Legendary
By: Stephanie Garber
451 pages
ISBN: 9781250095312 (Hardcover) by Flatiron Books
Genre: YA Fantasy
Rating: 2/5 stars
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.
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway, and I appreciate Flatiron Books for the opportunity to receive an ARC.
I think that since Young Adult is not quite my favorite genre anymore, I went into this book with too high of expectations. I thought Caraval was fantastic when I read it, but if I think if I read it again I wouldn’t like it as much. I still read Young Adult, but I am much more critical. I know when I read a good book, and this didn’t quite do it for me, unfortunately.
The story was strong in thought, but mediocre in practice. I found most of the characters to be annoying and repetitive (Tella especially). There was a lot of romance between Tella and Dante. I’m down for a little romance, but this just didn’t do it for me. With all of those elements combined it also didn’t have a lot of action. I figured after reading 70% of the book that something would transpire, but nothing ever really did. The “big reveal” was obvious from the beginning. I wanted so much more, and I was very disappointed.
The book has a pretty solid rating on Goodreads, so it might be the book for you. I’m sensing that Stephanie Garber just isn’t the author for me. I am glad I read this book though. It has been on my TBR since I first noticed that there was even a sequel to Caraval. If there is a next one (which I’m sure there will be) I’m kind of on the fence about reading it. I guess we will have to wait and see!
If you have read the book, let me know your thoughts and opinions!
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