Wayward Son: Rainbow Rowell

The story is supposed to be over.

Simon Snow did everything he was supposed to do. He beat the villain. He won the war. He even fell in love. Now comes the good part, right? Now comes the happily ever after…

So why can’t Simon Snow get off the couch?

What he needs, according to his best friend, is a change of scenery. He just needs to see himself in a new light…

That’s how Simon and Penny and Baz end up in a vintage convertible, tearing across the American West.

They find trouble, of course. (Dragons, vampires, skunk-headed things with shotguns.) And they get lost. They get so lost, they start to wonder whether they ever knew where they were headed in the first place…

With Wayward Son, Rainbow Rowell has written a book for everyone who ever wondered what happened to the Chosen One after he saved the day. And a book for everyone who was ever more curious about the second kiss than the first. It’s another helping of sour cherry scones with an absolutely decadent amount of butter.

Come on, Simon Snow. Your hero’s journey might be over – but your life has just begun.
(Goodreads)

Here's a link to my review of -----> Carry On 

Anyway, if you read my review, you'll notice that I had a lot to say about Carry On. And yet I decided to read Wayward Son hoping thinking it would be better..... It was... And it wasn't at the same time. 
So pros: the story was definitely more original. I liked the idea of after. We seldom get a story after the hero kills/destroys the big bad. So I liked that premise. Since she couldn't get inspiration from Harry Potter like in Carry On, she had to come up with her own original story, and it was decent. College students want to go on vacation, and nothing goes right. So relatable. 
Now the cons: honestly, it took too long to get to the point. It was still slow and boring; I get that it was showing how everyone is basically depressed. Like Simon? He's so depressed because everything he knew and loved has been ruined. He doesn't know who he is anymore, he's lost his identity, and he's struggling in his relationship with Baz. It's plain ol', not a good time, yo. And honestly, kind of a mood Penny is just as annoying as ever. Sucks that her boyfriend broke up with her when she went to visit him... And I totally see his point of view since I've literally seen this happen in person many times. Shepard? A regular human appears knows a bunch of stuff, and that's it... He doesn't really do anything. 

 
The story was random, and I feel like if it had a bit more structure, it might have been better. The weird twist of the vampires wanting magic gave it a bit of spice. That was actually interesting, and I wanted more on that, but we didn't anymore in this book specifically. 

Anyways, until next time readers <3

Love Kat 

Carry On: Rainbow Rowell

Simon Snow is the worst Chosen One who's ever been chosen.

That's what his roommate, Baz, says. And Baz might be evil and a vampire and a complete git, but he's probably right.

Half the time, Simon can't even make his wand work, and the other half, he starts something on fire. His mentor's avoiding him, his girlfriend broke up with him, and there's a magic-eating monster running around, wearing Simon's face. Baz would be having a field day with all this, if he were here — it's their last year at the Watford School of Magicks, and Simon's infuriating nemesis didn't even bother to show up.

Carry On - The Rise and Fall of Simon Snow is a ghost story, a love story and a mystery. It has just as much kissing and talking as you'd expect from a Rainbow Rowell story - but far, far more monsters.
(Goodreads)

 Okay.... so I finally started this book because a friend encouraged me thinking I'd like it so much more than I did,since it's based on Harry Potter, my absolute favorite book series. I was also interested because I loved Fangirl so much and her love for the series... Anyway lets get this review underway!

First and foremost, this book is obviously based on Harry Potter, not only that, it's FANFICTION FOR DRARRY. Mind you I really don't care for that ship... So this was interesting to read someone who thoroughly enjoys Drarry write about it. Still not my favorite ship.

Second: if you're going to base something on such an amazing book.... don't ruin it with your ridiculous magic style. Let me explain; their magic was based around a system that words hold power. Okay, I get that and it can be a valid form of magic. But then she tried to make it mainstream and relevant to the currant time (which is going to seriously date this book in a few years) by adding popular books, movies, and songs (i.e. 'to be or not to be' 'do or do not there is no try' 'these are not the droids you are looking for' 'don't stop believing' I could go on)…. And it make the book sound so dumb. Here they are in a serious situation spouting YOU KILLED MY FATHER PREPARE TO DIE or something along those lines totally ruining the serious moment. And I know, I know its supposed to spoof Harry Potter... But that doesn't mean I have to enjoy it.

