Caraval by Stephanie Garber

The magic that infuses the mysterious game of Caraval looks at first breathtaking and mystifying, but underneath the glamour lies the stench of hatred and ruin. Scarlett and her sister, Donatella live hoping to escape their dreadful father. With Scarlett's imminent marriage only weeks away it looks like that is finally going to happen. Just a week before her wedding Scarlett finally receives tickets to the mysterious Caraval. When circumstances force her to go she promises herself she will stay only long enough to find her sister and get home in time to her wedding to a fiance she has never met. But as time goes on it gets more difficult, and the game gets dangerous. Will she get home in time for her wedding? Will she save her sister? Can she trust anyone? 

The world building is fantastic and Garber really envelops you in the world of Caraval. She paints it so vividly you can hear the sounds and smell the smells as Scarlett encounters them. The characters will keep you guessing as to their trustworthiness, and the twists keep coming all the way to the Epilogue. This is definitely a cross between a mystery and a romance set in a fantastic world. Ages 12+
​

---