Title: Finale
Author: Stephanie Garber
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
Release Date: 9th May 2019
Genre/Age Group: Fantasy, Young Adult, Mystery, Romance
Format: Paperback (400 pages)
Source: Uncorrected Proof (Sent by publisher in exchange for an honest review)
Rating: 
(This review is spoiler free, however, will contain spoilers for other books in the series)
Synopsis
It’s been two months since the last Caraval concluded, two months since the Fates have been freed from an enchanted deck of cards, two months since Tella has seen Legend, and two months since Legend claimed the empire’s throne as his own. Now, Legend is preparing for his official coronation and Tella is determined to stop it. She believes her own mother, who still remains in an enchanted sleep, is the rightful heir to the throne.
Meanwhile, Scarlett has started a game of her own. She’s challenged Julian and her former fiancé, Count Nicolas d’Arcy, to a competition where the winner will receive her hand in marriage. Finally, Scarlett feels as if she is in complete control over her life and future. She is unaware that her mother’s past has put her in the greatest danger of all.
Caraval is over, but perhaps the greatest game of all has begun―with lives, empires, and hearts all at stake. There are no spectators this time: only those who will win…and those who will lose everything.
Review
It’s been two months since Empress Elantine passed and the kingdom of Valenda fell in need of a new heir to the throne. Tella and Scarlett have left the palace and relocated to a small apartment in the Satine district as they await their mother Paloma waking from her deep sleep. Whilst they wait, chaos ensues now that the Fates are free to do as they please, and the sisters must do what they can to protect each other and the ones they love from harm.
Every story has four parts: the beginning, the middle, the almost-ending, and the true ending. Unfortunately not everyone gets a true ending.
After the explosive and jaw dropping ending Garber gave us in ‘Legendary‘. Readers were clueless as what to expect in the last book of the trilogy. The ending resulted in us having many, many questions and thankfully we get our answers throughout ‘Finale‘. Garber’s storytelling, pacing and descriptions have always been incredible, but in ‘Finale’ she has taken it to a whole new level. The world feels bigger, the magic feels even more alive and mischievous, and the stakes are higher than ever before.
There was never a dull moment and if you had the time, you could easily devour this book in one sitting. The sisters manage to work together to try achieve their goal whilst continuing with their own independent storylines. These mostly focused on issues with their mother and their love interests. ‘Finale‘ is completely different to anything we’ve experienced in the series thus far, making it just as unpredictable as ‘Caraval‘ and ‘Legendary‘ combined, but in true ‘Caraval‘ fashion you can bet it will have your jaw dropping.
His voice had softened, and she might have called it sweet, but there was nothing sweet about the way he smiled. It was a smile that promised she’d enjoy this new game, even as she lost it.
Unlike the previous two books ‘Finale‘ features two POV’S, Tella and Scarlett. Tella definitely has more chapters from her POV, she’s a fierce character and a force to be reckoned with, whilst Scarlett is her determined and caring self. Both sisters go on their own emotional journeys as they try to figure out who they are and what they truly want for their own futures. Both experience a ridiculous amount of magic (good and bad), hope, heartbreak and love, making this book just as much of an emotional rollercoaster for the reader as it is for the characters.
The Dragna sisters are back and better than ever, and if you loved them in the previous books you will definitely not be disappointed.
Other characters from previous books return in ‘Finale‘ as well. But, you will need to discover them for yourselves.
Just because something is real, doesn’t mean you believe in it. The Fates are real, but I don’t put my faith in them. I used to put my faith in you, and I want to do it again.
Garber has done it again by weaving a magically complex conclusion into this series. It ties up every loose end and leaves no stone unturned. The writing is just as beautiful and poetic as it has been before and it will grab your attention from the very first page till the last. It follows the same format as the previous books e.g. there are riddles and letters relevant to the story scattered about the chapters, which really makes the story come to life in such a magical way.
In this final chapter of the ‘Caraval‘ trilogy, Garber doesn’t miss a thing. It ticked every single box, from the further development of a beautiful and vibrant world to heart throbbing romances that will tug at your heart strings and turn your legs to jelly. ‘Finale‘ has an ending that will have you thinking about the book long after you’ve closed it and will make you want to re-read the whole series all over again. However, it is open enough for Garber to return to this world in the future if she wishes. The ending is also incredibly reminiscent of how the series began, which definitely gave it that bittersweet feel.
Garber has truly created a masterpiece of a conclusion with ‘Finale‘ and it’s become an all time favourite. Complete with magic, mischief and mayhem, ‘Finale‘ will leave you awestruck in a way no other book has before.
Preorder your copy of ‘Finale‘ now: Amazon | Book Depository | Waterstones
Are you excited for ‘Finale‘? What characters are you excited to be reunited with?
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