What do you think?
Rate this book
Simon Snow #2
Wayward Son
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Readers' Favorite Young Adult Fantasy & Science Fiction (2019)Wayward Son is the stunning YA novel by the bestselling author of Fangirl and Carry On, Rainbow Rowell. With all of her signature wit and heart, this is Rainbow at her absolute best. This edition includes two beautiful illustrations.The story is supposed to be over. Simon Snow did everything he was supposed to do. He beat the villain. He won the war. He even fell in love. Now comes the good part, right? Now comes the happily ever after . . .So why can’t Simon Snow get off the couch?What he needs, according to his best friend, is a change of scenery. He just needs to see himself in a new light . . .That’s how Simon and Penny and Baz end up in a vintage convertible, tearing across the American West. They find trouble, of course. (Dragons, vampires, skunk-headed things with shotguns.) And they get lost. They get so lost, they start to wonder whether they ever knew where they were headed in the first place . . .With Wayward Son, the sequel to Carry On, Rainbow Rowell has written a book for everyone who ever wondered what happened to the Chosen One after he saved the day. And a book for everyone who was ever more curious about the second kiss than the first.Come on, Simon Snow. Your hero’s journey might be over – but your life has just begun.
368 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 24, 2019
3087 people are currently reading
92972 people want to read
About the author
Rainbow Rowell
138 books141k followersRainbow Rowell writes all kinds of stuff.
Sometimes she writes about adults (ATTACHMENTS, LANDLINE, SLOW DANCE).
Sometimes she writes about teenagers (ELEANOR & PARK, FANGIRL) .
Sometimes — actually, a lot of the time — she writes about lovesick vampires and guys with dragon wings. (THE SIMON SNOW TRILOGY).
Recently, she’s been writing comics, including her first graphic novel, PUMPKINHEADS, and the monthly SHE-HULK comic for Marvel.
She lives in Omaha, Nebraska.
More at rainbowrowell.com.
Sometimes she writes about adults (ATTACHMENTS, LANDLINE, SLOW DANCE).
Sometimes she writes about teenagers (ELEANOR & PARK, FANGIRL) .
Sometimes — actually, a lot of the time — she writes about lovesick vampires and guys with dragon wings. (THE SIMON SNOW TRILOGY).
Recently, she’s been writing comics, including her first graphic novel, PUMPKINHEADS, and the monthly SHE-HULK comic for Marvel.
She lives in Omaha, Nebraska.
More at rainbowrowell.com.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 14,809 reviews
September 25, 2019
My only question is... what happened?
This is my first book review, so bear with me. I just feel like I need to write all of my thoughts out. Warning in advance for spoilers.
Carry On is my favorite book of all time. I was shockingly disappointed with the sequel. Wayward Son was a lackluster filler novel that seemed to do its best to destroy all that good that came from the first book. I kept wondering if I was being too harsh while reading it, but I wanted to love it so badly. I've been looking forward to it for years. I tried SO hard to love it, but I couldn't. I know this all sounds dramatic, but Carry On is important to me. I'm heartbroken over the second book turning out like this.
My main issues are the pacing, the characterization, and the romance (or lack of).
PACING
I really think Wayward Son could have used 100 more pages. Everything. Happened. So. Fast. I wanted more description, more of the character's inner thoughts, more everything. The few good moments were ruined by how rushed all of it was. There was so much eating and driving and hotels to the point where it all blurred together. None of the romance or character-based moments were drawn out enough.
Simon impulsively kissing Baz after the first vampire fight? HELL YEAH, but give me more than a few lines! Especially when it's been who knows how long since they've last kissed. That moment could have been huge, but it was glossed over, just like everything else, making it forgettable in the end.
In Vegas, when Simon had to "pretend" to be enamored with Baz while the vampires were watching? If that had been turned into an entire scene, it would have worked so much better. It might've made me hate their current dynamic less. (Maybe. Okay, unlikely.) It seemed like Baz and Whoever-The-Fuck-Vampire-King talked more with each other than Simon and Baz even looked at each other. The author does know we're all reading this book for Simon and Baz, right?
Basically, every moment in Wayward Son could have been slowed down and drawn out. Hell, we found out that Simon might be a DRAGON in a sloppily written way and then it was never brought up again. What? Who allowed this to be published?
THE CHARACTERIZATION
What. The. Fresh. Hell.
I don't know where the Baz, Simon, and Penny that I fell in love with were, but this didn't feel like them. They drifted into situations with no plan or discussion, depending on others to save them half of the time, never really learning or growing. I know a lot has changed in their lives since Carry On, but that shouldn't warrant the characters being watered down versions of themselves. That shouldn't warrant them being idiots, and honestly? They acted like idiots.
You seriously expect me to believe that Penelope Bunce went to America with zero plan? No money? No knowledge of how magic works there? You're telling me they didn't even put thought into how Baz would feed? And since when is Penny okay with breaking magickal law after magickal law? Also, how could they possibly decide to go along with Whoever-The-Fuck-Vampire-King at the end? (I genuinely couldn't be bothered to learn his name.)
Listen, I know people don't know as much about America as Americans think people know about America. But they thought they could drive across the country in three hours? PENNY HAS BEEN TO AMERICA BEFORE. In all of their years at Watford, they were never taught that magic doesn't work if there's no people around? They were never taught that British phrases don't work outside of Britain? Why is the UK so cut off from the rest of the world? Why is the magickal climate in the US so barbaric and unorganized? Why were they surprised by this? Shouldn't they have been taught about it? HASN'T PENNY BEEN TO AMERICA? HASN'T SHE BEEN TALKING TO MICAH FOR YEARS? The worldbuilding was so messy and it made the characters look stupid. Penelope, Simon, and Baz are not stupid. To make it wore, I was incredibly disinterested in everything that was going on in America because I was so thrown off by the characters not being themselves.
Baz felt like a watered down, weak version of Baz. He wasn't the confident, witty, smart, ruthless Baz from Carry On. That Baz fought for Simon at the dance, insisted that they were going to stay together even when Simon was unsure of himself. That Baz would scoff at any random, old ass vampire man who sought his attention or flirted with him. Because that Baz hates vampires. Because that Baz only had eyes for Simon. BAZ'S DEFINING CHARACTER TRAIT IS THAT HE'S MADLY IN LOVE WITH SIMON! WHAT HAPPENED?
But, right, Simon and Baz aren't even speaking to each other. Side note: If Baz really is immortal, I don't think I'll be able to take it. I don't think he'll be able to take it, either. Now this is a crazy thought, but could Rowell maybe allow for some... happiness? Not everything has to be the worst. Especially when LGBT+ audiences who are desperate for representation are usually left with angsty stories and depressing endings. I was hoping the Carry On series wouldn't fall into that, but here we are.
Overall, the characterization felt so empty and wrong. In the first book, I could clearly hear all of their voices. I knew them. I understood them, even the side characters. Everyone had their own way of talking and thinking and acting. In Wayward Son, I had to keep checking whose POV we were in because they character voices blended together. They weren't nearly as strong or clear. My favorite characters' personalities were watered down. The writing was weak.
THE ROMANCE
I miss them. I miss Simon and Baz and their dynamic. I spent the entire book missing them, because this wasn't right.
I think we all fell in love with Carry On because of Snowbaz. We fell for the desperate pining, the enemies-to-lovers, star crossed, epic romance. The stargazing, the kiss in the forest, holding hands by the fire, "you're wearing jeans", "because we match", "you were the sun and I was crashing into you". Where was that? Carry On is packed with these iconic, swoon-worthy, unforgettable moments between Simon and Baz. Wayward Son was just... forgettable.
I feel like Carry On was their beautiful love story, and Wayward Son took a sledgehammer to it.
Of course Simon and Baz have their issues to work out, but never in my wildest nightmares did I imagine that they wouldn't even be talking. Or touching. Or even fighting! Instead, their dynamic was awkward. It was regressive. It was miserable to read. I would go as far as to call it toxic.
I get the need for conflict and tension, but miscommunication is the cheapest and most cliche way to do that, and it wasn't executed well. It was painful. Everything felt so wrong, and not in the "I can't wait to see how this is resolved!" kind of way. It was more like, "I just want this to be over. Should I stop reading and pretend Carry On is a stand alone?"
The other cheap way to add relationship conflict is a love triangle. Thank God we didn't have to suffer through that– OH WAIT!
Again: Never. In. My. Wildest. Nightmares. Did. I. Imagine. This. Happening.
I can't seem to put into words everything that was wrong with Whoever-The-Fuck-Vampire-King and the Whatever-The-Fuck-That-Was-Love-Triangle. Whether or not Baz actually had feelings for him (which was bizarrely vague), it was still awful, unrealistic, and unnecessary. Not to mention uncomfortable. Baz from Carry On would despise Baz from Wayward Son.
I wanted to scream at Simon and Baz, "JUST TALK TO EACH OTHER!! OR KISS IT OUT LIKE YOU USED TO! DO SOMETHING!" But don't get me wrong. I wasn't compelled their dynamic at all. I wasn't eagerly turning pages to see how it would play out. I was just... sad. I wanted it to be over. They mean so much to me, and it hurt to see them like that. I couldn't even get myself to care about the plot because I just wanted Simon and Baz to love each other like they used to. To have the complicated, loving, chemistry-filled relationship they once had. How can SIMON AND BAZ not have chemistry? How did the writing go that wrong?
I could get more into the issue of LGBT+ suffering in media and the many problems with Rowell's representation, but I won't. Let's just say Simon and Baz deserved better. I don't really care that things will probably be resolved in the next book. This was a bad direction to take their relationship in. It wasn't them, it wasn't right, and it was downright depressing.
Wayward Son felt so disjointed from Carry On that I'm hoping I'll be able to pretend nothing in the second book even happened. The characters were sad, less interesting versions of themselves who regressed instead of learned. The plot was boring to the point where I can hardly even remember what happened before they got to Vegas, and I read it yesterday. LA vampire bros running a pyramid scheme? Okay, then. Does any of this even matter now that they're going back to the UK? None of the loose ends from Carry On were addressed in this novel, making the whole thing feel pointless.
And last but not least, the entire story was a disservice to Simon and Baz's relationship.
The release date for Wayward Son was initially set for 2020. Obviously I don't know anything about the writing and editing process of this book, but maybe changing it to 2019 contributed to the fact that it was rushed and an overall disappointment. Then again, could this book even be salvaged by more time? I'm not sure it could.
You're not supposed to feel anxious and upset when you find out your favorite book of all time is going to be a trilogy, but that's how I felt at the end of this book. Maybe everything will be fixed in the next one, maybe it won't, but nothing will change the fact that Wayward Son was a huge let down. I wish Carry On had been the end.
This is my first book review, so bear with me. I just feel like I need to write all of my thoughts out. Warning in advance for spoilers.
Carry On is my favorite book of all time. I was shockingly disappointed with the sequel. Wayward Son was a lackluster filler novel that seemed to do its best to destroy all that good that came from the first book. I kept wondering if I was being too harsh while reading it, but I wanted to love it so badly. I've been looking forward to it for years. I tried SO hard to love it, but I couldn't. I know this all sounds dramatic, but Carry On is important to me. I'm heartbroken over the second book turning out like this.
