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Simon Fayter #1
Simon Fayter and the Doors of Bone
"I stepped onto the scale and the needle swung slowly to the right, stopping dead center under the word 'Fayter.' The room went quiet as a tomb…"
Simon Fayter has no idea that the quirky old tutor his mom works for is hiding an ancient secret, but the truth comes out when dark forces attack and he helps Simon escape into a magical destiny. When Simon inherits a dusty coat, a slew of strange powers, and an age-old mystery, he learns that the strange "lucky streak" he was born with is actually something much more complicated. And more dangerous…
Austin J. Bailey has entertained over 100,000 readers with his bestselling Magemother series, and his latest work is better than ever. Featuring an endearingly overconfident and hilarious boy genius, Doors of Bone is the first in a planned series of five middle-grade fantasy novels for kids of all ages. Complete with a magical porta-potty, 157 footnotes, and a button that makes sheep fall from the sky, this is a book that you won't want to put down.
Simon Fayter has no idea that the quirky old tutor his mom works for is hiding an ancient secret, but the truth comes out when dark forces attack and he helps Simon escape into a magical destiny. When Simon inherits a dusty coat, a slew of strange powers, and an age-old mystery, he learns that the strange "lucky streak" he was born with is actually something much more complicated. And more dangerous…
Austin J. Bailey has entertained over 100,000 readers with his bestselling Magemother series, and his latest work is better than ever. Featuring an endearingly overconfident and hilarious boy genius, Doors of Bone is the first in a planned series of five middle-grade fantasy novels for kids of all ages. Complete with a magical porta-potty, 157 footnotes, and a button that makes sheep fall from the sky, this is a book that you won't want to put down.
291 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 22, 2017
592 people are currently reading
765 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews
May 16, 2022
Fans of Harry Potter and Percy Jackson will delight in this magical adventure, filled with epic world building, a fun and diverse cast of characters, and a protagonist who delights in breaking the fourth wall in delicious Deadpool fashion.
October 13, 2017
A fun and entertaining middle grade read. I can see a lot of young readers enjoying this. Also, I love that cover.
August 13, 2017
"Fluff is a titan.. which is what wizards call something very powerful and dangerous when they don’t know what it really is.”
I was so blown away by this book! I have long been searching for that elusive story that would make me feel so amazed and engrossed as I did when I read the Percy Jackson series and lo and behold I came across this story!
This is a perfect book for middle graders and bedtime stories as children get to travel to a fantastical land with unique creatures. It’s like Hitchhikers Guide to to the Galaxy meets Harry Potter. Children learn new things that are quite accurate and they learn moral principles as the main character experiences each new adventure that he finds himself in.
Adults will enjoy this book as well for the humor and world building. They get to experience being a child again as they experience through the eyes of SImon what it was like being thirteen and young and unsullied by reality.
If you are a fan of Rick Riordan or JK Rowling, you should definitely read this book and be surprised at another world to discover!
I can’t wait to read the rest of this series!
http://myliterary-musings.tumblr.com/...
thank you net galley for a copy in exchange for an honest review!
I was so blown away by this book! I have long been searching for that elusive story that would make me feel so amazed and engrossed as I did when I read the Percy Jackson series and lo and behold I came across this story!
This is a perfect book for middle graders and bedtime stories as children get to travel to a fantastical land with unique creatures. It’s like Hitchhikers Guide to to the Galaxy meets Harry Potter. Children learn new things that are quite accurate and they learn moral principles as the main character experiences each new adventure that he finds himself in.
Adults will enjoy this book as well for the humor and world building. They get to experience being a child again as they experience through the eyes of SImon what it was like being thirteen and young and unsullied by reality.
If you are a fan of Rick Riordan or JK Rowling, you should definitely read this book and be surprised at another world to discover!
I can’t wait to read the rest of this series!
http://myliterary-musings.tumblr.com/...
thank you net galley for a copy in exchange for an honest review!
October 27, 2018
Well written, vastly entertaining, and quite aware of its Harry Potter and Percy Jackson influences, thank you very much! This book was wonderful. Funny, dark, and inventive. Simon is an unexpectedly snarky and self-involved Chosen One, and the other characters he meets along the way to his supposed destiny are great too.
I am hoping for a sequel for sure.
The only thing that didn't really work for me was Bailey's tendency to use footnotes in an overly didactic way. Most of them were unnecessary, and almost all of them distracted from the narrative rather than adding to it.
** I received a Review Copy of this book via NetGalley **
I am hoping for a sequel for sure.
The only thing that didn't really work for me was Bailey's tendency to use footnotes in an overly didactic way. Most of them were unnecessary, and almost all of them distracted from the narrative rather than adding to it.
** I received a Review Copy of this book via NetGalley **
August 11, 2017
A Most Excellent Young Wizard Adventure
The first chapter of this book was terrific. The next chapter was tedious and off-putting. But fear not, there was a method to the author's madness, and the book quickly settled down, (or picked up), and just kept getting better and better.
