Matt Posner

Like other reviewers, I read the blurb and thought, “Oh, like a New York City version of Harry Potter. I’ll bite.” In many ways the comparison is valid:

• a secret magic school in the midst of the real world
• intriguing, quirky, multi-ethnic, convincing teenage characters,
• a varied set of adults, magical and non-magical, with interesting perspectives and sometimes murky motives.
• a many-layered plot that keeps cooking with twists and surprises.

What I find unique here is the quality of the magic. Harry Potter magic is fun, a combination of pure invention and recycled pop culture tropes. School of Ages magic is serious—rooted in mystical traditions (primarily Hebrew) and concocted with plenty of mental horsepower. At times I wasn’t sure if I was reading YA fantasy or being taught occult metaphysics:

“They say time is a like a river, always flowing forward, ever changing. Not true. Time is a wind. It goes in all directions, this way and that, moves many things, leaves others in place.”

“The good of magic,” Dr. Archer said, “is not principally in doing, but in knowing what ought to be done.”

Yikes! If, like me, you favor serious magic in your fiction, it doesn’t get any better than this.… (altro)

Book Info: Genre: Fantasy/Urban Fantasy/Magical Reality
Reading Level: Young Adult (with the caveat that sensitive readers should have guidance and support)
Recommended for: I think most anyone would enjoy this series.
Trigger Warnings: All the books have had bullying, but William Goodenough goes way overboard in this one; killing, fighting, violence, murder, war, messing with people's abilities and controlling their minds

My Thoughts: All my reviews for this series have been very long, even without all the extra stuff I've added, such as the series information, the links to my other reviews, the synopsis, and all the book information. I really can't help that, because I've just loved these books so much, and they always give me so much to think about. Some of the things I've forgotten to mention: I adore Simon's parents. They are so supportive of him and all his weirdness, while remaining very much his parents. I've been really looking forward to this book, and to learning more about the mysterious Corby Crow and his six grandmothers, and the author has been teasing me unmercifully with little bits here and there while I've been waiting on tenterhooks for this. The way the last book ended tore out my heart and stomped on it, but I can't help but come back for more. This, to me, is the sign of a very successful series, one that I have become incredibly invested in, and one I almost hope will go on indefinitely, even if the author (at least notice) said the next would probably be the last. And all this? Has been written before I even started reading the book.

I truly had best intentions to read this book before publication, but alas, other things interfered. The copy I received was an ARC, so it was not formatted or proofed, and therefore I will ignore all problems I might see. I do want to buy all final editions of this book, since currently only book 2 is one I bought myself, and the others have come from the author. But I would love to have those final copies, so I'll be doing that eventually.

I really do not know what to think about William Goodenough. I always wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt, but then there was that incident with Vijay Dass, then later with his parents... it's very confusing. I hope he'll end up being one of the good ones. I was very disappointed about what happened with Corby as well, but at the same time I understand why it had to be that way, with the circumstances surrounding what his grandmothers did. Delphine continues to be a real joy, and Miss Chatterjee is a very interesting character. I was fascinated with the use of Hindu mythology in this book, and the bits and pieces we learned. It's very obvious that Posner has done extensive research into many things for this series.

It kills me that I will have to wait so long for the next book. Two years! It's unbearable! However, knowing what I know, based on what I've read in these books so far, this will very much be worth the wait. I will hate to see the series ended though, and I hope we see many more books from this talented pen. Very highly recommended, all of it.

Series Information: School of the Ages series
Book 1: The Ghost in the Crystal, review linked here
Book 2: Level Three's Dream, review linked here
Book 2.5: Sara Ghost, review linked here
Anthology: Tales of Christmas Magic, review linked here
Book 3: The War Against Love, review linked here
Book 4: Simon Myth
Book 5: The Wonderful Carol, to be published 2015
Please note that reviews linked are my original reviews done after my first reading and subject to minor change after re-reading. For latest review, see Goodreads
See also: Author interview linked here

Disclosure: I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Synopsis: A rakshasa—an unbeatable demon dressed like a gangster—has attacked Simon's family in Bombay, and Simon has never felt more alone. The War Against Love ripped away important pieces of his life: even his best friend Goldberry is not his friend anymore. What hope remains? Time goes wrong at the school when strange and sometimes dangerous older versions of his friends appear inside the building, and then Simon finds himself in the land of ancient India, in the time of the Mahabharata, and in the company of its greatest heroes, the five Pandava brothers. Will Simon return to his own time to face down his monstrous uncle—or will he remain lost, and forever be... Simon Myth?

