Scarlett's feelings came in colors even brighter than usual. The urgent red of burning coals. The eager green of new grass buds. The frenzied yellow of a flapping bird's feathers. 
 He'd finally written back. 
 Color. Mystery. Magic. Danger. A game. 
 Welcome to CARAVAL, a book as richly textured as the game it describes, written in a way that you will feel like you're looking at a painting with perpetually changing hues. 
 Seventeen-year-old Scarlett Dragna lives with her younger sister, Tella on the island of Trista, unable to get away from their abusive father. Her greatest dream is to be whisked away to a magical game called Caraval for a night of pure enchantment by a mysterious figure called Master Legend. 
 But wishes come with price tags. When Scarlett's wish is finally granted by Legend after seven years, she must pay the ultimate price: To find her sister before the game of Caraval ends, or risk losing her forever. Accompanied only by a devious sailor named Julian and her own wits, Scarlett dives reluctantly into Legend's world, which is as seductive as it is cruel. 
 It's rare that I see magic embedded between the words of a book, but Stephanie Garber has managed to do just that. The relationships between the two sisters, their brutal father, Legend, Julian, Dante and a host of other intriguing characters are gradually revealed through vivid, exquisite prose. 
 This book had nearly as many mysteries as the game of Caraval itself. Just when I began to think I'd understood something, Garber surprised me again with another revelation. I will not be surprised if CARAVAL hits any and every bestseller list - it will richly deserve it. 
 Highly recommended for readers who enjoy YA fantasy exploring sibling relationships, romance, beautifully imagined worlds, and dark, magical circuses.