Release Day Review: Caraval by Stephanie Garber

Caravan
Stephanie Garber
Release: January 31, 2017
Goodreads  Amazon
Book Depository

Whatever you've heard about Caraval, it doesn't compare to the reality. It's more than just a game or a performance. It's the closest you'll ever find to magic in this world . . .

Welcome, welcome to Caraval―Stephanie Garber’s sweeping tale of two sisters who escape their ruthless father when they enter the dangerous intrigue of a legendary game.
Scarlett has never left the tiny island where she and her beloved sister, Tella, live with their powerful, and cruel, father. Now Scarlett’s father has arranged a marriage for her, and Scarlett thinks her dreams of seeing Caraval, the far-away, once-a-year performance where the audience participates in the show, are over.
But this year, Scarlett’s long-dreamt of invitation finally arrives. With the help of a mysterious sailor, Tella whisks Scarlett away to the show. Only, as soon as they arrive, Tella is kidnapped by Caraval’s mastermind organizer, Legend. It turns out that this season’s Caraval revolves around Tella, and whoever finds her first is the winner.
Scarlett has been told that everything that happens during Caraval is only an elaborate performance. But she nevertheless becomes enmeshed in a game of love, heartbreak, and magic with the other players in the game. And whether Caraval is real or not, she must find Tella before the five nights of the game are over, a dangerous domino effect of consequences is set off, and her sister disappears forever.

Review: 

Caraval by Stephanie Garber is a highly anticipated young adult release for 2017. In the past six months, I've seen this book floating around the internet nonstop and I've seen this pop up on countless "Most Anticipated" lists. Now that I've read it, I can say that Caraval does deserve all the anticipation. It's a fun and intriguing read that's firmly in the YA Fantasy genre while also being different enough to stand out. I really enjoyed it and now I'm highly anticipating the next book!

Below is my spoiler-free review of Caraval! Let us know if you're one of those who can't wait to get your hands on a copy!

Caravan by Stephanie Garber | Spoiler-Free Review


Email subscribers: Click on the link to the blog post to view the video.  :)
Click on the little red youtube button below to subscribe to the new channel!

You can also view more videos on the channel by clicking here: 

Goldilox's Booktube Channel

  

      

  4.5 / 5 stars

Goldilox Goes To Youtube - Summer 2016 Book Releases!

Hey booklovers, Goldilox here! I'm really excited to share with you that I've started a brand new channel on youtube for all things bookish!
I recently took a back seat in blogging for a few months, and during that time I experimented with another youtube channel that you may have seen me talk about on my social media, but I really missed my bookish roots! So, I'm getting back to my origins, and I've created an all new channel directly connected to the blog.

If you love our blog, please check out the new channel, and I hope you enjoy this new way that I'll be bringing book related content to you. And don't worry about the blog, it isn't going anywhere at all! Goldilox and the Three Weres is still going strong and we'll still be here for you with just as many posts as always if you prefer the blog format.

Did you know Booktube was a THING!? When I started this blog five years ago, I didn't really understood what a huge and intricate world book blogging was. Now I know what a wonderful thing the blogosphere is. I've been able to interview some of my favorite authors of all time and meet others in person, and I've built amazing friendships with other bloggers and book lovers. Now, book blogging has expanded and taken the next logical step...videos! Booktube is the youtube equivalent of book blogging, for the most part. I'm really looking forward to reviewing books, dishing about cover reveals, sharing countdowns and top lists, discussing book related fandoms, etc. all in a new format!

Below is the first video for the new youtube channel. Please check it out and if you like it, subscribe to the channel, give the video a thumbs up, or leave a comment here or on the video page on youtube!

I'll share future videos that are about bookish things here on the blog so you don't miss out on anything.

I hope you'll support this new endeavor and I can't wait to share all things bookish with you in this new way!  :)

The Summer 2016 Book Releases I'm Most Excited About!

Click on the little red youtube button below to subscribe to the new channel!

