From the Bookshelf of YAholics Anonymous!…

Caraval (Caraval, #1)

Stephanie Garber

Start date: January 6, 2018

Finish date: January 31, 2018

Discussion: Group Read

Why we're reading this: BoTM, YA Sci Fy Fiction
[close] BoTM, YA Sci Fy Fiction

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Group Read

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What Members Thought

Feb 11, 2017 Brooke ♥booklife4life♥ rated it really liked it

Find this review, plus more, on my blog: Booklikes OR Blogger

Basic Info

Format: E-book
Pages/Length: 265pgs
Genre: Young Adult; Fantasy
Reason For Reading: Cover.

At A Glance

Love Triangle/Insta Love/Obsession?: Insta a bit.
Cliff Hanger: No
Triggers: n/a
Rating: 4.5 stars

Score Sheet
All out of ten

Cover: 8
Plot: 7
Characters: 6
World Building: 6
Flow: 8
Series Congruity: n/a
Writing: 7
Ending: 8

Total: 7

In Depth

Best Part: Twist and turns everywhere!
Worst Part: The MC's attitude.
Thoughts Had: I need book ...more

9 likes · Like · see review

Jun 26, 2020 Rebecca Hawkins rated it it was amazing

OMG OMG OMG OMG! Everyone has been talking about this on book and I finally understand all the hype. It was a beautiful magical mystery about strong women taking risks for a better life. The game of Caraval was so interesting. I loved how magical everything was from mysterious potions, fortune telling, people playing different parts, and the imagery. I also loved how the magic had an air of mystery as well, you were suspicious of everything because you didn’t know what was an illusion and what w ...more

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Dec 31, 2021 Terri rated it liked it

Shelves: i-own-it

Actual Rating: 3.5? I’m conflicted on whether or not to say 3 or 3.5, but I guess it doesn’t really matter since Goodreads doesn’t even have half stars. Also TW’s are at the end of this review.

What I liked:

1. The Descriptions and Imagery. Based on those things alone this book could’ve been 5 stars. I could picture everything so clearly. It was so easy to picture what Caraval looked liked, what the characters and outfits looked liked etc.

2. Scarlett and Tella’s bond. The bond the sisters had w Actual Rating: 3.5? I’m conflicted on whether or not to say 3 or 3.5, but I guess it doesn’t really matter since Goodreads doesn’t even have half stars. Also TW’s are at the end of this review.

What I liked:

1. The Descriptions and Imagery. Based on those things alone this book could’ve been 5 stars. I could picture everything so clearly. It was so easy to picture what Caraval looked liked, what the characters and outfits looked liked etc.

2. Scarlett and Tella’s bond. The bond the sisters had was beautiful. The things that they were willing to do for each other astounding to say the least.

3. The Ending. I liked the book throughout but I wasn’t really gripped until the end. When I got to the end and read the last several pages I immediately wanted the next book. I just wish I could’ve felt like that the entire book.

4. The Romance: I’ll admit by the end I did ship Scarlett and Julian and I was rooting for them. I still am as a matter for fact. Some of their scene made my heart all fluttery. I’m just nervous to see if they’ll actually end up together. More on that later.

What I Didn’t Like:

1. The Pacing. When the book started it picked up quickly and I thought it would stay that way for the majority of the book, but that didn’t happen. I felt like I was on a roller coaster with how quick the pace picked up and then slowed down. Near the end was the only time things picked up and stayed that way. During all the lulls, I was just meh about book and sometimes I didn’t even want to pick it back up.

2. The Romance. Like I said, I liked Scarlett and Julian together...by the end. There was just so many lies told throughout their time together I’m wondering if they’ll make it. Granted I realize Julian couldn’t say anything, but I’m wary of them lasting. Especially if they end up staying with Caraval.

3. One scene: Yes, I am about to complain about one scene, but I’ll try to be as vague as possible. So the scene between Scarlett and her fiancé over sleeping arrangements was awful in my opinion. Scarlett clearly was NOT on board and it felt like her fiancé would’ve forced her if she’d not gotten herself out of the situation. Actually, now that I think about it that might not have even been her fiancé. If it was one of the performers that makes it even worse. That scene was just a huge No for me.

Basically, what this review boils down to is that the book was just okay for me, but I’m interested enough to read the next one.

TW’s for abuse and suicide ...more

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May 10, 2017 Abby rated it liked it

Hmm this book has left me feeling kind of ... nothing in particular. Which is never a very good sign! I did read this book in one sitting (I was sick) so it is a pretty easy, fast paced read.
My main gripe is that none of it really fit together. The story jumped from one plot point to another with very little connection and the descriptions of the world left me scrambling to form a picture in my mind (I never managed it). The whole point of the game is for Scarlet to find five clues. As the stor ...more

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Dec 07, 2023 Trixie rated it liked it

3.5 for me. I liked it and enjoyed it.

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May 23, 2018 T.L. Searle rated it liked it

This book was slow to really get going but I persevered at it was worth it. Though Scarlett is so frightfully naive I wanted to throttle her, i believe she was intended that way and it is testament to the writing skill of the author.

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