#scarlett is my favorite dragna sister

[romajuliettesupremacy]

stephanie garber wrote scarlett dragna for the mentally ill girlies, the older sisters, and the swifties

#scarlett is my favorite dragna sister #sorry tella #it’s the older sister in me #someone needs to get my girl some lexapro or something #she’s so anxious but it’s ok because i love her #ALSO HER AND JULIAN #ARE YOU KIDDING #THEYRE SO CUTE #so my ranking for the caraval triogy as of right now is 1.finale 2. caraval 3. legendary #i’m sorry tella i love you but your love life made me want to slam my head into a wall #i did give all the books 5 stars on my goodreads so like obviously i didn’t hate legendary #i’m just a julian girl i can’t help it #SHES SO TAYLOR SWIFT #ALL OF RED WAS LITERALLY WROTE FOR HER #ironically do i think she’s a folklore and lover girlie #actually she’s also a red girlie #crimson❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ #caraval #legendary #finale

[illicthearts]

Just saw a post saying that Scarlett Dragna conforms to gender roles and that Tella should’ve been the protagonist isn’t of Scarlett and compared her to Taryn because she wanted that marriage and wanted to be safe from her father. Because she wanted safety over living for danger like tf?! Like did we miss the part where she though the only thing that can save her was this marriage? What I first liked about Scarlett was that she wanted safety, she wasn’t in a position do to whatever she wants, if she did than her father would punish her sister. She had never known safety and she wanted that first. Everytime she agrees to this marriage is when she’s trying to protect someone she loves. She marrying in the first place so the count can take Scarlett and her sister away from their abusive dad and the other time was when she was trying to protect Julian, her way of protecting them might not be with fighting but she’s still do it and I applaud her for it and love her for it. And she realizes that that’s not what all life’s about, that’s it’s not just about being safe but also living and that’s called character development

They also said that Stephenie was trying to brainwash teenage girls by making them think that following the rules and conforming to gender roles. Like what? I don’t much about Stephenie Garber and the Caraval series since I just started reading them but one of the things I love about Scarlett and Eva is that they’re kind of traditionally feminine, Scarlett wants to get married to a man who can protect her from her father and Eva just wants to find her one true love, she loves to dress up and favorite thing about her self is her rose gold hair and she likes to dress up and stuff and I love that about her. (like me) I relate to her so much on that level. I love they’re traditional feminine and they aren’t being punished for it.

So anyways that’s my rant, I just want peoples to stop bashing female characters for wanting traditional female things or wanting what’s typically feminine. Like if you want a badass sword fighting women than go read some other book, this one isn’t for you. Women are allowed to liked things that apparently conform to gender roles, just let them like what they want.

#scarlett dragna #stephenie garber #caraval #evangeline fox #Stan Scarlett dragna

[livlepretre]

Hey, just wanted to thank you for recommending Caraval! It only took me a few days to read it and I loved it more than I thought I could!

Just because I'm curious.. who are your favorite characters? And ships? I personally shipped Legend with Scarlett, I was disappointed that they didn't happen.🥲✨

(Not me always falling for impossible ships, just why💀)

Omg you are luring me out of hiding with this caraval ask hahaha

I’m so happy you adored the series— I too was caught off guard by just how much I loved it.

My favorites… gosh, I think a big reason why I love the series so much is that the characters give me those warm fuzzy “oh yes, these are my friends” feelings— I overall really like all of the mains, but the Dragna sisters are at the heart of it for me— getting to alternate between their povs in the last book was heaven for me. Their love for each other was so wonderfully depicted and completely convinced me, and they were so different and yet so obviously sisters. But honestly I also adore Julian, I find him completely hilarious. Also???? I would describe most of the characters as bastards (Gavriel, LEGEND), devils (Tella and Julian, Paloma), or weird fuckos (WHAT is Jacks’s energy, please tell me, because it is distinct but weird as hell omg) but Scarlett is somehow actually just a ray of beautiful rainbow sunshine and I appreciate it so much.

As for ships!! Okay I COMPLETELY feel you on Scarlett x Legend— I was convinced of it throughout the first book (HE ONLY WRITES BACK ONCE SHE TELLS HIM SHE’S GETTING MARRIED) and was honestly disappointed when it turned out at the end of the first book that Tella x Legend was happening all along. (I think I thought the letter at the end from “a friend” was from Legend. Oh what an innocent fool I was.) BUT, WOW did I come around on Julian x Scarlett. Like, I also spent a while in the first book convinced Julian had to be Legend simply because the chemistry was so good between them and I was so into it and Julian is just off putting enough. And everything happening with him in the 2nd book cements this for me. (I like complicated and messy things, and details like him knowing Armando was playing the game all along and deciding to hide it because he won’t play fair since he wants to win was 10/10 for me.) Also he is so dashing? Of course he runs in to that doomed immortal after party to go save her if he possibly can.

