Review: Caraval Trilogy by Stephanie Garber

Welcome, welcome! To this Caraval Trilogy Review! Trying to find something to review the entire trilogy? Trying to decide if you want go ahead and buy the entire box set? Well look no further! I’ll be going over everything! From plot, to characters, to writing!

Caraval Series in Order

Have you ever wondered how to read the Caraval trilogy? Well look no further! Here is how you should read the Caraval series in order.

1) Caraval
2) Legendary
3) Finale
3.5) Spectacular

Spectacular is a novella and is optional to read. However, I thought it was quite a fun read, and if you’re ever missing the characters this is a great way to revisit them!

Caraval Trilogy Review

Since I first started getting back into reading, I haven’t read that much fantasy so far. I’ve only read a couple of books, but I don’t think any of what I had read compares to this trilogy. When I read the first book in the trilogy I just knew that it was going to be a good series. 

The premise of the Caraval trilogy is that there are two sisters, Scarlett and Donatella (Tella), and this magical, once-in-a-lifetime game, Caraval. Scarlett and Tella live on a tiny island, called Trisda, with their abusive father. Every year since their mother left, Scarlett has sent letters to the game master of Caraval, Legend, asking for an invitation to the game. Until one year, Scarlett finally receives a letter back and two tickets to the game. When Tella and Scarlett arrive on Legend’s island, with the help of a sailor named Julian, Tella disappears. Scarlett soon learns that she has to play the game in order to save her sister before something happens to her sister. This is the plot of the first book, Caraval.

The second book, Legendary, focuses on Tella. Tella has made a bargain with a mysterious person, and in order to hold up her end of the deal, she must find out Legend’s real identity. The only chance at uncovering Legend’s real identity is to win Caraval, so that’s what she does. However, this time around, everything may not be as fake as it was last time…The stakes are high this time. If Tella doesn’t uncover Legend’s real name she loses everything and everyone she loves–maybe even her life. But, if she does find out Legend’s name, Valenda is doomed. Tella faces an impossible decision, what will she do?

The third book, Finale, deals with the consequences of Tella’s decision from Legendary. It’s told from both perspectives of Scarlett and Tella. This book, like all the others, is action packed, and full of bombshell discoveries.

The plot of this series certainly wouldn’t be as exciting without any of the characters. I found the characters to be quite likeable, and I found Scarlett to be relatable. The series features a variety of different characters. There are daydreaming, lover characters like Scarlett, and some morally-grey, anti-hero types like Legend or Jacks.

Scarlett is the older sister of Tella. She’s very cautious, protective of her sister, but also a daydreamer. At the beginning of the series she’s scared to take risks, but as the Caraval trilogy progresses, she becomes more bolder and a risk-taker. I feel that her character development was written well, and subtly.

Tella is Scarlett’s younger sister, and she’s the opposite of Scarlett. She’s impulsive, closed off to the idea of love, unlike Scarlett. But, much like Scarlett, she experiences a lot of character growth throughout the trilogy with the help from secondary characters.

In addition to Tella and Scarlett there are other characters who are important to the story, but not quite in the same echelon as them. There are Julian, Legend, and Jacks. The relationships that these characters have with the two sisters is a driving force behind their character development as well as the plot.

To tie everything together, there’s Stephanie Garber’s writing. I found her writing to be quite beautiful with a very whimsical tone. Her writing really allowed me to be immersed in this wonderful world of Caraval. I felt the books all had steady paces, with the pace picking up at the end. Each of the books definitely had amazing plot twists, some I caught, but some I didn’t. 

Overall, I really enjoyed this trilogy so much! I would totally suggest the Caraval trilogy for you if you enjoy fantasy, high-stakes adventures, a bit of romance, and morally-grey characters. 

Caraval Trilogy Notable Quotes

“Every person has the power to change their fate if they are brave enough to fight for what they desire more than anything.” -Caraval, pg 149

“But the best villains are the ones you secretly like” -Legendary, pg 102

“Every story has four parts: the beginning, the middle, the almost-ending, and the true ending. Unfortunately, not everyone gets a true ending.  Most people give up at the part of the story where things are the worst, when the situation feels hopeless, but that is where hope is needed the most. Only those who persevere can find their true ending.” -Finale

“Don’t be like me and settle for the ease of an almost-ending, when you could have the true ending.” -Legendary, pg 391

“Some things are worth pursuit regardless of the cost.” -Caraval, pg 191

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