Do you ever buy the whole book series because you are sure that you will love it but never get around to reading it? No? Just me? Okay then.
I have an embarrassing story to tell. I bought Caraval when it first came out because I had a feeling I would love it, but never got around to reading it. Last year I wound up pre-ordering a UK secret cover edition of Legendary because despite not reading the first book I just had a feeling in my bones I would love it. I think you see the pattern and can guess what happened with Finale.
Fast forward to Monday morning (yes, three days ago). I see Stephanie Garber’s tour schedule for at least the tenth time and finally saw that on release day she was going to be about an hour away from me. So I hatched a plan: read the first two books (totaling 839 pages) before 6 p.m. on Tuesday and drive to attend. So that is what I did, and I am here to tell you about it.
A conversation with Stephanie Garber and Adrienne Young about Caraval
Originally the series was sold as two books, but as she was writing Legendary she realized that the characters weren’t finished and there was still a story to tell. She wrote the book hoping there would be a third and feels fortunate and satisfied that she could finish writing the series.
Adrienne asked about her feelings now that the series has come to an end: Stephanie replied that it is kind of like going to Disneyland. “It’s awesome and so much fun but after a couple of days it is still awesome but you are tired and excited to move on.”
On villains: Stephanie wanted to make sure that Julian, Dante, and Jacks were distinct from one another… and she actually consulted her psychologist neighbor about her characters to find out how people with these specific traits would evolve. “This one is a sociopath, how would he change?” “He wouldn’t change.” “Well, he needs to, so what needs to happen?” She wanted to make sure that each of them had complete arcs and that they had journeys that made sense for who they were.
Adrienne: “I’ve never known an author to consult a psychologist about their characters!”
This is a story about sisters. Stephanie wanted them to love each other and not fall into hate; Finale was the most fun to write for the sisters. (Kal note: YAS I AM EXCITE!) “The sisters earned their true endings.”
You are the queen of writing romance. Did you plan for it? Stephanie wrote Caraval without the intention of a romance, she wanted it to happen organically. She said that she actually tried to set up her and Dante but they had no chemistry and it didn’t work!
Favorite villain from a story: The villains, especially Klaus, in The Vampire Diaries (mainly because she has been on a marathon rewatch). “I realize that Klaus and Jacks have a lot in common.”
On how she can write so many different kinds of villains: She likes villains when they aren’t black and white (me too!). She advises making sure that the villains are in the story a lot and ask things like “what kind of good advice would your villain give to your main character?”
Which villain from Caraval would she like with her during the zombie apocalypse: Julian because even though they would both die she would at least have fun along the way.
Color plays an important role in the series. What color would you give to each of your characters? Scarlett would be red, Dante is black, Julian is crimson (aw), Tella is blue, and Jacks is gray.
When did you know who Legend was? The characters told her, and in fact, in the first draft of Legendary a different character was Legend. It didn’t work and she had to go back and follow the clues.
On developing the magic system: She actually got the idea from religious faith and how it means something different to different people. “What if magic was kind of like that?”
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Meeting Stephanie Garber!
The line was incredibly long but I was fortunate enough to choose the right side so I wasn’t too far back. I chatted a bit with the lady ahead of me and the girl behind me while we waited for the line to move. I only had to wait in line for a little over an hour to get my books signed and have a brief chat.
Stephanie is local to the area so her family was there for the event. Stephanie’s mother and sister were handing out baked cookies and cupcakes to us in line, and they were so incredibly sweet to talk to. You can tell that they are so incredibly close!
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Meeting Stephanie was an incredible experience. She is so warm and kind, and you can tell how much she loves meeting her fans. I told her about how the stars seemed to align just right to bring me there that night and she was enthused that I made it out and adored her books. She takes the time to chat with everyone a bit while signing, and she makes you feel very important during that time.
This was my first time attending an author event and signing, by the time I got into reading not-the-classics I had relocated to Northern California and I feel like everyone goes to my local indie bookstore back in San Diego. I will definitely be back in September when Adrienne’s sequel to Sky in the Deep launches!
