Stephanie Garber

Legendary

A heart to protect. A debt to repay. A game to win.

After being swept up in the magical world of Caraval, Donatella Dragna has finally escaped her father and saved her sister, Scarlett, from a disastrous arranged marriage. The girls should be celebrating, but Tella isn’t yet free. She made a desperate bargain with a mysterious criminal, and what Tella owes him no one has ever been able to deliver: Caraval Master Legend’s true name.

The only chance of uncovering Legend’s identity is to win Caraval, so Tella throws herself into the legendary competition once more—and into the path of the murderous heir to the throne, a doomed love story, and a web of secrets…including her sister's. Caraval has always demanded bravery, cunning, and sacrifice, but now the game is asking for more. If Tella can’t fulfill her bargain and deliver Legend’s name, she’ll lose everything she cares about—maybe even her life. But if she wins, Legend and Caraval will be destroyed forever...


Caraval #2

⋆.˚⭒⋆𝒄𝒐𝒓𝒂𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒆⋆⭒˚.⋆

Her heart was still a little heavy, but she'd decided carrying it around would only make her stronger.

Unfortunately Tella wasn't the sort of girl people saved - she was the one they left behind.

The name at the bottom of this one was The Prince of Hearts. It showed a young man with a face made of angles, and lips as sharp as two knife blades. One hand near his pointed chin clasped the hilt of a dagger, and red tears fell from his eyes, matching the blood staining the corner of his narrow mouth.

Lily

“That’s what I would want, someone who gave me a piece of himself rather than scraps of fabric.”

Christine

 It was always this way: when her mother chose to focus her glittering attention on Tella alone, she made Tella feel as if she were a star and the world revolved around only her.

taci

Donatella, I believe it's your birthday. I also believe we have unfinished business; I still owe you a prize for winning Caraval. Find me whenever you wish to collect. PIl be waiting. -Legend

esse legend tem sempre segundas intenções 

 She'd thought she was the key to his entire game. But, of course, Legend was playing more than one game. He hadn't come to Valenda merely to destroy the Fates and take all their powers for himself. He'd chosen this city as his game board so he could claim the throne.

Every hair on Tella's body stood at attention when she saw him. Tella could not clearly make out his face, but she could see his top hat. Sharp and black and unmistakably Legend. That blackguard. Tella knew Legend was full of secrets, but this was one she'd not even considered. He was posing as Elantine's missing child. This was why he'd left her on the steps right as the fireworks had begun; he'd gone off to watch them with the empress. Although Tella imagined he would have left her anyway.

 “What's all the commotion?" "Her Majesty passed away," the servant confirmed. "They're saying the new heirher missing child is now making his first appearance from the golden tower. Everyone is going into the glass courtyard to see. 

What's this?" Tella plucked the note from under the book. It was addressed to Scarlett. Tella didn't recognize the return address but she familiar with the name above it: Count Nicolas d'Arcy. Tella sat there, speechless, because she didn't think shouting was a good idea. Scarlett's entire face was pink. "I can explain." "I thought you were giving Julian another chance." "I am. But I'm giving Nicolas a chance as well." 

"What if we play a game," Tella suggested. “Do you have a deck of regular cards?" She opened the drawer of the nightstand next to Scarlett's bed. "Don't!" Scarlett leaped up. If she hadn't reacted so strongly, Tella might have shut the drawer without There was a book inside the drawer, a fancy red leather thing, with an looking too hard. But the minute Scarlett shouted, Tella's interest intensified.

Her stomach went hollow. If she'd been standing her legs might have crumbled. He was striding away. Leaving her. "Wait-where are you going?" He continued down the steps. For a moment she feared he wouldn't turn back around. But it was almost worse that he did. His eyes, which earlier had been so heated, so full of motion, didn't glitter or shine or spark any longer. They were flat, black, and growing colder with every heartbeat like the fading fireworks above. "There's somewhere else I need to be. And, no matter what this looks like. I'm still not the hero in your story." Something cracked inside of Tella. It might have been her heart, breaking while he walked away

"I still don't understand," Tella said. The hands against her back stilled. "I know you were willing to sacrifice yourself for her, butI wasn't willing to sacrifice you." 

