any way the wind blows: the final chapter of simon snow
- paigenherbooks
- Apr 2, 2024
- 6 min read
4/5
This series.
This series means more to me than words typed on my computer to put out in the void can ever describe. The relationship that Simon and Baz have and the two as characters have become such a comfort for me this past month. The love, the strength, the fun, and the magic all twisted into one deep and beautiful story of growing up, growth in general, and what happens after you save the day. Rainbow Rowell really outdid herself with this series, and Anyway the Wind Blows itself. The final installment in the series is that, the final installment. It answers questions, wraps up any plot ends, and gives us more Simon and Baz that I will cherish for ever. The growth that started in Wayward Son is fully fleshed out and climaxed and continued within this story, giving readers a beautiful bittersweet ending. I don’t know what to do with myself.
I’m mourning.
What is a world without Simon & Baz?
The Simon Snow saga has become an instant classic on my shelf and a world I know I’ll return to, again, again, and again.
Synopsis: This book is a finale. It tells secrets and answers questions and lays ghosts to rest.
Carry On was conceived as a book about Chosen One stories; Any Way the Wind Blows is an ending about endings. About catharsis and closure, and how we choose to move on from the traumas and triumphs that try to define us.
This book. There’s turmoil, there’s secrets, theres new Chosen One’s, there’s first times, demon engagements, goats, and lots of kissing. It was beautiful. We get a lot of time with each character that we’ve become attached too, even slightly annoying but growing on me Sheppard.
The relationship between Simon and Baz is so raw and real, it’s one of my favorite fictional depictions of love I’ve ever read. There’s a scene where Simon decides to start trying. To really put his all into the relationship. He wasn’t previously because he was terrified frankly, and felt like he didn’t deserve Baz. I haven’t read a book where this was so abundantly clear and there was no big fights or make up sex, but simply two people who really care about each other sitting down and agreeing to try.
Baz is such a great example of a supportive partner, loving Simon through his fear of intimacy, through his lows, and highs.
Even his internal monologue is beautifully Simon coded.
He has decided that Simon is his one and the one thing he cares about more than anything. Which means that his relationship is nothing like he expected but he loves it, because he loves Simon. This raw and deep spiritual love that Baz has and repeatedly shows Simon throughout the series and especially within this novel has me in awe. To see this trope performed in a way that showcases real issues within a fictional world. Then we have Simon on the other hand, humbling himself and choosing Baz, even when all he wants to do is push him away. This. This is how relationships last and love carries on forever. When two people are so willing to try each and every day even when it’s hard for each other. The way that Rowell depicts this through action, internal and external dialogue and her scene composition was perfect.
The conversations this book provokes in terms of sexuality, growth, indoctrination, belief, as well as who we all are, is so powerful. Each and every character goes through an arc where they each have to stand and sit with themselves, in an uncomfortable manner and decide how to continue. Reading this story felt like I was living and breathing the story. That this was all happening, because once again, Rowell does a fantastic job of constructing a fictional story with all the realest elements there are.
The concept of the Chosen One story ending when they save the day is bogus, being able to see the behind the scenes, the leg work of the after, the plot lines that needed wrapped up, was unexpected but so rewarding. I absolutely adored getting to see Simon finds his own. Really dive into and through the issues that were dragging him down. The feeling of wanting nothing more than to give up and run away from anyone and anything you know. He’s not only going through the trauma of being a changing young adult but also the trauma of being the Chosen One. I’ve never really considered the true testament and trauma, a “chosen one” has to go through.
Simon is randomly plucked as an orphaned child and told he has to save the world. He is then The Mage’s pawn for 7-8 years. That’s daily indoctrination, brainwashing, thoughts that aren’t his being poured into his head. He then has to figure out what is indoctrination and his own beliefs. He struggles with feeling like THE Chosen One and being the biggest fuck up ever. This swirling emotional pool of self image is something that everyone can relate to. The feeling of not knowing who you are and what to do with that information. We see Simon have his true Chosen One moment when he decides to just try. To rely on those close to him and be himself. He might be reckless, and a little dumb, shit at magic, and brazenly sporadic, not to mention always monstrously hungry, but he’s him.
Simon Snow in all of blazing winged & tailed glory.
Simon forms and decides his own destiny. It’s an ode to all the Chosen One’s to ever be chosen, and an ode to each and everyone of us to remember.
We get to choose our destiny. We get to decide who we are, and we can reinvent our selves a thousand times a day.
This book is also politically probing. Not only does it touch on topics such as racism, homophobia, “Messiah” politics, it talks about them in a way that is digestible but obvious enough what Rowell is trying to say. There are so many moments where Simon and Baz are slightly worried how someone will react to them being gay. To them showing their relationship in public–this is obviously a reflection of how many people feel or have felt within their own sexuality and queerness.
The story also touches heavily on indoctrinated ideologies surrounding groups of people. We have Penny and her family diving deep into understanding and deconstructing how they view others and what that means to them. Just because someone is different doesn’t mean they are less. Example being Penny is a magician, she has a privilege to magic that Sheppard doesn’t. She initially finds Sheppards want to simply understand and be a part of her world as grotesque and absolutely forbidden. It’s her’s. But as she starts to actually understand, listen, and get to know Sheppard she starts to realize that maybe her perspective and thoughts are a little skewed. She realizes that maybe people are just people and the privileges we have should be accessible, in some way or another to everyone.
There’s also the occult following plot line of people trying to say they’ll save people who need it. That it’s their destiny to save them, and they start to gain traction and a following. They prey on the weak. They prey on their inability to stand up and feel good about themselves. They other them further so they become dependent on this Savior complex. These conversations whipped up within this fictional world are so real and so interesting—to me at least. I could go on and on about this whole indoctrination subplot and how that reflects within our current reality, but I shall digress...this time. Can't give too much away.
Anyway the Wind Blows ends the Simon Snow story. It wraps up every plot line, gives every character exactly what they needed and lays the reader to rest. I teared up at the end of this novel. Knowing how much I simply adore Simon & Baz. How much the conversations, relationships, and world mean to me. I could never thank Rainbow Rowell enough for taking the chance to create the world of Simon Snow. To deliver a story that is so deeply rooted in reality but beautifully decorated with all my favorite fictional things.
The Simon Snow series is for anyone who loves magic, who wants to find comfort with characters you can relate to. Who wants hard conversations, late night talks, intimacy, kisses, and friendship that lasts no matter what. Not to mention some kick ass action scenes and the whole enemies to lovers plot line.
Simon Snow is for anyone who felt alone, who has felt depressed, or not on their “path to greatness” who has fallen or failed the expectations of themselves and others.
It’s for those who have given up, but eventually get back up and keep trying.
Pick up the metaphorically sword, wand, or ring.
Set those shoulders back and carry on.
Carry On Simon Snow, Carry On.
xoxo,
paige
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