My main issues are the pacing, the characterization, and the romance (or lack of).
PACING
I really think Wayward Son could have used 100 more pages. Everything. Happened. So. Fast. I wanted more description, more of the character's inner thoughts, more everything. The few good moments were ruined by how rushed all of it was. There was so much eating and driving and hotels to the point where it all blurred together. None of the romance or character-based moments were drawn out enough.
Simon impulsively kissing Baz after the first vampire fight? HELL YEAH, but give me more than a few lines! Especially when it's been who knows how long since they've last kissed. That moment could have been huge, but it was glossed over, just like everything else, making it forgettable in the end.
In Vegas, when Simon had to "pretend" to be enamored with Baz while the vampires were watching? If that had been turned into an entire scene, it would have worked so much better. It might've made me hate their current dynamic less. (Maybe. Okay, unlikely.) It seemed like Baz and Whoever-The-Fuck-Vampire-King talked more with each other than Simon and Baz even looked at each other. The author does know we're all reading this book for Simon and Baz, right?
Basically, every moment in Wayward Son could have been slowed down and drawn out. Hell, we found out that Simon might be a DRAGON in a sloppily written way and then it was never brought up again. What? Who allowed this to be published?
THE CHARACTERIZATION
What. The. Fresh. Hell.
I don't know where the Baz, Simon, and Penny that I fell in love with were, but this didn't feel like them. They drifted into situations with no plan or discussion, depending on others to save them half of the time, never really learning or growing. I know a lot has changed in their lives since Carry On, but that shouldn't warrant the characters being watered down versions of themselves. That shouldn't warrant them being idiots, and honestly? They acted like idiots.
You seriously expect me to believe that Penelope Bunce went to America with zero plan? No money? No knowledge of how magic works there? You're telling me they didn't even put thought into how Baz would feed? And since when is Penny okay with breaking magickal law after magickal law? Also, how could they possibly decide to go along with Whoever-The-Fuck-Vampire-King at the end? (I genuinely couldn't be bothered to learn his name.)
Listen, I know people don't know as much about America as Americans think people know about America. But they thought they could drive across the country in three hours? PENNY HAS BEEN TO AMERICA BEFORE. In all of their years at Watford, they were never taught that magic doesn't work if there's no people around? They were never taught that British phrases don't work outside of Britain? Why is the UK so cut off from the rest of the world? Why is the magickal climate in the US so barbaric and unorganized? Why were they surprised by this? Shouldn't they have been taught about it? HASN'T PENNY BEEN TO AMERICA? HASN'T SHE BEEN TALKING TO MICAH FOR YEARS? The worldbuilding was so messy and it made the characters look stupid. Penelope, Simon, and Baz are not stupid. To make it wore, I was incredibly disinterested in everything that was going on in America because I was so thrown off by the characters not being themselves.
Baz felt like a watered down, weak version of Baz. He wasn't the confident, witty, smart, ruthless Baz from Carry On. That Baz fought for Simon at the dance, insisted that they were going to stay together even when Simon was unsure of himself. That Baz would scoff at any random, old ass vampire man who sought his attention or flirted with him. Because that Baz hates vampires. Because that Baz only had eyes for Simon. BAZ'S DEFINING CHARACTER TRAIT IS THAT HE'S MADLY IN LOVE WITH SIMON! WHAT HAPPENED?
But, right, Simon and Baz aren't even speaking to each other. Side note: If Baz really is immortal, I don't think I'll be able to take it. I don't think he'll be able to take it, either. Now this is a crazy thought, but could Rowell maybe allow for some... happiness? Not everything has to be the worst. Especially when LGBT+ audiences who are desperate for representation are usually left with angsty stories and depressing endings. I was hoping the Carry On series wouldn't fall into that, but here we are.
Overall, the characterization felt so empty and wrong. In the first book, I could clearly hear all of their voices. I knew them. I understood them, even the side characters. Everyone had their own way of talking and thinking and acting. In Wayward Son, I had to keep checking whose POV we were in because they character voices blended together. They weren't nearly as strong or clear. My favorite characters' personalities were watered down. The writing was weak.
THE ROMANCE
I miss them. I miss Simon and Baz and their dynamic. I spent the entire book missing them, because this wasn't right.
I think we all fell in love with Carry On because of Snowbaz. We fell for the desperate pining, the enemies-to-lovers, star crossed, epic romance. The stargazing, the kiss in the forest, holding hands by the fire, "you're wearing jeans", "because we match", "you were the sun and I was crashing into you". Where was that? Carry On is packed with these iconic, swoon-worthy, unforgettable moments between Simon and Baz. Wayward Son was just... forgettable.
I feel like Carry On was their beautiful love story, and Wayward Son took a sledgehammer to it.
Of course Simon and Baz have their issues to work out, but never in my wildest nightmares did I imagine that they wouldn't even be talking. Or touching. Or even fighting! Instead, their dynamic was awkward. It was regressive. It was miserable to read. I would go as far as to call it toxic.
I get the need for conflict and tension, but miscommunication is the cheapest and most cliche way to do that, and it wasn't executed well. It was painful. Everything felt so wrong, and not in the "I can't wait to see how this is resolved!" kind of way. It was more like, "I just want this to be over. Should I stop reading and pretend Carry On is a stand alone?"
The other cheap way to add relationship conflict is a love triangle. Thank God we didn't have to suffer through that– OH WAIT!
Again: Never. In. My. Wildest. Nightmares. Did. I. Imagine. This. Happening.
I can't seem to put into words everything that was wrong with Whoever-The-Fuck-Vampire-King and the Whatever-The-Fuck-That-Was-Love-Triangle. Whether or not Baz actually had feelings for him (which was bizarrely vague), it was still awful, unrealistic, and unnecessary. Not to mention uncomfortable. Baz from Carry On would despise Baz from Wayward Son.
I wanted to scream at Simon and Baz, "JUST TALK TO EACH OTHER!! OR KISS IT OUT LIKE YOU USED TO! DO SOMETHING!" But don't get me wrong. I wasn't compelled their dynamic at all. I wasn't eagerly turning pages to see how it would play out. I was just... sad. I wanted it to be over. They mean so much to me, and it hurt to see them like that. I couldn't even get myself to care about the plot because I just wanted Simon and Baz to love each other like they used to. To have the complicated, loving, chemistry-filled relationship they once had. How can SIMON AND BAZ not have chemistry? How did the writing go that wrong?
I could get more into the issue of LGBT+ suffering in media and the many problems with Rowell's representation, but I won't. Let's just say Simon and Baz deserved better. I don't really care that things will probably be resolved in the next book. This was a bad direction to take their relationship in. It wasn't them, it wasn't right, and it was downright depressing.
Wayward Son felt so disjointed from Carry On that I'm hoping I'll be able to pretend nothing in the second book even happened. The characters were sad, less interesting versions of themselves who regressed instead of learned. The plot was boring to the point where I can hardly even remember what happened before they got to Vegas, and I read it yesterday. LA vampire bros running a pyramid scheme? Okay, then. Does any of this even matter now that they're going back to the UK? None of the loose ends from Carry On were addressed in this novel, making the whole thing feel pointless.
And last but not least, the entire story was a disservice to Simon and Baz's relationship.
The release date for Wayward Son was initially set for 2020. Obviously I don't know anything about the writing and editing process of this book, but maybe changing it to 2019 contributed to the fact that it was rushed and an overall disappointment. Then again, could this book even be salvaged by more time? I'm not sure it could.
You're not supposed to feel anxious and upset when you find out your favorite book of all time is going to be a trilogy, but that's how I felt at the end of this book. Maybe everything will be fixed in the next one, maybe it won't, but nothing will change the fact that Wayward Son was a huge let down. I wish Carry On had been the end.
October 21, 2019
“Can I?” he asks.
Can you what, Simon? Kiss me? Kill me? Break my heart?”
©
So I'm not entirely sure why I am disappointed, but I am...
I'm also not necessarily upset with how this book played out...
But all regards aside, if Tyrannus Basilton Grimm-Pitch does not write his boyfriend a list of reasons why he both loves and hates him for their wedding day, I'm going to safely assume we all died in 2012 and this is a simulation.
_______________
Idiots to Still Idiots to Lovers
I'm almost certain I actually kinda "enjoyed" this. I did. This is very different to Carry On. Which I would like to primarily say isn't the main reason I'm giving it 3 stars because I think the book deserved to have a new and slightly dire atmosphere. Rainbow was giving us "the story after the story," and that usually isn't light.
Wayward Son hurt me, it physically ached my heart to turn the pages. I felt like I was chasing something during the entire book but as soon as I finished, I didn't reach what I was chasing for. I wasn't left with the hope that I felt when I reached the last page of Carry On. All my gay heart really wanted was a little biscuit of LGBT+ boldness and courage but it fell flat.
That being said, Rainbow Rowell knows how to write, boys and girls. I don't think I have ever felt the crushing feeling of mundanity written so perfectly. That's what hurts the most about this book, the entire thing focuses on what it's like to be human. It was tragic to say the least.
Baz and Simon hold such a unique place in my heart and seeing them understand what it means to love in this book was almost too precious. It felt intimate and it stung like a mf at the best of times. Yet, everything felt too rushed. I wanted so much more from their personal monologues and character development. The personalities of each character in this book was something entirely too different from Carry On. There was no transition or movement into the people we meet in Wayward Son and often, many plot arcs hit like whiplash. I struggled trying to understand Baz through this entire book because I felt like we were handed a completley different version of him.
My main theory on why I'm so disappointed with Wayward Son was because this has been one of my biggest anticipated reads of the year. For those who know how long I've been waiting for a Simon and Baz sequel, I can honestly say... too fucking long. I expected the biggest bang, but this hit too close to "second-book syndrome" and the plot felt like it was filling in for something rather than being a story in itself. It almost felt rushed but slow at the same time. Some events seemed to have no significance but were drawn out and the important scenes that I would have loved to keep reading about lasted a couple of pages. There were so many scenes that were glossed over and I didn't know if it was intentional or somehow, we were supposed to just forget those scenes happened?!
©
I love road-trip plots, so when I found out that Wayward Son was going to be the gang's trip to America, I probably got way too excited. So I guess, the moral of all this is; don't let Alex get too excited about a book.
Another thing I realized was I was very dissatisfied with the ending. It felt like no knots were untied and the book ended very abruptedly. There was little to no resolution, no communication and no overpowering feeling that made me want to turn back to page 1 and experience the story all over again. It almost felt like a novella that an author would gift their readers for signing up to their monthly newsletter. That being said, am I going to read the third book? HELL YES.
Wayward Son wasn't a win for me, but it wasn't a loss either. I have so much hope for my two soft bois that I would read 10 books on them if Rainbow so blessed us. Even though there were a lot of conflicts I had with this, there were moments that redeemed the story for me. Quite unsurprisingly, those moments occurred when I felt like learning more about our characters rather than drifting away from them. I'm not giving up yet, nor do I plan to anytime soon.
©
Can you what, Simon? Kiss me? Kill me? Break my heart?”
©So I'm not entirely sure why I am disappointed, but I am...
I'm also not necessarily upset with how this book played out...
