A Curse for True Love

Gr 8 Up–In this highly anticipated finale to Garber’s latest trilogy in the “Caraval” universe, Evangeline (who reads white) awakens with all of her memories from the past year erased. Her husband, the handsome Prince Apollo (who is Black), promises to keep her safe and whisks her back to a seemingly fairy-tale life. Her lack of memories leaves her unsure of whether she should trust Apollo, who is determined to kill the charming but villainous Lord Jacks who Apollo claims was responsible for a long list of heinous crimes. As she slowly pieces together her past, Evangeline rediscovers her love for Jacks and realizes she must stop him from making an irreversible mistake in a foolhardy attempt to keep her safe. As always, Garber’s worldbuilding is lush and captivating. The beautiful prose make for a smooth, quick read, and the characters are witty and complex. The first half of the book leaves Jacks and Evangeline separated, but the second half of the book more than makes up for the lack of witty banter and forbidden romance in the first half. Garber has successfully crafted a love story that has left readers rooting for a villain from the “Caraval” series. The ending is predictable, but will give fans what they’ve been waiting for.