After the dreary Wayward Son, this final book in the trilogy feels like an absolute pocket-full of sunshine. Rowell drops the fanfic-y trappings that were so omnipresent in Carry On, as well as most of the angst that dripped from Wayward Son’s every word, instead giving us a comparatively slight story that’s all about these characters’ friendships and relationships. I still like the first two books, albeit only to a small degree (whereas my fiancee is vociferous about how she most certainly does not), but I think that’s Rowell’s writing itself allowing them to transcend my issues.Īny Way the Wind Blows, on the other hand, somehow stands on its own as a breezy, fast read that finally wormed these characters into my heart in some sense. Whether it be the spells that are in fact just cliches that have amassed magical power from their frequent usage, the Harry Potter retreads that aren’t really subverted in any meaningful way, or the positively overwhelming amount of moodiness and angst, I don’t know if I would’ve powered through if it were any other author. My fiancee, who I’ve read all of Rowell’s books to (aside from this one), is firmly in agreement on that one. Although she holds the title of my favorite author, the Simon Snow series has never resonated with me in any meaningful way and the first two books are firmly at the bottom when I rank her bibliography.
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