The stars watched with grim interest as he covered the deck of cards with the magic from his veins, more magic than a human should possess. Then he spoke the words, ancient, terrible words he should not have known, let alone been willing to utter. The blood covering the deck turned black, and the world changed once more.

And since her story wasn't going to have a happy true ending, at least she could try for one last good moment during her almost-ending. "I lied to my sister about our kiss," Tella said. Dante pressed his lips to her forehead. I know." "T'm not finished," she scolded. I wanted you to know why I lied. I wasn't ashamed. I said it so my sister wouldn't worry, because I think I knew even then that I could have" The night. The world. The stars watching from above all disappeared. Then Tella disappeared as well.

Her panic increased and she shoved him again. But he wouldn't fight back and he wouldn't flee. He wasn't afraid. He was something far worse. He was hopeful that she would choose him. He didn't leave and he didn't take the cards because he wanted her to give them to him. And maybe he imagined that if Jacks arrived he could beat him in a battle. Either way, Tella still lost her mother or she lost Dante. Unless she saved them both. The idea felt fragile at first, but like all thoughts it grew stronger the more sideration she gave to it. All this time, she kept thinking Jacks was the only one who could free her mother. But Tella could take her mother's place. Caspar had mentioned how it was done during the play. All she needed to do was write her name on the card in blood

 If he was Legend, he wasn't supposed to care. He wasn't supposed to still gaze at her as if she'd just shattered his world with a kiss. He was supposed to laugh at her for being foolish enough to fall for him. He wasn't supposed to lean in closer, as if he'd fallen for her, too. He was supposed to rip the cards from her hands and abandon her on the moonstone steps. He was supposed to break her heart. She wasn't supposed to break his. Finally Tella's heart stopped racing. She couldn't do this. She couldn't take more away from him than she already had. Jacks would have to find another source for his power

 "Tella, look at me." Another step. Then she felt the heady warmth that always seemed to surround him. It pressed against her shoulders and chest, as if he were standing right in front her. "I can't talk to you like this." She kept her eyes firmly closed. This wasn't how it was supposed to be. She'd suspected Dante was Legend, but she wasn't supposed to be right. "I don't want to talk to you," she said. "I want to talk to Legend." Then open your eyes and speak to me."

The world was about change. Either all the Fates and Tella's mother would go free, or Legend would destroy them and become the most powerful human in the world. No wonder the stars had blinked earlier that night. Tella imagined them doing it again as she reached into the wooden box, boldly picked up her mother' s cursed Deck of Destiny, and officially won Caraval.

"What happens if he doesn't?" Theron traced the star-shaped brand on his face. “If your Dante fails us, he will die," Tella's mouth went dry.

“I’m here to open my mother's vault." Theron's eyes dropped to Tella's ring. "You are fortunate to have such a good friend." A prickle of fresh unease joined the sweat dripping down her neck as she thought of Dante. What did he give you to break the curse on the ring?" There's only one way to break the curse. But there is always one way around every curse. In this case, we made an exchange that has temporarily lifted it from your ring, Now do you wish to keep asking questions, or would you like to see your vault?" “First, tell me what Dante gave you in this exchange." "He made us a promise. I cannot tell you what it is, but if you care about him, you'l want to make sure he keeps his word."

 "What happened earlier?" Tella asked. saying the real Lost Heir, Elantine's missing child, has reappeared. Of course, right after the rumors started." "You really haven't heard? The whole palace is bubbling about it. They're one has confirmed it." The maid hushed her voice. "The empress fell ill "What's wrong with her?" Tella asked. "I'm not privy to that sort of information," said the maid. "But it sounds serious." “It's all probably part of Caraval," Tella said. 

Legend and Jacks both had more power than Tella. But they each needed her to get the one thing they wanted: her mother's Deck of Destiny. Without Tella, neither of them could touch that cursed deck. Without Tella, Legend couldn't destroy the Fates and Tella's mother, and without Tella, Jacks could not free the Fates or steal Legend's magic, so that he'd once again be at his full power

This book was honestly really difficult for me to get into. I basically had to make myself read it because I honestly just could not care less where the story was going. The only thing I really liked about this book was the aspect of the Fates and possibly finding out who Legend is. But you basically figure out who it is halfway through the book, but it doesn't get confirmed until the very end. Tessa's back and forth between Dante and Jacks was just annoying. Also, for as much as these sisters are supposed to care about each other, they barely even talked. 

