Finale by Stephanie Garber (Caraval book 3)

SPOILER ALERT! If you haven’t read the first two books in the series, Caraval, and Legendary, Stop! I don’t want to ruin a great story for you.

Check out Book Series Recaps for a refresher of the first two books.

Please visit the Recaptains blog if you need a refresher of the first two books.

“A love worth fighting for. A dream worth dying for. An ending worth waiting for.

It’s been two months since the Fates were freed from a deck of cards, two months since Legend claimed the throne for his own, and two months since Tella discovered the boy she fell in love with doesn’t really exist.

With lives, empires, and hearts hanging in the balance, Tella must decide if she’s going to trust Legend or a former enemy. After uncovering a secret that upends her life, Scarlett will need to do the impossible. And Legend has a choice to make that will forever change and define him.

Caraval is over, but perhaps the greatest game of all has begun. There are no spectators this time: only those who will win, and those who will lose everything.

Welcome, welcome to Finale. All games must come to an end…” - taken from Goodreads.com

Finale lives up to its title. The “true” ending to the Caraval trilogy was everything I had hoped for and more. Scarlett and Tella’s stories merge in this book as they discover themselves and the truth and their pasts and their mother. Readers also get insight into who Legend is and what makes him tick. An excellent end to a great story. Definitely worth the read!

Visit Stephanie Garber’s website.

Legendary by Stephanie Garber (Caraval book 2)

SPOILER ALERT! If you haven’t read the first book in the series, Caraval, Stop! I don’t want to ruin the story for you.

Check out Book Series Recaps for a refresher of the first book. 

Please visit the Recaptains blog if you need a refresher of the first book.

“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.” - taken from Goodreads.com

Book one, Caraval, begins our story with the adventures of Scarlett Dragna and her playing the game of Caraval. Legendary picks up immediately following the end of the first book. Readers will remember that book one concluded with a letter to Donatella sent to her by “A Friend. “ This letter's contents and the bargain Tella owes make up the storyline of Legendary. With more mysteries, shocking revelations, and a cliffhanger ending, I'm glad that I waited a year to finally read this book so that I am able to jump right into the third and final book, Finale.

Visit Stephanie Garber’s website.

Caraval by Stephanie Garber (Caraval book 1)

“Remember, it’s only a game.”

“Welcome to Caraval, where nothing is quite what it seems.

Scarlett has never left the tiny isle of Trisda, pining from afar for the wonder of Caraval, a once-a-year week-long performance where the audience participates in the show.

Caraval is Magic. Mystery. Adventure. And for Scarlett and her beloved sister Tella it represents freedom and an escape from their ruthless, abusive father.

When the sisters' long-awaited invitations to Caraval finally arrive, it seems their dreams have come true. But no sooner have they arrived than Tella vanishes, kidnapped by the show's mastermind organizer, Legend.

Scarlett has been told that everything that happens during Caraval is only an elaborate performance. But nonetheless she quickly becomes enmeshed in a dangerous game of love, magic and heartbreak. And real or not, she must find Tella before the game is over, and her sister disappears forever.” taken from Goodreads.com

Wow! This book truly lived up to all of the hype surrounding it. I loved how Scarlett’s story was depicted through the letters and clues between her and the mysterious Legend. The writing is absolutely beautiful and makes the reader feel as if they are right alongside Scarlett as she searches for her sister, Tella. Even though the reader may think they know where the story is going, they will be pleasantly surprised to find out that the story isn’t as predictable as thought.

Even though Scarlett’s story is somewhat wrapped up, the last scene in the book sets up for the conclusion due out sometime in 2018.

Visit Stephanie Garber’s website.