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4.1 AVERAGE
4.1 AVERAGE
The conclusion of Rainbow Rowell's send-up of Harry Potter is a lot of fun, if not quite as much fun as the second one, which takes them on an adventure to the American heartland, Rowell's own stomping grounds. This one takes them all back to England, even their new "normal" friend from America who befriends all manner of magical beings and has demon-cursed tattoos up and down his arms. Penelope, the Hermione type tries to fix him. That was my favorite part but it was a subplot. The main plot is about a new "chosen one" who appears to fill the void left by Simon Snow (Harry Potter) losing his magic to save the world of magic (though he did gain a tail and wings in the process). The new "chosen one" storyline was entertaining and ended up having an unexpected twist of fate for Simon at the end.
The one aspect of this book that was difficult for me--and I really did have to push on past these parts--was the love scenes between Simon and Baz, the Draco Malfoy type who is a vampire Simon. It wasn’t the kink I minded (though sexily stroking a bladed devil tail is not on my list of turn-ons), it was the angst that got me down. Do it or don't do it, just don't whine about it. Generally listening to sex scenes on audio makes me feel like a peeping Tom and it's hard to skip ahead. But I managed. And all in all I'm a bit sad the series is over.
The one aspect of this book that was difficult for me--and I really did have to push on past these parts--was the love scenes between Simon and Baz, the Draco Malfoy type who is a vampire Simon. It wasn’t the kink I minded (though sexily stroking a bladed devil tail is not on my list of turn-ons), it was the angst that got me down. Do it or don't do it, just don't whine about it. Generally listening to sex scenes on audio makes me feel like a peeping Tom and it's hard to skip ahead. But I managed. And all in all I'm a bit sad the series is over.
I'm going to ignore the utterly pointless and awkward Agatha storyline and give this book 5⭐️.
This series has come a long way from it's "meta fanfiction of a fictional series that is an in-universe Harry Potter". The characters, plot, and magic system really have become their own thing and I love how the series is kind of aging up with the characters.
I'm so torn on rating this as a finale though. On one hand, I really love this story. And on the other, I wish there had been more focus on Simon's lineage and the NextBlood story.
EXPECTATIONS
I think my biggest issue with this book is everything it wasn't. I really wanted to see SpoilerBaz dip his toes into drinking Simon's blood without turning/killing him. More of the fallout from Simon finding out he has a grandmother and uncle. I wanted to see Simon slowly having other dragon-magic side effects (seriously, what was that biting-Baz's-skull thing about?). I thought Lucy was trapped in the painting in the catacombs and this book would be about getting her out. I thought Agatha's involvement in the cult would amount to something. I wanted Simon to find out it was his mom speaking to him in book 1 and I wanted to know exactly what "rosebud boy" meant.
And the weird thing is all of these plot points were set up or referenced in this book, so why wasn't there any payoff?
REVIEW
But is it fair to rate a book based on how I would have written it, rather than the book's actual content? Because I really did love this book as a standalone story. I was constantly looking forward to diving back in.
Simon & Baz
I love love love Simon and Baz's story here. Their chapters shine so much brighter than the rest of the book or the plot outside of their romance. It's cool to see such a slow burn relationship, where they both decide what they're comfortable with at their own pace. Their story felt so domestic and slice-of-life, which is my favorite thing in fiction.
Rainbow handles intimacy and sex scenes in such a unique way in both AWTWB and Fangirl. They're fairly long scenes (sometimes multiple chapters) and yet they never feel long. It's not overly descriptive or choreographed and yet I can still really feel the emotional connection. I'm so happy this series aged up a bit along with the characters.
I really, really appreciated Simon's journey with depression and watching him figure out what he wants in a life he didn't expect to have, without the magic he never expected to lose. Even though the early scenes before Spoiler"we'll try with you trying" were heartbreaking, they also made sense. I think going through a potential breakup finally shocked Simon into realizing what was really important to him. Simon/Baz 2.0 really was exactly what their story needed to be.
And Baz. I just adore Baz. He's clearly the best-written character in the series. In the beginning I never would have expected him to be the soft one in the relationship but it just fits his personality so well. He's so patient with Simon and so committed.
This series has come a long way from it's "meta fanfiction of a fictional series that is an in-universe Harry Potter". The characters, plot, and magic system really have become their own thing and I love how the series is kind of aging up with the characters.
I'm so torn on rating this as a finale though. On one hand, I really love this story. And on the other, I wish there had been more focus on Simon's lineage and the NextBlood story.
EXPECTATIONS
I think my biggest issue with this book is everything it wasn't. I really wanted to see SpoilerBaz dip his toes into drinking Simon's blood without turning/killing him. More of the fallout from Simon finding out he has a grandmother and uncle. I wanted to see Simon slowly having other dragon-magic side effects (seriously, what was that biting-Baz's-skull thing about?). I thought Lucy was trapped in the painting in the catacombs and this book would be about getting her out. I thought Agatha's involvement in the cult would amount to something. I wanted Simon to find out it was his mom speaking to him in book 1 and I wanted to know exactly what "rosebud boy" meant.
