Format: E-Galley, 464 pages
Release Date: May 29, 2018
Publisher: Flatiron Books
Source: NetGalley
Genre: Young Adult / Fantasy
The sequel to the New York Times bestselling and #1 IndieNext Pick Caraval, following Scarlett’s younger sister, Tella, on a journey to the empire’s capital to fulfill a dangerous bargain.
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.
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.
Legendary, by author Stephanie Garber, is the second installment in the authors Caraval series. This book follows Scarlett’s younger sister, Donatella Dragna (Tella), who is the life of every party and every scene she appears in! This time, however, the story moves to a new location and this time it is Tella who chooses to participate in the Caraval games. For those who have read Caraval, Legendary picks up the day after Scarlett's experiences in the twisted game created by the secretive Legend.
Caraval is a magical performance which usually occurs once a year. But, this year, Legend has chosen to travel to Valenda for Empress Elantine's 75th birthday where a whole new game will take place. Legendary takes place in the opulent, gilded, slightly menacing capital of the Empire. It’s Legend’s Island of Dreams times a hundred. As a reminder, Caraval is a game that is orchestrated by Legend. Nobody knows who Legend really is since there are always different actors playing his part.
Tella finds herself in an untenable position of owing a favor to Legend. But, that's just the icing on the cake. There's another player involved this time as well, and Jacks is as twisted and as diabolical as they come. Readers will find themselves asking themselves, is this real this time, or just another Legend game? Tella has been trying to discover what really happened to her mother, Paloma, who disappeared 7 years ago. A disappearance that caused lots of problems for Scarlett and Tella alike.
We've gathered that Legend is a curious sort of character who most likely has a whole lot of enemies chomping at the bit to uncover his identity and to take him down. Who better to use as a pawn than Tella who played a role in Scarlett's games and now owes Legend a favor? Never fail, Scarlett and Julian are still around, but they are more or less tertiary characters with minor roles to play. The most curious part of this story is that Tella is told that if she wins Caraval, she will see her mother again.
As an added bonus, she is also told that if she wins, she will discover who Legend really is. The story is twisted with a web of lies, and secrets, and revelations that I'm not even going to bother to explain. I would just say to you that if you enjoyed Caraval, get ready for another ride that you won't see what's happening until it hits you in the face. I have to say that Tella is a very intriguing character. However, the ending leaves a whole lot of questions.
According to the author's page, there will be one more installment in this series called Finale. Release date to come later. When the next installment (Finale) comes out, who will be the lead character? Will it switch back and forth between Tella and her sister Scarlett since Scarlett seems to have her own path ahead of her? Or, will the author continue Tella's journey, especially with what transpired in the end? Guess we shall have to wait another year to find out!
I love a book that smacks me around. :-)
ReplyDeletesherry @ fundinmental
I just finished Caraval, I don't know if I liked it or not. I enjoyed it but it was quite confusing. I just didn't know who was who and the main purpose of the game diminished, I didnt even understand how Scarlett solved some of the clues. It was an enjoyable read, I just don't know if I liked it.
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