March Releases: Buy, Borrow or Beg?

Buy, Borrow or Beg is our monthly new release feature. Each of the co-bloggers is going to tell you which books they're most excited about and whether you should buy - the ones we preordered or plan to stand in line for, borrow - the ones we'll be stalking at the library, or beg - the ones we've gotten for free as review copies or prizes that you'll be begging us to tell you about. Let us know what you're looking eagerly awaiting this month in the comments.

Buy:

Dark Debt (Chicagoland Vampires #11) by Chloe Neill
Release: March 3 Goodreads Amazon
An all-time fave series! And it's nearing the end. *sob* Can't wait to find out about that mysterious note.

Dead Heat (Alpha and Omega #4) by Patricia Briggs
Release: March 3 Goodreads Amazon
I personally think that Brigg's Alpha and Omega series is even better than Mercy Thompson. It's been three years since the release of Fair Game, so I'm eager to see what's next for Charles and Anna.

Infinity Bell (House Immortal #2) by Devon Monk
Release: March 3 Goodreads Amazon
House Immortal was one of my faves last year. It's such an unusual world - I called it Firefly meets The Hunger Games - and I loved the characters. We left Matilda and her friends running for their lives so I can't wait to see what happens next.

Pocket Apocalypse (Incryptid #4) by Seanan McGuire
Release: March 3 Goodreads Amazon
Seanan McGuire is one of my autobuy authors. Even though I didn't love the last Incryptid book, I'm excited to see what happens when Alex Price goes to Australia.

Prudence (The Custard Protocol #1) by Gail Carriger
Release: March 17 Goodreads Amazon
One of my Most Anticipated of 2015. The Custard Protocol is the sequel to the Parasol Protectorate starring Alexia's daughter who, I recall, had some unusual powers. Prudence takes her new airship to India where she stumbles on to a mystery and some familiar (furry) faces.

Bayou Blues (Genie McQueen #1) by Sierra Dean
Release: March 20 Goodreads Amazon
Secret McQueen's little sister is getting her own series. This spin off is set in Louisiana. Genie's a werewolf with magic powers battling a cult with a hunky helper.

Borrow:

The Buried Life by Carrie Patel

Release: March 3 Goodreads Amazon

This is my sleeper pick for the month. It's out the same day as a lot of high profile releases. It's a dystopian murder mystery that sounds a little Steampunk-y to me. Look for my review later this month.

Beg:

Of Silk and Steam (London Steampunk #5) by Bec McMaster
Release: March 3 Goodreads Amazon
McMaster saved the best for last. This final installment in the London Steampunk series blew me away. It's got lots of action and political intrigue and a steamy enemies-to-lovers story. Check out our review.

Vision in Silver (The Others #3) by Anne Bishop
Release: March 3 Goodreads Amazon
I love the Others series! This book was absolutely un-put-downable. It's full of politics and intrigue and quirky characters. Watch for our review tomorrow.

Buy:

Prudence (The Custard Protocol #1) by Gail Carriger
Release: March 17 Goodreads Amazon
I absolutely adored Gail Carriger's Parasol Protectorate series so I'm so excited for this sequel series! I can only imagine the trouble Prudence is going to stir up! I need this book in my hands ASAP!

Fall With Me (Wait For You #4) by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Release: March 31 Goodreads Amazon
I love this new adult series so much! I can't wait to read Roxy's story! She's delightfully quirky and I adored her in Stay With Me! Also, I want to know what's going on between her and the cop! I'm sure the romance is going to be full of drama but cute at the same time!

Borrow:

The Diamond Conspiracy (Ministry of Peculiar Occurences #4) by Pip Ballantine and Tee Morris
Release: March 31 Goodreads Amazon
I absolutely adore the Ministry of Peculiar Occurences series! It's like steampunk crack and I must devour it! I'm sad to say that I'm a book behind on this series but I can't wait to catch up. This cover is so intriguing! I want to know what's happening with the zombie guy with the gas mask!
 