Thank you so much for not only being warm & kind when I met you but for also responding to my tweet after signing books for HOURS!
Reviews for the Caraval series
Caraval Review Legendary Review Finale Review
Have you ever been able to attend an author Q&A? What were your experiences? And are you a fangirl for the world of Caraval like me?!
This is fabulous….and her mum handing out food is just so lovely!
I KNOW her family was precious! I should have taken pictures of the setup and food table with the themed treats.
I so wish I was there!!
That’s so fun! I love when families attend and the authors are so fun and nice to chat to!
It was such a fun experience and I am glad I went! And I love how supportive her family is.
Ah so cool that you got to be there! I’m so excited to read the conclusion to this amazing series!
(www.evelynreads.com)
I really enjoyed Finale, Evelyn! My review goes up on Thursday
I love author events! I just got to see Angie Kim last night in Redondo Beach. And I took a quick photo of Stephanie at Y’all West – she’s so nice!
Oh how fun! I was going to go to YALL West but changed my mind last minute because I didn’t feel like traveling from NorCal. I really can’t wait to move back to San Diego, NorCal sucks for author events lol
awww this sounds like such an awesome experience, Kal! I’m so happy for you! I think that’s so cool how sweet Stephanie was, and that’s amazing how her mother and sister were there! Wow, author goals right there! Haha. AND YOU READ THE FIRST TWO BOOKS SO QUICKLY! You Queen! I don’t know how you do it! ❤️
Kelly words cannot express how cool of an experience it was for me, and the fact that I dragged myself there (this was my first time leaving my house for anything other than doctor appointments in 2 months) made it so much more special! There are some people that just exude this aura around them, and Stephanie honestly is such a beautiful person that made each person there feel special. Also I DON’T KNOW WHO I AM!? I literally read a book a day for three days ahahaha.
This is such an amazing experience!! I love Caraval too and I can’t wait to read Finale 💛
Caraval was such a fantastic read, and I really enjoyed Finale! I hope you do too when you are able to read it!
what a fab experience tho!!!
i havent seen her since caraval release andim vsad about this bc its the event where i met my current blogger friends for the first i tme 🙂
I know it was so cool, I am really glad that I forced myself to go!!!
awww, what a nice memory to have! I hope you are able to see her again sometime soon
Great to see that you had such a great experience! She will come to the Netherlands in June and I am reading finale right now 🎉
Awesome, I hope you are able to see her when she comes to the Netherlands next month and I hope you enjoy Finale!!!
Aww, Kal, I’m glad you had fun! Stephanie is heading my way tomorrow and I AM BUMMED BECAUSE I’M WORKING DURING THE EVENT (but for the rest of the summer, I am a free free bird to go places maybe). I’m still in awe on how quickly you read the first two books in a matter of hours – what kind of magical reading potion did you take??? 😂
I am so sorry that you weren’t able to see Stephanie, stupid work! *shakes fist* Honestly I am also shocked that I read those books so fast, I don’t know what kind of spell I was under but if it makes you feel better, I haven’t read anything since I finished Finale.
This looks like a great series! I picked up the first one when the ebook was on sale the other day, I’ll have to find a way to work it into my reading soon somehow. 🙂
I hope that you find the time to read Caraval soon, it is such a fun and light read!
“I am here to tell you about it” immediately made me think of “… AND I LIVED TO TELL THE TALE” – not sure if that was your intention, but it definitely seems fitting 😜
the intersection / overlap / juxtaposition of magic and religion really fascinates me, though I attribute a lot of it to Maggie Stiefvater since she writes (and talks) about it quite a bit – it really is a fascinating topic, and I think it’s definitely part of why I love the Caraval world as much as I do! it just comes so vividly to life.
I’m so glad your first author event was such a great experience! the closest I’ve ever gotten was Maggie Stiefvater’s writing seminar in Brooklyn (missed out on tickets for the first NYC session, didn’t want to make a separate trip on a different day just for the signing) but I love hearing about author appearances when they’re just as friendly and lovely as you would hope 💕