Book Nerd Twins

Reviewed by: Kaia

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

13+

Brief insights: Caraval by Stephanie Garber is a captivating fantasy novel about two sisters caught in a magical game full of deception and illusions, where one must save the other to win. With rich world-building, strong character dynamics, and a touch of romance, it’s a thrilling 5 star read recommended for readers 13+ due to mature themes.

This incredible fantasy novel immediately sucked me in. The words captivating, fast-paced, and exciting perfectly describe Caraval by Stephanie Garber. It follows two sisters, Scarlet and Donatella (Tella). Scarlet has dreamed of attending Caraval, an elaborate game set in a magical world, all her life. She’s written to Legend, the elusive orchestrator of Caraval, for years, hoping to receive tickets. This year, she finally does. Scarlet and Tella escape their oppressive father to attend the game, but upon arriving, Scarlet is thrust into a world of deception and illusions. When Tella is kidnapped, Scarlet learns that the winner of this year’s Caraval is the one who finds her sister first. She must decipher truth from lies while navigating the twisted game to save her sister. Along the way, Scarlet experiences wonder, excitement, and even falls in love—but can she really trust anyone?

I really loved the book’s engaging and unique plot. It was unlike anything I have ever read before. The world building was incredibly descriptive. I felt like I was at Caraval. Caraval is a game full of illusions, and as a reader, I found myself questioning what was real and what wasn’t. I enjoyed myself immensely while trying to pick the truth from the lies with Scarlet. 

The book mainly centers around Scarlet and it went very deeply into her character. I felt as if I had known her for years by the end of the book. The book went very deep into Scarlet and Tella’s relationship as sisters and how much they were willing to sacrifice for each other. I love books with sibling and friend dynamics because I find it adds depth that you just don’t have with romance. 

I would have liked to see more depth into Tella’s character but my wish is fulfilled knowing that the second book is from her sister’s perspective. There are some aspects of love as well but I like how it doesn’t take away from the story or overshadow the adventure. It’s exciting to see reserved Scarlet fall in love and reveal pieces of herself. Her character arc from the start of the story is remarkable. Scarlet goes from reserved and scared to brave and willing to take on any challenge.

Caraval is an incredible fantasy novel with a little bit of romance and lots of mystery. I would highly recommend it to anyone ages 13+.

Reason for rating: The book is in my opinion 13+ because there are mentions of abuse and suicide. There is infrequent violence throughout the story. Most YA books do include topics such as these and I think it is safe to say most avid readers have already read books that touch on these topics.