Now. The Big Question. Legend or Jacks with Tella. This messed with my mind soooo much. Like, I am into Legend. I am into the fact that he apparently died like a halfway through Caraval (oops haha) but also the fact that he just can’t love her?? the scene at the immortal market when he’s like, who is the father of her child??? THE SCENE WHERE HE SAVES HER FROM THE CARD?????? GAH. Love it and love their dynamic. All of the dreaminess of like the first 10 chapters of Finale. The creepiness mixed in with the wonder. But. But!!! Jacks!!! Look, his energy is off the charts feral and WEIRD but I am a SUCKER for this sort of ship. The elements of fate and horror and!!! And!!! Oh, his love for her is destroying him? Oh, he cursed her and she’s dying? Oh, she’s his one true love but she doesn’t really return his sentiments but has a strange connection to him and keeps going back? OH, THEY ARE MARRIED BECAUSE HE TRICKED HER INTO AN ARCANE AND TERRIFYING SOUL BINDING RITUAL???? I am bitterly disappointed that this ended so abruptly— I want more! I wanted AT LEAST a denouement after she is freed from his spell— or something! And wow that divorce was way too easy. I thought there were supposed to be terribly permanent effects? Like, I was too agonized over this ship to read the Jacks sequel novels right away (Once Upon a Broken Heart if you are not aware of it yet, and Happily Never After coming out soon!) because I was afraid he would get a new girlfriend/I didn’t want to move on from the Dragna sisters as the main heroines yet, but I am inching closer.

#mirrorsofmagic #asks #caraval

[bmacreadz]

"Finale" by Stephanie Garber

"Finale" was a hectic ending to an amazing series. I enjoyed the book, but I have to agree with other reviews I've read that say Stephanie Garber seemed to have a lot of ideas that she squeezed into it. It made some elements seem very disconnected to the rest of the story. There were definitely parts that could have - and probably should have, in my opinion - been left out. To avoid spoilers, that's all I will say about that. Despite those elements, I still believe this book was good. It was a decent ending to a magnificent series. (I've used the word "magnificent" fairly often in my reviews of the books in this series, but they truly are magnificent.) "Finale" tells the remainder of the story from both Dragna sisters' perspectives, and I'm so glad that Stephanie Garber did that. I missed Scarlett in "Legendary," and was happy to see parts of her story unfold through her eyes.

Caution: Minor spoilers (?)

I definitely think that "Legendary" is my favorite book in the series. But I know that "Finale" included some necessary evils that, no matter how bad I wished to avoid them, had to be written. I personally did not enjoy the direction that the story took with Legend at the beginning, but Stephanie Garber eventually got me to the place where I hoped to be in that regard. For that, I am satisfied. Maybe reading this one immediately after "Legendary" was a mistake, because I was genuinely so enthralled with that book. It was incredible, in my opinion. "Finale" did not leave me with the same feelings that "Legendary" did, but I am content with the story and am glad for happy endings regardless.

If you are looking to escape into a magical world of wonder, mystery, and romance, then the "Caraval" series is one you should chance. I am normally very picky about the books that I read, and even more so when those books are part of a series. So, don't take this recommendation lightly. Stephanie Garber is one of the most creative minds I've had the pleasure of reading from, and though I have some minor reservations, I was not disappointed in the least. I will read this series again and again, and I hope this review inspires you to do the same.

#bookreview #finale #caraval #stephanie garber

[heliads]

Um, obviously we need to discuss Caraval? I haven't read the last book in the trilogy yet (I just got it for Christmas and I'm slowly working my way to it), but they are easily some of my favorite books I've ever read, and the relationship between Scarlett and Tella reminds me SO MUCH of the relationship between me and my younger sister. Your thoughts?

oh my GODD i love caraval so much!! i feel like not nearly enough people have heard about it, which is a crime. i have reread that trilogy so many times it's crazy, and i just recently read once upon a broken heart for the first time. it's about jacks, my beloved, and it was so fun.

i feel like stephanie garber is just really good at descriptions, you know? from the way she talked about scarlett's dress alone, the whole thing was fantastic. i want to go to a caraval of my own except i would not win solely because i am not a dragna. that would be fine, though. literally just being there would be enough for me.

in conclusion, the caraval world is my comfort universe and i would talk about it for hours if given the chance

#the way caraval actually means everything to me #not writing

[whimsicalfay]

Once Upon a Broken Heart left me feeling uneasy (in a good way)

*SPOILERS*

So I've finally got my hands on Once Upon a Broken Heart and I was so hyped about it that it took me just about five hours to read it whole. Yes, I like the world of Caraval that much, and I specially like Jacks. A lot. He probably is my favorite character from the YA fantasy genre.

Anyway! Here are my thoughts on this book.

Evangeline. What is there to say about our new protagonist? I'm not gonna lie, I did compare her to Scarlett and Tella a few times, but I think that was to be expected. We spent three books with the Dragna sisters so of course, if a new MC was ever introduced, some comparisons would arise. I think Evangeline is just as good as those two, she's still no my favorite type of MC, but that's just personal taste, because she is good and even though she's not my taste, I did enjoy reading her.

Although I won't say I liked everything about this book. I tried not to compare, because this is a new story with a new MC, so of course it would be very different from the Caraval books, but sometimes I couldn't help but doing it. Once Upon a Broken Heart didn't feel as magical (to me, at least) as the Caraval trilogy. Maybe it's because I liked the concept of the original series better. I felt it was more unique and well, magical. Plot wise this new book, to me, felt like your typical YA fantasy romance (although that doesn't mean it isn't a good book).

These are the only two things I'd say I didn't love, although I didn't dislike them either.

Now, now, now.

Finally some of my questions have been answered! So Tella is Jacks' true love (sort of), and that made me very happy (even tho I know this ship will never ever be). But the answer to my question only brought me MORE questions lol. Which is good!

