-
Your next favorite book
is waiting.
A Novel
by Rosália Rodrigo
When night descends, el Carnaval de Bestias rises.
Within the shores of Isla Bestia, guests from around the world discover a utopia of ever-changing performances, sumptuous feasts and beautiful monsters. Many enter, but few ever leave—the wine is simply too sweet, the music too fine and the revelry endless.
Sofía, a freedwoman from a nearby colonized island, cares little for this revelry. Born an enslaved mestiza on a tobacco plantation, she has neither wealth nor title, only a scholarly pragmatism and a hunger for answers. She travels to el Carnaval de Bestias in search of her twin brother, who disappeared five years ago.
There's a world of wonder waiting for her on the shores of this legendary island, one wherein conquerors profit from Sofia's ancestral lands and her people's labor. But surrounded by her former enslavers, she finds something familiar in the performances—whispers of the island's native tongue, music and stories from her Taike'ri ancestors…a culture long hidden in the shadows, thrust into the light.
As the nights pass, her mind begins unraveling, drowning in the unnatural, almost sentient thrall of Carnaval. And the sense that someone is watching her grows. To find her brother and break free, Sofia must peel back the glamorous curtain and face those behind Carnaval, before she too loses herself to the island…
"Rodrigo's distinctive debut is an atmospheric historical fantasy with a strong heroine in a transporting Caribbean setting." —Library Journal (starred review)
"Rodrigo creates a lush and vibrant setting that is easy to get sucked into." —Publishers Weekly
"From the lush setting to the evocative prose to the can't-look-away characters, this is one of my most anticipated novels of the year." —NPR
"With expert lyricism, intricately-woven mythologies, and heart-pounding twists, Rodrigo has written a captivating tale of freedom and reclamation. An absolutely mesmerizing debut." —O.O. Sangoyomi, author of Masquerade.
"Utterly dazzling, Beasts of Carnaval's mysterious island of midnight wonders and luxurious spectacle will sweep you away. Yet not all is as it seems on this isle, and beneath the glamour lies a transfixing story of heartbreak, hope, and a hard reckoning with the ghosts of its colonial past—and present." —Georgia Summers, author of The City of Stardust
This information about Beasts of Carnaval was first featured
in "The BookBrowse Review" - BookBrowse's membership magazine, and in our weekly "Publishing This Week" newsletter. Publication information is for the USA, and (unless stated otherwise) represents the first print edition. The reviews are necessarily limited to those that were available to us ahead of publication. If you are the publisher or author and feel that they do not properly reflect the range of media opinion now available, send us a message with the mainstream reviews that you would like to see added.
Any "Author Information" displayed below reflects the author's biography at the time this particular book was published.
Rosália Rodrigo (she/her) has been in the "immersive story" space for over 8 years, producing visitor experiences for museums and theme parks internationally. She now champions diversity, inclusion, equity and accessibility in this space as a DEIA consultant and educator, with the goal of creating work environments and visitor experiences that are inclusive to all―a passion she also extends to her writing. Born and raised in Puerto Rico, Rosália now lives in Central Florida with her partner and mischievous cat, Moonbeam.
If you liked Beasts of Carnaval, try these:
by Heather O'Neill
Published 2025
From the hugely acclaimed author beloved by literary lights, including Emily St. John Mandel, Kelly Link, and Mona Awad, a dark dystopian fairytale about an idyllic country ravaged by war—and a girl torn between safety and loyalty.
by Elena Medel
Published 2023
From award-winning Spanish poet Elena Medel comes a mesmerizing new novel of class, sex, and desire.
by Stacey Lee
Published 2022
From the critically-acclaimed author of The Downstairs Girl comes the richly imagined story of Valora and Jamie Luck, twin British Chinese acrobats traveling aboard the Titanic on its ill-fated maiden voyage.
Theo of Golden by Allen Levi
One spring morning, a stranger arrives in the small southern city of Golden. No one knows where he has come from…or why…
Your guide toexceptional books
BookBrowse seeks out and recommends the best in contemporary fiction and nonfiction—books that not only engage and entertain but also deepen our understanding of ourselves and the world around us.