Night Blaze (Dark Kings #5) by Donna Grant

Release: March 31 Goodreads Amazon
I'm so behind on Donna Grant's Dark Kings series, but I still want to get my hands on this book! I'm planning a week where I can marathon the last few books I need to read so I can be caught up again.

Beg:

Dead Heat (Alpha and Omega #4) by Patricia Briggs
Release: March 3 Goodreads Amazon 

I just barely read Briggs' Alpha and Omega series for the first time and I'm so in love with it! Dead Heat is an amazing installment in this series and it made me love Anna and Charles even more! I have a full review coming later this week so keep an eye out for it!

Of Silk and Steam (London Steampunk #5) by Bec McMaster
Release: March 3 Goodreads Amazon
This is the last book in the London Steampunk series. I'm sad that it's almost over. I'll have this book finished by the time this post goes live but I'm super excited to finally read Leo's story! My thoughts about it will be up soon!

Vision in Silver (The Others #3) by Anne Bishop

Release: March 3 Goodreads Amazon
I LOVED this book so much! I can't wait for everyone else to read it. The world of the Others is getting darn right scary. This is another solid installment in one of my new favorite series. Gretl and I have a dual review coming tomorrow so watch for that!

February Releases: Buy, Borrow or Beg?

Buy, Borrow or Beg is our monthly new release feature. Each of the co-bloggers is going to tell you which books they're most excited about and whether you should buy - the ones we preordered or plan to stand in line for, borrow - the ones we'll be stalking at the library, or beg - the ones we've gotten for free as review copies or prizes that you'll be begging us to tell you about. Let us know what you're looking eagerly awaiting this month in the comments.

Buy:

Deadly Spells (Prospero's War #3) by Jaye Wells
Release: Feb. 10 Links: Goodreads Amazon
I love a paranormal police procedural and this is one of my favorite series. Deadly Spells introduces a new character named "Hot Pocket" who promises to be that patented Jaye Wells blend of hilarious and disturbing.

Soulbound (Darkest London #6) by Kristen Callihan
Release: Feb. 24 Links: Goodreads Amazon
I'm looking forward to learning more about Callihan's Fae and the mysterious Adam in this one. I also want to know more about Sin and I've heard that he and his sisters play a big role in this story - the heroine is their cousin.

Lucky Break (Chicagoland Vampires) by Chloe Neill
Release: Feb. 17 Links: Goodreads Amazon
The first Ethan and Merit novella features a romantic getaway that gets interrupted by a murder mystery. It also promises lots of supernatural politics (another one of my favorite things) as vampires are pitted against shifters.

Lion's Share (Wildcats #1) by Rachel Vincent
Release: Feb. 23 Links: Goodreads Amazon
The first book in Vincent's Shifters spin off series featuring Abby and Jace. Check out our cover reveal post for more details and a Shifters giveaway!

Borrow:

The Ruby Circle (Bloodlines #6) by Richelle Mead
Release: Feb. 10 Links: Goodreads Amazon
Can't wait to see how it all ends! I've heard there are some surprises and some special moments just for the fans.

Grave Matters (Night Owls #2) by Lauren M. Roy
Release: Feb. 24 Links: Goodreads Amazon
I didn't love the first Night Owls book as much as I wanted to, but I'm willing to give the second one a chance. Night Owls bookstore is run by a vampire and employs a Renfield, a succubus and a former vampire hunter. And it looks like this book also has zombies.

Armageddon Rules (Grimm Agency #2) by J.C. Nelson
Release: Feb. 24 Links: Goodreads Amazon
It's another fairy tale reboot and they seem to be everywhere, but I thought Free Agent, book 1 in the series had a lot of potential.

Beg:

One Kiss More (U.S. Marshals #2) by Mandy Baxter
Release: Feb. 24 Links: Goodreads Amazon
I really don't read a lot of romance, but I'm liking this RS series. I loved the hero Landon, who was introduced in the first book. And I love this pink cover! Look for my review coming soon.