I'm inclined to believe that Garber likes her love triangles, and I'm expecting Once Upon a Broken Heart to have one too (maybe even a love square? I mean Luc is still alive and we know he didn't leave Evangeline because he wanted to, he did it because he was cursed, and Apollo has the possibility to be brought back to live). I want to believe Jacks is the main love interest this time around. I mean, the book was kinda marketed as "find out what happened to Jacks after Finale!", so I'm really hoping he's the main guy now. Also, if we look at the Tella/Dante/Jacks love triangle, Tella ended up with the guy she spent more time with in the book. That makes me believe that when Garber writes love triangles she focuses more on the guy that will be the final choice, so it would make sense of Evangeline ends up with Jacks. Or maybe this is just my hopeful thinking.

And it's obvious that Jacks likes Evangeline (my Tella/Jacks shipper heart felt a little hurt about this, but oh well lol, I already knew my ship would never sail), and something is leading me to believe that Evangeline will be one of Jacks' true loves. I don't think those mentions of "maybe the story was wrong and you have some other true love somewhere" (paraphrasing, of course) are there just because. There's a reason it was mentioned, and most likely than not that reason is that Jacks will have a second one true love, or something similar. It actually would make sense if through time Jacks found several one true loves, because he can live for a long, long time. Although the coming of the second true love happening so shortly after the first one it's not that believable, but I can still buy it.

Aaaaaand Jacks' heart started beating again and I don't know why Evangeline didn't give much thought to it? Like girl, you know how the story goes, his heart would start to beat again after finding his one true love and you know Tella isn't around so hey, maybe you made his heart beat again! Also she found like seven books of that fairytale where the whole theme is "If the Archer kissed his fox girl or if he killed her", and doesn't that sound very similar to a Fate with the power to kill the girl he falls for, a girl named Evangeline Fox? And he had an encyclopedia with the "E" marked down? E as in EEEEvangeline? Please girl make the connection! Like that would have been my first thought lol (although it could also be because Jacks was investigating her? If, big IF, the conclusion Evangeline reached by the end of the book is to be believed, because I don't think she's a reliable narrator, so this could mean that either Jacks really set her up or that we'll witness a good ol' miscommunication trope).

But then I think, did Jacks' heart really start to beat again because of Evangeline? If I remember correctly he needed to kiss his one true love for his heart to start to beat again (at least that's how it happened in Legendary. His heart didn't start to beat until he kissed Tella), unless him licking Eva's neck counts as a kiss? Or maybe it wasn't the kiss with Tella the thing that made his heart beat again, maybe it was that he got closer to her? We can't know since we don't know when exactly his heart started to beat again, maybe it was way before Tella noticed it, maybe it was since they kissed. But since we don't know I'll assume his heart started beating after the kiss.

So I have two theories about this:

Evangeline is he second one true love and after what happened in the crypt (and after finally letting let go of Tella, because that's how I interpreted him wanting to get rid of the knife. It could also have another interpretation but for this point only this one is important) he realized he was in love with Evangeline. After all he did restrain himself to not bite her. He also protected her from Luc without thinking it (although Evangeline doesn't strike me as the most reliable of narrators with the whole Marisol thingy), and he's actually treating her with some respect? With Tella, he forced himself on her a lot, but with Evangeline he looks like he's trying to hold back and that surely means something: either 1) he doesn't want to hurt Eva, 2) he doesn't want to get too close to another girl after what happend with Tella or 3) he needs Eva to open the arch so that's why he's showing some moderation and why he's protecting her so much.

It's obvious, by the way he reacts every time someone mentions her name, that Tella still has some sort of effect on him. When Evangeline made him talk about Tella in the crypt he seemed very hurt, especially after she told him that maybe Tella didn't choose him because he's a jerk. Let just look at his reaction! "Jacks flinched. He was quick to cover it up, and it was hard to fully see, even with all the torches, but Evangeline would have sworn his cheeks had filled with streaks of color." And why would Jacks have his cheeks filled with streaks of color? Because he was crying, as we know he cries blood. So one possibility could be that after remembering Tella his heart started to beat again, because she will always have that power over him (and I promise this is not my Tella/Jacks shipper heart talking, I just think is a plausible theory)

Buuuut, yes there's a but! Buuut I don't know if I want Jacks to have a happy ending hehe.

One of the things that made me love Dante a little (just a tiny little) bit less was the fact that he got a happy ending, because in order to get a happy ending he had to get rid of what made him really interesting as a character: his mysteriousness and his "villainess" (he wasn't really a villain but you get me). And I'm scared of that happening to Jacks too. I don't want him to stop being a Fate or to stop being a selfish prick that manipulates everyone he cross paths with, that's what made me love him, that's what makes Jacks be Jacks. I wouldn't even want him to have a happy ending with Tella (and that's my main ship) if that meant he would stop being the Jacks we know. And I know some people really like the whole "changing because love" trope, but I don't like it haha.

But hey, maybe I'm wrong, because there also were things that made me think that Jacks was doomed to suffer heartbreak over and over again. LaLa told Evangeline that Fates felt the compulsion of being that what they were made to be. Like LaLa was doomed to always end up as the unwed bride. She repeats the story over and over again: she falls in love and goes to marry, only to be left crying on the Altar when the groom doesn't show up. Maybe Jacks is doomed to always end his relationships with heartbreak, be it with his one true love or not, because he's the Fate of the broken hearts. That is what he was made to be.

And for him to have a happy ending he has to stop being that what he was made to be (and I really don't want that T_T).

So that's why Once Upon a Broken Heart left me feeling uneasy, in a good kind of way, for the most part at least, because I don't know if this time Jacks will be the main love interest, I don't know if he will get a happy ending, I don't even know if he could get a happy ending (or if I would like him to).

