This is a spoiler-free review on the third book in the Simon Snow trilogy. Read this review if you have read the first two books in the series. You can read my reviews on the first and second book here:
Synopsis
In Carry On, Simon Snow and his friends realized that everything they thought they understood about the world might be wrong. And in Wayward Son, they wondered whether everything they understood about themselves might be wrong.
Now, Simon and Baz and Penelope and Agatha must decide how to move forward.
For Simon, that means choosing whether he still wants to be part of the World of Mages ― and if he doesn’t, what does that mean for his relationship with Baz? Meanwhile Baz is bouncing between two family crises and not finding any time to talk to anyone about his newfound vampire knowledge. Penelope would love to help, but she’s smuggled an American Normal into London, and now she isn’t sure what to do with him. And Agatha? Well, Agatha Wellbelove has had enough.
Any Way the Wind Blows takes the gang back to England, back to Watford, and back to their families for their longest and most emotionally wrenching adventure yet.
This book is a finale. It tells secrets and answers questions and lays ghosts to rest.
Review
After a slightly disappointing second book, I was hoping for a great finish to the series, but I’m sad to say it did not live up to my expectations. I love the characters in this series but the plot just wasn’t it for me.
Simon and Baz
Simon and Baz started off rocky in this book and it was really hard to read because I obviously want them to be happy. After a bad start, they slowly worked up to a strong and healthy relationship. They talked a lot in this book about their feelings and it was very much needed.
Simon’s character development continued in this book and I think he figured a lot of things out. He was able to do some reflection and recognized what he had to do differently to make this relationship work with Baz. He was uncomfortable at times, with his relationship and other things in life too, but he learned to push through and sit with the discomfort instead of running away.
I love how Baz refused to give up on Simon and was with him every step of the way. Simon had a lot of insecurities and Baz supported him through it all. I also enjoyed how Baz forced Simon to wear his fancy clothes everyday.
I really liked when Simon started going to visit his grandmother with Baz. He of course did not know that she was his grandmother but the readers do. She was so sweet and gave them so much cake.
Penelope and Shepard
I love Penelope and Shepard too. They had their own little side quest in this book and it was enjoyable but not anything exceptional. I think Penny found her confidence again in this book which I was hoping for. She was still questioning herself but in a healthy way.
I think Shepard was exactly who Penelope needed at this point in her life. Even though he’s “just a Normal,” he still changed Penelope’s life for the better and believed in her when she didn’t believe in herself.
Agatha
Sometimes Agatha feels like a really random character. Im not really sure what was happening with her in this book but she ended up finding love and purpose in life so I guess that’s a win for her.
Plot
I was hoping for a plot that was as exciting as the first book but we unfortunately did not get that. It was a completely new and different plot from the last book about a new chosen one. It was just too easy to defeat the bad person and I was hoping for more action.
I think these last two books focused way more on characters and relationships more than a magical world. Some people really like that but I prefer more action and fantasy. I also thought that the plot was going to continue from the last book since it was left super unfinished but it did not which really surprised me and I’m wondering what happened with that.
Overall Thoughts
This last book was not what I was expecting but that does not mean that I didn’t like it. I still recommend giving this series a go. The first book was amazing and second two were just ok. So I recommend at least reading the first book. One thing I did like about this book was how the author kept things real. She wasn’t afraid to show Simon or Baz crying and also addressed important mental health issues like depression, trauma, and even fear of intimacy.