Friday, February 27, 2026

Caraval by Stephanie Garber: Book Beginnings on Fridays, First Line Friday, The Friday 56, and Book Blogger Hop

       






Today's Featured Book: 

Caraval

by Stephanie Garber

Genre: Fantasy

Published: January 31, 2017

Page Count: 450 pages

Summary: 

Scarlett has never left the tiny island where she and her beloved sister, Tella, live with their powerful and cruel father. Now Scarlett’s father has arranged a marriage for her, and Scarlett thinks her dreams of seeing Caraval, the far-away, once-a-year performance where the audience participates in the show, are over.

But this year, Scarlett's long-dreamt-of invitation finally arrives. With the help of a mysterious sailor, Tella whisks Scarlett away to attend. Only, as soon as they arrive, Tella is kidnapped by Caraval’s mastermind organizer, Legend. It turns out that this season's Caraval revolves around Tella, and whoever finds her first is the winner.

Scarlett has been told that everything that happens during Caraval is only an elaborate performance. But whether Caraval is real or not, she must find Tella before the five nights of the game are over, and her sister disappears forever.





 


BOOK BEGINNINGS ON FRIDAY is hosted by Rose City ReaderWhat book are you happy about reading this week? Please share the opening sentence (or so) on BOOK BEGINNINGS ON FRIDAY! Add the link to your blog or social media post and visit other blogs to see what others are reading.

Happy Friday and welcome to the FIRST LINE FRIDAY, hosted by Reading is My Superpower! It’s time to grab the book nearest to you and leave a comment with the first line.


It took seven years to get the letter right.






THE FRIDAY 56 is hosted by Anne of Head Full of Books. To play, open a book and turn to page 56 (or 56% on your e-reader). Find a sentence or two and post them, along with the book title and author. Then link up on Head Full of Books and visit others in the linky. 


"Where's my sister?








Scarlett and her sister, Tella, live with their cruel and controlling father. For years, Scarlett has tried to obtain an invitation to join the game at Caraval, and, finally, this year, just before she is to be married off by her father to a man she has never met, finally, Scarlett receives an invitation.

And thus begins the game. But what is illusion and what is real? What will carry over into real life after the game ends? Will Scarlett win the game? Will she get her wish?

I had fun reading this book, seeing buildings transform and change, seeing people transform and change, magic everywhere, the unexpected everywhere.






The purpose of THE BOOK BLOGGER HOP is to give bloggers a chance to follow other blogs, learn about new books, and befriend other bloggers. THE BOOK BLOGGER HOP is hosted by Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer   

When you spot giveaways, do you enter just for fun—even if you’re unsure you’ll read the book—or only when you truly want the title? (submitted by Elizabeth @ Silver's Reviews)

I don't enter giveaways these days. I never entered giveaways in the past unless I was sure I wanted to read the book.

14 comments:

  1. Yay! Glad you read Caraval! I am always entering contests myself. I hardly ever win them. In a span of 5 years and 100s of giveaways on Goodreads I've one once! I think in the 10+ years that I've been on there and I started entering them regularly maybe 2 years in? I've won a total of 6 or 7 times. I'd have to go back and look. There are not many wins and the losses far outweigh the wins by a longshot! Lol.


    Here's my BBH

    Have a GREAT day!

    Old Follower :)

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  2. I have never entered a giveaways. In fact, I don’t think I have ever seen one. However, on several occasions people have read a book, thought that it was a book for me, and have bought a copy and given it to me. Usually the donors are good friends, but once in a while someone who has attended one of my presentations or taken part in one of my walks, blesses me with a book. Pretty nice, don’t you think? As a gift, nothing beats a book!

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    Replies
    1. I agree. That's my favorite way to receive a book. I've just started reading two books that others have given me!

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  3. I mostly enter giveaways only when I genuinely want to read the book. Over the years entering Goodreads and LibraryThing giveaways, I’ve won a few books.
    Happy Reading!

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  4. Never have I noticed a giveaway as described here. I wonder what planet I live on.

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  5. This sounds really interesting. Not usually my kind of a book, but this one is intriguing!

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  6. I keep seeing that book around. It sounds interesting.

    I only enter giveaways if I am truly interested. I don't have space for books that don't speak to me 😂

    Have a great weekend!

    Emily @ Budget Tales Book Blog
    My post:
    https://budgettalesblog.wordpress.com/2026/02/27/book-blogger-hop-entering-giveaways/

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  7. I've seen this one around and, while it isn't my cup of tea, I think some of my nieces or grandkids would like it. How old is the target audience, do you think?

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    Replies
    1. I think it's a remarkably tame YA book. I'd say thirteen or so and up. I thought it was great fun.

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  8. Oh boy, where is the sister? Do you learn by the end of the book?

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    Replies
    1. We are looking for the sister through the whole story. And...there's a sequel...

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  9. I only enter giveaways if I know I will read and review the book. Not fair otherwise.

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  10. It sounds like a great story, and I don’t enter a give away unless I would actually want the prize.

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I love to hear your thoughts.