Legendary: A Caraval Novel

***MINOR SPOILERS ***

Well. That was disappointing.

I feel like I could talk for a long time about why I didn’t care for this book much. Firstly, the tone. Caraval was magical, with a hint of danger. You weren’t quite sure what aspects were real, but that was okay, it was all part of the mystique. Well you can chuck all that mystique out the window for Legendary. Instead of being magical, the tone is very dark, and not in the cool-dangerous-hot guy way, but in the gross-morbid-creepy way. Instead of excited or intrigued, I felt disgusted and put off. The thing with Jacks and the blood? Ew. Just ew.

Next there’s the setting. Caraval took place on a magical island where things too fantastical to believe were a regular occurrence. This book takes place in the main city of the empire. Boring. Nothing particularly magical about it. So Ms. Garber tries to make up for it by having special or extraordinary things happen, but I thought this was supposed to be the “real” world? There’s a weird juxtaposition that doesn’t feel explained. In Caraval, Scarlett and Tella’s home seemed pretty ordinary, and it seems as though Valenda should be as well. Yet Jacks is eating blue apples, Tella is given dresses made of flowers, etc. And don’t get me started on the dresses. I feel like there’s a ridiculous amount of time spent describing Tella’s wardrobe. Nothing much happens plot-wise this whole book, just a lot of talka talka, but there’s PAGES of description of her dresses. Good grief. Scarlett’s dress was interesting in Caraval because it depicted her moods and had a mind of its own, but I couldn’t really care less about all the lace, and silk, and beading, blah blah blah.

And the plot. Sheesh. Interesting that cards play such a big part in this book, because I feel as though Ms. Garber really tipped her hand here. The whole first book Legend was, and remained, a mystery. This book it was like she couldn’t wait to throw his identity in our face. So much for mystery! And for being over 400 pages, it felt like very little happened. Tella barely had to try to figure any clues out. Mostly she just talked, and pined, and fretted, and acted “clever”. I felt like the lack of plot was covered up by some steamy scenes, in order to make you forget that not much was happening. And I like a good romance, but at the end of the book, you’re reminded that Tella is barely 16. Sixteen, and doing these kinds of things, and we’re supposed to believe she’s so special that Fates and Legends would fall for her. Yup. And if the third book develops any kind of a love triangle between the three, my disgust will be complete. I cannot fathom people thinking of Jacks as any kind of a real love interest. He’s truly abhorrent, and being supplanted as the heir doesn’t suddenly make him a better person. And as for his love for Tella? Pretty shaky evidence at best.

Lastly, the language. So, so, so heavy with the purple prose! It felt purposeful in Caraval because the island itself was a bit purple, so to speak, and with Scarlett’s ability to see emotions in colors? It fit. This time it became incredibly tedious. Add to that the ridiculous amount of grammatical errors, and it kept pulling me out of the story. I’m not a skimmer, but I started to skim.

I loved Caraval. It was magic, and mystery, with just enough danger to keep you on the edge of your seat. This felt like a poor follow up, doing little to enhance the tale, and actually doing more to damage it, in my opinion. Legendary swung too wide to dark, and evil, and disturbing. I read that Ms. Garber was hoping to make people feel ALL the things with this book, but mostly what I felt was disappointed.

“But the best villains are the ones you secretly like, and my nana always said Legend was the villain in Caraval.”

I know that Caraval was a super polarizing read last year when it released, but I fell on the side of totally loving. From the game, to the mystery, to the lyrical writing, to the compelling characters, I couldn’t get enough. I devoured it in two sittings and never wanted to stop the reading experience. And guess what? Legendary was no different.

In Caraval we follow Scarlett and watch her run away from her home, and her abusive father, so that she can try to rescue her sister, Donatella, by winning the magical game of Caraval. Well, immediately after the outcome from Caraval, Legendary picks right up. Except this time, we follow Donatella, and she has stumbled on her own very own mystery and her very own game. And forget everything you think you learned in Caraval, because this trilogy takes a completely new approach, with completely new twists and turns, in Legendary.

“Legend has chosen you to play a game that may change your destiny.
In honor of Empress Elantine’s 75th birthday,
Caraval will visit the streets of Valenda for six magical nights.”

The invitations are distributed and a brand-new game of Caraval is going to begin, in a brand-new empire that is ruled by a very powerful empress. And this time Tella has decided to play so that she too has a chance to locate someone who has disappeared from her and Scarlett’s lives, their mother. Paloma was truly a woman of mystery, but we are able to see a few flashbacks that Tella has of her mother, along with a few of the keepsakes that Tella has kept all these years.

“For it was also said the Prince of Hearts was not capable of love, because his heart had stopped beating long ago. Only one person could make it beat again: his one true love. They said his kiss had been fatal to all but her—his only weakness—and as he’d sought her, he’d left a trail of corpses.”

We also get to see that a magical card prophesied that Tella would be a victim of unrequited love for her entire life. So, a ring that appears to be more than just a ring, and a card (think Tarot cards) that Tella took against her mother’s will, is all she has as clues. That is, until she meets someone who knows much more about that particular card, and the entire Deck of Destiny. And Tella ends up trying to win Caraval for this new stranger, for her mother, for her heart, for her life, and for Legend himself. Because the only way Tella will ever see her mother again is to win this game.

This book also had a bit more romance than Caraval, but I was completely living for it. And I’m still living for it, honestly. And like, we are maybe about to get a love triangle and I’m still totally here for it. And some of these scenes were legit 11/10, and I completely recommend. Also, I’m still swooning over Dante. But I also can’t stop thinking about Jacks and love that good angst. Be still, my heart.

“I’ve never wanted to be someone else until that moment I saw him kiss you on the dance floor.”

Okay, now I don’t want to gush too hard on you all, but you want to know what this book reminded me of? The Cruel Prince and The Wicked King by Holly Black. And chapter thirteen was such a work of art. Probably the best chapter I’ve read in any book in all of 2018.

So, why did I end up giving this four stars and not five with glowing sentences like the paragraph above this one? With so many twists and turns throughout this book, all of which blindsided me and made me fall more and more in love, the ending ended up being so predictable. Like, to the point that I thought it couldn’t be real, and that the epilogue was going to pull the wool from my eyes. But no, the disappointment just stayed. Which is so sad, because this book was so good, and such a treat to read in every single way, but the ending just made this amazing book really end on a bad note.

“Tella would destroy the world before she allowed anything to happen to her sister.”

Also, there wasn’t as much of a positive sibling emphasis in this book. Like, Tella was 100% committed to Scarlett, and we know from Caraval that Scarlett was 100% committed to Tella, but Legendary didn’t do anything to help enforce that percentage. Scarlett was honestly kind of a hot mess in this book, from start to (especially) end. I pray that Finale is either entirely in Tella’s point of view or it switches between Scarlett and Tella’s point of view. I don’t think I can deal with another solo Scarlett book after her actions in Legendary.

But overall, I really did love reading this. Again, I know not everyone does, but I just love Stephanie Garber’s writing and purple prose so much. I completely connect with it, and it completely immerses. I always feel like I’m there for all six nights of Caraval, in the castles, carriages, balls, and cathedrals. Also, these books and their settings are such aesthetic goals, I swear! Plus, this entire series is such a love letter to morally grey characters! I can’t wait to see how this all wraps up in the last book, Finale.

Picking up immediately where Caraval ended, Legendary wastes no time establishing the need for a new set of riddles and a wholly different challenge from the first book's kidnapping. Donatella Dragna, more figure than character in the previous book, moves to a position of prominence as Legend and his troupe of players prepare for a special performance in honor of the empress' birthday.

The magic of Caraval departs its master's private island and manifests in the winding, crowded streets of Valenda. Divided into different quarters, each home to particular industries or amusements, the capital city gives the game a wilder feeling. With the festivities removed from Legend's domain, reality and fiction blur in a more frightening effect than before.

The setting is no less magical for taking place in the "real" world, though. Garber introduces more of the realm beyond Caraval in her sophomore novel, expanding on the political and religious history of the Empire. Most important of all are the Fates, a group of god-like beings with the power to influence human lives, and who were once said to hold dominion over mankind.

Each Fate has a rather macabre representation: the Cruel Prince weeping blood with a red stain at his mouth; the Maiden Death, her head encased in a cage made of pearls; the Undead Queen, with one eye shrouded by a jeweled patch and blue lips. Their inclusion deepens the questions of free will touched on in Caraval: How free are your choices when someone else manipulates the world in which you make them? And are they any less important, if the reality they affect is proven false?

We view this grander struggle through the eyes of the younger Dragna sister, Donatella. Where her sister was cautious and methodical, using her instinct to verify rather than inspire her decisions, Tella charges forward headlong. This recklessness keeps the pace and tension high as her search for the key to Caraval—and Legend's real name—leads Tella further from the other, oblivious players.

Like her sister before, she receives help from a player who may or may not be acting in earnest. Heavily-tattooed Dante plays a significant role, ambiguous in the same way Julian was before him. The chemistry between he and Tella rings a little truer; already well-aware of Caraval's duplicity, she questions his every movement and never trusts him above her own judgement. Her skepticism adds substance to a fast-developing partnership with an amply dark undercurrent of its own.

It's a pleasant change of pace for Donatella emerge from her minimal role in Caraval and take over the sequel's narrative while her sister lingers off-page. (Yes, Scarlett and Julian return, but the focus remains solidly on Tella!) The compressed timeline means that unresolved issues from the first novel stay dangling at the end of Legendary as well. Introducing a larger conspiracy involving royal succession, magical imprisonment, and the threatened return of less-than-benevolent immortals keeps the plot humming along at a brisk pace. It's an exhilarating read that returns to all the strengths of Caraval and finds a way to make them even grander the second time around. I deeply enjoyed returning to the mystical and mystifying world of Caraval, and I can't wait to see what lies in store for both of the tenacious Dragna sisters!

**FTC DISCLAIMER: I RECEIVED AN E-ARC FROM NETGALLEY IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW. RECEIPT OF THIS BOOK IN THIS MANNER DOES NOT AFFECT MY OPINION OF THE BOOK OR THE CONTENT OF MY REVIEW.**

In this sequel to Stephanie Garber’s debut novel, Caraval, we follow Scarlett’s younger sister, Tella, on her journey to the empire’s capital to fulfill a mysterious bargain. This time it’s Tella, instead of Scarlett, who will be experiencing the wonders of Caraval and having to make nearly impossible choices as she follows the clues that Legend leaves. Only, this time, Caraval may not be just a game, there are murmurings that it’s real this time around. And winning may truly be the difference between life and death. Tella will also have to decide exactly how much she’s willing to sacrifice to find what she’s looking for.

In Legendary, Stephanie Garber once again shows that her imagination is truly limitless! I’ve read many book series and know that the second book doesn’t always live up to the first. I’ve rarely read one where the second book actually tops the first, and this one seemed to. I’m not saying that I didn’t love Caraval and Scarlett’s story. But, Tella’s was even more imaginative and magical, in my opinion. It has even more secrets and twists to surprise you. There were so many turns that I just didn’t see coming but once they happened, made perfect sense. I loved that we got more of the sister’ backstory and learned about their mother. I loved Tella, Dante, and Jacks as characters. I really loved the Empress, too. Tella was such a fighter and I enjoyed that you couldn’t completely tell if Dante was good or bad or even completely helping Tella. That questionable loyalty really makes you want to keep reading. And, almost on the other side of the coin, you can’t really tell whether Jacks is completely bad, if he’s really being as self serving as he claims. And, THAT ENDING!! It was absolutely perfect though I didn’t see it coming at all! I can say that I dearly hope there will be a sequel because I’m already dying to read more!!