#caraval #donatella dragna #jacks #fantasy #books #finale #ya books #fantasy books #stephanie garber #legendary #evajacks #does the tella/jacks ship have a name? #my thoughts #review #once upon a broken heart #ouabh #evangeline fox

[bluedietcoke]

10 fandoms 10 characters thing:

annabeth chase - riordanverse.

my logical strong queen. she’s truly THE definition of having both brain and brawn and i love how realistically flawed rick wrote her character. it makes her more likable. her family problems, her inability to express what she truly felt for percy, and emotional turmoil were all very humane things which i loved.

nesta archeron - acotar

i don’t know but i feel a very strong connection to nesta’s character because of how many flaws that she has. yes, she’s snarky. yes, she doesn’t show love to the people she cares for most. and yes she could be better, but that was what acosf was about: her journey to be a better person. and girl had GOD TIER character development. i stan one badass bitch in acotar and it’s nesta. also her nicknames like lady death, princess of decay, kingslayer, etc are so hot.

kenji kishimoto - shatter me

my king. i wish we got to really see his true backstory in the trilogy aside from his relationship with castle, but kenji’s friendship with juliette gives me life. the scene in ignite me when he found juliette again broke my heart because he didn’t get to break down, but instead used humor as a coping mechanism. i haven’t met a single person who doesn’t stan him and with good reason too.

scarlett dragna - caraval

she’s probably one of my favorite women book characters ever. stephanie garber absolutely went OFF on scarlett and i loved every moment reading in her pov. seeing the world of caraval and magic through her eyes was absolutely awe inspiring. she’s such a strong and powerful woman who fought so incredibly hard for the people she loved even when she knew they didn’t love her nearly as much.

kathleen lang - these violent delights

kathleen and juliette were tied, but i went with kathleen. i loved how she stood up for herself when everyone in the cai family doubted her ability to kill and defend herself and in the end, she proved all of them wrong. and the plottwist with the lang sisters blew my mind i wasn’t expecting it. i loved how kathleen started off the book doubting everything about who she was until the end where her loyalty kept her going and the build up to that point was spectacular.

xander hawthorne - the inheritance games

avery and jameson are close seconds, but there was just something about XANDER that really struck me. i wasn’t expecting the plottwist at the end with his character but it was incredibly well written. i likes how his struggles with being the only poc hawthorne were real. i aspire to be as smart and charming as xander, and loved his relationship with avery. he was one of the only ones who defended her in every situation and i loved it.

ailesse - bone crier’s moon

first: ailesse is so hot i simp over her like ten times a day. i loved how constantly brave she was over the course of the book, even when the odds were very much not in her favor. her LOYALTY to sabine and all of the leuress was so emotional because she had been willing to die for all of them, especially sabine, at any given moment. her relationship with bastien was super cute and i loved the enemies to lovers buildup. but yeah stan ailesse for being such a well rounded character.

alessandra stathos - the shadows between us

when i tell you that alessandra is a badass character, i mean she THE badass character. i loved reading in her pov because i saw how her mind worked and her shields that she put up in order to never get hurt by anyone ever again. she’s incredibly independent beyond words and knows what she wants and knows how to get it.

jesper fahey - six of crows

he’s a sharpshooter with a good sense of humor and a bisexual legend. there’s nothing more to want in a character. but i really did love his humor and the loyalty he had for the crows even when they were all going to die. he’s literally my comfort character and the trauma he had made him so much more idealistically real and likable.

katniss everdeen - the hunger games

i aspire to have the courage and confidence katniss had in all three books. she’s the embodiment of a true dystopian hero and i adored the amount of passion she had in saving people and protecting the ones who showed her even an ounce of kindness. she truly deserved so much better.

#honorable mentions: #maven calore #wanda maximoff #hayley marshall #that was fun though #percy jackson #annabeth chase #kenji kishimoto #ailesse #kathleen lang #alessandra stathos #nesta archeron #jesper fahey #katniss everdeen #xander hawthorne #scarlett dragna

[onceuponabookcase]

Caraval by Stephanie Garber

I loved this book. I could read Scarlett and Julian all day long without getting bored. This is a book club read for my friends and. I’m actually still at the beginning of Legendary. J has finished the series. S hasn’t started Finale yet, and I finished the series literally two hours ago. 

Blurb: Scarlett Dragna has never left the tiny island where she and her 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 faraway, 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. Nevertheless she becomes enmeshed in a game of love, heartbreak, and magic.

I’d like to point out that these are just my annotations, and I’ll never have ‘hot-takes’ on books. Most of them are really just me flailing, and keeping track of my thoughts while reading because hello, short term memory. Also, these are obviously spoilers. 

Page 55: J U L I AN! Scarlett can’t swim because of her dress, and he sinks under the water to cut the dress off of her. The tension here is so fucking delicious. At this point, I wasn’t sure if Julian really was Scar’s love interest, and I had been worried to become too invested in case Julian was meant to be Tella’s. I didn’t want to see a love triangle like that, but I was gone at ‘Then, the tip of his knife pressed against her breasts. Scarlett’s breath caught as the sailor cut her corset…’ 

Page 143: Julian is so cheeky. He spots Scarlett when she sees a tent selling kisses, and offers to help her practice before her wedding. Speaking of looming nuptials, he also calls Scarlett’s fiancé a liar as well because she’s never met him. I giggled a little at this part. 

Page 151: “I think he’s the most attractive person I’ve ever seen.” GIRL, SAME. 

Page 170: JULIAN FOUND AND RETURNED HER EARRINGS. They meant so much to her. 

