“Carry On” by Rainbow Rowell has the author’s trademark charm and relatable, awkward characters, but when you get past her endearing style, you realize that you’re reading just another fanfiction. While the ever-growing genre is popular among aspiring writers just getting their start, Rowell is an experienced writer who should know better. I don’t hate this young adult novel, but originality is tragically missing from this cutesy “Harry Potter” remake.

Simon Snow is the rugged hero who is the supposed “chosen one” of the wizard world, but the only problem is he has no idea how to do it. After the previous year’s traumatic kidnapping by his worst enemy, Simon returns to the magical school of Watford for his final year of learning. His nemesis, the Insidious Humdrum, is on the run, and the final fight between the two hangs in the balance. He feels untrained and unready, and insists on staying at the school to polish up his magic.

You’re probably wondering if I just snagged the plot of the last “Harry Potter” book, but I assure, this is actually the the plot of “Carry On.”  Along with the Humdrum, Simon must deal with conflict in his relationship with his girlfriend, Agatha; his nagging best friend, Penelope; pushy headmaster, Mage; and his violent and vampiric roommate, Baz.

Though the book held much promise, it all was sadly washed away the moment my eyes flittered through the first sentence. With every turn of the page, “Carry On” began to feel more like Rainbow Rowell had just marked up a copy of “Harry Potter” and sent it off to the publisher.  Any positives about the book were buried under deep rooted parallels, making it almost impossible to enjoy.

The parallels to the book’s inspiration were so numerous that it truly was little more than a well-written fanfiction, which isn’t a terrible thing, except for the fact that that wasn’t what I had set out to read. It was almost like expecting sunshine on a rainy day. There’s nothing wrong with rain, and it’s not like I can stop it from raining, but it’s discouraging nonetheless when you thrust back the curtains in the morning with hopes of light only to be greeted by the same old gloomy clouds. Originality was lacking, and despite the plentiful rain, I was left thirsty for any sort of unique plot. I suppose this book is not the chosen one.