Last year, Caraval was one of my most anticipated reads of 2017. And I enjoyed diving into the mystical world, which was filled with twists and romance, but Legendary was the book I expected to read last year. It is extremely rare for me to enjoy a sequel more than the original, bu Legendary was everything I wanted Caraval to be. With a fierce heroine, high stakes, and a killer romance (literally lol), Legend will be sure to impress readers of all ages.

I don't want to spoil the first book, so I'll summarize Legendary in vague terms. Tella is still trying to move on from the events of Caraval. And although she's happy about the ending, she now has a price to pay. A price that may cost her her life. Tella has only option to get what she wants- play the game.

I'm not going to lie, Scarlett wasn't my favorite protagonist. She seemed weak and unmemorable, but Tella is the exact opposite. She fights with fiery and wit, but still holds a certain vulnerability that most readers will relate to. Tella has a goal and nothing will stop her from achieving it, not even Legend.

Legendary still consists of the magical awe of the first book while throwing a few twists to keep the pace fast and the story interesting. The biggest difference between this sequel and the first book was the stakes. While trying to save her sister in the first book was a fine and dandy goal, the sequel deals with higher stakes that could change the world.

The mystery of Legend is also a constant question that appears throughout the game. I'm sure readers will have their suspicions (some correct and some incorrect) but overall, the guessing game was just as fun as the story.

We're also introduced to some new characters, some good and some bad. Once again, it became a guessing game of who was good and who was bad. Who can Tella trust? And, what it will it cost her if she's wrong?

Overall, I enjoyed Legendary more than Caraval, which was a shocker. My only complaint would be that ending. You can't end a book that way. Just please, no, I beg of you.

I received an ARC from Netgalley for review purposes.

In Caraval the book, we followed Scarlett as she searched for her missing sister. If she found her she would win the game. Tella was a secondary character in Caraval, missing in action until the conclusion of the book. Legendary is centered around Tella's journey to win the game. Stephanie Garber's descriptive prose and colorful adjectives enhanced the magical elements of Tella's game playing. The characters she interacted with were either cruel and evil or seductive and mysterious- no one was the girl or boy next door. Emotions were always at an extreme level creating a tension for the reader that made you eagerly turn each page. I loved this book because it was so easy to get lost in the story, the characters, and the magic.
Tella started off this novel as a young, self centered beauty used to getting her way. What started off as a game became very real very quick. When Jacks is introduced into the story he is the perfect evil counterpart to Dante's good looking goodness and as I turned the pages the line between good and evil became smudged.
Do we find out who is the real Legend? I think so? Yes. Well, I believe I did? Hmmm. Yes. Stephanie Garber just announced that there will be a third novel. Thank goodness! I can breathe in relief that I will live in this magical world one more time and also finally get a danged conclusion! Reading Legendary is like getting a golden ticket to another world minus the chocolate river and oompa loompa's.

didn’t particularly like Caraval, but I was willing to give Legendary a chance. However, it had all the same stuff that I didn’t like in Caraval.

I like the addition of the Fates in this book. There’s a bit more world-building and mythology and I enjoyed that. You’ll also find out who Legend is at the end of the book so if that’s the only thing making you read the series, then I recommend this one.

I just don’t get along with Stephanie Garber’s prose. It is so flowery and overly descriptive and just becomes nonsense to me after a while. How can a dress look like a fantasy a garden had cried? I don’t know. Tella, the main character, is rather dumb and is almost indistinguishable from Scarlett, who isn’t in this book. So if you’re looking for a sister bond novel, this isn’t it. I also found all of the men in this book rather creepy and borderline sexual predatory. It’s rather uncomfortable. And lastly, Caraval just isn’t magical or mysterious to me.

I’ve just decided that this series and I don’t get along. There’s too many things that I don’t enjoy and I felt this book was almost the same as the first one. If you liked Caraval, you'll probably like this one, but I'm finished with the series. It's just not for me.

This book was so worth the wait! I wasn't really sure what to expect from LEGENDARY, but Stephanie Garber did not disappoint! Not only was I once again immersed in the mysterious and magical world of Caraval, Garber expanded on the world as a whole. For me, that was the highlight. I LOVED learning more about the different Fates and the stories behind them. But that didn't mean I wasn't loving everything else! The story is full of great twists and surprises (*coughLEGENDcough*), sweeping romance, and writing that leaves you desperate for more. As far as characters, while I was never a huge fan of Tella and her choices made me a little crazy sometimes (which, thankfully, Garber is quick to point out on the same page or so), I found her to be interesting and I enjoyed following her on her adventures. Jacks is creepy and, reluctant as I am to admit, sometimes sympathetic. But Dante was the one who snared me from the get-go. I kind of brushed him off in CARAVAL (there was Julian, after all), but he completely captivated me in this sequel, which makes the ending all the more powerful. I absolutely LOVE these books and need the third one now!!

Caraval was my top book of 2017 and I was so excited to get my greedy hands on Legendary.

I will be 100% honest here: I wasn’t completely sold on Tella being the one who tells the story. Don’t get me wrong, I liked Tella, but I thought she was extremely flighty and I didn’t know how it would go. I need to go back and push past Stacee for even being concerned. Like Tella says in the story, everyone underestimates her and Stephanie really puts her to the test in this story. Of course there are new characters and glimpses of characters in Caraval and I’m not going to say another things about them.

Plot wise, it felt a lot more intricate to me. There are several threads in this story and it did take me a bit to settle into it, but I was captivated right from the beginning. There are swoons and kissing and magic and treachery and the ending had me hugging the book and nearly screaming.

Overall, it was even more than I was expecting and I’ll just be over here in the corner, hoping hoping hoping that there will be more.

**Huge thanks to Flatiron Books for providing the arc free of charge**

4.5 Stars!!!

Another magical journey from Stephanie Garber. In the beginning I felt like this book was very similar to Caraval, but about a third of the way through I became very invested. I wanted to know where the twist and turns were going to lead, and how Scarlett could possibly get out of the situations she was in. I loved the idea of the fates, and getting more of the history behind the magic and Legend. I wasn't as fond of Scarlett in this book, but we'll hopefully see where her story goes in Finale (the third book in this series). Scarlett is a strong main character, and I really do like that about her. Also, I like that we learn more about the girls' mother in this story. I just felt like this book had a rich plot and so many interesting and important details that led me to feel even more enchanted with the World of Caraval!

Lastly, I'd just like to say that I am beyond happy there is going to be a third book, because the ending of Legendary... well, you'll just have to read and find out!

Book: Legendary
Author: Stephanie Graber
Rating: 4 Out of 5 Stars

I will admit that I found this one to be a rather enjoyable and fun read, but it just wasn’t up to par with Caravel. The first half or so of the book was rather boring. It was so slow paced and poorly developed that I nearly stopped reading. It really wasn’t the characters or anything, but there was just something about it that I really didn’t like. It was just dry and a major turnoff.

Things did pick up though and the magic of Caravel returned. We get to see a lot of old faces in some new rules. So, Legendary picks right p where Caravel left off. Only this time, we get to see the world through Tella’s eyes. Now, I will admit that Tella is not my favourite character. There is just something about her that I find really annoying. She owes a debt and quickly finds herself swept up by some major power players. I know she’s brave and all of that, but I have just never been drawn to her character the way I was to Scarlett’s. She just doesn’t have that element that Scarlett does.

I liked all of the returning characters. I liked how even though Scarlett and Julian are not the central characters, they are still there and it is clear that their story is not complete. I also liked seeing everyone come back and still have a central role to play. It was also like they had never left and were just simply frozen in time.

I really did like Jacks. There was just something about his dark nature that I found myself cheering for him and really hoping that he at least got a happy ending. He’s just that character that you hate to love. Well, no, not really…You do actually love him. He kind of reminds me of the Darkling. I just love how he knows what to do to get under Tella’s skin. I do hope we see more of him.

Okay, so, I didn’t give this a five star rating. The main reason was the plot. It wasn’t nearly as fast passed as Caravel and the magic was nearly gone. It felt like I was reading book one all over again, but only having it told to me from Tella’s point of view. I guess I was just expecting something a little bit more. The plot was slow to develop, which should not happen in a second book. I mean, I don’t know; it just didn’t flow as well for me. This doesn’t mean that I’m not going to read the next book, but this clearly was the middle of the series.

Overall, not a bad read, but it does have that second book feel to it.

As soon as I finished Caraval, I wanted to read Legendary. And now that I've finished Legendary, I really want Finale in my hands. Stephanie Garber has a way with words and I have really fallen for this series and her writing style.

This time the game of Caraval will be played in a different place, but all the rules are the same. The prize this time tho, is one that is better than all the others. This time the prize is learning the true identity of Legend. Tella becomes a participant in the games because she has to win or risk losing everything.

Just like the first book, I loved the characters. Scarlett was still my favorite, but Tella definitely surprised me in this one. She was so selfless and loving, and for some reason I wasn't expecting that. I've been thinking to participate in Caraval you have to be ruthless and murderous, but Tella didn't seem that way.

As for the plot, this is the reason I gave this 3.5 stars. The plot was very intricate, but even still, I was able to look past them all and figure out all the twists at the end of the book. In the last one everything was a suprise. But for this one I guess I was expecting all the craziness, so I could guess all the plot twists. But even with guessing them all, it was still shocking to see so many of them come to light. I can't imagine what's going to happen in the next book. I also found that it was a bit too slow for my taste. Everything that happened was plot driven, but you don't realize that until the end of the book. And because of that, it seemed like it was a bit slow for my taste.

As for the story, I really liked the turn this story took. I love the myths and the way Garber portrayed them. It made for an amazing story. I can't wait to see how Garber puts them all together in the next installment.

I won't say more to avoid spoilers, but I really liked this one. Caraval is still my favorite, but this one isn't far behind. I can't wait to see what happens to the family and what comes of the romance in Garber's final installment, Finale.

First, let me just warn you that there may be unintentional spoilers in here.

This is probably going to be a really unpopular opinion...

Legendary seems like the cheap knock off version of Caraval. There I said it! Caraval was Magical and enchanting and unpredictable! Legendary was a second-rate disappointment. It left me wanting for pretty much everything. Yes, I get that the story had to continue! I just wish is wasn't such a copy/paste situation here. I mean seriously, if your going to do the same story twice at least make it a million times more enticing than the first! So much wasted potential!

I wasn't enraptured or carried away with the whimsy that I so loved in Caraval! It lost all the spark and fell flat. I wanted the magic to be larger and more defying! I needed MORE! Instead I got stuck with so much less. For this being a second Caraval, there wasn't any game! Where was the game? Where was the edge of your seat confuzzlement about the clues you are trying to solve with them without knowing what the hell is going on? Where was the in depth and complicated adventure? I mean come on! You create this extraordinary game with even more extraordinary characters and yet you squander it all on a completely useless incentive. It could have gone far beyond what was left behind!

My biggest issue with this book is the fact that I couldn't stand Tella in the first book. So having her get her own "Carval" experience was so tediously annoying and yet so predictable! Oh, I'm all for a girl who takes no issue with being bold about her choices and continuing to hold her head high despite her flaws! Yet, her potential clearly went to waste here. She could have been so much more! This was her time to truly shine and prove me wrong in my initial opinion of her! Instead she was a tarnished wanna be MC with no redeeming qualities.

There was also an issue with all the males in this book. Did anyone else have a hard time keeping them straight? Like I knew who they were from the first book but here they just seem to blend until they become the same character over and over. Guys, i'm talking personalities and all.

