By So Asiddao
Staff Writer
The world knows the story of a boy with magical powers who goes to a wizardry school and fights an evil entity to save his magical world. In this case, it’s not Harry Potter but the story of Rainbow Rowell’s “Carry On.”
“Carry On” is a refreshing, modern spin on J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series. The storyline is surprisingly extraordinary and unlike what was expected from what seemed to be a Harry Potter rip-off. Although it is overall a very enjoyable book, the beginning is uneventful for a promised action and fantasy novel.
The book focuses on a wizard named Simon Snow who is prophesized to save his magical world from an evil entity. To prepare, he goes to a school for magical folk and learns how to control his magic. Meanwhile, he tries to avoid conflict with his roommate named Baz Pitch who bullies him.
“Carry On” is partly about a romantic relationship between Simon and Baz. It also focuses on Simon’s vow to help Baz find out who ordered a vampire attack on the wizardry school, which led to Baz being turned into a vampire and to Baz’s mother´s death.
The first chapters are a slight disappointment in that they simply tell information without having real action and dialogue. Rowell takes too much time summarizing the parts of Snow’s life before the main action of the book, and they seem to be repeating the plot of Harry Potter instead of introducing original ideas.
In the third chapter, Rowell’s creativity and originality begin to shine through. The book partly changes its focus to the romantic relationship of two boys, Simon and Baz. Rowell writes freely about two teenage boys who are lovers. It’s refreshing to read an honest book about homosexuality that is meant for a teenage audience.
On the other hand, Rowell fails to utilize sensory details and figurative language. This failure makes some characters and events’ details hard to understand.
Meanwhile, the story is told from the first-person perspectives of many different characters, making the story easier to understand. It makes the characters, especially Simon and Baz, more sympathetic. This pulls readers further into the story.
Another aspect that engages readers is the fact that Simon and Baz, although wizards, also deal with teenage problems. They question their sexuality, deal with friends’ drama, desperately try to pass hard classes, and just want to fit in with everyone else, just like most teenagers.
In conclusion, “Carry On” at first seems like an unoriginal, textbook-style reiteration of Harry Potter. Despite this, the storyline that develops in the middle appeals to teenagers with its mature and honest portrayal of homosexuality.
“Carry On” came out on the sixth of October and is available on iBooks, Amazon, and Barnes and Noble for $8.99.
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