But all regards aside, if Tyrannus Basilton Grimm-Pitch does not write his boyfriend a list of reasons why he both loves and hates him for their wedding day, I'm going to safely assume we all died in 2012 and this is a simulation.
_______________
Idiots to Still Idiots to Lovers
I'm almost certain I actually kinda "enjoyed" this. I did. This is very different to Carry On. Which I would like to primarily say isn't the main reason I'm giving it 3 stars because I think the book deserved to have a new and slightly dire atmosphere. Rainbow was giving us "the story after the story," and that usually isn't light.
Wayward Son hurt me, it physically ached my heart to turn the pages. I felt like I was chasing something during the entire book but as soon as I finished, I didn't reach what I was chasing for. I wasn't left with the hope that I felt when I reached the last page of Carry On. All my gay heart really wanted was a little biscuit of LGBT+ boldness and courage but it fell flat.
That being said, Rainbow Rowell knows how to write, boys and girls. I don't think I have ever felt the crushing feeling of mundanity written so perfectly. That's what hurts the most about this book, the entire thing focuses on what it's like to be human. It was tragic to say the least.
“I’d give him all that I am.
I’d give him all that I was.
I’d open up a vein.”
Baz and Simon hold such a unique place in my heart and seeing them understand what it means to love in this book was almost too precious. It felt intimate and it stung like a mf at the best of times. Yet, everything felt too rushed. I wanted so much more from their personal monologues and character development. The personalities of each character in this book was something entirely too different from Carry On. There was no transition or movement into the people we meet in Wayward Son and often, many plot arcs hit like whiplash. I struggled trying to understand Baz through this entire book because I felt like we were handed a completley different version of him.
My main theory on why I'm so disappointed with Wayward Son was because this has been one of my biggest anticipated reads of the year. For those who know how long I've been waiting for a Simon and Baz sequel, I can honestly say... too fucking long. I expected the biggest bang, but this hit too close to "second-book syndrome" and the plot felt like it was filling in for something rather than being a story in itself. It almost felt rushed but slow at the same time. Some events seemed to have no significance but were drawn out and the important scenes that I would have loved to keep reading about lasted a couple of pages. There were so many scenes that were glossed over and I didn't know if it was intentional or somehow, we were supposed to just forget those scenes happened?!
©
I love road-trip plots, so when I found out that Wayward Son was going to be the gang's trip to America, I probably got way too excited. So I guess, the moral of all this is; don't let Alex get too excited about a book.
“I’d tie our hearts together, chamber by chamber.”
Another thing I realized was I was very dissatisfied with the ending. It felt like no knots were untied and the book ended very abruptedly. There was little to no resolution, no communication and no overpowering feeling that made me want to turn back to page 1 and experience the story all over again. It almost felt like a novella that an author would gift their readers for signing up to their monthly newsletter. That being said, am I going to read the third book? HELL YES.
Wayward Son wasn't a win for me, but it wasn't a loss either. I have so much hope for my two soft bois that I would read 10 books on them if Rainbow so blessed us. Even though there were a lot of conflicts I had with this, there were moments that redeemed the story for me. Quite unsurprisingly, those moments occurred when I felt like learning more about our characters rather than drifting away from them. I'm not giving up yet, nor do I plan to anytime soon.
©
Read
March 1, 2020I loved every bit of this! I went in a little skeptical, but it was such a fun adventure. It was nice to see the characters after everything they'd been through in CARRY ON. I liked seeing how everyone was developing and still dealing with things that happened in the first book. It weirdly felt like a contemporary book at times, but I wasn't mad at that. I know this might be an unpopular opinion, but I liked this one more than CARRY ON. OOP. xD
April 18, 2020
my sexuality: being attracted to all women and (1) floral suit wearing rat sucker
October 16, 2019
Actual rating: 3.5 stars.
TENGO COSAS QUÉ DECIR.
EDIT: He venido a decirlas. Pues ahhh, lo primero es que el libro me gustó pero al mismo tiempo me decepcionó. No era lo que esperaba de una segunda parte de Carry On. Obvio ese primer libro fue PERFECTO y estaba bien como autoconclusivo, pero yo fui de las que se ALEGRÓ Y FANGIRLEÓ cuando se enteró de que venía una segunda parte. ¿MÁS SIMON Y BAZ? YES PLEASE. I NEED.
El punto es que en este libro ni siquiera hubo mucho de Simon y Baz... juntos, ¿saben? La relación que formaron en Carry On se fue por el drenaje. Estaban incluso más lejos el uno del otro que cuando se "odiaban" a muerte en el primer libro. Su relación quedó hecha añicos. Yo estaba impactada leyendo. Era pura falta de comunicación y migajas y me DOLIÓ. Me dolió leerlos sufriendo tanto porque obviamente se adoran pero por no hablar las cosas, no están realmente juntos.
Y TODO EL LIBRO ES ASÍ.
No me hubiera molestado si mínimo hubieran intentado HABLAR o resolverlo en algún punto del libro, PERO NO, EN NINGÚN MOMENTO. De repente tenían momentos de delirio en los que parecía que todo estaba bien y se olvidaban de sus problemas, pero ni siquiera fueron profundizados o tuvieron seguimiento. Y pues eso... no tuvimos resolución en estas 300 páginas. Simplemente no la hubo.
Y de ahí mi decepción. Les juro que no esperaba que el libro se centrara en romance, pero tampoco quería ver a Simon y a Baz tan distanciados. Y sé que lo que pasó en Carry On hizo estragos con la salud mental de ambos (especialmente con la de Simon), pero ay.
Ahora, como dije al principio: me gustó. PUFF, qué libro más divertido, me reí muchísimo. Además en el libro pasado Penelope Bunce me había dado igual, pero en este libro es REINA. También amé a Shepard, el nuevo personaje que se introduce. ES AMOR Y DEBE SER PROTEGIDO.
Sí me hubiera gustado ver más de Watford en este libro (lo que vemos es: 0%), pero igual fue interesante recorrer Estados Unidos desde una perspectiva mágica :). Las últimas páginas tuvieron muy buen ritmo y lograron hacer que me estresara y temiera por la vida de los personajes, jajaja. PERO luego todo tenía que ser arruinado con un cliffhanger. Que debo aclarar: no me molesta cuando la historia concluye y quedan muchos cabos sueltos (si es que habrá continuación), lo que me molesta es que me corten una escena y se acabe el libro. Tipo:
- ¡No sabes lo que pasó!
- OMG, ¿qué?
CONTINUARÁ.
ESO, ESO NO ME GUSTA. Y ASÍ ACABA ESTE LIBRO.
UGH.
Obviamente voy a leer el tercer libro. Espero que Simon y Baz al fin HABLEN y se COMUNIQUEN y arreglen su relación toda rota. Y espero que sean felices porque los tqm.
TENGO COSAS QUÉ DECIR.
EDIT: He venido a decirlas. Pues ahhh, lo primero es que el libro me gustó pero al mismo tiempo me decepcionó. No era lo que esperaba de una segunda parte de Carry On. Obvio ese primer libro fue PERFECTO y estaba bien como autoconclusivo, pero yo fui de las que se ALEGRÓ Y FANGIRLEÓ cuando se enteró de que venía una segunda parte. ¿MÁS SIMON Y BAZ? YES PLEASE. I NEED.
El punto es que en este libro ni siquiera hubo mucho de Simon y Baz... juntos, ¿saben? La relación que formaron en Carry On se fue por el drenaje. Estaban incluso más lejos el uno del otro que cuando se "odiaban" a muerte en el primer libro. Su relación quedó hecha añicos. Yo estaba impactada leyendo. Era pura falta de comunicación y migajas y me DOLIÓ. Me dolió leerlos sufriendo tanto porque obviamente se adoran pero por no hablar las cosas, no están realmente juntos.
Y TODO EL LIBRO ES ASÍ.
No me hubiera molestado si mínimo hubieran intentado HABLAR o resolverlo en algún punto del libro, PERO NO, EN NINGÚN MOMENTO. De repente tenían momentos de delirio en los que parecía que todo estaba bien y se olvidaban de sus problemas, pero ni siquiera fueron profundizados o tuvieron seguimiento. Y pues eso... no tuvimos resolución en estas 300 páginas. Simplemente no la hubo.
Y de ahí mi decepción. Les juro que no esperaba que el libro se centrara en romance, pero tampoco quería ver a Simon y a Baz tan distanciados. Y sé que lo que pasó en Carry On hizo estragos con la salud mental de ambos (especialmente con la de Simon), pero ay.
Ahora, como dije al principio: me gustó. PUFF, qué libro más divertido, me reí muchísimo. Además en el libro pasado Penelope Bunce me había dado igual, pero en este libro es REINA. También amé a Shepard, el nuevo personaje que se introduce. ES AMOR Y DEBE SER PROTEGIDO.
Sí me hubiera gustado ver más de Watford en este libro (lo que vemos es: 0%), pero igual fue interesante recorrer Estados Unidos desde una perspectiva mágica :). Las últimas páginas tuvieron muy buen ritmo y lograron hacer que me estresara y temiera por la vida de los personajes, jajaja. PERO luego todo tenía que ser arruinado con un cliffhanger. Que debo aclarar: no me molesta cuando la historia concluye y quedan muchos cabos sueltos (si es que habrá continuación), lo que me molesta es que me corten una escena y se acabe el libro. Tipo:
- ¡No sabes lo que pasó!
- OMG, ¿qué?
CONTINUARÁ.
ESO, ESO NO ME GUSTA. Y ASÍ ACABA ESTE LIBRO.
UGH.
Obviamente voy a leer el tercer libro. Espero que Simon y Baz al fin HABLEN y se COMUNIQUEN y arreglen su relación toda rota. Y espero que sean felices porque los tqm.
September 30, 2019
Okay I decided that my rating is actually 2 stars. This book just really fell flat for me. So many things that made Carry On amazing just weren't present in this book. This book is just
so incredibly
different to Carry On. The tone of Carry On is fun, fluffy and it doesn't take itself too seriously whereas in Wayward Son, the tone completely shifts to a more serious tone with the characters going through their own struggles. I appreciated what it was going for, but unfortunately it just didn't work for me and what I personally wanted out of the sequel.
I feel like it's hard for me to articulate my thoughts and feelings on this book but basically Carry On was everything and Wayward Son was jarring and lacklustre (I'm really sad about it).
-------
So many mixed feelings ah!!! I will try to write a review once I feel like I can better articulate my thoughts.
I feel like it's hard for me to articulate my thoughts and feelings on this book but basically Carry On was everything and Wayward Son was jarring and lacklustre (I'm really sad about it).
-------
So many mixed feelings ah!!! I will try to write a review once I feel like I can better articulate my thoughts.
November 15, 2025
Sooo...Simon did what he set out to do. He defeated the Big Bad, restored peace to the lands and even snagged a hot vampire boyfriend out of it... so why does he feel so empty inside?
“Ha! Does Agatha know we're coming?"
"It'll be a surprise!" Penny says.
"Surprise!" Baz singsongs. "It's your ex-boyfriend and his boyfriend and that girl you never liked very much!"”
