Caraval (Caraval #1) by Stephanie Garber - Restarting June 15th 2025

[Krystal]

Fernanda wrote: "Update for Chapter 25:
It's clear that Scarlett doesn't like the color purple. (Aw it's one of my favorites.) She associates it with her father, and he's the worst thing in her life. I love the col..."

I love purple too! It’s such a shame she associates it with terrible memories.

[Krystal]

Finished. (view spoiler)[ I had a feeling their mother was still alive and would be introduced soon. Caraval certainly is a wicked game! Julien being Legend’s brother is... okay? It’s not all that exciting, but it didn’t bring the book down or anything. I’m just glad he’s okay and hope he can earn all of Scarlett’s trust back. (hide spoiler)]

[Dahlia]

I'm also done! (view spoiler)[ I agree that it's a little weird to toss Julian back in as the brother. I'm really glad he didn't die, or Tella. Caraval was so interesting to read! All of the betrayals and lies, and the twists of the game! The descriptions were my favorite part. I cried so much. Books make me a sensitive person. I should've, but I didn't see their mother coming. (hide spoiler)]I'm so ready for the second book! I have it, so if you want to I'm ready when you are!

[Krystal]

I have it as well!!! I’m ready when you are, we just need to ask for the thread reset.

[Krystal]

Fernanda wrote: "I'm also done! [spoilers removed]I'm so ready for the second book! I have it, so if you want to I'm ready when you are!"

I totally understand what you’re saying. There has been many that I have shed tears over. (view spoiler)[ I can’t wait to see where the mother has been and why she left, the details. (hide spoiler)]

[Dahlia]

Sorry I was a bit busy, do you want to request it or should I?

[Krystal]

Fernanda wrote: "Sorry I was a bit busy, do you want to request it or should I?"

No worries, I can request it right now.

[Anna 'Bookbuyer']

************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★

Date changed. Restarting February 10th 2020. Happy Reading ☺

★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************

[Sarah A]

The isle of Trisda: (view spoiler)[ I feel so bad for Scarlett and Tella, there father is so mean. I wonder what really happened to there mother? I also don't think Julian is who he says he is. (hide spoiler)]

[Sarah A]

Part 2: The night of Caraval Eve: (view spoiler)[ So Julian has played before but why is he trying to play again? I wish Scarlett would stop worrying about Tella because Tella isn't worrying about her. I wonder what Legend wants with Scarlett? (hide spoiler)]

[Sarah A]

Part 3: Night one of Caraval: (view spoiler)[ Julian is driving me crazy, he is not who he says he is and I need to know! Scarlett is not my favorite person, she kinda just needs to get out of her own way before it kicks her in the butt. What the heck happened to Julian at the end of this part? (hide spoiler)]

[Sarah A]

Part 4: Night two of Caraval: (view spoiler)[ I knew something was up with Julian but I didn't think he was Legend. (hide spoiler)]

[Sarah A]

Finished:
(view spoiler)[ Wow. The twist close to the end I didn't see coming. I really thought Julian and Tella were really died but nope. There they are in all the breathing glory. I am glad Scarlett gave Julian a chance at the end to make want he had done right. (hide spoiler)]

[Janine]

I didn't realize that we were starting this up again...oops. I got slammed with five books over the last week and I'll have to read them all before I can get to this. Sorry! I'll probably ask for this later in the month or in March after I get these books out the way.

[Sarah A]

@Janine No worries. I have 4 buddy reads that I have going on right now with 2 that I havent even started yet!

[Sarah Elizabeth]

************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★

Date changed. Restarting May 12th 2020. Happy Reading ☺

★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************

[Mara]

The Isle of Trisda
(view spoiler)[ While I have not much of an opinion on the story so far, I think it's overall a lot of fun. I like the contrast between the two sisters and the addition of Julian. At first, I was horrified that Tilla blamed Scarlett for bringing Julian in, only to realise that the father was a big dick and punished Tilla for Scarlett's misbehaviour. I get so tired of all the terrible parents. Give me loving parents who genuinely care about their children.

