Legendary (Caraval, #2)

by Stephanie Garber

“Tella.” Dante rasped her name as if he were on the verge of crying too. “I know you don’t want to believe me, but I never meant for this to happen to you. When I set up the game, I knew your mother had hidden the cards, but I didn’t know she was trapped inside one of them.”

But the more tears he wiped away, the more began to fall. “I’m so sorry, I failed you.”

My INFANT SIZED HEART

“I lied to my sister about our kiss,” Tella said. Dante pressed his lips to her forehead. “I know.” “I’m not finished,” she scolded. “I wanted you to know why I lied. I wasn’t ashamed. I said it so my sister wouldn’t worry, because I think I knew even then that I could have—”

they saw what seemed to be truly unselfish acts. First, from the young woman. Foolish young woman. She’d seemed promising. Now she was useless. Paper. But it was interesting to watch how her young man responded.

I love how Garber writes from the perspective of an all seeing eye sometimes, she does it in Ouabh too and I love it

The stars leaned closer. He was distracted, allowing them to move more freely than they had the past several nights. It was a delight to see him in pain. This boy, who never seemed to care about anyone but himself, shook with rage.

The stars watched with grim interest as he covered the deck of cards with the magic from his veins, more magic than a human should possess. Then he spoke the words, ancient, terrible words he should not have known, let alone been willing to utter.

still don’t understand,” Tella said. The hands against her back stilled. “I know you were willing to sacrifice yourself for her, but I wasn’t willing to sacrifice you.”

“What’s wrong?” Tella asked. “I need to leave.” His gaze shuttered, his lips moved into a severe line, and then he let her go, completely. He set her weak body down, abandoning her atop the cold moonstone steps. “Good-bye, Tella.”

I’m still pressed that he did this

“Fine. But I’m taking you with me.” In one agile move Jacks scooped her up, lean arms far stronger than they looked. “What are you doing?” Tella screeched. “I’m taking you to your sister. Don’t waste your feeble energy fighting.”

its so wild how he acts like he doesn’t care but his actions ALWAYS speak louder, its one of the reasons I’m so obsessed with his character. Its such a diff way to write a character.

“Are you crying?” Jacks asked. “Don’t you dare criticize me for it.”

“If you’re crying about Legend, don’t. He doesn’t deserve it. But if this is about the cards”—Jacks looked down on her, and for a lightning-brief moment all the indolence and carelessness left his expression—“I did the same thing. You wouldn’t be human if you didn’t cry.”

“I’m not. But there was a time when I was. Thankfully it didn’t last too long,” he added, but Tella thought she heard a hint of regret.

!!!!!!!

She craned her neck to look up at him. He met her gaze and she swore his softened with something akin to concern, his silver-blue eyes tipped down, teardrops about to fall.

I could write a dissertation on Jacks’ character and tbh I would enjoy every second of it

“Why are you being so nice?” she asked. “If you think I’m nice, you really need to spend time with better people.”

plEASE

“No one likes me, Donatella, but people go along with whatever I say. Sometimes my only form of entertainment is seeing how far I can take things before someone flinches.”

STOP IT

“You really have no feelings at all, do you?” “I feel.” “But not like humans?” “No. It takes far more for me to feel something, and when I do it’s infinitely stronger.”

“Don’t faint on me,” Jacks said. “I’d rather not face the wrath of your sister.”

I’m wondering how their interaction went in the carriage now hahahha

“And, speaking of my sister, you still never told me what she was doing with you the other night in the carriage.” “Kissing me passionately.” Tella choked on a breath.

Jacks joking around is my fave

You told your sister that I found your mother, so she wanted me to help her find someone, too.” This was much better but still disconcerting. “Who was she looking for?” “Not the boy she’s sitting with right now.” Jacks

:0

He was costumed as Chaos, dressed in heavy armor and a pair of spiked gauntlets that made him look as if he were ready to jump into battle.

You know what would’ve been even better? If Scarlett was dressed up as Lala, that shit would have me going wild in this reread EDIT: SHE IS DRESSED AS THE UNWED BRIDE I’M ACTUALLY DEAD

Jacks merely sighed. “Does no one in this family say thank you?”

I LOVE HIM

“Not every time.” Jacks flashed his teeth as his eyes quickly cut from Julian back to Scarlett. Tella didn’t know what Jacks was silently saying, but whatever it was it made Scarlett’s mouth snap shut.

“Of course I want to see her. I don’t want you touching her.” “I’ll put some gloves on,” Jacks said.

Hahahahahhaha Jacks is hilarious honestly

“She doesn’t look as if she’s aged at all since she left,” Scarlett said. “It’s not natural.” “I’m fairly certain nothing about being imprisoned in a card is natural,” Tella said.