Read-alikes

Books Like Caraval

Caraval is trials & tournaments, slow burn & fake dating — sweet (1/5), first-person, ending on a hard-won happy ending. These 12 romantasy read-alikes are ranked by how much they share with it, closest first — each one explained.

Scarlett Dragna has spent her life trapped on a small island under her cruel, abusive father, dreaming of the legendary travelling show Caraval — a once-a-year magical performance where the audience participates in the game. When an invitation finally arrives, Scarlett's daring sister Tella spirits her away with the help of a mysterious sailor, only for Tella to be immediately kidnapped by Caraval's elusive mastermind, Legend — and made this season's prize. Scarlett must race through five nights of illusion, danger, and impossible choices to find Tella before the game ends, never certain what is real and what is part of the show.