Books › Carry On
Carry On
701 pages
A self-aware, deeply affectionate love letter to magical school tropes that trades epic battles for messy, angsty, enemies-to-lovers romance.
What it feels like
Reading this feels like wrapping yourself in the comforting, chaotic warmth of your favorite fanfiction. It takes the familiar architecture of a magical boarding school and the chosen one narrative, then gleefully turns it inside out to focus on the messy, hormone-fueled reality of its teenagers. The pacing is brisk and addictive, propelled by snappy dialogue and alternating perspectives that are dripping with wry humor and delicious, obsessive angst. It is a deeply affectionate story that balances the existential dread of saving the world with the much more pressing terror of realizing you might be in love with your worst enemy. Perfect for readers who crave a nostalgic, cozy atmosphere laced with sharp wit, queer awakening, and an unforgettable romance.
- Mood
- cozy yet chaotic
- nostalgic
- emotionally charged
- Tone
- wry
- angsty
- affectionate
- self-aware
- humorous
- Pace
- brisk
- Themes
- the burden of destiny · enemies to lovers · queer awakening · subverting the chosen one trope · messy coming-of-age
- The writing
- Snappy, dialogue-heavy, and deeply interior, driven by distinct, highly conversational, and often humorous alternating perspectives.
- The arc
- Moves from a place of chaotic, obsessive rivalry and existential dread into vulnerable, hard-won romantic and personal acceptance.
- Who it's for
- Fans of magical school tropes who always wished the hero and his brooding nemesis would just kiss already.
Content notes
- fantasy violence
- orphanhood
- underage drinking
- blood and vampirism
About the book
Simon Snow is the worst Chosen One who’s ever been chosen.
That’s what his roommate, Baz, says. And Baz might be evil and a vampire and a complete git, but he’s probably right.
Half the time, Simon can’t even make his wand work, and the other half, he sets something on fire. His mentor’s avoiding him, his girlfriend broke up with him, and there’s a magic-eating monster running around wearing Simon’s face. Baz would be having a field day with all this, if he were here—it’s their last year at the Watford School of Magicks, and Simon’s infuriating nemesis didn’t even bother to show up.
Description from Open Library.
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