The Caraval series is a masterpiece trilogy written by Stephanie Garber. The three books are Caraval, Legendary, and Finale. The books are based in a utopian world holding a strong resemblance to every little girl’s dream fairy-tale lands. The Caraval world is surrounded by fantastical magic, mythical stories, and tricky deals. The dangerous addiction to the magic of this world is displayed through a game: Caraval. The Caraval games occur once each year, never occurring in the same place. The game is exclusive to those with tickets and are well known for being extremely tough to get a hold of. Every year, the winner of the game wins a prize. These prizes are not what one would expect to be. The creator of the game, Legend, is a man who none know the true appearance nor name of. Tales circle the fantasy world about Legend, most with the idea that Legend is powerful enough to turn reality into imagination, which is the main attraction people have to the game. Many long for an adventure to help them forget their true reality, while others pine for the wish they will receive for winning the game, a wish so powerful it can bring people back from the dead. The series revolves around these Caraval games and two sisters who have been pulled deep into the attraction of the world: Scarlett and Donatella (Tella) Dragna. 

It is through these two sisters and what they learn during these games that the reader learns the true value of trust and true friendship. In this world where everyone is fighting to win the Caraval game, it is hard to distinguish between truth and the lies that others will attempt to feed you in order to get the upper hand. Careful never to get too caught up in the Caraval games, for none of it is a reality. Getting too caught up in the magic will turn the games into your reality and drive you to absolute madness. Getting swept too far away will result in dire consequences. In a world where it is crucial, but extremely difficult, to differentiate the real from the imaginary, secrets are the most valuable thing one can hold. Secrets and knowledge hold power. The more you have, the better chance you have at winning the game. It is due to this that many do not share accurate information with one another. The trilogy displays how this kind of mentality can affect the course of our lives and how much more valuable kindness can be. In a world where no one believes in you, in a world where no one is rooting for you but you, it is vital to remember that, “Every story has four parts: the beginning, the middle, the almost-ending, and the true ending. Unfortunately, not everyone gets a true ending. Most people give up at the part of the story where things are the worst, when the situation feels hopeless, but that is where hope is needed most. Only those who persevere can find their true ending” (Finale, Stephanie Garber). 

Only those who sincerely care for you will step up for you, fight tooth and nail for you, and be willing to sacrifice their life, the entire world, to help you. In a world like Caraval this is the kind of friendship that one must look for. To Donatella Dragna, her sister is her heaven-sent. Her sister, her lover, both. Her sister sacrificed everything for Tella. She sacrificed the love of her life to bring Tella back from the dead. Tella also consistently sacrifices for Scarlett. Tella bet her own life on Scarlett, taking a leap of faith, in order to help her sister escape their abusive father and her sister’s terrible fiance. Their relationship with each other is absolutely beautiful and is guaranteed to drive anyone to tears, thinking of their love for one another. Donatella Dragna also has a lover: Dante Santos, also known as Legend: the creator of Caraval. Throughout the series, Legend is known for being the villain of the story. He portrayed himself as the villain so many times, that he became the villain himself. This is crucial to the storyline because the hero will sacrifice their lover for the greatness of the world, but the villain….The villain is the one that will sacrifice and damn the entire world for their lover. This display of love is portrayed in the second book. Tella sacrificed herself for her mother, the mother that tried to get rid of Tella in order to pay a debt, in order to acquire her true ending. Legend damned the entire world, the entire world, to save Tella. That is real love; that is a show of trust. 

It is stories such as Caraval that show us what real trust and love looks like in our own world, where most are simply looking out for themselves only. Trust runs deep and those we trust are essentially our saviors. Trust and love can be intertwined. These two words we associate with others can hold immense amounts of power. A simple word can put someone on a pedestal or bring them crashing down to the floor. Stories like the Caraval trilogy show us that not everyone is looking out for us and it is important to place trust in the one’s who do. These people looking out for us can be both friends and family. These are the people that if not family, become so close to us that they become family to us.