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natt_lux's review against another edition
4.0
This was a beautiful end of the trilogy. I enjoyed the ride. Baz, you big softie... you made me FEEL so much. Simon, I'm glad you finally figured out your shit. Penelope, I'm proud of you and Sheppard, good luck. Thank you for this adventure.
john_the_captain's review against another edition
4.0
A very enjoyable read ... for those who have read the first 2 Simon Snow books ... you've an idea about what its all about and you'll be delighted to know that even though book 2 was a bit of a filler setting up the final book in the trilogy I'm delighted to report that this book is very good.
The story picks up directly after the antics in the previous book which I always find is a bit strange after waiting a while for the book but that doesn't take away from the story. it's a bit "tropey" ... Simon coming to terms with losing his powers and having a tail and wings and his and Baz' relationship going through tough times, that's the reason it has dropped a star. otherwise it's a good yarn that keeps you wantuing to turn the pages. It's aimed at a more mature reader with more than heavy petting so more suitable for around 16+.
The book ties up the loose ends really nicely and is well written. Overall this trilogy is an interesting take on the wizard/normal World and I love the cocept throughout of words having meaning and magical powers. I'd like to see a new story based in the US.
The story picks up directly after the antics in the previous book which I always find is a bit strange after waiting a while for the book but that doesn't take away from the story. it's a bit "tropey" ... Simon coming to terms with losing his powers and having a tail and wings and his and Baz' relationship going through tough times, that's the reason it has dropped a star. otherwise it's a good yarn that keeps you wantuing to turn the pages. It's aimed at a more mature reader with more than heavy petting so more suitable for around 16+.
The book ties up the loose ends really nicely and is well written. Overall this trilogy is an interesting take on the wizard/normal World and I love the cocept throughout of words having meaning and magical powers. I'd like to see a new story based in the US.
palomabird1's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
halthemonarch's review against another edition
5.0
My goodness, I was expecting a reconciliation but jeez louise!!! Rowell does it again. This baby reads like a fanfic and follows around our magical darlings, just like the last two. Book two was shorter and angstier than book one, so I was expecting a rough and tumble start, but it was smooth sailing, earnest conversations, and fluff for the entire first half. When the plot got rolling, I found myself invested but more invested in the couples, Shep and Penny, Naimh and Agatha, and Baz and Simon. The Smith Richards B plot (that tried really hard to be the A plot, but with all the cuteness and domesticity, it's clearly failed) kept me along for the last chapters. Deadass I forget what happens at the end, just that our gay dummies are happy and safe at the end. I love when los gibities get a win!
butterfliesonmybookshelf's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
alexy_lynx's review against another edition
3.0
2.5
Definitivamente mi menos favorito, siento que no tuvo pies ni cabeza, todo se resolvía de manera tan sin sentido y rápido. Lo de Lucy y que Simon era familia de Lady Ruth y Jamie? Pareciera que se le olvidó a mitad del libro y lo puso como algo sin chiste en las últimas páginas
El segundo y tercer libro fueron innecesarios, crearon problemas de relación entre Simon y Baz cómo para qué? Si la final solo era que no cogían por problemas de Simon que nomás no, siento que la Rainbow aquí si no me pareció que supiera sobrellevar este tema.
Y todavía mete otros romances sin chiste, Shepard y Penelope se sabía pero el de Agatha qué, todavía el epílogo más aburrido de la historia se trató de ella. Y hacernos creer que ella salvó Watford, lo peor de todos, lo más irrelevante
Definitivamente mi menos favorito, siento que no tuvo pies ni cabeza, todo se resolvía de manera tan sin sentido y rápido. Lo de Lucy y que Simon era familia de Lady Ruth y Jamie? Pareciera que se le olvidó a mitad del libro y lo puso como algo sin chiste en las últimas páginas
El segundo y tercer libro fueron innecesarios, crearon problemas de relación entre Simon y Baz cómo para qué? Si la final solo era que no cogían por problemas de Simon que nomás no, siento que la Rainbow aquí si no me pareció que supiera sobrellevar este tema.
Y todavía mete otros romances sin chiste, Shepard y Penelope se sabía pero el de Agatha qué, todavía el epílogo más aburrido de la historia se trató de ella. Y hacernos creer que ella salvó Watford, lo peor de todos, lo más irrelevante
steph_weigle's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Animal death, Confinement, Fatphobia, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual content
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, and Homophobia
Minor: Child abuse, Stalking, Murder, Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Infidelity, and Kidnapping
bentheoverlordsbooks's review against another edition
4.5
4.5/5
Really good conclusion that was a little oddly paced at points but overall still a fantastic conclusion ! Really wanted a little more of Agatha's arc, and the gang together more, although I did really enjoy the separate plot threads (although one did end very easily, however it was a great conclusion and funny)
Simon and Baz continue from where book 2 ends and I did enjoy the turmoil, but also that the book book didn't drag it out, this book was as much about communication and healing as it was about the magical world drama.
I also loved the "Evangelical" style magic cult, that promises miracle cures, and how it can kinda warp normal peoples minds. I really loved that aspect.
Really good conclusion that was a little oddly paced at points but overall still a fantastic conclusion ! Really wanted a little more of Agatha's arc, and the gang together more, although I did really enjoy the separate plot threads (although one did end very easily, however it was a great conclusion and funny)
Simon and Baz continue from where book 2 ends and I did enjoy the turmoil, but also that the book book didn't drag it out, this book was as much about communication and healing as it was about the magical world drama.
