Legendary

Check out my review for book one Caraval

Legendary
Caraval Book Two
Written by Stephanie Garber
Fantasy, Romance
Published May 29th 2018
432 Pages
Thank you to Hachette Australia
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★★★★☆
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.

Donatella and Scarlett escaped the Isle of Trisda, journeying to De Los Sueños as participants of Caraval to escape the oppression and violence of their father on the eve of Scarlett's pending nuptials. In an unprecedented event, the Caraval entertainers are preparing for a second performance, invited to the Meridian Empire by the illustrious Empress Elantine. Donatella will reluctantly compete in Caraval for the honour of learning the identity of the elusive Legend, the master of ceremonies at Caraval.


The Players


Siblings Scarlett and Donatella are wonderful characters of contrast. Scarlett is an observationalist, Donatella is spontaneous, appearing nonchalant and indulgent. Comparatively, Donatella is an alluring character, her resolute and altruistic personality challenged misogyny and embraced her sexuality. Donatella is seduced by the centuries old mythological enchantment of the Meridian Empire and those who fabricated the human destiny and to conquer Caraval. As the participants disembark, peculiarly, Donatella is refused admittance and masquerades as the fiancé of heir to the Meridian Kingdom, the murderous Jacks. Suggested by the conceited Dante.

Although sexually attracted to Dante, Donatella understands the seduction of Caraval and Dante's character as a womanising charlatan. I found her constant need to evoke an emotional response in Dante exhausting, considering Donatella is a confident and assured young woman. Jacks is an interesting character, the nephew of Empress Elantine and heir to the Meridian kingdom. Notorious for his cruelty and violence, Jacks and Donatella establish an compromise. Their relationship is convoluted and exasperating, especially for Dante, unsuspecting that affection from the heir of Meridian kingdom is manipulation.


The Game

Caraval was believed to have been an illusion, participants indulging themselves within the festivities for the atmospheric experience. In this unprecedented event, Caraval will journey to Idyllwild Castle, an esteemed invitation by Empress Elantine on the eve of the Fated Ball. Once revered guardians now banished, the Fates are a foreboding folklore. As a child, Donetella reminisces the forbidden cards her mother kept, the Deck of Destiny, cards representing each Fate and the potential to foretell the future. A wonderful element of intrigue throughout the narrative. To conquer Caraval, Donatella will encounter ominous conundrum. Caraval and Legend eradicated from the Meridian kingdom to establish freedom for her mother. An insurmountable quandary.


Caraval is a breathtaking and atmospheric adventure of illusion and deception, Legendary is an exceptional sequel inciting intrigue, adventure and sensuality. Stephanie Garber is extraordinary, creating a lyrically exquisite narrative of wonderment and revelations. Dark, sinister and delicious. Absolutely superb.

15 comments

  1. "Dark, sinister and delicious." - Awesome review.
    But damn, book two and I still haven't managed to read book one *hangs head in shame*, I'm going to have to get my arse into gear before the third book comes out.
    <3 :-)

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    1. Sarah, how could you not have read it yet! I'm not typically a fan of peer pressure but in this case, I really must insist you pick it up immediately. My goodness, the deliciousness you're missing out on!

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  2. You have me so intrigued by this review. Garber certainly has created a captivating world!

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    1. She's magnificent! I was absolutely enamoured with Caraval and Legendary definitely lived up to my expectations. Such a brilliant series Verushka, I highly recommend it.

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  3. very interesting, and emotionally draining, not sure if I want to be drained like that...

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    1. Oh you most certainly do Ailyn, brilliant series full of mystery and intrigue. You'll absolutely love it!

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  4. YAS I LOVE THIS SERIES SO MUCH. It's so absolutely magically intense! And like the twists and the schemes and everyone being like three different people?! Lovely. Love it. Will take 9 more, thank you. 😍Also so so love that Tella narrated this one. I loved Tella way more than Scarlett haha.

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    1. Me too! I liked Scarlett but Donatella as a character is so much more intriguing. Even her interactions with Dante, she's stronger on the surface but she's always had Scarlett to protect her from the harsh realities of the their father as well. Gosh I can't wait for the next installment, it can't come soon enough!

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  5. Now I really need to read Caraval, Kelly!!! I need this awesome, intriguing, lyrical series in my life yes??? ♥ Awesome review as always!

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    1. Thanks Aimee. It's absolutely brilliant and one of the few series that will keep you on your toes. I love the intrigue and even the romance is perfection. The right amount of darkness and banter.

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  6. Eeep, this one wasn't for me! I don't like all of the secrets... I know they are a huge part of the plot, but it makes me feel better when things get resolved along the way. However, with Legendary, it's like every answer just creates more questions. Even at the end of the book there is very little resolution. I do love the world and the game! The Decks of Destiny, the Fates--all fascinating. Scarlett and Tella… crazy-making.

    I'm really happy you enjoyed this one! <3
    L @ Do You Dog-ear?

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    1. I really enjoyed that sinister secrets type aspect, it added an extra level of intrigue and when it comes to Caraval, nothing is really what it seems. I think the finale is going to be epic, especially now knowing who Legend is. I was surprised actually. Bring on the finale!

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    2. I really hope the last book is epic and answers all of my questions! Unfortunately, my copy of Legendary had a typo that gave away who Legend was WAY before the end. :(

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  7. Another book I still haven't read and was really excited for. The mixed reviews put me off a little I think. It does sound like it's just as enchanting as the first book. I think I was hesitant to read this with the announcement of a third book when I was excited for a duology. I am excited to read but instead of buying a copy I think this time I better go and borrow it from the library instead (time to be sensible).

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  8. Yay, I'm really glad that you enjoyed the follow up to Caraval Kelly! It's on my immediate TBR so I'm picking it up soon. It sounds like the characters are going to be quite enchanting which is awesome. Lovely review!

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