2025 Reading Challenge discussion

This month we will be reading Caraval by Stephanie Garber

This book was nominated by Ashleigh for our monthly theme Circus

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.

I have so many conflicting feeling about this book. I kinda of enjoyed it but given the amount of criticisms I have about it, it feels weird to think so fondly back on it. And yet... as mark Twain said, "Denial aint just a river in Egypt".

It may simply be because I know where the series goes in the following books. Eitherway, I'm really interested in re-reading it and seeing if my opinions change, or whether I'll ignore everything once again.

Looking forward to seeing what everyone else thinks of it.
I'm curious to know, whether you are reading it for the first time, or will it be a re-read? And if it's a first time experience, what's the appeal about precisely this book ? :)

Happy reading!

I'll be starting Caraval a bit early as got lots of other books planned for July. It will be my second Stephanie Garber book - my first was Once Upon a Broken Heart which apparently is a follow up to this trilogy as it features some of the same characters. So, I have should have picked up Caraval before that one.

First time experience for me: I bought a copy a few years because I was hearing so much about it. Plus, I really love The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern and am expecting similar vibes from this book

Rachael wrote: "I'll be starting Caraval a bit early as got lots of other books planned for July. It will be my second Stephanie Garber book - my first was Once Upon a Broken Heart which apparently..."

I've had Once Upon a Broken Heart on my KIndle as a sample for the longest time, and I still can't decide whether I want to give it a shot or not. I keep trying to figure out whether I'm interested enough to read about The Prince of Hearts. Plus, for some reason, I feel like I won't enjoy it, given that I'm not the target audience (not knocking YA - it's just more miss than hit, at this point in time) .

In all honesty, I don't think 'Caraval' and 'The Night Circus' are even comparable. Sure, they both have a similar premise (=a travelling circus that is more than what it seems), and a circus-y setting, (perhaps even similar time), but that's about all they have in common, in my opinion.
I definitely wouldn't recommend going in to 'The Night Circus' expecting it to be anything like ' Caraval', or vice versa.

That said, I think 'Caraval' is more accessible than 'The Night Circus', it being YA and all, plus there's a faster pace and more plot. It's been a while, but I remember 'The Night Circus' being slow AF :D

I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts when you finish, Rachael, in terms of comparisons :)

Today is July 1st and so officially the first day of this group read. I know Caraval got 24 votes in the poll, but who's joining in the magical, circus-y fun?
And ofcourse you don't have to have voted to join the discussion this month :) The more the merrier!

Have a great weekend. Looking to seeing everyone's thoughts - on whether you think it's the most fantastic book ever, or whether you're like me, and have conflicting feelings. What you think of the writing style, and the characters, etc.

How exciting!
I remember reading Caraval late last year, and I enjoyed it a lot.