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Staff Pick
This was everything I wanted in a YA novel: lush descriptions of a magical wonderland, steamy romance, and twists and turns that kept me guessing until the final page. I wasn't ready to tear myself away from Caraval — and I already can't wait to read the sequel. Recommended By Ashleigh B., Powells.com
Synopses & Reviews
Whatever you've heard about Caraval, it doesn't compare to the reality. It's more than just a game or a performance. It's the closest you'll ever find to magic in this world...
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.
Review
"An enchanting mix of mystery, romance, and magic, this immerses readers in its gorgeous setting with lush prose.
The setting is a captivating blend of beauty and danger... the chemistry between Scarlett and Julian is intoxicating. Readers will want a return ticket to this one." BCCB
Review
"Caraval delights the senses: beautiful and scary, described in luscious prose, this is a show readers will wish they could enter. A double love story, one sensual romance and the other sisterly loyalty, anchors the plot, but the real star here is Caraval and its secrets. Immersive and engaging... destined to capture imaginations." Kirkus Reviews
Review
"Enchanting and mysterious, Stephanie Garber's Caraval is a story rich with sumptuous detail, beautifully written." Renée Ahdieh, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Wrath and the Dawn
Review
"Magnificent... a spellbinding tale of love, loss, sacrifice, and hope." Publishers Weekly (Starred Review)
Review
"A spellbinding tale of sisterhood, love and betrayal. Like her characters, I lost myself in the dangerous, enchanting world she created — and never wanted to come out." Sabaa Tahir, #1 New York Times bestselling author of An Ember In the Ashes and A Torch in the Night
About the Author
Stephanie Garber loves Disneyland because it’s the one place on earth where she feels as if the fantastical stories she loves to write about could actually come to life. When she's not writing young adult fantasy, she teaches creative writing at a private college in northern California, where she’s known for turning assignments into games and taking students on field trips that involve book signings. Caraval is her first novel for young adults. She would love to hear from you on social media.