Wayward Son (Simon Snow Trilogy, 2)

This second book is a fun side adventure that sets up the finale in the third book. But even though it was short and a bit unexpected in terms of a second book, I loved it. Loved it! I rated the first book 4 stars because there really is a lot going on and it got a little hard to follow at parts, and Simon kind of drove me crazy, but I loved everything about this book. In this book, Simon, Penny and Baz go on a bit of a road trip in the US. Of course it wouldn’t be a story about them without a lot of mishaps and shenanigans. This book was wildly hilarious and I was constantly laughing out loud. I think this one rounds out the first book really well; they’re no longer focused on the humdrum, but focused on figuring out life after defeating the humdrum, including who they are and what they want to do with their lives, plus Simon and Baz dance around their relationship. So the first book doesn’t end with everyone riding off into the sunset. There’s a lot to deal with after all that goes on in the first book. My favorite part of this book? Shepard! He’s a human (aka a normal or a bleeder) who inserts himself into the adventure and guides his new foreign friends across America. The way that magic works in the US is interesting and it’s cool that magic in this world differs depending on where you are in the world. But back to Shepard! He is HILARIOUS and I adored him. He’s one of those really personable characters you can’t help but love. He’s going to be in the third book and I can’t wait to learn more about him. I’m totally shipping him with Penny and I’d love for that to pan out, haha. So anyways. I obviously loved this book and highly recommend it! Definitely listen to this one if you're a fan of audiobooks because the narrator does an AMAZING job.

I loved this book. Forgive this review for being kind of scattered — I just finished the book at around 3am and after glancing at some of the other reviews I feel like I have to explain why I adored this poignant, imperfect story! Carry On ended (purposefully, I think) with plenty of emotional baggage left unresolved and world-building questions left unanswered, and this story is about what happens after "happily ever after." To me life often feels like, "OK, but what next?" so I really want to thank Rainbow Rowell for continuing to tell this obviously unfinished story. Somehow she keeps writing books that touch on themes and tropes I find so meaningful that I have a very easy time overlooking bits that work less sublimely and just bask in the world she creates. Don't get me wrong — sometimes I love novels because they're executed so artfully, so beautifully, but other times I love novels because they revolve around experiences I'm hungry, maybe desperate, to explore and am not finding elsewhere. Simon, Baz, and Penny end up taking a road trip across America, and frankly all three are dealing with a lot. I can relate deeply to what they're going through — being depressed about a future that doesn't seem nearly as clear as you want, feeling uncomfortable in your own skin, realizing that you have some serious personal blindspots but still not knowing quite how to get past them. But the book is also very funny, denser with laughs than I found Carry On, especially in the first half or so but even later on when the plot is heating up and the story gets tenser. There's plenty of plot, though to me it didn't feel like the point of the book, which I certainly don't mind. It's not a perfect book; like Carry On, the narrators are a bit spare with detail and I would have liked the book to be longer (though I can't imagine ever not thinking that about a book I'm enjoying...). And like Carry On, it ends with plenty left unresolved. Evidently, Rainbow Rowell thinks sometimes even "after happily ever after" isn't so neat to wrap up. But it seems like we'll get at least one more Simon Snow book (it's a series now?!) and I'm more than game.

I'll start with the bad: this book ends on an open cliffhanger, with no emotional resolution and very little plot resolution. The assumption is that it will set up a third book. If so, this is a slightly weak second book of a trilogy. If not, it's a very, very unsatisfying ending to Carry On. The good: this book is very, very funny. Rainbow has a way with words and zingers and she absolutely delivers that in this book. There is a lot of deep emotional ramification and an unflinching look at PTSD, depression, and the effects those have on the characters and their loved ones. There's also a lot of really rich world building and a delightful new character. (Shepard is an absolute delight. I wish we'd known him all along!) Rainbow took a big risk on this book, and she clearly poured herself into it. I like it on the assumption of a third, but I have to admit to feeling a bit betrayed, and like there was a bond of trust broken between author and reader for the book to end this way, with us under the assumption and belief that it's the end of the line. I assume this is for marketing reasons. I think unfortunately, it instead traffics on emotions. With any other author the third book would be absolutely a no brainer, definitely happening, but with Rainbow you never know. She likes to break the wheel and upset expectations. I will return to this book, and I now have three copies of it (lol. the covers got away from me) but maybe not for a bit, or at least not until we have word on if this is the end or not. Overall, it was a lovely experience. It ached a lot, but it was a fun read, and I fell in love with Penny, and I just felt shredded for Baz. I don't think this is the story that was right for a Carry On sequel, but it's clearly the story Rainbow needed to tell, and I trust and support her vision to see us through to the third!

