Challenge Corner discussion

A #1 New York Times-bestseller
Simon Snow is the worst Chosen One who's ever been chosen.

That's what his roommate, Baz, says. And Baz might be evil and a vampire and a complete git, but he's probably right.

Half the time, Simon can't even make his wand work, and the other half, he starts something on fire. His mentor's avoiding him, his girlfriend broke up with him, and there's a magic-eating monster running around, wearing Simon's face. Baz would be having a field day with all this, if he were here — it's their last year at the Watford School of Magicks, and Simon's infuriating nemesis didn't even bother to show up.

Carry On - The Rise and Fall of Simon Snow is a ghost story, a love story and a mystery. It has just as much kissing and talking as you'd expect from a Rainbow Rowell story - but far, far more monsters.

Okay, I'm late. But I've begun, too! Haha! Yay!

Book One done. (view spoiler)[Okay, first off, I can't believe I'm reading a Harry Potter fanfiction. I mean, it isn't said explicitly bur it is just too much like a Harry Potter book for me to not compare. I mean, Baz is clearly Draco, Mage is clearly Dumbledore, the Old families are the Pure Bloods and I swear to God, Penny was supposed to be a guy. I don't think it is any other way! (hide spoiler)]

I'm also done with Book 2. My, these chapters are short, even though the book is immensely huge! (view spoiler)[I admit, this is just plain weird. I am still comparing the characters to the Harry Potter universe but at least now, with Baz here, things are taking on an original toll.
I'm not sure if I'm still buying their romance because it just doesn't feel real enough. So I'll just wait to read book 3 before finalizing anything. And my! Book 3 is mighty long! (hide spoiler)]

Book 3 done. (view spoiler)[Alright. So this isn't a Harry Potter fanfiction. This is more of a Harry Potter + Twilight fanfiction, lol. I mean, did you see the way Simon was reacting to Baz? That was definite Bella Swan, lol. (hide spoiler)]

Finished! (view spoiler)[ This was nice. I won't say that I was flabbergasted or shocked or awed. I mean, it was just the usual chosen one trope mixed with lgbt+. Nothing different out there! But yes, the fanfiction feel reduced a lot in the fourth book, lol. (hide spoiler)]

I'm suuuuper late to the party. Starting today!

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RESTARTING OCTOBER 15th, 2019

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Started
9% (view spoiler)[So far don't know what to think about it, something is irking me but I can't point to what exactly it is (hide spoiler)]
22% (view spoiler)[Eh I feel like it's trying too hard to use the idea of Harry Potter, but kinda too point it's maybe even a little ridiculous ? And I get so badly The Magicians Tv-show vibes from this too with the Humdrum = the beast, MC both guys with little control over their powers and all of that and I didn't like that Tv-show particularly either (no clue how I feel about the books it's based on). Also the references to stuff like scooby-doo and such ? too much too over the top and more. So far not particularly liking it, but I cannot deny that just like with Fangirl it's an easy, quicker read in a way. (hide spoiler)]

52% (view spoiler)[Thank gosh, once Baz showed up it slowly become less and less an over the top kind of fanfiction style mashup, trying to hard to get same feeling of a couple other series. At least I'm finally sorta enjoying it now. (hide spoiler)]

Finished (view spoiler)[I thankfully enjoyed the rest of the book plenty and am ready to read to sequel for it. The cheesy love between Baz and Simon and the dynamic with Penny and Agathe and all the others made it pretty good in the end (hide spoiler)]

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RESTARTING JANUARY 31st, 2025

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Book 1: (view spoiler)[I read this once but remember pretty much nothing. I'm enjoying the story on it's own merits but even more trying to connect the various elements used to those in HP. Also, worsegers?? I snort laughed!! It is frustrating that I don't remember what is going on with Baz...looking forward to having his POV.
I'm also appreciating how the short chapters make this chunkster feel like it's flying by. (hide spoiler)]

Book 2: (view spoiler)[It feels like nothing has really happened even though Baz is back...I'm looking forward to the pace picking up a little bit. (hide spoiler)]

Book 3: (view spoiler)[Okay...so things started picking up. I'm enjoying the book but wondering why I thought it was 5 stars good when I first read it. Right now I would say it is more a 3.5. Maybe a 4 because the ideas are clever - the nursery rhymes making spells stronger is interesting. (hide spoiler)]

Book 4 & Epilogue: (view spoiler)[The ending was bleaker than I remembered -- it does make me want to read the rest of the series which I have never gotten around to before. I'm not sure how much I really buy into the relationship between Baz and Simon. It feels a bit thin. Hopefully the later books will fix that for me. (hide spoiler)]

I read this the other day, just need to come back and add my thoughts, really enjoyed it.

Book One
(view spoiler)[ Okay so the Mage is totally a villain. Alos Agatha and Simon need to break up, they aren’t actually in love they both just feel like they should be together. What happened to Baz? I have no idea who Lucy is and that was a bit of a jump scare but hopefully it becomes clear later. I feel so bad for Baz and his mom that they missed each other. Now they have to wait 20 years. Pretty sure the second time was a different ghost, Simon’s actual mom, maybe Lucy?
(hide spoiler)]

Book Two
(view spoiler)[ Love Baz’s dramatic entrance, he is such a gem and I loved him immediately. Poor him though, I can’t imagine being trapped in a coffin for weeks. Also love Baz’s I hate that I’,m so into Simon. Love that he and Simon are teaming up. This is so fun, a great listen while I’m doing my chores.
(hide spoiler)]

Book Three
(view spoiler)[ Simon staying alone at Watford was so sad, but it was cool to get to know Ebb. Glad he headed to Baz’s though. And now they know who Nicodemus is. Then Penny and Agatha learned that Davy is the mage, it’s all starting to come together. I’m certain now that Lucy is Simon’s mom which means the mage is his dad, but why did he leave Simon in foster care? And yes thank god, they kissed, I love this. (hide spoiler)]

Book Four
(view spoiler)[ No, Ebb, oof that hurt. I’m glad the fucking Mage died, he deserved it. I’m still not entirely clear what happened to Lucy. I get that Simon was sucking all the life out of her, but she was able to see him when he was born. Did she die right after that? It doesn’t really matter but I was hoping for a little more closure on that. Love how Simon healed the HumDrum..
(hide spoiler)]

Epilogue
(view spoiler)[ I’m glad Penny’s mom became the headmistress, that’s what should have happened from the start. The Mage was terrible and she’ll have a lot of work ahead of her. I’m glad that Simon came to send Baz off, they both deserve it.
(hide spoiler)]