I will, however, concede that some of the new characters (Will not name because that will be spoiling) are actually decently intriguing and I'd like a novella of them.

All in all this was a massive disappointment. I don't know whether I will attempt the next book or not.

I really enjoyed Legendary. Did I like it more than Caraval….eh I’m not sure about that yet. These stories are both set in the same world but have very different structures. Where Caraval seemed like a game, Legendary does not. Stakes feel much higher but the mystery remains.

I really have a love/hate relationship with Tella. Sometimes I think it’s hard to come back from disliking a character in the first book, to aligning yourself when it’s their turn for you to see inside their head. It also makes her really interesting to me, I have a thing with really enjoying characters that I don’t necessarily like all the time. Am I rooting for her, I don’t know. Well ya I guess I am. We definitely get to dig into her personality more and unlock why she acts the way she does at times. I do think her character grows as the story progresses.

There were things that bothered me a little bit. Like Tella’s lack of concern for Scarlett even though she goes on how Scarlett is the only person she cares about. It kind of made me feel like she was more of the Tella that annoyed me in Caraval. Hmm my sister doesn’t seem to be where she says she is, I guess I’ll go off and get involved in my own drama.

I really like the world. It never stops being interesting because there is always something else weird and unusual going on. It has so many possibilities so you never know what is going to happen. Plus we get a good look at the Fates and their powers this time around. I can’t remember if they were mentioned in Caraval but luckily there is glossary of them because as much as I was trying to keep them in my brain it was helpful to look at it.

So we do see Scarlett but she is very much in the background. There are still some unanswered questions about her. Which I need to know and can’t wait to see how the next book is structured.

I do not want to give anything away so I won’t go into great detail. I don’t even think I’m going to mention other characters besides Tella and Scarlett. I feel like that is part of the enjoyment of this story. You never who is who and why they are doing what they are doing.

If you liked Caraval, I think you will really enjoy Legendary. I think Finale is going to be quite an explosion so I can’t wait to read it.

2.5 stars

Legendary was quite possibly my most anticipated read of the year. I even took half a day off work on its release date because I couldn’t wait to read it! Unfortunately life intruded, and I wasn’t able to dive right in, and that’s fine…that just means my disappointment was put off. It seems everything I loved about Caraval was absent in this book. I liked Scarlett much more than Tella in the first installment, but that’s typical when you get one character’s point of view. I think (most of the time,) it endears you to them. But that didn’t matter – I went into this book prepared to fall in love with Tella’s character. I didn’t, and to make matters worse, I felt like she was dumbed down in this book. Where was the wily vivacious girl we met in Caraval? That certainly was not the Tella in Legendary, and this book suffered because of that. This book also suffered from being a recycled story in that like book one, the object was to find someone (or something in order to find that someone,) and, like Scarlett in book one, Tella was sidetracked by kisses. But even with the game having a clear cut path, this book lacked direction for me. It was here, there and everywhere, and it really fell apart for me when Tella began to feel sorry for herself and wondered if she even wanted what she’d originally been seeking.

The writing was so beautiful at first (with a few hiccups in comparisons that left me befuddled,) but as the story went on, it feel like the writing was a substitute for plot, and I could not longer enjoy it. Dante intrigued me from the last book, and the beginning of this book made him even more alluring (and perhaps the best part of this story,) and I loved Jacks at first, too, until he and his apple were mentioned for the millionth time. Even though it was explained, it was still overkill, and was so redundant that it became jarring every time it happened. Also, the direction of Scarlett and Julian’s relationship in this book ruined Caraval for me, and I can’t help but think that if I read it now knowing what’s in store, I wouldn’t enjoy it the second time around. Lastly, the ending was so anticlimactic in that not much happened, and that what did happen was so predictable. None of what I imagine were supposed to be ‘big’ reveals had any payoff, and I was left incredibly disappointed. But this book still gets 2.5 stars because like I said, the writing (at least at first,) was gorgeous, and I am still hooked enough to want to read Finale. Even if just to find out what happens to Scarlett and Julian. If you read Caraval and were on the fence about continuing this series, I’d be cautious about picking this one up. In the end, Legendary felt sloppy, unfinished, long, and it lacked direction. All of the ‘events’ in this book could have taken place in a quarter of its length, making me feel like I wasted my time.

This review was originally posted on Books & Beauty Are My Bag.

No spoilers in this review of Legendary. I give it 4 stars. The overall tone was light and playful, and the writing was chock full of flowery descriptions, especially in the first two-thirds of the book. When the climax was imminent, Garber concentrated a little more on storytelling and a little less on imagery.

Legendary focuses on Scarlett’s sister Donatella (Tella), a secondary character in Caraval. The very end of book 1 hints at Tella’s role in getting Scarlett into the game in the first place, and now Tella must pay up to the anonymous benefactor who helped her gain her sister’s admittance. Tella not only owes her “friend” payment for the first favor but now also owes for a new one she’s asking of him or her. So Tella enters a special round of Caraval in book 2 with much more complicated motives than Scarlett’s in book 1.

The side tasks Tella’s “friend” gives her made everything in the game seem a little too real to me. I started wondering whether this special round really was a game at all or if it was something more sinister. It was fun second guessing everyone’s motives and roles throughout the story. Garber really messed with my head for a while! ?

There were several reveals at the end of the book, and the foreshadowing gave me a pretty good idea of what they were ahead of time. But I didn’t mind guessing these plot points because the entire end of the book was just so much fun. In fact, the ending bumped my rating from 3 stars to 4. I would say I liked the first three-fourths of the book and then loved how it wrapped up.

I wish I could ask Garber how much of this she had planned when she started writing Caraval. Did she know the characters’ backgrounds and ulterior motives all along? I’m curious about one character in particular but won’t name him or her to avoid anything remotely spoilery. Let’s just say we get to know one character from book 1 a lot better, and each scene in which we did was so much fun!

I think Legendary was even better than Caraval, and I recommend it to everyone who loved book 1 in this series. And I recommend both books to anyone looking for a fun, light read on the younger side of YA. Garber once again left me hanging in the final pages of this story, so I will be picking up Finale as soon as it comes out next year!

Search for 'Book Series Recaps' to read all of our reviews as well as our full book recaps!

Title: Legendary

Author: Stephanie Garber

Age Group: Teen/Young Adult

Genre: Fantasy

Series: Caraval, book two

Star Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

I borrowed this book from my local library and reviewed it.

I read Caraval last year, and I really enjoyed it, though the worldbuilding was confusing and left a lot of holes in the plot for me. As soon as I found out about Legendary, I ordered it through my library. I got it almost immediately because—lucky me!---my library had its own copy. It’s been sitting in my stack for a while now, and when I realized that it went back this week, I put it to the top of the stack and started it almost immediately after I was finished with Fatal Throne. Due to a small mishap, I left the book in one of my book club buddies’ cars, so she had to bring it to me the next day! Honestly, I was really pleasantly surprised; you all know how often I get sequel anxiety. If I’m being completely honest, I think that this was better than Caraval, and I can’t wait for Finale, the last book in the trilogy!

Caraval focused on the first game, and on the oldest sister, Scarlett; now Garber flips the script to focus on the younger sister, Donatella, or Tella, for short. The girls have escaped the powerful and dangerous first game of Caraval, saving Scarlett from a disastrous, ill-fated arranged marriage. But they haven’t freed themselves yet. Tella made a dangerous bargain with a mysterious, alluring stranger, and what she owes is something that no one else has been able to deliver: Legend’s real name. Forced to win the second game of Caraval to make good on her bargain, Tella has to rely on every bit of wit, bravery, and skill to win the game. But she realizes that she may have to make the ultimate sacrifice in order to fulfill her end of the deal. But if she wins, it could be the end of Legend and Caraval. The game has only just begun, again, and it could mean the end of everything that Tella has ever cared about.

This book was really surprising; honestly, I liked it a lot better than the first one, probably because I received more answers in Legendary. I have really bad sequel anxiety, but this book more than lived up to my expectations. I started it as soon as my friend brought it to me and devoured it in a day and a half. The pacing was breakneck, and my head was spinning as I read the book; there were so many enticing, tantalizing riddles that I couldn’t figure out. The worldbuilding was elaborated a lot more, and I was glad for that; the last book was really confusing to me because of that. And I was constantly guessing, especially as to Legend’s identity. I was also pretty captivated by Tella herself, magnetic, brash, and brazen, determined to forge her own destiny despite all of the odds stacked against her. This book is stuffed to the brim with action, intrigue, and romance so compelling that I was constantly swooning, but the real killer of this book was its crazy ending. How am I supposed to wait until next year for Finale?! I’m kind of dying here, Stephanie! I can’t wait to see what happens next! The bottom line: The explosive, romantic, and enchanting sequel to the runaway sleeper hit, Caraval, I loved Legendary, and I can’t wait to see what’s in store for the next book in the trilogy! Next on deck: A Court of Frost and Starlight by Sarah J. Maas!

Book Talk…7/13/18
Traci Kenworth

Legendary: A Caravel Novel by Stephanie Garber. Flat Iron Books 2018.

As always, the store blurb: The instant #1 New York Times bestseller!

Stephanie Garber’s limitless imagination takes flight once more in the colorful, mesmerizing, and immersive sequel to the bestselling breakout debut Caraval

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.

My review: This book is AMAZING! I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED it! I think I even liked it more than the first book, lol. The mystery is even more tangled. From the moment Tella sweeps onto the page, her dislike of Dante and yet being reluctantly attracted to him, is mesmerizing! She is beholden to a criminal and must find the name of Legend or lose her mother forever. As the games begin, that fate is turned further as the Prince of Hearts kisses her and if she doesn’t win Caravel, she will die. With a slow beating heart, she struggles through the game, not sure who is on her side, even her sister, Scarlett, hides things from her. Will this be the end for Tella?
The characters are fantastic! Tella and Dante are just—breathtaking. Scarlett and Julian take a back seat here, but you can’t help but feel that both couples are in for more than they bargained. I’m pretty sure there will be another Caravel novel given the ending. Can’t wait for it!

Flatiron Books and NetGalley provided me with an electronic copy of Legendary. I was under no obligation to review this book and my opinion is freely given.

Legendary is the continuation of the story about the Dragna sisters, Donatella and Scarlett, and takes place directly after the events that unfolded in Caraval. A world of magic and subterfuge awaits Tella, as she soon realizes that not everything is how it seems. Having made a bargain with a stranger, Tella now owes a debt that may be impossible to pay. As Tella and Scarlett go through a second game of Caraval, will the sisters be able to figure out the truth from the lies? When the secrets of the past threatens all that Tella holds dear, her response may have the power to destroy or to set them all on the right path.

Let it first be said that fantasy is not the genre that I would choose to read, given other choices. However, I very much enjoyed both Caraval and Legendary, for the elaborate world building and well developed characters. As fantasy is the world of make believe, the author has done a good job of turning a tale that has mass appeal to teens because of the recognizable issues that both Tella and Scarlett must face. I was worried that Legendary might be more of the same, but there is a new layer to this book that gives it a fresh take on the world created by author Stephanie Garber. I would recommend Legendary to other readers, but I would advise that those new to the series start with Caraval. Although enough of the original book is glossed over in these pages, the series is best enjoyed from the beginning.

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

God's teeth (one of Tella's favorite phrases) is an accurate description of my feelings regarding this book. I loved the world and the idea of Caraval, but I just could not get behind any of the characters and what they were trying to achieve. I doubt even they knew what they wanted the majority of the time. Their priorities and feelings changed every chapter. It was exhausting to keep up with.

