Synopsis:
Thirteen-year-old Simon lives in Queens, NY where he is only half-serious about magic. Then the South Wind comes to the door, and he learns that magic is real and can lead to love and hate, joy and tragedy. Simon is haunted by the ghost of Yeishu ben Pandeira, a heretic from ancient Alexandria, who thinks he is the real Simon Magus and not just a youthful apprentice. Why? And what can he do about it? Join Simon and his companions, his tart-tongued study partner Goldberry, his shy and gentle sweetheart Leah, his elemental-summoning roommate Robbie, and the fierce and angry Yakov Mermelstein as they travel in time to confront — the Ghost in the Crystal. Ghosts, elementals, time travel, innocent romance, and ultimate loss await you in the opening novel of the School of the Ages series.
Book background:
I have been writing about magicians and apprentices for years. Around 2003, I was teaching in a yeshiva high school and I was inspired to create a magical school that blends non-religious magic students with ultra-orthodox Cabala students. As Tolkien said of The Lord of the Rings, “the tale grew in the telling.” I developed a multicultural view of magic and the paranormal in which world cultures (Jewish, Indian, all-American) blend to provide what I believe is the most sophisticated and satisfying perspective there is on global magic in the 21st century. Oh, and did I mention the sweet love story, the magical duels, the magical creatures, the real places in New York, the historical events? This isn’t Harry Potter — it’s something new that will make you laugh and cry. Great for ages 12 and up.
The sequel, School of the Ages: Level Three’s Dream, is coming out this month. Simon, reeling from a painful loss the previous year, and his partner Goldberry (she’s a little snotty but as good as gold) are assigned to help an autistic boy with a deadly magical power — he can put people into mental worlds of his own creation. Linus Luther Lopez — Level Three — is the most dangerous person either of them has ever met. Also — Robbie meets a really cute girl — and — why is Mermelstein menacing around Level Three’s sister Lorena? The last hundred pages will be a real treat for Lewis Carroll fans.
Find Matt Posner:
Novel available here: Amazon US: http://tinyurl.com/5wf5ypu.
Bn.com: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/matt-posner. Includes the paperback edition.
Amazon UK: http://tinyurl.com/3tvxgcq
Website: http://schooloftheages.webs.com. Samples and author interviews.
Twitter: @schooloftheages
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/School-of-the-Ages-series/137734516263614