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zecora27's review against another edition
4.0
Comforting and predictable, like rewatching your favorite TV show.
lilyliod's review against another edition
5.0
This book dealt with the aftermath. When the dust setteled and the adrenaline faded, Penny and Baz try to be there for Simon as he struggles to make sense of his life, post Chosen One, post no magic but looking like a dragon, post all those traumatic things with nothing to show for it except for wings and a tail that do more to remind him of what he lost, what he can't have, than anything else.
We see as Simon is the terrible boyfriend he promised he'd be in Carry On (in a different lighting, it looked sweet, and here, it's heartbreaking) because he keeps expecting Baz to get tired of him, because he keeps expecting Baz to find something better than him and excuses it all by acting like he's doing Baz a favor, while also understanding that he's struggling and doesn't know how else to deal with it without bringing both Baz and Penny down.
We see as Baz struggles with what he wants from Simon and what he wants for himself, and we see him always chose Simon's wellbeing, above his own. We see how he struggles with his vampirism and how he comes out of all of this with more questions than answers.
We see Penny struggle with her own confindence and her own self worth and we see her relationship grow with Baz as he gets upgraded into full friend. (honestly my favorite takeaway from the book, their friendship).
It's a beautiful, heartwrenching book about the aftermath, about the trauma and the depression and the struggles that come with not knowing how to deal, not knowing how to not give up on yourself. And from the loved ones' perspective, not knowing how much to push or if you shouldn't at all.
It's a lesson in what not to do, in miscomunication and a disregard to one's worth for the sake of the person you love.
it's all of that and more and it's brilliantly heartbreaking, because you, from the outside, feel like the aswers are right there, close enough to reach, to grasp, but they fail to see them and they spiral.
We see as Simon is the terrible boyfriend he promised he'd be in Carry On (in a different lighting, it looked sweet, and here, it's heartbreaking) because he keeps expecting Baz to get tired of him, because he keeps expecting Baz to find something better than him and excuses it all by acting like he's doing Baz a favor, while also understanding that he's struggling and doesn't know how else to deal with it without bringing both Baz and Penny down.
We see as Baz struggles with what he wants from Simon and what he wants for himself, and we see him always chose Simon's wellbeing, above his own. We see how he struggles with his vampirism and how he comes out of all of this with more questions than answers.
We see Penny struggle with her own confindence and her own self worth and we see her relationship grow with Baz as he gets upgraded into full friend. (honestly my favorite takeaway from the book, their friendship).
It's a beautiful, heartwrenching book about the aftermath, about the trauma and the depression and the struggles that come with not knowing how to deal, not knowing how to not give up on yourself. And from the loved ones' perspective, not knowing how much to push or if you shouldn't at all.
It's a lesson in what not to do, in miscomunication and a disregard to one's worth for the sake of the person you love.
it's all of that and more and it's brilliantly heartbreaking, because you, from the outside, feel like the aswers are right there, close enough to reach, to grasp, but they fail to see them and they spiral.
adaminmelrose's review against another edition
4.0
(rounded up from 3.5)
I think I enjoyed this one more than I enjoyed the first installment in the series. The first book struck me simply as a queerer Harry Potter ripoff, but this one departed from that formula dramatically enough that it truly felt like its own animal.
I dock the points mainly for a rushed climax and denouement that undermined the gravity that was used in the setup.
I think I enjoyed this one more than I enjoyed the first installment in the series. The first book struck me simply as a queerer Harry Potter ripoff, but this one departed from that formula dramatically enough that it truly felt like its own animal.
I dock the points mainly for a rushed climax and denouement that undermined the gravity that was used in the setup.
dstribling's review against another edition
3.0
I really wanted to like this....I really did. Not to say there were not many aspects I found enjoyable! I do appreciated how Rowell has been able to create unique perspectives and characters so far through this series. But unfortunately I found the plot here to be a waste, to the point that she could have just skipped this book entirely.
This book takes us to America, yet there is nothing in this story that we needed for the next step. We were introduced to a few new characters, of which none really feel that impactful to the story arc. Even further, our love story that has been such a key element to this series was completely left out. Almost not even mentioned, which feels deeply problematic.
Finally, I have to say, I have Rowell a pass during Carry On about some of the more problematic themes within the story, particularly the Pitch Family’s elitism and discriminatory philosophies (which Rowell never addressed!). In this book, I’m continued to be troubled by the lack of care with discussion of race. I hope she thinks critically about this in the next book.
All in all, I am disappointed with this book, when I was so hopeful after Carry On. I will be waiting to see how Rowell can turn this around next summer with the next release.
This book takes us to America, yet there is nothing in this story that we needed for the next step. We were introduced to a few new characters, of which none really feel that impactful to the story arc. Even further, our love story that has been such a key element to this series was completely left out. Almost not even mentioned, which feels deeply problematic.