That first chapter is a prologue of sorts and introduces us to the two magical beings who have the duty of protecting Simon, our hero, until he "comes of age". It is atmospheric, loaded with portent, devilishly clever, and spiced with a generous does of deadpan humor and wit. As I say, terrific. In the second chapter we meet Simon, now a day short of his thirteenth birthday. He is the first person narrator, and of course the hero, of the rest of the book. He is so smarmy, full of himself, over-the-top, and self-impressed by his wit and smarts and general wonderfulness that the prospect of reading an entire book narrated by him was exceedingly unattractive. But wait, I thought, no one could have written that first chapter with the intention of then writing a book as unappealing as that second chapter. And of course, that's right.
In short order Simon is whisked away to Skelligard, a wizarding academy. Everyone else there knows about wizards and wizarding and magic and the history of the magical world, but Simon is totally and completely in the dark because only on Earth, (to the dismay and disgust of every other sentient being), is magic and wizarding kept a secret. So, Simon starts out as the dumbest, least aware, most confused, and most backward student at Skelligard. Aha!, our Simon has to step back and reevaluate himself and his situation in order to grow up, and that's what happens for the rest of the book. "Be true to yourself, but honorably, selflessly, and with humility" might as well be the watermark that shines through on every page.
But this is not a dry morality tale. It is a ripping magical fantasy. Simon starts with two classmate pals, who are smart, funny, different from him, and not the least bit inclined to defer to him or his attitude. We meet a wide array of teachers and supporting creatures who occupy a fascinating magical world. Really interesting things happen, and the twists and turns make Hogwarts look like a kindergarten. It turns out that of all Simon's wizarding skills and talents are exceptionally rare, which makes him unpredictable, a bit of a magical unexploded bomb, and arguably the "chosen one", which Simon both loves and hates. Lots of school daze action follows, then a huge ripping adventure, then more big plot advancements and friendship bonding and so on. It's all fabulous and implausible, but I like a middle grade fantasy quest book that goes big, not one that reads like a manual for your new magical camera.
And, finally, it is very funny. Every character gets a few sly lines. There are lots of funny set pieces. (One of Simon's new pals is a minotaur who hasn't hit minotaur puberty, and that's played for laughs but also some touching moments.) Once Simon settles down, he is witty and engaging instead of exaggerated and acting out for attention. There is a lot of deadpan humor and wry funny business around the edges, and the slacker too-cool-for-school mentor that Simon is assigned to steals every scene.
So, this book is fast paced, cleverly constructed, well written, funny and filled with action and surprises. It also ends up with a warmth and an embrace of chivalry and sacrifice that sneaks up on the reader, but is always in the background informing the action. This ended up being a delightful entertainment with some substance, and a fine middle grade read.
(Please note that I received a free advance ecopy of this book without a review requirement, or any influence regarding review content should I choose to post a review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)
The first chapter of this book was terrific. The next chapter was tedious and off-putting. But fear not, there was a method to the author's madness, and the book quickly settled down, (or picked up), and just kept getting better and better.
That first chapter is a prologue of sorts and introduces us to the two magical beings who have the duty of protecting Simon, our hero, until he "comes of age". It is atmospheric, loaded with portent, devilishly clever, and spiced with a generous does of deadpan humor and wit. As I say, terrific. In the second chapter we meet Simon, now a day short of his thirteenth birthday. He is the first person narrator, and of course the hero, of the rest of the book. He is so smarmy, full of himself, over-the-top, and self-impressed by his wit and smarts and general wonderfulness that the prospect of reading an entire book narrated by him was exceedingly unattractive. But wait, I thought, no one could have written that first chapter with the intention of then writing a book as unappealing as that second chapter. And of course, that's right.
In short order Simon is whisked away to Skelligard, a wizarding academy. Everyone else there knows about wizards and wizarding and magic and the history of the magical world, but Simon is totally and completely in the dark because only on Earth, (to the dismay and disgust of every other sentient being), is magic and wizarding kept a secret. So, Simon starts out as the dumbest, least aware, most confused, and most backward student at Skelligard. Aha!, our Simon has to step back and reevaluate himself and his situation in order to grow up, and that's what happens for the rest of the book. "Be true to yourself, but honorably, selflessly, and with humility" might as well be the watermark that shines through on every page.
But this is not a dry morality tale. It is a ripping magical fantasy. Simon starts with two classmate pals, who are smart, funny, different from him, and not the least bit inclined to defer to him or his attitude. We meet a wide array of teachers and supporting creatures who occupy a fascinating magical world. Really interesting things happen, and the twists and turns make Hogwarts look like a kindergarten. It turns out that of all Simon's wizarding skills and talents are exceptionally rare, which makes him unpredictable, a bit of a magical unexploded bomb, and arguably the "chosen one", which Simon both loves and hates. Lots of school daze action follows, then a huge ripping adventure, then more big plot advancements and friendship bonding and so on. It's all fabulous and implausible, but I like a middle grade fantasy quest book that goes big, not one that reads like a manual for your new magical camera.
And, finally, it is very funny. Every character gets a few sly lines. There are lots of funny set pieces. (One of Simon's new pals is a minotaur who hasn't hit minotaur puberty, and that's played for laughs but also some touching moments.) Once Simon settles down, he is witty and engaging instead of exaggerated and acting out for attention. There is a lot of deadpan humor and wry funny business around the edges, and the slacker too-cool-for-school mentor that Simon is assigned to steals every scene.
So, this book is fast paced, cleverly constructed, well written, funny and filled with action and surprises. It also ends up with a warmth and an embrace of chivalry and sacrifice that sneaks up on the reader, but is always in the background informing the action. This ended up being a delightful entertainment with some substance, and a fine middle grade read.
