By Alex Zhanglam
The long awaited sequel to Carry On has arrived after 4 agonizing years. Wayward Son by Rainbow Rowell, is the story that follows the main character, Simon Snow, after he has completed his destiny or his “heroes story.” It also takes place in the United States, and it features many aspects of the American magical world, which is really exciting. The book can be purchased on Rainbow Rowell’s own website, Barnes & Nobles, Target and Macmillan Publishers.
Wayward Son explores the events that follow Simon after he has supposedly fulfilled his “destiny.” This includes a depression that accompanies the feeling of being useless or lacking a purpose, the neglect of relationships, and conflicts that arise within relationships. Everything is simply relatable.
According to author Rainbow Rowell, Wayward Son “…is about happy endings for me. I think when you reach adulthood, you realize how much more complicated everything is, and what little clarity you have cobbled together in your teen years. So Simon becomes a very good vehicle because he’s been through an enormous trauma, as every Chosen One has. All of his coping skills are about winning the war, and none of them are about living at peace. Carry On is about what if everything we knew about the world was wrong, and then what if everything we knew about ourselves was wrong.” – Vanity Fair
The portrayal of magical America was very representative of the geography, language, demographics and history found in the United States. Scenes featured in the story allowed dragons to reside in the Rocky Mountains and North Western forests; prevented magical speakers (mages) from wielding magic because of ”quiet zones”–due to wide expanses of rural land and sparse populations in the Midwest–and has created an eerie interaction in the deserts of Arizona. The transition from British English to American English has also reinforced the notion that language dictates the power of spells, as Penelope seems to excel while Baz struggles in the beginning of the story. The magical creatures and a new character (whose name is somewhat of a spoiler, however) captured my attention. Many creatures emigrated from Europe mimicking the migrant history of the US, and the native creatures Rowell presents also gave this story a more “American” flare of diversity. Overall, the setting and world building is very refreshing as it reflects America’s innate patriotism and historical upbringing.
The read is a lot lighter than Carry On—it’s about 4 hours lighter—and the story captures you within the first few chapters . . . then all the action follows. Here’s the blurb:
“The story is supposed to be over.
Simon Snow did everything he was supposed to do. He beat the villain. He won the war. He even fell in love. Now comes the good part, right? Now comes the happily ever after… So why can’t Simon Snow get off the couch?
What he needs, according to his best friend, is a change of scenery. He just needs to see himself in a new light…
That’s how Simon and Penny and Baz end up in a vintage convertible, tearing across the American West.
They find trouble, of course. (Dragons, vampires, skunk-headed things with shotguns.) And they get lost. They get so lost, they start to wonder whether they ever knew where they were headed in the first place…
With Wayward Son, Rainbow Rowell has written a book for everyone who ever wondered what happened to the Chosen One after he saved the day. And a book for everyone who was ever more curious about the second kiss than the first. It’s another helping of sour cherry scones with an absolutely decadent amount of butter.
Come on, Simon Snow. Your hero’s journey might be over – but your life has just begun.”
(P.S.—There are some store-exclusive book covers and art…so if you are a collector . . . collect them.)