Spectacular: A Caraval Holiday Novella Book Review

Let me start by first expressing my absolute LOVE for the author of this novella, Stephanie Garber. I first read the Caraval series when I was in 8th grade, and absolutely fell in love with her world building and characters. Her next series, Once Upon a Broken Heart, is my favorite series of all time for it's fairy tale feel. Everything about her writing style is absolutely magical. Her books are truly fantasy at it's finest, showcasing both the wondrous and dangerous sides of magic.

Anyways, about Spectacular. Spectacular is a holiday-themed novella based in the world of Caraval, so be sure to check out that series before reading this book if you haven't already (it's a trilogy and I would obviously definitely recommend) because it is set within the same world and follows the same characters. While this book definitely has some Christmas vibes, the story is actually created around a holiday called The Great Holiday. The traditions are very similar to Christmas, but as in all of Garber's novels, it has a much more magical elements. The whole of the city of Valenda has been enchanted to be within a snow globe, so there is always glittering snow. There are never melting ice sculptures and sugar cookie ornaments. And the history of the holiday is completely different.

It is said that on the stroke of midnight on The Great Holiday, if you make a wish at the same time the mythical Merry Queen waves her wand, your wish will come true. It is also tradition to give a gift to someone you love on this moment, which brings us to Tella's problem of what to get for Legend. Legend has been very distant recently and Tella is afraid that she is losing the love of her life, so she has to get him the perfect gift. But if you've read Caraval, you know that Legend loves to play games.

I also could not go without mentioning the beauty of Garber's writing style. I love how she personifies her settings and concepts throughout all her books. In Spectacular specific, she uses personification to make the holiday come to life, as if The Great Holiday is watching over the events itself. It just adds so much to the whimsical feel!

Lastly, I could not go without mentioning that the illustrations in this book are absolutely STUNNING!! Every little detail in this book is just beautiful and adds so much to the immersive experience of Garber's worlds. I have the Barnes and Noble Exclusive Edition of the book, which has the illustrations, which can be found in the regular edition as well, as well a special end paper designs, gilded cover with a nod to a book Tella carries around in the novella, a note from Garber, and a bonus epilogue that hints to another future holiday novella...

SPOILERS AHEAD!

Okay, can we talk about a potential Tella and Legend meets Eva and Jacks crossover!?! Like, hello!?! I think I would sell my soul for that. And the holiday that Garber describes in the bonus epilogue would be the perfect set up! The fact that you have to find your true love on the night of that holiday while disguised, and Tella was Jacks' "one true love" before Evangeline and Jack's love broke the curse! That is perfect conditions for some tension. I CANNOT wait and I hope that this is true!!

In terms of the events of the novella, I never thought that having someone plan a kidnapping would be the cutest gift in the whole world. The fact that Legend still had that letter! I was honestly so confused when Tella was drugged and found out that Legend was holding auditions for Caraval. When she was kidnapped, I had no clue who it was and didn't think it was possibly Legend until Tella allowed her captor to kiss her. I was like, she'd never let someone do that unless she knows it was him. I did like that Garber didn't reveal when Tella knew it was the true Legend until after the mystery was solved because it allowed the reader to make their own conclusions, which made me wanting to keep reading.