(Please note that I received a free advance ecopy of this book without a review requirement, or any influence regarding review content should I choose to post a review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)
October 6, 2017
I find this really strangely entertaining, especially in the style that it is written in. Especially how the writer breaks the fourth wall, and also all the footnotes at the back are worth the shot.
I think that the author did a great job in the chosen one and inserting plenty of humor. If it had to be done, a parody is the best. And Simon, who is self aware and his initial narration full of wit, was a hoy to read through. Even if it did drop a little later, but never to the point that I was bored. And well, I was snorting at the beginning. That often says something about how much I like this book.
Also, like Harry Potter, he had companions with the one boy and one girl. Tessa, who is no know it all, and definitely won’t take kindly to being possessed. Or Drake, who somehow winds up with minotaurs since they assume he is a prince. A case of mistaken identity, but it is sort of hilarious.
Also, the way that Simon gets himself into huge trouble and does pay in consequences. And here, really there is even a Snape reference, although done in a way that is quite unlike it. Simon, like I said has a breaking the fourth wall kind of narration. Which does everything to subvert all we know, and well makes for a read that will make you laugh or light up your smile. And that Simon is also quite a know it all, but in a good way.
I guess that the whole appeal of this book was how funny it was, and how the chosen one plot was completely different. And that it does not take itself seriously, because those books are rare in this genre. And that’s about all I have to say about this book, that I was thoroughly entertained. So, will I recommend it? Yes, to anyone in need of a good laugh and a dose of comedy.
I think that the author did a great job in the chosen one and inserting plenty of humor. If it had to be done, a parody is the best. And Simon, who is self aware and his initial narration full of wit, was a hoy to read through. Even if it did drop a little later, but never to the point that I was bored. And well, I was snorting at the beginning. That often says something about how much I like this book.
Also, like Harry Potter, he had companions with the one boy and one girl. Tessa, who is no know it all, and definitely won’t take kindly to being possessed. Or Drake, who somehow winds up with minotaurs since they assume he is a prince. A case of mistaken identity, but it is sort of hilarious.
Also, the way that Simon gets himself into huge trouble and does pay in consequences. And here, really there is even a Snape reference, although done in a way that is quite unlike it. Simon, like I said has a breaking the fourth wall kind of narration. Which does everything to subvert all we know, and well makes for a read that will make you laugh or light up your smile. And that Simon is also quite a know it all, but in a good way.
I guess that the whole appeal of this book was how funny it was, and how the chosen one plot was completely different. And that it does not take itself seriously, because those books are rare in this genre. And that’s about all I have to say about this book, that I was thoroughly entertained. So, will I recommend it? Yes, to anyone in need of a good laugh and a dose of comedy.
August 8, 2024
I liked the start of this book but somewhere along the way I lost where this book is was going in the middle and end of the book. I really liked the start of the book where you learn about the MC’s dilemma of having good luck one day and the next day it’s a bad day. I don’t really remember what this story was about though unfortunately. I think that the flow of the story was trying to do too much as well. I wanted to like it but I had mixed feelings surrounding it. :-/
December 7, 2017
I received a free copy via Netgalley in exchange for a honest review.
This is a really enjoyable read for all ages.
Although in places it did remind me of Harry Potter there are enough differences to make this a must read.
This is a really enjoyable read for all ages.
Although in places it did remind me of Harry Potter there are enough differences to make this a must read.
August 23, 2017
Simon Fayter and the Doors of Bone follows a young man, who after years being tutored by a rich man (really a magical protector, not a spoiler don’t worry), is sent into a magical school on a faraway planet where lots of people from different universes who can do magic come. He is the first of his type and a kind of Chosen One in this world. An adventure elsewhere in the universe ensues because of his cockiness. This book, especially at the beginning, reminded a lot of Harry Potter; the writing style, however, is similar to that of Brandon Sanderson in Alcatraz Versus the Evil Librarians. At the beginning of each chapter, there were quotes, usually from historic leaders whose lives were somewhat explained in the footnotes, which I really liked because it seemed like an easy way to get kids interested in some not basic history (basic being like that JFK was shot because that’s been overdone). The footnotes were also great comedic tools that created good digressions that weren’t necessarily easy to place in the book. The only footnotes that bugged me were the ones defining words, as they felt slightly patronising. The writing style in this book was enjoyable and engaging, with action that was neither overwrought nor hurried, striking a good balance. I think the writing also captured some normal teenage emotions, like Drake’s embarrassment because he has yet to go through puberty, emotion that isn’t specifically described but an obvious conclusion from the writing. I think the writer also did a great job creating the world because the Harry Potter vibes quickly dissipated with the book making its own niche. I hope to find out more in the next books, such as why Earth has a secrecy policy and who knows about wizards. I especially liked the rituals students go through to go to the school, such as making a code and getting their supplies (example: shoes). Though they were specific to each student, they still felt general enough that I could relate to those feelings. The actual ending of this book, meaning last scene, not the end of the adventure, was a bit of a shocker, definitely peaking my interest for the next book. I hope the author continues with this high caliber of book, especially as he assured us that there would be a satisfying ending, something to which I will happily hold him accountable because this book was fantastic, so the rest of the series should not be screwed up.
