Scan barcode
katelovesromance's review against another edition
4.0
I was definitely late to this party. I am not one to read fantasy, but I thought I would give this one a go. I had a hard time getting into it, but that is no surprise to me. I have a hard time with the world building before getting into the main plot. I am a romance reader that does not like slow burns, so of course this was an interesting choice. About halfway through I started loving it and finished the second half in one day.
I LOVED Penelope's character even though she wasn't either of the main characters. She is very sarcastic and blunt and I loved it. It definitely took me a minute before I liked Baz. I will say that I had not predicted how this book would end at all. So I was shocked at the end of it. There were multiple times throughout the story that I laughed out loud. I loved the spells and how they came about.
I can't wait to jump into the second one which I never thought I would say about a fantasy.
I LOVED Penelope's character even though she wasn't either of the main characters. She is very sarcastic and blunt and I loved it. It definitely took me a minute before I liked Baz. I will say that I had not predicted how this book would end at all. So I was shocked at the end of it. There were multiple times throughout the story that I laughed out loud. I loved the spells and how they came about.
I can't wait to jump into the second one which I never thought I would say about a fantasy.
eatingwords's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
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
2.75
I probably should have read this way back when it came out (almost ten years ago..).
it was confusing the first two hours of the audiobook because I just felt thrown into the story without much explanation about what is going on and how this world works; and then when Baz appeared, the story finally picked up.
I remember reading Fangirl and really enjoying the Simon & Baz fanfic portion of the novel, but unfortunately it didn't hold up with my expectations and it was okay.
Simon as a character was just annoying. I couldn't stand him and was relieved when the story was told from another POV; especially when it was Baz.
also the parallels to Harry Potter were obvious and just undeniably there (the Chosen One; the know-it-all friend; the evil character that could only be beaten by said Chosen One,..).
I don't think I will continue with this trilogy. I guess I am not the target audience for it anymore.
it was confusing the first two hours of the audiobook because I just felt thrown into the story without much explanation about what is going on and how this world works; and then when Baz appeared, the story finally picked up.
I remember reading Fangirl and really enjoying the Simon & Baz fanfic portion of the novel, but unfortunately it didn't hold up with my expectations and it was okay.
Simon as a character was just annoying. I couldn't stand him and was relieved when the story was told from another POV; especially when it was Baz.
also the parallels to Harry Potter were obvious and just undeniably there (the Chosen One; the know-it-all friend; the evil character that could only be beaten by said Chosen One,..).
I don't think I will continue with this trilogy. I guess I am not the target audience for it anymore.
kimberlyjade's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
2.5
wren_cat's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
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
mehsi's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 stars for this book! Slow start, good middle, epic ending.
I loved, adored, Fangirl by this author (even so much that I have 2 editions (normal hardcover + special pink hardcover (limited edition), and I am hoping to one day also have a signed edition). As you can see, I am a big fangirl for the book. I also loved the little fanfic stuff inside and so was delighted when I found out that Rainbow Rowell was making a book about Simon and Baz.
Sadly, I had some bumps in the road in reading this book. The first 140-ish pages were terribly slow, reminded me endlessly of Harry Potter (will mention what and how in a bit), Simon was excruciatingly annoying, same story for Penelope.
But then, then it all started to get better when Baz finally made his way into the story. Finally the story sped up, finally there was some action. Baz, Baz was such a better character than Simon. Less whiny, less OMG I need to go to the Mage, less urgh and bleh, and more and more awesome, kickass and so interesting to read about.
And then the story got some more speed with stuff that happened. It took me 4 days to get to page 140, it took me about 3 days to get from 140 to 500+. So much was happening, and there was also quite a bit of romance.
But, like I said there were Harry Potter stuff all over, at least, that is how I felt. And especially in the beginning when you don't know about a lot of stuff. Later on in the story you will see the differences, especially when stuff does get revealed.