And the weird thing is all of these plot points were set up or referenced in this book, so why wasn't there any payoff?
REVIEW
But is it fair to rate a book based on how I would have written it, rather than the book's actual content? Because I really did love this book as a standalone story. I was constantly looking forward to diving back in.
Simon & Baz
I love love love Simon and Baz's story here. Their chapters shine so much brighter than the rest of the book or the plot outside of their romance. It's cool to see such a slow burn relationship, where they both decide what they're comfortable with at their own pace. Their story felt so domestic and slice-of-life, which is my favorite thing in fiction.
Rainbow handles intimacy and sex scenes in such a unique way in both AWTWB and Fangirl. They're fairly long scenes (sometimes multiple chapters) and yet they never feel long. It's not overly descriptive or choreographed and yet I can still really feel the emotional connection. I'm so happy this series aged up a bit along with the characters.
I really, really appreciated Simon's journey with depression and watching him figure out what he wants in a life he didn't expect to have, without the magic he never expected to lose. Even though the early scenes before Spoiler"we'll try with you trying" were heartbreaking, they also made sense. I think going through a potential breakup finally shocked Simon into realizing what was really important to him. Simon/Baz 2.0 really was exactly what their story needed to be.
And Baz. I just adore Baz. He's clearly the best-written character in the series. In the beginning I never would have expected him to be the soft one in the relationship but it just fits his personality so well. He's so patient with Simon and so committed.
I liked it. The audiobook was very entertaining. I only wished a few more of the plot loose ends had been tied up by the end.
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A good way to wrap up the series tho I'm sad there won't be any more of simon and baz. I thought the cult plot was fun.
This was a perfect end to the trilogy. It had everything I loved about the first book and very little of all the I disliked about the second book. Such a fun read.
4.5!!!
at first i was upset there was a third book because carry on wayward son would have been my favourite series of titles but this one was probably my favourite. there like wasn’t much conflict but since it was the last one i had just fallen in love with these characters and was fine with them just interacting with each other, honestly i was kind of relieved this was tamer. atm i was not going to be into some wild adventure. domestic simon and baz own a piece of my soul. everyone in this just made me so giddy i love them.
at first i was upset there was a third book because carry on wayward son would have been my favourite series of titles but this one was probably my favourite. there like wasn’t much conflict but since it was the last one i had just fallen in love with these characters and was fine with them just interacting with each other, honestly i was kind of relieved this was tamer. atm i was not going to be into some wild adventure. domestic simon and baz own a piece of my soul. everyone in this just made me so giddy i love them.
Simon, Bas, Penny and Shepard return to London to find several problems to solve. There’s a new band of chosen ones, and there’s a certain one, Smith Smith-Richards, who’s ‘curing’ people with weak magic.
Penny is trying to get help for Shepard with his demon curse, and Agatha is stuck working with a grumpy vet whom she used to play lacrosse with at school.
Add to that Lady Solsbury’s missing daughter Lucy and son Jamie, who’s gone off with Smith-Richards, Penny’s Mom taking on the stress of being headmistress at Watford, the Watford goats escaping, an old school friend Pippa having Bas steal her voice and cause her to lose her magic 5 years ago, and Simon and Bas finally facing their shambles of a relationship.
Each of these pieces gets attention, and they are all integral to the story. Simon and Bas finally talk through their feelings, and when the agree to try, they work well together. Penny figures out how to help Shepard, even though he makes the worst decisions ever, and Agatha finds her calling with the Watford goats.
These characters are beloved friends, and I enjoyed Lady Solsbury as a new addition. I love Penny’s determination to help Shepard, and Simon finally taking a chance to keep Bas instead of giving up.
There was too much going on in this book, though it was still full of good adventure and humour. It could have been split into two books to finish the series. Still, I get all the elements had to be there, so it was a satisfying last book in the trilogy.
GPL audiobook
Penny is trying to get help for Shepard with his demon curse, and Agatha is stuck working with a grumpy vet whom she used to play lacrosse with at school.
Add to that Lady Solsbury’s missing daughter Lucy and son Jamie, who’s gone off with Smith-Richards, Penny’s Mom taking on the stress of being headmistress at Watford, the Watford goats escaping, an old school friend Pippa having Bas steal her voice and cause her to lose her magic 5 years ago, and Simon and Bas finally facing their shambles of a relationship.
Each of these pieces gets attention, and they are all integral to the story. Simon and Bas finally talk through their feelings, and when the agree to try, they work well together. Penny figures out how to help Shepard, even though he makes the worst decisions ever, and Agatha finds her calling with the Watford goats.
These characters are beloved friends, and I enjoyed Lady Solsbury as a new addition. I love Penny’s determination to help Shepard, and Simon finally taking a chance to keep Bas instead of giving up.
There was too much going on in this book, though it was still full of good adventure and humour. It could have been split into two books to finish the series. Still, I get all the elements had to be there, so it was a satisfying last book in the trilogy.
GPL audiobook