Carry On by Rainbow Rowell

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 sets 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 is a ghost story, a love story, a mystery and a melodrama. It has just as much kissing and talking as you’d expect from a Rainbow Rowell story—but far, far more monsters. (Rainbow Rowell)

*Carry On is not a sequel to Fangirl, you do not have to read Fangirl in order to read Carry On. It is not the book Gemma T. Lesley wrote, nor the fic that Cather wrote. It is Rainbow Rowell's view on the World of Mages. Spoilers ahead.* 

Before I read this book I had high, high expectations. It's a Rainbow Rowell book! When I finished I was glad to say my expectations were surpassed! Carry On is the best thing to happen in my YA fantasy reading life, it felt like five books in one, and not in a "dragging on" kind of way, in a kind of way that managed to tell an amazing story about fighting and magic and romance and self-discovery! It was something only Rainbow Rowell could ever write!

Firstly, I want to talk about Baz. I absolutely love Baz! He makes the perfectly misunderstood guy who likes guys and ahh! I can't even think of Baz without fangirling! His love for Simon is one of my favorite parts of the book! And the fact that Baz was realistic yet helplessly romantic about his situation made it even more relatable! I love the moments when Baz compares his vampirism to his sexuality! It is never a direct metaphor but to me it is! At first, I was worried that SnowBaz wasn't gonna happen because Simon seemed pretty straight to me, and Baz was nowhere to be found! When he came back was perfection! I loved how Baz's chapter ended with something like; "Simon Snow . . . the guy I'm in love with." (Something like that.) When they first kissed I didn't--I couldn't--I was so--ahh!! The kissing scenes with Baz and Simon were the best! And Baz's sense of humor is literally the sense of humor everyone wishes they had! His points of view were the best! Even better than Lucy's which were Amazing with a capital A!

Speaking of Lucy, that was a huge plot twist! The whole thing with the Mage being Simon's dad and all. That was mentioned in Fangirl but it still shocked the apple juice out of me! The Mage was such a backstabbing...person. I never trusted him one bit! I enjoyed the flashbacks we got from Lucy and the Mage and Penny's mom and Baz's aunt. I also liked that they were all connected in some way. I feel like not enough people realize how big of a part Ebb plays in the story, in all of Simon's childhood. I don't want to get too much into it because I myself didn't pay much attention to Ebb but I think it's important to regognize her and acknowladge that she was an imparative part of the story.

Overall I give this book five out of five stars. It was funny, sad, and kitchy and just plain brilliant. Plus the fact that Rainbow Rowell, a contemporary author, wrote this full on fantasy novel speaks for itself. Also, RAINBOW ROWELL.

Disclaimer: None of the pictures used in this post are mine, all rights reserved to their creators.