Review also available at my blog
A digital copy of this book was provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
Review also available at my blog
A digital copy of this book was provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
June 24, 2017
Simon Faytor is a fun read. It is written in First person point of view, with a twist - except for the prologue. Simon talks to the reader, gives attitude, and leaves a long trail of footnotes/endnotes explaining a plethora of points including some of his own newly created words.
Simon is born with 2 difference coloured eyes. In this universe, that denotes you as a wizard. Many are raised knowing this. Simon; however had no clue until the final hours of his 13th birthday. If it wasn't for the special training provided by his neighbour / mentor / Mom's boss, Simon would have been even more clueless than he was when he arrived on the planet / school where young wizards are sent to be trained. The last assignment Simon did for his mentor ended up being used as his CODEX. This helped him gain entrance, but also guided his actions by strongly encourageing him to follow the rules that he set for himself to be a good person. It doesn't take long for Simon to be "noticed". Is that good or bad? You be the judge.
I recommend this book to people who enjoy Fantasy, magic, coming of age, This story has a bit of myth and lore, yet it includes world's scattered across a universe - and magic is everywhere. Although it is targeted to a younger audience, it is great for all ages. It really was an interesting journey having the main character conversing with you - the reader - throughout the story. It is going to be quite an adventure.
Simon is born with 2 difference coloured eyes. In this universe, that denotes you as a wizard. Many are raised knowing this. Simon; however had no clue until the final hours of his 13th birthday. If it wasn't for the special training provided by his neighbour / mentor / Mom's boss, Simon would have been even more clueless than he was when he arrived on the planet / school where young wizards are sent to be trained. The last assignment Simon did for his mentor ended up being used as his CODEX. This helped him gain entrance, but also guided his actions by strongly encourageing him to follow the rules that he set for himself to be a good person. It doesn't take long for Simon to be "noticed". Is that good or bad? You be the judge.
I recommend this book to people who enjoy Fantasy, magic, coming of age, This story has a bit of myth and lore, yet it includes world's scattered across a universe - and magic is everywhere. Although it is targeted to a younger audience, it is great for all ages. It really was an interesting journey having the main character conversing with you - the reader - throughout the story. It is going to be quite an adventure.
December 22, 2017
The book is written in the first-person and the author makes a point of emphasising this. It is unusual in that he is writing as the author and so the book is reflective. It is rather episodic and tends to move from location to location without much preamble so the reader never really gets familiar with any one location. Characters are similarly quite transient although there is a core group, much like many other such reads.
The book is strewn with footnotes which vary in content from definitions to asides to educational content. It is here that an e-reader is beneficial as it is less of a distraction to the scanning process. A lot of the wit is contained here so is seen as recommended reading.
The style and content is appropriate for middle school years and the language used is approachable and easy to read.
Given that it is a 'reflective' story it is strange that it feels so fragmentary, perhaps it is the rapid changes of locale, but it is an enjoyable read and I would be interested in reading the sequels
The book is strewn with footnotes which vary in content from definitions to asides to educational content. It is here that an e-reader is beneficial as it is less of a distraction to the scanning process. A lot of the wit is contained here so is seen as recommended reading.
The style and content is appropriate for middle school years and the language used is approachable and easy to read.
Given that it is a 'reflective' story it is strange that it feels so fragmentary, perhaps it is the rapid changes of locale, but it is an enjoyable read and I would be interested in reading the sequels
December 28, 2018
*I received this book on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*
This book is full of fun and rambunctious characters that every middle schooler should enjoy this read! Full of magic and destiny, young Simon comes to the realization that his life is not what it seems. Just as the exact time of his birth approaches, he ends up being transported to another world where other teens from other planets have also been sent in order to practice and control their special magical abilities. At first, SImon felt like he did not belong but he quickly becomes wrapped up in the different adventures or misadventures and make a name for himself as others realize he might be the Chosen One. If you have problems getting your middle schooler to become engaged in books, then this series is definitely a start.
This book is full of fun and rambunctious characters that every middle schooler should enjoy this read! Full of magic and destiny, young Simon comes to the realization that his life is not what it seems. Just as the exact time of his birth approaches, he ends up being transported to another world where other teens from other planets have also been sent in order to practice and control their special magical abilities. At first, SImon felt like he did not belong but he quickly becomes wrapped up in the different adventures or misadventures and make a name for himself as others realize he might be the Chosen One. If you have problems getting your middle schooler to become engaged in books, then this series is definitely a start.
August 18, 2017
Simon Faytor was a fun read, great for middle age readers who like fantasy/magic books. I found it compared best with the How to Train Your Dragon Series in terms of the writing style. It is written in first person point of view, with Simon telling us a story about what happened after the fact. I loved the use of footnotes to add humor, but also to add information by defining words the audience might not know (as well as make some up).
This is the first book in the series, but it reads well by itself with the completion of one full adventure. I will be happily waiting for book 2.
Full disclosure - I received a copy of the book from the publisher and Netgalley in exchagne for an honest review.
This is the first book in the series, but it reads well by itself with the completion of one full adventure. I will be happily waiting for book 2.
Full disclosure - I received a copy of the book from the publisher and Netgalley in exchagne for an honest review.
