Caraval

During the summer months, as work eases up a bit, I'm excited to get back into reading books with full enthusiasm. In the midst of drama-filled days that never seem to leave me alone, squeezing in a few hours of "breath" feels incredibly enjoyable. When I picked up this book that everyone, both locally and internationally, adores, I instantly felt a connection. However, aware that there might be an exaggerating fan base, I started reading with a bit of caution and curiosity.

The name Caraval might remind you of the word carnival, and you wouldn't be wrong. Indeed, Caraval is an annual game held on its own island by a master of magic/deception/art known as Legend, lasting five days. Scarlett and Donatella, sisters, have been hearing stories from their grandmother since childhood about this magical game and have been sending letters to Legend, hoping to meet him. Seven years after their first letter, they finally receive the response they've been waiting for: three special invitations to the Caraval game.

Tella, already intending to escape due to their father's angry and merciless nature, tries to convince her sister Scarlett to flee with her as soon as she receives the invitation. Scarlett, on the other hand, reluctant to go as she is to be married off to a count soon, believes that this marriage is her only escape from their father's oppressive life. However, she finds herself along the way Caraval with Julian, whom she has just met, thanks to her stubborn sister's schemes. Thus, our adventure begins as excitingly as Caraval itself.

The world of Caraval is described with such beautiful imagery that you feel like you're walking on the island yourself. Like Alice in Wonderland, you wander left and right, encountering all sorts of things: strange people, magical objects, peculiar events... It's such a colorful world that reading those lines gave me a childish happiness, and at that moment, I wanted to be there and truly experience what the island offers to the players. Years ago, I read a series called "The Name of This Book Is Secret," and the feelings it gave me were very similar. In both, the veil of mystery never quite lifts, and you have to observe and deduce everything. If you've read both that book and this one, you might agree with what I'm saying.

It's been a long time since I've read a book with so many ups and downs, so full of surprises, that I devoured it the day I bought it :( Don't be like me; try to savor the reading experience, as this series consists of only three books, and they're all said to be outstanding. Hopefully, amongst your busy schedule, you can leave a small gap for reading and discover books like the Caraval series—easy to read with plenty of plot twists :)

“No one is truly honest,” Nigel answered. “Even if we don't lie to others, we often lie to ourselves. And the word good means different things to different people.”