Carry On

A quick note before we start. Today is Book Lovers Day! As a happy accident, this ties into my review very well, if not in initially obvious ways. Firstly, the novel I am about to discuss is a companion novel to one about a fangirl, a girl who writes fan fiction about her favourite series. Furthermore, the author itself was highly influenced by several well-known fantasy stories, so I think it's safe to say that the love for the book and reading definitely shines through here. Now, on to the actual review. I hope you enjoy!

First of all, Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell is one of my all-time favourite YA contemporaries. It’s sweet, it’s well-written, and tackles important issues that a lot of people can relate to. The main character in that book writes fan-fiction about a Harry Potter-esque series of fantasy books featuring Simon Snow – the Chosen One – and his sidekicks. Carry On by Rainbow Rowell is the fictional last book in that series. So like the Deathly Hallows. Unless Carry On is followed by a play...

The reason why I am mentioning Harry Potter in this instance is because the book really invited the comparisons. The author has also claimed she read a lot of fantasy novels featuring the “Chosen One” trope, and the book is actively reflecting that. There is a magic sword that appears when a character needs it, a “sorting” system in the first year, a headmaster the protagonist looks up to, initially a Draco Malfoy-ish enemy, etc. A lot of people have called this Harry Potter fan-fiction and have been thus turned off the whole experience. I started the book knowing all this. Sure, the beginning of the novel definitely offers several déjà vu moments from other boy wizard novels. It was a little grating, but somehow – and this surprised me – it really worked. I was on board. Spoiler alert: I gave this book four stars. Unfortunately, the ending was way too abrupt and slightly unsatisfying to warrant a higher rating. However, now that is out of the way, back to the review.

I liked the traditional storyline of a kid who thought he was ordinary turning out to be extraordinary. He goes to a magical school, finds friends and enemies (more like frenemies), crushes, and idols. Add a pinch of twists and turns and you get this novel. My favourite part of the novel was the inclusiveness of it all. Everyone was welcome, or at least tolerated, in the school, whether they be pixies or from a normal background. Furthermore, the novel features LGBTQ themes that Rainbow Rowell handled with her own special brand of sweet magic. Excuse the pun.

I think the main issue people have with this book is that it is very, very reminiscent of Harry Potter, in particular. I mean, I can’t claim that it isn’t, but the author definitely added her own spin to it. There is another little thing that bothered me, but this may be just me own fault. What I didn’t understand was whether this book is meant to be the actual canon in the Simon Snow world OR is this the book Cath was writing as fan-fiction in Fangirl? I’m guessing actual canon? I don’t know and haven’t been able to find out. Tangent over.

All in all, I realised that I could get over the glaring derivations from other well-known magical fantasy stories because there was a lot of originality in the magic system. I loved how it all rested on the magician knowing a language and its uses. I enjoyed the female characters who were self-assured and smart and confident. The tale itself was gripping, and despite all the quips I had about the ending, I really enjoyed the reading experience as such. It made me nostalgic for a proper fantasy series so I might pick up something else in that vein. As I said before, it’s a solid four stars. I’d recommend it to people who loved Fangirl, or who are just completists, as this is a companion novel to the aforementioned. It could also work for people wishing to temporarily fill a hole that Harry Potter left: just be ready for a lot of allusions.

Words are very powerful… And they become more powerful the more that they’re said and read and written, in specific, consistent combinations. The key to casting a spell is tapping into that power. Not just saying the words, but summoning their meaning… Which means you have to have a good vocabulary to do magic. And you have to be able to think on your feet. And be brave enough to speak up. And have an ear for a solid turn of phrase.


NB! I initially received this novel via Netgalley as a free read in exchange for my honest review, but I ended up purchasing my own copy and reading that. I am not sure whether that warrants a disclaimer, but still - only full disclosure here!