#ThatNotSoShortReview: Caraval – Stephanie Garber

Miei cari lettori,

Sono inciampata in questo primo volume della trilogia di Stephanie Garber quando ero in book hangover da The Night Circus, quasi un anno fa. Stavo cercando qualcosa che fosse all’altezza di quella magica esperienza e, benedetto sia Goodreads, mi è capitato tra i consigli di lettura.

Non ho mai letto un libro così sfavillante e colorato e magico e semplicemente incredibile come questo. Mi sono innamorata del mondo, dei personaggi e dello stile di scrittura unico della Garber. Non ha la stessa raffinata delicatezza di The Night Circus, ma è davvero un’ottima lettura.

Preciso che ho letto il libro in lingua originale; non so se la traduzione italiana sia buona o meno, dunque ogni mio giudizio sullo stile di scrittura si basa sulla versione inglese.

Vi ho incuriositi? Continuate a leggere!

Dalla trama ufficiale:

Il mondo, per Rossella Dragna, ha sempre avuto i confini della minuscola isola dove vive insieme alla sorella Tella e al potente, crudele padre. Se ha sopportato questi anni di forzato esilio è stato grazie al sogno di partecipare a Caraval, uno spettacolo itinerante misterioso quanto leggendario in cui il pubblico partecipa attivamente; purtroppo, l’imminente, combinato matrimonio a cui il padre la sta costringendo significa la rinuncia anche a quella possibilità di fuga.

E invece Rossella riceve il tanto desiderato invito, e con l’aiuto di un misterioso marinaio, insieme a Tella fugge dall’isola e dal suo destino… Appena arrivate a Caraval, però, Tella viene rapita da Legend, il direttore dello spettacolo che nessuno ha mai incontrato: Rossella scopre in fretta che l’edizione di Caraval che sta per iniziare ruota intorno alla sorella, e che ritrovarla è lo scopo ultimo del gioco, non solo suo, ma di tutti i fortunati partecipanti.

Ciò che accade in Caraval sono solo trucchi ed illusioni, questo ha sempre sentito dire Rossella. Eppure, sogno e veglia iniziano a confondersi e negare la magia diventa impossibile. Ma che sia realtà o finzione poco conta: Rossella ha cinque notti per ritrovare Tella, e intanto deve evitare di innescare un pericoloso effetto domino che la porterebbe a perdere Tella per sempre…

Dear readers,

I stumbled upon this first book in the trilogy by Stephanie Garber when I was in book hangover from The Night Circus, almost a year ago. I was looking for something that could live up to that magical experience and, blessed be Goodreads, Caraval appeared among my reading suggestions.

I have never read a book as bright and colorful and magical and simply amazing as this one. I fell in love with Garber’s world, characters and unique writing style. It doesn’t have the same refined delicacy as The Night Circus, but it really is a great read.

Just to be clear: I have read the book in the original language; I don’t know if the Italian translation is good or not, so my every judgment on the writing style is based on the English version.

Did I intrigue you? Read on!

Caraval, plot:

Scarlett has never left the tiny island where she and her beloved sister, Tella, live with their powerful, and cruel, father. Now Scarlett’s father has arranged a marriage for her, and Scarlett thinks her dreams of seeing Caraval, the far-away, once-a-year performance where the audience participates in the show, are over.

But this year, Scarlett’s long-dreamt of invitation finally arrives. With the help of a mysterious sailor, Tella whisks Scarlett away to the show. Only, as soon as they arrive, Tella is kidnapped by Caraval’s mastermind organizer, Legend. It turns out that this season’s Caraval revolves around Tella, and whoever finds her first is the winner.

Scarlett has been told that everything that happens during Caraval is only an elaborate performance. But she nevertheless becomes enmeshed in a game of love, heartbreak, and magic with the other players in the game. And whether Caraval is real or not, she must find Tella before the five nights of the game are over, a dangerous domino effect of consequences is set off, and her sister disappears forever.

