Step out of your bedroom and into a world of wishes, dreams, and curses with the Caraval series. Written by Stephanie Garber, the books follow two sisters, Scarlett and Donatella Dragna. In a desperate attempt to escape the reality of their cruel and abusive father, the Dragna sisters write to the mysterious Caraval-director named Legend, asking for tickets to his upcoming Caraval. They receive their anticipated tickets years later, but Scarlett’s engagement and upcoming wedding has caused her to lose interest. While they eventually make it to Caraval, the creative plot and literary devices employed by Garber along the way make for a captivating story.

     Caraval is filled with shocking turns and twists that will leave its reader dropping their jaw with every page turn. The mystical world devises a chaotic and alluring scene. Garber’s fierce descriptions of scents and sights transport readers to the curious Caraval, where absolutely no one can be trusted. Constantly, the sisters and reader are reminded Caraval is only a game, but when everything begins to feel real, it’s hard to know what to believe. At the end of the first book, the multi-faceted ending evolves possibly too quickly. There are many moving parts and reality and truth are still difficult to sift between. Although some readers find it too convoluted and problematic, others fell in love with the chaos.

     The second and third books only continue the Caraval magic and tie the story together into a satisfying and conclusive ending. However, some readers thought the conclusion of the last book in the series, Finale, should have matched the energy of the chaotic first book’s closing.

     The last books leaves readers wanting more from the enchanted world of Caraval and Garber has delivered. Stephanie Garber has written a new series about Jacks, one of the characters introduced in the second novel of Caraval that many fans adored. Called Once Upon a Broken Heart, the newly released books will take place in the same world as Caraval, but will entertain a new protagonist named Evangeline.

     Heartbreaking yet fascinating, the Caraval series explores themes such as safety versus fear, delving into the complexities of choices and distinction of reality and fantasy.