A review by bookappeal
Caraval by Stephanie Garber

3.0

Maybe I hyped this book too much to myself! As one of many ARCs picked up at Book Expo in Chicago, this one really captured my eye. Alas, the book itself does not live up to expectations. Stephanie Garber paints a pretty picture of a magical place but her world-building is too shifty for readers to get a footing. In essence, this world has no rules so the author can make it do whatever she wants. Also, "the game" of Caraval is a combination of truth and deception so the reader can never rely on anything being real. The main character's continuous questioning and doubts about her thoughts, feelings, and decisions is frustrating and, ultimately, the story told is unsatisfying.