Legendary (Caraval, 2)

Rating: 5 StarsTella made a bargain with a mysterious criminal that lead to freedom form her father for both her and her sister. She even got Scarlett out from an arranged marriage. Still the game is over and she got her part of the bargain now she has to deliver what was promised: Caraval Master Legend’s true name. She has one chance to uncover the identity, win the next special Caraval. Tella throws herself into the game and her mission even as it puts her on a very dangerous path, because this Caraval is different from the rest where you lose yourself to what is only a game, this year is real! Secrets, doomed love, heirs to the throne, fates, and more press Tella to be as cunning and brave as ever, risking everything she cares about including her life. Winning Caraval will change the world forever.A Caraval doesn’t typically happen this close to end of the last but with Empress Elantine’s 75th birthday she gets what she wants. Now we follow Tella as she and her sister are free of their father. Tella though has a different mission, to gain Legends true name and gain the information she has been searching for. Tella has been on this path for some time and there is a method to the way she acts, where as I found her a bit harder to love in the last book her were see her side of things and see the reasons behind her antics. She has a good heart though she feels she is never meant for love, based on a drawing of the cards of destiny in her childhood. This has lead her every step and it all comes down to playing another game of Caraval.“If you can convince yourself it’s true you can convince anyone.”The way this world has expanded from not just the magic of Caraval which is amazing, but the way the mythology of fates was weaved in from the start. They were mentioned in the past but as a fairytale sort, now it seems they may be very real….or is that the magic of Caraval? The back and forth of what is real and can it be believed was captivating. Winding in all the different elements expanding this world was amazing and seamless. I was rooting for Tella but I wavered in what I wanted her to accomplish as many times she is at cross purposes.While this time we do focus on Tella rather than Scarlett we do get to see so many of our returning characters. I enjoyed seeing Scarlett and Julian again though things aren’t perfect they are fun and many more including Dante. The story is still that of the game and a large mystery there did feel there was a more romantic feeling in this sequel. I was totally on board for it because it was so beautifully done and fit with what we know of the characters, unraveling new layers of them as we go. Tella is not set for romance or love, something most assured the opposite of what she wants and some of the scenes she is in just makes me so happy.“Every story has four parts – the beginning, the middle, the almost ending, and the true ending.”Now when I first finished this book thinking it was a duology I was a bit upset. There was so much more I needed. So much left way way too open for me. I mean we just found out who Legend was!!! FYI I totally had it pegged for a long time, even had my suspicions in book one but confirmation is always appreciated. Satisfaction after an adventure filled journey. But upon finding out it was a trilogy and I had one more book to look forward to I was in love. I can see how all of my questions and open things will lead into a thrilling final book in the trilogy. I can’t wait to find out more!

4.5 stars. This was honestly a pretty good follow-up to Caraval. To be honest, my expectations were a little low for this book, mainly because I wasn't thrilled to read from Donatella's POV, but I ended up liking her more than I thought I would. One of my complaints about Caraval was that I couldn't relate to and didn't like Scarlett. She just felt so monotone and 2-D. Legendary was better. I really got a sense of Tella's reckless and naive/passionate character, and I was rooting for her throughout the book.Also, I love Dante. Spoiler: THERE'S A MAJOR PLOT TWIST INVOLVING HIM... BUT I'LL SAY NO MORE. Anyway, Dante is such an awesome character. He's broody, mysterious, with lots of secrets and is always there to pick Tella up when she's down. I was always excited to see him on the page and he and Jacks (a dark, icy, and powerful Prince) carried the story. In the first book, I didn't think that much of him because he was pretty minor, so when I heard he was going to be a prominent part in Legendary, I was kind of confused. But now he's one of my favorite characters, so good job Stephanie Garber!A little complaint: I didn't really like how Scarlett was written in this book, as for some parts she is very out of character, and though it gets somewhat explained, I was still kinda put off. I also would've liked more focus on their sisterly bond, but I understand that the main relationship of Legendary is the one between Donatella and her mother (Paloma).The plot is engaging, with lots of thrilling twists. Some people have said that the end was predictable, but personally I still found the journey to get there, mysterious and intriguing. I really liked that more background to the world was added, with the myths of the Fates and Elantine kingdom. As always, I loved the colorful and alluring, and especially dangerous magic in this book, though I would've liked a bit more of it. The prose Garber delivers the story in made it easy to read. I sped through it in one day! Her writing is as beautiful and enchanting as the world she creates.Overall, I absolutely fell in love with the characters, the plot was well-organized and exciting, the world was captivating, and her writing tied everything up in a magical, amazing, legendary sequel.