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Carry On (Simon Snow, #1)

Rainbow Rowell

Start date: June 1, 2021

Finish date: June 30, 2021

Discussion: Monthly Bonus Reads

Why we're reading this: LGBT Pride Month
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What Members Thought

Jul 25, 2016 Radwa rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: favs-to-annotate

What if Harry was more obviously like Tom Riddle and was named Simon, and Ron & Hermione were mixed in one person, and the trio had an addition of Draco in it? That's how "Carry On" feels like: a Harry Potter fanfiction with a couple of twists.

Other than feeling like I'm reading one of the numerous fanfictions of Harry Potter where Harry and Draco's relationship has more to it, it also feels like starting reading the Harry Potter series from the fifth book with all of its angst. Trying to find H What if Harry was more obviously like Tom Riddle and was named Simon, and Ron & Hermione were mixed in one person, and the trio had an addition of Draco in it? That's how "Carry On" feels like: a Harry Potter fanfiction with a couple of twists.

Other than feeling like I'm reading one of the numerous fanfictions of Harry Potter where Harry and Draco's relationship has more to it, it also feels like starting reading the Harry Potter series from the fifth book with all of its angst. Trying to find Harry Potter/Carry On parallels whether in setting or characters would be endless, it seems that almost each and every character in this books was inspired by someone from the Harry Potter universe. But I have to say that the magic system here is quite unique. It feels more modern. While Harry Potter retained this ancient secret feel of magic, Carry On has a more modern feel.

As far as I remember, I haven't read any LGBT books before, not ones where that was one of the main themes anyway. When I first read "Fangirl" where Rainbow Rowell first introduced Simon Snow and his world, she introduced him and Baz as an LGBT couple, and I didn't that this would be the case in Carry On as well. I have to say that the relationship with all of its cliches is still refreshing.

Agatha's existence through the first half seemed pointless and the Mage isn't present enough, and when he is I want him gone!

I loved the few times the story strayed from the predictable storyline it was following. The problem I couldn't help but notice is that it's following a lot of the same scenarios in Harry Potter which makes it quite easy to predict. But there are a few mysteries there that still manage to spice things up.

Rainbow Rowell's writing shines when it comes to writing about the relations between Simon and Baz, she manages to write all the cutesy stuff really well too (I didn't cringe while reading it and that's something!)

But the thing is, even though Rainbow Rowell said that this is her take on the chosen one's trope and their stories, I definitely feel like this is her take on Harry Potter's world, with lots and lots of what ifs. I didn't mind all of these similarities but it did make the story kinda predictable through its first half, but the twists she added towards the end made it different and fun.

When I first started reading this I was picturing all of the characters as their HP counterparts, but once I realized how different they were despite being so similar, I was instantly sucked into this world. It's a different take on the world of magic, with the hero that tries to save the day, and I love it.

This is definitely one of my most favorite books of the year!
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Dec 03, 2015 Jana rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, 2015, grc15

I was prepared to like this book. When I read Fangirl, I loved the Simon Snow parts. I'd heard a rumor that Rowell was writing Carry On, and thought it was wishful thinking. And now, I'm just so excited that this book exists. It reads like any Rowell book (sassy, fun, flirty, sweet), seasoned with perfect sprinklings of a Harry Potter-esque world. I thought it would be more like Hogwarts and Harry Potter, but the world of Mages that Rowell creates is totally her own. ...more

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Jan 14, 2017 Randy A. rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: bookriot-read-harder-2017

Meh. 2.5 stars. I'm still a Rainbow Rowell fan, but this is my least favorite. Among other issues, it could have been the same story in 300 vs 500 pages. I pushed through to finish so this could be my "fantasy novel" for the Read Harder 2017 Challenge. (Shoulder shrug) ...more

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Sep 03, 2019 Melanie rated it really liked it

Shelves: audio

I found there to be some plot holes and the beginning was kind of slow, but I LOVED Baz and the love story (LOVED IT). My son thought I was crazy when I would want to get in the car and hear more. I want more Simon Snow.

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