Eh.

World building was mediocre - at best. Characters kind of sucked, whenever someone died or came close to it, I just really didn't care and actually rooted for some *cough*Tella*cough*

The writing style also did nothing for me. There were way too many needless and meaningless metaphors that made me groan at first but eventually I just started cackling at. For example when describing a smell that smelled like "sharp molasses and wild dreams." Or when something was the "color of failure and funerals." Or when she "felt like softness, sunlight and seeds for growing dreams." I guess some people like this nonsensical style of writing but it just doesn't make any sense and lent nothing to the story. There were also several instances where something would smell or taste or feel like midnight. And here's the thing: if that is part of your fantasy world that you've built, then tell the reader what that means. Don't just assume that because you've collected some nice words that you can slap them into a sentence and have it make sense for the reader.

Characters:
I really hated Scarlet and Tella. I did not for one instant understand why Scarlet cared so much for her sister. We barely got any insight into their relationship before Caraval and what we did get made Tella seem like a narcissistic brat who couldn't have cared less about Scarlet. I'm not believing for one second that she came up with this whole plan because she cared for Scarlet. I call bullshit, and I also call bullshit on the toxicity with which Tella speaks to Scarlet. Meanwhile, Scarlet is just some whiny ass girl whose thoughts I can't stand to be in.

Overall, it was interesting enough to finish but I also hated everything about it once I was done.