As always, let’s start from the cover, because it deserves a note of merit. Isn’t it wonderful? It’s shimmering and elegant, and the star in the background is a delightful detail that you will only be able to grasp by reading the book.

The quote “Remember, it’s only a game…” summarizes the heart of the events. It is a game made of magic, illusions, clues that can be lies and truths, but still a game. The boundaries between fiction and reality, however, are very blurred and easily confused.

Scarlett and Donatella find themselves part of this game when the first sister, after years of letters sent to the creator of Caraval, Master Legend, finally receives an answer and invitations. Driven by Donatella’s adventurous spirit, Scarlett is on one hand eager to leave behind a violent father and a forced and loveless marriage, on the other she fears that her life, but especially that of her sister, will be put in danger for an exuberance like that one. The prize, however, is great: only one wish that will come true, whatever it may be. They could live a better life!

Under a variety of circumstances, a mysterious sailor named Julian will accompany the sisters to the Isla de los Sueños, Legend’s private island and location of the game. And this is where the magic begins.

Whatever you’ve heard about Caraval, it doesn’t compare to the reality. It’s more than just a game or performance. It’s the closest you’ll ever find yourself magic in this world.

Caraval is a sort of huge circus that spreads out over different pieces of land, between canals and starry nights, inhabited by hundreds of people, be they actors or guests. You can choose to actively participate in the game and find the clues that lead to victory, or be a mere spectator and enjoy the show. Scarlett will have no choice, as the aim of the game becomes to find her kidnapped sister, and will do anything to rescue her – even get help from a scoundrel like Julian (insert heart eyes here).

Scarlett is a girl with whom I have empathized a lot from the beginning: she is convinced that she has no choices, she is insecure and extremely rational (some define her as boring compared to her sister, because she never risks making the most dangerous choice just for  taste of adventure), but she is also willing to give up a day of her life in exchange of information to find her sister. In this regard, the payment method is very special and ingenious.

Caraval’s world is more alive and tangible than ever, especially seen through Scarlett’s eyes. The girl has a gift (the source of which will be discovered in the third and final book of the series), namely that of seeing people’s emotions through colors. Even her new dress, a gift from Legend himself, changes color according to her mood. The descriptions that follow are real paintings.

Shades of the rich ruby love she’d felt during the game mixed with hues of deep-indigo hurt, turning everything just a little bit violet.

Garber often says she was inspired by two things for Caraval’s almost fairytale setting: a middle way between the glittering world of The Great Gatsby and a song by Florence + The Machine. I can’t describe it in better words.

Speaking of characters, Julian is almost more enigmatic than Legend, but only because the latter remains a constant figure in the background preceded by his fame (he will have a lot of space in the second volume, Legendary). Julian is ambiguous, it is not known whether he can be trusted or not and he hides more than one secret. But I would trust him with my own life.

Special mention for Dante. Here a very detailed and not at all subjective comment: nnnngh. There, I said it.

Stephanie Garber’s writing style is unique. It flows like water and has the most enchanting descriptions I’ve ever read in a long time; it never wraps up the pace of reading.

She imagined loving him would feel like falling in love with darkness, frightening and consuming yet utterly beautiful when the stars came out.

The love that binds the two sisters is certainly at the heart of the story and I loved how these two young women, while being the opposite of each other, would do anything to protect each other. I have no sisters nor brothers, but if I had, I would have loved to have had their relationship.

Caraval is a book full of adventure and twists, and it is unpredictable in the most delicious and terrifying sense of the word. I recommend reading it to everyone, because it is a magical and exhilarating experience.

He tasted like midnight and wind, and shades of rich brown and light blue. Colors that made her feel safe and guarded.

Some facts about the author:

Stephanie Garber is adorable grew up in California, where she was often compared to Joe March in Little Women and other fictional characters armed with unbridled imagination and a touch of stubbornness. When not writing, Stephanie teaches creative writing dreaming of her next adventure and waiting for Legend to send her a personal invitation. Caraval was her debut novel, followed by Legendary and Finale, for a long time at the top of the American charts. (Source Rizzoli Libri)

You can follow her on social medias (instagram, twitter and facebook) and her website http://stephaniegarberauthor.com/

♦

For those who read it: did you like it? No? Why? If you had an invitation, would you rather join the game, watch as a spectator or would you like to be an actor? Let me know in the comments below!

