Review: Finale (Caraval #3) by Stephanie Garber

Finale
(Caraval #3)
by Stephanie Garber

May 7, 2019

496 pages

Goodreads     Indigo

Goodreads Summary:
Welcome, welcome to Finale, the third and final book in the #1 New York Times bestselling Caraval series!

Welcome, welcome to Caraval...all games must come to an end.

It’s been two months since the last Caraval concluded, two months since the Fates have been freed from an enchanted deck of cards, two months since Tella has seen Legend, and two months since Legend claimed the empire’s throne as his own. Now, Legend is preparing for his official coronation and Tella is determined to stop it. She believes her own mother, who still remains in an enchanted sleep, is the rightful heir to the throne.

Meanwhile, Scarlett has started a game of her own. She’s challenged Julian and her former fiancé, Count Nicolas d’Arcy, to a competition where the winner will receive her hand in marriage. Finaly, Scarlett feels as if she is in complete control over her life and future. She is unaware that her mother’s past has put her in the greatest danger of all.

Caraval is over, but perhaps the greatest game of all has begun―with lives, empires, and hearts all at stake. There are no spectators this time: only those who will win...and those who will lose everything. . .
 

Review

Fans of the Caraval books are in for a real treat! I love this series and was so excited to return to this world of intrigue with Finale. A huge thank you to Raincoast Books for sending me an early copy!

I was pleasantly surprised with how easily I was able to jump back into the world of Caraval. Almost immediately the story pulled me back in picking up a few months after where it left off at the end of Legendary. The Fates have been released and throughout the story we get to witness how they wreak havoc on the Empire. It was nerve-wracking but also thrilling to see things unraveling.

Because of how high the stakes were there was always a grim atmosphere surrounding Finale. Page after page it kept my heart pounding. I've seen people complain about how Stephanie Garber writes purple proses but I like them! Her writing can be overly dreamy sometimes but the descriptive essence made the story very pretty and positive. They gave me hope when the world was turning bleaker by the chapter.

Scarlett and Tella had separate journeys they needed to undertake and we were able to see their growth through their own POVs. Both displayed bravery and determination in achieving their goals. Their resolve and realizations were crucial to the development of Finale. While the sisters didn't have many scenes together, their interactions were always full of love and care for one another.

Scarlett and Julian's relationship became more grounded in Finale while Tella and Legend's back and forth continued to be as torturous and tension-filled as before. Both pairs were tested and both had some oh so sweet moments! "I will love you with every bone in my body, so that even after my heart stops beating, a part of me will remain to forever love you." (ARC, p. 223). I swooned hard at this line~

As much as I loved the ever-evolving main characters, I was also very captivated by the Fates. In Finale we were introduced to the majority of them. They were pawns in a deadly game but I very much enjoyed watching them play their roles and seeing how their powers worked. Some, like Jacks, even surprised me. The Deck of Destiny is such a cruel yet fascinating creation. I want to know about all the Fates!

I loved everything about Finale and overall this series. There's no doubt I'll be revisiting the magic of Caraval time and again. I look forward to what enchanting tale Stephanie Garber will conjure up next!

 

*I received an Advance Reading Copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and not affected in any way. All quotes were taken from the ARC I received.