This is a review of the trilogy as a whole.
I've got quite a lot of thoughts about these books, and they are mixed.
I loved the lighthearted humor in Carry On, and was disappointed to find it mostly* gone in Wayward Son and Any Way the Wind Blows. The tone changed completely between books. While I do love the question what happens to the characters after their big adventure ends?, I think a humorous tone would have put a unique spin on it and continued the almost-satire of Harry Potter that Carry On was.
Simon is very unlikeable to me, and he was written to be rooted for. He was fine in Carry On and awful by the end of Any Way the Wind Blows. His character development just didn't make sense to me. I completely understand the way depression** can stall you and make a mess of everything, but once he started getting better his effort to improve was illogical. The solution is neither breaking up nor weird sexual stuff.There's also a lot of inconsistencies between the books. 1. the NowNext vampires, where did they go?2. the plot irrelevancy of Agatha, Shepard, and Niamh (I loved them all, but why are they there?)3. where were the subtle mentions of the other chosen ones in Wayward Son?The trilogy would have been so much better if these had been addressed.In conclusion:Carry On worked well as a standalone. Simon & Baz were vaguely toxic in the last two books. The plot choices were weird at best. I'm not a fan of vampires. (sorry Baz, I still love you) the whole Shepard-demon-marriage plot was hilariousbasically what I mean there is that I have anxiety, depression, and adhd. I'm a walking disaster when it comes to relationships too
*** thanks but I don't need to read that. please no please no please no please no please no please no please no please no please no please no please no please no please no please no please no please no please no please no please no please no please no please no ple
Carry On - 4/5 stars
Wayward Son - 2.5/5 stars
Any Way the Wind Blows - 2/5 stars
my actual opinions of this book have been summarized in a far more clear and concise way by other reviewers than I could, so go read other reviews if you like that
on a more personal note, I spent several of my childhood summers visiting my grandparents in Skagit County, taking the ferry to Whidby Island, and eating at my favorite restaurant in Fairhaven... so reading this feels like getting shot in the heart with nostalgia
this isn't an actual review since I read it in May of last year (it is now January)
my mother is currently reading this. I haven't said anything, because I hate talking about books outside of my disgusting, old computer. this is especially uncomfortable because I know what happens at the end and she is already sad. I CAN'T SAY ANYTHING
send help