Welcome to the fifty-second episode of the Tea in the Treetops podcast hosted by Philippa and Anni.
In this episode we review Caraval by Stephanie Garber. We also chat about some books we’ve been reading and listening to, including the audiobook of Illuminae by Jay Kristoff and Amie Kaufman, and This Savage Song by Victoria Schwab. This episode was recorded on 9 March 2017.
We hope you enjoy listening and we would love to hear your feedback. Is there anything you would like us to talk about in particular? Just let us know!
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Our title music is titled Sea of Dreams and has been used with the kind permission of the composer, Bart Stoop. You can hear more of Bart’s beautiful music at facebook.com/BartStoop.
Also in this episode (after the end!), is Cows With Guns by Dana Lyons.
Caraval Review (from 26:40)

Caraval by Stephanie Garber
Series: Caraval #1
Published by Hodder and Stoughton on January 31st 2017
Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy
Pages: 402
Source: My copy
Amazon • Amazon UK • Book Depository • Bookworld
Welcome, welcome to Caraval―Stephanie Garber’s sweeping tale of two sisters who escape their ruthless father when they enter the dangerous intrigue of a legendary game.
Scarlett has never left the tiny island where she and her beloved sister, Tella, live with their powerful, and cruel, father. Now Scarlett’s father has arranged a marriage for her, and Scarlett thinks her dreams of seeing Caraval, the far-away, once-a-year performance where the audience participates in the show, are over.
But this year, Scarlett’s long-dreamt of invitation finally arrives. With the help of a mysterious sailor, Tella whisks Scarlett away to the show. Only, as soon as they arrive, Tella is kidnapped by Caraval’s mastermind organizer, Legend. It turns out that this season’s Caraval revolves around Tella, and whoever finds her first is the winner.
Scarlett has been told that everything that happens during Caraval is only an elaborate performance. But she nevertheless becomes enmeshed in a game of love, heartbreak, and magic 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.
Okay, so here’s a spoiler. Neither of us really enjoyed this book. We liked the idea of it, but the actual story wasn’t quite as magical as either of us had hoped. We couldn’t help comparing it to The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern, which has all the magical ambience that Caraval is missing.
Please let us know if you agree or disagree! We’d love to hear from you.
Other things mentioned
My reviews on Gigamov.com.
Supernatural podcasts: