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Caraval
Book (2017)
Welcome, welcome to CARAVAL, the first book in Stephanie Garber’s enchanting, NEW YORK TIMES bestselling Caraval series, about two sisters swept up in a mysterious competition filled with magic, heartbreak, and danger
THE MILLION-COPY BESTSELLER!
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 far-away, 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 attend. 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 whether Caraval is real or not, she must find Tella before the five nights of the game are over, and her sister disappears forever.
Continue the adventure in Legendary, Finale, and Spectacular―out now!
Also by Stephanie Garber:
The Once Upon a Broken Heart Series:
- Once Upon a Broken Heart
- The Ballad of Never After
- A Curse for True Love
- The Mirror of Infinite Endings
Alchemy of Secrets
Book (2017)
Welcome, welcome to CARAVAL, the first book in Stephanie Garber’s enchanting, NEW YORK TIMES bestselling Caraval series, about two sisters swept up in a mysterious competition filled with magic, heartbreak, and danger
THE MILLION-COPY BESTSELLER!
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 far-away, 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 attend. 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 whether Caraval is real or not, she must find Tella before the five nights of the game are over, and her sister disappears forever.
Continue the adventure in Legendary, Finale, and Spectacular―out now!
Also by Stephanie Garber:
The Once Upon a Broken Heart Series:
- Once Upon a Broken Heart
- The Ballad of Never After
- A Curse for True Love
- The Mirror of Infinite Endings
Alchemy of Secrets
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Content at a glance
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Sex & Nudity
The story contains romantic tension and longing between characters, as well as some instances of kissing. There are no explicit sexual situations or nudity.
Violence & Gore
The plot involves threats of physical harm, kidnapping, and moments of peril. While intense, the violence remains stylized rather than graphic or blood-focused.
Profanity
The language is generally clean with only very occasional, mild usage of words like 'd*mn' (infrequent) used for emphasis.
Alcohol, Drugs & Smoking
Alcohol is mentioned or depicted occasionally in a social or party-like setting consistent with the story's theatrical environment. There is no focus on substance abuse.
Frightening Scenes
The book features a persistent sense of mystery and psychological unease as the protagonist struggles to distinguish between reality and an elaborate, sometimes cruel, performance. Younger readers may find the suspense and high-stakes danger quite intense.
Key Insights
Quick summary and important considerations
This is a magical, mysterious adventure about two sisters who get caught in a dangerous, high-stakes game where nothing is quite what it seems.
Content Warnings
Kidnapping
Emotional abuse
Detailed Analysis
In-depth insights for parents and educators
What Parents Need to Know
The atmosphere is intentionally disorienting and suspenseful. Parents should be aware of themes involving parental abuse and the psychological tension created by the mysterious, high-stakes competition.
What Kids Can Learn
Readers gain insight into navigating complex social situations and the importance of critical thinking when faced with deceptive environments.
Key Topics Discussed
Sibling relationships
The nature of truth and performance
Personal agency
Why Parents Might Like It
The story offers a sophisticated, atmospheric fantasy setting that explores themes of reality versus illusion, suitable for readers who enjoy immersive world-building.
Positives & learning
More filled segments mean stronger positive content or learning value.
Positive messages
The narrative emphasizes the depth of sibling bonds and the importance of self-discovery. It highlights the bravery required to break away from oppressive environments and trust one's own judgment.
Role models
The protagonist demonstrates persistence and deep loyalty to her family. While characters operate in a gray area, the focus remains on the resilience shown when confronting uncertainty.
Representation
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Learning
Focuses primarily on imaginative storytelling and creative world-building rather than academic or real-world skills.
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