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A review by madmadmaddymad
Wayward Son by Rainbow Rowell
adventurous
funny
relaxing
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? Yes
5.0
What happens after you’ve defeated the big bad, won the war, and got the guy?
Simon and Baz are struggling through their happily ever after, and Penny decides now is the time to visit Agatha in California.Agatha left magic behind to go join a cult; I guess? I will say, I found the Now Next group more sinister and chilling before the reveal that they were evil vampires the entire time. It was one twist I could have done without. What the fuck.
This book is an exceedingly unnecessary sequel. But what the hell. It’s so much fun. I love how the universe is expanded to include new challenges. The spellwork set up in the first book is almost entirely useless on the American continent, due to Normals not understanding British colloquialisms. There is a big stretch of land where no one resides, and the trio breaks down on the highway because the spells just stop working on their car. It’s not like the dead zones The Insidious Humdrum was creating in the first book - it’s a consequence of language and life - a lack of anyone around to give magic to the words. It’s such an interesting idea, and executed so well. It really ups the stakes for what was (supposed to be) a low stakes sight-seeing adventure. I love how it came back into play at the end with the Burning Lad Festival!
Loved the new characters introduced in this one. Shepard really seemed to round out the group, and it’s easy to be on his side when, he kind of has a point. Shepard to Penny, Ch 30. “We are made of magic. Without our magic, you’re worse than Normal. You’re useless.”
Also, I kind of love the American vampire scene, how the kids are shown to be really repressed and kind of stupid, and how they know almost nothing about magical beings once outside of their isolated boarding school. Simon to Baz, Prologue. “All mages know about vampires is how to kill them!”
Did… did they murder those vampires at the renaissance fair for no reason? Now that we know it’s entirely likely they were just going to drink from those humans without killing or turning them? Legit almost exposed all of magic because they felt like being heroes…. And for what? goddamnit Simon lol
Simon and Baz are struggling through their happily ever after, and Penny decides now is the time to visit Agatha in California.
This book is an exceedingly unnecessary sequel. But what the hell. It’s so much fun. I love how the universe is expanded to include new challenges. The spellwork set up in the first book is almost entirely useless on the American continent, due to Normals not understanding British colloquialisms. There is a big stretch of land where no one resides, and the trio breaks down on the highway because the spells just stop working on their car. It’s not like the dead zones The Insidious Humdrum was creating in the first book - it’s a consequence of language and life - a lack of anyone around to give magic to the words. It’s such an interesting idea, and executed so well. It really ups the stakes for what was (supposed to be) a low stakes sight-seeing adventure. I love how it came back into play at the end with the Burning Lad Festival!
Loved the new characters introduced in this one. Shepard really seemed to round out the group, and it’s easy to be on his side when, he kind of has a point. Shepard to Penny, Ch 30. “We are made of magic. Without our magic, you’re worse than Normal. You’re useless.”
Also, I kind of love the American vampire scene, how the kids are shown to be really repressed and kind of stupid, and how they know almost nothing about magical beings once outside of their isolated boarding school. Simon to Baz, Prologue. “All mages know about vampires is how to kill them!”