Common Sense Media Review
By Andrea Beach
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Road trip takes a dark turn in riveting fantasy sequel.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
WAYWARD SON answers the question "Now what?" Yes, Simon, Baz, and Penelope saved the day and the magical world of the U.K. in Carry On. And now that they've left Watford school, all they have to do is figure out the rest of their lives. Easy, right? Well, no, not even close. Even though they ultimately triumphed, they did so at great cost to themselves, and it's clear nothing will ever be the same again. Simon and Baz can barely bring themselves to speak to each other, each afraid of what the other might say. Penny can't shake the feeling that Agatha, who's moved out to California, is in trouble. So Penny decides a road trip across the U.S. is just what the trio needs to get out of their funk. Starting in Chicago, where they visit Penny's boyfriend, Micah, the trip throws everyone off guard with one unexpected turn after another -- turns that include a gun-toting unwelcoming committee, a dragon, a vampire king, and a Silicon Valley tech bro who Wants. It. All.
Is It Any Good?
This fantasy sequel is sure to surprise and delight fans who've waited patiently since the first installment for Simon's "happily ever after" to begin. They'll have to wait a little bit longer, though, because in Wayward Son, no one's happy with their situation after the events of Carry On. Just as she has so ably created relatable characters and captured the chaos and romance of first love, here author Rainbow Rowell captures the ongoing devastation when things don't turn out the way you wanted or hoped they would. Simon, Baz, and Penelope are such well-developed characters by now that the Harry Potter parallels fade even further into the background. Yet she keeps the pages turning by throwing one surprise after another, and plenty of danger, too, at the heroes. Fans will also find endearing the way the trio mostly flounders and blunders their way out of sticky situations while keeping and strengthening their bonds of friendship, love, and loyalty.
Colorful, mysterious new characters add intrigue as we watch old friends try to figure out motives and whom to trust. The cliffhanger ending absolutely demands a third installment.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Wayward Son's similarities to, or differences from, the Harry Potter series. What's different about how magic works? What about the main characters?
If you read Carry On first, is there anything that surprised you about this book in terms of the characters or the story itself? If you haven't read it, would you like to now?
Why are fantasy books, especially series, so popular? What do we love about them? How does this series compare to your favorites?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Fantasy
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Adventures , Friendship
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Wednesday Books
- Publication date : September 24, 2019
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 13 - 17
- Number of pages : 368
- Available on : Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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