Everything That Burns by Gita Trelease

Title: Everything that Burns

Author: Gita Trelease
Publisher: Flatiron Books
Publication date: February 2, 2021
Pages: 448
Source/format: e-ARC//Publisher
Rating: ☆☆☆1/2

Synopsis (from goodreads.com):

Magic. Betrayal. Sacrifice

Camille Durbonne gambled everything she had to keep her and her sister safe, and now the Vicomtesse de Seguin seeks a new life in Paris. But revolution roils the bloody streets and “aristocrat” is a dangerous word. Safety may no longer be possible.

Following in her father’s footsteps, Camille prints revolutionary pamphlets, sharing the stories of girls.

M Y  T H O U G H T S 

Camille Durbonne is back and fine as ever. Living a life of a well off young lady, she is a feminist and pushes for the rights of women in France. Because she couldn't sell her pamphlets at the local bookstore, the bookkeeper mentions the revolutionary pamphlets would not capture the interest of the masses since he cannot merely suggest women being true citizens.

During the first novel, All That Glitters (Enchantée), Camille was able to bring her sister and herself to safety from a life of poverty after the deaths of her parents. She was able to use magic and glamours to climb the ladder and to provide for her family. In Everything That Burns (Liberté), there is a bigger focus on feminism and equality. Camille wants to share her and her father's ideas through revolutionary pamphlets about girls whose stories need to be told. These are girls who live in outskirts of society; they are marginalized. These marginalized girls are the Lost Girls living in the Flotsam House are the ones Camille helps and seeks to have their voices to be heard.

And then there is Louis XVI who declares that magic a crime and all magicians are traitors. While Camille is very adept to magic, she must be careful while walking the dangerous path. She must hide her true self in order to stay safe. In Everything That Burns, the feminism takes the driver seat in the plot while the magic takes the backseat. The dazzling breath of magic fizzles out slowly in the novel since Camille cannot use her glamours and enchantments like before. It's less turning of coins and more printing of pamphlets. This novel shows humanity's true self and what issues the people suffer through everyday.

Everything That Burns shows what is underneath all the glitz and glamour of the royal courts. The nitty gritty truth of the revolution is rising to the surface. All though the magic isn't as charming, Everything that Burns has wonderful characters. I wish this is a more plot driven novel but I do enjoy the character development. Readers are reunited with familiar characters such as Camille, Sophie, Lazare, Chandon, Rosier, etc. but they also introduced to a variety of new faces of the Lost Girls such as Giselle, Odette, Henriette and Celiné. 

I recommend both All that Glitters and Everything That Burns for readers who are interested in a dark historical fiction duology. 

Finale by Stephanie Garber

Title: Finale
Author: Stephanie Garber
Publisher: Flatiron Books
Publication date: May 7, 2019
Pages: 496
Source/format: e-ARC // Netgalley

Rating: ☆☆☆☆ 1/2

Synopsis (from goodreads.com):

Welcome, welcome to Finale, the third and final book in the #1 New York Times bestselling Caraval series!

Welcome, welcome to Caraval...all games must come to an end.

It’s been two months since the last Caraval concluded, two months since the Fates have been freed from an enchanted deck of cards, two months since Tella has seen Legend, and two months since Legend claimed the empire’s throne as his own. Now, Legend is preparing for his official coronation and Tella is determined to stop it. She believes her own mother, who still remains in an enchanted sleep, is the rightful heir to the throne.

Meanwhile, Scarlett has started a game of her own. She’s challenged Julian and her former fiancé, Count Nicolas d’Arcy, to a competition where the winner will receive her hand in marriage. Finally, Scarlett feels as if she is in complete control over her life and future. She is unaware that her mother’s past has put her in the greatest danger of all.

Caraval is over, but perhaps the greatest game of all has begun―with lives, empires, and hearts all at stake. There are no spectators this time: only those who will win...and those who will lose everything. . .

M Y  T H O U G H T S

Some of my favorite quotes: 

“'A true queen’s power isn’t in her crown, my little love. It’s here.' Her mother placed a hand over her heart. Then she turned to Tella.”

