Review: Caraval

Title: Caraval
Series: Caraval series
Author: Stephanie Garber

Blurb:

Remember, it’s only a game…

Scarlett Dragna has never left the tiny island where she and her 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 faraway, 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. Nevertheless she becomes enmeshed in a game of love, heartbreak, and magic. And whether Caraval is real or not, Scarlett must find Tella before the five nights of the game are over or a dangerous domino effect of consequences will be set off, and her beloved sister will disappear forever.

Welcome, welcome to Caraval…beware of getting swept too far away.

Review:

Scarlet Dragna's dream for years was to see Caraval - a once a year performance where the audience participates in the show. But with her arranged marriage coming up, Scarlet believes her dreams are over. But her sister Tella, whisks her away with a mysterious sailor to the isle that Caraval is on. With her marriage just days away, Scarlet can't stay. But when her sister is kidnapped and this year's Caraval revolving around her disappearance and whomever finds her- Scarlet will do anything to get to her sister.
Remember it's only a game...
Even though Scarlet has been told everything is an elaborate performance it's easy to get swept up in the game, and magic. Regardless if Caraval is real, or lies, Scarlet must find Tella before the five nights are up, or the consequences will be very real in the end.
Welcome welcome to Caraval... Beware of getting too swept away.
I became invested in these characters. Where Scarlet was cautious and always living in fear of her father, and the consequences, Tella was always impulsive and a risk taker. Scarlet had to think more like her sister to figure out the clues, and challenges this game offered up to try to make it to her sister in time before the game was up. I want to know so much more about Julian, and Legend, and more to this story and cannot wait to get the next book. 4.5⭐ out of 5⭐