Buy:

A Darker Shade of Magic (A Darker Shade of Magic #1) by V. E. Schwab
Release: Feb. 24 Links: Goodreads Amazon
This is my most anticipated book of the year! I was lucky enough to be approved on Netgalley for the 130 page preview of this book and it was a mistake to read it immediately. I loved those first pages and I need the rest of the book ASAP! Alternate Londons, Magicians, Wannabe Pirates, and Sadistic Kings... I'm SO ready to have this book in my hands!

Soulbound (Darkest London #6) by Kristen Callihan
Release: Feb. 24 Links: Goodreads Amazon
I've been a fan of this series from the beginning! The worldbuilding is great and I love how each book is tied together even though each one concentrates on a different set of characters. That being said, I can't wait to get to know more about the mysterious Adam!

Borrow:

Dearest (Woodcutter Sisters #3) by Alethea Kontis
Release: Feb. 3 Links: Goodreads Amazon
I'm a huge fan of fairy tale retellings! I seriously love them and Alethea Kontis' companion novel retellings are among the best that I've ever read. This book is about Friday Woodcutter, the kind and gentle seamstress of the Woodcutter sisters, and incorporates several fairy tales including "The Goose Girl" and "The Wild Swans". I can't wait to read it!

The Shadow Cabinet (Shades of London #3) by Maureen Johnson
 Release: Feb. 10 Links: Goodreads Amazon
After being pushed back several times, we're finally getting the third book in Maureen Johnson's delightful Shades of London series. Since I can't think of a way to describe this book without spoilers for the first two books, I'll just let you know how excited I am to read about more of Rory's adventures!

Beg:

Shadow Study (Soulfinders #1) by Maria V. Snyder
Release: Feb. 24 Links: Goodreads Amazon
I have an ARC of this book and I'm a bit scared to start it. It's the start of trilogy that is a continuation of one of my favorite trilogies of all time, the Study series. While I adore that trilogy, I've had very mixed feelings about the series that Snyder has published since then. I have my fingers crossed that this will be just as good as the original, because I seriously need more Yelena and Valek in my life.

Release Day Blitz: Wicked by Jennifer L. Armentrout!

GUYS! Did you know JLA has a new release out? Do you live in a cave?

If you've been with Goldilox and the Three Weres for more than two seconds you know we here at the blog love Jennifer L. Armentrout. We've reviewed many of her fabulous books and I've had the pleasure of spending time with her at a handful of book events and I just love everything she writes. 

WICKED is the first in JLA's new trilogy and it released on December 8th! I'm a third of the way through the audio version right now and I'm, of course, adoring it! 

Go buy your copy guys! Seriously! No one writes a sexy bad boy like JLA!

Amazon ** Barnes and Noble ** iBooks ** Kobo**Audible

WICKED Synopsis:

Things are about to get Wicked in New Orleans.

Twenty-two year old Ivy Morgan isn’t your average college student. She, and others like her, know humans aren’t the only thing trolling the French Quarter for fun… and for food. Her duty to the Order is her life. After all, four years ago, she lost everything at the hands of the creatures she’d sworn to hunt, tearing her world and her heart apart.

Ren Owens is the last person Ivy expected to enter her rigidly controlled life. He’s six feet and three inches of temptation and swoon-inducing charm. With forest-green eyes and a smile that’s surely left a stream of broken hearts in its wake, he has an uncanny, almost unnatural ability to make her yearn for everything he has to offer. But letting him in is as dangerous as hunting the cold-blooded killers stalking the streets. Losing the boy she loved once before had nearly destroyed her, but the sparking tension that grows between them becomes impossible for Ivy to deny. Deep down, she wants… she needs more than what her duty demands of her, what her past has shaped for her.

But as Ivy grows closer to Ren, she realizes she’s not the only one carrying secrets that could shatter the frail bond between them. There’s something he’s not telling her, and one thing is for certain. She’s no longer sure what is more dangerous to her—the ancient beings threatening to take over the town or the man demanding to lay claim to her heart and her soul.

