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3.86 AVERAGE
3.86 AVERAGE
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The second in the trilogy about Simon Snow and Baz of the Watford School of Magicks. It's been about a year and half since Simon Snow defeated the humdrum and fell from grace as "The Chosen One." His friend Penelope suggests that they take a road trip in America to visit their other friend Agatha who now lives in California. Along the way they run into trouble at a Renaissance Faire and encounter a vampire cult. I wish I liked this more because I love Rainbow Rowell but, if I'm being honest, it's just okay for me. It has fun things but it really drags in the middle and I was disappointed in the develop in the relationship between Simon and Baz. There is a lot of angst. Overall, a disappointing sequel.
This book was a lot faster paced than “Carry On” which I enjoyed. I also loved how I felt like I got to know the characters more in depth and it wasn’t all about magic. It’s a 4.5 star book.
I wanted to like this more than I did. It just felt very disjointed and rushed. It is the second in a trilogy, though, and those tend to be the weakest entries. Perhaps I will feel differently when it has the context of the third book to inform it.
Simon freaking Snow in the United Freaking States of America has my heart and Baz’s undying love for Simon whilst the USofA freaking batters this vampire has my soul.
Penelope’s character evolved even more than the first book, she’s such a realistic and well rounded character overall and she only gets better.
At first I was upset that we were leaving England to go to the USA for Agatha - where are the dark forest make out spots in the USA? Also, Baz and Simon's trouble in paradise in the beginning broke my heart, wow thanks for that. I’m glad we got some cute moments of them together (listening to their inner thoughts is *chef’s kiss*).
But it was a sunshiney experience for Simon because he had no one to report to, no worries, no more Mage business nor any Chosen One sh*t. It was a reckless adventure for sure but that made its twists and turns exciting to follow.
Shepard is a new character and he’s A) knowledgeable and B) cute as hell! I like him and his connections - I look forward to more of him in the next book.
Thanks for leaving us on a cliffhanger Rainbow Rowell, thanks. Thanks a lot. Th.an.k.s
Lots left unsaid lots of loose ends to tie up.
Penelope’s character evolved even more than the first book, she’s such a realistic and well rounded character overall and she only gets better.
At first I was upset that we were leaving England to go to the USA for Agatha - where are the dark forest make out spots in the USA? Also, Baz and Simon's trouble in paradise in the beginning broke my heart, wow thanks for that. I’m glad we got some cute moments of them together (listening to their inner thoughts is *chef’s kiss*).
But it was a sunshiney experience for Simon because he had no one to report to, no worries, no more Mage business nor any Chosen One sh*t. It was a reckless adventure for sure but that made its twists and turns exciting to follow.
Shepard is a new character and he’s A) knowledgeable and B) cute as hell! I like him and his connections - I look forward to more of him in the next book.
Thanks for leaving us on a cliffhanger Rainbow Rowell, thanks. Thanks a lot. Th.an.k.s
Lots left unsaid lots of loose ends to tie up.
While I enjoyed the sequel to Simon Snow and Co.'s adventures, I think Rowell may have been a little unsure of how to carry on after Carry On. The plot, while entertaining, was weak sauce at times, and certain stylistic choices became irritating, like the excessive asides in parentheses. Most disappointing was the confusing development of the relationship between Simon and Baz, which seemed to become stale as soon as it began. To me, the reasons for this were a little unclear. Simon's depression was well represented, but it did not account entirely for why he was so strange and distant with Baz, who changed from a spiky, proud character to a cloying, wounded one in the wake of Simon's constant rejection. One of the main reasons I loved Carry On was for the fluffy love story, and that was largely absent from this book. While I respect Rowell's creative decisions, I admit it was a little disappointing.
However, where Rowell has always shined is her pithy, clever dialogue and the obvious compassion for each of her characters, who were fleshed out nicely in a post-Humdrum world. I especially loved the addition of Shepard, who provided a much-needed Normal perspective.
In short, while there were some things that certainly fell short, I am still in Rowell's pocket with this series, and am looking forward to the inevitable third book.
