Here we go, the first book of 2026 is read which was also my first book in the 26 in 26 challenge. The first book chosen by a spin the wheel app was ‘Spectacular’ by Stephanie Garber, a Caraval novella that has been on my TBR a while but with the season in the book coinciding with the season in real life it was the perfect read.

This novella was 228 pages, big for a novella you would say but it was an illustrated one, meaning the story wasn’t that long.

I absolutely loved every book in the Caraval series and had rather high hopes for this novella but this novella wasn’t that interesting. Let’s just say that it didn’t have to be published just like the Adalyn Grace novella called ‘Holly’. They both had the same vibes; like they were written by the same person. The style of the illustrations in both novellas were very much alike; not a bad thing because it was beautiful but still.

In this novella it’s Christmas season, the evening before Christmas eve to be precise which is a holiday very fondly celebrated by most; except Legend. Scarlet and Julian are planning a party on Christmas eve but Tella wants to switch the date. Why? She hasn’t found the perfect gift for Legend yet. Scarlet tells her about a store that’s only open once a year, for the most unique presents.

When Tella wanders off to look for the store and ultimately finds it with all the joy and festivities. Looking through the window of the shop to see if she can spot anything she would want to buy, she sees a reflection; Legend stands behind her. Once she moves around, she keeps second guessing, should she kiss him? Would he want to be kissed? Why isn’t he kissing her? With the moment long gone, she tells him off. Does he even love her?

When she accepts a candy star from a clockwork boy and takes a bite, she knows she did something rather stupid. She’s been drugged! Once she regains consciousness again does she realize she’s not in front of the shop anymore but somewhere near a bar where she hears two women talking about auditioning for Caraval which is a Legend thing. But Legend would never choose a shady bar to hold auditions in. There might be an imposter Legend! She has to find out!

But in doing so she forgets she’s actually a princess and people could kidnap her for a whole lot of reasons. When that seems the case when taken backstage; getting blindfolded and tied up.

How did she get herself into this mess? But more importantly; how can she get herself out of it?

It’s a ⭐⭐⭐ star read for me, not necessarily for the story but the beautiful illustrations.