Caraval

Garber, Stephanie. Caraval. 2017. 407p. ISBN 978-1-25009525-1. Available at FIC CAR on the library shelves.

Scarlett Dragna’s life has been confined to a small island for as long as she can remember. Her father, the island’s governor, is a cruel and vindictive man, and does not shy away from physically abusing Scarlett and her younger sister, Tella, when he deems them disobedient. The only hope Scarlett has is her upcoming wedding, an arranged marriage to a man whose name she hasn’t been told. Scarlett believes nothing could be worse than her current living conditions, so she eagerly awaits her wedding day.

Her younger sister Tella, however, also desires to leave the island. Over the last seven years, they wrote letters to Legend, the mythical organizer of a once-a-year traveling performance, Caraval, where the audience gets to participate in a fantastic competition, and the winner gets a wish. Back then, both Tella and Scarlett would have wished to get off the island. Legend, however, never wrote back… until this year.

Armed with tickets to Caraval, Scarlett and Tella run away with Julian a peculiar sailor, and they reach the island of Caraval just in time to join in the performance. Unfortunately, Scarlett quickly realizes that this year’s performance involves saving her Tella from death, and whomever discovers her whereabouts through solving five riddles will win Legend’s wish. The rules on Caraval are simple. Everything is part of the performance. Players can leave their residence only at sunset, and must be back safely inside at sunrise. And the game lasts five nights only. With Scarlett’s wedding day only a week away, she must find her sister and return to her island before her father finds her. As time runs out, however, Scarlett becomes deeply involved in a deadly game of chase, with her seeking her sister while avoiding her father’s agents and suffering through betrayals from those closest to her. When does a performance become reality?

A wonderful read, fans of fantastic worlds and a little magic will enjoy the Caraval setting and will be cheering Scarlett on.