Enter Caraval
Begin with Caraval and read the trilogy in order before the optional holiday novella.
Reading order
How to Read the Caraval Books
Read Caraval, Legendary, and Finale in numbered order. The focus shifts between the sisters, but the mysteries of Legend, the Fates, and their relationships form one continuous story.
Spectacular is a short illustrated holiday novella set after the trilogy. Read it last as a festive return to the characters, not as a fourth full-length novel.
Sources: Macmillan's official Caraval inventory, Official Spectacular product page.
For parents
What Parents Should Know
This YA fantasy includes an abusive and violent father, kidnapping, staged and real deaths, blood magic, dangerous bargains, manipulation, poisoning, injuries, grief, and escalating romantic relationships. The dreamlike game intentionally makes characters and readers uncertain about what is real.
Where to start
Where Should a New Reader Start?
Where the story begins
First Book in the Series
Sale price
$1139
Book #1 · Chapter Book · Ages 13–18 · 2017
Caraval
A sister's disappearance in a magical game blurs reality and illusion. Can Scarlett save her before time runs out?
418 pages· 88,240 words· Est. 8 hour read
$11.99Save 5%
Paperback
Summary: Scarlett's life on a secluded island is upended when her sister, Tella, is kidnapped during the enigmatic Caraval—a magical competition where reality and illusion intertwine. With only five nights to find Tella, Scarlett must navigate a world of deception and danger, questioning what is real and what is mere performance. As the stakes rise, Scarlett faces a race against time to save her sister before she vanishes forever. Will she unravel the mysteries of Caraval, or will she be swept away by its enchanting allure?
In reading order
Caraval Series
3 books · Published 2017–2019
#1
Sale price
$1139
Caraval
Chapter Book · Ages 13–18 · 2017
A sister's disappearance in a magical game blurs reality and illusion. Can Scarlett save her before time runs out?
#2
Sale price
$1994
Legendary
Chapter Book · Ages 13–17 · 2018
A dangerous game, a secret name, and a life-altering choice. Can she win it all?
#3
Sale price
$1994
Finale
Chapter Book · Ages 13–17 · 2019
Tella faces a choice between trust and betrayal as empires and hearts hang in the balance.
Good to know
Common Questions
How many books are in the Caraval series?
There are 3 books in the Caraval series. It began with Caraval in 2017, and the newest book, Finale, was published in 2019.
What order should you read the Caraval books in?
Start with Caraval and follow the series order — the books above are numbered #1 through #3.
What ages are the Caraval books best for?
The series is best for ages 13–18, based on the age ranges of the individual books.
Which Caraval book is the longest?
Finale (Book #3) is the longest book in the series at 105,649 words (478 pages).
Which Caraval book is the shortest?
Caraval (Book #1) is the shortest at 88,240 words (418 pages).
The people
The Creative Behind the Books
The people who bring Caraval to life.
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