Page 208-211: Scarlett loses two days of her life. My heart was in my throat. I didn’t know what to expect because no matter what I tried to expect, Garber continued to surprise me. Julian takes one of the days she lost, leaving them to both only lose one. Now, I love this entire scene, but it’s not actually what my note was for. It’s for this quote: ‘Not quite sure how far she’d already fallen, she imagined loving him would feel like falling in love with darkness, frightening and consuming, yet utterly beautiful when the stars came out.’

Page 217: SHE THINKS JULIAN IS LEGEND. OH MY FUCKS. ← a direct annotation. It’s worth pointing out that one of my friends in our little book club of three actually called who Legend was from book one. 

Page 242: They’re trapped in a room together, in extremely close proximity. *wiggles eyebrows* Scarlett says the room must be connected to their emotions, that they need to calm down. ‘Julian made a strangled sound. “That’s not easy at the moment.”’ 

Page 275: ‘“I’m so stupid.”’ ‘“None of this means anything to you. You saw my fiancé, got jealous, acted rashly, and now you regret it.”’ 

‘“Is that what you think?”’

Man, I hurt with Scarlett here. And then - AND THEN, Julian steps closer. ‘“Is this close enough for you?”’

screams

Page 286: HER FATHER IS A FUCKING MONSTER. FUCK THAT GUY. I sucked in a breath when he slashed Julian’s face, and my boss was sitting beside me at work. 

Page 287: ‘“Do you really want a bride who will only sleep with you because another man will be tortured if she doesn’t?’” Fuck, Scarlett really came out swinging with that one. 

Page 297: ‘“Crimson, don’t fall apart on me now.” The kiss, the way he calls her Crimson, and the way he’s holding her together in the moment. 

Page 315-316: ‘“I lied about how I got bashed in the head,” he mumbled. “I want you to have your earrings back. But the man was tougher than he looked…” I had pieced together already that he’d gone after them for Scarlett, but to hear him admit it as he was dying, it goddamn ripped me apart. 

Page 348: Tella just jumped to HER DEATH WHAT?? I knew from the moment Scarlett thought leap of faith, we were in trouble. 

Page 393: Legend is Julian’s brother. 

Epilogue: The shift to Tella’s perspective was kind of wild. I was not expecting the note that followed, and I hadn’t been expecting the plot twist of how Tella planned everything, down to the smallest detail in order to rescue Scarlett and herself from their father. 

For every plot point I thought I saw coming, Stephanie Garber 100% had another three lined up that I didn’t. Through book one, I really didn’t like Tella very much. Probably because I didn’t get to know her much, and I didn’t recognize what was going on behind the scenes. That’s what made it so great. I’m looking forward to reading the series again after finishing it for the first time, knowing everything I know now. 

Rating for me: 5/5 stars. I thought the world-building was excellent, the twists well-crafted, the romance scorching, and the intrigue masterful. My favorite characters in this book were Julian and Scarlett (I think that may be a common thought though) and my least favorites were Dante and Tella. Now, in Legendary, that dramatically changes, but that’s a post for next time. 

I don’t know how to blog really. I used to really just write fanfiction, but if this is interesting at all...let me know, I guess? 

#caraval #book reviews #book blog #scarlett dragna #julian #ya reads

[shining-just-4-u]

It’s review time!

Book: Caraval

Author: Stephanie Garber

Description: Scarlett Dragna dreams of seeing Caraval, a yearly magical game where the audience is involved. Thanks to her abusive father, Scarlett and her sister Tella have never left their home island. Days before her arranged wedding to a man she’s only ever talked to in letters, Scarlett receives three invitations to the mysterious Caraval. Determined to get her sister off of their island, Tella and a mysterious sailor get Scarlett to the island where Caraval is taking place. When she arrives, Tella is taken by the ringmaster, Legend, and is a central part of this year’s game. Scarlett must save her sister and remember that Caraval, while enchanting, is only a game.

Rating: 4/5

Review (warning-mild spoilers!): I really enjoyed Scarlett as a character and I loved seeing her come out of her shell. This story is very, very dramatic and all the plot twists were amazing. I became so engrossed in the story that even I forgot Caraval was only a game, and I was worried for Scarlett a lot. Julian was definitely one of my favorite characters (I guess I’m a sucker for the name haha) and I really enjoyed how his relationship with Scarlett developed-slight angst, some denial, and some fluff (a perfect mix). I especially loved how he called her Crimson-it was seriously cute. The whole Legend plot line had me thinking maybe Legend was ME, or, like, EVERYONE was somehow Legend. I only took off one point because the confusion was a bit much for me even though it kept me reading for longer than I should’ve. It’s a very easy book to just pick up and read, and every single chapter always leaves you wanting more. It’s the kind of book with short, interesting chapters that make it seem like almost no time has passed.

Let me know if you liked this format, if you have any questions/comments, or if you just wanna chat about books!

#Caraval #Scarlett Dragna #Tella Dragna #Julian Santos #Legend #Dante #recent read #book review #stephanie garber

[indigowritesthings]

Book Review

Book Review

Legendary by Stephanie Garber

               Sometimes when you start a series, you’re a bit indifferent about the first book. It’s the second or third that ties everything together nicely. In this case, I really liked the first book, Caraval. But Legendary still managed to tie the books together well. I actually really loved it.

               The first book tells the story from Scarlett Dragna’s perspective. This story takes place the night after the final book ends, but from her sister Donatella’s perspective. Donatella is fiercely protective, like her sister, but a bit on the rougher side. Where Scarlett was forced out of her comfort zone to ensure her sister’s safety, Tella jumps in with both fists ready and swinging.