“'I would actually say your greatest treasure is sitting across from you. There is nothing quite so precious as the love of a sister.' With that, the mother picked up her daughters’ hands and squeezed.”

“Scarlett’s feelings were a commotion of colors, swirling around her in garlands of excited aquamarine, nervous marigold, and frustrated gingersnap.”

“The Fates are as vicious as the stories say. They were created out of fear, and fear is part of what fuels their power, so they will try to inflict as much as possible.”

This is it, the finale of the Caraval series! Stephanie Garber has wowed us again but this time the novel has more characters and more twists and turns. Garber's storytelling is compelling, charismatic and intricately descriptive. With the Immortal Fates loose from the cards, Legend's powers are diminishing. He goes to his creator to ask to borrow her magic. The coronation is near and Dragna sisters want to prevent Legend from taking the throne.

After reading Legendary, I couldn't wait to get my hands of Finale. Both sisters had won a game of Caraval even though they risked their lives to win. The Fates weakness is the same weakness that Legend carries. It's the only way to beat them.

Finale has alternating chapters with Scarlett's and Tella's point of views. We find more about the sisters' mother in this book. Scarlett is torn between Julian and Nicholas while Tella is confused about Legend and Jacks. Scarlett and Tella are in danger if the Fates are from from the cards. They are warned to leave Valenda but cannot. The only way to find out more about this stunning and enchanting story is to pick up Finale!

Finale is the finale of all finales! Join the Dragna sisters in a world full of magic, swoon, deception and betrayal. Who can you trust? Welcome, welcome to Caraval...all games must come to an end.

Enchantée by Gita Trelease

Title: Enchantée
Author: Gita Trelease
Publisher: Flatiron Books
Publication date: February 5, 2019
Pages: 464
Source/format: ARC // Publisher

Rating: ☆☆☆☆1/2

Synopsis (from goodreads.com): 

Paris in 1789 is a labyrinth of twisted streets, filled with beggars, thieves, revolutionaries—and magicians...

When smallpox kills her parents, Camille Durbonne must find a way to provide for her frail, naive sister while managing her volatile brother. Relying on petty magic—la magie ordinaire—Camille painstakingly transforms scraps of metal into money to buy the food and medicine they need. But when the coins won’t hold their shape and her brother disappears with the family’s savings, Camille must pursue a richer, more dangerous mark: the glittering court of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette.

With dark magic her mother forbade her to use, Camille transforms herself into the ‘Baroness de la Fontaine’ and is swept up into life at the Palace of Versailles, where aristocrats both fear and hunger for la magie. Though Camille's resentment of the rich is at at odds with the allure of glamour and excess, when she meets a handsome inventor she believes liberty and love may finally be possible.

But la magie has its costs. When a scheming courtier blackmails her and Lazare’s affections shift, Camille loses control of her secrets. Then revolution erupts, and she must choose—love or loyalty, democracy or aristocracy, reality or la magie—before Paris burns…

ENCHANTÉE is a thrilling YA historical fantasy that combines the decadence of Sofia Coppola’s Marie Antoinette with the dangerous enchantments of Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell.

M Y  T H O U G H T S 

"Magicians needed sorrow. And deep sorrow existed only because of love."

Enchantée takes place in pre-revolutionary Paris in the late 1700's. Camille Durbonne wields a kind of magic that can twist pieces of scrap metals into coins with an illusion. Forced to rely on magic in order to live, Camille is left with no choice but to create an alter ego in order to survive. She reinvents herself as Baroness de la Fontaine after finding a magical dress. However, with this alter ego comes a price since she starts using dark magic.

Camille only does this in order to provide for her sister, Sophie, after her brother, Alain, gambled away their last bit of money and because they are on the cusp of being evicted. After their parents died, the three siblings have struggled to live with the basic living needs such as food and shelter. The price of the la magie takes a toll on Camille. She is exhausted everyday but she wants to make sure that Sophie is taken care of.

Gita Trelease showcases extreme poverty against pure luxury. Camille's mother used to be an aristocrat until she married Papa, the printer. But Camille's Grandmère shuns the family because of her daughter's marriage decision. Even when Camille goes out as Camille compared to Baroness de la Fontaine, she is looked down upon like she is unworthy. Status is everything.

