Caraval

By: Stephanie Garber

Narrated by: Rebecca Soler

Length: 10 hrs and 36 mins

Publisher's summary

This program includes a bonus interview with the author.

Welcome, welcome to Caraval - Stephanie Garber's sweeping tale of two sisters who escape their ruthless father when they enter the dangerous intrigue of a legendary game.

Scarlett has never left the tiny island where she and her beloved 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. But she nevertheless becomes enmeshed in a game of love, heartbreak, and magic with the other players in the game. And whether Caraval is real or not, she must find Tella before the five nights of the game are over, a dangerous domino effect of consequences is set off, and her sister disappears forever.

©2016 Stephanie Garber (P)2016 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

"Actor Soler's lively narration swiftly draws listeners into the magical spectacle at the center of Garber's YA novel." (Publishers Weekly, best audiobooks of 2017)

Amazing!

I loved every bit of this book. It constantly had me guessing and wanting more. It was hard to put it down.

Rebecca Soler did a great job as always...

but the main character was so annoying and predictable. Though I liked the idea that her gut was always wrong leading her to make interesting choices, but she was just so stupid about it. I did enjoy the story line and idea though, it was a bit predictable but other wise it wasn't bad. I just wish it had a little more explanation of events and was less annoying in the sense of character development.

Wow.... just WOW!!!

This book was fantastic! It was non-stop action and intrigue, it kept me on my toes. There are so many twists and turns that you never see coming. I could not stop listening and devoured this one. It is fun, whimsical, and the characters pull you in every step of the way. And the ending!!!---I already cannot wait for book two. If you're like me and you listen to samples of books over and over and over before you commit to one, hoping to find a magical story to get whisked away in, well... this is the book for you!

Unique and entertaining

This was fun and original. It kept me guessing. Just when you think you know a characters, oops you are wrong. I figured out a few things in this story, but not others. It was well written, good character development, some mystery and intrigue thrown in, a little romance rated G, and magic. A good story. Some minor plot holes but nothing that takes away from the story. I enjoyed it.

Good book club read with my girls!

Loved the story line and the narrator! I couldn't wait to pick it up and I hated to put it down. The descriptions were electric!

Can't wait for book 2!

loved it! this is a beautiful world that has been created! it makes me want to know more about the world and it's peopel. i can not wait to get lost in book 2!

BEST BOOK SERIES EVER

Omg I can not say enough about this book and the series!!!! I listened to it more that three times and it is amazzzing! Rebecca Soler gives the book all the wonder and magic it deserves. I can not imagine a more perfect book and a narrator for it!!! I’m in love, actual love(not physically possible, but you get the drift) Amazing book recommend it to everybody out there!!

SPECTACULAR. MAGNIFICENT. LEGENDARY.

Amazing book. Wonderfully performed, masterfully written. The story was great and it was written well. I’m in love with all of the characters and the story itself, I was in the edge of my seat the whole book. This is by far my new favorite book.

Beautiful, enchanting, mesmerizing!

What a fantastic book! It captured me from the beginning and it felt like I couldn’t stop listening. I was kept guessing until the very end and am so excited to grab the sequel!

Good YA fantasy

What made the experience of listening to Caraval the most enjoyable?

The narrator was really great, she added a lot of that "magic" and "whimsy" I felt the author was shooting for but didn't exactly reach with just prose alone.

What did you like best about this story?

There were lots of times I thought I knew what was next based on all the YA I've read before only to be surprised by the actual twist.

Which scene was your favorite?

Anything with Julian.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Not necessarily but it was never boring.

Any additional comments?

Could have been better but showed promise and it was engaging throughout. Wasn't crazy about the ending but I'll read/listen to book 2.