Stephanie Garber is an American author of

young adult fiction Young adult fiction (YA) is a category of fiction written for readers from 12 to 18 years of age. While the genre is primarily targeted at adolescents, approximately half of YA readers are adults. The subject matter and genres of YA correlate ...

known for the ''Caraval'' series.

Writing career

Garber was a college resident director when she began writing in her spare time. She wrote several novels and received many rejections until her fourth book, a

space opera Space opera is a subgenre of science fiction that emphasizes space warfare, with use of melodramatic, risk-taking space adventures, relationships, and chivalric romance. Set mainly or entirely in outer space, it features technological and soc ...

, caught the interest of a

literary agent A literary agent is an agent who represents writers and their written works to publishers, theatrical producers, film producers, and film studios, and assists in sale and deal negotiation. Literary agents most often represent novelists, screenwrit ...

. When the space opera failed to sell, Garber wrote ''Caraval''. Garber has stated that she did not intend for ''Caraval'' to be the first book in a series or to be a romance when she started writing it. Two sequels, ''Legendary'' and ''Finale'', complete the Caraval trilogy. Her books have received mixed critical reception. ''Caraval'' received a

starred review A starred review is a book review __NOTOC__ A book review is a form of literary criticism in which a book is merely described (summary review) or analyzed based on content, style, and merit. A book review may be a primary source, opinion piec ...

from ''

Publishers Weekly ''Publishers Weekly'' (''PW'') is an American weekly trade news magazine targeted at publishers, librarians, booksellers, and literary agents. Published continuously since 1872, it has carried the tagline, "The International News Magazine of ...

'', which stated, "intriguing characters, an imaginative setting, and evocative writing combine to create a spellbinding tale of love, loss, sacrifice, and hope", while Caitlin Paxson of NPR wrote that "ultimately, the message of ''Caraval'' ends up muddled." ''Caraval'' was on ''The New York Times'' Best Seller list for fifteen weeks, reaching No. 2. Film rights to ''Caraval'' were optioned by

Twentieth Century Fox 20th Century Studios, Inc. (previously known as 20th Century Fox) is an American film production company headquartered at the Fox Studio Lot in the Century City area of Los Angeles. As of 2019, it serves as a film production arm of Walt Disne ...

. ''Legendary'' was on ''The'' ''New York Times'' bestseller list for eight weeks, peaking at No. 1. ''Kirkus Reviews'' criticized ''Legendary'''s "weak plot and ultraviolet prose" but praised it as "a ''tour de force'' of imagination." ''

School Library Journal ''School Library Journal'' (''SLJ'') is an American monthly magazine containing reviews and other articles for school librarians, media specialists, and public librarians who work with young people. Articles cover a wide variety of topics, with ...

'' wrote, "While this second installment does not stand on its own—readers will need to be familiar with the characters, events, and world-building of the previous book to fully understand and appreciate this one—fans will be delighted to spend more time with Tella, Dante, and Scarlett, and to immerse themselves again into Garber's magical world". The third book in the ''Caraval'' trilogy, ''Finale'', was reviewed by ''Kirkus'' as "overwritten, with overly convenient worldbuilding that struggles nearly as much as the overwrought prose and convoluted plot". Garber's novel ''Once Upon A Broken Heart,'' was published September 28, 2021. ''Kirkus Reviews'' wrote that it is, "a lushly written story with an intriguing heart". ''Publishers Weekly'' praised Garber's worldbuilding. ''The Ballad of Never After'' was on the ''New York Times'' bestseller list for 16 weeks. ''Kirkus Reviews'' wrote that it is, "A disappointing delivery on a potentially gripping second volume."

Works

Caraval trilogy

# ''Caraval''.

Flatiron Books Macmillan Publishers (occasionally known as the Macmillan Group; formally Macmillan Publishers Ltd and Macmillan Publishing Group, LLC) is a British publishing company traditionally considered to be one of the 'Big Five' English language publi ...

, 2017. # ''Legendary''. Flatiron Books, 2018. # ''Finale''. Flatiron Books, 2019. * ''Spectacular''. (novella), Flatiron Books, 2024 (illustrated by Rosie Thorns)

Once Upon a Broken Heart Trilogy

This saga is set in the same universe of The ''Caraval'' trilogy. # ''Once Upon a Broken Heart''. Flatiron Books, 2021. # ''The Ballad of Never After''. Flatiron Books, 2022. # ''A Curse For True Love''. Flatiron Books, (released on October 24, 2023)

References

External links