               Since this story starts where the last one left off, we are immediately swept away into another Caraval. This time on the streets of the capital city to celebrate the empress’s birthday. Scarlett has no desire to join in the festivities, but Tella has no choice. She’s made a deal with a secret “friend.” If she wins Caraval and tells her friend Legend’s true name, she’ll free her missing mother. If she fails, she and her mother both die.

               The difference between this Caraval and the one before? This one might actually be real.

               Tella’s story is a lot darker than Scarlett’s, though hers was no walk in the park either. The difference is that Scarlett’s story left a lot of mystery and questioning. You couldn’t guess what was real and what wasn’t. That’s not the case in Tella’s. She ends up a bit worse for wear and this time the stakes are much higher.

               Also unlike Scarlett, Tella vows to not be so easily persuaded by love. She has a less rosy outlook on the world but ultimately finds herself falling anyway. But is the man she’s beginning to love truly who he says he is? Or is he just another player in Legend’s game?

               My favorite thing about this story is that it isn’t over yet. The third book in the trilogy tied everything together nicely. I have already read it but I forgot to write a review. I can promise you I really enjoyed it, but it might be a bit too late to give my full thoughts on it now. Whoops.

#book review #legendary #caraval #stephanie garber

[wellfuckyoutookindsir]

What is your favorite film/literary character and why?

Aw man this is a hard one.. uhm...Im going to need to go with Scarlett Dragna or her sister Donatella Dragna from the Caraval trilogy by Stephanie Garber. Scarlett is highly protective of her sister to the point she would die for her, doesn't trust people easily, she thinks everything she does through and doesn't take many chances, she has this really cool ability to see peoples feeling in colour. Donatella is almost the complete opposite, wild, unrully, impulsive but still fiercly loves her sister and actually does die for her but gets wished back to life. I think they are my favourites because I am a weird mix of how they are as people all mixed into one person and I just click with them on a diffrent level, I haven't read the last book in the trilogy yet so there core personalities might have changed slightly but I can't see that happening...I really need to get the last book now 😂

[shakespearcean]

hello hello!! i hope you’re all doing well!! welcome back to saturday night reviews!!

as usual, before we get started, i just want to make a little disclaimer. everything i say in this review is purely my own opinion. i don’t hate any of the authors i review; writing a book is hard work and i admire them for doing it. all the comments i make are from my point of view and i do not mean to offend anyone.

this week we’re doing legendary by stephanie garber. this is the second book in the caraval series, and you can find the review of the first here. i read it immediately after finishing caraval, and i honestly really enjoyed it!

on to the review!!

Legendary follows Donatella Dragna, who has escaped her father and saved her sister, Scarlett, from a disastrous arranged marriage. But sadly, Tella herself isn’t free yet. She made a desperate bargain with a mysterious criminal, and the price is one no one has ever achieved before: Caraval Master Legend’s true name.

Winning Caraval is the only opportunity to get Legend’s true name, and so Tella has to throw herself into the legendary competition once more. In the process, she hurls herself into the path of the murderous heir to the throne, a doomed love story, and a web of secrets, including her sister's. Caraval has always demanded bravery, cunning, and sacrifice, but now the game is asking for more. If Tella can’t fulfill her bargain she loses everything. But if she wins, Legend and Caraval will be destroyed forever.

my final rating is: 3/5 stars

the minute i finished caraval, i hopped onto libby (which is a brilliant app, by the way) and borrowed the only ebook copy of legendary my local library had. the first book did such a good job of drawing me into this magical world that i didn’t want to leave, and legendary did not disappoint. 

legendary begins right after caraval ends, which made reading them back to back even better; there was no enormous time skip to reconcile with. the characters we see a bit in caraval, like tella and julian, are built more in this book. legend is also explored a lot more, which i loved. in the first book, he’s the villain, but in this, you get to learn more about the man behind the legend (hehe), and that makes him even more interesting. 

my favorite character was jacks, which is surprising. i do tend to like villains and anti-heroes more than the other characters, but jacks often doesn’t fit that mold. he’s rude and cold and if i knew him in real life, i would probably really hate him. but he was so well written, and even at the end, stephanie garber didn’t throw away the character she’d spent so much time building. that was the thing that did it for me. 

as with caraval, i would absolutely recommend this. i’ve yet to read the third book but with writing this review, i think i’m gonna go on the hunt for it now. 

let me know what you think of this book, and this review series!! are there any books you’d like me to check out?? 

#bookish #books #book review #bookworm #bookblogger #booklr #bookblr #athenus #eintsein #studylustre #book recommendations #legendary #stephanie garber

[abitoflit]

Finale

“It’s been two months since the Fates were freed from a deck of cards, two months since Legend claimed the throne for his own, and two months since Tella discovered the boy she fell in love with doesn’t really exist.

With lives, empires, and hearts hanging in the balance, Tella must decide if she’s going to trust Legend or a former enemy. After uncovering a secret that upends her life, Scarlett will need to do the impossible. And Legend has a choice to make that will forever change and define him.

Caraval is over, but perhaps the greatest game of all has begun. There are no spectators this time—only those who will win, and those who will lose everything.

Welcome, welcome to Finale… all games must come to an end,” (Garber).

I enjoyed the fact that Garber’s novel was fast-paced and that there was always something going on. I also appreciated the introduction of several new characters and the new arcs that involved some of the older characters in the series. Although the unhealthy depictions of male/female romantic relationships remained, I appreciated how Garber put in a little effort to make some of those relationships healthier. With that being said, I was still concerned by the unhealthy depictions.

