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Book Review: ‘Finale’ by Stephanie Garber

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.

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Book Review: ‘Legendary’ by Stephanie Garber

Title: Legendary
Author: Stephanie Garber
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
Release Date: 9th May 2019
Genre/Age Group:  Fantasy, Young Adult, Mystery, Romance
Format:  Paperback (432 pages)
Source: Uncorrected Proof (Sent by publisher in exchange for an honest review)
Rating:

(This review is spoiler free, however, may contain spoilers for first book 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. Finaly, 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

Throughout ‘Caraval’ our focus was on Scarlett Dragna. The elder of two sisters. By the end, we switched to Tella’s POV which lead perfectly into the start of ‘Legendary‘ as book two of this trilogy focuses on Tella. The book begins the night after ‘Caraval’ ends, Tella finds herself waking up next to Dante, a returning character who had quite the reputation in book one. When she runs off, she finds Scarlett and Julian, who invite her along to a very special Caraval performance for Empress Elantine.

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Book Review: ‘Caraval’ by Stephanie Garber

Title: Caraval
Author: Stephanie Garber
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
Release Date: 31st January 2017
Genre/Age Group:  Fantasy, Young Adult, Mystery, Romance
Format:  Paperback (405 pages)
Source: Uncorrected Proof (Sent by publisher in exchange for an honest review)
Rating:

(This review is spoiler free)

 

Synopsis

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.

Review

Garber’s debut novel revolves around Scarlett Dragna. A loyal, loving and caring sister, a hopeful, and a bride to be. She spent time in her childhood writing to Legend, the mysterious and magical host of Caraval, in the hopes he’d give her tickets to his next performance. Scarlett never received a response until she mentions what will be her last letter, as she is about to proceed with an arranged marriage that she hopes will provide her and her sister with a better, and more comfortable life away from their cruel father.

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