Book Review: Carnival Fantástico by Angela Montoya

Title: Carnival Fantástico
Author: Angela Montoya
Pages: 464
Publication Date: Feb. 3, 2026
Publisher: Joy Revolution
Genres: Fiction / Romance / Fantasy / Romantasy
Synopsis:

An unputdownable romantasy following a young woman posing as fortune-teller at a magical traveling carnival, where the handsome boy who once broke her heart resurfaces and warns her that carnival is more sinister than it appears.

Welcome to the Carnival Fantástico, a spectacle of magic and mischief, and the perfect haven for a runaway. Using her tricks and razor-sharp wit, Esmeralda becomes the carnival’s resident fortune-teller, aiming for the lead role in the Big Top Show. Success would mean freedom from her former employer, the commander of the King’s army.

Ignacio has defected from the army and is on the hunt for evidence of his father’s corruption. But the last thing he expects to find on his father’s trail of lies is the only girl he’s ever loved, spinning false fortunes at a traveling carnival.

Perhaps fortune has thrown them together for a reason. They strike a deal: she’ll help him expose his father if he helps her secure the main act. But old feelings don’t die easily, and the commander’s secret isn’t the only thing they’ll need to confront.

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Carnival Fantástico is another entertaining, mysterious, and immersive read by Angela Montoya. It follows Esmeralda, a runaway posing as a fortune-teller at a magical traveling carnival, whose one-year contract is coming to its end. If she doesn’t win the lead role in the Big Top show, she has to leave the carnival and risks being dragged back to the life she escaped. Things get even more complicated when Ignacio, her first love and the son of the commander she’s been hiding from for a year, turns up at the carnival searching for proof of his father’s corruption.

Montoya has a knack for creating vivid and immersive settings that set the tone for the story. From the start, the narrative pulled me in with its Caraval-esque mix of glitter, glamour, danger, and intrigue. The carnival kind of feels like its own character complete with enchanted attractions, elaborate and manipulated performances, and contracts that bind performers to it. I liked how it showed the contrast between the joy, wonder, and beauty on the surface and the corruption, menace, and dark magic underneath. It definitely added to the suspense and the dark vibes.

I also really liked Esmeralda. She’s clever, prickly, and constantly performing. Whether she is reading fake fortunes, competing in dangerous trials, or trying to hide how scared she is, she’s always wearing a mask. I loved watching her slowly drop the mask as she faces the danger of the carnival, the pressure of the contest for the Big Top, and her relationships with the other performers (love the found family vibes) and Ignacio. He was really interesting too. Ignacio is driven by guilt, the need for truth, and unresolved feelings, especially when it comes to his father and Esmeralda, and his story is as compelling as Esmeralda’s.

The story is told from both Ignacio’s and Esmeralda’s pov. I always enjoy a dual POV because it shows each characters’ thoughts, feelings, and perspectives and, in this case, how deeply both characters are still hurting and how much they care. They have a fabulous romance, and the banter and chemistry were fantastic. I also really liked how the author used letters that the pair wrote to each other when they were younger. Seeing those notes woven between chapters was such a great way to show how their bond formed and why those feelings never truly faded.

Overall, this was an immersive and engaging YA romantasy with memorable characters, a great second-chance romance, and a magical carnival setting that balances whimsy with a sinister danger. It includes several mysteries, tons of secrets, and some heart-stopping magic and action. And even though I guessed a few plot turns ahead of time, I still enjoyed it. Thanks to NetGalley and Joy Revolution for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.