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.
“Every good story needs a villain.
But the best villains are the ones you secretly like.”
Caraval was one of my favorite books in 2017. However, I was bit unexcited for Legendary, because you see Legendary’s main character is not the wonder Scarlett Dragna. No, it is about her sister Donatella— Tella for short. I truly did not enjoy Tella’s character in the first book. Tella was selfish and cared more about herself than anything else. I just could not stand her. The only thing that made Legendary enjoyable was Stephanie Garber’s beautiful world and her prose. I know so many people love Tella, but nothing about her caught my attention. I felt nothing for her. I was more concerned for the well-being of the antagonist and Dante. When Tella fell in a ditched I kinda wished she would have stayed there.
Don’t take me wrong the plot of Legendary was…well legendary. It was filled with lush word-building, beautiful characters, wonderful lore, beautiful scenery, steamy portions and a mystery. But, unfortunately, it is hard to truly love a book when you want to throw something at the main character.
I was more interested in everything else but Tella. I wanted to know more of the Caraval members, the queen, the magic, the deck of magic cards, and Jack of Hearts. I wanted to wear a beautiful costume and join the festivities. Ms. Garber has a beautiful writing style and knows how to write great characters. Tella, just like the rest of the crew, was a well-fleshed out character with an interesting story arc, but I JUST COULD NOT STAND HER AAAAAAAAH!
I will probably read Finale, since it is suppose to also have Scarlett’s point of view and I am very intrigued on how the story will end…especially after the ending in Legendary.
My Rating: 3.5/5
Legendary (Caraval #2)
By Stephanie Garber
Hardcover, 451 pages
Published by Flatiron Books
ISBN 125009531X