nafisa_tabassum's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I read the series together in the space of a few days, so it's blurred together in my head. Let me give a general review of the books here.
I thoroughly enjoyed it. I think, in terms of story development and depth, it's not Rowell's best work. but it's a unique chosen one narrative (subverted) and very loveable characters. Their flaws are clear and they get properly addressed. Each character is handled with respect (Yay for Agatha who was not written off as just another pretty girl!!) and they don't get easy magical way out of their problems, which is a relief. It made it so easy to get attached to them and to think deeply about their stories. I understand why Cath from Fangirl wrote so much fanfiction about these characters. I assure you I will be reading a lot of fanfiction about these characters. If you want a good time and characters to love, some never-ending fanfic and food for imagination, this series is perfect. I can see the flaws, but they don't stop me from enjoying the series.
The fantasy aspect of the novel is weak. Rowell works best with realism. She injects a lot of charm to familiar things. She does not inject that sense of wonder into unfamiliar things that is a staple of fantasy. Probably quite intentionally, the fantastical world here is a bit silly. It is a backdrop to Simon and co. and their relationships. And it feels like a background thing - the fantastical parts of it never fully develop, and always feel separate thematically from the characters. Things are resolved too quickly or not explored fully. I would've enjoyed this series if its world was more immersive, but I don't mind. I understand that's not the point.
Here's my order of preference for the books: AWTWB (#3) > CO (#1) > WS (#2)
So anyway, I'm off to enjoy a world of fanfic now.
I thoroughly enjoyed it. I think, in terms of story development and depth, it's not Rowell's best work. but it's a unique chosen one narrative (subverted) and very loveable characters. Their flaws are clear and they get properly addressed. Each character is handled with respect (Yay for Agatha who was not written off as just another pretty girl!!) and they don't get easy magical way out of their problems, which is a relief. It made it so easy to get attached to them and to think deeply about their stories. I understand why Cath from Fangirl wrote so much fanfiction about these characters. I assure you I will be reading a lot of fanfiction about these characters. If you want a good time and characters to love, some never-ending fanfic and food for imagination, this series is perfect. I can see the flaws, but they don't stop me from enjoying the series.
The fantasy aspect of the novel is weak. Rowell works best with realism. She injects a lot of charm to familiar things. She does not inject that sense of wonder into unfamiliar things that is a staple of fantasy. Probably quite intentionally, the fantastical world here is a bit silly. It is a backdrop to Simon and co. and their relationships. And it feels like a background thing - the fantastical parts of it never fully develop, and always feel separate thematically from the characters. Things are resolved too quickly or not explored fully. I would've enjoyed this series if its world was more immersive, but I don't mind. I understand that's not the point.
Here's my order of preference for the books: AWTWB (#3) > CO (#1) > WS (#2)
So anyway, I'm off to enjoy a world of fanfic now.
lindsaycatherinezoe's review against another edition
3.0
I really loved the first book in this series and am sad to say I did not love the follow-up. The character development was okay, but the world building and plot were meh for me. I was also disappointed in the arc of the major love story. Perhaps my disappointment is due to how much I loved Carry On, which set the bar too high for Wayward Son.
Although I wasn't thrilled with the book as a whole, I plan to continue with the series.
Although I wasn't thrilled with the book as a whole, I plan to continue with the series.
astridegtvedt's review against another edition
4.0
Surprisingly hilarious and sweet, although it made me hate Simon with an intensity previously not experienced by mankind
mrsjackflash's review against another edition
4.0
I’m kinda shocked how much I liked this. It feels like the characters have so much more room to breathe when they’re not being constrained by being set in what is supposed to be the last book in the series. Because Wayward Son is set in the regular world rather than a magic school the catchphrase spells seem a little less ridiculous in practice because the world can be expanded upon with how normal human interaction feeds into magic. And having Baz and Simon’s relationship be rocky in this book feels more understandable than how forcibly smashed together they were in Carry On.
That being said the ending still felt a little rushed, Agatha doesn’t really do much just like before, and Penelope is stil insufferably annoying. But..... I am looking forward to the next book.
That being said the ending still felt a little rushed, Agatha doesn’t really do much just like before, and Penelope is stil insufferably annoying. But..... I am looking forward to the next book.
tyshaw001's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
viictoriaa's review against another edition
4.0
this is a re-reading and im glad i did. the first time i read it i was so mad and disappointed with it (probably because i had really big expectations) but i now can see i genuinely enjoyed it!
baz is so dreamy. simon is so beautiful and i just want to wrap him away from danger. penny is badass and shepard is really funny hahah i loved seeing more of agatha’s personality!
cant wait to read the third one :)
baz is so dreamy. simon is so beautiful and i just want to wrap him away from danger. penny is badass and shepard is really funny hahah i loved seeing more of agatha’s personality!
cant wait to read the third one :)
thegoodleybookshelf's review against another edition
4.0
Seems like a filler book in a trilogy. Also would’ve liked more fluff.
sagenr's review against another edition
4.0
**3.5**
I enjoyed this book but I will say i enjoyed it a bit less than the first one.
I will say simon and baz's relationship surprised me throughout the book, not sure if for better or worse and in general it is hard to see simon like this.
I will say, I loved to see baz become more of himself the more he is exposed to the world and that the battle between mage and vampire takes on a whole new form in this book.
I think simons character shines a very important light on mental health and the struggles that it brings into the different relationships in our lives.
I honestly found it harder to follow along the rules etc in the states which made reading it less enjoyable on my end.
I do wish we had more moments between Baz and Simon throughout the book and that the communication between them was better as well as more solo development for penny, it felt like she was going back and forth between being the third wheel and trying to still be the superhero she was in school.
overall, im hoping book three will redeem itself a bit and bring us back to the roots so to speak
regardless, id still recommend to anyone who enjoyed the first book
I enjoyed this book but I will say i enjoyed it a bit less than the first one.
I will say simon and baz's relationship surprised me throughout the book, not sure if for better or worse and in general it is hard to see simon like this.
I will say, I loved to see baz become more of himself the more he is exposed to the world and that the battle between mage and vampire takes on a whole new form in this book.
I think simons character shines a very important light on mental health and the struggles that it brings into the different relationships in our lives.
I honestly found it harder to follow along the rules etc in the states which made reading it less enjoyable on my end.
I do wish we had more moments between Baz and Simon throughout the book and that the communication between them was better as well as more solo development for penny, it felt like she was going back and forth between being the third wheel and trying to still be the superhero she was in school.
overall, im hoping book three will redeem itself a bit and bring us back to the roots so to speak
regardless, id still recommend to anyone who enjoyed the first book
sandralen's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5