Reviews

I debated a lot about how much this book copies Harry Potter, and like, it's not insignificant, but there's enough difference that it's okay to me - EXCEPT. Harry Potter is British because J.K.Rowling is British. Simon is British because... idk? because he's the Chosen One of the Wizarding World, and we all know that story, and it has to happen in the UK? Rainbow Rowell is American. The book does seem to be Brit-picked quite well (not that I would really know, obviously) but still, don't know why it had to be that way aside from HP influence.
Magic is done differently here which is neat. And as much as I love Harry Potter, there are plenty of (very) questionable characters (especially authority figures) who are kinda viewed as perfect. Rowell seems a lot more intentional with her characters: the authority figures are questioned and make mistakes, the main characters have bad days and sometimes act like brats, and people are not 100% good or evil. So that was nice. The ending is also not quite an Everybody-Wins scenario and I kinda love endings like that.
I also just really like the idea of Drarry but much as I hate to admit it it doesn't reeeally work for several reasons (ie canon Draco is, unfortunately, an elitist little shit) and Simon and Baz have a similar dynamic but without the same toxicity so yippee

siralexjames's review against another edition

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adventurous lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

3.0

Such a fun and witty read with much lighthearted adventure. Rainbow Rowell’s Carry On provided an imaginative and entertaining experience with a great pinch of magic all throughout.

saramujanovic's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

roxana_martinez's review against another edition

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3.0

I really wanted to love this book, I swear.
As someone with fond memories from Fangirl, I dove headfirst into Carry On, only to find myself in a state of mild disappointment that grew more and more as I made my way through the book.
While I found the world-building fascinating, I was put off by the fanfic-y quality of the writing (perhaps a stylistic decision, but it didn't sit well with me) and the bizarre treatment of the main character as a queer person who is anything but queer in any other aspect besides being hot for another dude. The final straw for me was the ending, which felt terribly incomplete, even by the standards of a book that's gonna have sequels, and ultimately brought the book from 4 to 3 stars for me.
Not sure if I'll give a chance to the two sequels.

livres_et_sortileges's review against another edition

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5.0

This. Book. Is. Amazing. I can't even describe how much I like it !
The first thing I loved is how different the narration was from Cath's or Gemma T Leslie's stories of the Mages and Simon and Baz.

You really get the Harry Potter feel in this book (it bugged me a bit at first but then it really becomes its own story and that was even better). You feel at home with these characters and right now I just want to be a mage and go to Watford.

The characters were all amazing, complex, real, funny, sarcastic, smart,... just like Rainbow knows how to create them. They just always feel so true, so much like real people that I forget that they don't exist (despite the magic bc I like forgetting it doesn't exist).

Another amazing aspect of this story : the relationships (obviously). All of them are beautifully described : Simon and Penelope, Simon and Baz (duh), the kids and their families,... wether the people get along well or not, it remains real and so, so beautiful.

The story was really enjoyable as well, with the Humdrum (loooooooved this storyline), the Mage, the politics with the families,...

Basically this book was amazing, and now I'll be off bc I need to start reading it again.

julinino19's review against another edition

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5.0

More like 4.5 but I will gladly round up. I LOVED this book. It was perfect for getting me out of my reading slump. I just finished it and I don't know what to do with myself. A part of me wants to pick it back up again and start all over. I was really impressed with Rainbow Rowell while reading this novel. It was a tough subject to tackle, a "chosen one" going to a magical school, but I think she executed it quite nicely. Unlike her other novels, the story wasn't revolved around the romance. Of course, there was still romance, but it didn't draw away from the plot at hand. The only reason it's a 4.5 instead of a full 5 is because I felt like I needed more towards the end. I got a conclusion but, it just wasn't enough. I needed more. I STILL need more!!!

netgukim's review against another edition

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adventurous medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

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