Baz did what he set out to do - figured out the mystery of his mother, finally showed up the mage society and snagged a super hot chosen-one boyfriend out of it... so why does he feel so helpless?
Agatha did what she set out to do - survived the Big Bad, escaped to America and began her new life as a normal ...so why does she feel so dissatisfied?
Penny did what she set out to do - kept Agatha alive, kept Simon alive and kept Baz alive. Yet, she knows something is wrong. Possibly with Agatha, probably with Simon and Baz too.
So, Penny (being Penny) decides unilaterally what they need to do - and that something is a road trip across America.
Go ahead and shoot me. This isn't my favourite shirt.So.
I'm seeing a lot of mixy-reviews for this one.
People seemed to LOVE it or HATE it - and it seems pretty aligned with their expectations.
If you wanted another Big Bad and Giant Showdown, then this book really isn't for you.
If you wanted more screen time of SnoBaz and Penny making mayhem in a foreign country - then this book is perfect.
Ultimately, I really enjoyed the second book.
I love it when established characters from series that I love literally just up and go on an adventure.
I really liked seeing Simon deal with his post-tramatic-saving-the-world shtick and I felt like it really rounded out his character.
It was so neat to watch Baz become more comfortable in his own skin - especially after so many years of repressing himself.
Agatha...to be honest, I've tried to like her but I just don't click with her too much (she tends to whine) but this book I liked her quite a bit more than usual, so there's that.
And Penny? What can I say buy she was the Penniest-Penny she's ever been.
All in all, I'm really happy with this book and I'm ITCHING to get my hands on the next!
YouTube | Blog | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Snapchat @miranda_reads
Want to read
June 6, 2018HOLY MOLY!!!
ARE YOU AUTHORS TRYING TO KILL ME???!!!
First there's going to be a 3rd SoC book and now THIS!??!!??
I'm having a heart attack right here!!!
I love Simon and Baz!!! I FREAKING LOVE THEM!!!!
If this is true I'm going to die!!! <333
OH JEEZ!!!
My heart can't take this anymore!!!!
__/\__/\__/\__/\__________________
P.S: Am I the only one who thinks about Kansas' "Carry on Wayward Son".
"Carry on my wayward son
There'll be peace when you are done
Lay your weary head to rest
Don't you cry no more."
Is this a pun Rainbow? Ingenious... So damn ingenious. *lol*
ARE YOU AUTHORS TRYING TO KILL ME???!!!
First there's going to be a 3rd SoC book and now THIS!??!!??
I'm having a heart attack right here!!!
I love Simon and Baz!!! I FREAKING LOVE THEM!!!!
If this is true I'm going to die!!! <333
OH JEEZ!!!
My heart can't take this anymore!!!!
__/\__/\__/\__/\__________________
P.S: Am I the only one who thinks about Kansas' "Carry on Wayward Son".
"Carry on my wayward son
There'll be peace when you are done
Lay your weary head to rest
Don't you cry no more."
Is this a pun Rainbow? Ingenious... So damn ingenious. *lol*
April 3, 2020
FUCKING SHIT I JUST HAD A HEART ATRACK
My SPN fandom heart is extremely happy with this title
Simon and Baz look SO GOOD in this cover
My babies are coming back to me!
My SPN fandom heart is extremely happy with this title
2019? Better than 2020, I know that the year is almost over already, but still...
Simon and Baz look SO GOOD in this cover
My babies are coming back to me!
October 7, 2019
wayward son HURTS. in the best way. and to me, it's one of the most important books rainbow has ever written. full review after i reread carry on so i can read this a second time and read the series back to back
Want to read
June 4, 2018Why is Baz wearing a carpet
September 25, 2019
Well. That was disappointing. In fact, ‘disappointing’ is putting it mildly.
I knew going in that this wasn’t going to be a happy road trip story. I was prepared for a frank and honest look at characters dealing with depression and PTSD. What I wasn’t prepared for was a book that offered no hope, no resolutions, no healthy coping mechanisms and no communication. Even a bleak book can be enjoyable, but Wayward Son isn’t because there’s no catharsis. Instead, we’re dragged through Simon, Baz and Penny’s relationship problems and post-war identity crises for 300 pages only for it to end abruptly on a cliffhanger. Presumably Rowell wanted to save all the cathartic moments for the surprise third book of the series, but she’s done so at the expense of this instalment.
Alongside the lack of communication between the characters, I also felt that there was a general lack of introspective character-driven moments. Simon, Baz and Penny seemed cold and two-dimensional in comparison to their characterisation in Carry On. Of course, that could have been a deliberate writing choice - to show that these aren’t the plucky young teenage heroes they once were - but it was just one more thing that made reading Wayward Son an uphill struggle.
Maybe I’d have liked Wayward Son more if I’d known in advance that this was a middle book and not the end of Simon and Baz’s story - then, at least, the lack of satisfying scenes would have made more narrative sense. As it is, I just grew more and more frustrated as I neared the end of the book and realised that the pay-off I’d been waiting for was never coming. Wayward Son is clearly a set-up for the next book in the series and doesn’t stand well on its own.
If you’re not particularly invested in the characters, there’s still plenty of magickal hijinks in this book - and new character Shepard is a lot of fun - but if you’re a fan of Carry On and you like how it ended, I’d suggest skipping this sequel (or perhaps waiting until the third book is out, so you can read both in one go and get the closure this book doesn’t offer).
Publisher: Pan Macmillan
Rating: 2 stars | ★★✰✰✰
Review originally posted to Paperback'd Reviews.
I knew going in that this wasn’t going to be a happy road trip story. I was prepared for a frank and honest look at characters dealing with depression and PTSD. What I wasn’t prepared for was a book that offered no hope, no resolutions, no healthy coping mechanisms and no communication. Even a bleak book can be enjoyable, but Wayward Son isn’t because there’s no catharsis. Instead, we’re dragged through Simon, Baz and Penny’s relationship problems and post-war identity crises for 300 pages only for it to end abruptly on a cliffhanger. Presumably Rowell wanted to save all the cathartic moments for the surprise third book of the series, but she’s done so at the expense of this instalment.
Alongside the lack of communication between the characters, I also felt that there was a general lack of introspective character-driven moments. Simon, Baz and Penny seemed cold and two-dimensional in comparison to their characterisation in Carry On. Of course, that could have been a deliberate writing choice - to show that these aren’t the plucky young teenage heroes they once were - but it was just one more thing that made reading Wayward Son an uphill struggle.
Maybe I’d have liked Wayward Son more if I’d known in advance that this was a middle book and not the end of Simon and Baz’s story - then, at least, the lack of satisfying scenes would have made more narrative sense. As it is, I just grew more and more frustrated as I neared the end of the book and realised that the pay-off I’d been waiting for was never coming. Wayward Son is clearly a set-up for the next book in the series and doesn’t stand well on its own.
If you’re not particularly invested in the characters, there’s still plenty of magickal hijinks in this book - and new character Shepard is a lot of fun - but if you’re a fan of Carry On and you like how it ended, I’d suggest skipping this sequel (or perhaps waiting until the third book is out, so you can read both in one go and get the closure this book doesn’t offer).
Publisher: Pan Macmillan
Rating: 2 stars | ★★✰✰✰
Review originally posted to Paperback'd Reviews.
May 21, 2020
Menuda bajona…
Madre mía. Me habíais advertido. Había leído reseñas. Pero me lancé directamente a leer Wayward Son después de haber terminado Carry On. Podéis leer la reseña del primer aquí. Le di 5 estrellas. ¡LAS CINCO MALDITAS ESTRELLAS! Me arrasó. Me encantó. Me enganchó. Pero wow… menuda decepción llevo encima con este segundo.
El punto de partida, prometido en la sinopsis, era más que interesante. ¿Qué es lo que hace El Elegido después de haber salvado el mundo? Pues mira, es algo que no nos habían contado nunca, y me esperaba que fuera algo original. También me gustan los road trips (tantos en películas como en libros), así que parecía que todos los elementos me iban a convencer. ¡Y encima teníamos a Baz y Simon ya siendo oficialmente novios! Pero, querida… tenía una gran tormenta sobre mí.
Me ha gustado cómo Rainbow Rowell tocaba el tema de la ¿depresión? de Simon una vez todo por lo que siempre ha sentido luchar, o con lo que se ha identificado, se tambalea una vez termina el primer libro. Ha sido un punto de inflexión interesante en el personaje, aunque habría estado bien haberle dado un poquito de coherencia. En plan… Simon no evoluciona en absoluto durante el libro. Quizá vislumbramos su cambio en las tres últimas páginas del epílogo. O sea. ¿En serio? Es como que mostrarlo no sirve de nada, solo para crear conflicto con Baz y el resto de personajes, pero siento que al final le ha terminado restando intensidad, fuerza y carisma al personaje de Simon Snow.
Por otro lado, no me quejo tanto de eso, porque gracias a su situación podemos ver mejor la historia a través de los ojos de Agatha, Penelope, Baz y algún personaje nuevo. En ese sentido me ha parecido más interesante que Carry On, porque no todo estaba tan centrado en Simon. Lamentablemente, la historia no era ni una décima parte de lo interesante que era la primera. Así que me he quedado un poco igual, pese a haber disfrutado de más puntos de vista.
Además, este libro tiene 350 páginas. Son casi 200 menos que el primero. Y, sin embargo, he sentido que lo leía durante semanas. ¡Y repito que tenemos muchas más escenas narradas desde el resto de personajes! O sea, radicalmente debería ser más ameno, pero no lo es. No lo es por el simple hecho de que la historia parece ir dando tumbos. A veces arranca, pero frena rápidamente. Vale que descubrimos nuevos elementos del mundo que ha creado Rainbow Rowell, ya que nos centramos mucho más en los vampiros y en el mundo mágico de Estados Unidos, pero no es suficiente para despertar el interés del lector.
La mayoría de escenas son ellos discutiendo, descripciones de paisajes de zonas sin habitar de Estados Unidos, lo mucho que Baz odia el país. más discusiones… No sé, es como que no había escenas realmente interesantes. Y cuando la cosa remonta ligeramente, hacia el final, es todo tan abrupto que sinceramente no me he enterado muy bien de lo que ha pasado. Un caos. Solo me han destacado un par de momentos: el tema de la secta y la ciudad de Las Vegas (por favor, necesitamos un spin-off de Lamb!!).
Respecto a la relación de Baz y Simon he de admitir que no me he sentido movido por ella. Era como que me daba igual. Cuando repites tanto lo mal que está algo, todos los problemas que tienes, etcétera, etcétera, etcétera… Se vuelve monotema y cansa. Eso sí, el personaje de Baz sigue brillando y en este caso no resulta tan molesto con ese tema. De hecho hay ciertas situaciones donde estaba DESEANDO que dejara a Simon por irse corriendo con cierto personaje que aparece a mediados del libro. Era como: bitch, TÚ SÍ tienes chispa. ¡Aprovéchala!
En resumidas cuentas, podría decir que Wayward Son es un desastre. Así. Sin medias tintas. Ni la trama es lo suficientemente buena, ni engancha, ni el desarrollo de los personajes es digno de mención… No sé. Hace aguas por todos lados. Me siento super decepcionado y hasta ligeramente engañado. Eso no quita que vaya a leer la tercera parte, pero si lo hago es por el cariño que le he cogido a personajes como Baz o Penelope, y porque Carry On me enamoró y siento que le debo un cierre.
