Finale: A Caraval Novel

I guess it's weird that I'm both smiling and have tears forming in my eyes. Happy tears of course and yet sad at the same time. Caraval opened up a new world filled with intrigue, adventure, deception, and hope. I was smitten before I got my invitation. The idea of Legend and his performers was like opening up a present as a child. So much potential, so many possibilities, and all just for me! Legendary brought a while new set of emotions. Love, longing, and betrayal as well as the mystery and adventure. I found myself addicted to the illusions and the wonder in every page. Stephanie Garber has a wonderful imagination and an enchanted way with words. But Finale.... Oh Finale is a breath stealing, heart clenching ride of ache and more illusions than ever before. Nothing is as it seems and yet I couldn't be more in love with these characters and this world. Maybe being older gives me a better appreciation for the wondrous things, the dating adventures, and the epic emotions... or maybe I'm just a big kid at heart. Regardless, Stephanie Garber has given me an adventure I will cherish and share. Finale is the end of this adventure but I'm hoping it's just the beginning of many more! Finishing Finale has made me far more nostalgic for Scarlett, Tella, Julian, and Legend than I'd like to admit. I can't wait to snag the audiobooks to share them with my kids.

(Spoiler Warning) The rating is 4 stars, but my true rating is 4.5 stars. The Caraval series is a wonderful whirlwind of colors and excitement, adventure and danger, love and heartbreak. The characters were smoothly developed and I loved that each sister had a book dedicated to their own journey with the finale being a mix. Caraval is a place of magic and wonder, but get swept to far and you'll be lost forever. Beautifully written :) My only critique was that I wish their mother's character was a little more developed, she felt like a last minute addition. Her story and place in the cause of events was well done, but she herself felt very abrupt after being freed from the cards. Not a critique, but the little devil in me secretly hoped Tella would be swept away with Jacks, but her true ending was perfect <3

Man, what a ride! Legendary and Finale had me on such a roller coaster of emotions, I think Finale the most. I laughed, I cried, I literally put down the book to run around and squeal with excitement at one part. Or two or three parts. Don't judge, not many things get me that excited! The story concludes in such a satisfying way, even though not everything is clearly explained in the end. I don't know if we will get answers to all of our questions, but the way the trilogy ends left me mostly at peace with it, which is all I really ask for. Ms. Garber certainly could write more to this story, and she may be doing so since she hints at a 4th book set in this world, but even if we don't follow the characters beyond the pages of Finale I would be content. Anything else will be a bonus. I do wish there was more of a fandom for this series. I feel it deserves it.