Publication Date: 31st May from Hodder and Staughton
Source: Review Copy
A heart to protect. A debt to repay. A game to win.
After being swept up in the magical world of Caraval, Donatella Dragna has finally escaped her father and saved her sister Scarlett from a disastrous arranged marriage. The girls should be celebrating, but Tella isn’t yet free. She made a desperate bargain with a mysterious criminal, and what Tella owes him no one has ever been able to deliver: Caraval Master Legend’s true name.
The only chance of uncovering Legend’s identity is to win Caraval, so Tella throws herself into the legendary competition once more—and into the path of the murderous heir to the throne, a doomed love story, and a web of secrets…including her sister’s. Caraval has always demanded bravery, cunning, and sacrifice. But now the game is asking for more. If Tella can’t fulfill her bargain and deliver Legend’s name, she’ll lose everything she cares about—maybe even her life. But if she wins, Legend and Caraval will be destroyed forever.
Welcome, welcome to Caraval…the games have only just begun.
Some people may remember how much I loved Caraval – so when the beautiful personalised proof of the next in the series, Legendary, dropped through the letterbox I did actually let out a little shriek.
For good reason because once again this was quite simply a wonderful wonderful read. Pure escapism, a magical world inhabited by vivid, eclectic characters, a story that enchants and delights, a darkly delicious tale that has everything you could want. Adventure, romance, intrigue, magical mayhem and lots of gorgeous twists and turns, as Tella enters once more the game of Caraval – this time however pretty much everything is on the line, as Tella will face an impossible choice.
Man, this is so so cool. I don’t even know how else to describe it. The writing is incredibly good, the story just flows from the page, the descriptive sense of it is utterly immersive, like a little mini movie created in your head. Tella and her sister Scarlett have a highly engaging relationship, the many layers woven into the story are all so compelling, it’s just divine.
There is an edgy sense to it also, there are some great themes explored here, you really do just sink into it, I didn’t want it to end and then THAT ENDING – so so good.
Stephanie Garber can spin a yarn. Boy can she.
Highly Recommended.
Happy Reading!
