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klarrja's review against another edition
4.0
I think the SS series ends up being 3 books? Definitely suffers from some second book struggles. Not as captivating as the first book, and full of conflicts that felt unnecessary, but it does start moving the series in an interesting direction
jayarna's review against another edition
3.0
I just do not understand what she was trying to do with this. God girl, get a clearer vision and then write a book. Thanks.
caitlinblencowe's review against another edition
3.0
doesn’t compare to the first one but i’m happy i finally read this one after having it on my bookshelf for over 5 years
califul's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
neesh_'s review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
ipurpleyou's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
jadehusdanhicks's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
Like the last one this is an intriguing series, but also one I would’ve enjoyed when I was younger and didn’t know how problematic rainbow was.
This book follows Simon without his magic after the last book with Penelope and Baz as they decide to do a road trip across America.
Initially intending to be tourists their plans end up transitioning into a rescue mission for their friend from school Agatha (who happens to be Simon’s ex).
Americas magical world order is very different to the UK in the fact it has little order and a small cult of vampires known as next bloods are trying to take magic from magicians for themselves to “level up”. It’s like a weird fucked up cult MLM and feels kinda silly but overall I did enjoy the trip they all went on and their success in saving their friend so I cannot wait to see where the final book takes me.
This book follows Simon without his magic after the last book with Penelope and Baz as they decide to do a road trip across America.
Initially intending to be tourists their plans end up transitioning into a rescue mission for their friend from school Agatha (who happens to be Simon’s ex).
Americas magical world order is very different to the UK in the fact it has little order and a small cult of vampires known as next bloods are trying to take magic from magicians for themselves to “level up”. It’s like a weird fucked up cult MLM and feels kinda silly but overall I did enjoy the trip they all went on and their success in saving their friend so I cannot wait to see where the final book takes me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Gun violence, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
kmkasiner's review against another edition
3.0
I'm so conflicted! On a pure enjoyment level this is 5 stars, but much of it left me with too many questions. (Warning this review is riddled with spoilers.)
I absolutely loved the setup of this book--what happens after the hero's journey is done? I related hard to how the characters felt adrift, not sure what to do now that they were in the "real world." The thing is, at some points I really wished the book had slowed down and focused more on that, really talked about Simon's depression and his inability to communicate with Baz, instead of throwing roadtrip hijinks at us at 500 mph the entire time.
I struggled the most with the middle of the book, where they're driving through middle America. Some of the America stuff is funny (the sandwiches, the tea, the big cars— all very true as an American that has spent time in Britain.) Other stuff...I cringed so much. I found it unbelievable how ignorant the characters were of America. I know you Brits are more aware than that. While I really liked the concept of American English changing spells, is there ANY sharing between cultures?? Did they learn nothing when Micah did his exchange? Surely this is one thing Rainbow Rowell could have improved on from JKR? Penny remembers stuff when the audience needs it explained but not when there’s a joke about them being dumb brits. Simon SAYS he learned about every creature from the mage but then he doesn’t demonstrate this at all. I was mentally screaming at all of this, and not in a good way. Also, I won't go into some of the twitter drama on Rainbow Rowell but it made me read more into some of the things characters said. (like Stephen saying he was Sacajawea...yike.)
Agatha's story was fascinating, and again, I wish there had been more focus on that. Or maybe that Agatha's plotline was just in a separate book? The first few chapters of it were intriguing, and Agatha's struggle to fit in as both a magician in a non-magical world and a young woman trying to fit in to society in general were so interesting! Then she gets mostly forgotten for the rest of the book until the rest of the characters come to rescue her.
I think my favorite part was Baz's time in Vegas, and discovering his vampire identity more. Although, again, it felt a bit like a whole other book. I liked Lamb as a character although I know that's an unpopular opinion.
(Also I was not ok with Baz constantly eating pet dogs and cats, wtf. This is America, eat a raccoon or a possum. I hope he learns how to sip people. Poor malnourished Baz.)
Baz and Simon are still the heart of this novel, the parts about the two of them working through their relationship were beautiful. Maybe in the third book we'll see even more of that .
(all this said the cover of my Night edition is 100 stars and so is all the amazing fanart from the fandom.)
I absolutely loved the setup of this book--what happens after the hero's journey is done? I related hard to how the characters felt adrift, not sure what to do now that they were in the "real world." The thing is, at some points I really wished the book had slowed down and focused more on that, really talked about Simon's depression and his inability to communicate with Baz, instead of throwing roadtrip hijinks at us at 500 mph the entire time.
I struggled the most with the middle of the book, where they're driving through middle America. Some of the America stuff is funny (the sandwiches, the tea, the big cars— all very true as an American that has spent time in Britain.) Other stuff...I cringed so much. I found it unbelievable how ignorant the characters were of America. I know you Brits are more aware than that. While I really liked the concept of American English changing spells, is there ANY sharing between cultures?? Did they learn nothing when Micah did his exchange? Surely this is one thing Rainbow Rowell could have improved on from JKR? Penny remembers stuff when the audience needs it explained but not when there’s a joke about them being dumb brits. Simon SAYS he learned about every creature from the mage but then he doesn’t demonstrate this at all. I was mentally screaming at all of this, and not in a good way. Also, I won't go into some of the twitter drama on Rainbow Rowell but it made me read more into some of the things characters said. (like Stephen saying he was Sacajawea...yike.)
Agatha's story was fascinating, and again, I wish there had been more focus on that. Or maybe that Agatha's plotline was just in a separate book? The first few chapters of it were intriguing, and Agatha's struggle to fit in as both a magician in a non-magical world and a young woman trying to fit in to society in general were so interesting! Then she gets mostly forgotten for the rest of the book until the rest of the characters come to rescue her.
I think my favorite part was Baz's time in Vegas, and discovering his vampire identity more. Although, again, it felt a bit like a whole other book. I liked Lamb as a character although I know that's an unpopular opinion.
(Also I was not ok with Baz constantly eating pet dogs and cats, wtf. This is America, eat a raccoon or a possum. I hope he learns how to sip people. Poor malnourished Baz.)
Baz and Simon are still the heart of this novel, the parts about the two of them working through their relationship were beautiful. Maybe in the third book we'll see even more of that .
(all this said the cover of my Night edition is 100 stars and so is all the amazing fanart from the fandom.)
kaygo2490's review against another edition
2.0
2 and half stars!
First book was so great but this one was so poorly executed.
Clearly going to be a third book with a cliffhanger like that. I just thought this book was very disappointing in general. There was so much going because we had all these different povs with its own agenda and really no fulfillment of part of the story. Just the main mission I guess. So many inconsistencies and unanswered questions.
First book was so great but this one was so poorly executed.
Clearly going to be a third book with a cliffhanger like that. I just thought this book was very disappointing in general. There was so much going because we had all these different povs with its own agenda and really no fulfillment of part of the story. Just the main mission I guess. So many inconsistencies and unanswered questions.
fraeyalise's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I still enjoyed this book, but it seemed a lot more disjointed and chaotic than the first one. Definitely reflects how messy life can get after the hero's journey is over.
I wish we had more Simon chapters. I know this book was more about Baz but I feel like we lost Simon there for a bit, and he turned into a caricature of himself. I think that might have been the point, but I missed his points of view.
I wish we had more Simon chapters. I know this book was more about Baz but I feel like we lost Simon there for a bit, and he turned into a caricature of himself. I think that might have been the point, but I missed his points of view.