In my previous review, of this novel's prequel, I discussed how Carry On was already breaking some traditional YA fic rules - because in some ways, Carry On was like published fanfiction (but not really - see my previous review for an explanation). Wayward Son extends those boundaries even further, by showing readers what "the end" really means once the prophecy has been fulfilled. And, as anyone might tell you, it's not always smooth sailing.
Rainbow Rowell is a critically acclaimed contemporary author of novels Eleanor & Park, Fangirl, Attachments, Landline, Carry On, Pumpkin Heads (with Faith Erin Hicks), and Marvel's Runaways comics. If you're interested in more of my reviews of Rainbow Rowell's work, you can find them here. Rowell, who lives in Omaha, Nebraska, takes her knowledge of Western America and puts it to the test with this sequel, where Simon Snow, Baz, and Penny take a road trip. There's disaster, but there's also healing.
That's the best part about this sequel, is that it's focused on healing. Sure, there's adventure, enemies, new friends, old ones, but it's also about healing. Simon, Baz, Penny and Agatha aren't exactly whole when we left them in Carry On, and now we finally get to see them, in their own heads, reeling from all the events that just happened, and from the ones still to come. Because each of these characters gets to tell their story in the first-person, we get an intimate look inside their heads to see how they're grappling with the next stages of their lives. We see them trying to understand their identities, sexualities, magical status. Even if we can't wield magical objects, readers can relate to these characters' personal struggles on more intimate levels than we could probably have ever related to other Chosen Ones.
Bending the boundaries of YA fiction can't have been easy, but it's been beneficial. I can't really imagine a novel quite like Wayward Son that could have acknowledged all the in-between, healing parts that can take place for the heroes, while still hosting an adventurous road trip. Rowell says that she knew it was a "weird idea" (Rowell 356) to embark on this journey with Simon and Baz, but it was exactly the right kind of idea that show readers and writers what's possible with YA fiction. Rowell might not have been on this journey to push the boundaries - in fact, she admits she was giving these characters the story they deserved - but that's exactly why this trilogy is so captivating, and necessary. It's proof that everyone's story - no matter its origins or content - deserves to be told.
Oh, and of course I already mentioned the best part: that this is going to be a trilogy!
*This review is also published on my Goodreads page*
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