Caraval #3: Finale
by Stephanie Garber
I’m not sure if it was possible to love the first two Caraval books more than I loved them. I’ve read them multiple times, setting aside a special time the week before Halloween to immerse myself in the magical, mysterious, spooky world of Stephanie Garber. I found the third and final installment, Finale, disappointing, but the series still holds a special place in my heart.
The reason I didn’t like the third book might be why others like it the best. I preferred to learn about the different facets of Caravel itself. I delighted in Garber’s descriptions and imagined wandering around exploring the shops, bartering with secrets instead of money, eating unusual foods, wearing beautiful ball gowns, and feeling the warm kiss of magic in the air. I’m actually not a fan of fantasy books, in the strict sense. This third book follows the fantasy formula pretty closely, which is why it lost my interest. Rather than continuing to explore the theme park elements of the story, it focuses more on the immortal gods, the fight between good and evil, and all those traditional fantasy storylines. I liked the appeal in the first novel of a completely ordinary girl, Scarlett, getting out of her depth in the Caraval world. Now, we’re following a girl who seemed completely ordinary but is secretly magical and powerful – similar to how many fantasy novels try to inspire misfits teenage boys to find their inner superhero. Some readers will absolutely love the turn the series takes. I’ll just stick with the first two books. Who knows; maybe a Caraval series will be produced on television, and every season a new set of players tries to solve a different riddle, just like I wanted!
Be sure to check out Hot Toasty Rag's review of Caraval #1 here!
Be sure to check out Hot Toasty Rag's review of Caraval #2 here!
The reason I didn’t like the third book might be why others like it the best. I preferred to learn about the different facets of Caravel itself. I delighted in Garber’s descriptions and imagined wandering around exploring the shops, bartering with secrets instead of money, eating unusual foods, wearing beautiful ball gowns, and feeling the warm kiss of magic in the air. I’m actually not a fan of fantasy books, in the strict sense. This third book follows the fantasy formula pretty closely, which is why it lost my interest. Rather than continuing to explore the theme park elements of the story, it focuses more on the immortal gods, the fight between good and evil, and all those traditional fantasy storylines. I liked the appeal in the first novel of a completely ordinary girl, Scarlett, getting out of her depth in the Caraval world. Now, we’re following a girl who seemed completely ordinary but is secretly magical and powerful – similar to how many fantasy novels try to inspire misfits teenage boys to find their inner superhero. Some readers will absolutely love the turn the series takes. I’ll just stick with the first two books. Who knows; maybe a Caraval series will be produced on television, and every season a new set of players tries to solve a different riddle, just like I wanted!
Be sure to check out Hot Toasty Rag's review of Caraval #1 here!
Be sure to check out Hot Toasty Rag's review of Caraval #2 here!