This is the second book in a trilogy, and you definitely should read Carry On before this. It picks up not long after Carry On ends and has just as much magic, adventure, and relationship drama as that book. It also really fleshes out Agatha as a character and makes Penny more realistic and sympathetic. It deals a lot with the aftermaths of trauma and tough childhoods, but it does it in a way that is enjoyable to read. It also has a ton more humor than the first book. I rarely laugh out loud when reading anything, but there were some scenes in Wayward Son that had me laughing uncontrollably. Baz, Simon, and Penelope on a road trip across the US is a funny premise to begin with, and Rainbow Rowell does wonderful things with their complete bafflement at the cultural differences.

My emotions while reading this: Sadness, anxiety, desperation, hopeful, "wow this is awkward" (for the characters), more anxiety, devastation, anger, and more angst and anxiety. Wayward Son was both everything and nothing like I expected. Getting my complaint out of the way: I wish the book had been longer. However, that's usually my complaint about books, so it's not a huge thing. I have three copies of this book: my fancy signed Waterstones edition with the painted edges, my exclusive edition Barnes & Noble edition, and the kindle edition. I also want to get the regular hardcover, as well as the new paperback coming out this year (2022). Also some other international editions with different covers. I loved this book, even though it also broke my heart. Simon Snow doesn't know how to move on after losing his magic and becoming Normal while also gaining wings and a tail, not knowing how to not be the Chosen One, and wondering how to breakup with his boyfriend Baz. He never got his happily ever after and he's dealing with 20 years of continuous trama. Baz doesn't know how to help Simon through his depression, is devastated that Simon has been pushing him away, and is terrified that Simon will break up with him. Penny decides that a holiday (vacation) to America and do a road trip across the U.S. from Chicago to Los Angeles will be the perfect solution to help Simon (and so she can see her boyfriend Micah, and to check in on Agatha - Penny insists Agatha is in trouble). Of course, none of the trip goes as planned. Between vampire fights and Quiet Zones, attacks by Magical Creatures, and somehow acquiring a Normal who used to be a storm chaser and now goes around the U.S. befriending Magical Creatures who joins them on the trip. And then there's more vampires in Las Vegas. And then another vampire fight. And of course, Agatha really is in trouble, and they need to rescue her. It's a trip of discovery and realizations. Baz learns more about being a vampire, and about other vampires. Penny realizes that the world doesn't always work the way she things, and maybe the world isn't black and white. Simon has moments of happiness and hope, but still can't convince himself that he's good enough for Baz. It's a story about learning how to have lived a life of adventure, and for Simon, being the Chosen One, what comes after and what he wants his life to look like versus what he thinks he deserves. And does it have to be the way it is? It's learning that Baz is soft and a romantic and hopelessly in love - not the boy who had been cruel to people, but is a much better and softer person than he ever seemed behind his facade that we saw in Carry On. It's a story of Baz and Simon trying to figure out how to be proper boyfriends even a year and a half after they got together and wondering if they can possibly salvage their relationship. I loved the introduction of Shepard. Shepard is precious. He needs to be protected at all costs. Of course he can take care of himself. I love how he always introduces himself to every single person: "Hi, I'm Shepard from Omaha, Nebraska." And that when he's in a dangerous situation he just tries to engage the enemy in conversation. It was amazing. I was definitely not expecting that. I love his relationship with Penny, who is not thrilled with him. I thought it was hilarious that Baz always thinks of Shepard as "the Normal." Also I loved all of Baz's fashion choices. He's amazing. Baz and Simon broke my heart. They love each other so much but don't know how to be what the other needs. They're so in love. They're so confused and desperate. And the ending gave me anxiety for the two years until Any Way the Wind Blows was released. Wayward Son is so different from what I expected, so much sadder than I expected, but I still loved it so much. I would have read it in one day if I didn't have work :( but I read it so quickly. It's very fast-paced, whereas, at least for me, Carry On and AWTWB were both fast reads, but not fast-paced, which I also love. I love this series because it's just so character-based, whereas I don't really care about plots. The plot never overcomes the characters in this series. I was never able to get into the Kansas's version of the song Carry On Wayward Son, but I found an amazing, much more emotional cover by Neoni that I feel better encapsulates the emotion angst of the series, especially because this is a fantasy series. This book broke my heart but I loved it so much, and I know it's both loved and hated by a lot of fans, but I definitely, definitely recommend. If I could give it more than 5 stars, I would.