Tella was more likable than Scarlett, but she was still incredibly frustrating. She based most of her decisions on how they would make someone else feel, or constantly worried what might happen if they found out she had done this or that. It seemed like she was always trying to make Dante jealous, or wanted to see how someone would react to something she said or did. A lot of the time she just didn't think something through at all.

The ARC I received for review also gave away who Legend was before they were actually revealed in the story. A simple typo where the author referred to Legend as Legend instead of the person they were portraying in the game.

I think my biggest issue is the many, many threads and side stories the author has created. It's almost impossible to keep up with everything. Everyone has secrets. Like, life-altering and world-shattering secrets, yet they choose to keep them to themselves. I wish we had been given more answers instead of piling all the questions on top of each other. I need a little more resolution within my stories, and this series resolves very little. A single answer only added more questions.

Despite everything... I still want to finish this series and see how it ends. My hope is that the final book will have more answers and finally tie everything together into one coherent story.

Originally posted at Do You Dog-ear? on July 3, 2018.

If Caraval was good, Legendary is even better. Some of this is due to the fact that we have experience with Caraval. We know that not everything is as it seems, and that includes the roles people have. We have fallen under the spell of the magic and myth. We know the Dragna sisters, empathize with them, and want them to find happiness after the horrors of life with their fathers. The sequel takes some unusual turns though which turns it into a very different story from the first and makes it a much stronger novel overall.

While Caraval is all about Scarlett's search for her sister, Legendary follows Tella as she attempts to uncover one of the greatest mysteries of Caraval as well as the unsolved mystery of her mother's disappearance. Scarlett is nothing but a minor character this go-round, and that is a good thing. Even though she is the younger of the two and somewhat sheltered by her older sister, Tella is the stronger of the two sisters. She is more aware of reality and subsequently less prone to fantasy. She is pragmatic, self-aware, independent, and highly determined. She is also gutsy, willing to solve problems and take risks to achieve her goals. You can't help but admire her for all of this.

The game this time around is also more interesting in my mind. No longer limited to a house but to an entire city, the possible clues are more difficult to find. At the same time, the stakes are higher given the bargain Tella makes and the repercussions should she fail. The game is no longer about one of the sisters either, for the truth behind the games will change the world should certain things come to pass. Everything is just a bit bigger about Legendary, which makes it a fitting title for the sequel.

Legendary is the type of novel where I lost complete lack of time and reality while reading. I became so immersed into Tella's story and the world of Caraval that I literally neglected everything to read it. I fell in love alongside Tella, felt her pain and frustration, and celebrated her wins. I went into mourning when I finished it because I knew it would be months before I get to experience Tella's world again. I want to go back and read the first novel again. I never want to leave this world of magic and legends. This feeling is why I read. Now, if only every book I read makes me feel this way.

I have no idea how this happened, but I didn't love this book. I adored CARAVAL, but somehow the series lost it's magic for me in this second book, and I'm staring at all the five-star reviews on Goodreads wondering how I missed what everyone else is raving about. Don't get me wrong, I certainly didn't hate it---I didn't even really dislike it. I just didn't feel much for it at all.

So, what happened? Let's see...

What Fed My Addiction:

The gorgeousness of Caraval.
Garber's descriptions are lovely and beautiful, and Caraval is a place of amazingness to behold. Also, I want to be wearing Tella's stupendous dress made out of actual flowers. As far as settings go, Caraval is pure perfection.

The writing.
Garber's writing might fall into the purple prose category sometimes, but I love it.

Tella.
She's free-spirited and gutsy.

The romance.
Sure, there's some brooding happening here, but I was generally on board with the romance---just wish there had been a little more of it.

The ending.
I was interested enough in the ending of the book to be eager for the next book---which was sort of a coup since I wasn't all that engaged in this one.

What Left Me Hungry for More:

Lacked action.
Tella didn't really do much of anything except for look at all the prettiness of Caraval (which I can totally understand, by the way) and talk to people.

Completely predictable.
There was not one twist in this book that I didn't see coming from a mile away. It all seemed SO obvious to me. Sometimes I'm okay with that, if I'm kept guessing at least a little bit along the way or if I'm really invested in seeing how the character comes to terms with what I'm sure will happen, but that just wasn't the case here.

Anticlimactic.
I guess this was partially because of the fact that I saw all the twists coming. But also, when they did happen, they just kind of happened and then ... nothing. We moved on. (Check out the review on the blog for a spoiler that I put here.) There's a big secret with Scarlett (the only aspect of the book that I didn't figure out ahead of time), and when it's revealed what it is, it's like ... oh, okay. I just didn't feel anything through any of this book besides like one romantic scene. (Okay, I need to stop thinking about this now, or my rating is going to drop further.)

So, I don't know what happened here. Everyone else seemed to love this book, so I guess I missed something essential. Like I said, it was good. Fine. Just nothing spectacular. I'm still hopeful that I'll love book three as much as CARAVAL, though. Garber's writing and the setting boost this one up to 3/5 Stars.

***Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***

Thank you to Flatiron Books for the chance to read and review this novel.

After reading Caraval not long ago, I was ecstatic to see Legendary available on Netgalley. Though Caraval didn’t quite live up to the hype for me, I was still anxious to continue with the series and hopefully be able to find out just who the mysterious Legend was. I was happy to learn the follow-up would feature Tella’s perspective as opposed to Scarlet’s in the first book. Though I didn’t mind Scarlet’s point-of-view, I found her to be a bit of a lackluster character. Tella seemed to steal the show and was the more exciting of the two sisters, in my opinion.

I felt rewarded with a great start to this story with the mysterious “friend” Tella is indebted to, and I was eager to see where the plot would go. I must say, I was impressed with the pace of the first half of the novel and found it to be more interesting than its predecessor. I really enjoyed the addition of the Fates, playing cards, and the excitement Tella’s personality brought to the story. This time, she was able to experience what it’s like to play the game of Caraval, only to discover the consequences of this game seem much more realistic. Unfortunately, some of the writing, particularly in the beginning, came across as a tad juvenile, mainly in the vivid descriptions of the colors Tella was witnessing. Palatial Pink turned into purple prose.

Much like the first novel, I found the excitement toward the end of the story dwindling. As with Caravel, I was enthralled by the imagination of Stephanie Garber and the entire concept of the book, but the execution left me wanting once more. The last two days of Caraval not only plague the characters, the author seems to find herself stuck as well. Instead of loads of action, as there should be in the conclusion, the characters go somewhere and discuss their goals or what they expect the outcome of the game will be OVER and OVER again. The repetition of the same descriptions became excessive and boring. I wanted to yell at the characters to DO SOMETHING instead of chatting about what would happen.

Now, all of this is not to say this is a terrible novel. I loved parts of this story, as I loved parts of Caraval. I never wanted to stop reading and I didn’t want to give a bad review. One of my favorite characters was the antagonist, which is something that rarely happens for me! I also think fans of Caraval will be exceptionally pleased with the follow-up. Unfortunately, the fact of such imagination not being executed to its fullest potential is incredibly disappointing to me. I want to be swept away and once again it wasn’t possible, thanks to the flat second half. Reading this novel felt like attempting to watch a movie with a blank screen while only hearing the dialogue. Something was missing and I wanted to see more.

Once again, we are left with unanswered questions meaning only one thing: a third book must be in the works. As much as I would like to know more, I don’t know if I have it in me to continue with a third three-star-read. I want all of the details, but my expectations of getting it are quite low. Overall, I was satisfied with finally learning Legend’s identity, Tella’s perspective, and the new characters. I actually enjoyed this more than Caraval, but I think my disappointment with the story fizzling out during the last two days of the game overshadow my enthusiasm for the novel on the whole.

Overall Rating: 4.5 Stars

To say I loved Caraval would be an understatement. Normally I try fight against overly hyped books and I thought for sure I would find it lackluster, but it turned out to be such a fun read!! The writing and setting were beautiful and I was so genuinely flabbergasted by the twisty plot that I couldn't help falling in love. Consequently I went into this sequel with high expectations that it didn't quite meet, but I still absolutely loved this beautiful book.

THE GOOD
I had a completely different reading experience with this book than I did the last one. Instead of being a mere passenger that's swept away like I was during Caraval, I went into this with both eyes open and a heavy dose of skepticism. I noticed every character, every movement, every sentence and even flipped back to earlier parts of the book while I read to try and piece this crazy puzzle together. But that actually made this way more fun, like I was playing the game WITH Tella, and Garber does a great job dishing out little clues throughout the story. There were still some plot twists that I saw coming from miles away, but there were also a lot that I didn't, so it was still a fun journey.

I also really really loved the premise! In the last novel, Caravel didn't really have a theme—Scarlett just played the game as it had always been. But this is a special version of Caraval created specifically for the Empress's birthday and deals with the different fates. The fates are sort of like the divination, tarot card versions of the Greek gods??? Like if Greek mythology and Wicca got together and had a baby it would be the fates. Am I even making sense anymore?? However you want to describe them, I absolutely LOOOOVED the different fates and their dark magic! it was like a physical manifestation of tarot cards, which I thought was super clever.

Plus, Garber's writing is still gosh darn BEAUTIFUL. Her words completely transported and captivated me from the very beginning. And that ending!!! UGGGHHHHH!! My heart just about melted out of my body. I NEED THE NEXT ONE.

THE UGLY
The comment I've heard the most since finishing Caraval is that people found Scarlett annoying and in the throws of my post-reading high, I was genuinely surprised by this. Did I love her character? No, but I didn't really hate her either. Tella was the one that really got under my skin during the last novel. But surprisingly, Legendary managed to improve my opinion of Tella and lower my opinion of Scarlett. I will never doubt you Scarlett haters again because MY GOD was she annoying in this. Thankfully she doesn't have much page time and just flits in and out of the background, but DANG. Tella also has a few questionable moments, but not nearly as cringe-worthy as Crimson. It was't really enough to distract me from the story, but it did make my eye twitch a couple times.

FINAL WORD
I loved this!!! It was beautiful, magical fun just like the first one. If you enjoyed Caraval, you'll like this one too. I can't wait for whatever comes next!!!!!

When I began reading Legendary, I was worried that it wouldn’t measure up to Caraval. By the end of the first page, I knew I had nothing to worry about. Legendary was captivating and an utter delight to read. The world, the characters, and the plot were absolutely brilliant. I loved how Stephanie played with the reader’s expectations regarding Caraval. In Legendary, she introduced a much bigger and more complicated world than I could have ever imagined.

It’s important to note that this is Tella’s story, not Scarlett’s. That shift threw me a bit for the first few chapters but once I adjusted, I actually grew to love Tella as much as Scarlett. She was determined, brave, and compassionate. The other characters were just as amazing. I loved the little peeks we got into Scarlett and Julian’s lives after Caraval! However, there were two characters, one new and one returning, who completely stole the show. In Stephanie’s own words, “beware of boys with hearts made of black.” (But I’m pretty sure you’ll fall in love with them anyway).

I absolutely loved how the world became so more complex and larger in this installment. The juxtaposition of myth, reality, and the game created an atmosphere where I wasn’t sure what was real or which character to trust. Prepare to question everything. The idea of the fates was executed so well, I’m still in awe of how Stephanie crafted that aspect of the story. Some readers may not like the more abstract tone of this book but I absolutely loved it. I thought that it worked very well for the story and made for a riveting reading experience.

Legendary was one of my favorite books in 2018 so far. It was enchanting, absolutely magical, and entertaining. Just remember, it’s only a game. Or is it?

