Natalie Monroe's Reviews > Caraval

3.5 stars

Stand clear, I'm letting them out.

Cynical Natalie:



Nice Natalie: We haven't been called on in ages.

Cynical Natalie: Well, we're here now. Let's stir some shit up. The romance is as typical as a Katy Perry single.

Nice Natalie: It wasn't that bad!

Cynical Natalie: Yeah, but it wasn't good, was it? It's fine, like a life of mediocrity. Julian is your usual charming, muscled, and secretive love interest. They fall in love while working as teammates. That's the plot of one-third of the YA market.

And what was with the overwhelming rape culture?

Nice Natalie: Oh, pfft, you're only bringing it up because we've been researching Slutwalk lately.

Cynical Natalie: It's called educating yourself. Part of rape culture is normalizing violence as romance. So when you have a scene with Julian pressing both hands on either side of Scarlett's head, caging her in with his body, I cringe. We're supposed to root for this guy and it happens far too often in romances.

You also can't deny Scarlett spends an awful lot of time being rescued from men, often by other men. Remember when Dante was talking to her in a way that looks threatening to an outsider and then Julian basically charges in like a snorting knight and knocks him flat on his back?

Nice Natalie: But it's part of Scarlett's overall character arc. She's not all Mary Sue kickass in the beginning. She lived under the tyranny of an abusive father and only came into her own during Caraval.

Her desire for marriage and male protection stems from that. Protection, to her, means not being hit in the face for disobeying rules. It means getting her sister out of that house. Plus, she eventually realizes that even though the count can provide for her, he's not a good fit. Protection and love are no longer synonymous in her mind.

Cynical Natalie: I am so glad you brought up her sister because boy, do I have a bone to pick with her.

Nice Natalie: You have a bone to pick with everyone.

Cynical Natalie:



If you're done pointing out obvious facts, I'd like to turn your attention to Tella. Spirited, reckless Tella, who's drawn to danger like tweens to One Direction.

Most of what we know about her is told, not shown. We're reminded every other chapter in case we forget.

Nice Natalie: Well, Tella's not present for most of the narrative. There's no other way to communicate her character.

The final reveal explains a lot, too. (view spoiler)[Tella was never the damsel in distress. She was the hero. (hide spoiler)]

Cynical Natalie: I still think she's an archetypal character. You see these pairs all the time—the quiet, "good"girl and her fiery, adventurous best friend.

Nice Natalie: But the world-building is nice.

Cynical Natalie: We hardly saw their world!

Nice Natalie: Because practically the entire book takes place in Caraval. I thought the whimsical atmosphere was written really well. There was an Alice-in-Wonderland vibe.

Any more information would have bogged down the plot. It just wasn't necessary. We'll likely explore the rest of the world in the sequel.

Cynical Natalie: You are so bloody positive about everything, it makes me want to barf. So, verdict?

Nice Natalie: I'd give it a four.

Cynical Natalie: Two, it is. Everyone loves discounts.

Nice Natalie: Not for grades!

Cynical Natalie:



Nice Natalie: Why do you always pair me with her?

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