I was excited when I first heard there was going to be a sequel to Carry On, but I’ll admit to some skepticism when I found out that Simon and Baz and Penny were going on an American road trip. But my fears were unfounded; it turns out that the United States was exactly where the gang needed to go. Readers should start with Carry On in order to understand the plot, but needless to say, everyone is trying to move on from the events of Carry On, and this is something Simon has been struggling with. What does the Chosen One do once the job is done? Penny decides that they all need to go visit Agatha in San Diego, and what starts out as a visit turns into a rescue mission. Along the way, they encounter a variety of personalities: some are friendly, and some are hostile—but the fate of the world is at stake again. I liked the addition of Shepherd as a new character— his optimism and his wide-eyed curiosity served as a nice balance for the gang, who are accustomed to magic being a part of their lives. I also liked Baz’s exploration of what it means to be a vampire. He’s hardly conventional, and he hasn’t really associated with other vampires. Simon and Penny also had interesting story arcs, but Shepherd and Baz’s development were what intrigued me the most. I also liked the treatment of Simon and Baz’s relationship. They were mortal enemies for years, until they weren’t. Then they were together in a romantic relationship, and that was great— but things are strained, and a road trip is the last thing they need, but Penny is persistent. Rowell infuses this adventure story with a delightful sense of humor. Even when things get serious, there’s still a wry take on the situation. Everyone’s banter was great, especially when they were annoyed with each other, which seemed like all the time because things constantly went wrong. I have loved the world of Simon Snow since Rowell first introduced it in her novel Fangirl. I never could have imagined a full-length Simon Snow novel, let alone a sequel. So, needless to say, having Wayward Son end on a cliffhanger was completely unexpected, and I can’t wait to find out how Simon and his friends are going to save the world next.

