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A review by ekmurray
Wayward Son by Rainbow Rowell
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I really enjoyed this second instalment, and the idea of “what next” after a Chosen One completes their task and has to deal with having no purpose and no idea how to be in a relationship. My thoughts are mainly small spoilers, below:
I would have liked to understand the problems between Baz and Simon better- e.g. Simon saying he wants to kiss but not be kissed hints that maybe he’s somewhat asexual, or perhaps just not comfortable with physical intimacy yet. But I wonder if there was more to it, which perhaps I missed. I felt like their relationship didn’t progress throughout this book; they had problems at the start and the same ones at the end.
I loved how Agatha contributes to saving herself, but I was disappointed she was kidnapped in the first place. Especially as I felt Agatha deserved to have a bit of a break after the end of the first novel, when she prioritised her own safety and ran.
I was interested to find out how little Baz actually knew about vampires, and how many small student experiences (like choir) were stopped under the Mage. The characters’ worldview is so limited, despite Watford’s supposed emphasis on education. I guess this really illustrates how important pluralism and room for dissent is. I thought their snootiness about having a magical school (while American magicians mainstream) was rather ironic, given their ignorance about so many things.
I would have liked to understand the problems between Baz and Simon better- e.g. Simon saying he wants to kiss but not be kissed hints that maybe he’s somewhat asexual, or perhaps just not comfortable with physical intimacy yet. But I wonder if there was more to it, which perhaps I missed. I felt like their relationship didn’t progress throughout this book; they had problems at the start and the same ones at the end.
I loved how Agatha contributes to saving herself, but I was disappointed she was kidnapped in the first place. Especially as I felt Agatha deserved to have a bit of a break after the end of the first novel, when she prioritised her own safety and ran.
I was interested to find out how little Baz actually knew about vampires, and how many small student experiences (like choir) were stopped under the Mage. The characters’ worldview is so limited, despite Watford’s supposed emphasis on education. I guess this really illustrates how important pluralism and room for dissent is. I thought their snootiness about having a magical school (while American magicians mainstream) was rather ironic, given their ignorance about so many things.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death of parent