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A review by ladybirdfm
Any Way the Wind Blows by Rainbow Rowell
4.0
I just finished the book, so I haven't had the time to gather my thoughts yet. I'll try. Simon and Baz hold a special place in my heart; Carry On was one of the first LGBT+ books I read in my teens, and now that I'm older I still think of these books as dearly as I did back then.
Although not perfect, I cannot bring myself to be harsh with this trilogy -with this book. I know other people may have (valid) criticisms about the story, the pace or even the world building, but I don't. What I can do is to mention everything I loved about Any way the wind blows. So here I go.
I was so glad to see how Simon and Baz's relationship grew into something more mature as they became certain about each other and what they had built. There's nothing more relatable to me than Simon, a boy (man ?) who has never learned how to communicate effectively, who always did as he was told, who never got the chance to discover who he was growing up (besides being the Chosen One, of course). I think of a little boy with plenty of responsibilities which he shouldn't have, and it makes so much sense that he would turn out as he did (and I say this with love). The fact that he finally tried to be open with the person he loved was not only what his relationship with Baz needed, it was also what he needed in order to put an end to the emotional block he had been for most of his life.
I loved the vulnerability between Simon and Baz and, overall, how their relationship was developed throughout the book. I enjoyed the domesticity of their relationship, to finally see them talk to each other about their years at Watford and share the details about their feelings in moments where they thought they hated each other's guts. And about the romance... It was absolutely everything I had dreamed of and more!
What I love about Any way the wind blows (and Wayward son) is that while it keeps the magickal world as an important element of the story, it focuses more on his life after losing his magic. Wayward son opened the door to such a difficult question: now what? What is he supposed to do now that he doesn't have magic in his life, now that he's not the Chosen One? And I love how Rainbow Rowell dealt with that question. I'm thankful Any way the wind blows brings an optimistic point of view about being lost and finding yourself, about accepting what we can't change.
Regarding Baz... what can I say? I am Baz's #1 fan. It has been true since I was around 16, and it is now that I'm 23. Jokes aside, I appreciate having the opportunity to see him being more vulnerable. In his head he has always been when it comes to Simon, but he has historically also been the one who has his feet on the ground about their relationship. He knew what he wanted, and he knew how to keep it. He didn't know, however, how to deal with intimacy as he lacked the experience, and that made him feel more real to me. I adored how they explored what they liked in bed, and it was nice to see that, after all, Baz only wants to be hold gently. (I cried in those scenes).
I cannot finish without acknowledging all the side characters. Penelope learning to see love as something that aches to be felt, not checked off of a list. Agatha finding something she wants to do, and living up to her own expectations. Moreover, finding love! It was unexpected in the moment, but I loved it (and it confirmed what I think everyone knew since the first book). Shepard found his way into my good list, as he usually does. While I liked him as a character, I liked more what he meant for Penelope's growth.
The Simon Snow series is deeply meaningful to me. As I mentioned previously, I cannot bring myself to be harsh with the trilogy that was there as I grew into myself. As I realized I was queer, as I allowed myself to slowly (but surely) accept who I was. I see myself in Simon: in his worst times (rotting on the couch watching TV), in his failures, in his regrets, but most importantly, in his effort to become better. It's hard to say goodbye to characters whom I love this much, but it's ok. I'm grateful for the years I got to enjoy their adventures and to see them grow. (Besides, I hold onto the hope that Rainbow will find a way to write something about them again :p).
Although not perfect, I cannot bring myself to be harsh with this trilogy -with this book. I know other people may have (valid) criticisms about the story, the pace or even the world building, but I don't. What I can do is to mention everything I loved about Any way the wind blows. So here I go.
I was so glad to see how Simon and Baz's relationship grew into something more mature as they became certain about each other and what they had built. There's nothing more relatable to me than Simon, a boy (man ?) who has never learned how to communicate effectively, who always did as he was told, who never got the chance to discover who he was growing up (besides being the Chosen One, of course). I think of a little boy with plenty of responsibilities which he shouldn't have, and it makes so much sense that he would turn out as he did (and I say this with love). The fact that he finally tried to be open with the person he loved was not only what his relationship with Baz needed, it was also what he needed in order to put an end to the emotional block he had been for most of his life.
I loved the vulnerability between Simon and Baz and, overall, how their relationship was developed throughout the book. I enjoyed the domesticity of their relationship, to finally see them talk to each other about their years at Watford and share the details about their feelings in moments where they thought they hated each other's guts. And about the romance... It was absolutely everything I had dreamed of and more!
What I love about Any way the wind blows (and Wayward son) is that while it keeps the magickal world as an important element of the story, it focuses more on his life after losing his magic. Wayward son opened the door to such a difficult question: now what? What is he supposed to do now that he doesn't have magic in his life, now that he's not the Chosen One? And I love how Rainbow Rowell dealt with that question. I'm thankful Any way the wind blows brings an optimistic point of view about being lost and finding yourself, about accepting what we can't change.
Regarding Baz... what can I say? I am Baz's #1 fan. It has been true since I was around 16, and it is now that I'm 23. Jokes aside, I appreciate having the opportunity to see him being more vulnerable. In his head he has always been when it comes to Simon, but he has historically also been the one who has his feet on the ground about their relationship. He knew what he wanted, and he knew how to keep it. He didn't know, however, how to deal with intimacy as he lacked the experience, and that made him feel more real to me. I adored how they explored what they liked in bed, and it was nice to see that, after all, Baz only wants to be hold gently. (I cried in those scenes).
I cannot finish without acknowledging all the side characters. Penelope learning to see love as something that aches to be felt, not checked off of a list. Agatha finding something she wants to do, and living up to her own expectations. Moreover, finding love! It was unexpected in the moment, but I loved it (and it confirmed what I think everyone knew since the first book). Shepard found his way into my good list, as he usually does. While I liked him as a character, I liked more what he meant for Penelope's growth.
The Simon Snow series is deeply meaningful to me. As I mentioned previously, I cannot bring myself to be harsh with the trilogy that was there as I grew into myself. As I realized I was queer, as I allowed myself to slowly (but surely) accept who I was. I see myself in Simon: in his worst times (rotting on the couch watching TV), in his failures, in his regrets, but most importantly, in his effort to become better. It's hard to say goodbye to characters whom I love this much, but it's ok. I'm grateful for the years I got to enjoy their adventures and to see them grow. (Besides, I hold onto the hope that Rainbow will find a way to write something about them again :p).