"Carnival Fantástico" by Angela Montoya is a magical YA romantasy following two star-crossed lovers whose paths cross again. I love books that take place in a carnival, and this one didn’t disappoint. It’s a fabulous story chock-full of magic, mayhem, and mystery.
Esmeralda has run away from her master, the commander of the King’s army, and become the fortune-teller at a magical traveling carnival. The carnival isn’t your typical circus—it’s alive and moves from one place to another. To enter, one must pay the ticket fee, wear a costume, and be young at heart.
Unfortunately, the contract for the carnival’s performers lasts only a year. After that, they must leave the safety of the carnival. To stay on, Esmeralda must earn the lead act in the Big Top Show by passing the three challenges of the contest. The competition is fierce, as many covet the spot.
Ignacio, the son of the commander of the King’s army, has defected from the army. His investigation into his father’s corruption leads him to the carnival—and to Esmeralda. They were once friends and lovers, but circumstances tore them apart. Each believes the other abandoned them, and they fight the attraction that still simmers between them.
The two strike a deal: she’ll help him in his search for evidence in exchange for his help in the contest. Soon, they discover that the carnival holds its own sinister secrets, and nothing is as it seems.
I enjoyed this book very much. The magic, the world-building, the mythological stories, the mystery, and the developed romance all add flavor to the tale. The premise is brilliant. It may not be original, but the execution and twists make it shine. The writing is evocative, bringing the magical setting vividly to life—I could see myself there, wandering from one attraction to another.
The story alternates between Esmeralda’s and Ignacio’s POVs. I loved their nicknames for each other—dove and pigeon. Esmeralda is prickly, pushy, and sarcastic, forced to rely only on herself. She’s desperate to become the main act, as so much is at stake if she fails. She’s clever, strong, resourceful, and dazzling—and with the help of her friends, she changes and learns the true meaning of friendship.
Ignacio is sweet and honorable but struggles with his own self-worth. He’s rigid and organized, used to seeing the world in black and white, and must learn to let go. The misunderstanding between the two main characters may take too long to resolve, but that’s alright—it makes the resolution more satisfying.
Between chapters, there are notes the two exchanged in childhood, foreshadowing the present. I loved their interactions and the slow build-up of sexual tension. There’s also a vibrant supporting cast—not least the ostrich’s antics, which made me smile.
The circus itself feels like another character. I adored Esmeralda’s relationships with her friends Camila and Gabriel, especially her playful greeting with Camila: “You are the bee’s knees. You are the cat’s meow.”
The story starts at a steady pace before the plot picks up momentum. The book explores elitism, abandonment, friendship, family dynamics, found family, and moral conflicts. It has the charm of The Night Circus with the darkness of Caraval. If you combined both books into one, you’d get Carnival Fantástico. It’s that good!
I loved this book and recommend it to fans of magical circuses, endearing characters, and pure magic. I love going to circuses—but this is not a circus I’d have liked to visit...
* Thank you NetGalley and (publisher) for the opportunity to read this arc. All opinions are my own.
* For more info about the book: "Carnival Fantástico" by Angela Montoya
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