June 24, 2017
wow what can i say Austin Bailey is a true magician with his pen, he manages to draw the reader into his world of magic and intrigue. At first i thought this was just a teenage book and nearly stopped reading but since i have liked previous books by Bailey i persisted and soon i was completely into the adventure of Simon, Tike, Tessa and Drake, love the academy and the doors of bone and all the adventures and scares on the way. I would place this book into the realm of Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson adventures and Brandon Mull's Fablehaven. Definitely a must read, and i am waiting for the next book in the series of Simon Fayter and his friends and enemies.
August 21, 2017
Awesome book! It's like a mix of Harry Potter & Percy Jackson - a young egotistic kid who finds himself in a magic world where he has special abilities and great friends...
Not only is it fantasy, there's a lot of comedy in here as well. And the magic and plot are unique.
I like the combination of Simon's big ego with his obvious lack of knowledge. This is a YA book for younger readers, so it's one of those books where the characters stumble around making a mess of things, but somehow everything turns out alright. Despite that, I still enjoyed reading it. I definitely recommend it for ages 10 & up.
Not only is it fantasy, there's a lot of comedy in here as well. And the magic and plot are unique.
I like the combination of Simon's big ego with his obvious lack of knowledge. This is a YA book for younger readers, so it's one of those books where the characters stumble around making a mess of things, but somehow everything turns out alright. Despite that, I still enjoyed reading it. I definitely recommend it for ages 10 & up.
May 17, 2018
Great book and recommend to anyone looking for a good adventure book
I really enjoyed this book and I like how the author uses the footnotes LOL! The only thing I would want is to learn more about the god-like sun people. (Sorry can’t remember name)I want to know what their history is. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a book full of action and adventure. Keep up the good work!
I really enjoyed this book and I like how the author uses the footnotes LOL! The only thing I would want is to learn more about the god-like sun people. (Sorry can’t remember name)I want to know what their history is. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a book full of action and adventure. Keep up the good work!
August 10, 2017
This is a magical book that I loved to read. Simon is a young man who has recently learned that he can use magic. He has quite an adventure, and the world that he inhabits is well thought out and described. Very few books leave me hoping for a sequel, but this was one of them. I can't wait for simons next adventure!
June 24, 2017
Austin J Bailey is a great children's fantasy writer. This book has a completely different voice from his Magemother series, which I wasn't sure of at first, but by the end of the book was loving. It's funny and light hearted, while still sending the message that you should always try to be your best self.
June 27, 2017
I loved this book it totally drags you in until the end and leaves you impatiently waiting for more. I had to confiscate my children's copies to stop them reading under the covers...!! I did give them back in the morning though, I didn't want a mutiny on my hands. A fun ,fast paced,cleverly written story suitable for readers of all ages. Can't wait for the next instalment..!!!♥️💜💙💚💛
March 26, 2018
Reminding me a little of Harry Potter and Phantom Tollbooth, Simon is a young boy with a mighty secret. A dusty old coat and a ecenter duster old tutor have shown him powers and a world beyond his mortal reality. Adventure ensues as well as some twists and turns.
I personally loved this book. I am glad I was given a chance to review it and am definitely hoping there is a second.
I personally loved this book. I am glad I was given a chance to review it and am definitely hoping there is a second.
September 8, 2019
This book was amazing. I read it in two days. I thought the footnotes would pull me away from the story. But in fact they did the opposite. I ended up following and understanding Simon better for them. I’ve loved every book I’ve read by Austin!
June 23, 2017
Excellent new book, with some unique concepts.
November 21, 2017
full review to come, BUT BOIIII THIS BOOK WAS GREAT
July 29, 2024
I recently fell prey to one of those ads for exciting new fantasy franchises that float up and down my Facebook feed, and ordered – not this book mind you – but what proved to be one of the most dreadfully written books I've ever laid eyes on. Eventually, perhaps, I'll review that book. I only mention it here so to give you an idea of how hesitant I was to risk falling into the same trap. But then I went and bought this book, lured in through a similar ad, and after reading it all in one sick afternoon on the couch, I'll grant that it was quite fun and now I'm interested in continuing with the quintet.
It's a frightfully original story idea. There's this little boy who's in danger from the day he's born. Luckily he has a couple of wizards watching over him, protecting him from the baddies who are out to get him. The big bad seems interested in what he's destined to do. As he reaches a certain age (13, actually), he starts to experience some weird stuff, and then he receives the news that he's a wizard just before he gets whisked off to a secret, magical school and becomes lifelong besties with the first two kids he meets. I know, it doesn't sound like anything you've ever read before, right?
Author Austin J. Bailey is self-aware enough that he actually makes references to J.K. Rowling and Harry Potter while teasing the fact that this variation on the Hogwarts trope veers quickly off the path. So, yes, a kid who's completely ignorant about the existence of magic, and its history and culture, lands like a fish out of water at a magical school so remote from everyday life that it might as well be on a different planet (in this case, it is), and after a Sorting Hat-type scene is revealed to be the Promised One, an instant celebrity, who is nevertheless instantly hated by one professor and who gets taken under the rather eccentric wing of another. And then, at midnight, he and his two besties go through a door they're not supposed to go (especially in the middle of the night) and stick their noses into matter they'd best have left alone. So far, so very Harry.
