Caraval by Stephanie Garber

Oftentimes, the books I read remind me of another. This one does not! This is a unique storyline and I really loved it. Caraval is the name of an annual "performance" that you can only attend if you receive a personal invitation from Legend, the creator of Caraval. There are strict rules that you must follow if you want to be a part of Caraval, including a strict arrival time. The performance/game lasts for five nights. The "game" happens at night and the guests sleep during the day. Upon arrival, the guests can choose to simply be an observer or they can play the game.

Scarlett and Donatella (Tella) Dragna are sisters who are being raised by their cruel father on the Isle of Trisda. The sisters have heard about Caraval and Legend from their Nana. Scarlett is mesmerized by the magic surrounding Caraval and desperately wants to attend "the show". She writes to Legend annually and asks for an invitation. Then the year comes that she finds out her father has arranged a marriage for her. Scarlett sees her pending marriage as her salvation from her father, for both her and her sister. Of course that's the year that Scarlett (and her fiance) and Tella finally receive the long-awaited for invitations. Now Scarlett doesn't want to go because it's too close to her marriage. Tella insists that they go. She wants to leave their father and the Isle of Trisda no matter what the consequences are and never return. Tella sees Caraval as their salvation from their father.

Scarlett is tricked by Tella and Tella's new "friend", a sailor named Julian. Tella & Julian basically kidnap Scarlett and take her to Caraval. Upon arrival though, Tella goes missing. Scarlett won't leave without finding Tella first, so she and Julian enter "the game". It doesn't take long for Scarlett to realize that Tella's disappearance is part of the game - and all the participants are looking for Tella. The first person to find her will win the prize: one wish.

The story revolves around love - in all of its various forms. Love of power; love of self; love of a woman; love of a man; love of a sister. Love is always a powerful theme, but this book unravels the weight of love in a very unique way. AND, Caraval is the first book of a trilogy!

Wendy's Rating: *****