By the angel! Wait no, wrong book-phrase... by crowly, the snakes, Morgana, and magic itself, WHAT THE HELL. I can't people. I cannot even. I have so many... thoughts? Feelings? Frustrations? Questions? I don't even know what to say. I've made the mistake once, 4 years ago, thinking Carry On was the last book in this... series? Who knows if it's a trilogy, a series, or whatnot... but I'm getting ahead of myself. *ahem*. So we all thought Carry On was a standalone, right? But then, a couple of years later we got AWESOME news that we'll have a sequel! And I was like "omg, a sequel! All about Simon and Baz honeymoon phase to solve all the lingering problems and questions from Carry On and wrap this up nicely with Simon and Baz together at last." HAHAHA... no. Nope. Because you see, Wayward Son made all of my post book craziness from Carry On SO MUCH more intense. And by the love of magic itself, I hope we don't have to wait 4 more years for the next book because that ending... that ending... It literally solved nothing AT ALL. And I'm not even talking about the ending, I'm talking about the whole book. I loved the book! But I'm also frustrated with it! I don't even know how to feel. Because I'm obviously a fan of these books but am also being a harsh critique here? I think I need some tea right about now. A calm cup of tea. So where was I? Oh yes. The book could have been so much better if Simon and Baz were actually talking to each other. I mean, they were talking, but not talking-talking. Maybe it was my mistake to think of this book as the “happily ever after” sequel. Especially considering this is by no means the last book (!). At least it better not be. It kind of felt like all the progress we made to get Simon and Baz together in Carry On went to waste here with them literally having to tiptoe around each other the entire book. Sure, they’re officially together but they also aren’t? Crowley, I don’t even understand what I’m saying. Like they don’t talk about how they feel, they don’t express themselves, they’re constantly scared of accidentally saying or doing something to make the other one run off. So they have no real talks. At all. And even the real talk they were *starting* to have at the very end was cut off. *crying into the abyss*. And yeah, I could understand this for a bit, but it's literally the situation THE ENTIRE BOOK. I’m serious, the entire book. We’ve done this, we’ve been there before with Carry On. I didn’t want another Carry On on my hands, I wanted the Baz and Simon ACTUALLY together having adventures being lovey-dovey, not “is he still my boyfriend” “can I kiss him?”. I guess this could all be made more tolerable if I actually knew there was going to be a third book? But even if I knew, who would want two characters who are together to act like they don't even know if they're together for an entire book? With not even one single conversation between them I could count as deep. I'm probably being too harsh here, I'm just filled with so many emotions right now. So let's get on to the good stuff, shall we? I mean I did love this book! It's actually because I love this book and these characters that I get so deeply frustrated about these things. I’m in love with Rainbow’s writing style. It’s just so addictive! And funny! and quotable! I think I wouldn’t have minded quoting the whole book! I quoted the hell out of it anyway. And the characters! Well we already know Penny and Simon and Baz (Baz is still my favorite although he’s done some stupid things towards the end there), but the newest character, Shepard, was awesomely fun! I nominate the guy as the official peace-maker of magic kind. Everyone was telling him to shut up and he always wanted to learn more about magic, but he seriously seemed to be the only one who knows more than anyone in the room. I really liked the guy. He’s a bit crazy to go into danger like that, being Normal, but he’s also totally awesome for it. *spoilers from now on* I was actually really shipping him and Penny together but unfortunately, he wasn’t introduced all that early in the story and it didn’t seem like they had the time to develop a relationship in all those crazy magical adventures and almost dying multiple times. You know how it is. However! I definitely saw some sparks there towards the end, and I'm thinking that we're definitely hinted to a pairing of them in the third book. There is a third book, right? RIGHT? As for Agatha, I didn’t like her at first. Well, I wasn’t liking her since Carry On, and I really just didn’t want to read her chapters in the very beginning. But then when she was in trouble I suddenly felt that overwhelming need for everyone to save her. Because at the end of the day, Agatha is still part of their family. She might not be the most likable one, but she’s family nonetheless. And you can always count on family. I think there might even be a chance of me actually liking the girl in the third book if she keeps this up. Maybe. We'll see. Agatha is also a surprisingly talented magician? Probably even more so than Baz and Penelope, if she even bothered to learn, since she can actually cast spells without her wand. And with her lips sealed! Like seriously, Agatha, this is totally kickass! She really made us understand the whole “magic is inside of you, it’s part of who you are”. *end of spoilers* For the love of magic, I hope we get news of the third book soon. I think I'll go calm myself down now. Every time I finish a book about Simon and Baz I feel like I've been through a tornado. Which is actually not a bad feeling at all. I mean hey, every book that makes your heart go pounding is a book that got you to care about it, deeply.

I wanted to love this book and for the most part I did. Rowell is a great storyteller and I enjoyed the experience of reading. But even though Baz and Agatha especially got a lot of character development, the story as a whole never felt like it was completely cohesive, and it didn't end on a super satisfying note. Baz and Simon's relationship never made much progress, there were a lot of random interludes that felt like episodes from a TV show and not a single novel, and the goals shifted radically. First they were going on holiday, and then they were going to pull off a daring rescue. It's like Rowell didn't trust that her characters were interesting enough to follow if there wasn't a huge battle at the end. I would honestly have preferred they just get to California, have an overdue heart-to-heart, and maybe try Korean BBQ or acai bowls or something. I hope the follow-up is better so that this can feel like "part one of two" rather than just a somewhat disappointing second book.