Come sempre iniziamo dalla copertina, perché merita una nota di merito. Non è meravigliosa? È luccicante ed elegante, e la stella sullo sfondo è un delizioso dettaglio che potrete cogliere solo leggendo il libro.

La citazione “Remember, it’s only a game…” riassume il cuore delle vicende. Si tratta di un gioco, fatto di magia, di illusioni, di indizi che possono essere bugie e verità, ma pur sempre un gioco. I confini tra finzione e realtà sono però molto labili e facilmente confondibili.

Scarlett (o Rossella, nella traduzione italiana) e Donatella si ritrovano parte di questo gioco quando la prima sorella, dopo anni di lettere spedite al creatore di Caraval, Mastro Legend, riceve finalmente una risposta e gli inviti. Spinta dallo spirito avventuriero di Donatella, Scarlett da una parte è desiderosa di lasciarsi alle spalle un padre violento e un matrimonio forzato e privo di amore, dall’altra teme che la sua vita, ma soprattutto quella della sorella, vengano messe in pericolo per un’esuberanza simile. Il premio in palio, però, è grande: un solo desiderio che verrà avverato, qualsiasi esso sia.

Per una serie di circostanze, il misterioso marinaio di nome Julian accompagnerà le sorelle all’Isla de los Sueños, isola privata di Legend e luogo in cui si svolge il gioco. Ed è qui che la magia inizia.

Qualsiasi cosa tu abbia sentito raccontare di Caraval non è paragonabile alla realtà. È molto più di un semplice gioco o di uno spettacolo. È quanto di più vicino alla magia esista a questo mondo.

Caraval è una sorta di enorme circo che si espande su diversi pezzetti di terra, tra canali e notti stellate, abitato da centinaia di persone, siano essi attori o invitati. Si può scegliere di partecipare attivamente nel gioco e trovare gli indizi che portino alla vittoria, oppure essere un semplice spettatore e godersi lo spettacolo. Scarlett non avrà scelta, dato che lo scopo del gioco diventa trovare la sorella rapita, e farà di tutto per vincere e salvarla – anche farsi aiutare da un mascalzone come Julian (inserire occhi a cuoricino qui).

Scarlett è una ragazza con cui ho empatizzato tantissimo fin dall’inizio: è convinta di non avere scelte, insicura ed estremamente razionale (alcuni la definiscono noiosa, in confronto alla sorella, perché non rischia mai di fare la scelta più azzardata solo per il gusto dell’avventura), ma è disposta anche a barattare informazioni con un giorno della sua vita per amore di Donatella. A questo proposito, il metodo di pagamento è particolarissimo e ingegnoso.

Il mondo di Caraval è più vivo e tangibile che mai, soprattutto visto attraverso gli occhi di Scarlett. La ragazza ha un dono (di cui si scoprirà la fonte nel terzo e ultimo libro della serie), ovvero quello di vedere le emozioni delle persone attraverso i colori. Persino il suo nuovo abito, un regalo di Legend in persona, cambia colore a seconda del suo umore. Le descrizioni che ne conseguono sono veri e propri quadri.

Shades of the rich ruby love she’d felt during the game mixed with hues of deep-indigo hurt, turning everything just a little bit violet.

La Garber dice spesso di essersi ispirata a due cose per l’ambientazione quasi fiabesca di Caraval: una via di mezzo tra il mondo scintillante di The Great Gatsby e una canzone dei Florence + The Machine. Non saprei descriverlo con parole migliori.

