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A review by kmkasiner
Wayward Son by Rainbow Rowell
3.0
I'm so conflicted! On a pure enjoyment level this is 5 stars, but much of it left me with too many questions. (Warning this review is riddled with spoilers.)
I absolutely loved the setup of this book--what happens after the hero's journey is done? I related hard to how the characters felt adrift, not sure what to do now that they were in the "real world." The thing is, at some points I really wished the book had slowed down and focused more on that, really talked about Simon's depression and his inability to communicate with Baz, instead of throwing roadtrip hijinks at us at 500 mph the entire time.
I struggled the most with the middle of the book, where they're driving through middle America. Some of the America stuff is funny (the sandwiches, the tea, the big cars— all very true as an American that has spent time in Britain.) Other stuff...I cringed so much. I found it unbelievable how ignorant the characters were of America. I know you Brits are more aware than that. While I really liked the concept of American English changing spells, is there ANY sharing between cultures?? Did they learn nothing when Micah did his exchange? Surely this is one thing Rainbow Rowell could have improved on from JKR? Penny remembers stuff when the audience needs it explained but not when there’s a joke about them being dumb brits. Simon SAYS he learned about every creature from the mage but then he doesn’t demonstrate this at all. I was mentally screaming at all of this, and not in a good way. Also, I won't go into some of the twitter drama on Rainbow Rowell but it made me read more into some of the things characters said. (like Stephen saying he was Sacajawea...yike.)
Agatha's story was fascinating, and again, I wish there had been more focus on that. Or maybe that Agatha's plotline was just in a separate book? The first few chapters of it were intriguing, and Agatha's struggle to fit in as both a magician in a non-magical world and a young woman trying to fit in to society in general were so interesting! Then she gets mostly forgotten for the rest of the book until the rest of the characters come to rescue her.
I think my favorite part was Baz's time in Vegas, and discovering his vampire identity more. Although, again, it felt a bit like a whole other book. I liked Lamb as a character although I know that's an unpopular opinion.
(Also I was not ok with Baz constantly eating pet dogs and cats, wtf. This is America, eat a raccoon or a possum. I hope he learns how to sip people. Poor malnourished Baz.)
Baz and Simon are still the heart of this novel, the parts about the two of them working through their relationship were beautiful. Maybe in the third book we'll see even more of that .
(all this said the cover of my Night edition is 100 stars and so is all the amazing fanart from the fandom.)
I absolutely loved the setup of this book--what happens after the hero's journey is done? I related hard to how the characters felt adrift, not sure what to do now that they were in the "real world." The thing is, at some points I really wished the book had slowed down and focused more on that, really talked about Simon's depression and his inability to communicate with Baz, instead of throwing roadtrip hijinks at us at 500 mph the entire time.
I struggled the most with the middle of the book, where they're driving through middle America. Some of the America stuff is funny (the sandwiches, the tea, the big cars— all very true as an American that has spent time in Britain.) Other stuff...I cringed so much. I found it unbelievable how ignorant the characters were of America. I know you Brits are more aware than that. While I really liked the concept of American English changing spells, is there ANY sharing between cultures?? Did they learn nothing when Micah did his exchange? Surely this is one thing Rainbow Rowell could have improved on from JKR? Penny remembers stuff when the audience needs it explained but not when there’s a joke about them being dumb brits. Simon SAYS he learned about every creature from the mage but then he doesn’t demonstrate this at all. I was mentally screaming at all of this, and not in a good way. Also, I won't go into some of the twitter drama on Rainbow Rowell but it made me read more into some of the things characters said. (like Stephen saying he was Sacajawea...yike.)
Agatha's story was fascinating, and again, I wish there had been more focus on that. Or maybe that Agatha's plotline was just in a separate book? The first few chapters of it were intriguing, and Agatha's struggle to fit in as both a magician in a non-magical world and a young woman trying to fit in to society in general were so interesting! Then she gets mostly forgotten for the rest of the book until the rest of the characters come to rescue her.
I think my favorite part was Baz's time in Vegas, and discovering his vampire identity more. Although, again, it felt a bit like a whole other book. I liked Lamb as a character although I know that's an unpopular opinion.
(Also I was not ok with Baz constantly eating pet dogs and cats, wtf. This is America, eat a raccoon or a possum. I hope he learns how to sip people. Poor malnourished Baz.)
Baz and Simon are still the heart of this novel, the parts about the two of them working through their relationship were beautiful. Maybe in the third book we'll see even more of that .
(all this said the cover of my Night edition is 100 stars and so is all the amazing fanart from the fandom.)