In addition, there were several things, which I did not enjoy about this novel. First, I felt as though its prose was the weakest in the series. I also felt as though it was redundant—often restating old conversations, thoughts, and ideas, such as how immortals could or could not feel. I was also frustrated by the fact that the dialogue seemed to be just a little bit, “off.” In other words, it didn’t seem as though it was precisely what the speaker would or should have said or what they would or should have done. I’m not quite sure why I felt that way, but I couldn’t shake the feeling for the entirety of the novel. Second, I felt as though this novel failed to weave several different genres together—although it contained strong fantasy elements, it was dominated by romance, which is far from being my favorite.

I also didn’t appreciate the fact that this novel was dominated by Tella’s actions because I find her to be the harder of the two Dragna sisters to like. At times, I also found the novel predictable and some of the new character introductions unnecessary. I also felt that the novel was somewhat drawn out—it could have used a slight reduction in length. Overall, it remained a decent conclusion to the Caraval novels, but it still felt like the weakest novel in the series.

Rating: 3/5 stars

#fate #fates #the fates #legendary #caraval #finale #stephanie garber #garber #romance #fantasy #ya #ya lit #young adult #young adult lit #young adult literature #ya literature #jacks #donatella dragna #scarlett dragna #scar #crimson #tattoos #magic #immortal #immortals #ageless #empire #valenda #paradise #paradise the lost

[chapters-of-mylife]

Caraval by Stephanie Garber {Book Review}

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GENRES:- Fantasy, Young Adult, Romance

RATING:- ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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Remember, it’s only a game… Scarlett Dragna has never left the tiny island where she and her 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 faraway, 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. Nevertheless she becomes enmeshed in a game of love, heartbreak, and magic. And whether Caraval is real or not, Scarlett must find Tella before the five nights of the game are over or a dangerous domino effect of consequences will be set off, and her beloved sister will disappear forever. Welcome, welcome to Caraval…beware of getting swept too far away. (FROM GOODREADS)

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Note: this is a reread review (I’m rereading Caraval in preparation for Finale) 

I read Caraval for the first time in 2017! it was one of my favorite reads in that time and even in this reread it’s still great!!

Stephanie Garber has a magical way with words and her descriptions for Caraval and it’s magic makes me want to get into the story and live this magical world!!

This stories great point isn’t just it’s magic, it’s its mystery that makes you on edge through the book!! 

the mystery of the game and how to win, the mystery that there is something there that you feel but can’t grasp what it’s exactly!!

And you live all through this with wonderful characters!!

there are many great and mysterious characters in this story!!

Scarlet, Tella, Julian, Aiko, Dante, and so many more, and last but not least Legend!!

The ending is so great !! even though it’s my second read and I know what’s going to happen it still surprise and movies my feelings so much!!

I really recommend reading this book!!

I plan on rereading  Legendary too, hopefully through this reread it’s going to be much better to me than my first read!!

#YAbooks #romance #fantasy #caraval #legendary #stephanie garber #book #books #book review #bookworm #booklover #bookish #scarlet dragna #julian #tella dragna #legend

[jamiesshelves]

Book: Legendary Series: Caraval (Book 2) Author: Stephanie Garber Pages: 443 Rating: ★★★★★ (5/5) Favorite Quote: “Every story has four parts--the beginning, the middle, the almost-ending, and the true ending.” Recommendation: If you like great writing, magic, 

Synopsis:

A heart to protect. A debt to repay. A game to win. After being swept up in the magical world of Caraval, Donatella Dragna has finally escaped her father and saved her sister, Scarlett, from a disastrous arranged marriage. The girls should be celebrating, but Tella isn’t yet free. She made a desperate bargain with a mysterious criminal, and what Tella owes him no one has ever been able to deliver: Caraval Master Legend’s true name. The only chance of uncovering Legend’s identity is to win Caraval, so Tella throws herself into the legendary competition once more—and into the path of the murderous heir to the throne, a doomed love story, and a web of secrets…including her sister's. Caraval has always demanded bravery, cunning, and sacrifice, but now the game is asking for more. If Tella can’t fulfill her bargain and deliver Legend’s name, she’ll lose everything she cares about—maybe even her life. But if she wins, Legend and Caraval will be destroyed forever... Welcome, welcome to Caraval . . . the games have only just begun.

My Opinion:

The writing of this series is so magical! It really transports you into the magic of Caraval

I still completely DESPISE Tella as a person and this book did not change that. She is so incredibly selfish, but I actually didn’t mind reading about her for the most part

I really liked the love interests and I’m curious to see what happens with them in the next book

I think the reveal of Legend was really obvious and I don’t like the reveal of how she broke the curse of the prince of hearts made no sense... if that’s the way it was fixed, why did it take so long??

I wish we saw more of Scarlett because I need to know what Julian could’ve done to win her trust back since he’s such a lying sketchy dude lol

Full Review | My Reviews | Bookstagram | Ko-Fi

#my book review #book review #legendary #legendary review #5 star #caraval #caraval review #Stephanie garber #book #books #booklr #bookblr #bookish #bibliophile #read #reading #ya book #ya book review #ya rec #ya recommendation

[abookhaven]

Legendary by Stephanie Garber: book review

Legendary 

by Stephanie Garber book review: 

Legendary is the sequel to Caraval. 