Madre mía. Me habíais advertido. Había leído reseñas. Pero me lancé directamente a leer Wayward Son después de haber terminado Carry On. Podéis leer la reseña del primer aquí. Le di 5 estrellas. ¡LAS CINCO MALDITAS ESTRELLAS! Me arrasó. Me encantó. Me enganchó. Pero wow… menuda decepción llevo encima con este segundo.
El punto de partida, prometido en la sinopsis, era más que interesante. ¿Qué es lo que hace El Elegido después de haber salvado el mundo? Pues mira, es algo que no nos habían contado nunca, y me esperaba que fuera algo original. También me gustan los road trips (tantos en películas como en libros), así que parecía que todos los elementos me iban a convencer. ¡Y encima teníamos a Baz y Simon ya siendo oficialmente novios! Pero, querida… tenía una gran tormenta sobre mí.
Me ha gustado cómo Rainbow Rowell tocaba el tema de la ¿depresión? de Simon una vez todo por lo que siempre ha sentido luchar, o con lo que se ha identificado, se tambalea una vez termina el primer libro. Ha sido un punto de inflexión interesante en el personaje, aunque habría estado bien haberle dado un poquito de coherencia. En plan… Simon no evoluciona en absoluto durante el libro. Quizá vislumbramos su cambio en las tres últimas páginas del epílogo. O sea. ¿En serio? Es como que mostrarlo no sirve de nada, solo para crear conflicto con Baz y el resto de personajes, pero siento que al final le ha terminado restando intensidad, fuerza y carisma al personaje de Simon Snow.
Por otro lado, no me quejo tanto de eso, porque gracias a su situación podemos ver mejor la historia a través de los ojos de Agatha, Penelope, Baz y algún personaje nuevo. En ese sentido me ha parecido más interesante que Carry On, porque no todo estaba tan centrado en Simon. Lamentablemente, la historia no era ni una décima parte de lo interesante que era la primera. Así que me he quedado un poco igual, pese a haber disfrutado de más puntos de vista.
Además, este libro tiene 350 páginas. Son casi 200 menos que el primero. Y, sin embargo, he sentido que lo leía durante semanas. ¡Y repito que tenemos muchas más escenas narradas desde el resto de personajes! O sea, radicalmente debería ser más ameno, pero no lo es. No lo es por el simple hecho de que la historia parece ir dando tumbos. A veces arranca, pero frena rápidamente. Vale que descubrimos nuevos elementos del mundo que ha creado Rainbow Rowell, ya que nos centramos mucho más en los vampiros y en el mundo mágico de Estados Unidos, pero no es suficiente para despertar el interés del lector.
La mayoría de escenas son ellos discutiendo, descripciones de paisajes de zonas sin habitar de Estados Unidos, lo mucho que Baz odia el país. más discusiones… No sé, es como que no había escenas realmente interesantes. Y cuando la cosa remonta ligeramente, hacia el final, es todo tan abrupto que sinceramente no me he enterado muy bien de lo que ha pasado. Un caos. Solo me han destacado un par de momentos: el tema de la secta y la ciudad de Las Vegas (por favor, necesitamos un spin-off de Lamb!!).
Respecto a la relación de Baz y Simon he de admitir que no me he sentido movido por ella. Era como que me daba igual. Cuando repites tanto lo mal que está algo, todos los problemas que tienes, etcétera, etcétera, etcétera… Se vuelve monotema y cansa. Eso sí, el personaje de Baz sigue brillando y en este caso no resulta tan molesto con ese tema. De hecho hay ciertas situaciones donde estaba DESEANDO que dejara a Simon por irse corriendo con cierto personaje que aparece a mediados del libro. Era como: bitch, TÚ SÍ tienes chispa. ¡Aprovéchala!
En resumidas cuentas, podría decir que Wayward Son es un desastre. Así. Sin medias tintas. Ni la trama es lo suficientemente buena, ni engancha, ni el desarrollo de los personajes es digno de mención… No sé. Hace aguas por todos lados. Me siento super decepcionado y hasta ligeramente engañado. Eso no quita que vaya a leer la tercera parte, pero si lo hago es por el cariño que le he cogido a personajes como Baz o Penelope, y porque Carry On me enamoró y siento que le debo un cierre.
November 10, 2019
. : ☾⋆ — 5 ★
READ THIS REVIEW ON MY BLOG!!!
https://bit.ly/34MQB4D
I finished reading this book almost a month and a half ago and I still can’t truly wrap my head around it. I can’t stop and think about it long enough to write a review and it’s made me stop writing altogether because I seem to be absolutely stuck because of this one review that I can’t write and I just can’t bear it any longer. I don’t know how to put my thoughts into words but I’ll try my best.
I finished Wayward Son in a single sitting after waiting years for it to come out, and I also received my copy in the mail almost a week earlier than I was supposed to. it was exciting to get to dive into this book long before anybody else could and it felt like Rainbow Rowell and I were in on a little secret—I knew stuff that could potentially spoil the reading experience for everybody else (it isn’t something that I would actually do, but it was nice knowing that I was one of the few people in the entire world who knew what lied ahead for Simon and Baz).
and then the book actually did come out. days passed. then weeks passed. then a month passed, and it was around that time that I realized that I genuinely couldn’t write ANYTHING about Wayward Son that actually represented how I felt about the book because nothing has ever really come close to it. it isn’t what I expected from a sequel to such a remarkable first book, but I think that kind of was the point of it.
the tone and rhythm of Wayward Son was so different from Carry On but it worked. knowing before anyone else did that a third book was on its way also helped, because I was able to see this bit of the story as a sort of bridge between what happened in book 1 and what’s going to happen in book 3, which we get little hints of throughout the book: healing, restoring, finding the place and the people that make you feel safe. the realistic aspects of Simon’s depression and his dwindling relationship with Baz as a consequence of it were one of my favorite parts of Wayward Son, because it felt authentic. it was so different from Carry On in every way you can think of, but I loved every second of it.
Wayward Son gave these characters and this world the time they needed to fully flesh themselves out. it brought them to life in a way that I didn’t know was possible, and I hate that it took me so long to figure out how to write this review when it was actually so simple: I love how this book is about growth and love. God, I just love everything about it. the third book can’t possibly come soon enough.
// ORIGINAL REVIEW
i woke up and saw this on instagram as soon as i opened the app and i'm not gonna lie i thought i was dreaming???
wake me up when it's 2020
READ THIS REVIEW ON MY BLOG!!!
https://bit.ly/34MQB4D
I finished reading this book almost a month and a half ago and I still can’t truly wrap my head around it. I can’t stop and think about it long enough to write a review and it’s made me stop writing altogether because I seem to be absolutely stuck because of this one review that I can’t write and I just can’t bear it any longer. I don’t know how to put my thoughts into words but I’ll try my best.
I finished Wayward Son in a single sitting after waiting years for it to come out, and I also received my copy in the mail almost a week earlier than I was supposed to. it was exciting to get to dive into this book long before anybody else could and it felt like Rainbow Rowell and I were in on a little secret—I knew stuff that could potentially spoil the reading experience for everybody else (it isn’t something that I would actually do, but it was nice knowing that I was one of the few people in the entire world who knew what lied ahead for Simon and Baz).
and then the book actually did come out. days passed. then weeks passed. then a month passed, and it was around that time that I realized that I genuinely couldn’t write ANYTHING about Wayward Son that actually represented how I felt about the book because nothing has ever really come close to it. it isn’t what I expected from a sequel to such a remarkable first book, but I think that kind of was the point of it.
the tone and rhythm of Wayward Son was so different from Carry On but it worked. knowing before anyone else did that a third book was on its way also helped, because I was able to see this bit of the story as a sort of bridge between what happened in book 1 and what’s going to happen in book 3, which we get little hints of throughout the book: healing, restoring, finding the place and the people that make you feel safe. the realistic aspects of Simon’s depression and his dwindling relationship with Baz as a consequence of it were one of my favorite parts of Wayward Son, because it felt authentic. it was so different from Carry On in every way you can think of, but I loved every second of it.
Wayward Son gave these characters and this world the time they needed to fully flesh themselves out. it brought them to life in a way that I didn’t know was possible, and I hate that it took me so long to figure out how to write this review when it was actually so simple: I love how this book is about growth and love. God, I just love everything about it. the third book can’t possibly come soon enough.
// ORIGINAL REVIEW
i woke up and saw this on instagram as soon as i opened the app and i'm not gonna lie i thought i was dreaming???
wake me up when it's 2020
October 14, 2019
That feeling when you’ve been anticipating a book for over a year and it’s, well, lackluster...
Some background: a few years ago Rainbow Rowell wrote an amazing book called Fangirl . One of the main characters in that book wrote fan fiction about a Harry Potter-esque character named Simon Snow and his nemesis/crush Baz (think Draco Malfoy).
Rowell then wrote Carry On , which followed Simon and Baz, Simon’s best friend Penny, and their battles to save the magickal world.
This book is the sequel. It chronicles what happened after the events in Carry On , what it’s like to be the Chosen One when what it seems like you were chosen to do is all but done, and how to move on.
Simon and Baz are in love with each other but they’re reluctant to fully express it. And Simon has been so depressed and unable to do magick that it’s taking a toll on all of them. So Penny decides they need a road trip to America and they’ll go see an old friend, Agatha (Simon's ex-girlfriend of sorts), who’s in San Diego.
What they get is far much more than they bargained for. Their magick, their relationships, their lives will be tested by circumstances they would never have expected, as they try to rescue their friend and each other.
I love these characters. Simon and Baz make my heart melt and there were so many tender moments I loved between them. But those moments were fleeting, and their relationship is in such stress, that it was hard to enjoy the highs as much as I wanted to.
This book is narrated by five or six people, which also irritated me, because I didn’t feel enough of a distinction between their storytelling. And the whole storyline with Agatha really didn’t catch my interest until the end.
I’m disappointed but of course I've hyped this book up for a year, so it's partially my fault. This clearly has been written to set up a third book, which of course I’ll still read, because I love the way Rowell writes and I can’t get enough of Simon and Baz. Others have felt differently so if you’re a fan of the series give it a go and let me know what you think.
See all of my reviews at itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com.
Check out my list of the best books I read in 2018 at https://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com/2019/01/the-best-books-i-read-in-2018.html.
You can follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/the.bookishworld.of.yrralh/.
Some background: a few years ago Rainbow Rowell wrote an amazing book called Fangirl . One of the main characters in that book wrote fan fiction about a Harry Potter-esque character named Simon Snow and his nemesis/crush Baz (think Draco Malfoy).
Rowell then wrote Carry On , which followed Simon and Baz, Simon’s best friend Penny, and their battles to save the magickal world.
This book is the sequel. It chronicles what happened after the events in Carry On , what it’s like to be the Chosen One when what it seems like you were chosen to do is all but done, and how to move on.