*Disclaimer: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Its that time again to get lost in the story, let the game take over and experience Caraval. Before you decide to immerse yourself in the plot and characters remember it's all just a game…… or is it. For Tella, this Caraval may not be a fun experience but have dire consequences. Not just for her but for everyone involved in Caraval. Can Tell separate herself from a preset destiny she saw as a child or make her own future to save her mother and one true love? This time Caraval isn't just for fun but to discover your own destiny.

Pro:

Tella…. Oh Tella. I have to say that from both the sisters, I can relate to Tella the most. The rebellious and closed of girl who thinks her future has already been foretold. She fights against her feelings and tries to keep her emotions in check so she can try and recover her mother. She is playing a game that may be playing her. She is everything in a protagonist I want. Feisty, temperament, emotional, courageous and grows within the story. She is the opposite of her cautious sister and refuses to play by anyone's rules. She leaps before she looks which makes her a great player in Caraval. She is a bit selfish in how she thinks and can override other people's emotions and well being but these flaws only add to Tella’s dimension. Then there is Dante, the rebel without a cause, the only man who can undo Tella. Dante had me at the tip of his finger, he was the villain with a villains heart. Oh and the knight in shining armor to rescue the day and sweep Tella off her feet! Yeah there isn't one because Jacks is just as sinister as everyone else. All the main characters are strong and unyielding in how they approach situations. Which makes the interactions that much more intense.
I've never read much about the Fates and enjoyed the Tim Burton style they are portrayed in. These are not the Greek Gods that wield power over mankind and will show mercy to a deserving soul. The Fates are ruthless and only desire power and human entertainment. Human entertainment in the form of pain and suffering. I enjoyed these darker entities and how they added darkness to the story.
So there is a love story and triangle of sorts. It was a refreshing take on how love can be given and taken. There are different dimensions of love that were portrayed; daughters love, true love, and the first love to break a heart. The true love is not what I expected and it was the love of an equal rather than lust and the usual romance take. This gave the characters more room to develop and not lean too much on the emotional side. Tella especially fought will all these.

Con
Garber has a way of uniquely describing situations, emotions, and landscapes. They do provoke certain images and senses yet at times they tend to go a little far……

This was one of my most anticipated releases this year and I was so damn happy to get my hands on it! We are thrown back into the world of Caraval, but this time the story is about Donatella.

Now I wasn’t a big fan of Donatella in Caraval so I was a bit unsure about a whole book completely about her. She was wild, boy crazy, and made impulsive decisions. While she still is sort of the same here, it makes for a good book! We also get peaks of Scarlett and Julian here and it was good to see them.

So Tella made a bargain with an unknown source, who has promised to give Tella information on her mother. The price of this information? The person wants to know Legend’s true name. That is not an easy thing to get!

The writing was as lyrical as I remembered. I was once again swept away in the world of Caraval and everything seemed so vivid. I will never get sick of this magical world!

The romance here was so much more! I won’t say with who, you are just going to have to read to see! It was very push and pull and the chemistry was there. Oh man! I was couldn’t help but keep reading to see how it would end.

The reasons I couldn’t give it 5 stars was because it felt like there wasn’t as much magic and game playing like there was in the first book. I get that Tella was playing a different game than Scarlette did, but I was really looking forward to more magic. Also, I was a bit shocked by Scarlette here. She makes some rare appearances and when she does, it made me take pause. She makes some weird choices and I wanted to shake her a bit. I also never knew if she knew more about Legend than she led on.

Overall this book was great and I can’t wait for the next one. Especially after that ending! We have a name at least, it’s going to be called Finale and it comes out 2019. Why it so far away?!

Caraval has ended and Donatella Dragna (Tella) has finally succeeded in saving her sister Scarlett and getting them both away from their abusive father. Anything seems possible but the magic of Caraval has quickly faded. Tella isn't done; she naively made a deal with a mysterious "friend" who wants something no one is able to aquire, Master Legend's true identity. The only way Tella can fathom uncovering this truth is to win Caraval. Once more she finds herself swept up in the crazy game that makes reality and magic hard to distinguish. If Tella can not succeed, she's about to lose everything, including her life. But if she does, Caraval may cease to exist.



Stephanie Garber had done it again. She has beautifully portrayed a world of mystery and magic; of real vs fantasy. It had been quite some time since I had read Caraval but I fell head first into this sequel. From the very first page to the last, I kept wondering how far Garber would go to suck her readers in. I was not disappointed!

Throughout the book, the reader follows Tella on a quest for clues while trying to discern what is part of the magic of Caraval and what is quite literally life or death.
Legendary will make you question your own morals. How far would you go to save someone you barley even know? What if you were given an ultimatum and had to choose between two people you love? While Legendary is a fantastic work of fiction, if you dive a bit deeper, you can discover quite a bit more about morals, values and how you would face difficult decisions. I can only hope that this series will continue on and we will be blessed with a book three.


I received a copy of Legendary for an honest review. These opinions are 
solely mine and do not reflect that of the author or publisher nor are they
influenced by the opportunity to read this book early.


Over the past week Stephanie Garber has become one of my favorite authors. I know Caraval had polarizing reviews, but I’m in the “I loved it” camp. Stephanie Garber writes the types of stories I crave and could devour in one sitting. Her stories are wrapped in mysterious, cunning characters woven into a luscious world of myths and magic.

Overall I immensely enjoyed reading Legendary. I was immediately whisked away into this atmospheric world again and it made me so happy! Legendary picks up right where Caraval left off, but this time we’re following Tella. And, wow, we really do hit the ground running. Tella owes a debt to a mysterious person and she once again has to play the game in order to pay her debt. But in good ol’ Caraval fashion, things aren’t always as they seem; you can’t trust anyone and whatever rules you learned from the last Caraval can essentially be thrown out the window.

Because this time around, we really don’t know if it’s a game anymore.

“As fantastical as Caraval might feel, the next five nights are very real.”

While I wasn’t the biggest fan of Tella during the first book (I did like her at the end, though), I immediately loved her in Legendary. There’s nothing I love more in a MC than sarcasm and a sharp tongue. Time and time again she proves herself to be brave and calculating. And you will get to discover so much more of her past, which was just barely skimmed over during Scarlett’s POV in Caraval.

And while Scarlett and Julian are in this book, they do take a bit of a back seat. New and old characters come into play, and guys, you’re in for a real treat. I won’t spoil anything so I won’t be naming names. But my heart was bursting with joy as I fell deeper into the story. Let’s just say Chapter 13 is my new favorite thing I’ve read in a very very long time. I legit had to put the book down to send a raving Snap to my friend Melanie. Oh, and I am 100% all in for shipping a certain couple. *heart eyes*

“Magic can be fueled by time, blood, and emotions.”

Aside from loving the cast, I was so immersed in the new world. The Caraval games are being held in Valenda, an empire that holds many secrets and legends. You’re in for quite a ride because there are so many new myths and magical systems to learn. My ARC copy is covered in page tabs because I wanted to memorize the history behind these legendary myths.

Okay, so you’re probably wondering why I gave this book 4 stars when I’ve been gushing about it. Well, I did have a few qualms that inevitably made me lower my rating by 1 star. Without giving away any spoilers, I found it to be a little too romance heavy (nothing wrong with this at all. I really liked the romance but at times I felt like it took away from the story). I also wasn’t the biggest fan of some twists and I really wanted a bit more Scarlett and Julian.

But wow, that ending! I wanted to throw my book across the room. Not in a bad way, but in a what-will-I-do-with-myself-for-another-year kind of way. Seriously, once I got down to the last 30 pages I did not want it to be over! Legendary is an amazing middle book of a trilogy, and it’s already setting up for a wild ride in book 3 (which already has a title: Finale.) I don’t know how much more my heart can handle, but I am so ready for it.

I truly did love this book despite my tiny complaints. Please pick up this book especially if you enjoyed Caraval. You’re going to discover such a fun, new world sprinkled with some morally grey characters and beautiful tragedies. I hope you love this book as much as I did!

Legendary picks up pretty smoothly from where we left off in Caraval and I was happy to see that Garber didn't waste too much time retelling portions of the first novel. The novel starts with a bang and I have to say, the stakes felt much higher. The game is different, the setting is different, and it even felt a little darker. I loved hearing about the game from Tella's perspective because she is a little more daring and willing to take risks and just a badass character all around.

The novel is full of twists and turns that are very different from the last novel and I loved how Garber kept me guessing from the very beginning. There were many more secrets and lies in this novel and I loved seeing Tella's character growth as the story unfolded. Caraval was a fascinating story, but Legendary really took a few steps above it for me because of the deeper elements like introducing the fates and the deck of destiny. I think this portion of the novel made the game more interesting and I couldn't get enough.

Legendary was an entertaining and well thought out novel filled with twists and turns. It constantly left me wanting more and wondering what was real and what was fake. I can't wait to read book three! I highly recommend this series if you enjoyed The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern. Thank you to NetGalley and Flatiron books for sending this novel in exchange for an honest review.

LEGENDARY continues to enchant with the magical world of Caraval. This time around readers are gifted to the story Donatella Dragna and her quest to save her mother. To be honest, I wasn’t sure if I would love this book as much as I did the first. The bar was set pretty high with CARAVAL. However, after the first chapter, Garber catapulted over that bar, destroying any trepidation I had. In one word, this book is spectacular.

What makes this and the previous book so great is the honesty and reality the characters bring the book. I know what you are thinking, but hear me out. Even though this is a continuing story filled with fantasy and illusions, at its core, it is about two sisters and their connection to each other while they navigate their own emotions and become who they are destined to be. The emotional push and pull the characters go through is heartbreaking at times, but it wouldn’t be a game if there weren’t sacrifices, right?

LEGENDARY is a bewitching story that I could not put down. I was instantly caught up in the deceptions and the intrigue, but then loved those quieter moments when I was able to get to know the characters. Garber did it again and I cannot wait for the final book in the series.

I am on the fence with this one, Caraval had so many twist and turns I was sure where it was leading and then the end was surprise after surprise. And I liked that I couldn't figure out what was going on until the end. I like the mystery of the whole thing. But Legendary was just kind of meh. There was no twist or turns, there was no surprises.

****Some Spoilers****
The fact that out of the blue Tella was Jacks true love, after no reason what so ever and a brief explanation that oh he is not quite human so he must love different really bothered me. It was just, oh tada he loves her she doesn't have to worry about dying anymore lets go on to her next task. That really irked me.

Then all the caraval characters were pretty much missing in this one, you got to see them a little here or there but there was no character growing of any of them. I wanted a more Caraval feel and it just didn't happen with this one. The clues were very flimsy in this one. The whole plot felt flimsy as well. But there is still a lot to be uncovered, like all the information about the girls mom, and it looks like Scarlett might have a love triangle happening in the next book as well.

CARAVAL was one of my favorite recent reads. I fell in love with the mystical, magical world Garber created and Scarlett's story of escaping her father and letting the leash loose a bit on her sister.

That being said, I was SO excited to read the sequel, especially because it was from her sister, Tella's, POV. I really loved what little we saw of Tella in the previous book, and was really eager to see what she had to offer. That being said, LEGENDARY was a great read as well, and I'm definitely a Garber fan for life. But I felt like something was missing from this story compared to the first, namely, that magical, mystical feeling I got when I was first introduced to Caraval.

Though I loved seeing Tella's world, loved her personality, and the writing was beautiful, the game is not as big a thing in the second book, and I was a little bummed by that. It didn't feel as magical to me. And to be honest, especially toward the end, a lot of the plot seemed a little contrived. Like things were happening that didn't make sense, or didn't fit in with the setting, just so that the plot could become resolved. I won't go into spoilers, but I wished the plot of LEGENDARY tied more into the idea of Caraval and what the game meant, and that Scarlett wasn't shoved off to the side like an afterthought that didn't have its own complete story a story ago.

