Wayward Son - Likewise Book Reviews

"So underrated. I think people go into it expecting it to be a continuation of the wonderful romance from Carry On, without even realizing the other parts of the story. I've seen people say that it doesn't tie up the loose ends, but I didn't see any loose ends to begin with. From a writers standpoint, if Rowell totally tried to finish the plot in regards to Simon's past and his parents, the story would've likely been very dry. I think this sequel was just as good as the first book, and I'm super excited to start the 3rd. "

"Honestly, this is a really good “palette cleanser” book. If you’re in a reading slump (and you’ve already read the first book) this is a great pick-me-up. "

"Ew, just ew, the last 2 books of this series is just a really big ick in my opinion."

"I enjoyed the travel aspect of this story a lot more than the first. I'm just kind of bummed I'm not learning much more in each addition about the magic, vampires, and other things. These stories always leave a lot to be desired. They tell of magical creatures but never going into great detail.<br/><br/>It was interesting seeing them explore a new country and of course Baz making a list of everything he hated about it. I honestly though just like the perception of Brazelton and Simon. I think it follows too many characters whom of which sides of the story doesn't add to the plot.<br/><br/>The romance to me in the background of the first book almost seemed to come to a complete halt this go around. I enjoyed the book but didn't feel like I got far after reading it.<br/><br/>These are a modern day fun light read which I really need sometimes."

"Pain. Good pain. But pain. You should read. It’s very gay."

"It was a pretty fun read, but Rowell should've stopped after the first book. "

"IT WAS SO WHOLESOME AND SAD AT THE SAME TIME!!! I loved how their feelings and insecurities portrayed in a way that felt real. The ending is little wonky but overall 😤🤌✨"

"Could not put this book down stuff happened every minute, was so good, it’s a modern Harry Potter. That’s also gay."

"This one was amazing as well. I’m hoping that rereading it will give me a better clarity as to why I loved it so much and will help me fall in love with the world and the characters again. "

"Pretty cute, lowkey emotional roller coaster ❤️"

"God Simon annoyed me. I get it being depressed sucks but was I that insufferable 😭😭."

"gay wizards "

"LOVED IT. My favorite in the series "

"I can't wait to read the next one! The cliffhanger with this book was really good! There were also some good plot twists. But ugh, the miscommunication!! Anyway, quote time:<br/><br/>"Simon Snow, it hurts to look at you when you're this happy. And it hurts to look at you when you're depressed. There's no safe time for me to see you, nothing about you that doesn't tear my heart from my chest and leave if breakable outside my body." Baz is so in love with Simon and it kills me.<br/><br/><br/>"I'd give him all that I am. I'd give him all that I was. I'd open up a vien." I with that Baz and Simon would just tell the other that they love each other.<br/><br/><br/>"'Simon ... love ... get up.'" My heart melted when Baz said this."

"Should’ve ended at the first book."

"Okay, loved the first one, lived the second, can’t wait for the third! "

"Soft magic boi turned kinda dragon x Slytherin vampire dude. This series cannot be beat. I will live laugh love the Carry on series."

"honestly i might’ve liked this just as much as CARRY ON because i’m just so attached to the characters and i liked the development of the world and the characters. july 6th is SO SOON "

"it physically hurt me."

"The adventures felt new and the change of scenery only adding to the feeling of renaissance that seems to be the theme of this book."

"i didn’t see the point"

"3.5<br/><br/>Conclusions I’ve made after reading this: Simon and Baz are idiots who can’t communicate and they’re going to hurt each other because of it, Penny is a bit pushy but I still love her, and Agatha might be the only one with a brain. That said, I still love all these characters and this book was great. I yelled at the book during the first couple chapters due to Simon’s dumbness, but I got over it and enjoyed the rest of the book.<br/><br/>It did feel a little like filler stuff to make this series a trilogy but that’s ok it was entertaining at least"

"This was just extremely underwhelming. Carry On was a five-star read and I loved it and I think that explains why I'm dissapointed. But **** Penny's boyfriend."

"This book has a great MLM romance and also a really cool plot line and magic system!!"

"A good continuation of the Story of Simon Snow and Basilton Pitch. For me, it was not as engaging as Carry On, But I am definitely going to read the next installment."

"I have so many favorite parts! I think the ones that still have my heart wrenching just thinking about them even now are the parts where Baz and Simon are about to be with each other and forget about the past and the hard things. Like when they are running away from the renaissance fair, or when they are laying in the bed of the truck together. I’m a sucker for sweet moments but everything about this book was awesome! What was your favorite part?"

"one of my favorites! loved to see how realistic Baz and Simons relationship is. it feels human, even though they’re not-so-human."

