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A review by mauripage
Carry On by Rainbow Rowell
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
This book was definitely an enjoyable read! I loved how it gave me lgbtq Harry Potter vibes (due to its focus on mages and magic) and how extremely funny some of the characters were. The tone was lighthearted and unique, and I enjoyed that the author wasn’t shy to explicitly tell us when a POV was being changed by having their name on the bottom of the chapter number. The characters (all except one) were likable and the dynamics were cute. I love the romantic relationship with the main characters Simon and Baz. They were so cute!
Howver, I do have a few nuances with this novel. For one, the pacing. Though it got to the point, I feel like doing such took away from building upon the relationship between Simon and Baz and of course the world building,.
starting this story relationships are already set as the characters have known one another for seven plus years now. Simon, our ticking time bomb, our “chosen one”, and Baz, our cursed one, are destined to be enemies.
They Are destined to fight to the death and save the magical realm. The author talked so much aboir these destinies and the grips that came with it (neither one wanting to actually kill each other). And the conflicts that provided that fact. So why weren’t we able to even TEASE a bit of it? I feel like this book dragged when it came to setting execution to the world that was provided. The world building was so unique and fun, but we didn’t get too see too much of that. I feel as if the main “plot” was being swept under the rug a bit.
Now for the POV Switches- most of the characters held strong in their tone of voice and I enjoyed their point of view! However, the POV in one of the main characters of the story, Agatha, was absolutely grating to get through.
Her character was a nuscience the entire book, and her personality was a little hard to swallow. In this first book Agatha seems so selfish and self entitled. She’s the character that years for a “normal life” and likes to mind her business, but in being complicit makes me loath her even more.
She doesn’t have a backbone, always follows the rules and the currents that sweep her, and is a bit two faced. She wants a destiny for herself she chooses, which is understandable when dating the “Chosen One”, but to not have the backbone to fight for injustice but also wanting to keep others safe? She’s an irony in itself. She did not grow at all by the end of the book.
Also, the ending was so underwhelming and the big bad plot twist villain was hardly a plot twist, anyone could have seen it from a mile away. All in all this book was good for what’s it for, and I’d definitely read it again. Also! This is a series with two more books on the way to my front doorstep as we speak so I won’t hold off on this series yet as things could change!
Howver, I do have a few nuances with this novel. For one, the pacing. Though it got to the point, I feel like doing such took away from building upon the relationship between Simon and Baz and of course the world building,.
starting this story relationships are already set as the characters have known one another for seven plus years now. Simon, our ticking time bomb, our “chosen one”, and Baz, our cursed one, are destined to be enemies.
They Are destined to fight to the death and save the magical realm. The author talked so much aboir these destinies and the grips that came with it (neither one wanting to actually kill each other). And the conflicts that provided that fact. So why weren’t we able to even TEASE a bit of it? I feel like this book dragged when it came to setting execution to the world that was provided. The world building was so unique and fun, but we didn’t get too see too much of that. I feel as if the main “plot” was being swept under the rug a bit.
Now for the POV Switches- most of the characters held strong in their tone of voice and I enjoyed their point of view! However, the POV in one of the main characters of the story, Agatha, was absolutely grating to get through.
Her character was a nuscience the entire book, and her personality was a little hard to swallow. In this first book Agatha seems so selfish and self entitled. She’s the character that years for a “normal life” and likes to mind her business, but in being complicit makes me loath her even more.
She doesn’t have a backbone, always follows the rules and the currents that sweep her, and is a bit two faced. She wants a destiny for herself she chooses, which is understandable when dating the “Chosen One”, but to not have the backbone to fight for injustice but also wanting to keep others safe? She’s an irony in itself. She did not grow at all by the end of the book.
Also, the ending was so underwhelming and the big bad plot twist villain was hardly a plot twist, anyone could have seen it from a mile away. All in all this book was good for what’s it for, and I’d definitely read it again. Also! This is a series with two more books on the way to my front doorstep as we speak so I won’t hold off on this series yet as things could change!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Death, Death of parent, and War