Review: Simon Myth

Simon Myth by Matt Posner

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



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.



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