Tackling a very loved title for today’s So You Liked post, Carry On by Rainbow Rowell. Simon and Baz are so adorable, and I just love the world that Rowell created. Her magic system is so unique. And the sequel is to die for! I can’t wait for the third book, honestly. I need more Simon and Baz in my life ASAP.
Carry On follows Simon Snow, the chosen one who is going to save the magical world. It’s his final year at Watford, and for some reason, his roommate and enemy Baz hasn’t shown up yet. When he does, Simon starts to realize maybe that hate could have actually been something else. Wonderful characters, a fascinating world.
If you’re looking for magical fantasy worlds or gay romance to read this summer, check out these other titles! Check out my last So You Liked post on Sadie here.
Top Read-a-Likes for Carry On
Looking for gay romance?
The Gravity of Us by Phil Stamper
Cal is a successful social media journalist with over half a million followers. He’s used to being in the spotlight. But when his dad is selected as a NASA astronaut and his family is relocated to Houston. Desperate to get back to New York, Cal isn’t expecting to be drawn to the mysterious Leon. Now, he’s a bit unsure about his feature.
This Is Kind of an Epic Love Story by Kacen Callender
Nathan Bird has sworn off happy endings, despite loving movies. He’s seen too many relationships in real life that ended in tragedy. But when his old best friend Ollie moves back into town, maybe romance could be in the picture. Will Nate actually get his own happily ever after?
The Music of What Happens by Bill Konigsberg
Max and Jordan are basically complete opposites. Max is chill and okay with being gay, except for one encounter with an older boy that he keeps secret. Jordan is anxious, searching for Mr. Right, desperately keeping his mom together. One summer might just bring the two of them together.
How about the enemies to lovers trope?
Red, White, & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
Alex Claremont-Diaz and Prince Henry from England have been enemies for as long as Alex can remember. But after an accident at a royal wedding, the two are forced to act like friends. Which quickly turns into real friendship. And maybe even something more. Are they brave enough to show their truth to the world?
We Hunt the Flame by Hafsah Faizal
Zafira disguises herself as a man to brave the forest in order to feed her people. Nasir is the Prince, assassinating the people his father tells him to to keep them in line. In order to save her land, Zafira goes on a quest to retrieve something that will return the magic. But more than one person is looking for the artifact. Include Nasir himself.
The Wrath and the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh
Every night, the king Caliph takes a new wife only to hang her by the morning. Shahrzad volunteers to be the next bride, desperate to end his reign of terror. To stay alive, she weaves complex stories, stealing his heart. But the more she learns about Caliph, the more she starts to fall in love with him.
Boarding schools?
Dread Nation by Justina Ireland
Jane was born just two days before the zombies rose in Gettysburg, completely changing the War Between the States. Due to the Native and Negro Reeducation Act, Jane is now required to attend a school where she’s trained in combat. But that’s not what Jane wants. All she wants is to return to her home in Kentucky. Instead, she finds herself in the middle of a conspiracy.
The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson
Starting at a new boarding school in London, Rory arrives just as a set of brutal murders has broken out. Murders mimicking that of Jack the Ripper. And while the police have few leads and no witnesses, Rory saw someone at the scene. A ghost that only she can see.
Miles Morales by Jason Reynolds
Miles is just your regular teenager. He earned a spot at Visions Academy, plays old school video games with his best friend, and has a crush on a poet named Alicia. And he’s Spider-Man. But lately, he can’t get a grasp on his powers. As he tries to get his life back on track, he uncovers something that’s putting his neighborhood and his friends in danger.
Maybe you’re looking for a chosen one.
Scythe by Neal Shusterman
In a world where all diseases have been cured, the population has to be controlled somehow. The Scythes enact death randomly, in order to keep the population size under control. When Citra and Rowan are chosen to train for Scythedom, neither of them wants it. But only one of them will get the position in the end.
The Marrow Thieves by Cherie Dimaline
In a world ravaged by global warming, society has lost the ability to dream. Which has lead to widespread madness. The only people who can still dream are the North American Indigenous People, who now fear for their lives. Desperate to survive, many of them are on the run. Because their marrow is what saves people. But to get it means death for them.
Cinder by Marissa Meyer
Cinder is a gifted mechanic living in New Bejing with a mysterious past. When Prince Kai seeks her assistance fixing one of his AI machines. Suddenly, Cinder finds herself in the middle of the struggle between Earth and Lunar. In order to save the home she loves, she must learn the secrets of her past in order to save her future.
Or you love epic battles to save the world.
An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir
In the Martial Empire, anyone who rebels is met with death. After Laia’s brother is arrested for treason, she agrees to go into the palace as an undercover spy and slave. It’s there that she meets Elias, the Academy’s most promising student. But Elias has his own secret to hide. He doesn’t want to be a soldier. Their choices might just change their society–for the better.
Kingdom of Souls by Rena Barron
Arrah was born into a family of powerful witches, but has yet to develop powers of her own. There’s only one thing she hasn’t tried: trading years of her life for scraps of magic. When the Kingdom’s children start to disappear, she’s desperate to find the one behind it. But stopping him will cost Arrah a high price.
Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyami
Zelie remembers when Orisha hummed with magic. But when the magic disappeared, the maji were hunted down and killed. With a chance to bring back magic, Zelie must outrun the crown prince, who wants magic to be gone for good.