"Scarlett has never left the tiny island where she and her beloved sister, Tella, live with their ruthless father. Now Scarlett's father has arranged a marriage for her, and Scarlett thinks her dreams of seeing Caraval, the legendary, 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 who she has just met, Tella whisks...

Even though Caraval is over, the three major players all have life-changing decisions to make: Tella, Scarlett, and Legend have yet to settle into the roles that past events have placed them in, or how those events have shaped them. There are no spectators this time, but the stakes are all-or-nothing.