Simon and Baz are in love with each other but they’re reluctant to fully express it. And Simon has been so depressed and unable to do magick that it’s taking a toll on all of them. So Penny decides they need a road trip to America and they’ll go see an old friend, Agatha (Simon's ex-girlfriend of sorts), who’s in San Diego.
What they get is far much more than they bargained for. Their magick, their relationships, their lives will be tested by circumstances they would never have expected, as they try to rescue their friend and each other.
I love these characters. Simon and Baz make my heart melt and there were so many tender moments I loved between them. But those moments were fleeting, and their relationship is in such stress, that it was hard to enjoy the highs as much as I wanted to.
This book is narrated by five or six people, which also irritated me, because I didn’t feel enough of a distinction between their storytelling. And the whole storyline with Agatha really didn’t catch my interest until the end.
I’m disappointed but of course I've hyped this book up for a year, so it's partially my fault. This clearly has been written to set up a third book, which of course I’ll still read, because I love the way Rowell writes and I can’t get enough of Simon and Baz. Others have felt differently so if you’re a fan of the series give it a go and let me know what you think.
See all of my reviews at itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com.
Check out my list of the best books I read in 2018 at https://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com/2019/01/the-best-books-i-read-in-2018.html.
You can follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/the.bookishworld.of.yrralh/.
July 5, 2021
“I'd give him all that I am.
I'd give him all that I was.
I'd open up a vein.
I'd tie our hearts together, chamber by chamber.”
At this point I am being willingly dragged by SnowBaz.
Simon believes that his only purpose in life was magic, to be the chosen one that everyone needed. Now that it’s over, Simon thinks that Baz and Penny don’t love him, that they only ever did because of his power.
My heart. My poor, poor soul. All I wanted was for Simon to accept the love that his best friend and boyfriend were giving him. It made me so upset to see Simon struggling with depression, but great to see him slowly overcome it on a road trip with Baz and Penny.
“Sometimes Simon kisses me like it’s the end of the world, and I worry he might believe that it is.”
The romance! The SnowBaz scenes we got filled me with the same giddiness that Carry On did. I still smiled like a little kid and buried my face into my covers, overjoyed that our two loves could be happy together for even a short time.
The plot of Wayward Son was outstanding. I was thoroughly entertained and intrigued through it all, (*cough* also cried when things got especially dangerous) and loved to follow Simon, Baz and Penny as they became an even more tight knit team.
“Can I?” he asks.
Can you what, Simon? Kiss me? Kill me? Break my heart?
I touch him like he’s made of butterfly wings.
“You don’t have to ask.” I say it loud enough that he’ll hear me, over everything.”
Many people have had issues with Simon and Baz’s communication in this book. I admit it was a little frustrating at times, though it didn’t bother me very much. I liked seeing that both Simon and Baz love each other endlessly (even if they don’t say it) and were each dealing with their own personal demons. It was beautiful to see their love for eachother blossom and crumble and ultimately piece back together. I loved watching them discover just how much they mean to each other.
The light banter between Penny, Simon and Baz was hilarious, I didn’t realize just how much I missed Baz’s snarky retorts. Bless Rainbow Rowell’s soul for giving Baz particularly expensive suits and an obsession with his beautiful hair. That was very much appreciated.
“But it was a mistake thinking of that as an end. There is no end. Bad things happen, and then they stop, but they keep on wreaking havoc inside of people.”
No one can tell me there won’t be a third book. That cliffhanger set everything up for another, and the acknowledgments suggest Rainbow Rowell will definitely continue writing Simon and Baz’s journey.
Hey, I’m not complaining.
-----------------------------------
23/09/19
A friendly reminder that we're LESS THAN 24 HOURS until more of:
“You were the sun, and I was crashing into you.” ☀️
“What you are is a fucking tragedy, Simon Snow." 😍
“You called me Simon before."
"No, I didn't.” 💞
“Enough, Snow, I'm not the Queen.” 👑
“Carry on, Simon.” 🌈
OUR SUFFERING ENDS TOMORROW FOLKS!!
I'd give him all that I was.
I'd open up a vein.
I'd tie our hearts together, chamber by chamber.”
At this point I am being willingly dragged by SnowBaz.
Simon believes that his only purpose in life was magic, to be the chosen one that everyone needed. Now that it’s over, Simon thinks that Baz and Penny don’t love him, that they only ever did because of his power.
My heart. My poor, poor soul. All I wanted was for Simon to accept the love that his best friend and boyfriend were giving him. It made me so upset to see Simon struggling with depression, but great to see him slowly overcome it on a road trip with Baz and Penny.
“Sometimes Simon kisses me like it’s the end of the world, and I worry he might believe that it is.”
The romance! The SnowBaz scenes we got filled me with the same giddiness that Carry On did. I still smiled like a little kid and buried my face into my covers, overjoyed that our two loves could be happy together for even a short time.
The plot of Wayward Son was outstanding. I was thoroughly entertained and intrigued through it all, (*cough* also cried when things got especially dangerous) and loved to follow Simon, Baz and Penny as they became an even more tight knit team.
“Can I?” he asks.
Can you what, Simon? Kiss me? Kill me? Break my heart?
I touch him like he’s made of butterfly wings.
“You don’t have to ask.” I say it loud enough that he’ll hear me, over everything.”
Many people have had issues with Simon and Baz’s communication in this book. I admit it was a little frustrating at times, though it didn’t bother me very much. I liked seeing that both Simon and Baz love each other endlessly (even if they don’t say it) and were each dealing with their own personal demons. It was beautiful to see their love for eachother blossom and crumble and ultimately piece back together. I loved watching them discover just how much they mean to each other.
The light banter between Penny, Simon and Baz was hilarious, I didn’t realize just how much I missed Baz’s snarky retorts. Bless Rainbow Rowell’s soul for giving Baz particularly expensive suits and an obsession with his beautiful hair. That was very much appreciated.
“But it was a mistake thinking of that as an end. There is no end. Bad things happen, and then they stop, but they keep on wreaking havoc inside of people.”
No one can tell me there won’t be a third book. That cliffhanger set everything up for another, and the acknowledgments suggest Rainbow Rowell will definitely continue writing Simon and Baz’s journey.
Hey, I’m not complaining.
-----------------------------------
23/09/19
A friendly reminder that we're LESS THAN 24 HOURS until more of:
“You were the sun, and I was crashing into you.” ☀️
“What you are is a fucking tragedy, Simon Snow." 😍
“You called me Simon before."
"No, I didn't.” 💞
“Enough, Snow, I'm not the Queen.” 👑
“Carry on, Simon.” 🌈
OUR SUFFERING ENDS TOMORROW FOLKS!!
Want to read
September 19, 2019are they like ... lost on the moon
did their cranky convertible fly off like the flying lawnmower?
December 7, 2022
Re-read 11/2022: I definitely liked it more than the first time I read it, especially after reading book 3.
Re-read 7/2021: Reading this for the second time, I think I appreciated more what the author was trying to do with Simon's character.
Original review:
To be perfectly honest, Simon and Baz are the main reason I enjoyed this book as much as I did. I just liked reading about them again. There was also some great banter, Agatha was much more fun than in the previous book, and I liked the introduction of a new character, Shepard.
However, I did feel a bit disappointed with this book as a whole. The story is mainly plot driven. There is not much relationship development between Simon and Baz, not the way I expected, and there is a lot of miscommunication. Or rather no communication at all.
That would normally frustrate me to no end, but as this is obviously a set up for a sequel, I really hope the next book will make up for what this one lacked.
Re-read 7/2021: Reading this for the second time, I think I appreciated more what the author was trying to do with Simon's character.
Original review:
To be perfectly honest, Simon and Baz are the main reason I enjoyed this book as much as I did. I just liked reading about them again. There was also some great banter, Agatha was much more fun than in the previous book, and I liked the introduction of a new character, Shepard.
However, I did feel a bit disappointed with this book as a whole. The story is mainly plot driven. There is not much relationship development between Simon and Baz, not the way I expected, and there is a lot of miscommunication. Or rather no communication at all.
That would normally frustrate me to no end, but as this is obviously a set up for a sequel, I really hope the next book will make up for what this one lacked.
tbr-sequels
June 5, 2018
ALSO i know i'm not the first person to point this out but
and i AM the first person to point THIS out:
(is the last one just me? yes? no?)
August 29, 2020
Baz is a cranky, sarcastic, salty man and I LOVE him
That's all. That's the review
That's all. That's the review
February 3, 2024
Ahhhhh I love them!! Ok, I did fall for the first book more but the second is still definitely worth the read. I like the whole “let’s go on a trip” then it turns into something much bigger. However I did feel like Shepard kind of came out of nowhere, his character does add to the story but I wish we got introduced to him another way. I also wish we got a little bit more of Agatha’s perspective. Then that way we could get a better look into the Next Blood instead of just having them be constantly mentioned. But this book is certainly another wild, magical ride and I most certainly need the third book. Like right now. (4.5)
October 21, 2019
3.5
Warning: There are spoilers for Carry On in this review and they aren't hidden. Proceed with caution.
Disappointment is reading your anticipated release with no expectations and still being disappointed with how it ends.
This isn't necessarily a bad book, the fact that I managed to finish it in one day shows how enjoyable it was to read and how easy it is to get through. However, I fear that a few of Rowell's decisions really brought it down for me.
Wayward Son follows Simon, Baz, and Penelope a year after the end of the war as they adjusted to their lives. Now, this idea is interesting to me since Simon grew up anticipating how his life would end (short), Baz expected to be evil and probably dead by Simon's hands and Penelope didn't quite know what to make of her future since she always focused on saving Simon.
So, nobody knows what to do with themselves (#relatable) and things are especially hard for Simon, who is depressed and stopped seeking medical help (unfortunately, also #relatable). Penny decides that the three of them should go to the United States on holiday and to visit Agatha who is MIA.
I like how this expanded the World of Mages, primarily how everything is different outside of the UK and the new information about magic. It makes me wonder what it's like in other parts of the world!
What I really enjoyed about Wayward Son is how these characters are evolving, not necessarily in a better way. Simon doesn't know how to deal with himself. He has no magic and a weird tail and devil wings. He doesn't know who he is anymore and it's affecting his relationships. Baz wants to help him but he doesn't really know-how, and as always he is dealing with balancing his mage and vampire selves. Penny is no longer our assured hero, as everything around her falls apart.
These are the characters I loved to read about all those years ago and that have stuck with me. With this sequel, they feel more real to me and more fragile. I felt more connected with them as they were going through their issues. In a certain way, this book was more introspective even with all the action scenes.
Yet, I think the author failed in developing them. With all the action scenes introduced, and with how the book ends, there is no resolution to the feelings these characters have and where they stand with each other. I am sure Rowell is planning on picking up on what was started in the sequel but Wayward Son feels unresolved. I didn't expect a perfect ending, just a bit of clarity that these characters are looking for.
And I hate to be mean but Agatha was useless. She has no purpose, no growth to her, especially when compared to the trio.
This feels like an edgier, more mature sequel to Carry On but it wasn't a complete book to me.
But it was a mistake thinking of that as an end. There is no end. Bad things happen, and then they stop, but they keep on wreaking havoc inside of people.
Warning: There are spoilers for Carry On in this review and they aren't hidden. Proceed with caution.