Page count: 443

⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐.5  4.5/5 stars

Book 3: Finale  -Expected publication: May 30th 2019 by Hodder & Stoughton (via Goodreads)

Synopsis(via Goodreads):  A heart to protect. A debt to repay. A game to win. After being swept up in the magical world of Caraval, Donatella Dragna has finally escaped her father and saved her sister Scarlett from a disastrous arranged marriage. The girls should be celebrating, but Tella isn’t yet free. She made a desperate bargain with a mysterious criminal, and what Tella owes him no one has ever been able to deliver: Caraval Master Legend’s true name. The only chance of uncovering Legend’s identity is to win Caraval, so Tella throws herself into the legendary competition once more—and into the path of the murderous heir to the throne, a doomed love story, and a web of secrets…including her sister's. Caraval has always demanded bravery, cunning, and sacrifice. But now the game is asking for more. If Tella can’t fulfill her bargain and deliver Legend’s name, she’ll lose everything she cares about—maybe even her life. But if she wins, Legend and Caraval will be destroyed forever. Welcome, welcome to Caraval...the games have only just begun.

Non Spoiler Review: 

If I had to describe Legendary by Stephanie Garber, I would say it is like chocolate cake. Delicious, sinful, and a book you will devour. Garber expands the dark and whimsical universe of Valenda in her second installment of the Caraval series. The story follows Tella, the adventurous younger sister of Scarlet- who was our hero in the first novel. Although the game of Caraval has been won, there are still debts Tella must pay for the price of her and Scarlet’s freedom from their father. In this second installment, the master of Caraval, Legend, surprises the world by throwing another special Caraval in honor of the empress’s birthday. Tella and Scarlet travel to the capital to partake in the festivites of Caraval, unaware of what awaits them. Truth’s are revealed that will change the world forever and Tella is forced to make the hardest choices of her life. Tella begins to realize that there is a another dark game at play. The lines between reality and the magic of the game begin to blur, causing Tella to question who she can trust and what is real. And this begs the question: What if Caraval is more than just a game? And if so, what is the price of winning, and is Tella willing to pay it? 

Spoiler Review: 

Ok, this book has quickly become one of my favorite reads of 2018 so far. I really enjoyed the first book, Caraval, I found the dark and whimsical setting unique and engrossing. But I wasn’t totally in LOVE with it. So, when I picked up the second novel I didn’t expect to fall head over heels in love with it. But boy was I WRONG. Rarely do second books surpass the first book in a series, but Stephanie Garber is an amazing author who gives a whole new perspective to her wonderful world and her second novel is a magical adventure from the first sentence to the last. Least to say, I freaking loved this book so much. 

I really loved having this book in Tella’s perspective. Garber does a really good job of fleshing out her characters in this novel. In the first book I found Tella’s character a little annoying and dramatic. But after reading Legendary, Tella has quickly become one of my favorite bad ass lady characters. Tella’s character brings a refreshing light to the world of Caraval. She has a nice balance of sense of duty combined with a reckless passion for adventure that matches the wild nature of Caraval perfectly. I liked that she doesn’t shy away from a challenge, like when she realizes that Jacks is the Prince of Hearts and also her anonymous friend who has been helping her escape her father. She is fierce and not afraid to get dirty, but I also liked how her character changes from guarding her heart to opening up to love Dante. Her character really grows in Legendary, and I can’t wait to see more of her in book 3. 

Now, for the boys.  😈

IN the first book, the whole mystery we all are dying to know is: who is Legend? Well, FINALLY, our prayers are answered!!! The mysterious leader of Caraval is revealed to be Dante! For the most part Garber had me chasing my tail wondering who Legend really could be. In the first book most people are suspicious that Julian might be Legend, but we quickly realize that he is not Legend, but his brother. At the end of the novel when Legend’s identity is revealed I was a little stunned because I had thought Dante might be Legend but I wasn’t expecting to learn how power hungry he was. Garber had me dying at the end of this novel because I need Tella and Dante to meet again and TALK out their problems. I still feel kinda shook that now we know who Legend is, but I have a feeling we really don’t know who Legend really is. But I can’t wait to learn more about his past and watch his and Tella’s relationship grow in the 3rd book. 

And speaking of characters I can’t wait to see in the 3rd book, we come to my favorite character of Legendary... the sweet, devilish Fate Prince of Hearts- Jacks. I adored his character. Throughout most of the book Tella spends her time trying to free her mother from the magical deck of cards she is trapped in. She discovers that the other cards are also paper prisons for the real Fates, who were imprisoned centuries ago by a witch. But the spell binding them is weakening and some manage to escape their card prisons, leaving them weakened but free. And Tella discovers quite early that her anonymous friend who helped her escape her father is Jacks- the heir to the empire, and the real Prince of Hearts. Tella spends most of the novel thinking she is dying after she kisses him and discovers his identity. Jacks uses Tella, forcing her to uncover Legend’s true identity or die because he wants to free the other fates and keep Legend from destroying the cards and becoming overly powerful. But near the end of the novel, it is revealed that Tella is Jack’s true love and she can’t die from his kiss, so he has no power over her. (Or so she thinks 😉) Jacks is brutal and ruthless, but he is also interesting and a well rounded character. I have a soft spot for brooding, misunderstood bad boys, so I really enjoyed the scenes with Jacks. Garber loosely based his character off a vampire, and that Gothic romanticism really does show through in how he is devilishly beautiful and powerful. I CAN’T WAIT to see more of him in book 3!!!       

  Book 3: Finale  -Expected publication: May 30th 2019 by Hodder & Stoughton (via Goodreads)

#legendary #stephanie #book reviews #book blog #book tumblrs #books #books and literature #book lover #book nerd #caraval #sequel #amazing book #super great book #read this book #10/10 would recommend #4.5/5 stars #ya books