Third, the plot. God the plot was a mess. It all started with the author assuming we know more about the world of Carry On than we actually do. There's too much that has previously happened in "previous" years for us to be able to truly understand the book and connect to the characters 100% . The plot focuses on Simon being the worst chosen one ever I'll get to that in a bit, because I am SALTY. How bad at magic he is, the fucking HUMDRUM the stupidest fucking villains name. In the history of the world. The twists weren't all that exciting, especially if you consider that its like four characters merged into one. And the story was honestly very mediocre.

Fourth: the characters. God the characters were so bad I could cry. When I first read it was I so mad. I was angry how she twisted my favorite characters into these pathetic shadows of the original. Simon Harry Potter is the worst chosen in the history of the world. He also sucks at magic and is a total fucking idiot. That's it, that is the character. Does he get any character growth? No. Does he learn how to use his magic and be the great wizard he's destined to be? No. Does he ever do anything of importance? Also no. God Simon was this sad whiny character that Rowell decided to make the worst of everything. He's literally the total opposite of Harry. Unless he's obsessing over Baz like in The Half Blood Prince and what he's doing, or if he's plotting his murder. All very original. Now Baz, Baz is Draco obviously. The Draco we never got to know because Harry Potter is only in his point of view. Baz had a bit more potential solely because she didn't have anything to casually mess up copy. Baz was more original because she had to fill in the blanks. You could tell that he was based on Draco, but he was still his own original character unlike Simon. Next we have Penelope, Penny...Whatever her name was. She was obviously Hermione, if Hermione was a pureblood. She lived and breathed magic, was the best at it. A total annoying know it all. All things we've seen in Hermione. She was honestly very boring, though a little bit more annoying like Hermione in the first book. Then we have Simons girlfriend.... Whose name I cannot remember for the life of me. Anyway, she was more like Cho Chang, than the amazing spitfire that is Ginny Weasley. She was whiny, was pinning for another guy cough that was Baz's gay ass and utterly useless. Lived in a world of her own and didn't want anything to do with magic. Then we had the weird Goat Lady that was a cheap Hagrid knockoff, if Hagrid liked ghosts and was good at magic instead. And finally, we have the headmaster dude. Who was a mixture of: Dumbledor, James Potter, Sirus Black, Voldemort, and maybe a little bit of Remus if you squint. One of the major plot twists is that good sir, headmaster is actually Simon's dad and he killed Lily his wife in the name of creating the chosen one. He was a total Dumbledor for not telling Harry Simon anything and abandoning him to orphanages fucking orphanages instead of TAKING RESPONSIBILITY OF HIS SPAWN. Anyway this character was a mess and a total psychopath

I basically didn't like this book at all. The final and most important twist was that the HUMDRUM was Simon. That every time he actually performed magic he siphoned said magic from areas that were bursting with magic rip to Baz's family home. And this was all because of Good sir Dumbledor trying to make him the Chosen one.
And that's the end. That is the end to this tragically written fanfiction.
I kind of want to read the next one... but I  also don't. So we'll see what happens
Anyway!
Until next time readers <3

Love Kat 

The Song of Achilles: Madeline Miller

Greece in the age of heroes. Patroclus, an awkward young prince, has been exiled to the court of King Peleus and his perfect son Achilles. By all rights their paths should never cross, but Achilles takes the shamed prince as his friend, and as they grow into young men skilled in the arts of war and medicine their bond blossoms into something deeper - despite the displeasure of Achilles' mother Thetis, a cruel sea goddess. But then word comes that Helen of Sparta has been kidnapped. Torn between love and fear for his friend, Patroclus journeys with Achilles to Troy, little knowing that the years that follow will test everything they hold dear.

Profoundly moving and breathtakingly original, this rendering of the epic Trojan War is a dazzling feat of the imagination, a devastating love story, and an almighty battle between gods and kings, peace and glory, immortal fame and the human heart.
(Goodreads)

