Join Caraval and let its magic realise your dreams.

If you heard about Caraval, you may know Once a Broken Heart. Whatever it may be your answer, I have come across this book purely by curiosity – and because I thought it was going to be another Hunger Games – so I rushed to buy the book. And I was not disappointed.

WHAT IS CARAVAL?

Caraval is a game, despite how limiting this word might be. Legend, this magician no one has ever seen, controls Caraval and all of its player. His abilities are the strongest during these nights and its with his magic that Caraval becomes something spectacular able to confuse its player between truths and illusions. Many things happen during the game, including players getting lost in an illusion with no happy ending. But despite the dangers hidden behind the game, every edition sees players joining without hesitation — and many other just happy to jump in just to watch everyone playing — including the Dragnas. Scarlett and Donatella Dragna are to sisters who share with Caraval much more than they might have expected. And as this festival will reveal, magic lies in more than Legend and his games.

WHO ARE DONATELLA AND SCARLETT?

Daughters of the Governor Marcello Dragna, Scarlett and Donatella have been raised by a ruthless father who had always been in control of his daughter, especially after their mother disappearance. Raised with stories about Caraval, Scarlett and Donatella find themselves participating in the game despite their very different reasons. And just like the rule have always implied, knowing what was real and what not seemed to be the biggest challenge. Divided during the game, a marriage at the doors and Marcello just behind the corner to bring them back home, the only true thing about Caraval is the bond between the two sisters.

MY COMMENTS

I have LOVED this trilogy, despite spending far too much time reading it in my defence, though, I was working on my IRP for my final year and basically had only that in mind. But despite taking forever to read these book, I have loved every single page. The first book — Caraval — follows Scarlett during her first Caraval. With Donatella going around with a plan of her own, there are many secrets surrounding the festival, including the identity of the man behind the games.

Now I did spoil myself who he was pretty soon and I would advice everyone not to go on google, for anything Caraval related until you finish the trilogy. But if you re like me and don’t really suffer from spoilers, then I suppose there will be no damages from making a few searches. The idea is for Legend’s identity to be a secret till pretty much the second book, though I suspect you might still have some ideas on his identity while reading.

Overall Caraval is everything but boring and I’m sure you will enjoy following the Dragna’s adventures. The third book, with the Fates, is my absolute favourite. While the first two books are dedicated to one sister each, the third brings back the focus to the both of them. I was absolutely delighted with this decision of observing both the sisters. While I understood why we were following only one of them through the other books — if we had to actually observe Donatella first Caraval we would know a bit too much of it —, I did miss one of the other until Finale.

I do actually need to read Spectacular — the sequel not so sequel — but I am planning to look first at the Once a Broker Heart collection, in case there’s any spoiler from that trilogy I won’t be catching. Overall I would say you should absolutely give this book a chance. I so plan to dress up on theme, if only I would have a chance to.

Throwing out there… hire me for an hypothetical tv show so I have the perfect excuse to dress up for in character.

Happy reading,
Marianna