Parlando di personaggi, Julian è quasi più enigmatico di Legend, ma solo perché quest’ultimo rimane una costante figura sullo sfondo di cui si conosce solo la fama (ma che avrà molto spazio nel secondo volume, Legendary). Julian è ambiguo, non si sa bene se ci si può fidare o meno e nasconde più di un segreto. Ma io gli affiderei la mia stessa vita.

Menzione speciale per Dante, di cui farò un commento molto articolato e per niente soggettivo: nnnngh. E ho detto tutto.

Lo stile di scrittura di Stephanie Garber è unico. Scorre come acqua e ha le descrizioni più incantevoli che abbia mai letto da tempo: mai pesanti, senza mai incartare il ritmo della lettura.

She imagined loving him would feel like falling in love with darkness, frightening and consuming yet utterly beautiful when the stars came out.

L’amore che lega le due sorelle è certamente il fulcro della storia e ho amato come queste due giovani donne, pur essendo l’una l’opposto dell’altra, farebbero di tutto pur di proteggersi vicenda. Non ho sorelle né fratelli, ma se ne avessi avuto mi sarebbe piaciuto avere il loro rapporto.

Caraval è un libro ricco di avventura e di colpi di scena, ed è imprevedibile nel senso più delizioso e terrificante del termine. Consiglio a tutti la lettura, perché è un’esperienza magica ed esilarante.

He tasted like midnight and wind, and shades of rich brown and light blue. Colors that made her feel safe and guarded.

Qualche curiosità sull’autrice

Stephanie Garber è adorabile è cresciuta in California, dove spesso la paragonavano alla Joe March di Piccole Donne e ad altri personaggi di finzione armati di sfrenata immaginazione e una punta di cocciutaggine. Quando non scrive, Stephanie insegna scrittura creativa sognando la sua prossima avventura e aspetta che Legend le mandi un invito personale. Caraval è stato il suo romanzo d’esordio, seguito da Legend e Finale, per lungo tempo in vetta alle classifiche americane. (Fonte Rizzoli Libri)

Potete seguirla sui social (instagram, twitter e facebook) e sul suo sito web http://stephaniegarberauthor.com/

♦

Per chi lo ha letto: vi è piaciuto? No? Perché? Se aveste un invito, partecipereste al gioco, preferireste guardare da spettatori o vorreste essere attori? Raccontatemelo nei commenti!

Dear readers,

I stumbled upon this first book in the trilogy by Stephanie Garber when I was in book hangover from The Night Circus, almost a year ago. I was looking for something that could live up to that magical experience and, blessed be Goodreads, Caraval appeared among my reading suggestions.

I have never read a book as bright and colorful and magical and simply amazing as this one. I fell in love with Garber’s world, characters and unique writing style. It doesn’t have the same refined delicacy as The Night Circus, but it really is a great read.

Just to be clear: I have read the book in the original language; I don’t know if the Italian translation is good or not, so my every judgment on the writing style is based on the English version.

Did I intrigue you? Read on!

Caraval, plot:

Scarlett has never left the tiny island where she and her beloved sister, Tella, live with their powerful, and cruel, father. Now Scarlett’s father has arranged a marriage for her, and Scarlett thinks her dreams of seeing Caraval, the far-away, once-a-year performance where the audience participates in the show, are over.

But this year, Scarlett’s long-dreamt of invitation finally arrives. With the help of a mysterious sailor, Tella whisks Scarlett away to the show. Only, as soon as they arrive, Tella is kidnapped by Caraval’s mastermind organizer, Legend. It turns out that this season’s Caraval revolves around Tella, and whoever finds her first is the winner.

Scarlett has been told that everything that happens during Caraval is only an elaborate performance. But she nevertheless becomes enmeshed in a game of love, heartbreak, and magic with the other players in the game. And whether Caraval is real or not, she must find Tella before the five nights of the game are over, a dangerous domino effect of consequences is set off, and her sister disappears forever.

As always, let’s start from the cover, because it deserves a note of merit. Isn’t it wonderful? It’s shimmering and elegant, and the star in the background is a delightful detail that you will only be able to grasp by reading the book.

