[EDITED REVIEW; SECOND RE-READ]
Okay, so, I officially love this book. I was worried it wouldn't quite live up to the first one, because when I originally red Wayward Son, I felt pretty indifferent towards it. I remember not being entirely satisfied. But now that I'm reading it again -- a year later, which perhaps has allowed for some growth that helps me appreciate more things -- and this is right after I finished Carry On, I adore it. It's so, so good! 

I love this take on the "happy ending". It's honest and fresh and interesting, and I really liked seeing how everyone's lives were impacted by the fallout at the end of Carry On. That's I think what irritates me the most about the epilogue of Harry Potter; it's so long after the actual events of Deathly Hallows, and we don't really know how all that affected the world. So, like before, I really appreciated this. 

I loved the worldbuilding too, the way things work in America and the new people and creatures they encountered. I'm obsessed with the way America is described, it's hilarious. And the bit in Las Vegas with the vampires -- I can't wait to see how this changes Baz's life, because I'm sure it will. 

There are a million things I loved about this book. I'll list a few:
- what happened with Penny and Micah. So realistic! I mean, I'm sad for Penny, but it was a good thing, ultimately I think, and I loved it because I tend to hate the whole high-school-sweethearts thing. Unless it's for a ship I adore -- Snowbaz, looking at you.
- Simon and Baz's relationship. As heartbroken as I am over the state they're in, I really liked it for the story, and I think it's important to acknowledge these kinds of things. And it just means I'll be even happier when they do resolve their problems. 
- the NowNext idea. Honestly, if that happened in real life, I wouldn't even be surprised. It's such a good concept for villains, and I'd love to see more of them.
- Baz being a badass. Give me more of that! 

Overall, I really loved this book, a lot more than I did the first time I read it. And I can't wait to see what's in store in the final book!

[ORIGINAL REVIEW - 3 STARS] 
Hmm, well, I'm conflicted about this book. On one hand, I really appreciate the way it treats Simon's "happy ending" and its fresh perspective. And it had the occasional stunning one-liner, the kind that makes you go, "oh," because it's put something you've never been able to express into words. And I loved the whole bit about Baz and his fashion. Some of the plot twists were pretty good too. It wasn't entirely predictable, and I like that. However, I'm not a fan of the ending. It felt too rushed, and the scene it interrupted didn't get time to really develop. Also, there was no sense of closure or development or change with the boys and their relationship. And the writing was sometimes a little too dull and simplistic that it fell flat, which kind of took away from the story but didn't ruin it.

Overall, I did like this book. I would still definitely give it a shot - it's a great sequel and a riveting story on its own.