Carry On (Simon Snow, #1)

by Rainbow Rowell

Based on the characters Simon and Baz who featured in Rainbow Rowell's bestselling Fangirl, Carry On is a ghost story, a love story, a mystery and a melodrama. It has just as much kissing and talking as you'd expect from a Rainbow Rowell story – but far, far more monsters.

Simon Snow just wants to relax and savour his last year at the Watford School of Magicks, but no one will let him. His girlfriend broke up with him, his best friend is a pest and his mentor keeps trying to hide him away in the mountains where maybe he'll be safe. Simon can't even enjoy the fact that his room-mate and longtime nemesis is missing, because he can't stop worrying about the evil git. Plus there are ghosts. And vampires. And actual evil things trying to shut Simon down. When you're the most powerful magician the world has ever known, you never get to relax and savour anything.

• ISBN10: 1447266943
• ISBN13: 9781447266945
• Publish Date: 25 February 2016 (first published 6 October 2015)
• Publish Status: Out of Print
• Out of Print: 3 March 2021
• Publish Country: GB
• Publisher: Pan Macmillan
• Imprint: Macmillan
• Format: Paperback (B-Format (198x129 mm))
• Pages: 528
• Language: English

Reviews

[kerrydarkeyes]

I'm perpetually suspicious of YA books with wildly popular reputations, though in all fairness, I think YA is just not my genre. But I figured, what the hell, let's try another one and gave Carry On a shot.

Guys ... it's cute. It's entertaining. You don't even have to be a member of the Potterverse to appreciate the parody. Still consider myself an occasional YA visitor rather than a true fan but if I was going to recommend YA to someone, this book would be on the list.

[Amber (The Literary Phoenix)]

Eh.

I know CARRY ON is a generally beloved novel, but I couldn't get past the way everything we know about the characters and about the world itself is just telling, telling, telling. The magic system is cheesy at best and infuriating at worst. Simon Snow is flat as a pancake and I could not, could not, COULD NOT get into this.

I listened to this WHOLE BOOK trying to understand what everyone loves so much about it, and I've come to the conclusion people really enjoy Baz/Simon. Which, I get. What a fun relationship. They don't make any sense as a couple whatsoever, but if you can put all that aside and you can put aside how ridiculous this book is as a whole, then YES. The romance is fun. And Baz is okay, though I wish, AGAIN, there were more depth and less telling.

Thing is, if I want to read Harry/Draco fanfic, I will go find it? I've read some decent ones in the past and enjoy them very much... and one of the reasons for that is that we get to slowly know Harry and Draco and they are more nuanced and complicated as characters... and they are that way ORGANICALLY, not just because it was said in a line of dialogue.

The writing really frustrated me here. *sigh* Y'all can enjoy your boys, but I'm all set. Really. Enjoy, and I'm out.

For a less ranty, more specific review and other bookish content, visit The Literary Phoenix.

[moraa]

"Go on, then," he says. "Carry on, Simon."

4.5 stars

Full-circle! I enjoyed every last bit of this. And I cannot wait to pick up the second book.

[littleread1]

OK - that was better than I was expecting after the way it started. It felt like we were missing a few book from earlier in life, but that was intentional with where this story needed to go I guess. But in the end I really enjoyed it, and am waiting for my library hold to be available.

[liz089]

I read this novel as an audiobook and really enjoyed it ! It was funny and filled with action, loved the relationship between Simon and Penny, and well.. most of everything Baz 3 Great narration too !

[Steph L]

This book was so much better the second time. It might have been that I reread it right after Fangirl or that I just genuinely enjoyed the story more. Going to start Wayward Son when my copy arrives tomorrow.

[vagasker]

Really enjoyed reading this book. I wouldn't say it is the best book I've ever read, but I had fun while reading it and I appreciate that.

[leahrosereads]

I don't get it. I've seen that this book is a favorite of not only someone's reading year, but of their reading life to date. People have said that it's THAT good. They rave about this book! In all the exciting ways that made me want to finally pick it up. Just to get on the bandwagon with the fandom. I don't think I've been more disappointed in something I've read all year.

Lev Grossman says that it's "a triumph", but it's more like a harumph. Let's be honest.

If you want to read Harry Potter fanfic there's better out there on fanfiction.net, and if you want to read Harry Potter, it already exists too.

[alindstadtcorbeax]

Star Rating: 5 glorious, amazing, heart melting stars...

Wayward Son... you can’t come soon enough. Hurry upppppp. God. I’m dyin’ here!

Also... I miss Baz SOMUCH alreadyyyy. Ugh.

[Nessa Luna]

I love these idiots so much omg.