The quote “Remember, it’s only a game…” summarizes the heart of the events. It is a game made of magic, illusions, clues that can be lies and truths, but still a game. The boundaries between fiction and reality, however, are very blurred and easily confused.

Scarlett and Donatella find themselves part of this game when the first sister, after years of letters sent to the creator of Caraval, Master Legend, finally receives an answer and invitations. Driven by Donatella’s adventurous spirit, Scarlett is on one hand eager to leave behind a violent father and a forced and loveless marriage, on the other she fears that her life, but especially that of her sister, will be put in danger for an exuberance like that one. The prize, however, is great: only one wish that will come true, whatever it may be. They could live a better life!

Under a variety of circumstances, a mysterious sailor named Julian will accompany the sisters to the Isla de los Sueños, Legend’s private island and location of the game. And this is where the magic begins.

Whatever you’ve heard about Caraval, it doesn’t compare to the reality. It’s more than just a game or performance. It’s the closest you’ll ever find yourself magic in this world.

Caraval is a sort of huge circus that spreads out over different pieces of land, between canals and starry nights, inhabited by hundreds of people, be they actors or guests. You can choose to actively participate in the game and find the clues that lead to victory, or be a mere spectator and enjoy the show. Scarlett will have no choice, as the aim of the game becomes to find her kidnapped sister, and will do anything to rescue her – even get help from a scoundrel like Julian (insert heart eyes here).

Scarlett is a girl with whom I have empathized a lot from the beginning: she is convinced that she has no choices, she is insecure and extremely rational (some define her as boring compared to her sister, because she never risks making the most dangerous choice just for  taste of adventure), but she is also willing to give up a day of her life in exchange of information to find her sister. In this regard, the payment method is very special and ingenious.

Caraval’s world is more alive and tangible than ever, especially seen through Scarlett’s eyes. The girl has a gift (the source of which will be discovered in the third and final book of the series), namely that of seeing people’s emotions through colors. Even her new dress, a gift from Legend himself, changes color according to her mood. The descriptions that follow are real paintings.

Shades of the rich ruby love she’d felt during the game mixed with hues of deep-indigo hurt, turning everything just a little bit violet.

Garber often says she was inspired by two things for Caraval’s almost fairytale setting: a middle way between the glittering world of The Great Gatsby and a song by Florence + The Machine. I can’t describe it in better words.

Speaking of characters, Julian is almost more enigmatic than Legend, but only because the latter remains a constant figure in the background preceded by his fame (he will have a lot of space in the second volume, Legendary). Julian is ambiguous, it is not known whether he can be trusted or not and he hides more than one secret. But I would trust him with my own life.

Special mention for Dante. Here a very detailed and not at all subjective comment: nnnngh. There, I said it.

Stephanie Garber’s writing style is unique. It flows like water and has the most enchanting descriptions I’ve ever read in a long time; it never wraps up the pace of reading.

She imagined loving him would feel like falling in love with darkness, frightening and consuming yet utterly beautiful when the stars came out.

The love that binds the two sisters is certainly at the heart of the story and I loved how these two young women, while being the opposite of each other, would do anything to protect each other. I have no sisters nor brothers, but if I had, I would have loved to have had their relationship.

Caraval is a book full of adventure and twists, and it is unpredictable in the most delicious and terrifying sense of the word. I recommend reading it to everyone, because it is a magical and exhilarating experience.

He tasted like midnight and wind, and shades of rich brown and light blue. Colors that made her feel safe and guarded.

Some facts about the author:

Stephanie Garber is adorable grew up in California, where she was often compared to Joe March in Little Women and other fictional characters armed with unbridled imagination and a touch of stubbornness. When not writing, Stephanie teaches creative writing dreaming of her next adventure and waiting for Legend to send her a personal invitation. Caraval was her debut novel, followed by Legendary and Finale, for a long time at the top of the American charts. (Source Rizzoli Libri)

You can follow her on social medias (instagram, twitter and facebook) and her website http://stephaniegarberauthor.com/

♦

For those who read it: did you like it? No? Why? If you had an invitation, would you rather join the game, watch as a spectator or would you like to be an actor? Let me know in the comments below!