Maggie Hotmer

When I red the first book I was a little disappointed, but this one definitely had me more interested there was definitely more to this story then I first thought can't wait for the next two.

Kathy gerrard

I cried so much my eyes burned. Loved this.

Hannah 

I actually liked this one more than Caraval!!

Welcome to the next edition of a Book that I should have read years ago but only getting to now, I have set myself a challenge this year that if I start a Series that I need to finish it so here we go, Book 2 in the Caraval series! This is such an imaginative sequel but this time around the stakes are even higher and things are getting personal and with an entire new magical mystery for you to get wrapped up into. Legendary has so many more dark twists and turns that keep you guessing what is going to happen next!

Tella and Scarlett should be celebrating the end of Caravel but Tella is not truly free; she has made a deal with a criminal and they have every intention of collecting this deal, however Tella doesn’t have what she made in the deal and there is only 1 way of getting that, winning the next round of Caraval, It asks a lot of its players, and this time is different, but for Tella the stakes are greater than ever. In fact, if Tella loses and fails to uphold her end of the bargain, she'll lose everything and everyone she cares about, but if she wins Caraval and Legend himself will be destroyed forever.

This is such a worthy sequel; I loved being fully immersed in this world and reading the books back to back is such an awesome feeling and these books always leave you not fully knowing what to expect what is to come next as there are twists and turns around every page and every corner. I can’t wait to see what is in Book 3 and that’s next!

Ian Brakspear

Welcome to the next edition of a Book that I should have read years ago but only getting to now, I have set myself a challenge this year that if I start a Series that I need to finish it so here we go, Book 2 in the Caraval series! This is such an imaginative sequel but this time around the stakes are even higher and things are getting personal and with an entire new magical mystery for you to get wrapped up into. Legendary has so many more dark twists and turns that keep you guessing what is going to happen next!

 

Tella and Scarlett should be celebrating the end of Caravel but Tella is not truly free; she has made a deal with a criminal and they have every intention of collecting this deal, however Tella doesn’t have what she made in the deal and there is only 1 way of getting that, winning the next round of Caraval, It asks a lot of its players, and this time is different, but for Tella the stakes are greater than ever. In fact, if Tella loses and fails to uphold her end of the bargain, she'll lose everything and everyone she cares about, but if she wins Caraval and Legend himself will be destroyed forever.

 

This is such a worthy sequel; I loved being fully immersed in this world and reading the books back to back is such an awesome feeling and these books always leave you not fully knowing what to expect what is to come next as there are twists and turns around every page and every corner. I can’t wait to see what is in Book 3 and that’s next!

Having made a deal with a criminal to save her sister Scarlett from a disastrous arranged marriage, Tella must win Caraval and uncover Legend's identity, or risk losing everything, including her life.

A Caraval Novel

I really enjoyed this sequel! I liked that Tela is more spontaneous than Scarlet because it makes for a more fast-paced read. I also loved the lore about the Fates, Legend, and the Prince of Hearts.

Jeweliet Coffee

Holy shit. I am in AWE of these books, it's fantasy like it's never fantasied before. The world building and narration is so exquisite, and the VA does an amazing job too! I just can't get enough if these books. 

And that plot twist on the last chapters?!?!?! It keeps you at the edge of your seat always!

Tsu 💙

Holy shit. I am in AWE of these books, it's fantasy like it's never fantasied before. The world building and narration is so exquisite, and the VA does an amazing job too! I just can't get enough if these books. 

And that plot twist on the last chapters?!?!?! It keeps you at the edge of your seat always!

Okay si I wasn't the biggest fan of Tella in book ome but I loved her in this one and cannot wait to read tje next one.

Samantha King

Okay si I wasn't the biggest fan of Tella in book ome but I loved her in this one and cannot wait to read tje next one.

Love these characters and this world. 

Liked the first one better, it was way more magical and kept you guessing. But I still really liked it!!

