturbing scenes, and complicated ideas and plot)
I think it should be a law that anyone above the age of 12 has to read this.

...more

9 likes · Like · see review

Jul 15, 2021 kari rated it liked it · review of another edition

I changed my rating because of Julian, that's it ...more

7 likes · Like · see review

Jul 27, 2021 Jocelyn rated it it was amazing

This book is so unique.
The characters are beautifully created throughout the story and all the places have unique and creative names.
I love this book because it’s so detailed you can imagine everything in your mind, and because there are so many surprises and things you don’t realize until the end.
I will probably reread this just because I’m so shocked at how this was so good. Definitely read this.

3 likes · Like · see review

Jun 09, 2021 Sash rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favs

I loved it! This book was so interesting! It had mystery, romance and games! The big twist at the end was like 🤯 and the Legend, the mysterious game maker was the best of all! I’m just waiting for my own ticket to the Caraval! I can’t wait to read the next book, Legendary! Remember, it’s only a game...

2 likes · Like · see review