Publisher: Flatiron Books
Publish Date: May 7, 2019
Synopsis: A love worth fighting for. A dream worth dying for. An ending worth waiting for.
It’s been two months since the Fates were freed from a deck of cards, two months since Legend claimed the throne for his own, and two months since Tella discovered the boy she fell in love with doesn’t really exist.
With lives, empires, and hearts hanging in the balance, Tella must decide if she’s going to trust Legend or a former enemy. After uncovering a secret that upends her life, Scarlett will need to do the impossible. And Legend has a choice to make that will forever change and define him.
Caraval is over, but perhaps the greatest game of all has begun. There are no spectators this time: only those who will win, and those who will lose everything.
Welcome, welcome to Finale. All games must come to an end…
Disclosure: ARC provided for an honest review. #partner
This will be a spoiler-free review.
I remember reading Caraval and falling in love with these characters and this world. It was unique, despite what others had said. It is easy to compare this series with other stories, but after reading the whole series now, there is a clear distinction that sets this series apart from anything else.
Finale is the last book in the Caraval series. Stephanie Garber has kindly handed over her characters and this world to us, and now it is for us to cherish. Leading up to this story, I paused reading Legendary until I was able to read Finale. It wasn’t easy waiting overall, but waiting for another book beyond a cliffhanger ending is much worse.
As I’m writing this review, words are simply escaping my brain to fully capture the essence of how I feel. I read Finale immediately after my reread of Caraval and Legendary. I was able to understand the story uninterrupted, and in doing so, I feel like it was easier to remember all of the games played within the series. The culmination of each story, told through Scarlett and Tella, has led us to this point. While Caraval is a game played in this empire, it feels like there are so many games yet to be completed.
Finale is told through the both Scarlett and Tella’s eyes. These sisters represent the best and worst of us. They are both curious and cunning, filled with strength that surprises me. I enjoyed who they have evolved to be, and seeing their journey individually as well as together has been fascinating. I love Scarlett, but can’t help and have a soft spot for Tella. Each sister bring forth a different side of the story, and as they tell their tale in Finale, we get to know them even more.
There are many highs and lows in this book. My heart ached as much as it soared. Stephanie knows how to draw her readers in, and all at the best possible times. It was easy to get lost in the details of this world, only to get sucked into a scene and moments. I constantly lost track of time, and I really, really loved that about this story.
I cried. I got angry. I laughed. Finale is a great ending to this series, but I will always wish for more. The end was satisfying, and I’m ready to reread this series all over again.
*Thank you to the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.*