Disappointment is reading your anticipated release with no expectations and still being disappointed with how it ends.
This isn't necessarily a bad book, the fact that I managed to finish it in one day shows how enjoyable it was to read and how easy it is to get through. However, I fear that a few of Rowell's decisions really brought it down for me.
Wayward Son follows Simon, Baz, and Penelope a year after the end of the war as they adjusted to their lives. Now, this idea is interesting to me since Simon grew up anticipating how his life would end (short), Baz expected to be evil and probably dead by Simon's hands and Penelope didn't quite know what to make of her future since she always focused on saving Simon.
So, nobody knows what to do with themselves (#relatable) and things are especially hard for Simon, who is depressed and stopped seeking medical help (unfortunately, also #relatable). Penny decides that the three of them should go to the United States on holiday and to visit Agatha who is MIA.
I like how this expanded the World of Mages, primarily how everything is different outside of the UK and the new information about magic. It makes me wonder what it's like in other parts of the world!
What I really enjoyed about Wayward Son is how these characters are evolving, not necessarily in a better way. Simon doesn't know how to deal with himself. He has no magic and a weird tail and devil wings. He doesn't know who he is anymore and it's affecting his relationships. Baz wants to help him but he doesn't really know-how, and as always he is dealing with balancing his mage and vampire selves. Penny is no longer our assured hero, as everything around her falls apart.
These are the characters I loved to read about all those years ago and that have stuck with me. With this sequel, they feel more real to me and more fragile. I felt more connected with them as they were going through their issues. In a certain way, this book was more introspective even with all the action scenes.
Yet, I think the author failed in developing them. With all the action scenes introduced, and with how the book ends, there is no resolution to the feelings these characters have and where they stand with each other. I am sure Rowell is planning on picking up on what was started in the sequel but Wayward Son feels unresolved. I didn't expect a perfect ending, just a bit of clarity that these characters are looking for.
And I hate to be mean but Agatha was useless. She has no purpose, no growth to her, especially when compared to the trio.
This feels like an edgier, more mature sequel to Carry On but it wasn't a complete book to me.
October 4, 2019
Actual rating: 1.5 (rounded down)
“The story is supposed to be over...”
My thoughts exxxxxactlyyyyyy!
Honestly, I found this book kind of unnecessary and (dare I say?) pointless. I was not the biggest fan of the first book, so I don’t know what possessed me to think this would be any different. (And if I’m being truthful here: I totally forgot I had pre-ordered this on my Kindle many months ago, and then I got the release notification and a charge on my account)... so, yeah, I gave it a shot. But this book is simply a bunch of disappointing and, again, pointless misadventures across the American Midwest, completely irrelevant filler narrative, and all culminating in an absurdly abrupt, infuriating ending.
I should’ve known a road-trip-styled story with these characters would be hit or miss. Hindsight is a bitch.
The POV’s alternate between Simon, Baz, Penelope, and Agatha (as well as a sprinkling of *new* ones). I feel like for a book this length (under 400 pages), having four+ separate narrators was just faulty— it does not give enough time for each individual... even after knowing background from the first book. It didn’t help that there was very, very minimal progression or development for any of the characters. This is a 350 page book of filler fan-service (and it does a truly shit job at that, too!). But more on that in a bit...
The whole time I was reading this, I kept asking myself, “Why does this exist? What is the POINT?”Carry On works better as a standalone. If this sequel had delivered on the promises of character and relationship development, than it would have been 100x times better. Instead, we’re left with a bunch of empty action and side-plots that don’t matter whatsoever in the end, and characters that don’t know how to talk to each other anymore. Around the 80% mark, things started kicking into gear, but it’s so goddamn rushed. The ending was so anti-climactic. The whole thing was resolved pretty easily. Then, at the 95% mark, we get what’s titled the “Prologue”, whereas at the beginning of the novel there was the “Epilogue”, and I don’t know if that’s a glaring mistake, or a purposeful addition (was the “epilogue“ at the beginning of this book meant to be carried over from Carry On, and the “prologue” at the end signifying a potential third book??). Either way, it was TERRIBLE!!! Those last few pages were just complete nonsense... and then that last line was ????
I’m just going to say it: this whole thing reeks of a cash grab. The conception of this sequel was a cheap, nasty trick that Rainbow Rowell pulled— teasing fans into thinking it would be SnowBaz fluff, but delivering only two pages of meaningful dialogue out of the 350. Many fans have been clamoring to read this in the hopes of more SimonxBaz scenes. And then to spend the entire length of the book having these angsty miscommunications, without any real or meaningful conversations about relationships and depression and PTSD... it’s just gross. You cannot string readers along like that until the very last page and be like, “LOL JK, TBC IN BOOK THREE (maybe).” F*ck right off!
I’m actually ticked off that I wasted my time with this.
“The story is supposed to be over...”
My thoughts exxxxxactlyyyyyy!
Honestly, I found this book kind of unnecessary and (dare I say?) pointless. I was not the biggest fan of the first book, so I don’t know what possessed me to think this would be any different. (And if I’m being truthful here: I totally forgot I had pre-ordered this on my Kindle many months ago, and then I got the release notification and a charge on my account)... so, yeah, I gave it a shot. But this book is simply a bunch of disappointing and, again, pointless misadventures across the American Midwest, completely irrelevant filler narrative, and all culminating in an absurdly abrupt, infuriating ending.
I should’ve known a road-trip-styled story with these characters would be hit or miss. Hindsight is a bitch.
The POV’s alternate between Simon, Baz, Penelope, and Agatha (as well as a sprinkling of *new* ones). I feel like for a book this length (under 400 pages), having four+ separate narrators was just faulty— it does not give enough time for each individual... even after knowing background from the first book. It didn’t help that there was very, very minimal progression or development for any of the characters. This is a 350 page book of filler fan-service (and it does a truly shit job at that, too!). But more on that in a bit...
The whole time I was reading this, I kept asking myself, “Why does this exist? What is the POINT?”Carry On works better as a standalone. If this sequel had delivered on the promises of character and relationship development, than it would have been 100x times better. Instead, we’re left with a bunch of empty action and side-plots that don’t matter whatsoever in the end, and characters that don’t know how to talk to each other anymore. Around the 80% mark, things started kicking into gear, but it’s so goddamn rushed. The ending was so anti-climactic. The whole thing was resolved pretty easily. Then, at the 95% mark, we get what’s titled the “Prologue”, whereas at the beginning of the novel there was the “Epilogue”, and I don’t know if that’s a glaring mistake, or a purposeful addition (was the “epilogue“ at the beginning of this book meant to be carried over from Carry On, and the “prologue” at the end signifying a potential third book??). Either way, it was TERRIBLE!!! Those last few pages were just complete nonsense... and then that last line was ????
I’m just going to say it: this whole thing reeks of a cash grab. The conception of this sequel was a cheap, nasty trick that Rainbow Rowell pulled— teasing fans into thinking it would be SnowBaz fluff, but delivering only two pages of meaningful dialogue out of the 350. Many fans have been clamoring to read this in the hopes of more SimonxBaz scenes. And then to spend the entire length of the book having these angsty miscommunications, without any real or meaningful conversations about relationships and depression and PTSD... it’s just gross. You cannot string readers along like that until the very last page and be like, “LOL JK, TBC IN BOOK THREE (maybe).” F*ck right off!
I’m actually ticked off that I wasted my time with this.
January 20, 2020
so it turns out i'm not writing a review on this anymore BUT i did rant about it on my september wrap up so here it is for all y'all salty bitches: https://youtu.be/_V2gBXZ0Y6k
original review
I really really liked this, but i did have some big issues. Mostly, it was just that while the plot's arc felt well resolved, the character arcs for simon and baz were anything but. RTC + wil rate this later
original review
I really really liked this, but i did have some big issues. Mostly, it was just that while the plot's arc felt well resolved, the character arcs for simon and baz were anything but. RTC + wil rate this later
October 20, 2019
at its heart, this book is a stunning and heartbreaking look at the effects of trauma. but it’s also hilarious and fun and captured my heart completely.
May 10, 2022
WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK WAS THAT ENDING
September 27, 2019
UM. NO. YES?
So I have to be honest, I thought Carry On had the best ending, and really, these characters were great in a standalone--it was...enough (it's never enough, my friends). Hearing that there was going to be a second book (i.e. Wayward Son) I thought it was unnecessary. However: I WAS OFC HAPPY TO SEE BAZ, SIMON, AND PENELOPE AGAIN. BUT: I was skeptical if it would be necessary.
UH--
NECESSARY EVIL.
I literally hugged this book when I finished and I wanted to go grab my copy of Carry On and reread it all over again and then go and reread Wayward Son all over again. YEAH, THAT'S THE BEST COMPLIMENT YOU CAN GIVE A BOOK.
Truthfully, the vibe in this book is definitely different from the first. There are a lot of mentions and parallels and it's still funny, but it's dark and deals more with emotions, trauma, depression, relationships...the real stuff. I did find the first to be more fanfic-y so this one felt more real to me, in a way, and I appreciated that. Seriously, I think that's why I enjoyed it so much--it gave me substance and maturity instead of just fluff, which was exactly what I needed (even though I didn't know it).
The characters are maturing and Snowbaz is not the perfect couple. They need to communicate with each other, sit down and talk without having to deal with vampire cults and magic mishaps. I always liked how REAL Rowell depicts relationships and this one, no less. The two are so used to fighting with each other and being full of magic that Simon having wings&tail and being without magic while Baz is a vampire has thrown their whole dynamic in a spiral. They are still figuring things out and every time they get somewhere, they argue and fight as it is something they have always done--BUT THEY STILL LOVE EACH OTHER SO, SO MUCH, AND IT'S MORE THAN JUST A CRUSH. I AM HERE FOR THE ANGST, BUT ALSO GIVE ME THE FLUFF.
Simon did feel sidelined in this book...I felt that there was more exploration of Baz, which I didn't mind, I am totally here for this flammable queen and his flower outfits. But Simon is depressed, he's lost, he's traumatized and the only time he feels whole is in battle, so now he needs to learn to come home.
There is also a new character: SHEPARD. His first word from his chapter, and I quote, "Welp." YUP, you can literally pinpoint when I fell in love with this character. What a broken yet beautiful character to join the cast of other broken yet beautiful characters (Rowell is a master at making realistic characters).
I will be very, VERY SAD if Rowell does not release another book, because that ending was abrupt and I NEED SOME CLOSURE WITH SNOWBAZ. URG, THEY NEED TO STILL TALK AND ONLY THEN WILL THEY UNDERSTAND EACH OTHER AND THEIR RELATIONSHIP.
Okay, I'll leave with a spoiler section of my favorite parts/quotes (and other stuff I think maybe spoiler-y).
PRE-RELEASE REACTIONS:
WE HAVE A COVER.
Baz looking hella gay and hella fine with the golden sun behind him like he's Jesus holy wow. And Simon wow in that leather jacket damn.
OMG ROAD TRIP.
So I have to be honest, I thought Carry On had the best ending, and really, these characters were great in a standalone--it was...enough (it's never enough, my friends). Hearing that there was going to be a second book (i.e. Wayward Son) I thought it was unnecessary. However: I WAS OFC HAPPY TO SEE BAZ, SIMON, AND PENELOPE AGAIN. BUT: I was skeptical if it would be necessary.
