Caraval by Stephanie Garber

Scarlett has never left the tiny isle of Trisda, pining from afar for the wonder of Caraval, a once-a-year week-long performance where the audience participates in the show. Caraval is Magic. Mystery. Adventure. And for Scarlett and her beloved sister Tella it represents freedom and an escape from their ruthless, abusive father. When the sisters’ long-awaited invitations to Caraval finally arrive, it seems their dreams have come true. But no sooner have they arrived than Tella vanishes, kidnapped by the show’s mastermind organiser, Legend. Scarlett has been told that everything that happens during Caraval is only an elaborate performance. But nonetheless she quickly becomes enmeshed in a dangerous game of love, magic and heartbreak. And real or not, she must find Tella before the game is over, and her sister disappears forever.

I have now read Caraval twice and its just as amazing, and magical as the first time. Last year when I first read Caraval, it quickly became one of my favourite reads of the year, and I was a little worried about re-reading it again this year because I now might not like it as much as I had thought. But luckily I was wrong and if anything I enjoyed reading it more the second time round than I did the first time.

I don’t want to go into to much of the plot because this is definitely the sort of story that you need to go into blind, and not knowing too much about the story will make the book even more enjoyable. I went into this book without knowing too much and I absolutely loved it. The only thing I will say about the story is that its about two sisters enter the magical world of Caraval and play a game that will change their lives forever.

I found it so easy to fall in love with this book because its so magical and whimsical. From the very start I swept up into the world and the story, and it was such an amazing place to be. It only took me a couple of days to read the entire book because I just couldn’t put it down. Even though this is the second time I have read the book, I still found it to be suspenseful and intriguing.  I think when I read this book again in the future I will still find it just as exciting and original. Caraval is one of them books that you will never become bored of reading.

Another reason why I couldn’t put this book down was the writing. The writing is beautiful, magical and so engaging is hard not to fall in love with it. The way the write manages to describe this magical world so vividly its so easy to imagine it all in your mind while reading, and because Caraval is a place we all want to visit you never want to stop reading. I was on the edge of my seat for many parts in the book and thats because you can never believe what you are reading. There are so many twists and turns in the story that you are not quite sure where the story is going, or who to believe, but thats what makes this book so amazing.

I would highly recommend this book to everyone because I think everyone will love this book just as much as I do. As I said last year this book made it on to my favourite reads of the year, and I think this year it might be on the list as well because I throughly enjoyed reading this story all over again. If you are looking for new magical series to start and fall head of heels with, then you should most definitely pick up Caraval.

I rate this book 5/5 stars