Scarlett Dragna has been wanting to go to Caraval since she was ten. Every year, she wrote a letter begging them to come to her tiny island so she and her sister can be enveloped in the mystery and magic that Caraval holds. But there is no response....
And life goes on. Scarlett and Tella have grown into young ladies under the cruel and watchful eyes of their governor father, who is heavy with his hand and empty with his heart. Escape is something both girls want, but there is no way out. Their father will hunt them down and the repercussions will be swift and hard.
But one day changes that...
Scarlett finally receives an invitation from Legend, the man who created Caraval. This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience but it couldn't come at a worse time. Scarlett is set to make a Duke (even though they haven't met) and will leave the island and be able to shelter her sister from the horrors of their daily life. Go or stay?
On the day she receives her invitation, circumstances force to her to go to Caraval before time runs out. Tella and Julian, both accomplices in abducting the staid Scarlett, go to the island where the sisters are separated. All three make it to Caraval in time, and it's as magical as Scarlett thinks...but also more dangerous than she does. When she enters into Caraval, little does she know what she is getting into. Thoughtful, staid, practical Scarlett quickly finds herself in conflict with not only her surroundings, but also the relationships she has with both her sister and the enigmatic Julian.
People aren't what they seem....don't always believe what you see...Caraval is as beautiful as it is dark.
Garber writes magic into this book not only through the plot but also with the beauty of her writing and words she chooses. This book paints a vivid picture not only of the characters' real lives, but also the fantasy world people wish to get lost in. Scarlett is a sharp contrast to the other characters, which adds to the depth of the relationships found in this novel and it reads quickly. The story behind Caraval is enchanting and Garber instantly grabs the readers attention with her unique use of letters at the beginning of this novel. Readers will be as captivated with Caraval as the characters. This is the type of fantasy book I've been waiting for!! Recommended for upper junior high and high school
