[SECOND RE-READ]
The only change is I've now updated my rating to 5 stars. I can't reasonably give it less, considering this is the second time I've read it in like a week, so. I do adore this book so much. And the sheer amount of things I picked up on now that I didn't last time. 

[ORIGINAL REVIEW]
So, when I finally got my hands on the final book in the Simon Snow trilogy, I thought I'd read the first two beforehand, just to get the ~full experience~, as it were. I feel like it wouldn't be fair to judge Any Way the Wind Blows as an installment in the trilogy if I don't remember enough of the previous books -- and anyway, I've been on a re-reading streak this year, so why not give Carry On another go too? 

There were a lot of things I'd forgotten about this book, but I'm honestly really glad about that, because it made my experience a lot more enjoyable! It kind of felt like reading it for the first time, only I vaguely knew what to expect. Safe to say, I absolutely adore this book, perhaps even more now. 

I'm just... I love it so much. It's a really good and subversive take on the whole Harry Potter trope, and everything is executed so flawlessly -- the plot twists were incredible! Every time I thought I had a vague idea of where it was going, I was proven wrong, but never in a way that felt sudden and nonsensical. I loved the takes on cliche fantasy characters -- Agatha especially felt so new, and I loved her more than I thought I would. And Baz and Simon! Oh, don't even get me started on them. 

Over the past year, I've developed a tricky relationship with the enemies-to-lovers tropes, probably because it's gotten so popular, and it tends to romanticise really toxic relationships, which I can't get behind. I was worried that I'd no longer love Baz and Simon as a couple because of that, but I'm glad to say that I still love them, perhaps even more than I did the first time I read the book, and I love the way their relationship unfolds. I'm actually obsessed with characters who channel love into other feelings or actions, the way Baz does, so that pretty much got me hooked on its own. I just!! Love them!! And him and Simon are incredible on their own -- they're so well-rounded and flawed, but still perfect, and they were my favourite perspectives. 

Before I get to the things I loved, I just want to note that the only reason I can't give it 5 stars is because I was a little irked by the way Simon's sexuality was treated. I liked the bit at the end where his therapist said it isn't even the most important thing to figure out -- because that is a good and valid option too, and I think it's worthwhile to write about -- but I didn't like that it seemed like he could either be straight or gay, which invalidated his feelings for Agatha. Perhaps he's bi? I would've liked a bit about that, because sexuality isn't so black-and-white. Apart from that, though, I genuinely adored everything about the book. 

Other things I loved:
- Simon getting a therapist! I never see this, and it was so great. Like, yes, that's what he needs!
- Baz's freaky fantasies. PLEASE give me more of those, they were so fun to read.
- the way magic works in this world! I love the idea of language being magic, because it kinda is, when you think about it! We use it to weave together imaginary and fantastical works, and that's probably as close as we'll ever get.
- Baz and Simon's first kiss! Oh, I'm obsessed with it, it's probably my favourite ever. 
- the Humdrum. As a concept... what a good villain, and that plot twist! 
- the fact that Penny and Simon were pretty sure Baz was a vampire but never really bothered to confirm it. Opposite energy from Bella in the first Twilight film, who confronts Edward the second she figures it out -- Simon doesn't bring it up properly for like three years, which is so valid. I love him. 

There are probably a lot more things I love that I'm forgetting to add, but the gist is, this book is so, so good and you can't go wrong with it. Highly recommended!