All that being said, the story gripped me, and I couldn't wait to see what happened next with each turn of a page, and Garber does a magnificent job of really immersing you in this fantastical world and bringing her characters to life. Looking forward to the final book!

This second installment in the Caraval series is unlike any sequel I have ever read. It starts immediately where the first book ends and doesn't waste any time jumping into the story. I loved that there is no explaining the entire plot of the previous book. Rather than continuing the story from Scarlett's point of view, we now see the story from the point of Tella who I now love. She is smart, witty, resourceful and brave.
Tella and Scarlett find themselves drawn to another Caraval but, this one has the stakes set higher- or does it? Tella finds herself questioning what is real and what is part of the game as she teeters between certainty and confusion. As she searches for answers about her past, she doesn't know who she can trust including her sister. She has to make impossible choices and be willing to sacrifice everything in order to win the game with the lingering question- is it worth it?
Legendary takes Caraval to a whole new level. The characters and the story move so fast that I couldn't put it down from start to finish. The world of Caraval is brilliant, creative, and so well designed I feel I could go there if I dared. Garber's descriptions and images are amazing and have surpassed even the first book, in my opinion.

I will start by saying I was hesitant going into the this book because I am in the minority by not loving Caraval. I thought it was a fun and interesting concept but just left me a little flat. I did, however, get to meet Stephanie Garber for a Caraval release party and she was a doll.

The first few chapters on Legendary had me asking myself... Are we really doing this? I was a tad confused by a few things. With that being said, its been over a year since I read Caraval so I do recommend reading it again or brushing up on the highlights. Once the story and the game picked up, it became more interesting. I found that I was getting more anxious and got to the point where I couldn't put it down.

Legendary is from Tella's POV. I have to admit, I enjoyed her much more that Scarlet. She played the game with an agenda. Tella is torn between saving her mother, giving power to the Fates, giving power to Legend, or love. You do get answers, some really big answers in this novel.

There will be one more book in this series and I cannot wait to see how this all plays out now. Well Done Ms. Garber.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I usually recap the book but if I recap this one then it will have too many spoilers from the first book and even a few from this one so I will just say, that it's great! I loved following Tella around even though I wasn't sure I wanted anyone but Scarlett and while I will say that I still prefer Scarlett, Tella is still an awesome character. Also, I like Dante better so there is that!

Don't even ask me to choose which one I liked better. Do not. I can't choose. I will say that this one has more kissing which I love to pieces as I'm a sucker for any kind of romance. The world building is freaking amazing and the world alone... it's so just one of a kind and rather mind blowing. This one is full of everything I loved from the first one along with stuff I didn't even know I wanted but am so glad I got! I am glad to know that this isn't that last one has at the end I'm left with more questions and ugh! I want the last one now!

Legendary is the sequel to one of my favorite books from last year, Caraval.
The sequel picks up right where first book left off and quickly jumps right into another adventure. This time the story is told from the point of view of Donatella, the younger sister of the main character of Caraval, Scarlett, who’s disappearance and imminent discovery was the focus and challenge of the first game of Caraval that resulted in Scarlett winning the game when she found the missing Donatella after experiencing a topsy turvy and brutally wicked trial of tortured puzzles, illusions and tricks.
Legendary follows an extremely similar story structure to Caraval as another game is played, irregularly soon after the last. This time Scarlett’s sister, Donatella, must discover the true identity of the game’s mastermind, Legend or suffer death by the cruel Prince of Hearts, a Fate who has escaped his magical imprisonment and doomed Donatella with a single kiss that will stop her heart.
At times Legendary felt disappointingly repetitive and similar to Caraval but the unique elements of Donatella’s story remained original enough to keep me intrigued, entertained and looking forward to more.

The best plots give you just enough truth to fuel the adventure and keep just enough secrets to spark your imagination. Legendary by Stephanie Garber does both extremely well.

Stephanie has a fantastical way with words. The imagery is not only descriptive, but emotive as well. You can feel the darkness, the madness and the euphoria that comes with playing Caraval.

The story is more than darkness and madness though. It’s mostly about hope, and love. We’re not talking about chemistry or lust, though there’s a little of that too. We’re talking selfless love driven mostly by the Dragna sisters, and it’s expertly done.

Stephanie has created two sisters who couldn’t be more different in temperament, and purpose, yet more devoted. And you can feel it in Stephanie’s writing. The determined logcial voice of Scarlet and the flighty passionate voice of Tella come across as you are opened up to these characters and the world of Caraval; all it can give and all it can take.

first posted on bookconfessionsblog

I am so excited to be reviewing my second eARC from NetGalley! If you didn’t already know, Legendary is Stephanie Garber’s second book in the Caraval trilogy. When I requested it (a million years ago), I never dreamed that they would send it to me. I’m so glad that they did because it was fantastic! I do recommend that if you are planning on reading this book, and read Caraval when it came out, it’s worth your time to do some Googling for a summary*. This book picks up right where Caraval left off, so it’s good to have it fresh on your mind.
One of my favorite things about this book was that it focused on Tella this time around, rather than Scarlett. Don’t get me wrong, I loved Scarlett, but making Tella the focal point of this book gave it a new flavor. I think if Stephanie would’ve chosen to make Scarlett the main character, the book wouldn’t feel fresh. In this book, we got to see Tella take shape. I hope that in the last book, we will get to see them take center stage together and watch their relationship blossom on the page.
Another great addition to this book was the Fates and their mythology. I don’t want to spoil anything, but the Fates are the “godly” figures in the Scarlett and Tessa’s world. They all represent different things, (like love, luck, hard choices, etc.) and are frequently used to predict the future with the use of their worlds tarot cards. From a young age, Tessa is intrigued by them, and their appearance in the book is used to make this round of the Caraval game more real than it was in the past.
I think that what makes this book different from its predecessor is the added reality within the game. In Caraval, the character's actions had no actual impact on the events outside of the game. In this book, Tella had to make some tough decisions because of the consequences that would follow her actions. Legendary had a chance to be a “knock-off” Caraval, and I’m so glad that Stephanie decided to turn the world upside down. It made for a great story, and I can’t wait to see what Finale brings to the table.

Your Master of Books,
Ashton

I loved this book so much more than I loved Caraval! Tella and Dante were amazing characters! I loved Scarlett and Julian in Caraval, but I found myself much more invested in the story since I was following Tella instead. She's such a strong character - very persistent, headstrong, and is up for a challenge. Dante was amazing as well. I found him much more likable than Julian. The writing in this book was great. I felt like I was actually there at Caraval enjoying the sights, smells, and sounds!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own

AHHHH!! Such an amazing read. :) It's hard to review without giving spoilers, because this is the second book in a series. But I will say that I loved the POV of Scarlett's sister, Donatella (Tella), and I'm so happy that finally I got some answers to the questions I had in Caraval. Of course, I'm now left with OTHER questions, so I really can't wait for FINALE, the 3rd book in the trilogy. What I loved about this book: the romance, the twists, the characters, and how the magic and the world-building evolves... so we get to see more of the world. I highly recommend this series for YA fantasy lovers!
***I got an ARC, and this didn't influence my review.

“This was why love was so dangerous. Love turned the world into a garden, so beguiling it was easy to forget that rose petals were as ephemeral as feelings, eventually they would wilt and die, leaving nothing but the thorns.”

I am not sure I can gush about this book enough. If I ever become an author, I hope I can write like Stephanie Garber. She takes the vocabulary available to us all and uses it to her full advantage. Sentences and situations that could seem simple and boring become like magic in her hands. And I also have to say, I LOVED Caraval. I gave it 5 stars, but I love Legendary so so much more. Like we have come to expect from this series, I had no idea what was going to happen with each fascinating twist, but I was eating it all up like the decadant treat that it is. I give this book 5 million stars.

“‘Every good story needs a villain.’

‘But the best villains are the ones you secretly like.’”

I received Legendary as an advanced reader copy. This was the second Caraval book and it was a second round of Caraval that Tella was able to play in this time. This Caraval was based on the Deck of Destiny and the mythical Fates. I found this to be absolutely fantastic. In the first book I felt confused for a lot of the book, but I felt that in this book I was more prepared with what to expect and I enjoyed it much more. I also really enjoyed the Deck of Destiny and Fates theme this time, I thought it really added to the Caraval. This is certainly a must read and I am very much excited to hear that there will be a third book Finale.

You know, the wait was WORTH IT for Legendary.

I don’t like to read synopsis so all I knew about Legendary was what I knew from Caraval and that this was Tella’s story.

Oh yes, it is Tella’s story. Tella and Scarlett are so distinctly defined that their voices jump off this pages. I enjoyed living in Tella’s mind and watching her make decisions and take action that is so not Scarlett.

We quickly learn that Tella’s mom didn’t abandon the girls as we thought but is trapped in these magical cards and OF COURSE it’s going to be a version of a game to get her out. This is not Caraval reimagined but a fresh story with new anti-heroes and villains as well as some reveals about characters from Caraval.

The whole time I was reading, all I kept in my head is “it’s all just a game” and now I don’t know what’s real and what’s not. I trust nothing - and I am totally fine by this.

I had the hardest time getting into this book. Which is disappointing because I loved Caraval and rated it 5 stars. I expected this one to be even better. I was also under the assumption this was the sequel, not the second in a series. I was not happy to get to the epilogue and realize it definitely needs to continue on. I wanted a happy ending! I also wanted the book to be a whole lot less confusing. Fantasy is not my favorite genre and it just took me so many days to get into. I loved Dante, but wish we had seen more of him. I didn't feel particularly connected to Tella. I guess I struggle in general with switching narrators in each book of a series. So much investment in the original person only to be switched to someone else. Anyway, I didn't really find this book "magical" in any way. Caraval feels like a week of horrors and I don't understand the appeal. But that being said, I'm definitely going to be reading the third book in hopes of having some happy closure! 

I purchased this signed copy of Legendary from Kepler's books the moment I could preorder it. As soon as we both had them, my bestie, @mycornerforbooksand and I jumped into a #buddyread. All opinions are my own. ♠️ Legendary by Stephanie Garber. I was amazed at the game in Caraval, the sisters, the drama, the way they held on for one another and I was so excited when I knew Legendary was coming soon. Another chance to play, another chance to get swept away. Little did I know you would have to not only cheat death but rearrange fates this time around. It wasn't just Tella's fate or Scarlet's fate this time, it was the fate of the world. A deck of cards can only reveal the future you choose to believe in unless of course, Legend is involved. Then the only game you are playing are the one he chooses to let you play. ????? I will definitely reread the two of these again.

While I was totally enthralled with Caraval (book 1), I did not fall quite as hard for Legendary. It took about half of the 440-page novel before it started to feel like a page-turner; I remember Caraval picked up steam a little more quickly. I also struggled with rallying for Donatella, the protagonist of Legendary, in the first half of the book; after reading Caraval, I thought Scarlett (Donatella's older sister) was a much more winsome character...Donatella just seemed too conniving, impulsive, and immature to make a good main character. By the time I reached the end of Legendary, I was, of course, rooting for Donatella...but Scarlett is just a much more admirable character, in my opinion. Tella sacrifices, as Scarlett did in the first book, but Tella seems to maintain a more cynical and self-serving attitude. Tella's sacrifice is not as believable. In comparison to Caraval, I felt that Stephanie Garber's writing was a little less believable in Legendary; her angst and effort were showing a bit more, leaving this novel feeling less fluid, organic, and seamless.