Come sempre iniziamo dalla copertina, perché merita una nota di merito. Non è meravigliosa? È luccicante ed elegante, e la stella sullo sfondo è un delizioso dettaglio che potrete cogliere solo leggendo il libro.

La citazione “Remember, it’s only a game…” riassume il cuore delle vicende. Si tratta di un gioco, fatto di magia, di illusioni, di indizi che possono essere bugie e verità, ma pur sempre un gioco. I confini tra finzione e realtà sono però molto labili e facilmente confondibili.

Scarlett (o Rossella, nella traduzione italiana) e Donatella si ritrovano parte di questo gioco quando la prima sorella, dopo anni di lettere spedite al creatore di Caraval, Mastro Legend, riceve finalmente una risposta e gli inviti. Spinta dallo spirito avventuriero di Donatella, Scarlett da una parte è desiderosa di lasciarsi alle spalle un padre violento e un matrimonio forzato e privo di amore, dall’altra teme che la sua vita, ma soprattutto quella della sorella, vengano messe in pericolo per un’esuberanza simile. Il premio in palio, però, è grande: un solo desiderio che verrà avverato, qualsiasi esso sia.

Per una serie di circostanze, il misterioso marinaio di nome Julian accompagnerà le sorelle all’Isla de los Sueños, isola privata di Legend e luogo in cui si svolge il gioco. Ed è qui che la magia inizia.

Qualsiasi cosa tu abbia sentito raccontare di Caraval non è paragonabile alla realtà. È molto più di un semplice gioco o di uno spettacolo. È quanto di più vicino alla magia esista a questo mondo.

Caraval è una sorta di enorme circo che si espande su diversi pezzetti di terra, tra canali e notti stellate, abitato da centinaia di persone, siano essi attori o invitati. Si può scegliere di partecipare attivamente nel gioco e trovare gli indizi che portino alla vittoria, oppure essere un semplice spettatore e godersi lo spettacolo. Scarlett non avrà scelta, dato che lo scopo del gioco diventa trovare la sorella rapita, e farà di tutto per vincere e salvarla – anche farsi aiutare da un mascalzone come Julian (inserire occhi a cuoricino qui).

Scarlett è una ragazza con cui ho empatizzato tantissimo fin dall’inizio: è convinta di non avere scelte, insicura ed estremamente razionale (alcuni la definiscono noiosa, in confronto alla sorella, perché non rischia mai di fare la scelta più azzardata solo per il gusto dell’avventura), ma è disposta anche a barattare informazioni con un giorno della sua vita per amore di Donatella. A questo proposito, il metodo di pagamento è particolarissimo e ingegnoso.

Il mondo di Caraval è più vivo e tangibile che mai, soprattutto visto attraverso gli occhi di Scarlett. La ragazza ha un dono (di cui si scoprirà la fonte nel terzo e ultimo libro della serie), ovvero quello di vedere le emozioni delle persone attraverso i colori. Persino il suo nuovo abito, un regalo di Legend in persona, cambia colore a seconda del suo umore. Le descrizioni che ne conseguono sono veri e propri quadri.

Shades of the rich ruby love she’d felt during the game mixed with hues of deep-indigo hurt, turning everything just a little bit violet.

La Garber dice spesso di essersi ispirata a due cose per l’ambientazione quasi fiabesca di Caraval: una via di mezzo tra il mondo scintillante di The Great Gatsby e una canzone dei Florence + The Machine. Non saprei descriverlo con parole migliori.

Parlando di personaggi, Julian è quasi più enigmatico di Legend, ma solo perché quest’ultimo rimane una costante figura sullo sfondo di cui si conosce solo la fama (ma che avrà molto spazio nel secondo volume, Legendary). Julian è ambiguo, non si sa bene se ci si può fidare o meno e nasconde più di un segreto. Ma io gli affiderei la mia stessa vita.