But if you don't cherry-pick the facts with which I filled that last paragraph, or phrase some of them differently, the impression that this is a straight-up Harry Potter knockoff recedes somewhat into the background. Simon, whose last name is actually Jacobson, goes to a school called Skelligard that takes young wizards from all sorts of planets. They arrive via (ahem) Portal Potty, then travel through another spacetime portal before arriving at – yes, a castle – and being weighed on an elaborate scale that is meant to tell them which branch of magic they belong to. There are supposed to be seven types, with names such as Clink, Bright, Strong, Seer, Muse and two more that have slipped my mind. But the scale calibrated to those types literally explodes after Simon steps on it, and the weighing can only continue when a very old, obsolete model is brought up from the (capital ess) Stores that includes an eighth branch of magic: Fayter. They stopped looking for Fayters ages ago. There has only ever been one, ever, and he was the great hero who founded the school a thousand years ago. And guess which branch the needle points to when Simon steps on the scale.
All this is very exciting for everybody. Already, before he can even pass his admission interview (which, strangely, happens after the weighing), Simon has an enemy on the faculty, and none of the profs wants to be his advisor, and the sheer weight of the stuff Simon doesn't know about the world he has gotten himself into starts to press down on him with crushing force. There are prophecies that another Fayter would arise, prophecies long since written off as demented ravings. Even so, Simon's inability to fulfill them, upon request, is counted against him – among other things too complicated to describe here. So, he does what any Harry Potter type would do: He sneaks out of his dorm in the middle of the night and takes matters into his own hands. With disastrous results.
Simon and his friends, Tessa and Drake, find themselves on an interplanetary adventure where his cockiness, rashness and towering ignorance get him, them, and an entire world into ridiculous levels of danger. But along the way, he starts learning how to use the magical cloak he inherited from the original Fayter, tries to use his alternating days of good and bad luck to better advantage, makes awesome discoveries and important allies, and begins a growing process that, if it continues for another four books or so, might tip the scales of destiny for the entire universe, somehow. Heck, I don't know. This is as far as I've read in the series so far. But thanks to some of Simon's goofy, autobiographical footnotes, that does seem to be the case.
As in the previous book I reviewed, I can't find any information on Fantastic Fiction about either this book or its author. I'm staggered at how many times FF has failed me lately. Also, I'm not happy with the way the author's website works, making it quite a chore to get the information I was after. But what I eventually gathered is that this is the first book of a five-book series, followed in order by (Simon Fayter and) the Tomb of Rone, the Titan's Groan, the Eyes of Stone and the King Alone. Other Bailey titles include the Magemother series (The Mage & the Machine, The Empty Throne, The Paradise Twin and The Bridge to Nowhere). As for "about the author," his website identifies Bailey as a Wyoming-based author who grew up in Utah and is married with four kids – which is a good deal more informative than the back-of-the-book blurb with its nonsense about living in Hawaii with 17 cats and an albino baboon, working as a reindeer impersonator and collecting tumbleweeds.
It's a frightfully original story idea. There's this little boy who's in danger from the day he's born. Luckily he has a couple of wizards watching over him, protecting him from the baddies who are out to get him. The big bad seems interested in what he's destined to do. As he reaches a certain age (13, actually), he starts to experience some weird stuff, and then he receives the news that he's a wizard just before he gets whisked off to a secret, magical school and becomes lifelong besties with the first two kids he meets. I know, it doesn't sound like anything you've ever read before, right?
Author Austin J. Bailey is self-aware enough that he actually makes references to J.K. Rowling and Harry Potter while teasing the fact that this variation on the Hogwarts trope veers quickly off the path. So, yes, a kid who's completely ignorant about the existence of magic, and its history and culture, lands like a fish out of water at a magical school so remote from everyday life that it might as well be on a different planet (in this case, it is), and after a Sorting Hat-type scene is revealed to be the Promised One, an instant celebrity, who is nevertheless instantly hated by one professor and who gets taken under the rather eccentric wing of another. And then, at midnight, he and his two besties go through a door they're not supposed to go (especially in the middle of the night) and stick their noses into matter they'd best have left alone. So far, so very Harry.
But if you don't cherry-pick the facts with which I filled that last paragraph, or phrase some of them differently, the impression that this is a straight-up Harry Potter knockoff recedes somewhat into the background. Simon, whose last name is actually Jacobson, goes to a school called Skelligard that takes young wizards from all sorts of planets. They arrive via (ahem) Portal Potty, then travel through another spacetime portal before arriving at – yes, a castle – and being weighed on an elaborate scale that is meant to tell them which branch of magic they belong to. There are supposed to be seven types, with names such as Clink, Bright, Strong, Seer, Muse and two more that have slipped my mind. But the scale calibrated to those types literally explodes after Simon steps on it, and the weighing can only continue when a very old, obsolete model is brought up from the (capital ess) Stores that includes an eighth branch of magic: Fayter. They stopped looking for Fayters ages ago. There has only ever been one, ever, and he was the great hero who founded the school a thousand years ago. And guess which branch the needle points to when Simon steps on the scale.
All this is very exciting for everybody. Already, before he can even pass his admission interview (which, strangely, happens after the weighing), Simon has an enemy on the faculty, and none of the profs wants to be his advisor, and the sheer weight of the stuff Simon doesn't know about the world he has gotten himself into starts to press down on him with crushing force. There are prophecies that another Fayter would arise, prophecies long since written off as demented ravings. Even so, Simon's inability to fulfill them, upon request, is counted against him – among other things too complicated to describe here. So, he does what any Harry Potter type would do: He sneaks out of his dorm in the middle of the night and takes matters into his own hands. With disastrous results.