We have an awesome WICKED excerpt for you today! Check it out below!

All the words in the world vanished the moment I got an eyeful of Ren.

Holy hotness with an extra side of sexy, when Ren cleaned up, he took his handsomeness into a totally different stratosphere.

The waves and curls of his hair were currently tamed, styled back from his face, showing off the angle of his cheekbones and the fullness of his lips. He was wearing a white dress shirt that showed off the hard lines of his broad shoulders and flashed a glimpse of tawny skin at his neck. I noticed then, somehow never really seeing it before, a leather cord hanging from his neck and disappearing under his shirt. I was sure that was what carried the clover, but as my gaze traveled over him, I quickly forgot about it. The edges of the tattoo poked out of the collar of his shirt, and his sleeves were rolled up to the elbow, exposing powerful forearms. The dark trousers completed the outfit. It was effortless class.

When I dragged my gaze back to his, I realized I hadn’t been the only one doing the scrutinizing. He was staring at me in his intense, consuming way, and I stepped back from the door, suddenly feeling very . . . vulnerable. As if I was exposed in front of him.

Heat crept into my cheeks as I plastered my arms to my sides. “Sorry I . . . took so long. I was . . .” I trailed off as he continued to stare at me. “What?”

Ren stepped into the house, catching the door and closing it behind him. His presence filled the living room, and I could barely drag in enough air. “This is wrong,” he said, voice thick.

Surprised by the statement, I glanced down at myself. I knew I looked like a silly girl playing dress up. “It’s the only dress I could wear,” I said, feeling the weight of embarrassment settling on my shoulders.

He gave a little shake of his head as his bright green eyes met mine. “Oh, sweetness, you did wrong in all the right ways.”

I wasn’t following.

“How in the world am I going to pay attention when you look like that?” he chided softly, and my eyes widened. He moved forward, so close that I had to tip my chin up to meet his stare. He reached out, fingering the loose sleeve of my dress. “You are utterly distracting.”

“I am?”

A half smile appeared as his fingers skipped off the material and traced the line of my shoulder, sending a tight shiver down my spine. Then his finger wrapped around a curl, the back of his hand brushing the swell of my breast. He tugged it straight like he’d done before. “You are absolutely beautiful, Ivy.”

About Jennifer L. Armentrout:

# 1 NEW YORK TIMES and USA TODAY Bestselling author Jennifer lives in Martinsburg, West Virginia. All the rumors you’ve heard about her state aren’t true. When she’s not hard at work writing. she spends her time reading, working out, watching really bad zombie movies, pretending to write, and hanging out with her husband and her Jack Russell Loki.

Her dreams of becoming an author started in algebra class, where she spent most of her time writing short stories….which explains her dismal grades in math. Jennifer writes young adult paranormal, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary romance. She is published with Spencer Hill Press, Entangled Teen and Brazen, Disney/Hyperion and Harlequin Teen. Her book Obsidian has been optioned for a major motion picture and her Covenant Series has been optioned for TV.

She also writes adult and New Adult romance under the name J. Lynn. She is published by Entangled Brazen and HarperCollins.

Website ** Facebook ** Twitter ** Novel Goodreads ** Author Goodreads

Bought, Borrowed and Begged: October Releases

We're trying something new with new releases this month, so let us know what you think. Each of the co-bloggers is going to tell you about the new releases they're most excited about and whether they'll be bought - the ones we preordered or plan to stand in line for, borrowed - the ones we'll be stalking at the library, or begged - the ones we've gotten for free as review copies or prizes that you'll be begging us to tell you about.

