Scarlett Dragna has
never left the tiny island where she and her 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
faraway, 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. Nevertheless
she becomes enmeshed in a game of love, heartbreak, and magic.