Simon and his friends, Tessa and Drake, find themselves on an interplanetary adventure where his cockiness, rashness and towering ignorance get him, them, and an entire world into ridiculous levels of danger. But along the way, he starts learning how to use the magical cloak he inherited from the original Fayter, tries to use his alternating days of good and bad luck to better advantage, makes awesome discoveries and important allies, and begins a growing process that, if it continues for another four books or so, might tip the scales of destiny for the entire universe, somehow. Heck, I don't know. This is as far as I've read in the series so far. But thanks to some of Simon's goofy, autobiographical footnotes, that does seem to be the case.
As in the previous book I reviewed, I can't find any information on Fantastic Fiction about either this book or its author. I'm staggered at how many times FF has failed me lately. Also, I'm not happy with the way the author's website works, making it quite a chore to get the information I was after. But what I eventually gathered is that this is the first book of a five-book series, followed in order by (Simon Fayter and) the Tomb of Rone, the Titan's Groan, the Eyes of Stone and the King Alone. Other Bailey titles include the Magemother series (The Mage & the Machine, The Empty Throne, The Paradise Twin and The Bridge to Nowhere). As for "about the author," his website identifies Bailey as a Wyoming-based author who grew up in Utah and is married with four kids – which is a good deal more informative than the back-of-the-book blurb with its nonsense about living in Hawaii with 17 cats and an albino baboon, working as a reindeer impersonator and collecting tumbleweeds.
June 12, 2025
I have a lot to say about this, so let's start with one of my least favorite things in books.
Footnote: It's footnotes. Also, a rant about them will be here.
I've read plenty of books with this footnote feature heavily involved in the story. For example, Nevernight is a fantastic world filled to the brim with rich culture and character. But it was held back by all the footnotes that STOPS the plot. I cannot stand it, just let the story speak for itself. When a character drops a massive exposition, it feels like a breath of fresh air.
Other stories that utilize this concept more effectively are Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians and Lily Madwhip. For Alcatraz, it doesn't take itself too seriously... until there are serious moments, but beyond that, it's generally silly and goofy most of the time. So, even though that's the world, I can still say I didn't enjoy it, but the plot was good and made me laugh.
Lily Madwhip is more or less the acceptance (for me). The world is dark, and the things Lily goes through are horrifying. And she's the narrator, and I believe she was in the fifth grade when she tells her story. Now, in her case, she doesn't expand on the world or its lore, but she rambles about something somewhat related to her situation, like a kid would tell a story. So weirdly enough, this somehow works.
Okay, okay, what about the story of THIS book?
For me, the story itself was okay. I liked Simon and how he is a Fayter. The world is a bit zany, but it does take itself seriously. And I think that's where I have some problems with it. It feels like it's trying to be Alcatraz, but strips the goofiness that comes with it. Now, don't get me wrong, there were a few things that made me laugh, but overall, I couldn't get too much behind the story. But for those who don't mind the footnotes, I can see why some like it. There is some fun to be had here and a future mystery to unfold, but for me, I'm not invested. However, if you enjoy it, please read on. It's got its quirks and actions, so there's bound to be something to love for anyone out there.
Footnote: It's footnotes. Also, a rant about them will be here.
I've read plenty of books with this footnote feature heavily involved in the story. For example, Nevernight is a fantastic world filled to the brim with rich culture and character. But it was held back by all the footnotes that STOPS the plot. I cannot stand it, just let the story speak for itself. When a character drops a massive exposition, it feels like a breath of fresh air.
Other stories that utilize this concept more effectively are Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians and Lily Madwhip. For Alcatraz, it doesn't take itself too seriously... until there are serious moments, but beyond that, it's generally silly and goofy most of the time. So, even though that's the world, I can still say I didn't enjoy it, but the plot was good and made me laugh.
Lily Madwhip is more or less the acceptance (for me). The world is dark, and the things Lily goes through are horrifying. And she's the narrator, and I believe she was in the fifth grade when she tells her story. Now, in her case, she doesn't expand on the world or its lore, but she rambles about something somewhat related to her situation, like a kid would tell a story. So weirdly enough, this somehow works.
Okay, okay, what about the story of THIS book?
For me, the story itself was okay. I liked Simon and how he is a Fayter. The world is a bit zany, but it does take itself seriously. And I think that's where I have some problems with it. It feels like it's trying to be Alcatraz, but strips the goofiness that comes with it. Now, don't get me wrong, there were a few things that made me laugh, but overall, I couldn't get too much behind the story. But for those who don't mind the footnotes, I can see why some like it. There is some fun to be had here and a future mystery to unfold, but for me, I'm not invested. However, if you enjoy it, please read on. It's got its quirks and actions, so there's bound to be something to love for anyone out there.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 27, 2020
"I know what you’re thinking. That was an incredibly five-year-old-girlish thing to do. And you’re right. But even the most virile and courageous hero can accidentally react like a five-year-old girl when he is unlucky, and I was very unlucky just then."
