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4.16 AVERAGE
4.16 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
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
Goodreads says that I have now read this book 4 times, but I can guarantee I have read it more than that. If there are no more Carry On fans then I am dead. Nobody gets this book like I do. I think I could quote this whole book front to back if I wanted to. It is literally perfect in every way
Well I was going to do some cleaning while my kid napped (and maybe I still will), but I need to get some thoughts down while they're still fresh.
This book. What is it? Well, the premise (from Rowell's [b:Fangirl|16068905|Fangirl|Rainbow Rowell|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1355886270s/16068905.jpg|21861351], which I loved) is that it's a fan fictional 8th book in a Harry Potter-like series written by the main character in that novel (in Fangirl). Then Rowell ran with that idea and actually wrote the book. It also seems like both a commentary on and a tribute to the Harry Potter world itself. Rowell is a supporter of fan fiction. And has openly said that she's fine with people writing it based on her books. Flattered even. And Fangirl read in part like a defense of fan fiction as well as a great story. I've never read fan fiction, but to be fair, the word has always had derivative and somewhat negative connotations for me. But, I think Fangirl really changed that assumption (though I still haven't hunted any down to try), and that may (or may not) have influenced some of my feelings about this book. I'm not sure I would have appreciated it's blatant similarities to Harry Potter if I hadn't experienced Cath's love for fanfic in the first book. It's hard to say since I read them in close proximity. As it was, I found certain obvious similarities rather fascinating. What if Hargrid hadn't taken the gamekeeper job at Hogwarts because he was an inept if lovable oaf but was actually perfectly capable (maybe more than) and just didn't want to be involved in any political bullshit and loved the school and animals? Interesting thought, right? There are quite a few thought provoking similarities that gave me (enjoyable) pause to ask these types of questions.
At least in the first part. Which was a tiny bit slowish. There was a lot of world building to do before the action ratcheted up, and Simon had a lot of brooding to do before Baz turned up. But AFTER that, the book really took off, and I got so lost in the story that I forgot about similarities to anything and just couldn't put it down. I spent most of this morning not being able to put it down (you know, unless my kid actually needed care ...). I loved these characters. I loved their relationships. Rowell writes the cutest damn romantic scenes, and I was easily swept up. And the way she ended her Chosen One story was fantastic. You know, fantasy writers, there doesn't always have to be a giant black and white divide between Good and Evil. Rowell gets that, and made the "solution" pretty perfect (maybe in that it wasn't perfect). There was only one little detail that I would have liked to see tied up more neatly, but then how shocking is that from a Rainbow Rowell book? It's nearly a guarantee going in ... Though fantasy novels never come in singles, right? They demand series of epic proportions because Fantasy? Right? I could totally go for a few more books set in this world!
Oooh, almost forgot! I loved how spells were cast using common/popula phrases and the more the phrase is used/ referenced/ thought about by people, the more powerful it becomes. And that because of that, the study of languages was crucial to magic. Truly magic words!
This book. What is it? Well, the premise (from Rowell's [b:Fangirl|16068905|Fangirl|Rainbow Rowell|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1355886270s/16068905.jpg|21861351], which I loved) is that it's a fan fictional 8th book in a Harry Potter-like series written by the main character in that novel (in Fangirl). Then Rowell ran with that idea and actually wrote the book. It also seems like both a commentary on and a tribute to the Harry Potter world itself. Rowell is a supporter of fan fiction. And has openly said that she's fine with people writing it based on her books. Flattered even. And Fangirl read in part like a defense of fan fiction as well as a great story. I've never read fan fiction, but to be fair, the word has always had derivative and somewhat negative connotations for me. But, I think Fangirl really changed that assumption (though I still haven't hunted any down to try), and that may (or may not) have influenced some of my feelings about this book. I'm not sure I would have appreciated it's blatant similarities to Harry Potter if I hadn't experienced Cath's love for fanfic in the first book. It's hard to say since I read them in close proximity. As it was, I found certain obvious similarities rather fascinating. What if Hargrid hadn't taken the gamekeeper job at Hogwarts because he was an inept if lovable oaf but was actually perfectly capable (maybe more than) and just didn't want to be involved in any political bullshit and loved the school and animals? Interesting thought, right? There are quite a few thought provoking similarities that gave me (enjoyable) pause to ask these types of questions.
At least in the first part. Which was a tiny bit slowish. There was a lot of world building to do before the action ratcheted up, and Simon had a lot of brooding to do before Baz turned up. But AFTER that, the book really took off, and I got so lost in the story that I forgot about similarities to anything and just couldn't put it down. I spent most of this morning not being able to put it down (you know, unless my kid actually needed care ...). I loved these characters. I loved their relationships. Rowell writes the cutest damn romantic scenes, and I was easily swept up. And the way she ended her Chosen One story was fantastic. You know, fantasy writers, there doesn't always have to be a giant black and white divide between Good and Evil. Rowell gets that, and made the "solution" pretty perfect (maybe in that it wasn't perfect). There was only one little detail that I would have liked to see tied up more neatly, but then how shocking is that from a Rainbow Rowell book? It's nearly a guarantee going in ... Though fantasy novels never come in singles, right? They demand series of epic proportions because Fantasy? Right? I could totally go for a few more books set in this world!
Oooh, almost forgot! I loved how spells were cast using common/popula phrases and the more the phrase is used/ referenced/ thought about by people, the more powerful it becomes. And that because of that, the study of languages was crucial to magic. Truly magic words!
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
i haven't even finished this book yet, but it's already possibly my fave book of the year. i loved it right from the start, not shocking considering it's a YA fantasy book about some magical 18 yr olds finishing up their last year at magic high school. simon is a great main character/chosen one; i love how grounded/humble'sh he is, i guess partly b/c he can't control his magic well and doesn't know anything about his parents (was it davy and lucy?!). then once baz showed up i was totally digging him as a character, even more so once he mentioned how he hates/is tots in love with "snow". i found his character so compelling, really bringing new light to the whole tortured lovesick vampire, which is impressive given how much buffy i've seen. i was let surprised that he was gay, but i also loved it. and then fast forward to just over half way through when he and simon kiss, i can't even! part of me feels like i should have seen simon being gay sooner, considering he was pretty obsessed with baz, but love/hate being part of the same coin et al...i think i finally sensed it only right before simon kisses him, when he follows baz into the fire he's created and gets all close to him. it legit warms my heart the way their characters speak about each other, and at this point i don't want the book to end. ALL DONE. Loved it all the way through. loved that simon and baz end up together while simon and penny get a flat together. interesting that simon never learns that he was davey (the mage) and lucy's kid. glad agatha ran away to cali.
4.5/5
Loved this! I really liked that it felt like reading fan fiction. It was so imaginative and fun.
Loved this! I really liked that it felt like reading fan fiction. It was so imaginative and fun.
LOVE, LOVE,LOVEEEE THIS WHOLE SERIES! This is the prefect book for those who love fantasy books that not only focus on romance, but also friendship. Wish I could read this for the first time again!