"I enjoyed the concept of this book but think it was missing a few things. Based on the beginning of the story, I thought Simon would need to take some time to emotionally process and confront the newfound distance with Baz. There were a couple of hints early on that Simon would need to confront <spoiler>the memories of his bad childhood (a question he raises early in the book, deciding denial is better), possibly involving some sexual abuse (he wanted to kiss without being kissed, etc). I was afraid this would lead up to some suppressed memory stuff but </spoiler>instead this plot thread is dropped completely along with any emotional development for the characters. Instead we get a dark, Percy-Jacksonesque romp across the western US <spoiler>culminating in the fight against a new enemy, NowNext</spoiler>. Similarly, a lot of the emotional premise from Agatha never came through-- despite going all the way to California to get away from it all, we don't see what she was looking for in the US. Another thing that bothered me was how quick the main cast was to <spoiler>completely slaughter a group of vampires, Buffy style. This would be fine if the vampires were meant to be seen as unequivocally evil, but later we see a group of vampires who are better than pure monsters, and who Baz sees as a potential friend. These vampires don't drain humans totally dry, just drink lightly. I don't mind if the position of the book had been the vampires were evil and deserved death anyways, but it bothered me that Baz and his friends didn't even bother to question their kill-happy actions at this point. Similarly, it seemed like some of the monsters they'd been happily killing as children were also sentient, and I'm not sure if they knew or cared. The group's treatment of Shepherd, pretty much the entire book, was mean and kind of horrible-- even after they helped him twice, they ditched him and loaded him with what apparently should have been Lockhart-levels of memory damage. When Shepherd protests that 'Normals are people too', Penny... seems to disagree? Which makes them exactly the kind of monster Shepherd's friends accurately suspect them to be. Oh right-- they also stole just about every car and piece of equipment they needed, including the passport, back in England, when they were in no way desperate and could presumably have borrowed one from home. I'm past wondering if we're the baddies here; it's just down to whether they'll ever have to face the consequences of their... youthful exuberance?</spoiler> <br/>In spite of these jarring issues, this was a really fun read. I *like* these characters, and I want good things for them, despite their apparent <spoiler>psychopath tendencies</spoiler>. The romantic stuff was sweet, and the word-based worldbuilding was creative and a delight. It was fun to see how it applied in the US, despite getting in the way of what might've been a better plot. So yeah. Highly entertaining, fun characters, nice aesthetic and a pace that kept me zipping along at the expense of the more emotionally satisfying story promised in the first two chapters."

"A wizard, a vampire, and the chosen one take a road trip across America! They're from jolly old England, so naturally they don't know wtf is going on in this backward country of ours; Renaissance Faires, Stonehenge but made of cars, and so much ketchup! Oh, there are also a few vampires as well. Seems they're kind of a problem. This is a sequel, but honestly, I don't think you really need to read the first book except to understand some minor references. It can stand well on its own."

"The perfect sequel made even more exciting by the possibility of getting another continuation. Rainbow Rowell has such a way with words. I was laughing at these characters’ antics and adventures and absolutely love how the relationship between them is portrayed. I will definitely be picking up another one of Rowell’s books soon. "

"Mm…. Didn’t know I had to write something"

"An absolute tearjerker and I still love Baz and Simon"

"I loved this sequel and think of it as the perfect bridge to the third and final book of this series. It's also the first opportunity we have to see how these characters deal with trauma, new romantic feelings they've yet to explore, and coping mechanisms that backfire consistently. The reactions and internality of the characters feels authentic (no matter what some folks may say about the lack of more intimate moments between our dynamic, loving, albeit fumbling SnowBaz). "

"It was amazing, one of my favorite books and the series is so good too! I love the relationships in the story "

"A great sequel, not sure if I like it as much as the first book but it's up there, just a self-discovering road trip with characters I love #lgbtq #drama #fantasy "

"100000%"

"Hmm, I don't have an absolute favorite chapter. I think my favorite part is where they're at, I think it's called, the Renaissance festival. It also has action in it and they're kinda fruity lol I love this Trilogy"

"I'd say that if you like the characters it's still a maybe. This book drags and it isn't half as memorable as the first, but there is a sequel in the works and the coin is still in the air for the series IMO. In the end I say, if that ending to the first book left you feeling twisted up inside/queezy do not go near this one. "

"It was such a good sequel to Carry On and it left me waiting for Any Way The Wind Blows"

"This book deviates so much from the expected path laid forth by the first book that many people didn’t like it. I loved it. The world felt VAST, as it should. I never felt like the gang wasn’t part of the real world because of this. Characters grew and one character I don’t like at least became someone I can understand and value. That’s good writing. Plus, the book is FUN! I find myself smiling or laughing, arguing aloud with the characters, planning a trip, whenever I re-read it. 🧡"

"Definitely worth it!"

"It is so, so amazing!!! I absolutely loved the first book, and this sequel is absolutely fantastic as well! Rainbow Rowell is a brilliant writer and it really, really shows. All of my friends to whom I have recommended this series have loved it as well! Definitely read it if you’re looking for a great, magical lgbtqa+ book!!!"

"Of you want to see the characters interact more then this is the book for you. Wayward son comes across as more of a expanding the world while having the characters get caught in new exciting adventures."