Menzione speciale per Dante, di cui farò un commento molto articolato e per niente soggettivo: nnnngh. E ho detto tutto.

Lo stile di scrittura di Stephanie Garber è unico. Scorre come acqua e ha le descrizioni più incantevoli che abbia mai letto da tempo: mai pesanti, senza mai incartare il ritmo della lettura.

She imagined loving him would feel like falling in love with darkness, frightening and consuming yet utterly beautiful when the stars came out.

L’amore che lega le due sorelle è certamente il fulcro della storia e ho amato come queste due giovani donne, pur essendo l’una l’opposto dell’altra, farebbero di tutto pur di proteggersi vicenda. Non ho sorelle né fratelli, ma se ne avessi avuto mi sarebbe piaciuto avere il loro rapporto.

Caraval è un libro ricco di avventura e di colpi di scena, ed è imprevedibile nel senso più delizioso e terrificante del termine. Consiglio a tutti la lettura, perché è un’esperienza magica ed esilarante.

He tasted like midnight and wind, and shades of rich brown and light blue. Colors that made her feel safe and guarded.

Qualche curiosità sull’autrice

Stephanie Garber è adorabile è cresciuta in California, dove spesso la paragonavano alla Joe March di Piccole Donne e ad altri personaggi di finzione armati di sfrenata immaginazione e una punta di cocciutaggine. Quando non scrive, Stephanie insegna scrittura creativa sognando la sua prossima avventura e aspetta che Legend le mandi un invito personale. Caraval è stato il suo romanzo d’esordio, seguito da Legend e Finale, per lungo tempo in vetta alle classifiche americane. (Fonte Rizzoli Libri)

Potete seguirla sui social (instagram, twitter e facebook) e sul suo sito web http://stephaniegarberauthor.com/

♦

Per chi lo ha letto: vi è piaciuto? No? Perché? Se aveste un invito, partecipereste al gioco, preferireste guardare da spettatori o vorreste essere attori? Raccontatemelo nei commenti!

Dear readers,

I stumbled upon this first book in the trilogy by Stephanie Garber when I was in book hangover from The Night Circus, almost a year ago. I was looking for something that could live up to that magical experience and, blessed be Goodreads, Caraval appeared among my reading suggestions.

I have never read a book as bright and colorful and magical and simply amazing as this one. I fell in love with Garber’s world, characters and unique writing style. It doesn’t have the same refined delicacy as The Night Circus, but it really is a great read.

Just to be clear: I have read the book in the original language; I don’t know if the Italian translation is good or not, so my every judgment on the writing style is based on the English version.

Did I intrigue you? Read on!

Caraval, plot:

Scarlett has never left the tiny island where she and her beloved sister, Tella, live with their powerful, and cruel, father. Now Scarlett’s father has arranged a marriage for her, and Scarlett thinks her dreams of seeing Caraval, the far-away, once-a-year performance where the audience participates in the show, are over.

But this year, Scarlett’s long-dreamt of invitation finally arrives. With the help of a mysterious sailor, Tella whisks Scarlett away to the show. Only, as soon as they arrive, Tella is kidnapped by Caraval’s mastermind organizer, Legend. It turns out that this season’s Caraval revolves around Tella, and whoever finds her first is the winner.

Scarlett has been told that everything that happens during Caraval is only an elaborate performance. But she nevertheless becomes enmeshed in a game of love, heartbreak, and magic with the other players in the game. And whether Caraval is real or not, she must find Tella before the five nights of the game are over, a dangerous domino effect of consequences is set off, and her sister disappears forever.

As always, let’s start from the cover, because it deserves a note of merit. Isn’t it wonderful? It’s shimmering and elegant, and the star in the background is a delightful detail that you will only be able to grasp by reading the book.

The quote “Remember, it’s only a game…” summarizes the heart of the events. It is a game made of magic, illusions, clues that can be lies and truths, but still a game. The boundaries between fiction and reality, however, are very blurred and easily confused.

