12 Adult Fiction Young Adult

Any Way the Wind Blows (Simon Snow, #3) by Rainbow Rowell

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Published: 2021
Author: Rainbow Rowell
Genres: YA Fantasy, Romance, LGBTQ+
Audience: Grade 12, Adult
Number of Stars: ★★★★★ (5/5)
Goodreads Link: Any Way the Wind Blows
Content Warnings: Maturity Leap: Contains significant sexual content (unlike books 1 and 2), depression, PTSD, kidnapping, cult themes, and racism.

Publisher’s Summary

Goodreads Choice Award: Nominee for Readers’ Favorite Young Adult Fantasy & Science Fiction (2021)
In Carry On, Simon Snow and his friends realized that everything they thought they understood about the world might be wrong. And in Wayward Son, they wondered whether everything they understood about themselves might be wrong. In Any Way the Wind Blows, Simon and Baz and Penelope and Agatha have to decide how to move forward.

For Simon, that means deciding whether he still wants to be part of the World of Mages — and if he doesn’t, what does that mean for his relationship with Baz? Meanwhile Baz is bouncing between two family crises and not finding any time to talk to anyone about his newfound vampire knowledge. Penelope would love to help, but she’s smuggled an American Normal into London, and now she isn’t sure what to do with him. And Agatha? Well, Agatha Wellbelove has had enough.

Any Way the Wind Blows takes the gang back to England, back to Watford, and back to their families for their longest and most emotionally wrenching adventure yet. 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.

Full Review

Any Way the Wind Blows is a triumphant, emotionally wrenching conclusion to the Simon Snow trilogy. However, a major disclaimer is necessary: while the first two books (Carry On and Wayward Son) are suitable for Grade 8 and up, this final installment features a significant jump in maturity. The introduction of explicit sexual content makes this a title better suited for older teens (11th–12th grade) and adults.

That said, the novel is an excellent study of identity. After losing his magic, Simon struggles with his place in a world that no longer fits him. He grapples with body image issues, a lack of power, and deep-seated insecurities. Rainbow Rowell excels at making her characters feel like real, multidimensional people. I particularly appreciated how she handled Agatha; rather than tossing the “ex-girlfriend” aside, Rowell maintains her as a vital, independent character, proving women are more than their relationship status.

The cast is beautifully diverse—spanning various ethnicities, religions, sexualities, and races—reflecting a world that feels both magical and authentically modern. If you are prepared for a high-maturity finale that answers every question and lays every ghost to rest, this is a must-read.

🪄 The Post-Chosen One Slump

The trilogy subverts the “Chosen One” trope by asking: What happens to the hero after the prophecy is fulfilled and the power is gone?

 

📊 Diversity and Representation Statistics

Rainbow Rowell’s World of Mages reflects an intentional push for inclusivity within fantasy. In the broader publishing landscape, representation has shifted significantly:

  • LGBTQ+ Representation: In 2021 (the year of this book’s release), approximately 15-20% of YA titles featured primary LGBTQ+ characters, a massive increase from less than 5% a decade prior.
  • Racial Diversity in Fantasy: While traditional fantasy was historically 80-90% white-centric, modern series like Simon Snow integrate diverse ethnicities (e.g., Penelope’s Indian heritage and the “American Normal” Shepherd).
  • Mental Health: An estimated 1 in 3 YA novels now explicitly address themes of PTSD or depression, reflecting the journey Simon takes in this finale.

🎒 Classroom & Curricular Connections

  • ELA (Deconstructing Tropes): Use the trilogy to study the “Chosen One” archetype (e.g., Harry Potter, Percy Jackson).

    • Activity Idea: Compare Simon Snow to other fantasy heroes. How does his “ending” differ from the traditional hero’s reward?

  • Psychology (Trauma & PTSD): Discuss Simon’s journey as a metaphor for surviving a life-altering event.

    • Activity Idea: Analyze the symptoms of depression and PTSD shown by Simon and Baz. How does the author use magical elements (like “vampire knowledge”) to illustrate internal psychological struggles?

  • Social Studies (Diversity in Media): Examine the importance of diverse casting in fantasy.

    • Activity Idea: Map the ethnicities and backgrounds of the main cast. Discuss how Rowell integrates “Normal” (non-magic) culture with “Mage” culture as a metaphor for immigrant or minority experiences.

  • Media Literacy (Maturity Ratings): Discuss why a series might “age up” with its readers.

    • Activity Idea: Debate the pros and cons of authors increasing sexual content in final installments. How should librarians and teachers signal these shifts to younger readers?

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