Carry On
*Smiles - really big*
I first fell in love with Carry On in Rowell's mind-blowingly amazing contemporary novel, Fangirl. I read it last year and it was by far in the top ten for 2015! In Fangirl, the main girl Cath writes fanfic about the "wide-world fantasy phenomenon Simon Snow. Throughout Fangirl there are snippets from her writing and the characters, story and romance are all introduced. It was so good and loved that Rowell felt the need (thank god) to actually write the whole story. And so that is what Carry On is, the fictional story of fanfic of a fictional story. Deep level Inception going on there!! So whats it about?! Well. Simon Snow is the most magikal Mage in the UK; he goes to Wattford schools of Magiks, has a an exceedingly smart bestie, Penelope, an incredibly gorgeous girlfriend, Agatha and an unbearably toxic relationship with his roommate Baz. But as if life couldn't be tough enough; the Mumdrum is stealing magic and a war is brewing, one Simon is certain he or Baz won't survive. Friendship, fantasy and full on "knock-your-socks" off romance, this book did not disappoint! I read it laying on the floor in the airport and whooped there, and later on the plane when all my novel-dreams began coming true. Its rare that a book can live up to ridiculous standards and expectations, but ah Rainbow Rowell, you've done it again! Rate: 8.5/10 Pages: 522 Format: Paperback Genre: YA Fantasy Acquired from: BookWarehouse |
Fangirl
Okay.
Beginning is the hardest bit right? Not beginning the book, but this review, but for Cath I guess her book, but not Carry On, but you know, her fiction-writing assignment... If you are reading this review, then chances are that you have heard about Fangirl. I mean, it's pretty hyped. Or maybe that's just in actual fangirl territory. This book was the World Wide Book Club's book of the month, which meant that I had to read it, considering I, you know, run the club. I've owned it since Christmas last year and have wanted to read it for so long but, god I don't even know what I'm saying. I don't know how to say it. How to say how much this 400 word novel made an impact. Because I am basically Cath. The only thing I couldn't relate to her about was the mum thing (cause my mum is the tits and hers isn't) and the, you know, actually getting a boyfriend part... But the living in a fantasy world, the family issues, the mental health issues, the anxiety issues and the not feeling as though anything is right, ever, thing too... So wait, you want to know what the actual book is about? Didn't I just explain that? Pfft, whatever. Picture said girl moving to uni, her twin becoming an alcoholic, her dad having a mental breakdown and trying to juggle crushes for two seemingly unattainable boys. Got it? Cool, anyway, back to my emotional connection... So many times during this book I had to glance around and check that no one was spying on my life, because she did so many things exactly the same as I do. Need examples? Sure, I love examples. 1. The first night at college she is enjoying the task of unpacking while parties rage outside 2. She gets up in the middle of the night to check that the door is locked and that her loved ones are breathing 3. She knocks back plans like it is no ones business (and it isn't) That will do you, three is a nice number, and I have bad eye strain from reading almost the entire book last night. So yeah, upon finishing it, I lay awake feeling not only an attachment to Cath, but Rainbow Rowell, because lets face it, she is Cath. And that means that I'm not alone in who I am. That there are other people out there whose anxiety and fear eats them alive. And that gives me an unsung amount of satisfaction. This may be my new favourite book of all time, and I know that I will be reading it again, like really soon, like tomorrow maybe... Rate: 10/10 Pages: 461 Format: Paperback Genre: YA Contemporary Acquired from: Naomi and Cham (Christmas 2014) |