Scarlett and Donatella find themselves part of this game when the first sister, after years of letters sent to the creator of Caraval, Master Legend, finally receives an answer and invitations. Driven by Donatella’s adventurous spirit, Scarlett is on one hand eager to leave behind a violent father and a forced and loveless marriage, on the other she fears that her life, but especially that of her sister, will be put in danger for an exuberance like that one. The prize, however, is great: only one wish that will come true, whatever it may be. They could live a better life!

Under a variety of circumstances, a mysterious sailor named Julian will accompany the sisters to the Isla de los Sueños, Legend’s private island and location of the game. And this is where the magic begins.

Whatever you’ve heard about Caraval, it doesn’t compare to the reality. It’s more than just a game or performance. It’s the closest you’ll ever find yourself magic in this world.

Caraval is a sort of huge circus that spreads out over different pieces of land, between canals and starry nights, inhabited by hundreds of people, be they actors or guests. You can choose to actively participate in the game and find the clues that lead to victory, or be a mere spectator and enjoy the show. Scarlett will have no choice, as the aim of the game becomes to find her kidnapped sister, and will do anything to rescue her – even get help from a scoundrel like Julian (insert heart eyes here).

Scarlett is a girl with whom I have empathized a lot from the beginning: she is convinced that she has no choices, she is insecure and extremely rational (some define her as boring compared to her sister, because she never risks making the most dangerous choice just for  taste of adventure), but she is also willing to give up a day of her life in exchange of information to find her sister. In this regard, the payment method is very special and ingenious.

Caraval’s world is more alive and tangible than ever, especially seen through Scarlett’s eyes. The girl has a gift (the source of which will be discovered in the third and final book of the series), namely that of seeing people’s emotions through colors. Even her new dress, a gift from Legend himself, changes color according to her mood. The descriptions that follow are real paintings.

Shades of the rich ruby love she’d felt during the game mixed with hues of deep-indigo hurt, turning everything just a little bit violet.

Garber often says she was inspired by two things for Caraval’s almost fairytale setting: a middle way between the glittering world of The Great Gatsby and a song by Florence + The Machine. I can’t describe it in better words.

Speaking of characters, Julian is almost more enigmatic than Legend, but only because the latter remains a constant figure in the background preceded by his fame (he will have a lot of space in the second volume, Legendary). Julian is ambiguous, it is not known whether he can be trusted or not and he hides more than one secret. But I would trust him with my own life.

Special mention for Dante. Here a very detailed and not at all subjective comment: nnnngh. There, I said it.

Stephanie Garber’s writing style is unique. It flows like water and has the most enchanting descriptions I’ve ever read in a long time; it never wraps up the pace of reading.

She imagined loving him would feel like falling in love with darkness, frightening and consuming yet utterly beautiful when the stars came out.

The love that binds the two sisters is certainly at the heart of the story and I loved how these two young women, while being the opposite of each other, would do anything to protect each other. I have no sisters nor brothers, but if I had, I would have loved to have had their relationship.

Caraval is a book full of adventure and twists, and it is unpredictable in the most delicious and terrifying sense of the word. I recommend reading it to everyone, because it is a magical and exhilarating experience.

He tasted like midnight and wind, and shades of rich brown and light blue. Colors that made her feel safe and guarded.

Some facts about the author:

Stephanie Garber is adorable grew up in California, where she was often compared to Joe March in Little Women and other fictional characters armed with unbridled imagination and a touch of stubbornness. When not writing, Stephanie teaches creative writing dreaming of her next adventure and waiting for Legend to send her a personal invitation. Caraval was her debut novel, followed by Legendary and Finale, for a long time at the top of the American charts. (Source Rizzoli Libri)

You can follow her on social medias (instagram, twitter and facebook) and her website http://stephaniegarberauthor.com/

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For those who read it: did you like it? No? Why? If you had an invitation, would you rather join the game, watch as a spectator or would you like to be an actor? Let me know in the comments below!