“Every person has the power to change their fate if they are brave enough to fight for what they desire more than anything.”
If you loved Caraval by Stephanie Garber, with its enchanting world, magical illusions and heart-pounding adventure, you’re probably craving more books that capture that same sense of wonder and mystery. Whether you’re captivated by fantastical surroundings, games filled with high stakes or stories about love and deception, there are plenty of books like Caraval that will transport you to magical realms. We here at What We Reading have rounded up the best fantasy books that will appeal to fans of Caraval and its mesmerising atmosphere. From young adult fantasy novels filled with romance and intrigue to magical worlds brimming with secrets, these books offer the ultimate blend of adventure and enchantment. So, if you’re on the hunt for your next read that channels the same magic as Scarlett and Tella’s visit to the Caraval show, these picks are not to be missed!
The Night Circus – Erin Morgenstern
Our first stop on our list of books like Caraval is Erin Morgenstern’s The Night Circus, a captivating fantasy novel set against the backdrop of a magical circus that only appears at night. The circus, known as Le Cirque des Reves, is renowned for its wonder, mystery and illusion, where each tent houses a different enchanting experience. At the centre of the story are two young illusionists, Celia and Marco, who are bound in a competition that will ultimately determine the fate of the circus.
As the game unfolds, the two are unaware of the consequences of their rivalry and are forced to navigate a web of complex relationships, love and sacrifice. With themes of love and deception, The Night Circus offers readers a world filled with enchantment and high stakes, making it an absolute staple for fans of magical realism, games of fate and secrets hidden within enchanting settings.
The Hazel Wood (The Hazel Wood #1) – Melissa Albert
Melissa Albert’s The Hazel Wood is a dark and atmospheric fantasy novel that blends fairy-tale elements with a gripping modern mystery. The story follows Alice, a teenager whose life has been plagued by misfortune ever since her grandmother, the reclusive writer behind a cult classic named The Hinterland vanished.
Alice’s life takes a dangerous turn when her mother is kidnapped, and she is forced to venture into the eerie world of The Hinterland, a magical world full of twisted fairy-tale creatures and a wealth of dark secrets. As Alice realises the truth about her family’s connection to this strange land, she must navigate a dangerous game of survival, deception and betrayal. With its blend of mystery, magical realism and enchanting worlds, The Hazel Wood is the perfect follow-up to Caraval for anyone who enjoys stories where fantasy and reality collide.
The Night Tiger – Yangsze Choo
The Night Tiger by Yangsze Choo is a historical fantasy set in 1930s colonial Malaysia. The story intertwines the lives of two protagonists: Ji Lin, an apprentice dressmaker and secret dance hall worker, and Ren, an eleven-year-old houseboy on a heartfelt mission. When Ji Lin unexpectedly acquires a severed finger in a good luck charm, she is drawn into a mysterious series of events. Meanwhile, Ren is on a desperate quest to fulfil his mentor’s dying wish to reunite his finger with the rest of his body. As their paths converge, they uncover connections to local folklore, superstitions and a series of unexplained deaths.
One of the best books like Caraval on the back of its atmospheric setting, elements of fate and destiny and the interplay between love, secrets and folklore, The Night Tiger offers a rich blend of magical realism, historical intrigue and compelling mystery.
The Crown’s Game (The Crown’s Game #1) – Evelyn Skye
Vika and Nikolai are two enchanters living in an alternate imperial Russia who have been bound by fate to compete in the Crown’s Game, a magical duel where only one can emerge victorious. As the Tsar seeks a powerful enchanter to serve as his advisor and protector, Vika and Nikolai are forced to showcase their abilities in a series of high-octane magical challenges, each more dazzling and dangerous than the last.
However, the competition soon becomes more than a game as the enchanters form unexpected bonds, and the boundaries between loyalty, love and survival blur. As they are confronted with the impossible choice between their dreams and each other’s lives, the fate of the empire teeters in the balance. Similar to Caraval, The Crown’s Game is a fantasy series brimming with richly imagined settings, elements of magical realism and thrilling stakes constantly at play.
The Paper Magician (The Paper Magician #1) – Charlie N. Holmberg
The Paper Magician by Charlie Holmberg is another whimsical fantasy novel like Caraval set in a magical version of Victorian England. The story orbits around Ceony Twill, a young woman with dreams of mastering the art of metal magic. Instead, she is begrudgingly assigned to study paper magic, a lesser-regarded craft, under the watchful eye of eccentric magician Emery Thane. Whilst initially disappointed, Ceony soon discovers the unique wonders of paper magic, which has the power to bring origami figures to life and tell stories like no other medium can.
When a dark sorcerer attacks and steals Emery’s heart (literally!), Ceony sets out on a perilous quest to save him. Her quest leads her through the chambers of Emery’s heart, where she discovers his past, his secrets and the true extent of her own courage.
Sorcery Of Thorns (Sorcery Of Thorns #1) – Margaret Rogerson
In the world of Margaret Rogerson’s Sorcery of Thorns, magical books known as grimoires have lives of their own and the potential to transform into monstrous creatures if they’re mishandled. Elisabeth Scrivener, raised in one of the Great Libraries, has always believed that sorcerers are evil and grimoires must be protected at all costs. But, when a powerful grimoire is sabotaged, implicating her in the process, Elisabeth finds herself pulled into the heart of a dark conspiracy.
Forced to ally with the charming but enigmatic sorcerer, Nathaniel Thorn, and his mischievous demon companion, Silas, Elisabeth starts to question everything she’s been taught. And as dark forces rise and threaten to consume their world, Elisabeth discovers hidden strengths and uncovers secrets that may just change the fate of magic itself.
The Star-Touched Queen (The Star-Touched Queen #1) – Roshani Chokshi
Inspired by Indian mythology, The Star-Touched Queen by Roshani Chokshi is the perfect book like Caraval for any readers looking for another lush fantasy about destiny, love and self-discovery. Maya is a princess cursed with a horoscope that predicts death and destruction. Rejected by her kingdom, Maya’s life takes a sudden turn when she is offered a political marriage to Amar, the ruler of the mysterious kingdom of Akaran.
As Maya ventures to Akaran, she discovers that the kingdom is unlike anything she has ever pictured in her mind – filled with secrets, enchantments and realms that defy reality. Amar offers her power and the chance to rewrite her fate, but Maya soon learns that Akaran’s magic comes with a heavy price. Caught between trust and betrayal, she is tasked with uncovering the hidden truths about herself and her past to save the world that she has come to love.
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Part-time reader, part-time rambler, and full-time Horror enthusiast, James has been writing for What We Reading since 2022. His earliest reading memories involved Historical Fiction, Fantasy and Horror tales, which he has continued to take with him to this day. James’ favourite books include The Last (Hanna Jameson), The Troop (Nick Cutter) and Chasing The Boogeyman (Richard Chizmar).