Also enjoy: the war for Goldberry's heart; the mysterious schemes of Corby Crow and the Russian witch coven called the Six Grandmothers; an evil Arch-Mage invading the school; Yakov Mermelstein making a golem; a riddle-game against a talking corpse; and Delphine, the cute little French girl, learning to dance Bhangra.… (altro)

Book Info: Genre: Urban Fantasy
Reading Level: Young Adult (Trigger warning disturbing themes, warning due to self-inflicted injuries by cutting)
Recommended for: fans of School of the Ages, magic, those learning to love themselves

Disclosure: I received a free copy of this ebook from the author. He specifically told me I was under no obligation, but I am happy to provide in exchange for an honest review.

Synopsis: I lock the bathroom door, strip to get in the shower. My arms are specked with white lines from little cuts. But I don't cut in the house. I want to, now, really badly. I imagine cutting really deeply, like with a steak knife, leaving a puddle on the green tiles. Bleed out the fear, the worry, to make me ready for whatever horrible thing Jack Misra is going to do to me. Did I really just say "Eew" like a five-year-old who doesn't like what's on her plate? Why didn't I have guts to say, 'Dad, this guy is a pervert and he's going to rape me?' My dad's … disgusting and my mom's a beast and I'm growing into a mix of both of them. My mom's big butt and fat lips … and dusty skin, my dad's round fat face and muddy eyes with pinched eye sockets and even a little of his mustache if you look closely. I imagine taking a big butcher knife and cutting around the edges and just peeling my ugly face away and flushing it down the toilet. Even Jack Misra wouldn't want me after that. Go on, Jack. You wanted to @#$%@# a pig, but will you @#$%@# a faceless bleeding monster?

Sara Ghost is a novelette (a long short story) in the School of the Ages series about young magicians in New York City. To learn more about the characters in this story, you can read Book I: The Ghost in the Crystal; Book II: Level Three's Dream; short story collection Tales of Christmas Magic; and, Book III: The War Against Love.

My Thoughts: The events of this book take place between Level Three's Dream and The War Against Love. I have read all the books in this series so far (with the exception of the short-story collection, about which I did not know and which situation I plan to remedy) and have loved them.

This is a very different story from the main novels – it features a non-magician, and the main characters are only peripherally involved., It also deals with the very serious issue of cutting, hopelessness and self-hatred that is unfortunately becoming more common among young people. Those with triggers over this issue should beware. However, like all School of the Ages stories, I really enjoyed it – it’s very well-written and interesting. Posner has included a couple interviews in which he discusses why he decided to write this story, and a bonus excerpt of an old story that I really hope he will finish. Recommended.… (altro)

Book Info: Genre: Urban Fantasy – Christmas Theme
Reading Level: Young Adult
Recommended for: Fans of School of the Ages or those who want to ease into the series, those looking for a fast and light-hearted read with a Christmas theme.

Disclosure: I picked up this book when I realized it contained School of the Ages stories. Since I purchased it myself I have no particular obligation, and am always happy to provide an honest review.

Synopsis: Return to the world of School of the Ages with this short volume of amusing short stories with a Christmas flair. Why are so many elementals bothering the teen magician Radish in the prep school bathroom? Will master magician Dr. Archer be able to select a new home from the many creepy places in New York? AND..... why, why, WHY is the beautiful sixteen-year-old Goldberry in a pitched battle with Santa Claus on the school roof?

My Thoughts: I’m a huge fan of the School of the Ages series by Matt Posner. The series currently has three full-length novels – The Ghost in the Crystal, Level Three’s Dream and The War Against Love – as well as a novelette – Sara Ghost – and this collection of short stories.

After reading the very dark Sara Ghost, this light-hearted group of stories was a relief and very enjoyable. Fans of the series won’t want to miss these stories, and if you haven’t yet discovered School of the Ages, then this is a good way to get introduced. Don’t miss this one!… (altro)