Enchantée is beautifully written with an alluring plot and fantastic character development. I have to admit it took me some time to warm up to the book in the beginning. The novel started off a bit slower than I anticipated but then the pace picked up fast. I enjoyed reading about the relationships Camille made throughout the novel and she herself grew a lot from the beginning to the end of the book. Camille learns that lying to people, especially to loved ones, is hard. Keeping secrets slowly eats away at her. Camille learns that she must tell the truth about who she is and she needs to stay true to herself.

Camille reminisces about how her father took her to Versailles to see a Montgolfier when she "helps save" Armand, Lazare and Rosier when flying a hot balloon. The romance between Lazare is slow but steady. You can tell they care for one another but they don't rush anything. He is unlike the other aristocrats out there and truly believes in equality. And that balloon ride with Lazare and Camille is perfect!

I enjoyed reading about when Camille creating her glamoire and when she plays cards at Versailles. There is something satisfying knowing how confident Camille is in the things she does. Camille finding another magician, Chandon, was equally surprising but intriguing. Of course there are some good magicians around and some bad ones. Chandon warns Camille to be careful while she gambles. Little does Camille know is that someone knows of her magic and has been playing the cards of the game only for her to fall into a trap.

Enchantée is a compelling and enchanting historical fantasy that will keep you on your feet wanting to know more. Trelease's gorgeous writing draws in the reader. Enchantée is an ideal read for those who love the stories of Cinderella, Les Miserables and Caraval.

Caraval by Stephanie Garber

Title: Caraval
Author: Stephanie Garber
Publisher: Flatiron Books
Publication date: January 31, 2017
Pages: 407
Source/format: ARC from publisher through Goodreads Giveaway

Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆

Synopsis (from goodreads.com):

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.

M Y  T H O U G H T S

"Brillant gold-blue sparks--the color of childhood dreams." - ARC of Caraval

Scarlett Dragna has been writing to Caraval Master Legend for many years asking him to bring his Caraval performers to the Isle of Trisda. One day he actually writes back! Ever since Scarlett was a little girl, she was lured into the wonders of Caraval thanks to the countless stories her grandmother told her as a child. She adored every story! Should Scarlett pursue her arranged marriage or travel to see the annual Caraval performance? After all, isn't Caraval something not to miss?

Stephanie Garber takes her readers on an exhilarating ride full of magic! Caraval is simply captivating! Garber draws in her readers with letters from Scarlett to the Caraval Master Legend which adds a nice touch in pacing and introduction. Her descriptions her vivid and lush. She paints a whole new world with brilliant shades of cerulean blues, shimmering golds and seductive reds. Caraval's color palette is exploding with extraordinariness.

The sisterly bonding between Scarlett and Donatella (Tella) is strong and both will do anything to help each other out. They would even protect one another from their ruthless and abusive father. Their bond is unbreakable! They are dedicated through and through and loyal to each other. Their personas actually remind of of Tina and Queenie Goldstein from Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them Screenplay. Scarlett and Tina like to play by the rules. They are a bit more rigid and not as forgiving. Tella and Queenie are more flirtatious, bold and adventurous.

Caraval infuses reality with magic and fantasy. In this world, there is a hint of old fashion living arrangements due to the use of oil lamps, very elaborate clothing with bustles and traveling by boat for transportation. The magic mixed with the old world gives off a mysterious and alluring vibe. Garber bewitches the reader's mind.

Julian, Dante, Aiko, Jovan and Legend definitely add character to the novel. Caraval is like revised game of Clue and The Hunger Games with magic. Who is who and who can you trust? What is real and what is not real? Garber's twisty dreams and illusions are guaranteed to keep you guessing who is on Scarlett's side until the very end. After all, it's only a game right?

Caraval is Garber's debut novel and it sure doesn't disappoint and I hope you have a chance to join Scarlett on her enchanting journey! This sensational novel will sweep you off your feet. Caraval is a must read, especially if you're a fan of The Night Circus, The Crown's Game and The Hunger Games. I would love to see Caraval translated for the big screen. It will be beyond spectacular!