Stephanie Garber

Stephanie Garber is an American author of young adult fiction known for the Caraval and Once Upon a Broken Heart which were interconnected trilogies.

Writing career Garber was a college resident director when she began writing in her spare time. She wrote several novels and received many rejections until her fourth book, a space opera, caught the interest of a literary agent. When the space opera failed to sell, Garber wrote Caraval. Garber has stated that she did not intend for Caraval to be the first book in a series or to be a romance when she started writing it. Two sequels, Legendary and Finale, complete the Caraval trilogy.

Her books have received mixed critical reception. Caraval received a starred review from Publishers Weekly, which stated, "intriguing characters, an imaginative setting, and evocative writing combine to create a spellbinding tale of love, loss, sacrifice, and hope", while Caitlin Paxson of NPR wrote that "ultimately, the message of Caraval ends up muddled." reaching No. 2. Film rights to Caraval were optioned by Twentieth Century Fox.

Legendary was on The New York Times bestseller list for eight weeks, peaking at No. 1. Kirkus Reviews criticized Legendary 's "weak plot and ultraviolet prose" but praised it as "a tour de force of imagination."

The third book in the Caraval trilogy, Finale, was reviewed by Kirkus as "overwritten, with overly convenient worldbuilding that struggles nearly as much as the overwrought prose and convoluted plot".

Garber's novel Once Upon a Broken Heart, was published September 28, 2021. Kirkus Reviews wrote that it is, "a lushly written story with an intriguing heart". Publishers Weekly praised Garber's worldbuilding.

The Ballad of Never After was on the New York Times bestseller list for 16 weeks. Kirkus Reviews wrote that it is, "A disappointing delivery on a potentially gripping second volume."

Works

Caraval trilogy

Caraval. Flatiron Books, 2017. Legendary. Flatiron Books, 2018. Finale. Flatiron Books, 2019. Spectacular. (novella), Flatiron Books, 2024 (illustrated by Rosie Fowinkle)

Once Upon a Broken Heart trilogy

This saga is set in the same universe of the Caraval trilogy.

Once Upon a Broken Heart. Flatiron Books, 2021. The Ballad of Never After. Flatiron Books, 2022. A Curse for True Love. Flatiron Books, 2023.

The Mirror of Infinite Endings. (novella), Flatiron Books, 2026.

Alchemy of Secrets series Alchemy of Secrets. Flatiron Books, 2025.

Standalone Works 26 Witches. Bookbaby, 2020.