Legendary by Stephanie Garber is the second book in The Caraval series. Going forward with this review, I am going to assume you have either read the previous book, or my review for that book. If you haven’t read either, be prepared for some spoilers. Like always, I will not have any spoilers for Legendary.
SPACE
Plot
Donatella Dragna has finally escaped her father and prevented her sister, Scarlett, from marrying a complete stranger after experiencing the magical world of Caraval. However, Tella can’t celebrate yet. After making a bargain with a cryptic criminal, in order to be free, Tella must deliver what she promised them and what no one has ever been able to figure out: Legend’s true name.
The only way to uncover Legend’s name is to win Caraval. Without a second thought, Tella dives right back into the game. Now she has to deal with the murderous heir, an ill-fated love story, and a tangle of secrets…including Scarlett’s. Despite always requiring bravery, wits, and sacrifices, Caraval is asking more of its players this time. And if Tella cannot deliver Legend’s true name, she risks losing everything she loves and maybe her life. However, if she wins, it means the destruction of Legend and Caraval.
Review
So, it’s been one month from when I finished reading Legendary and writing this review. There are many reasons for this. First there’s my mental health and I just had to step away from being on the computer all the time. Second, life got super busy and I couldn’t help but keep reading without writing reviews immediately afterwards. Therefore this review will not be as detailed as reviews I’ve previously posted. I will have this paragraph at the beginning of the reviews that weren’t written immediately after finishing them.
In Legendary we see the story through Tella’s eyes instead of Scarlett’s, but we still have our four main characters and a few new ones. Now Tella is playing in Caraval in order fulfill her end of a bargain with a criminal she’s never met. While trying to uncover the secret of Legend’s true name, Tella starts to uncover secrets about herself and family. Now, I love how determined and bold Tella is throughout the game, but after every new revelation Tella breaks a little more. More often than not the ones hurting her are the ones Tella loves the most. My heart hurts for Tella, but she stays strong and caring no matter what.
The setting in Legendary is now in the city and the game is as real as it’s ever been. However, the Dragna sisters don’t buy into this and Tella has to be slowly convinced that there is more at stake than just winning a game. Not only that, but the magic is larger and more ancient this time around. And Legend isn’t the only one who can wield magic either. This adds a more urgent and sinister tone to the game that I totally love. The ending though, breaks my heart and sets up for Finale perfectly.
Favorite Quotes
“Every good story needs a villain. But the best villains are the ones you secretly like.”
“Gold shimmered no matter what, but few people could make darkness glitter the way he did.”
“You’re the starlight to his darkness, and if you feel the same about him, you should give him another chance.”
“She loved the feeling of doing something bold enough to make her future hold its breath while she closed her eyes and reveled in the sensation that she’d made a choice with the power to alter the course of her life.”
“When she loved, she did it as fiercely as she lived.”
Star Rating: 
/5
Add it to Your List: Add to your Goodreads
Snag a Copy: I will always suggest getting the hard cover, but buy in any format on Amazon
Interested in other books that I’ve read? Check out my other book reviews here!
