Caraval Plot Twists Ranked – The Biggest Surprises in the Trilogy

14 February 2025 - By Lauren

Stephanie Garber’s Caraval trilogy is full of twists, betrayals, and jaw-dropping reveals. But what are the best Caraval plot twists of them all?

The Caraval series perfectly mastered the art of the plot twist. Just when you think you know what’s coming, the story flips on its head! In this post, I’m ranking the most shocking plot twists from the series—so buckle up, because it’s about to get intense.

SPOILER WARNING! This post contains major spoilers from all three books so don’t continue if you haven’t completed the trilogy!

The 10 Most Shocking Caraval Plot Twists

These twists are ranked based on how surprising, emotional, and impactful they were on the overall story. These are just my opinion and I’d love to know which twists you found the most shocking.

10. Scarlett’s Fiancé Is Not Who He Seems (Caraval)

At the start of Caraval, Scarlett Dragna is set to marry Count Nicolas d’Arcy, whom she believes to be her escape from her abusive father. But in a shocking twist, it turns out that the count as we know him in the first game of Caraval doesn’t exist—he was just part of the game all along and was played by an actor! This twist not only shatters Scarlett’s assumptions but also foreshadows the deceptive magic of Caraval.

However, in a double twist for this storyline, Scarlett does later meet the real Count which leaves her and Julian’s relationship in jeopardy.

9. Jacks’ Deadly Kiss (Legendary)

When Donatella Dragna kisses the mysterious Prince of Hearts, she soon learns that his kisses are fatal—except for his one true love. This moment is a game-changer, revealing Jacks’s dark and unpredictable nature while hinting at his deeper connection to Tella.

Jacks happens to be my favourite character in Caraval and this moment sparks a real rollercoaster of emotions for him and Tella.

8. Legend’s True Identity (Legendary)

The storyline of Legend’s true identity is covered in both Caraval and Legendary, leaving it a mystery for a huge part of the trilogy. However, for me, the eventual reveal wasn’t the most jaw-dropping moment of the series as I’d already got a firm theory as to why it was Dante. That being said, I do like how this character changes from Dante to Legend and how they’re almost two different people while you try to work out Legend’s true personality. This adds a deeper layer to this major Caraval plot twist.

His transformation and ability to cheat death make him one of the most enigmatic characters in the trilogy though I’m afraid that no matter what I’m still Team Jacks over Team Legend!

7. Scarlett’s Real Mother Is Paloma, the Lost Empress (Finale)

Just when we think we know everything about the Dragna sisters, we discover their mother, Paloma, isn’t just a mysterious figure from their past—she was potentially the powerful Empress who had been lost to the Fates. This twist raises the stakes, connecting the sisters to an even grander destiny.

Although it’s never confirmed, it is left open to interpretation that Paloma/Paradise the Lost could well have been Empress Elantine’s missing heir. For me, this is where I would have liked to have seen much more backstory for Paloma as she felt a little underdeveloped.

6. Tella’s Plunge to Death (Caraval)

The moment Tella seemingly falls to her death is one of the most heartbreaking moments in Caraval. But then—plot twist!—Scarlett’s love brings her back to life. Her sacrifice was the key to the entire game’s ending, proving that Caraval was far more than an illusion.

However, it does present a tough few chapters for Scarlett (and the reader) as she has to battle with her feelings for her sister and her feelings for Julian. This particular storyline plays really well into the whole mystery of what is a game and what is real.

5. The Fates Are Alive—And They Want Revenge (Finale)

We hear about the Fates throughout Legendary, but in Finale, they come back in full force, bringing ancient magic and chaos into the world. Their return makes the stakes higher than ever, turning the game of Caraval into a real battle for survival.

The return of the Fates perhaps makes Finale the most magical and fantastical story of the series and it was really interesting to read about the different powers of the Fates and how they fit into the world.

4. Julian’s “Death” (And Resurrection!) (Caraval)

Julian’s apparent death in Caraval is a devastating moment, making readers believe Scarlett has lost her love for good. But in true Caraval fashion, it turns out his death was just part of the game. This moment is not only heartbreaking but also reminds us that nothing in Caraval is ever as it seems.

For me, Julian’s death perhaps holds a little more weight than Tella’s because of all the ups and downs he and Scarlett have. Throughout the novel, I was practically screaming at Julian not to break Scarlett’s heart and then he went and died! When I say I was 100% emotionally invested in this couple, you best believe it! For me this was one of the most emotionally charged Caraval plot twists.

3. Tella’s Deal with the Prince of Hearts (Legendary)

Tella’s desperate gamble with Jacks is a major turning point. She agrees to help him in exchange for answers about her mother, but this deal binds her to a deadly fate she never anticipated. It’s a moment that changes everything and intertwines her destiny with Jacks in ways she can’t escape.

If I’m being honest, I could have placed almost any Jacks storyline here because his character practically gave me whiplash. I don’t know about the Prince of Hearts but Jacks probably deserves a new title of King of Caraval plot twists! I won’t hear a bad word said about him but Tella’s original deal plus all the other bargains she makes throughout Legendary and Finale with the Fate kept me on my toes.

2. Scarlett’s Father’s Fate (Finale)

For two books, the Dragna sisters are haunted by their abusive father. In Finale, we learn that he was never really Scarlett’s father and she faces the facts that her real father is even deadlier than the Governor. When Scarlett learns her father is not only a Fate but the one responsible for the creation of all the other Fates there’s a real sense of turmoil.

The shocking twist of his death provides a real touching moment as you see the humanity of the powerful Fate for the first time but by then it’s too late.

1. Tella’s Final Choice: Legend or Jacks? (Finale)

The biggest twist of the series comes down to Tella’s final decision. Throughout the trilogy, we see a love triangle between Tella, Legend, and Jacks, but in the end, it’s Legend who wins. While I wasn’t necessarily shocked to see it go that way, I did like all the ups and downs that the love triangle produced.

This moment gets the number one spot for Caraval plot twists because it perfectly rounded off the storylines for all the main characters and although Jacks didn’t get the ending I wanted for him, there is the Once Upon a Broken Heart series for him so fingers crossed I enjoy that trilogy just as much!

Why the Caraval Plot Twists Are So Effective

Stephanie Garber masterfully crafts her plot twists with a combination of mystery, romance, and illusion. Here’s why they leave such a lasting impact on readers:

Unpredictability: Garber keeps readers guessing by planting red herrings and false leads, making each twist feel like a genuine surprise. The amount of stuff that is packed into these novels is crazy!
Emotional Depth: Each twist isn’t just for shock value—it deeply affects the characters and their relationships, making the stakes feel real.
Magical Intrigue: The world of Caraval is built on deception and illusion, which means readers can never fully trust what they see, adding to the suspense. It also really helps to place you in the game.
Character-Driven Twists: Unlike some fantasy books that rely on external events for twists, Caraval’s biggest shocks come from the choices and revelations of its characters, making them more personal and impactful.

These elements work together to make Caraval a thrilling, immersive experience where the surprises never stop coming.