Reviews with content warning for Death - 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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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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sabinehunter's review

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adventurous emotional funny 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

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aanyaaa's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional funny inspiring 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

3.75

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msradiosilence's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective sad tense 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? Yes

5.0

Tldr; there were some shortcomings, but this is one of the best ends to a trilogy I’ve ever read.

Read my full review at: https://www.rainyreader.com/single-post/any-way-the-wind-blows.

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headachesince03's review against another edition

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adventurous funny hopeful 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? Yes

4.25

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ridesthesun's review

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adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful mysterious sad fast-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

4.25

OH THEY!!!!!!!!!!!!

The character work in this book is so damn brilliant. The journey they go on together and individually is beautiful. Everyone is dealing with so much trauma, and they're all a little bit of a mess, but the growth is SO GOOD. The antagonist in this one was really a fascinating twist, and seeing how it affected Simon was heartbreaking but made so much sense.

The only thing keeping this from being a 5 is how suddenly it ended. I felt like we were just wrapping things up, we were healing, revelations were coming out, growth was sinking in, and then it ended. I just feel like there could have been a few more chapters to really wrap things up, to give closure to these characters and finish some of the loose storylines. I know that these are more character centric than plot centric stories, and I'm all for that, but it just felt like there were a lot of plot bits that never really got wrapped up.

And what's gonna happen with Simon's magic?? What did Smith's spell actually do to him?? He was a mage all along, but what does that look like for him now?? It just felt like those were the questions that have been building for the last two books, and we never got them answered.

anyways, highly highly highly recommend. wingy and vampire boyfriends, rivals to lovers, magic goofiness, healing and growth and tender face touching. so much tender face touching.

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