UH--
NECESSARY EVIL.
I literally hugged this book when I finished and I wanted to go grab my copy of Carry On and reread it all over again and then go and reread Wayward Son all over again. YEAH, THAT'S THE BEST COMPLIMENT YOU CAN GIVE A BOOK.
Truthfully, the vibe in this book is definitely different from the first. There are a lot of mentions and parallels and it's still funny, but it's dark and deals more with emotions, trauma, depression, relationships...the real stuff. I did find the first to be more fanfic-y so this one felt more real to me, in a way, and I appreciated that. Seriously, I think that's why I enjoyed it so much--it gave me substance and maturity instead of just fluff, which was exactly what I needed (even though I didn't know it).
The characters are maturing and Snowbaz is not the perfect couple. They need to communicate with each other, sit down and talk without having to deal with vampire cults and magic mishaps. I always liked how REAL Rowell depicts relationships and this one, no less. The two are so used to fighting with each other and being full of magic that Simon having wings&tail and being without magic while Baz is a vampire has thrown their whole dynamic in a spiral. They are still figuring things out and every time they get somewhere, they argue and fight as it is something they have always done--BUT THEY STILL LOVE EACH OTHER SO, SO MUCH, AND IT'S MORE THAN JUST A CRUSH. I AM HERE FOR THE ANGST, BUT ALSO GIVE ME THE FLUFF.
Simon did feel sidelined in this book...I felt that there was more exploration of Baz, which I didn't mind, I am totally here for this flammable queen and his flower outfits. But Simon is depressed, he's lost, he's traumatized and the only time he feels whole is in battle, so now he needs to learn to come home.
There is also a new character: SHEPARD. His first word from his chapter, and I quote, "Welp." YUP, you can literally pinpoint when I fell in love with this character. What a broken yet beautiful character to join the cast of other broken yet beautiful characters (Rowell is a master at making realistic characters).
I will be very, VERY SAD if Rowell does not release another book, because that ending was abrupt and I NEED SOME CLOSURE WITH SNOWBAZ. URG, THEY NEED TO STILL TALK AND ONLY THEN WILL THEY UNDERSTAND EACH OTHER AND THEIR RELATIONSHIP.
Okay, I'll leave with a spoiler section of my favorite parts/quotes (and other stuff I think maybe spoiler-y).
PRE-RELEASE REACTIONS:
WE HAVE A COVER.
Baz looking hella gay and hella fine with the golden sun behind him like he's Jesus holy wow. And Simon wow in that leather jacket damn.
OMG ROAD TRIP.
Read
July 30, 2018FUCKING SIMON SNOW AND TYRANNUS BASILTON GRIMM PITCH AGAIN FUCKING MAGIC AGAIN FUCKING EVERYTHING AGAIN AND WHERE THE FUCK IS 2019??? CARRY ON MY WAYWARD SOOOOOON
December 2, 2019
Star Rating: —> 5 Stars
🌟⭐️🌟⭐️🌟
Oh, by 5 I mean all the Stars in the galaxy, obvs.
HELL YAH
This was fucking fantastic. I really hope there are more sequels coming because man... Rowell ALWAYS has this way of tapping into magic channels (there’s no other explanation for her brilliance) & flaunts it when she enchants us with her novels... but it’s ALWAYS the strongest for me when it involves Simon & Baz.
Rainbow Rowell has created two of my favorite characters on the freakin’ planet & I swear, let me just say...
Rainbow Rowell was BORN to write about Simon and Baz .
It’s like she’s this perfect angel who writes about/ has gifted us with... other... perfect... angels(? 😂)... to read about & have live inside the pages on our shelves where we can visit them any time we wanttttttt.
Please excuse me, I’m enamored with this book and I’m drunk on it. Just saying. I’m also packing for a trip & distracted.
The entire cast of characters was fantastic. And I LOVED a new character that was introduced- SHEPHARD! (I don’t know if any of you watch The Good Place- But I kept picturing a younger Chidi lol)
It also really seems like we will getting more sequels!!!! Yay! 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻
But WOW, just WOW.
ABSO-FUCKIN’-LUTELY FANTABULOUS!
Also.
Let’s just take a moment to talk about BAZ.
I mean, we all know he’s EVERYTHING.
I’d go so far as to call him a sexy beast. 😂😂😂
BUT. My point here IS-
Baz is fucking hilarious.
He is just my kinda guy & I want him to be my biffles. K. Cool. Glad we talked. 😉
Oh my goodness, and l have to say...
Baz’s characteristic cheeky AF personality is captured *perfectly* in the audiobook.
The audiobook is INCREDIBLE TO THE NTH DEGREE.
It’s damn fantastic. Damn fucking fantastic.
OBVS just reading the physical book is hilarious in and of itself, BUT I gotta say... listening to that freakin audiobook had me doubled over laughing. DYING! The narrator is SO talented. Seriously.
Best audiobook I’ve ever listened to.
HANDS DOWN !
(And i’m not even an “audiobook person”!)
100% Recommend. READ THIS. (And/or LISTEN!)
DO IT!
💙
___________________________________________
03/28/19
eeeyyyy let’s bring this to present day
(after writing in my completely, in no way fabricated, new additions to my past update below):
I’m so over this wait 😩! If it had ended up with a 2020 release date instead of one this year, I think I may have died by now just anticipating the wait. Neeeeed nowwwww! A need for instant gratification I guess is a flaw but whatever, regardless, I have it. BIG TIME.
____________________________________________
So; Let me just CASUALLY say- I will gladly sell my soul for an ARC of this book. If it so happens that you require only part of my soul as payment, I will gladly split my soul into however many horcruxes that I need to so that I may still be able to read the book & have enough of me to review it. I mean, just saying; just bein’ chill, cahj. obviously...
I definitely am not kneeling and pleading to the powers that be/ whoever will listen 😂
(But like, really. I will sell my soul. Glad we’re on the same page).
ALSO
This is me having realized that I forgot to date my first update upon posting 😂:
Sometime in late 2018 or very early 2019, somewhere in South FL, a girl took a break from her latest read to check out that GR buzz. Little did she know that she was about to stumble upon news that would forever change everything . T’was this news that inspired her to leap from rooftop to rooftop shouting with glee, each leap filled with more enthusiasm than the last. She sat down to open GR, & recount her feelings e-style. This is that very reaction:
I know. It’s way underwhelming in comparison Hahah.
But to think- now we have AN EXACT RELEASE DATE! No more wondering when! Just waiting until. Excitement & dread all in one package haha.
***My reaction did not actually involve any rooftops. No leaping on them, no sitting on them, & no wind blowing through my hair for effect whilst I updated my goodreads on, ROOFTOPS. In all honesty I’m not all hardcore parkour & able to just pick up a pole like Jasmine and vault from roof to roof. Sorry.***
🌟⭐️🌟⭐️🌟
Oh, by 5 I mean all the Stars in the galaxy, obvs.
HELL YAH
This was fucking fantastic. I really hope there are more sequels coming because man... Rowell ALWAYS has this way of tapping into magic channels (there’s no other explanation for her brilliance) & flaunts it when she enchants us with her novels... but it’s ALWAYS the strongest for me when it involves Simon & Baz.
Rainbow Rowell has created two of my favorite characters on the freakin’ planet & I swear, let me just say...
Rainbow Rowell was BORN to write about Simon and Baz .
It’s like she’s this perfect angel who writes about/ has gifted us with... other... perfect... angels(? 😂)... to read about & have live inside the pages on our shelves where we can visit them any time we wanttttttt.
Please excuse me, I’m enamored with this book and I’m drunk on it. Just saying. I’m also packing for a trip & distracted.
The entire cast of characters was fantastic. And I LOVED a new character that was introduced- SHEPHARD! (I don’t know if any of you watch The Good Place- But I kept picturing a younger Chidi lol)
It also really seems like we will getting more sequels!!!! Yay! 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻
But WOW, just WOW.
ABSO-FUCKIN’-LUTELY FANTABULOUS!
Also.
Let’s just take a moment to talk about BAZ.
I mean, we all know he’s EVERYTHING.
I’d go so far as to call him a sexy beast. 😂😂😂
BUT. My point here IS-
Baz is fucking hilarious.
He is just my kinda guy & I want him to be my biffles. K. Cool. Glad we talked. 😉
Oh my goodness, and l have to say...
Baz’s characteristic cheeky AF personality is captured *perfectly* in the audiobook.
The audiobook is INCREDIBLE TO THE NTH DEGREE.
It’s damn fantastic. Damn fucking fantastic.
OBVS just reading the physical book is hilarious in and of itself, BUT I gotta say... listening to that freakin audiobook had me doubled over laughing. DYING! The narrator is SO talented. Seriously.
Best audiobook I’ve ever listened to.
HANDS DOWN !
(And i’m not even an “audiobook person”!)
100% Recommend. READ THIS. (And/or LISTEN!)
DO IT!
💙
___________________________________________
03/28/19
eeeyyyy let’s bring this to present day
(after writing in my completely, in no way fabricated, new additions to my past update below):
I’m so over this wait 😩! If it had ended up with a 2020 release date instead of one this year, I think I may have died by now just anticipating the wait. Neeeeed nowwwww! A need for instant gratification I guess is a flaw but whatever, regardless, I have it. BIG TIME.
____________________________________________
So; Let me just CASUALLY say- I will gladly sell my soul for an ARC of this book. If it so happens that you require only part of my soul as payment, I will gladly split my soul into however many horcruxes that I need to so that I may still be able to read the book & have enough of me to review it. I mean, just saying; just bein’ chill, cahj. obviously...
I definitely am not kneeling and pleading to the powers that be/ whoever will listen 😂
(But like, really. I will sell my soul. Glad we’re on the same page).
ALSO
This is me having realized that I forgot to date my first update upon posting 😂:
Sometime in late 2018 or very early 2019, somewhere in South FL, a girl took a break from her latest read to check out that GR buzz. Little did she know that she was about to stumble upon news that would forever change everything . T’was this news that inspired her to leap from rooftop to rooftop shouting with glee, each leap filled with more enthusiasm than the last. She sat down to open GR, & recount her feelings e-style. This is that very reaction:
WHENWHENWHENWHENWHEN
OMGOMGOMG
IM A TAD LATE ON THE REALIZATION THIS IS BEING RELEASED A WHOLE YEAR EARLIER TRAIN- WHY IS THIS IN CAPS TOO- SORRY IM STILL JUST A BIT EXCITED.
SQUUUUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
2019! The year that will bring about mass bankruptcy among the bookish!
I know. It’s way underwhelming in comparison Hahah.
But to think- now we have AN EXACT RELEASE DATE! No more wondering when! Just waiting until. Excitement & dread all in one package haha.
***My reaction did not actually involve any rooftops. No leaping on them, no sitting on them, & no wind blowing through my hair for effect whilst I updated my goodreads on, ROOFTOPS. In all honesty I’m not all hardcore parkour & able to just pick up a pole like Jasmine and vault from roof to roof. Sorry.***
Displaying 1 - 30 of 14,809 reviews