Let me begin by saying that I was so thoroughly excited to read this book. Considering I absolutely loved Circe, and all the amazing reviews I've heard of this book. I was excited. I was ecstatic to finally get the chance to read it since I had to wait months to get it from the library 
To say that I was disappointed would be an understatement. I was slightly angry about how much I didn't like this book. And I really really wanted to like it. I was angry, and frustrated, and just plain sad in regards to this book. 
From the beginning! This book actually is not in the point of view of Achilles not until the end at least. This book is in Patroclus I literally had no idea how to say his name..... Like at all point of view, which was an interesting take. I was kind of okay with it... Except that it was seriously just so melancholy that it seriously made the book feel sad... THE WHOLE TIME 
Patroclus is a pathetic character for the longest time, he's weak and sad and overal pretty annoying. And Achilles? He's there too... But only just. He's not nearly as important as you'd think, not until their romance blooms.
Oh? Did I mention this book is HECKING gay?? Because, my god, it is so gay and there's even gay sex... it was interesting and completely true to the times. 
Anyways... When you think of Achilles what do you think of? I don't know about you, but I always think about the Trojan War. And you'd think that this book would be about that, would consist of a considerable amount of the Trojan War. Well you would be wrong. Because literally the Trojan War was at the every end of book, maybe the last hundred pages? Possibly? Which, for me, was so disappointing. The whole beginning of the book is about Paroclus's shame, his love for Achilles, his fear of his mother. 
I honestly was extremely disappointed, especially considering how much people raved about the book. But alas, this book was not for me, but who knows, maybe whoever reads this blog will actually enjoy the book. And if you do, awesome! If not... Joining me in complaining about
Until next time readers <3

Love Kat 

Girls of Paper and Fire: Natasha Ngan

Each year, eight beautiful girls are chosen as Paper Girls to serve the king. It's the highest honor they could hope for...and the most cruel.

But this year, there's a ninth girl. And instead of paper, she's made of fire.

In this lush fantasy, Lei is a member of the Paper caste, the lowest and most oppressed class in Ikhara. She lives in a remote village with her father, where the decade-old trauma of watching her mother snatched by royal guards still haunts her. Now, the guards are back, and this time it's Lei they're after--the girl whose golden eyes have piqued the king's interest.

Over weeks of training in the opulent but stifling palace, Lei and eight other girls learn the skills and charm that befit being a king's consort. But Lei isn't content to watch her fate consume her. Instead, she does the unthinkable--she falls in love. Her forbidden romance becomes enmeshed with an explosive plot that threatens the very foundation of Ikhara, and Lei, still the wide-eyed country girl at heart, must decide just how far she's willing to go for justice and revenge.
(Goodreads) 

WARNING THIS BOOK CONTAINS SEXUAL VIOLENCE AND THEMES
*nothing too graphic or descriptive, but can still be triggering for certain people.

I fully admit to buying this book because it was pretty. Like? Look at that cover, its gorgeous. Yes the story itself sounding interesting, but I was more captivated by the cover. It had the premise of a regular old book, until it didn't. I fully admit that I went into reading this book thinking I wouldn't like it. But that sentiment quickly left within a few pages in.

The story starts with Lei, a girl in the lowest class, who works for a demon who's like family. She lost her mom in a raid years prior. The only thing that stands out is her golden eyes, eyes that shouldn't belong to a human. So the story at its base seemed very familiar to me and I thought it was going to be a Beauty and the Beast retelling.... Boy was I wrong
Everything changes when Lei makes it to the castle and things start progressing in a different way. 
Let me explain,  there are subtle changes to Lei's character in regards to girls and women around her. And me, being a hetero-normative female.... this threw me off. When they officially meet the Demon King, it officially puts everything into perspective. The way she reacts to Wren, how intrigued by her she is. And this is around the time I start thinking... is she a lesbian?? And then I moved on. 
When the girls met the Demon King, it was an unsettling experience. Lei's reaction was both fascination and fear. It was unsettling, because on the surface all the girls... Except Lei slight horror and Wren's indifference, are in love or so it seems 
Everything changes when Lei finally gets the letter, that it's her turn to pleasure the king. Obviously everyone is excited and jealous. And this was also around the time that everything started feeling more real. 
What happens when she gets the King's palace is weird..... and then horrifying. To say that I was crying... would be an understatement. Luckily, Lei fought back and was not raped this time 
Her romance with Wren is healing, and it is the most beautiful and pure love one could possibly find.
When.... Lei does get raped by the King. I felt my heartbreak, and I couldn't stop crying. The emotional trauma of what she endured was horrifying. 
The end of the book was amazing! They kicked ass! They escaped! They FELL IN LOVE! 
AND THEN THE KING DIDN'T DIE!!! I am so angry and I cannot wait for the next book 

Until next time readers <3

Love Kat