-We have the one chosen child who apparently has no parents > Simon
-We have an annoying, preachy, political stuffed, know-it-all who doesn't take no for an answer and will talk anyone down when they do something wrong > Penelope
-We have a wizard who is really important + who kind of takes care of the Chosen Child > The Mage (though Dumbledore is so much kinder and sweeter)
-We have the grumpy pale nemesis of the Chosen Child > Baz (though Baz is at least a vampire)
-We have a magical school in the middle of nowhere > Watford
-We have a being who is destroying the world > Humdrum
-You have a world with Normals who can't know about magic, and the ones using the Magic.
-And apparently you have some sort of Crucifix (with a magic spell) who will decide with whom you will stay during your school years.
-The Chosen One has to destroy the Humdrum.
-There is a war.
-There is a little village just a bit away from Watford.
So um, yeah, as you can see it is quite Harry Potterish, especially in the beginning. Which just sucked, I am sorry, if I want to read Harry Potter I will just read that book. I didn't want a book that just ripped stuff off and gave them different names and a few different traits.
Luckily, later there were will be more differences (though of course, the gist stays that it is just a lot of Harry).
There is quite a bit of romance/tension between two characters, though it took them AGES to finally get there. I have to say that I startled my boyfriend when, while reading this book around 11pm, suddenly screamed FINALLY! when he was just walking in to come to bed. :D
But I just had to let it out, because it took them sooo soooo long to finally acknowledge stuff, and get to kissing. I really wish there was more of it, now it was just in the later part of the book, while I feel that there were enough earlier times when it could have been done.
The Humdrum, and what he actually is, it was really interesting to read, though again, I kept thinking of him as Voldemort. Later though we find out several interesting things, no spoilers though. :)
I also wish we had seen some more of the school + lessons. At times it just felt like all they were doing was discussing, lots of sexual frustration, and being grumpy (Simon).
So the book was really awesome, well if you can get through the first 140 pages (and then with some dips here and there in the later parts). Baz was amazing, and I wouldn't have minded a whole book only about him. He is amazing, and so fascinating.
Ah, also, normally I am not a fan of multiple POVs, but the author really did a fantastic job in this book with them. I was delighted to see the POVs of the other characters, see what they think/thought.
All in all, would I recommend this book? I am not sure. Yes, I loved it, but I know that it took me 2 tries to get this book done, and so I will just say that the readers will have to pick for themselves.
Also I have to give bonus points for the amazing hardcover and what you can see when you remove the jacket.
Review first posted at http://twirlingbookprincess.com/
I loved, adored, Fangirl by this author (even so much that I have 2 editions (normal hardcover + special pink hardcover (limited edition), and I am hoping to one day also have a signed edition). As you can see, I am a big fangirl for the book. I also loved the little fanfic stuff inside and so was delighted when I found out that Rainbow Rowell was making a book about Simon and Baz.
Sadly, I had some bumps in the road in reading this book. The first 140-ish pages were terribly slow, reminded me endlessly of Harry Potter (will mention what and how in a bit), Simon was excruciatingly annoying, same story for Penelope.
But then, then it all started to get better when Baz finally made his way into the story. Finally the story sped up, finally there was some action. Baz, Baz was such a better character than Simon. Less whiny, less OMG I need to go to the Mage, less urgh and bleh, and more and more awesome, kickass and so interesting to read about.
And then the story got some more speed with stuff that happened. It took me 4 days to get to page 140, it took me about 3 days to get from 140 to 500+. So much was happening, and there was also quite a bit of romance.
But, like I said there were Harry Potter stuff all over, at least, that is how I felt. And especially in the beginning when you don't know about a lot of stuff. Later on in the story you will see the differences, especially when stuff does get revealed.
-We have the one chosen child who apparently has no parents > Simon
-We have an annoying, preachy, political stuffed, know-it-all who doesn't take no for an answer and will talk anyone down when they do something wrong > Penelope
-We have a wizard who is really important + who kind of takes care of the Chosen Child > The Mage (though Dumbledore is so much kinder and sweeter)
-We have the grumpy pale nemesis of the Chosen Child > Baz (though Baz is at least a vampire)
-We have a magical school in the middle of nowhere > Watford
-We have a being who is destroying the world > Humdrum
-You have a world with Normals who can't know about magic, and the ones using the Magic.
