Get a peek at the upcoming magical and mysterious CARAVAL by Stephanie Garber!
CARAVAL is garnering a ton of popularity in the months leading up to its upcoming release. Stephanie Garber’s upcoming YA debut of mystique and danger has been chosen as a YA Book Buzz at this year’s BookExpo America, and its film rights have already been purchased by the producer of the Divergent series.
CARAVAL is expected to be released next year, January 17th 2017.
Below is an excerpt from Chapter One:
It took seven years to get the letter right.
*
Year 50, Elantine Dynasty
Dear Mister Caraval Master,
My name is Scarlett, but I’m writing this letter for my sister, Tella. It’s going to be her birthday soon and she would very much like to see you and your amazing Caraval players. Her birthday is the 37thday of the Growing Season and it would be the most wonderfulest birthday ever if you came.
Most hopefully,
Scarlett, from the Conquered Isle of Trisda
*
Year 51, Elantine Dynasty
Dear Mister Caraval Master,
It’s Scarlett again. Did you get my last letter? This year my sister says she’s too old to celebrate birthdays, but I think she’s just upset you never came to Trisda. This Growing Season she’ll be ten and I’ll be eleven. She won’t admit it but she’d still very much like to see you and your wondrous Caraval players.
Most hopefully,
Scarlett, from the Conquered Isle of Trisda
*
Year 52, Elantine Dynasty
Dear Caraval Master Legend,
I’m sorry I got your name wrong in those other letters. I hope that’s not why you haven’t come to Trisda. My little sister’s birthday wasn’t the only reason I’ve wanted you to bring your amazing Caraval players here, I’d love to see them too.
Sorry this letter is short, my father will be angry if he catches me writing to you.
Most hopefully,
Scarlett, from the Conquered Isle of Trisda
*
Year 52, Elantine Dynasty
Dear Caraval Master Legend,
I just heard the news and I wanted to send my condolences. Even though you still haven’t come to Trisda or responded to any of my letters, I know you’re not a murderer. I was very sorry to hear you won’t be traveling for a while.
Most kindly,
Scarlett, from the Conquered Isle of Trisda
*
Year 55, Elantine Dynasty
Dear Master Legend,
Do you remember me, Scarlett, from the Conquered Isle of Trisda? I know it’s been a few years since I wrote. I heard you and your players have started performing again. My sister told me you never visit the same place twice, but a lot has changed since you visited here fifty years ago, and I truly don’t believe anyone would like to see one of your performances more than I would.
Most hopefully,
Scarlett
*
Year 56, Elantine Dynasty
Dear Master Legend,
I heard you visited the capital of the Southern Empire last year and changed the color of the sky. Is that true? I actually tried attending with my sister, but we’re not supposed to leave Trisda. Sometimes I believe I’ll never go farther than the Conquered Isles. I suppose that’s why I’ve wanted you and your players to come here so badly. It’s probably futile to ask again, but I do hope you’ll consider coming.
Most hopefully,
Scarlett, from the Conquered Isle of Trisda
*
Year 57, Elantine Dynasty
Dear Master Legend,
This will be my final letter. I’m going to be married soon. So it’s probably best you and your players don’t come to Trisda this year.
Scarlett Dragna
*
Year 57, Elantine Dynasty
Dear Scarlett Dragna, from the Conquered Isle of Trisda—
Congratulations on your upcoming nuptials. I am sorry I cannot bring my players to Trisda. We’re not traveling this year. Our next performance is by invitation only, but I would look forward to meeting you and your fiancé if you could find a way to leave your isle and join us. Please accept the enclosed as a gift.
From the pen of Caraval Master Legend
CHECK OUT THE FULL EXCERPT HERE!
Goodreads Synopsis:
Scarlett has never left the tiny island where she and her beloved sister, Tella, live with their ruthless father. Now Scarlett’s father has arranged a marriage for her, and Scarlett thinks her dreams of seeing Caraval, the legendary, once-a-year performance where the audience participates in the show, are over.
Then, Scarlett’s long-dreamt of invitation to Caraval finally arrives. So, Tella enlists a mysterious sailor’s help to whisk Scarlett away to this year’s show. But as soon as the trio arrives, Tella is kidnapped by Caraval’s mastermind organizer, Legend.
Scarlett has been told that everything that happens during Caraval is only an elaborate performance. But she nonetheless soon becomes enmeshed in a game of love, heartbreak, and magic with her sister, with Legend, and with the other players in the game. And whether Caraval is real or not, she must find Tella before the five nights of the game are over, a dangerous domino effect of consequences is set off, and her sister disappears forever.