Also, a crazy and wild theory that is likely false, but what if Julian is actually Scarlett's fiance? The Count whose identity is mostly unknown. Or the count doesn't even exist and it was all a ploy? (hide spoiler)]

[HeatherH]

Ch 1-11
Listening to the audio so not sure where the Isle of Trisda part ends.

(view spoiler)[ I am loving this so far. It gives me Night Circus vibes <3
I cannot believe how awful their father is! I have some thoughts about other things in the story but the two big ones are:
Is Julian actually Legend? and
They mentioned someone died a few years back at the caraval - could it have been their mother?

Aside from those, I'm really just enjoying the amazing atmosphere here and looking forward to more of the story! (hide spoiler)]

[HeatherH]

Mara wrote: "The Isle of Trisda
(view spoiler)[ While I have not much of an opinion on the story so far, I think it's overall a lot of fun. I like the contrast between the two sisters and the addition of Julian. At first, I w..." (hide spoiler)]

I checked my daughters copy, looks like I was a few chapters past this section so back to reply!

(view spoiler)[ Oooh, I do like the theory of him being the Count too. I do think something is up with him. (hide spoiler)]

[Mara]

HeatherH wrote: "Mara wrote: "The Isle of Trisda
[spoilers removed]

I checked my daughters copy, looks like I was a few chapters past this section so back to reply!

[spoilers removed]"

Next time I will make sure I will just put the chapter numbers in there! Btw, is the audiobook good? I've the physical book of Caraval, but not of the rest of the series and I generally prefer audio over physical books, but sometimes audiobooks ruin the story for me.

(view spoiler)[Well, we at least know there is something off about Julian, just not quite what (hide spoiler)]

[HeatherH]

I'm really liking the narrator for the audio! I didn't get any listening time in today but super anxious to get back to it.

[HeatherH]

We own all three in physical but my daughter is also reading this currently so I checked out the audio so she could use the book!

[Blue Butterfly]

How far along are you guys in the book? If you guys aren't too far in I think I might join in. I'm in the middle of a few other books so I won't be able to join in until tomorrow or the day after that.

[Mara]

HeatherH wrote: "Ch 1-11
Listening to the audio so not sure where the Isle of Trisda part ends.

I am loving this so far. It gives me Night Circus vibes <3
I cannot believe how awful their father is! I have some t..."

(view spoiler)[ I finally can read this without fearing spoilers. I've never read Night Circus, but if it has the same vibes as Caraval, I probably will pick it up eventually.

I like the theory that Julian might be Legend actually. It would make sense why he is familiar with the game and the world. And for the dead woman to be their mother, that would be kinda awesome. It seems that all the women in the family are somehow tied to the Caraval. (hide spoiler)]

[Mara]

HeatherH wrote: "I'm really liking the narrator for the audio! I didn't get any listening time in today but super anxious to get back to it."

Sweet! I likely will pick up the audiobook for future books then. It's awesome you can read books together with your daughter, I can imagine that it's fun chatting about it. (I've read quite a bit ahead but you've plenty of time to catch up)

[Mara]

Chapter 10 - 17 (I read a little more than planned)

(view spoiler)[ I love being swept up in the fantastical world. I'm really curious about this Dante person, and what secrets Julian is hiding. Because he definitely is hiding something. He mentioned that he was in a previous Caraval, and that Legend keeps his prisoners in luxury. So maybe Julian was either the previous 'price' like Tella currently is, or maybe it was someone close to him (like a sibling?). Also, what is happening down there in the tunnels?

The romance is a little insta-lovey but that is to be expected seeing the short time-frame the characters have to get to know each other. My main hope right now is that Scarlett gets more of an active role and doesn't just runs after Julian. (hide spoiler)]

[HeatherH]

Shreya wrote: "How far along are you guys in the book? If you guys aren't too far in I think I might join in. I'm in the middle of a few other books so I won't be able to join in until tomorrow or the day after t..."

I'm only 11 chapters in, will be working on it at least through the weekend as I am balancing a few buddy reads at the moment. Even if I finish before you, I'm happy to keep checking back to discuss though so definitely jump in if you can!

[HeatherH]

Mara wrote: "HeatherH wrote: "I'm really liking the narrator for the audio! I didn't get any listening time in today but super anxious to get back to it."

Sweet! I likely will pick up the audiobook for future ..."