I also loved the "Evangelical" style magic cult, that promises miracle cures, and how it can kinda warp normal peoples minds. I really loved that aspect.
rororollinginthedeep's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
cassidyserhienko's review against another edition
5.0
"I can touch you less gently, but I won't love you less kindly.”
I’m not gonna lie, after Wayward Son I was a little nervous for this book. I’m the kind of person who would happily read an 800 page book of my favourite characters just being happy, and this is especially true of characters like Simon and Baz, who have spent a lot of time being decidedly unhappy.
I am pleased to say that even though Simon and Baz are certainly going through it in Any Way the Wind Blows, they spend a lot more time communicating and working through their issues together. Baz is one of my favourite characters of all time (some might say I relate to him a little too much), and so I was really happy to see him and Simon working together as a team and navigating their new realities together. Even though Wayward Son doesn’t have the romance of Carry On or AWTWB, it marked an important stage in their relationship. Rowell did a great job of bringing some of those struggles into this book without dragging them out, and it was really fantastic to see both Simon and Baz go all in for each other.
Rowell even managed to make me give af about Agatha, which I would have told you was impossible. I don’t know if I just appreciate the character archetype that Agatha represents more now then I did when I read the first two books, but it was nice to see her give less of a shit and go for what she wants.
I always liked Penelope, but I’ve always cared infinitely more about Simon and Baz. This is still true, but I found myself actually looking forward to Penelope and Shepherd’s chapters instead of just working through it to get back to Snaz (I’m trademarking this, idc). Shepherd was an absolutely perfect love interest for someone like Penelope, and I loved how he challenged her preconceptions and somewhat rigid and outdated beliefs about magic.
Overall I thought that the book was laid out really well and had a good balance between action/questing and character growth. The final climax was maybe a little rushed, but in my opinion it really wasn’t the main plot of the story so I didn’t have an issue with that. I think that the book was a lot more about these characters actually confronting the fallout of their childhoods and navigating their new realities and relationships. A lot of that is obviously going to mean a lot of talking and introspection, but Rowell has never had any trouble making this feel interesting or high-stakes. Her style in the Carry On series is a little different, especially in this book, but I think that it fits so well with the characters and the narrative (she loves to do an aside in parentheses even more than me) (and that’s saying something). I think it resulted in some really beautiful passages.
I had always been dreading the ending of this book for a lot of reasons. I’m the kind of reader who wants things to be wrapped up, and quite frankly I hate unhappy endings. I want to know that the characters, particularly ones who I love so much, are happy or are going to be happy. Obviously, Rainbow and I do not see eye to eye on this - the woman loves an ambiguous ending. This felt like a happy compromise. There are certainly shades of ambiguity, but I think that the characters are left in a good place emotionally, and where we don’t know exactly what’s going to happen, but we have a pretty good idea.
All in all, I think that this was a fantastic conclusion to a trilogy that I’ve always loved.
I’m not gonna lie, after Wayward Son I was a little nervous for this book. I’m the kind of person who would happily read an 800 page book of my favourite characters just being happy, and this is especially true of characters like Simon and Baz, who have spent a lot of time being decidedly unhappy.
I am pleased to say that even though Simon and Baz are certainly going through it in Any Way the Wind Blows, they spend a lot more time communicating and working through their issues together. Baz is one of my favourite characters of all time (some might say I relate to him a little too much), and so I was really happy to see him and Simon working together as a team and navigating their new realities together. Even though Wayward Son doesn’t have the romance of Carry On or AWTWB, it marked an important stage in their relationship. Rowell did a great job of bringing some of those struggles into this book without dragging them out, and it was really fantastic to see both Simon and Baz go all in for each other.
Rowell even managed to make me give af about Agatha, which I would have told you was impossible. I don’t know if I just appreciate the character archetype that Agatha represents more now then I did when I read the first two books, but it was nice to see her give less of a shit and go for what she wants.
I always liked Penelope, but I’ve always cared infinitely more about Simon and Baz. This is still true, but I found myself actually looking forward to Penelope and Shepherd’s chapters instead of just working through it to get back to Snaz (I’m trademarking this, idc). Shepherd was an absolutely perfect love interest for someone like Penelope, and I loved how he challenged her preconceptions and somewhat rigid and outdated beliefs about magic.
Overall I thought that the book was laid out really well and had a good balance between action/questing and character growth. The final climax was maybe a little rushed, but in my opinion it really wasn’t the main plot of the story so I didn’t have an issue with that. I think that the book was a lot more about these characters actually confronting the fallout of their childhoods and navigating their new realities and relationships. A lot of that is obviously going to mean a lot of talking and introspection, but Rowell has never had any trouble making this feel interesting or high-stakes. Her style in the Carry On series is a little different, especially in this book, but I think that it fits so well with the characters and the narrative (she loves to do an aside in parentheses even more than me) (and that’s saying something). I think it resulted in some really beautiful passages.
I had always been dreading the ending of this book for a lot of reasons. I’m the kind of reader who wants things to be wrapped up, and quite frankly I hate unhappy endings. I want to know that the characters, particularly ones who I love so much, are happy or are going to be happy. Obviously, Rainbow and I do not see eye to eye on this - the woman loves an ambiguous ending. This felt like a happy compromise. There are certainly shades of ambiguity, but I think that the characters are left in a good place emotionally, and where we don’t know exactly what’s going to happen, but we have a pretty good idea.
All in all, I think that this was a fantastic conclusion to a trilogy that I’ve always loved.