REVIEW: Caraval

After slogging through The Name of the Wind, I needed something light and fun to refresh me. I call these my "junk food books". Far from being a derogatory label in my ledger, "junk food books" are what I read for FUN! ...Which means that the vast majority of what I read falls into that category. After all, what's the point of reading if it's not fun?

SO... Short, sweet, and full of magic sounded great! Plus, this trilogy is complete, now that Finale is out, so I can read through it start to finish.

Caraval starts out quickly without feeling abrupt, throwing you into the tense lives of two sisters, Scarlett and Donatella. Though born to privilege, their lives are far from idyllic. With their mother long gone, they are left at the mercy of their abusive father, who uses their love for one another as a way to ensure their obedience.

When a chance to escape presents itself, Tella bribes a handsome sailor named Julian to help her kidnap Scarlett and whisk them both away to the mysterious isle of the mage known only as Legend. Legend's annual week-long carnival/competition, Caraval, offers a select few participants the opportunity to experience magic, wonder, mystery, and a bit of danger, all in the pursuit of a coveted grand prize: a wish. All the reluctant Scarlett cares about is getting back home in time for her arranged marriage to a nameless count, but when Tella disappears and becomes the goal of this year's game, all Scarlett's carefully-laid plans start to fall apart.

This  was a quick read, full of whimsy and magic, but it was much darker than I had anticipated. The mystery of Caraval is a sinister one, its ringleader Legend more a malevolent entity than a charming illusionist. Scarlett's constant fear of discovery and her blind dedication to her mysterious fiance grows tiresome, but she does eventually shed it and find her courage. The gradual development of her relationship with Julian was really well done, full of humorous banter and just the right speed of enemies-to-lovers, though the romance is extremely PG. Tella was just flat-out obnoxious. I'm hoping her character gets developed in the next book.

Garber's prose is accessible, but far from bland, filled with luxurious details of the magic inside Caraval. Her descriptions pull you into the enchantment surrounding Julian and Scarlett's adventure, but always with the hint of something darker, as though danger lurks around every corner. Bright dress shops and rose-covered carousels are juxtaposed against blood magic and underground tunnels that can drive you mad. At the end, themes of death and suicide take center stage. Abuse, of course, is a central theme throughout.

Like many of the "junk food books" I enjoy, this story reaches only skin-deep, but it is definitely a magical ride.