Finally, I have to say, I have Rowell a pass during Carry On about some of the more problematic themes within the story, particularly the Pitch Family’s elitism and discriminatory philosophies (which Rowell never addressed!). In this book, I’m continued to be troubled by the lack of care with discussion of race. I hope she thinks critically about this in the next book.
All in all, I am disappointed with this book, when I was so hopeful after Carry On. I will be waiting to see how Rowell can turn this around next summer with the next release.
elisability's review against another edition
4.0
In this sequel to [b:Carry On|32768522|Carry On (Simon Snow, #1)|Rainbow Rowell|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1481729252l/32768522._SX50_.jpg|43346673], the big bad has been vanquished, love has been found and school is over. But Simon (who still has wings and a tail, and no more magic, by the way) is depressed, barely getting up from the couch and eating junk food all day. So Penny decides that to kick him out of his funk, she, Simon and Baz will go on a road trip to the United States, to see Agatha, who has been ignoring her. Meanwhile, Agatha stumbles into a cult of vampires who want to steal her magical power. So the retired heroes have to dust off their capes again.
Reminder: this is basically a fanfiction of a fictional series created in [b:Fangirl|16068905|Fangirl|Rainbow Rowell|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1355886270l/16068905._SX50_.jpg|21861351]. It’s quite niche and I advise not stumbling upon it by accident not knowing what to expect. That said, it is hilarious and the magical system is super ingenious and original. I laughed out loud many times. Like the time the trio (from the UK) realized, San Diego is not four hours from Chicago. Reminded me of the time my cousins from France came over to Quebec, and were planning to drive to the Rockies and then to Gaspésie in the same three-week trip. Europeans are really not used to countries being as big as basically their entire continent XD
So yeah, come for the humour, stay for the Baz/Simon goodness!
Reminder: this is basically a fanfiction of a fictional series created in [b:Fangirl|16068905|Fangirl|Rainbow Rowell|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1355886270l/16068905._SX50_.jpg|21861351]. It’s quite niche and I advise not stumbling upon it by accident not knowing what to expect. That said, it is hilarious and the magical system is super ingenious and original. I laughed out loud many times. Like the time the trio (from the UK) realized, San Diego is not four hours from Chicago. Reminded me of the time my cousins from France came over to Quebec, and were planning to drive to the Rockies and then to Gaspésie in the same three-week trip. Europeans are really not used to countries being as big as basically their entire continent XD
So yeah, come for the humour, stay for the Baz/Simon goodness!
zumbador's review against another edition
5.0
Wow I loved this book. It was exactly what I needed, as I've been feeling a bit low and bored with my reading. Excellent, vivid characters. Funny and tragic at the same time. I particularly loved the story-line of Baz discovering what it really means to be a vampire. The characters are truly complex, human, flawed, and intriguing. Can't WAIT for the sequel because if one thing is certain, it's that it's going to go off in a direction nobody expects.
ankyslibrary's review against another edition
5.0
Oh wow
I've always wanted to read books that tell the story of the "After". After the hero defeats the villain. After the supposed Happily Ever After. And Rainbow Rowell gave us exactly that with this beauty.
I loved it. I absolutely loved it.
What I didn't love was the fact that it ended with a Cliffhanger and the next book's not out yet. Oh my god.
I've always wanted to read books that tell the story of the "After". After the hero defeats the villain. After the supposed Happily Ever After. And Rainbow Rowell gave us exactly that with this beauty.
I loved it. I absolutely loved it.
What I didn't love was the fact that it ended with a Cliffhanger and the next book's not out yet. Oh my god.
hmaronski's review against another edition
4.0
I love this series so much. Baz is snarky and droll, and Simon is such a wrecking ball. Cannot wait for book three.
potentialfate's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
This middle book to the Simon Snow series feels almost entirely character driven. The plot isn't that important in the end of it all, as the group have gone off to America on a classic road-trip... you know, if you add in magic and vampires and having to save Las Vegas from evil. Just your usual road trip shenanigans.
No, but this one really does focus on the aftermath of the first book's plot. Have you ever wondered what it's like when you're the chosen one, and now your purpose in life is... well, over? because wow, this one hurts a lot. That being said, as an American it was hilarious at so many points.
The characters, both old and new are wonderful and endearing beyond belief. This book is the perfect "filler episode" between books one and three, and really lends to understanding the characters better as a whole. That being said, I did like the other two just a smidge more.
No, but this one really does focus on the aftermath of the first book's plot. Have you ever wondered what it's like when you're the chosen one, and now your purpose in life is... well, over? because wow, this one hurts a lot. That being said, as an American it was hilarious at so many points.
The characters, both old and new are wonderful and endearing beyond belief. This book is the perfect "filler episode" between books one and three, and really lends to understanding the characters better as a whole. That being said, I did like the other two just a smidge more.