It is a lot of fun to have similar tastes and be able to read and discuss books together! I'm hoping to knock out some more of this later today!

[Blue Butterfly]

Chapter 10
(view spoiler)[I find it a little confusing that she thinks she can leave after one day. Why would they let us leave in the middle of the game. (hide spoiler)]

[Blue Butterfly]

HeatherH wrote: "Shreya wrote: "How far along are you guys in the book? If you guys aren't too far in I think I might join in. I'm in the middle of a few other books so I won't be able to join in until tomorrow or ..."

Thanks! :)

[Mara]

Shreya wrote: "Chapter 10
[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ I think she thought she could just watch, be a spectator (and leave after a day) until she realised that her sister likely joined the game. So she had to join to make sure she could actually find her sister, which she couldn't do as a spectator. (hide spoiler)]

[Blue Butterfly]

Finished
(view spoiler)[I really want to know what she now owes Legend. Something tells me its not going to good. (hide spoiler)]

[Blue Butterfly]

Mara wrote: "The Isle of Trisda
While I have not much of an opinion on the story so far, I think it's overall a lot of fun. I like the contrast between the two sisters and the addition of Julian. At first, I w..."

(view spoiler)[I was also super freaked out when they tried to blame each other too. Especially when Tilla blamed Scarlett and Julian agreed with her. It was really sweet that the sisters were trying to save each other the punishment by claiming the other did it. Most people when fighting claim the other person did it so that they don't get in trouble. (hide spoiler)]

[Mara]

18 - 26

(view spoiler)[ The story is a lot of fun, and I do like the magic stuff, but it's confusing at times. How did Scarlett figure out what all five clues were? If so, why is it so freaking easy? I feel like she barely has done any investigation and all the clues are basically tossed into her lap.

Dante is dead??? I kinda don't believe it because he seems an important character, why else is he so explicitly introduced? I was legit screaming that Julian turned out to be Legend, but then he wasn't Legend. Who is he??? I still have my money on him being the count, though I feel like it's too logical? But the fact that Julian knows more, and that the count isn't an entirely good person according to the fortune-teller. Also, why did her father suddenly show up??? Why is it so easy for him to show up and how does he even know that they are there? What exactly is going on in the tunnels? Also, apparently Dante's sister is kidnapped but they really soon forget about her. (hide spoiler)]

[HeatherH]

Up through ch 19
(view spoiler)[ Still really enjoying this world but Scarlett makes some dumb decisions. Just left off after she bargained away two days of her life without clarifying when they would be taken and now she is on her way to find somewhere safe. I hope she makes it back to Julian as I'm convinced he cares enough for her to keep her safe. I'm also very intrigued with Dante's character.. (hide spoiler)]

[Blue Butterfly]

Mara wrote: "18 - 26

The story is a lot of fun, and I do like the magic stuff, but it's confusing at times. How did Scarlett figure out what all five clues were? If so, why is it so freaking easy? I feel like..."

(view spoiler)[Yeah I was a little confused that she was able to find all of the clues so easily. She didn't really have to figure any puzzles out she just goes walking around and happens to find everything she needs. (hide spoiler)]

[Mara]

HeatherH wrote: "Up through ch 19
[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ I totally agree. I was so puzzled that she didn't ask what it exactly meant and what her time-limit was. It was nerve-wracking to see navigate Caraval with nobody to really help her, the girl with the book just leaving her alone. Dante is a character I really want to learn more about, especially since he is supposed to be all mysterious. (hide spoiler)]

[Mara]

Shreya wrote: "Mara wrote: "18 - 26

[Removed spoilers}

(view spoiler)[Yeah. I love me some good puzzles and riddles--it might be my weakness when it comes to books, the more puzzles and riddles, the better--but there wasn't any and that was just such a disappointment. She just stumbles upon everything she needed as you said. I wonder why they would five nights to figure everything out if it's so easy to find everything. (hide spoiler)]

[HeatherH]

ch 20-31
(view spoiler)[Holy hell a lot happened here. Julian giving Scar a day of his life she only lost one, her dreaming of Legend and it being Julians face, her dad and the Count's arrival, and her and Julian's escape from them. It's really picking up in action and I am loving it! We also learned that Julian is working with Dante to avenge his sister/Dante's fiance (because apparently they knew each other before this?!? Or is Julian really Legend and actually the one who killed Dante?!?!) So many questions to get answered! (hide spoiler)]

[HeatherH]

Ch 32-end
(view spoiler)[ SO. MANY. TWISTS.