-And apparently you have some sort of Crucifix (with a magic spell) who will decide with whom you will stay during your school years.
-The Chosen One has to destroy the Humdrum.
-There is a war.
-There is a little village just a bit away from Watford.
So um, yeah, as you can see it is quite Harry Potterish, especially in the beginning. Which just sucked, I am sorry, if I want to read Harry Potter I will just read that book. I didn't want a book that just ripped stuff off and gave them different names and a few different traits.
Luckily, later there were will be more differences (though of course, the gist stays that it is just a lot of Harry).
There is quite a bit of romance/tension between two characters, though it took them AGES to finally get there. I have to say that I startled my boyfriend when, while reading this book around 11pm, suddenly screamed FINALLY! when he was just walking in to come to bed. :D
But I just had to let it out, because it took them sooo soooo long to finally acknowledge stuff, and get to kissing. I really wish there was more of it, now it was just in the later part of the book, while I feel that there were enough earlier times when it could have been done.
The Humdrum, and what he actually is, it was really interesting to read, though again, I kept thinking of him as Voldemort. Later though we find out several interesting things, no spoilers though. :)
I also wish we had seen some more of the school + lessons. At times it just felt like all they were doing was discussing, lots of sexual frustration, and being grumpy (Simon).
So the book was really awesome, well if you can get through the first 140 pages (and then with some dips here and there in the later parts). Baz was amazing, and I wouldn't have minded a whole book only about him. He is amazing, and so fascinating.
Ah, also, normally I am not a fan of multiple POVs, but the author really did a fantastic job in this book with them. I was delighted to see the POVs of the other characters, see what they think/thought.
All in all, would I recommend this book? I am not sure. Yes, I loved it, but I know that it took me 2 tries to get this book done, and so I will just say that the readers will have to pick for themselves.
Also I have to give bonus points for the amazing hardcover and what you can see when you remove the jacket.
Review first posted at http://twirlingbookprincess.com/
sharonsm_28's review against another edition
5.0
I received a copy from Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.
Actual Rating: 4.5
So good! I loved every minute of it! I like hearing more about Simon and Baz. The book did give me more of the Harry Potter vibe in this one, but I wouldn't change it. I thought the characters were amazing and the writing style was really good. My favourite character has to be Baz. I love him. I thought when he was brought more into the storyline, the book went from great to amazing. The ending was sweet and also a bit bittersweet. I can't wait to finish reading more of Rainbow Rowell's books. Overall, a fantastic read.
Actual Rating: 4.5
So good! I loved every minute of it! I like hearing more about Simon and Baz. The book did give me more of the Harry Potter vibe in this one, but I wouldn't change it. I thought the characters were amazing and the writing style was really good. My favourite character has to be Baz. I love him. I thought when he was brought more into the storyline, the book went from great to amazing. The ending was sweet and also a bit bittersweet. I can't wait to finish reading more of Rainbow Rowell's books. Overall, a fantastic read.
okragarden's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-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? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia, Sexual content, Violence, Kidnapping, Death of parent, and Murder
betweentheshelves's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
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
5.0
I was just in the mood of a re-read of something, and reading Rainbow Rowell's new book put this in my head! Plus, I've never listened to the audio, and that's always a fun experience. Seeing how these characters are brought to life in the narration. And the narrator for this book is pretty good!
As per usual fashion, I finished this whole book in a day, and I love it each time I re-read it. This will be the first time I re-read it since the whole trilogy has been out, so I'm excited to see how they all read next to each other!
As per usual fashion, I finished this whole book in a day, and I love it each time I re-read it. This will be the first time I re-read it since the whole trilogy has been out, so I'm excited to see how they all read next to each other!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Kidnapping, and Death of parent
Moderate: Animal death, Violence, and Blood
Minor: Homophobia, Suicidal thoughts, and Pregnancy