Dear Ms. Rowell,
I discovered your books thanks to the lovely readers here at the Cannonball Read way back during CBR V. I picked up Attachments one day on a whim at Barnes and Noble that year, went home, read it in 6 hours, bawled my eyes out, and have since never looked back. You write some of the most compelling and real characters around, and every book feels like a hug from a best friend. When I saw many, many months ago that you were writing the fanfiction of Cath’s from Fangirl I knew you could do it, but was hesitant as I’ve never before read any “fanfiction” of any genre. It’s just not my thing. While I enjoyed Cath’s love of it, and have friends who are very much into different areas of fanfiction, I’ve just never delved into that world.
But holy moly! Was this everything I could possibly dream of and more as a send up to Chosen One stories? YES. YES IT WAS. It’s a smart, nuanced, rollicking adventure story, and one that deserves a seat at the high table right with all the other greats. This is the “final-ish” story of Simon Snow who fictitiously has 6 books that come before this. This is the great conclusion: Simon Snow’s destiny entwined with Basilton Pitch (a secret vampire/nemesis), Penelope Bunce (bff of the Hermione level of awesome), Agatha Wellbelove (Snow’s girlfriend), and the World of Mages.
I want more though. I want so much more. This is what you hath wrought Ms. Rowell. The burning need to know about more about Simon, Baz, Penny etc. How do they get on? 5 years? 10 years from now? I just need more to the story! Oh, wait. I kinda of get the whole fanfiction a bit now, and the not being ready to let go. Although the one thing that kept throwing me for a loop (and this isn’t your fault, but mine) was how these kids were growing up in the aughts/teens. I keep forgetting, personally, that I’m technically “a grown up”, so when events transpire for them as small children in 2005 my brain is confused. But I’ll get over it? Maybe. Although I’d rather not.
Anywho, this review is just to say thank you Ms. Rowell. Thank you for writing some of the best, most re-readable books out there. And for telling Simon and Baz’s story. But especially a few years ago for writing Attachments and the character of Beth (because everyone I give that book to read tells me that of course I love it, I am that character), forever cementing my love of your work. I will follow where you lead.
~Beth Ellen
It’s just SO good! I need everyone I know to read it. But I also fear making them read it, because this is one book I don’t think I can actually be objective about people not liking, nay loving. I wasn’t entirely joking in my comment on Narfna’s review about the short version of my review for this being “Love it or you’re DEAD to me.” Perhaps if they just don’t read fantasy (trying to go through memory banks to see if I actually have any friends who fit that description), but otherwise, every right thinking person should just adore this.
I most strongly identify with Cath from Fangirl, myself. While I’ve never read or written fan fiction, her initial college experience is what mine would have been, if my BFF Lydia (my Reagan – with a lot less dating) hadn’t dragged me along everywhere, forcing me to make friends. I absolutely understand the social anxiety and the academic pressures, and escaping into fiction (with me it was reading books and comics, not writing fan fic). There is also a lot of Levi in my husband. :)
I only recommend RR to people I trust to “get it”, because if not we shall never speak again. She is that special. And there are lots of things about my husband that are very Lincoln-esque. Enough so that it is also commented on by those I’ve recommended her to. I’m okay with that.