This book was a wild ride. I don't know how many times I felt blindsided or gasped in shock. (hide spoiler)]

[HeatherH]

Mara wrote: "HeatherH wrote: "Up through ch 19
[spoilers removed]"

[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ I really am sad we didn't get more of Dante. Maybe book 2 will tell us more about him.. (hide spoiler)]

[Blue Butterfly]

HeatherH wrote: "Mara wrote: "HeatherH wrote: "Up through ch 19
[spoilers removed]"

[spoilers removed]"

[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[I think we will get more of Dante and the rest of the Caraval clue in the second book. (hide spoiler)]

[Mara]

27 - end
(view spoiler)[ While I overall enjoyed the book, I felt like the ending was just really convenient. Dante and Julian didn't die because they were players and were protected by Legend's magic. It didn't matter that Scarlett's father killed Dante and that Legend killed Julian, they were just brought back to life! And I don't get why Tella had to kill herself and trusted in the fact that Scarlett loved her enough for the wish to work. What if she didn't? She hadn't been particularly convincing throughout the book, especially during the dress buying part. I wouldn't trust my sisters to love me enough to bring me back to life. Why couldn't Scarlett's wish be that their father forgot about them? That would have solved the issue. Or even better, just kill their father. I mean, the author had no problem killing off Julian so easily.

Overall, I enjoyed the book but I feel many things were just convenient. Scarlett having all the clues thrown into her lap, that everyone important was suddenly alive, that their father decided to leave her in peace. If her father had no issue killing Dante, why not kill Scarlett too? He would avoid that she ratted him out to the people. (hide spoiler)]

[Mara]

Shreya wrote: "HeatherH wrote: "Mara wrote: "HeatherH wrote: "Up through ch 19
[spoilers removed]"

[spoilers removed]"

[spoilers removed]"

[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ Yeah, from what I've seen, Dante is in the second book at least. (hide spoiler)]

[Mara]

HeatherH wrote: "ch 20-31
[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ This book was such a roller coaster with things after things happening. I like the paper-trail they lead of us believing that Julian is Legend, which isn't too farfetched seeing as he's Legend's brother. Also, Dante's sister disappeared off the face of the earth somehow. It was never explained if that was part of the show or that was real and if the person that played the sister was also an actor/part of the Caraval. (hide spoiler)]

[Blue Butterfly]

Mara wrote: "27 - end
While I overall enjoyed the book, I felt like the ending was just really convenient. Dante and Julian didn't die because they were players and were protected by Legend's magic. It didn't ..."

(view spoiler)[Yeah I found a lot of the book to be really convenient too. One of my main problems with the story was that they were able to get off the island with a sailor by leaving in the middle of the night. Couldn't they have just got on any boat in the middle of the night and sailed away. How would their father be able to find them if they just sailed away. (hide spoiler)]

[Mara]

Shreya wrote: "Mara wrote: "27 - end
While I overall enjoyed the book, I felt like the ending was just really convenient. Dante and Julian didn't die because they were players and were protected by Legend's magi..."

(view spoiler)[ Yeah, this. If they can go to the Caraval they simply could've escaped. Sail for weeks and weeks, settle down in a busy place and they're as free as a bird. But I get that otherwise, you wouldn't have had a story. (hide spoiler)]

[— Massiel]

************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★

Date changed. Restarting July 1st 2020. Happy Reading ☺

★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************

[— Massiel]

Chapter 6
(view spoiler)[I forgot how much I dislike Scarlett but I think she changes over the book, I'm trying to remember some things but all I remember is the last pages. So far every character is okay and the plot seems okay. (hide spoiler)]

[Emma☀️]

Ch 5 (view spoiler)[So far this is okay... I'm not feeling anything at the moment. The plot and characters seem okay, nothing really stands out. I hope that changes soon lol (hide spoiler)]