"Remember, it's only a game..."
Caraval by Stephanie Garber
This is the mantra scrawled on the cover of Caraval, a book by Stephanie Garber.
This book seems to be filled to the brim with wonder, adventure, and magic on every page. I love this book, so much in fact that I have read it multiple times. I could go on and on about how much I adore this book.
I could also go on and on about how much I hate it. This book holds promises and offers of something incredible and life changing, yet its delivery is simply lackluster.
These statements directly contradict each other so let me explain in what ways this story soars and in which way it sinks. The problem with this book is that, its strengths are also its biggest weakness.
The story starts on the Island of Trisda, the home of two sisters, Scarlett and Donatella Dragna. They are the daughters of the island’s governor, a man who is as abusive and vile as he is charming. Think of the sickly-sweet Lord Licorice from Candyland. To him, his daughters are merely a means to an end; they are nothing more than pawns he can use in his game of politics and power. It is this very goal that led him to setting up an arranged marriage for Scarlett, to a count from some far off distant land. Scarlett is the older, more withdrawn sister who keeps her head down and her mouth shut, only worrying about keeping her and her sister safe. Scarlett tends to think more realistically and stray to the safe path in life, not believing in miraculous things like luck and wishes, the one exception being Caraval. Donatella, affectionately known as Tella, is the younger headstrong and wild sister.
She dreams of a life where they are free and as far away from their father as possible.
Then something unexpected happens. Scarlett has written letter after letter as a child to the master of Caraval, a man known simply as Legend. Suddenly, without warning Scarlett finally gets a letter back with three tickets (one for her, her sister, and her fiancé) into Caraval. Caraval is the name of a magical travelling game. A troupe of performers go from land to land, entertaining people who are lucky enough to get a ticket into the once in a lifetime interactive show. It’s like immersive theater except there are no tricks and illusions- the magic is real. The game typically last about a week during which any lucky people who get to join the games can be swept up in a world of wonder and intrigue where anything is possible, all for the sake of winning a prize that is beyond worth. This year the prize is a wish.
To Tella this is a chance of a lifetime and a means to escape. To Scarlett this is an out of reach craving that is impossible to taste. Her father would never let Tella and Scarlett out of his sight, and instead of running away she believes that the better chance at escape is following through with her marriage to the count, with nothing but letters to assure her that he is hopefully not as evil as her own father. This marriage to Scarlett is a gamble that she feels is necessary for their safety. To Tella, this is simply a ploy of moving their misery from one town to another. She begs Scarlett to remember that life is more than simply living for survival.
After gaining some help from the mischievous and handsome Julian, a sailor in town for work, Scarlett and Tella are brought across the ocean to Caraval, only planning to stay for a day or two. Once they arrive the game seems to start prematurely with one of the sisters getting kidnapped and suddenly, winning the games becomes more important then ever. Danger, adventure, and tests of wits make up the rest of this story with love also interwoven into the plot.
It all sounds wonderful right? The authors strong suit is definitely her imagination especially when it comes to visual aspects. The scenery and setting is beautifully described making you want to jump in the pages to see the lush scenes for yourself. The dynamic of the characters, namely the sisters, is relatable but unfortunately there isn’t much build up on the characters. There is some but it happened so quick that you’re left wondering what happened. The characters have big personalities but often come across as caricatures because of how often one simple aspect of their personality is fleshed out. As a self admitted hopeless romantic, the romance in this story does make me swoon. However if I wasn’t so hopelessly in love with love itself then I would hate it. It’s fast and again, not much build up.
If nothing else, Garber is really good at putting twists and turns in the plot. I can honestly say my first read through that I didn’t not guess the ending. Just as soon as you think you know exactly what is happening, something else happens and you’re left trying to fit the pieces of the puzzle in a different way.
So would I recommend it? To some readers, but for others I would say that you should probably cross your fingers that maybe one day this would become a tv series or maybe even just get rewritten all together. Because this piece holds so much potential!
Tldr: In theory this book is amazing, but the execution can leave many left wanting. If you are okay with clichés and tropey characters for the sake of a plot that is interesting and settings that are beautiful, then you’ll enjoy this read.
Reviewed by Ashlynn.