This is not to say that ALL the magic was in Caraval alone; I did enjoy Legendary, and I would recommend it, it just wasn't quite the same caliber as the first book. I do have very high hopes for the third book (Finale) due out next year. I'm a high school English teacher, and I know my female students will love these books. I would also add that I appreciate Garber's spiritual perspective and inclusion of Truth: the power of relationships, love, and, ultimately, sacrifice. These are messages we all need to see a little more frequently in our mainstream entertainment. Garber certainly has a gift, and I will eagerly await her next novel!

Overall this book was a quick and enjoyable read. We once again enter the world of Caraval, in all of its magic and mystery. A lot of lore was introduced that wasn’t mentioned in the previous book, which made the story feel very jarring to get into. While the details of the plot were completely new, a lot of the larger plot paralleled the first book in a way that felt too repetitive. That said, I bought in and was happy to enjoy the journey. I’m looking forward to the third installment.

I have mixed emotions about Legendary. Caraval was one of my favorite reads. I think I read it first time around in a day because it was so fast paced, fun, amazing, and it made me not be able to put it down. So when you read the epilogue and see that you get a new book from Donatella's character, I was so pumped! But reading Legendary, I never got to the point where I felt like in Caraval... I kept putting the book down, and just picking it up when I had a spare five minutes to read a chapter or two...

I didn't care for Donatella in Caraval. I felt she was a typical younger sister who was just fast paced and carefree and didn't know or care what her consequences would be. In Legendary I LOVED her!!! Holy crap girl power I wanted to shout from the rooftops how much of a bada** this character was and I would LOVE to see more characters like her!

'If she were Scarlett, someone would have come to her rescue by now. Julian would have probably flown in on a hot-air balloon, and then sprouted wings to soar down and carry her away. Unfortunately Tella wasn't the sort of girl people saved - she was the one they left behind. But she was also the sort they underestimated...'

Not quite as magical in the sense that I didn't float away into a dream world like the last. This one was more brought down to earth, even though it did contain tons of magical twists. I'm not sure if it lost it's magical surprise because I now expected it after the first or because they really did have it dialed back a notch.

A drop of blood here, and there, and everywhere. Curses and treachery. I did enjoy that this was focused on a missing mother and revealing some family history. My favorite part in the last though carried over to this one, where you can never really trust a persons' intentions. Slow build, but constantly got more and more exciting and never faltered after the climb began.

As a sequel, it was hard not to compare Legendary with Caraval. Legendary was amazing all on its own and was told from Tella’s point of view instead of Caraval. The book picks up from the same moment the last book leaves off. This book was really great, but it didn’t live up to Caraval for me. There was just a bit less magic because this story was more plot and character driven than world driven like the first book. There were a lot of mysteries that needed to be solved, and so that took up the majority of this story. The plot was really good, but I predicted parts of the end of this from the first few chapters so while it wasn’t entirely surprising, the journey to get there was fun! I enjoyed having Tella as the MC in this book because I found her character to be a little more complex than Scarlett was in the first book. I loved how fierce Tella was throughout the novel and how independently driven she was to seek answers and make her own choices to free those she loved. Overall, I gave this book 4 out of 5 stars and was pleased when Stephanie Garber announced that the 3rd book was coming!

This was the second installment in the Caraval series which promised to get to the heart of the mystery. While the story did do that, all was revealed unenthusiastically with recycled elements from the first book.

We unfortunately read from Tella's POV this time and I have to say that the author didn't make me like her much more than I did in the first book. There's something about her arrogant personality that I just can't connect with. Our previous main character, Scarlett, still made appearances throughout this story but had no further development. Honestly, she could've been written out and it wouldn't have made much of a difference to the plot.

The Caraval game itself started almost exactly the same as the first book, just with a different sister being the star of the show. After hardly learning about the allure of this traveling carnival in the first book, I was really hoping to get more atmospheric descriptions this time around. While the author did become more descriptive, it was only in regards to the city they were playing in rather than the game itself. This is honestly such a missed opportunity.

It was interesting to see how the two separate Caraval games connected and that there was a secret purpose for these teenage girls to be included from the very beginning. However, it was often very dull as Tella roamed the city looking for clues. I was really expecting shocking twists and turns, like in the first book, but was thoroughly disappointed. The reveal of Legend's true identity was given away too early in the story and in a way that didn't offer any surprises.

Finally, the magical backstory was extremely hard to follow. So much so that the author included a glossary of historical magical elements at the end. Readers shouldn't need this reference material; we should be made privy to this information in a concise way as the plot is built up.

Nothing about Legendary made me excited for the third book in the series and I haven't decided if I'll bother reading Finale to see how the story ends when it's released.

Thank you to the publishers who provided me with an ARC of this book through NetGalley!

JEEEEZ this book was good! Caraval was one of my favorites from last year so I was really excited to read Legendary, and it absolutely lived up to my expectations. This book was so creative and unique, really well-written, and just yanked me all over the place with emotions. We saw little of Scarlett in this sequel, as it focused on Tella, and the game of Caraval was very different this time around, so Legendary felt fresh and new. I loved the characters of Tella and Dante, and I loved their funny and fiery relationship (although the ending left me wanting to pull my hair out). I really hope there's a third book in the works because I can't wait to see where things go from here.

Stephanie Garber has a hit! I love this second novel in the Caraval series where we experience on a magical mystery ride of adventure, romance, and intrigue. In Legendary we read about Tella as she plays the Caraval game to search for her estranged mother. Based on a set of Fates cards she learns of the secrets behind her mother's disappearance and the true identity of Legend, the mastermind behind the games. Will Tella have to make daunting sacrifices as her sister did in Caraval, the first book? Can she have her mother and her true love with out ruining th world? Dive into this one to answer the questions you wanted answered in Scarlet's story and you will finish wanting more!

Thank you Netgalley for allowing me to read this advanced copy.

I was swept into the story within the first 50 pages of the book and had a hard time putting it down each time I needed to wrap up a reading session. The plot is wonderfully twisty and unpredictable (aside from a few bits I saw coming that I won't mention here so as to avoid spoilers). The pace is good, steadily moving forward without seeming rushed. While the characters in this series sometimes frustrate me, they are undeniably entertaining, vibrant, and complex. Finally, the writing is excellent. If you enjoyed Caravel, you'll almost certainly like Legendary too!

“Every good story needs a villain. But the best villains are the ones you secretly like.” -Stephanie Garber, Legendary

Jumping into the world of Caraval once more, we find Scarlett Dragna’s sister, Tella, to be the center of the magic this time around. In an attempt to continue the search for their mother, Tella has made a bargain with a mysterious “friend”; in return for her mother, he wants what is impossible to deliver: Caraval Grand Master Legend’s real name. In order to find the information she needs, she must once again join Caraval, but this time, she needs to win.
Through her race to win the game, she will face more challenges than ever before, and choose between decisions she never thought she would have to make. She will face not only Death, but also beings more powerful than anyone in the whole world; even more powerful than Legend himself. If she wants to win the game and save her mother, she may have to give up more than she ever imagined.

From the once again stunning cover, to the wonderfully detailed map, to the extremely helpful “Glossary of Fates and terms” at the end, my journey back into the world of Caraval was just as magical as I hoped it would be; perhaps even more so than I thought.

After reading Caraval the first time, I would never see a top hat the same way again, and I would never forget the whimsical and mysterious world of Caraval. I anxiously awaited the release of the sequel, and once getting my hands on a copy, finished reading it in two days. I simply couldn’t put it down. I will admit, I was a bit skeptical at first about the story being told in Tella’s point of view as opposed to Scarlett’s but after reading the first few chapters, I found that I actually like her perspective a bit better. While Scarlett is a bit more naive and open-hearted, Tella is reluctant to let herself fall for anyone. She has been hurt before, and she's not afraid to live her life without “true love”. This coupled with the fact that her flirtatious “relationship” with Dante is not cliche and develops in a very interesting and non-linear way throughout the book made me appreciate her relationships more than I thought I would. Also, while from the outside she looks like a frivolous and silly girl, once she opens her mouth and speaks her mind, she reveals herself as the sassy and strong woman that she is.

In respect to the world of Caraval, I loved how I could revisit their world without getting the feeling that it was just a repetition of the first book. It was different enough to be interesting, with new places and new characters, without feeling like it was detached from the first book entirely.

All in all, this book was spectacularly written, with a wonderful new perspective, new places to visit, all with the same magic that drew me in the first time. Truly “Legendary” in my book! (I had to make the pun; I just had to)

Ok so this book made me feel so many things! But let me start out with saying that if you haven’t read Caraval, do it now, and then come back and read this. I can’t guarantee that this post will be 100% spoiler free if you haven’t already read the first book. What I’ll say as a general review for those of you who shouldn’t continue this post: I am LOVING this series. Seriously, go out and read these books.
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Now that I’ve given you fair warning let say that I actually love that this book is written from Tella’s perspective. She grows so much as a character between the first book and this one; which says good things about how well Garber develops and writes her characters.
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What intrigued me most about this book is the love interests. Both give me that bad boy vibe that you can’t help but love. Honestly I’m still unsure of who I want Tella to end up with in the future!
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(Here there be spoilers! I’ll try not to be specific, but I can’t guarantee it won’t ruin anything for you)
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I loved the inclusion of the girls’ mom’s history in this book. I can’t wait to see what happens with all that mama drama in the next book! I gotta say, I’m still skeptical of the revelation of Legends true identity that happens in this book. But, that makes me all the more excited to read Finale! Honestly, I think there is more to this situation that meets the eye. I have a theory that I won’t post here, but maybe I will after I read Finale ? Happy reading friends!

What can I say about this book?

Well, other than the OBVIOUS GLOWING REVIEW!!

This book was an amazing addition to the story that was created in Caraval. It let us take a look at the world through the eyes of Tella (Scarlett's sister). And we are whisked away on another whirlwind adventure as yet another game takes place. This time at the request of the Empress Elantine's request.

Never has a magical Caraval taken place so close together (only a week or two has passed since the previous game in the first book), but we are thrust into an adventure to find love, defeat evil, and save a life. I won't spoil anything, but it is a game (or is it) that you won't forget!

Overall, the writing whisked me away into a world that I actually would love to spend a few days in (longer if I was able to be one of Legend's actors). Stephanie Garber adds to the magic of the world by telling us of Stars, Fallen Stars, and Fates... all that sound beautiful but tend to be much more deadly than you would think.

Can fate be changed once it is told? Is this all more than just a game? Will someone finally figure out who Legend is?

Well... read the book!!

You will NOT be disappointed!!

I daresay this book is ... Legendary. In short, it's everything I wanted Caraval to be and so much more! Where its predecessor lacks in mystery and romance, Legendary more than compensates for. Garber crafts a wonderfully surreal world with an enticing plot that pushes the boundary of what's real and imaginary, truth and lies, the past and what is sure - or maybe not so sure - to arrive. My head was constantly spinning as I read this story, and I was especially pleased that it is written through Donatella's point-of-view. I unfortunately found Scarlett to be bland in Caraval, so it was an absolute treat to read from her younger, more complex and audacious sister. Twists and turns seep into every page, and you'll find yourself periodically questioning what's truly happening. I devoured this delightful story in a mere two sittings, and the anticipation for the next novel is eating me alive!

Oh, originality is dead, you say? To this, I imagine Garber pointing an accusatory finger and laughing. Legendary takes place in the Empire's capital, Valenda, not long after the previous Caraval performance. I adore the magical atmosphere that surrounds the city and the individuals residing within, and the flowery descriptions beautifully help illustrate this world. The fine line between reality and make-believe is constantly in question, with millions of seemingly minuscule events and components wrestling among one another to help the reader form coherent conclusions. What I truly relish about the world is how it's a living and breathing entity. It's packed to the brim with energy and magic, and bends the rules of reality, while still following the general rules of rationality.

