Writing Young Adult Fiction doesn't happen overnight. In the case of my former Creative Writing professor, it definitely did not happen over night. Stephanie Garber is someone who I have had the luxury to learn writing styles from. She spoke often of her own endeavors to create worlds so vast and intricate that would inspire others as well. She has written 5 novels without having any picked up, and now, her life has changed as Caraval was picked up and published. Caraval has quickly risen to being Number 2 on the New York Times Bestseller list for Young Adult Hardcover novels. This book is thriving and will continue to do well in the Young Adult market.
Warning: Spoilers (Kind of?)
Warning: Biased Opinion
Warning: Fun Adventures to read
Well now the warnings are out of the way, let's talk Caraval. This novel is eccentric! You follow the journey of Scarlett and her sister Tella as they try to escape their wretched abusive father who holds control of their lives. The girls are young, and they are full of dreams of the land of Caraval.
Their grandmother told them of such adventures and magic of going to the games that Caraval holds. The girls want nothing more to live these experiences themselves, so they find a way to get in.
This book was very enticing to me. I love to get wrapped up in someone else's world and dream their dreams. Stephanie did a phenomenal job of allowing me to experience the wonder and magic through vivid imagery and colors. The first few chapters felt like they dragged on because I knew there was the excitement to come. I knew they would go somehow and I just wanted to be at Caraval!
I waited patiently until Scarlett made her way to the mysterious island with the equally mysterious Julian. As the novel progressed, I couldn't put it down. I was officially lost in a world that wasn't my own, and I had way too many questions. I continued to read and read. The book hits a point where there is so much unknown happening that you are waiting for the big surprise(s).
Yes, there may be multiple surprises at the end. I'll admit, I was slightly overwhelmed by them all, but I did have to force myself to slow down and read carefully, as to not miss anything important. The surprises will leave you gasping, excited, sad, mad (at Stephanie, how could she write that?!), and needing to know what's next.
I have a thing for young adult fiction: it's much more riveting than adult fiction, and it allows me to be transported into a new universe. I believe the worlds are more vast and the characters are more believable (being teenagers and what not) and they are so much more innocent they can be molded into whoever their character needs to be.
I'll say my opinion of Caraval is biased because I know the author, and I've seen how hard she worked for this moment. I'll also say that I don't think we've had a world this different and interesting in Young Adult fiction for awhile. Sure, I was totally obsessed with Twilight, Hunger Games, and Divergent, but this idea of a carnival themed adventure land, full of death, betrayal and mystery blew me away.
I believe the world Stephanie built here is so grand and can be built upon, that we could all be venturing into a new series that captivates our minds. I've even heard the movie rights have been purchased and maybe there's a producer involved who worked on The Hunger Games, but you know.....
If you haven't picked up this novel, go pick it up. But FYI to the Greater Sacramento Area - it's sold out, so order it now. If you're remotely interested in something new and different, open it up, write a review, tell people about it. Develop your own opinions and allow yourself to be open. I forget how much I adore this genre and then I get sucked into another book and I feel like I've made new friends (I'm looking to you Scarlett and Julian and Tella and Legend. Maybe even Dante, because I found him so damn dreamy).
Take a journey through Caraval, but remember, It's only a game.
P.S. Super congrats to Stephanie for constantly pursuing her dreams and allowing rejections to be turned into a work of beauty. Keep writing friend.
