Georgia Kostopoulou
When I read “Caraval” I was so excited! Scarlett’s story was so magical and wonderful! The whole “Caraval” experience was amazing and entertaining. But when I read “Legend” it felt so much better! I liked “Legendary” and Tella’s story so much more than Scarlett’s. There was Legend, there was Dante and there was Jacks and everything took place in Valenta, the place that puts everything into motion. And after “Legendary” is finished and the fates are free, our friends need to decide who they want to be and what they want to do.
“Every story has four parts: the beginning, the middle, the almost-ending, and the true ending. Unfortunately, not everyone gets a true ending. Most people give up at the part of the story where things are the worst, when the situation feels hopeless, but that is where hope is needed the most. Only those who persevere can find their true ending.”
― Finale
In this third and final instalment we meet the true lengths of Legend’s power, as well as that of the Fates. Those of you who like Jacks in “Legendary”, will have the chance to devour him here as well. After all he is The Prince of Hearts. And in Finale we get to read all about true love and what would one do for love and how that can make one vulnerable. This last part actually played a big role in Finale, not only as a weapon but also as a dilemma.
This time there is no game of Caraval. There are no players, only those that want the throne equally or even more than the heir himself! The story is narrated from both the sisters’ sides, giving a bit more part to Tella for that matter, but having Scarlett playing a whole different kind of significant role here. I did enjoyed Tella’s way of thinking and acting overall, as it lined up with the Tella we saw in “Legendary”. She is clever and ready to take over anything comes her way. She has a goal and she wants to achieve it. So she will do anything in her power, anything that doesn’t affect the people she loves in a negative way, if that is possible. She will not fear magic. She will not fear the Fates. She will not fear anything and will not let anyone get in her way and I love her for that! She stands for what she believes and for what she wants and she doesn’t give up.
“Just because something is real doesn’t mean you believe in it.”
― Finale
We do have our fair share of romance in this one too! Tella and Legend. Tella and Jacks. Scarlett and Julian. It is all here and it is all out in the open. Who holds who’s heart in their hands? Obviously, Scarlett has Julian’s and Julian has Scarlett’s. Or maybe not? She was going to meet that long distance fiance, right? But which one has Tella’s heart? Is it Legend or is it Jacks? Well, you’ll have to read it to find out! But if you do, you’ll get to read about those magnificent gowns Stephanie Garber loves to write about in her books. Could it be that she always wanted to become a fashion designer?
“I’m the villain, even in my own story.”
― Stephanie Garber, Finale
The big thing about this book is that we get to see another villain. Yeap, a third one! So, let’s start counting! At first we have Legend, who himself thinks he is the villain. Good. He is majestic and we love him. Then we get to have Jacks, the dangerous Prince of Hearts that is a threat to Tella and also the bad boy character we can easily fall in love. So, after “Legendary” we expect to see how Jacks moves everything to another level and the game is now between Jacks and Legend. Wrong! Yes, there is a game between them, but there is also a new villain. One I don’t particularly like. And one that I don’t actually see the reason for having. Oh, no, I just saw it. We have him there, so that both Jacks and Legend survive and we get another series in the Caraval Universe. Bingo! I am a bit disappointed I must say, as after how close Jacks and Tella have come in this book, I expected something different. We cannot have it all, though, can we?
“Fear was a poison that people mistook as protection. Making choices to stay safe could be just as treacherous.”
― Stephanie Garber, Finale
