Finale
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.
“I think the most magnificent things are worth living for.”
First Impressions: The Curtain Has Fallen
Knowing that this was the final installment in the Caraval series, it was a bittersweet experience reading this book. I had grown to love this story and love these characters, and it made me not want to read this book just so the story wouldn’t have to end. But, everything must come to an end eventually, and Finale by Stephanie Garber was truly the best close to this story. Garber’s beautiful writing and fantastic world-building had built up to this final book, and I did not feel unfulfilled by the finale page. My only wish would be that I could go back in time and experience the magic of the Caraval series for the first time again, but I suppose a reread will suffice.
“Just because something is real doesn’t mean you believe in it.”
The Plot: One Final Performance
After the ending of Legendary, I was wondering where Garber would take this story. I was so thrilled to find that we would be diving deeper into the Immortal Fates concept, as that was my favorite part of the plot from the previous book. With that story simply being from Tella’s perspective, I was so glad to see the Dragna sisters together in action in this installment. This plot felt even more intriguing than Legendary, bringing back those mysteries that keep you hooked on every page.
“Love really was another type of magic.”
The Setting: Worlds Made of Starlight
With a new, fast-paced plot came even more settings and Garber’s brilliant use of world-building. Magical places such as the Vanished Market and the Immortal Library further immerse you in the story, and Garber uses such vibrant descriptions that it felt even more fantastical this time around. I was obsessed with the initial setting of Caraval, but with each new book comes even more places to love. What I adore most about this series is how hooked on this story you can get, and not once did I ever find myself wanting to put this book down. Each time I felt transported into this world with these characters, and I am not sure another fantasy book could ever give me this same experience again.
“And Scarlett cried. She cried for all the horrors he had been, and she cried for the wonders that he could have been instead.”
The Characters: Magically Come to a Close
By Finale, we had mainly met all of our characters already, so this book was deeply filled with the development of these characters. We can grow more intimate, emotional connections with these people with whom we have grown to love throughout the series, and I was so happy to see that they were not forgotten in this final installment. From their goals they established in Caraval, we get to see them actually accomplish their hopes and dreams, and grow into the people they wanted to be. They each came so gracefully to a close, which was the perfect way to experience the bittersweet ending of this series.
“I’ve always been yours, Crimson.”
The Relationships: A Lingering Love
If you read my review of Caraval or Legendary, you would know that my favorite couple from this entire series was Scarlett and Julien. After not getting much “page” time of them in Legendary, I was thrilled to be seeing them again in Finale. In fact, I grew to love them even more in this book, and their romance is just perfect. Their entire dynamic has grown so perfectly throughout the series, and I fully believe that their characters were made for each other. On a separate note, I was also hoping for more of the dynamic between Jacks and Tella, and Finale did not disappoint. The love triangle that was playing out between Tella, Jacks, and Dante made to story so entertaining, especially as we watched them fight for Tella’s affection. Though we know who wins in the end, I don’t suppose this will be the last time we see Jacks in Stephanie Garber’s universe.
“Legend did not believe in endings.”
The Ending: The Last Bow
The ending of Finale was so bittersweet because even though I didn’t want the story to end, the way it ended was so beautifully written that I couldn’t help but love it. Each character’s story came so gracefully to a close, and everyone was given their own version of a happy ending. That was all I wanted for these characters that I grew to love, so though I’m upset that it’s over, I’m glad that it ended on a happier note.
“Love was such a fundamental part of what drove her, she didn’t even know who she’d be without love.”
Final Thoughts: Bittersweet
Overall, Finale was a very satisfying ending to an amazing series. Though the story of Caraval is over, I will definitely not be done with Stephanie Garber. I look forward to reading her other works, and I can only imagine the love that will foster from more of the Stephanie Garber universe. Happy reading, everyone!