A Turn of Words

One of my favorite things about fantasy books is learning about different magic systems. I love how magic is something so widespread that its origins, balance, and uses can be totally different to every author. The system is Carry On was so charming (enchanting? bewitching?) that I think it might be my favorite (Harry Potter being the exception to all).

Carry On blends so many of my favorite things - magic, stories at boarding schools, humor, books written in different point of views, and cute romance. The story is about the Chosen One, Simon Snow, beginning his final year at his beloved Watford School. The Insidious Humdrum, a dark being that has interrupted Simon’s schooling in past years, is rising in power, and stealing magic from regions around England. And when Simon’s constantly-at-odds roommate Baz doesn’t show up, Simon’s year starts off as rocky as one would expect for the Chosen One of the magical world.

Rainbow Rowell fully embraced cliches and it was spectacular. Between the typical chosen-boy prophecy, a character named The Mage, and the way the characters use common phrases to cast spells, it added whimsy and relatability to Simon’s world. And despite all this, none of it made me cringe or think “oh that’s just silly”. Rowell knew what she was doing and had her readers take a new look at the words and their meanings, helping us see them in a different way.

I feel that point of view is one of the most powerful tools in storytelling. It was absolutely the right choice for this story. It allowed us to better connect with the cast of colorful characters and build intrigue for different facets of the plot. I was THRILLED every time I got to a section told by Baz and bringing in Lucy was genius. Having all these different voices tell the story added to the feel of the story, an epic tale that stays bright and playful.

Honestly, I am having trouble finding something critical about Carry On. The humor was exactly my type, the characters were wonderful and full of depth, the story drew me in and was paced well. The ending was fitting and satisfying, but I am still looking forward to what is going to happen in book 2. After reading the Author’s Note, I found out that Simon was the focus on Fangirl, which I have never read but I will now because that is just too cool to me.

Although fantasy is my favorite genre, I sometimes get pulled down by some of the stories being too “heavy”. Worldbuilding can get really intense, especially if it is partially based on a time in history. This fantasy book managed to stay afloat, while still satisfying my need for charms and creatures. An absolute win.