CHILDREN’S BY MATIA BURNETTMIAMI BOOK FAIR 19
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tephanie Garber’s Caraval series, a romantic fantasy trilogy about a legend-
ary and fantastical game, draws to a magical close this year with the fi tt ingly
titled Finale (Flatiron). Garber spoke to PW about fi nishing the series,
saying goodbye to cherished characters, and the importance of fi nding wonder
through reading.How does it feel to write the last book of the Caraval series? I think the
best way I can describe my feelings about concluding the Caraval series is by
comparing it to visiting Disneyland. I love Disneyland. I think it’s magical and
wonderful—like the world of Caraval—but it’s a litt le exhausting. By the time I
leave, I’m always ready to go, but I think it’s only easy for me to walk away because
I’m always hopeful that someday I’ll return.As you were fi rst developing the series, did you map out the narrative arc
or did you make decisions about story line as you were writing? I wish I
had mapped it out! I’m doing that with the series I’m writing now—and it’s making
the writing so much easier. I was unagented at the time I wrote Caraval, so I was just
trying to write and sell one book. I didn’t dare to dream about it turning into a series!When I wrote the sequel, Legendary, I did have a bigger
picture in mind. At one point I was struggling with my
characters, so I met with a psychologist to talk about their
arcs and their development.Did any of your characters surprise you by taking
the story in a diff erent direction than you might
have fi rst anticipated? My characters are constantly
surprising me, especially the romantic interests. When
I wrote Caraval, I didn’t intend for it to be a romance;
I wanted it to be about two sisters playing this magical
game. Th e character who became the love interest was
not supposed to make it past page 50—I had grand plans
to kill him off. But then he had such great chemistry with
my main character that I kept putt ing him in more and
more scenes.What do you feel is the value of magical stories for
young readers today? Th is might be one of the best
questions anyone has ever asked me. I feel that fantasy
oft en gets less respect than other genres, which always
breaks my heart, because I believe magical stories for
young readers are infi nitely invaluable. Children are born
with wonder, but it gets lost as people grow into adult-
hood, and it’s tragic.
Earlier this week, I was reading about the importance
of wonder and how it’s the opposite of narcissism because
it makes people feel smaller but not insignifi cant. Wonder
has historically been seen as an important aspect of
human nature, being linked specifi cally with curiosity and
the drive behind intellectual exploration.What are you working on now? Do you think you
will return to the Caraval world? I’m currently working
on the secret project of my dreams. I’m not allowed to say
much else about it, which is diffi cult for me, because I’m
obsessed with this story. As far as the world of Caraval is
concerned, I think there’s a strong chance I’ll return. It is,
aft er all, my Disneyland, and I don’t think I’ll ever get tired
of visiting it.FIERCE FANTASY
Sunday, Nov. 24, 1 p.m.
MDC Live Arts Lab“I feel that fantasy oft en
gets less respect than
other genres, which always
breaks my heart, because I
believe magical stories for
young readers are infi nitely
invaluable.”PROTOGE PRODUCTION CO.Stephanie Garber concludes her bestselling YA fantasy
series Caraval and looks to the futureAt Journey’s End