Book Review: Carnival Fantastico by Angela Montoya

From the very first description, Carnival Fantastico had me completely enchanted. With comparisons to The Night Circusand Caraval, and whispers of Hotel Magnifique—three books I absolutely adore—I knew this story was going to be something special. I have a deep love for books filled with carnivals, magic, rich atmosphere, and a touch of romance, and Angela Montoya delivered all of that beautifully.

At the heart of this story is Esmeralda, a protagonist who feels both strong and deeply human. I loved her flaws just as much as her growth, and watching her step into her power while navigating love, loss, and identity was incredibly satisfying. Her journey felt authentic and heartfelt, making it easy to root for her from beginning to end.

Ignacio truly stood out to me as well. Despite his past involvement with the Blackbirds and his brave decision to defect, he has a genuinely good heart and a strong moral conscience. His determination to do what’s right—and to help unravel the hurt and destruction caused by the Blackbirds—was admirable and moving. Even in the face of his father’s coldness and emotional distance, Ignacio chooses compassion, accountability, and love. That choice made his character incredibly compelling and added meaningful depth to the story.

The romance between Esmeralda and Ignacio was one of my favorite parts of the book. Their love grew slowly and organically, feeling pure, tender, and perfectly suited for a YA audience. The notes from their past absolutely clinched it for me—they added emotional weight and made their love story even more special and unforgettable.

Angela Montoya’s writing itself feels magical. The way she captures the atmosphere of the carnival, the people within it, and the sense of wonder woven through every page felt like a spell being cast. I was fully immersed, completely swept away by her words.

And then there’s the plot twist—wow. When I finally pieced together a key revelation, I had a full forehead-smack moment. It was so well executed and cleverly woven into the narrative that I couldn’t help but admire how seamlessly it all came together.

A very special shout-out goes to Estefan the ostrich, who brought some unexpected humor and had me giggling more than once. The side characters as a whole were wonderfully done and added so much heart to the story. I especially loved seeing Esmeralda find true friendship and family among them, reinforcing the beautiful found-family theme running throughout the book.

This was a fast-paced, immersive read that pulled me in completely—I truly couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. Carnival Fantastico is a magical, heartfelt story filled with love, redemption, and wonder, and I highly recommend it to anyone who loves whimsical settings, strong characters, and stories that feel like a warm, enchanting escape.

You can see my review for Goodreads here:

Goodreads Review

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Children’s Books for the ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.