“Just when you think you’re having a scene without Simon, he drops in to remind you that everyone else is a supporting character in his catastrophe.”
-Rainbow Rowell, Carry On
Grade: 5
How do you talk about this book without getting all deep into your love of Rowell and the book that spawned this one, Fangirl? Point of fact, how do you talk about this book and not get all fangirl about Harry Potter and your love of Rowell being all meta about being a fangirl of Twilight? God this is going to be the hardest review I’ve ever written!
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, Rainbow Rowell is the best writer of this generation, and she proves it again in Carry on. She can write anything, in any style, and in a completely unique voice. In Carry On, Rowell uses the characters and storyline that Cath from Fangirl created as a final completed novel. She writes them just as she left them, not setting you up to read them. She just drops you into their world and makes you run to catch up.
Carry On is the coming of age story of young magicians who are living at a time where a great evil known as The Humdrum is stealing all the power and only The Chosen One, Simon Snow, can save them. The problem is, Simon isn’t very bright, and he’s also got this mortal enemy who happens to be his roommate and maybe his crush -Baz.
For the record you don’t need to have read either Fangirl or any of the Harry Potter books to enjoy this novel since my friend loved this book and hadn’t read any of the others. Personally I think to enjoy this book to the fullest you should read Fangirl and at least one Potter book. If you don’t you’ll miss all the meta-ness. Which really is what makes this book so darned good. I kept reading parts aloud just to hear how hilarious the lines sounded coming from someone who should have been talking about Hermione, or Harry or, pick-your-potter-character. It was cracking me up.
But that’s where the genius of Carry On really shows through, its ability to balance humor, romance, darkness, and sensuality. At the end of the day this is a story about triumph and love. Love between two boys finding themselves and coming to terms with who and what they are.
And that love is HOT. I read a lot of romance and none of it male male. But Baz and Simon’s kissing and touching gave me butterflies in the pit of my stomach. BUTTERFLIES! I want to be clear. IMHO nothing lewd goes on. It’s all very PG-13. But damn it’s hot.
My only problem with the book is the plot is a bit weak, but then again this is supposed to be based on fanfic so there’s a part of me that wonders if this is all done intentionally by Rowell. The end feels a bit rushed, and honestly I could have spent another 100 pages or so watching Baz and Simon be in love. So maybe I was just sad to see it all end.
Bottom Line: Rainbow Rowell is a Goddess and the best writer of this generation. This book is going on my Keeper shelf for a re-read probably before Christmas. BUY IT NOW.
Cybil Solyn
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