It’s been a decent start to my reading year, but the spotlight I want to shine is on Rainbow Rowell’s young adult novels, Carry On and Wayward Son. Does this author have an affinity for that one Kansas song? I would assume so. Either way, these novels follow a world of mages from London as they try to battle the unknown and just generally survive.
In alternating perspectives, we are introduced to Simon, who is the prophetic mage sent to save all mages. At least, that’s what everyone keeps telling him. Sure he’s saved people and fought epic battles, but it would help if he actually knew how to use his magic without just going off. He’s aided by his best friend Penelope in his quests, but she’s quirky and a rule follower. In the first novel, Carry On, the two try to find an ominous figure called the Humdrum who’s been creating “holes” where their magic won’t work. They are also trying to find Simon’s long-term roommate, Baz. Agatha, Simon’s girlfriend ends things rather awkwardly because she’s starting to realize she just wants to live a normal life with her normal friends.
After finding Baz, the three make it their mission to find the Humdrum. Although, once Simon confirms that Baz is in fact a vampire, he vows to help Baz take down the vampires that turned him and killed his mother. Along the way, the two develop a romance that’s both sweet and a little frustrating. Why don’t teens, magic or not, know how to communicate with each other?! By the end of the novel, they defeat the Humdrum, but not without losing some allies, and more importantly, Simon’s magic. He’s got wings and a tail now, but he’ll have to learn how to live in a world with normal people and magicians with his best friend and his boyfriend.
The second novel, Wayward Son, in what I’m dubbing the “Simon Snow series” picks up not too long after the events of the first novel, but Simon has grown a bit depressed with no magical purpose…and the fact that he still has those wings and tail. Penelope decides that a road trip across America is the only solution! Sure, she also wants to see her boyfriend and Agatha, but the boys don’t need to know that. Baz just hopes that this trip brings a bit of spirit back into Simon’s life.
Going to America is a whirlwind for the bunch. They discover dead zones where their magic won’t work, a Normal who knows all about them, oh yeah, and a new vampire cult that wants to mix their immortality with magic. I know Baz is already that way, but that wasn’t exactly his fault. The gang find themselves in Las Vegas trying to get the help of the vampires, but they end up getting duped. With a lot of tenacity, they are able to make it out alive, save Agatha, and destroy the new vampire cult! Once again, Baz and Simon are NOT great at communicating, but I hope they reconcile for good in the next novel. I suppose I’ll just have to wait and see.
Both of these books were light and fun, with a level of sci-fi that I really enjoy reading and watching. The shifting viewpoints never get confusing even with so many characters at certain points. There were plenty of unsuspecting twists throughout, which made them really compelling to finish. I highly recommend if you want some young adult sci-fi in your life!