Salomé Gleusteen 

perfection,, dante&donatella > julian&scarlett

Gabriela Kondratyuk

Let me just say Tella is an icon and I can’t wait for book 3

Keira 💫

🫣🫣 

Let me just say Tella is an icon and I can’t wait for book 3

Jennifer Gosnell

3.5 rounded up to 4. I am trying to read these books before starting OUABH… and it’s a bit painful at times. I liked this one much more than Caraval. And I liked Tella’s story and character better than the first book. But I just find there’s always so much going on that there is very little emotional investment… and things rarely make a lot of sense. I liked the introduction of Jacks though.

logan lea

sue me but i am such a jacks girl he had he frothing at the mouth 🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍

was kinda mad HE was legend after that massive build up but i’ll eat it up anyways it’s fine🤴

This book was mainly focused on tella and her relationship w Dante who ended up being legend and Scarlett is sending letters to her old fiancée like wtf and it was ok overall felt like it dragged on a bit got quite bored

Hana 

up until about 100 pages to the end i was thinking this book would be closer to a 2.5-2.75, and i’m still unsure of what id really rate this. i rated caraval 5 stars, and i went into this a bit angry knowing that this book wasn’t about Scarlett. overall it was pretty good, but i could really go on rants on little details in this book that made me frustrated.

Piper Palmer

I was a little wary of continuing the series but l'm so glad I did.

I'm so happy we get to see so much more of Dante in this book.

I love a man with a mysterious past. Tella's character can be so foolish sometimes, it makes sense she's only 16. Still love her though.

I think I would've enjoyed the book more if I hadn't spoiled it for myself. Regardless, I still liked how everything panned out. One thing that bothered me a bit was the reiteration of what would happen if Tella won - it got a bit annoying to read that over and over.

ameera

I was a little wary of continuing the series but l'm so glad I did.

I'm so happy we get to see so much more of Dante in this book.

I love a man with a mysterious past. Tella's character can be so foolish sometimes, it makes sense she's only 16. Still love her though.

I think I would've enjoyed the book more if I hadn't spoiled it for myself. Regardless, I still liked how everything panned out. One thing that bothered me a bit was the reiteration of what would happen if Tella won - it got a bit annoying to read that over and over.

Very excited to read the third book!

Anjorin Molayo 

Jacks was the only good thing in this book 😚. 

But I am for Tellalegend 🤞🏾

The instant #1 New York Times bestseller! Stephanie Garber’s limitless imagination takes flight once more in the colorful, mesmerizing, and immersive sequel to the bestselling breakout debut Caraval... A heart to protect. A debt to repay. A game to win. After being swept up in the magical world of Caraval, Donatella Dragna has finally escaped her father and saved her sister Scarlett from a disastrous arranged marriage. The girls should be celebrating, but Tella isn’t yet free. She made a desperate bargain with a mysterious criminal, and what Tella owes him no one has ever been able to deliver: Caraval Master Legend’s true name. The only chance of uncovering Legend’s identity is to win Caraval, so Tella throws herself into the legendary competition once more—and into the path of the murderous heir to the throne, a doomed love story, and a web of secrets...including her sister's. Caraval has always demanded bravery, cunning, and sacrifice. But now the game is asking for more. If Tella can’t fulfill her bargain and deliver Legend’s name, she’ll lose everything she cares about—maybe even her life. But if she wins, Legend and Caraval will be destroyed forever. Welcome, welcome to Caraval...the games have only just begun.

finally done with this one and even tho i enjoyed it maybe more than the first one the ending was underwhelming.

i figured out who was legend at 60% of it maybe and then i expected a more “wow”explanation but i got nothing, and it was so repetitive when she kept saying: “if i do this then this will happen but if i don’t then this other thing will happen” i swear she said that like 10 times in the last 30% of the book and it was a little annoying. 

but it kept me on my toes and stuck to it until the end so i guess that’s the whole point of it, and i don’t know if i want to start the last one right now or wait a little.

auri 🪐

finally done with this one and even tho i enjoyed it maybe more than the first one the ending was underwhelming.

i figured out who was legend at 60% of it maybe and then i expected a more “wow”explanation but i got nothing, and it was so repetitive when she kept saying: “if i do this then this will happen but if i don’t then this other thing will happen” i swear she said that like 10 times in the last 30% of the book and it was a little annoying. 

but it kept me on my toes and stuck to it until the end so i guess that’s the whole point of it, and i don’t know if i want to start the last one right now or wait a little.



arwen

so weird half my completed books were missing from my reading challenge 🤨

best book in the trio

Kayleigh Vermeij

kait

this series just keeps getting better, i absolutely love this world

Legendary

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