Why, who claims you can't have more than one favorite character? Tella is a phenomenal female lead, and I particularly love her cleverness and sassy nature. Despite believing that she is cursed to have only unrequited love, her self-less nature and desire to save her mother and protect her sister is invigorating. I love the character development of Dante, and the role he plays in assisting Tella in her journey to the truth. His intentions are hardly ever clear, and that makes this man of mystery, all the more intriguing! The inclusion of ancient mythological beings is a wonderful addition to the story, and I especially adore the Prince of Hearts. He's such a lovely multi-dimensional villain, and I was helplessly captivated by his character every time he appeared. Every time he sheds a layer from his persona, a new one evolves. Scarlett and Julian emerge from the background several times, but I wish the relationship between the two sisters was expanded upon more.

The fast-paced plot had me biting my nails and smiling like an idiot. This book is undoubtedly more romance-centered than Caraval, and I indulged in every bit of it. I wouldn't consider it your typical love triangle, but the intricate relationships Tella holds with both Jacks and Dante is remarkably entertaining. With romances built upon so many lies and deceit, who can you trust? I honestly can't get enough of this story, and the whirlwind of emotions it stole from me. There's so many side plots and ulterior motives, that it will keep you hooked from start to finish, begging for an answer to the last pieces of the puzzle. The ending is satisfactory, in spite of the jaw-dropping cliffhanger.

I wanted a story, and Garber did not disappoint. Tella's quest to uncover Legend's true name and save her mother is plain old fun! This is what I look for when reading Young Adult Fantasy. The writing and world building is simply enchanting, and is broadened even more in this sequel! The wide array of morally grey characters are such a joy to read about, and I can't wait to see what becomes of them in Finale.

Legendary starts immediately after Caraval ended but this time through the eyes of Donatella Dragna. Tella has been in contact with a friend who gave her various helpful information and the location of her missing mother for a price. Now that the Dragna sisters are free of their abusive father and the island of Trisda, her friend is intent on collecting their payment--Legend's real identity.

Now, another game of Caraval is underway and Tella plans to play the game this time in order to learn the truth about Legend. If she doesn't win, more than her life may be at stake. But remember, it's all just a game.

~~~

Many authors suffer the fate of sophomore slump with their second books, however I believe this one breaks that tradition. Soon as the game started, I too questioned what was real and who was acting. The urgency of winning the game in time felt more real to me this time around as opposed to the first book.

One thing's for sure, you should definitely pick this up as soon as you finish Caraval. You wont regret it.

I loved Caraval & Scarlett’s story but Legendary just completely swept me away. Tella has so much depth and I love the character development for Dante and the rest of the characters. I really like that young adult is getting more mature and the writing here is amazing and so beautiful. I can’t wait for book 3 to come out. I really hope it’s from tella’s point of view. Tons more twists to come - I definitely have a few theories but don’t want to give away any spoilers

This is one of those rare times where the second book of a series is even better than the first. I liked Caraval ... but I LOVED Legendary. The stakes are so much higher, the twists (while easy to see coming) were great, and Tella was such a great POV character. While I liked Caraval I wasn't sure I was going to continue the series but after this one I'm salivating for the final book!

(I listened to the book on Audible and the narrator is DELIGHTFUL!)

I loved Caraval, it had me drawn in from the start. But this one.... I just couldn't stay with it. It lost my interest many times, which is bad because so many things go on at once.
**don't read past here if you haven't read/listened to the book** One second Tella is with Dante falling in love then the next she's falling for her fake fiancé. Oi. yes, we find out who Legend is and find out about their mother, but it's just kind of "meh".

I loved Caraval so I had to read Legendary and see how the story continues.
It took me several weeks to finish Legendary. It was slow paced and boring at times. Some chapters were interesting and others were dragging. Sometimes I found it overly descriptive. I felt like it could have been 50-100 pages shorter. I liked the characters. I think the description of the settings and the events were a bit too much and long.
Thank you Netgalley for the ARC

Going in I didn't think I would like LEGENDARY as much as CARAVAL. Tella wasn't my favorite character in the first book.. I was SO wrong. I liked it even more and Tella became one of my faves. The story had so many twists and turns much like navigating around Valenda. I kept second guessing everyone and everything! I will be obsessing for the next year trying to figure out what Garber has up her sleeve for book 3.

If you enjoyed reading CARAVAL, even just a little bit to be entertained and escape for a few hours/days, pick up LEGENDARY.

Legendary is the sequel to Caraval and quite a ride! This sequel starts right after Scarlett is rescued. Now sister Tella owes a debt to the mastermind behind Caraval and she wants to figure out who he is before harm comes to her. I actually figured it out fairly early and was happy my prediction came to fruition. Now I cannot wait for the next book so I can see what happens!

The mystery and wonder continues in Legendary. I listened to the audiobook, once more riveted by the wonders of Caraval.

Tella was a fun, spunky ball of energy. I did miss Scarlett who I relate to more. (Big sisters unite!) And my heart belongs to Julian 4ever. ?❤️ Fingers crossed that Scarlett gets more page time (and a POV) in Finale.

Thank you to Goodreads and Flatiron books for the giveaway! I was very excited to read the follow up to Caraval. I loved how she branded out from just the show, to how Fate and Destiny can either rule our life, or they can make their own path. I adored that it was from Tella's perspective, and explained a little more of why she did what she did in Caraval. Everyone, go read it as soon as you can!

Yes, yes, a thousand times yes! This was the sequel I needed. I loved the villains, I loved the plot twists, and now I'm sitting here diving into bowl after bowl of gelato while I bemoan the fact that I have to wait for Book 3 (which is going to be good y'all. I don't need my fortune told by a Deck of Destiny to predict that). Robsessed!

I simply can’t decide if I loved or disliked this book. I’m reading the reviews and I agree with the 5 star and the 1 star reviews! I really was intrigued to the end, so that’s good. But then I found myself skimming a lot of the descriptions. It was a bit overdone. And I’m not sure I feel like the ending was an ending...Caraval felt like a conclusion. This one did not and there were major plot holes. That said. It was still creative and I still wanted to finish and read the next one!

It is addicting to read about Tella and Dante together. This book was one you really need to pay attention to what is going on. Is it real or is it part of the game? It truly focuses on Tella for the majority of the book. You see a few of the players thrown throughout the story. Ended on a huge reveal or two. This really should be a 4.5 stars.

While I did enjoy this book, I just didn't feel like my trip to Caraval was as magical as the first. Tella has too much of a drama-ish personality. I definitely like Scarlett a lot better. This one did end on a note that makes ya want the next book now! I'm hoping for a wonderful finale to this series!!

Thank you to Netgalley for the arc!!

**This review will be spoiler free.**

Continuing right after the events of Caraval, we find ourselves in the POV of Tella, Scarlett's sister. We learn of a certain debt that she owes and BAM, we're back into the world of Caraval. This time, she is after Legend himself. She needs his real name and identity and she'd do most anything to get it.

Tella is a determined character, just like her sister. She's also more complex as we read on. She has secrets just as everybody in Caraval does.

As much as I love Stephanie's writing, I felt as though this one lost a little bit of the magic and intrigue. What I loved about the first book was the magical feel of the game itself. This one lacked that. Though it did make up for it in a sense with some pretty smoking male characters.

WHY AM ATTRACTED TO THE OBVIOUS BAD GUY????

What I also loved how I couldn't trust anyone, not even Scarlett herself. Not after the first book. you can't fool me, Garber!!!

Anyhow, some things were predictable if you listened closely and some things you could guess. Even though I did, the ending was still very much surprising. Basically, like the first, this was a fun ride.

WHAT I LIKED:

Lovely writing-check
Great characters-check
Romance-double check

WHAT I DID NOT LIKE

Lack of magic
Predictability.

Still, A very awesome book. I cannot wait for the third.

I loved Caraval, but wow Legendary stepped up the game. This book was full of so many twists and turns, just like Caraval was, but even more so. The world and the descriptions are just as lush as the first book, and the characters. THE CHARACTERS. I ADORE Tella. She's so feisty, and boy, don't underestimate her. She's full of fiery passion and she refuses to let anything stand in her way. Now can we talk about Dante for a minute? Because wow I love him. And I love him and Tella. My heart. Just, my heart. I will say no more for fear of spoilers, but I adore these two.

Now all I need is Finale ASAP because that ending left me NEEDING to know what will become of my precious characters.

I have been awaiting this book! Initially, it was hard to get into. It was a bit confusing trying to remember everything that was eluded to in the beginning. But I stuck with it and about 1/4 of the way in was caught up and speed through the rest! Loved the story and the characters!
Can't wait for the next!

This book was amazing once I picked it up I couldn’t put it back down it was so beautifully written and so exciting I actually cried I was a little nervous because the first one was told from Scarlett’s point of view and I was so attached to her I didn’t know if I would like this one but do not let that put you off because they are both amazing and you will get used to tella and I think grow to love her because now you can understand both of them I don’t think I could pick which book I liked more because they were such great books just enough romance and magic and the villain jacks I hated him but I liked something about him so well done.

The 2nd installment of the Caraval series is just as wild and enchanting as the 1st. This time the story is told from Tella’s perspective as she navigates the game. Lots of storylines to follow and somewhat repetitive but still an enjoyable book. #ARC #NetGalley

Caraval was amazing. It was definitely book of the year for me in 2017. But Legendary took all that was good about Caraval and elevated it incredibly. While it could've been just a rehash of Caraval's events, Legendary takes new, daring strides and explores fresh avenues that deepen the lore, expand on the characters, enrich the back story and push the stakes even higher. Tella is just as loveable a protagonist as Scarlett, but with her own uniqueness that made me love her at once. This is a book I'd recommend to all my friends!

Legendary picks up right where Caraval ends, only this time with Tella as the plucky protagonist. Tella is everything I didn't know I wanted in this novel. She is cunning, smart, and daring--all qualities she must utilize if she wants to win Caraval; and win it she must because this time the game is real. Stephanie Garber has thrilled me again with this novel! It is perfect for fans of The Night Circus and Sarah J. Maas, Highly Recommend.

Such a good read/listen!! The world of Scarlet, Tella, Dante, Julian, and Legend is fantastical and draws you in from chapter one to the epilogue. The narration is impeccable, so you're truly drawn into all the characters. Can't wait for the next!

Beautifully written! So imaginative and really magical! The details painted a vividly beautiful picture! I LOVED Caraval and I LOVED Legendary. My only compaint is that their is not more!!! So good. Crossing my fingers she will write more and they make these books into movies!

In the first book, I couldn't help but like Scarlett better than Tella, but reading the second book I think I like them both in different ways.

It's a fun read with plenty of twists. You get right into the world of Caraval and wish you could be part of the story, too. I'm eager to see how the story ends in the the next book.

I've fallen in love with this book and this series! personally, i enjoyed this second book (Donatellas story) even more than the first and now i need the third!! This book is filled with lip biting romance, but also ensnares you with its never-ending mystery guessing games. If you enjoy that sort of genre, this book will definitely have you biting your lip while reading.

Rarely does a sequel surpass the original in terms of quality and outright enjoyment, but here is a perfect example! I couldn't wait to read this book because I loved Caraval, and it was, amazingly enough, even better! I am anxiously awaiting the third bill! Cannot wait!!

I absolutely loved this book! I read all of it in 2 days time and cannot believe I have to wait til next year for the next book to come out. If you love adventure and fantasy - READ THE CARAVAL BOOKS!