Welcome to my book review series where I categorize book reviews into sections for all sorts of readers interested. These will include no spoilers, spoilers, and personal extended versions.
Book(s):
- Caraval
- Legendary
- Finale
Author:
Stephanie Garber
Genre:
Mystery, magic, games, trust, romance, revenge.
Summary (without spoilers):
For the first time in ages, the blurbs all over the books actually mean what they say. When I started reading Caraval, I was like oh well, another glazed book. But the Caraval series is one of those that will get you hooked from the very first page. The series is not easy to put down. As a really quick reader, although I read all three books at different times, if I were to combine them, I'd say I read all three books in less than a week. To some, only such piece of information is enough to rate a book. But here we go:
The books are on the perspectives of two sisters with a complicated ancestry. The first book is from Scarlett's (the older sister) POV, the second is from Donatella's POV and the final book "Finale", pun intended, writes for both sisters. The story is about a game that the sisters ever wanted to visit and participate in, but the invitations are sent, rarely, to not the ordinary. But little did they know what ordinary is.
Since I cannot give spoilers here, I'd ask you to trust in my taste of books; this series is for true fantasy lovers.
Summary (with minimal spoilers):
The book starts with the sisters in their house discovering some long-awaited letters from Legend himself (the Caraval games host, designer and what not basically), some flashbacks about the past when their mother was with them and how they keep a conserved demeanour with their toxic father. Julian is with the two at the instant, and Tella plans on leaving her home due to unhealthy circumstances and her love for Caraval, and Julian, being in favour, "kidnaps" Scarlett and brings her to the games. During the first book, Scarlett is heavily manipulated by everyone in finding her sister (the plot and centre of the game) but by the end of the book when she does, she discovers shocking real identities of almost everyone playing and the reason of the game. Truly the game is just a game.
The second book is about Tella and the fates. In Legendary, Tella associates with the Prince of Hearts, Jacks, also a Fate from the Deck of Destiny - Tella's biggest regret, and the reason she lost her mother. The second book is a low-profile war between Jacks and Legend for Tella and/or power, which I think are their flaws; neither of them were true to Tella. The ending is sad since Legend becomes very possessive of power, whereas Jacks devotes himself to Tella. But Jacks is only but a manipulator.
Finale, Jacks grows ever so possessive of Tella and Legend tries to win her back while keeping his power balanced. He thinks he made immortal for Tella's sake would be enough, but he'll have to do more. Throughout the book Tella and Jacks get in messy ties, while Legend tries to convince her to become immortal like him so he could keep both his power and love for Tella. On the other hand, Scarlett discovers she is part Fate and gets to deal with her own twisted history.
My take:
I think my likeness for the chemistry between the main leads is pretty obvious. Two brothers together with two sisters - I love the Scarlett-Julian bond but would say otherwise for Tella and Legend - it's rather unhealthy. I'd keep Legend and Jacks on the same scale when it comes to Tella since both are outweighed by their goods and flaws. My personal favourite duo would be Scarlett and Julian, personal favourite ML would be Jacks and FL is hard to choose from - both sisters carried the story remarkably.
Extended version (Finale):
soon.
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