However, where Rowell has always shined is her pithy, clever dialogue and the obvious compassion for each of her characters, who were fleshed out nicely in a post-Humdrum world. I especially loved the addition of Shepard, who provided a much-needed Normal perspective.
In short, while there were some things that certainly fell short, I am still in Rowell's pocket with this series, and am looking forward to the inevitable third book.
But it was a mistake thinking of that as an end. There is no end. Bad things happen, and then they stop, but they keep on wreaking havoc inside of people.2.5 stars. Tonally a bit different from the first one, with lots of its magic in a dead spot. There were things I enjoyed! The notion of Silicon Valley-esque vampire clichés was quite funny & the few moments Baz and Simon shared were nice to have. Alas, how few there were. I get that maybe Rowell wanted a more realistic portrayal of their relationship, hell I related to a lot of Simon's anxieties about showing affection to Baz in public but this is a romance novel! It's meant to be cute and unrealistic and spread some happiness - there is enough LGBT media focused on our suffering and inhibitions. Even beyond that issue, the story fell flat for me, mostly, which is a bummer. Not sure I will pick up the third one. To paraphrase a cutesy saying they dropped in the book: this one does not do what it says on the tin.
Wayward son asks the question: what would Harry Potter do after he defeated the Dark Lord? Obviously the answer is that he would go into a deep depression and go on a massive road trip throughout the United States to cheer himself up.
This book was about as pointless as A Court if Frost and Starlight. Did I still love getting to see the characters again? You can bet your magic ass I did.
This book was about as pointless as A Court if Frost and Starlight. Did I still love getting to see the characters again? You can bet your magic ass I did.
DAMN WHY ARE THESE BOYS LIKE THIS
Also, what kind of cliffhanger end is this i want to know if they are okay
ALSO "you were the sun and I was crashing into you" JFHKDLSJFLSD ROWELL I SWEAR-
Also, what kind of cliffhanger end is this i want to know if they are okay
ALSO "you were the sun and I was crashing into you" JFHKDLSJFLSD ROWELL I SWEAR-
there was a "what type of reader are you" chart on twitter and one option is "texts friends to squee about the book they're reading" and i think we can all agree that's me
so here's another review as texts to brandon
1. oh my god wayward son
they're on a plane
"and the lady with the cross can't get mad at us because we have to sit this close. it's sitting in economy that's making us gay."
iconic
2. also the useless gays are even more useless
they're both like "oh no i love him so much but he's going to break up with me" and keep moping and being awkward instead of COMMUNICATING
Gays are useless can’t do it
the entire book is just like, wistful glances and "i hope it's okay that i touch him" and like being surprised when the other one gets jealous and is like "hands off my boyfriend"
3. "it's the food chain, everything eats something else"
"what eats you?"
"existential despair"
what a mood
4. why! does! this! book! end! on! a! cliffhanger!
idk but that's the worst
also it's both a cliffhanger in terms of "something bad is happening in the world generally" and also in terms of this announcement comes in the middle of simon and baz finally! talking! to! each! other!
simon is like "why can't you admit you'd be happier staying in america" and baz is like "why can't you see i wouldn't be happy anywhere without you" and simon is just about to be like
so here's another review as texts to brandon
1. oh my god wayward son
they're on a plane
"and the lady with the cross can't get mad at us because we have to sit this close. it's sitting in economy that's making us gay."
iconic
2. also the useless gays are even more useless
they're both like "oh no i love him so much but he's going to break up with me" and keep moping and being awkward instead of COMMUNICATING
Gays are useless can’t do it
the entire book is just like, wistful glances and "i hope it's okay that i touch him" and like being surprised when the other one gets jealous and is like "hands off my boyfriend"
3. "it's the food chain, everything eats something else"
"what eats you?"
"existential despair"
what a mood
4. why! does! this! book! end! on! a! cliffhanger!
idk but that's the worst
also it's both a cliffhanger in terms of "something bad is happening in the world generally" and also in terms of this announcement comes in the middle of simon and baz finally! talking! to! each! other!
simon is like "why can't you admit you'd be happier staying in america" and baz is like "why can't you see i wouldn't be happy anywhere without you" and simon is just about to be like