Reviews with content warning for Sexual content - Any Way the Wind Blows

A great conclusion to the trilogy! When I started the first book, I was worried that there were 86 chapters, because I wasn't sure if I was going to enjoy it. When I saw that this book had 92 chapters, I was overjoyed because I couldn't bear to part with my favourite characters too quickly.

Also quick warning to those who venture into the spoiler tags prior to reading the book: there's smut, which I wasn't expecting because the past 2 books didn't have any. I should've expected it, really. I just skimmed through them (I'm sex-repulsed) djjdjd. 16 years avoiding smut books and this one isn't one but still broke my streak all the same /lh

I love Shepard. Just had to say this.
I love any and all scenes with Baz's family, because I love Baz and I love Fiona and I kinda like Daphne (maybe? jury's still out) and like Baz's half-siblings and I don't really like Baz's dad because he's homophobic but I guess he's just there. It's all so realistic (as much as it can be , with magic and vampires, I suppose).
I'm probably going to start using brackets a lot more often now, thans to Rainbow Rowell's writing style. (It's already kicking in.)
I like how the ending is sorta open, with some questions unanswered. It gives good food for thought.

(Like, why did Let it all out make Simon invincible to magic?? Does he have in-built defence? And did Lucy put her rosebus boy into the care system to protect him from Davy, or did Davy put him there after Lucy died so he could recollect hm once Simon turned 11?

It was an awesome wrap-up, though the main plot was a bit flat.

Like, I actually think the B-plot with Shepard's demon fiancée was more interesting than the Chosen One charlatan. Both interesting all the same, though, so I suppose I shouldn't complain.

I'll miss the World of Mages. Goodbye, my friends.

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ajsterkel's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I finished the Simon Snow series Nooo! What will I do with my life now? I've been spending all my free time reading these books.

Does the series really have to be over? There are a bunch of dangling plot threads because the characters decided to let somebody else save the world. They could change their minds and keep things going . . . .

Anyway, this series is about a group of 20-somethings who have finished wizard school and are now in college or starting careers. The final book is Any Way The Wind Blows. It's slightly less plot-focused than the previous books, which is kind of the point. What's a Chosen One supposed to do when his enemies have been vanquished? How's he supposed to live without the whole world watching? What if fighting monsters is his only job skill, and he doesn't want to do it anymore?

The humor and quirky characters are the best part of this series, but I also love that it's set after a wizard war. The characters have regrets about how they behaved during the battles. They're now trying to correct their mistakes. In the process, they make friends with the classmates who had to get out of their way during all the saving-the-world stuff.

This series is awesome because it takes the villains and background characters from traditional fantasy series and turns them into main characters.

My biggest complaint about the final book is the kissing scenes. Most of them become biting scenes. It makes sense because the characters involved are a vampire and a dragon boy who used to be enemies, but it grossed me out. Kissing is unsanitary enough without breaking the skin! I couldn't stop thinking about infections. I hope they brushed their teeth before literally attacking each other's faces.

I'm scared of germs. If you're normal, maybe the biting is fine. Don't let it stop you from reading the book. I enjoyed this series. I'm sad it's over.

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ekibler's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful mysterious slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Much better than the second, but not as good as the third. If you were left feeling not great about Baz and Simon after the second, this will make you feel better.

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dreamer01's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny reflective fast-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

4.0

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ameliaj_adams's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I adored this book! It develops the world and the characters even more, and wraps up everything really well. I think this is my favourite in the trilogy and it just feels like such a fitting ending for the characters (though I am admittedly sad to be leaving them behind). Highly recommend!

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eden_'s review against another edition

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adventurous hopeful inspiring medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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hgracieeees's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

On my second read-through of the series, this is my favourite book of the trilogy. I love the three parallel narratives, and every time the perspective would switch, I'd be a bit sad that I wouldn't get to know more about the perspective I had just gotten invested in - and then it would happen again at the end of the next chapter. So much beautiful romance, with just the right amount of angst (whereas Simon/Baz were VERY angsty and didn't really have satisfying relational endings in either of the two books), and it's lovely to see

Agatha find love and a more satisfying identity as the Watford lesbian goat-herder, and Penelope fall in love with a Normal - two things that I think really wrapped up their stories and brought them to a very satisfying place as characters

. The best praise I have for this story is the beautifully satisfying ending, which I can't say for the other two, even if the other two are more plot-driven.

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zed_dog's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny lighthearted fast-paced

5.0

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