 

 

Bought

Broken Soul (Jane Yellowrock #7) by Faith Hunter (10/7) Jane Yellowrock is one of my autobuy series. I preorder them months in advance. I've heard that Jane gets lucky in this one, which she really deserves after all the crap she's been through lately.
Reckoning (Fallen Siren #2) by SJ Harper (10/7) I'm loving the Fallen Siren series! It's a blend of romance and police procedural with great characters. Watch for my review next week.
Unbinding (World of Lupi #11) by Eileen Wilkes (10/7) I started this series last year and read the first nine books in a week. This one has a brand new couple as narrators so it looks like it will be a little different.
Black Spring (Black Wings #7) by Christina Henry (10/28) I love this series! I love Maddy's snark and Beezle's appetite. I love that this series loves Chicago. In this one Maddy gets invited to Lucifer's wedding.

Borrowed

Seventh Grave and No Body (Charley Davidson #7) by Darynda Jones (10/21) To be fair, almost everything that releases in hardcover is a borrow for me. I do go back and buy some of them when the paperback comes out. It's only been a few months since the last Charley book, but it had a big "to be continued" kind of ending, so I'm excited to see what happens next.
Archangel's Shadows (Guild Hunter #7) by Nalini Singh (10/28) I thought the last book in this series was just ok. All the good stuff happened at the very end. So I'm hopeful about this one, but not in a big hurry to read it.
Black Dog by Caitlin Kittredge (10/28) I loved Kittredge's Black London series. This is the first in a new series with a hellhound heroine trying to escape servitude to a demon.
Talon by Julie Kagawa (10/28) I haven't read Kagawa before, but her books always look good to me. This one is the first in a new series about a teenaged dragon and I really want to check it out.

Begged

Burn for Me by Ilona Andrews (10/28) I won an ARC on Twitter and I absolutely loved it! A PI teams up with the world's biggest, baddest magic user to catch a fugitive. Great new world and fun magic. Preorder this one right now! My review's coming soon.
Gray Bishop (Cornerstone Run #2) by Kelly Meade (10/21) I'm loving this series! Meade has put some new twists on werewolves. I didn't like this one quite as much as the first. It's more of a traditional romance than the last one and full of feels. But I would have bought it if I didn't get a review copy. Be sure to read book one, Black Rook first.

 

 

Bought

The Blood of Olympus (The Heroes of Olympus #5) by Rick Riordan (10/7) I can’t believe the last Percy Jackson book ever is almost here. I’ve been reading both the original series and its spinoff for over six years now. I’m sad to say goodbye but I need to know how everything will be resolved. Be kind to my darlings, Uncle Rick. Be kind.
Clariel (Abhorsen #4) by Garth Nix (10/14) The long-awaited prequel novel to the Abhorsen series is almost here! The original trilogy helped to turn me into the reader I am today. I’ve literally been waiting for this prequel for the last fifteen years. I’m so ready for it!
Burn For Me by Ilona Andrews (10/28) This is the first book in a new series by Ilona Andrews! I will buy anything Andrews writes based solely on my love for her Kate Daniels series. I can’t wait to see how this book compares.

Borrowed

Silverblind (Ironskin #3) by Tina Connolly (10/7) This is the last book in the Ironskin trilogy and I can’t wait to see how it ends! This book jumps eighteen years from the last book. It’s about Dorie who is now a scientist that studies magical creatures like wyverns and basilisks. How cool is that?!?

Begged

Can't Buy Me Love (Right Side of Wrong #1)by Rin Daniels (10/8) This is the first book in a new contemporary new adult series by Rin Daniels (aka Karina Cooper). The heroine is an ex-con artist who is trying to become honest. Everything is going great until she meets an ex-mark. I have an eARC of this novel and I excited that it’s up next in my reading schedule!

Holy Release Day, Batman - Take Two!

Here we are again!

Just last week we had a huge book release date. Now, here we are again! Today, July 3rd, is another huge release day!

There are some AWESOME books coming out today! 

Check em out!

As always, I won't tell how many books you buy, our little secret. . . 

(Click on cover to go to Amazon)

  

  
  
  
 

Yowza!
I don't know if my wallet can take many more release days like this!

Which books are you the most excited about?
Which ones will you be buying?