This is just one of the dozens of instances where this book/author/mc are casually sexist. I started highlighting them about halfway into the book and it's very sad to see them all together, and that's only half of them. It's possible the author thought it was funny to talk down about girls; perhaps he thinks this is how the average 13 yo boy thinks, and therefore it should be in this book. But reinforcing toxic masculinity isn't okay anywhere, and to put it in a novel marketed at young, impressionable middle grade kids sucks. I'm a grown woman with a middle school age child myself, and I came away from Simon Fayter feeling that the author /main character really thinks girls are useless. Not great.
Simon has 2 friends, a boy and a girl, and I found it very telling that we learn all kinds of backstory about Drake, and almost nothing about Tessa. Tessa, giftedly strong, also has very little action, while Drake, who's supposed to be a scholarly character, gets to fight and have a very important role in the story. You could remove Tessa from the book and it would be the same story.
The book wasn't bad. It's a 3 star read for me, if not for all the sexism. It was funny, fast paced and interesting. However, Simon was an annoying main character. Very full of himself, and that got tedious to read after a while, even though it started off well. The footnotes also got very tiresome. We don't need a bunch of footnotes defining words mixed in with funny footnotes that add to the story. I didn't even want to read them after I was about 100 pages in, they were too distracting from the novel.
2 stars, knocked down from 3 because of the toxic masculinity.
This is just one of the dozens of instances where this book/author/mc are casually sexist. I started highlighting them about halfway into the book and it's very sad to see them all together, and that's only half of them. It's possible the author thought it was funny to talk down about girls; perhaps he thinks this is how the average 13 yo boy thinks, and therefore it should be in this book. But reinforcing toxic masculinity isn't okay anywhere, and to put it in a novel marketed at young, impressionable middle grade kids sucks. I'm a grown woman with a middle school age child myself, and I came away from Simon Fayter feeling that the author /main character really thinks girls are useless. Not great.
Simon has 2 friends, a boy and a girl, and I found it very telling that we learn all kinds of backstory about Drake, and almost nothing about Tessa. Tessa, giftedly strong, also has very little action, while Drake, who's supposed to be a scholarly character, gets to fight and have a very important role in the story. You could remove Tessa from the book and it would be the same story.
The book wasn't bad. It's a 3 star read for me, if not for all the sexism. It was funny, fast paced and interesting. However, Simon was an annoying main character. Very full of himself, and that got tedious to read after a while, even though it started off well. The footnotes also got very tiresome. We don't need a bunch of footnotes defining words mixed in with funny footnotes that add to the story. I didn't even want to read them after I was about 100 pages in, they were too distracting from the novel.
2 stars, knocked down from 3 because of the toxic masculinity.
December 8, 2020
Simon Jacobson is a regular boy with nothing special going for him. Except for the fact that he has unlucky days. No seriously, some days are lucky, and others are not. And he can see strange talking blue gorillas and demon dogs. Oh yeah, and he supposedly is a wizard? But not just any wizard, a Fayter, only the second in existence, ever. So yeah, pretty regular. Simon is whisked away on his 13th birthday and discovers that not only is he very much not regular, he is actually destined to become one of the most powerful wizards ever. In a humorous tale of twisty tree beds, blue gorillas, and magic, Simon begins to understand that he is more than he ever could have dreamed of and that the world is bigger than it seems.
Reading this book was a fun and exciting new tale of magic and mystery. I loved the writing style complete with footnotes of "Simon's" commentary, which made it seem as though he were right there with you on his mystical journey. Simon encounters two other friends, Rise and Drake, who hail from different worlds yet possess magical abilities. Together, they embark on a grand adventure fit for the bravest of teens. Young adult readers will love this mix of Percy Jackson and Harry Potter with a new twist!
Content warnings: mild violence
Reading this book was a fun and exciting new tale of magic and mystery. I loved the writing style complete with footnotes of "Simon's" commentary, which made it seem as though he were right there with you on his mystical journey. Simon encounters two other friends, Rise and Drake, who hail from different worlds yet possess magical abilities. Together, they embark on a grand adventure fit for the bravest of teens. Young adult readers will love this mix of Percy Jackson and Harry Potter with a new twist!
Content warnings: mild violence
August 4, 2024
This book came highly recommended. Simon is a child headed for an interesting life. He learns more about it when he turns 13, and here in book one the adventures just get started. This series seems to have so much promise, but I will only be reading this first book. I’m giving this one 3 stars because it’s not my type of book. The author has worked to create a new universe for stories, and that could be promising. I didn’t like the oddness of the book. It seems to work to hard to create new and different perspectives. When Simon arrives at his “school” which is on a different planet he learns that students sleep in Fluff an area of treacle that keeps students safe and comfy each night. Fluff only allows students to enter making it so very safe. However, it’s hard for me to imagine Fluff as a dorm. That is one example of the very different elements in the story. It’s work to understand and follow the story and I didn’t buy into the delivery nor the story in this way. Simon also breaks the 4th window giving asides to the reader throughout. I’m sure many readers will love this intriguing new world, but I didn’t enjoy the book as much as I hoped I would.
September 10, 2024
I enjoyed this story but what drew me to it was the promise of a small dragon that lives in Simons boot. He made his appearance at the end briefly. I would like to see more of him.
This is one of those stories where a boy goes to a magical wizard school, There are a lot of similarities to the Harry Potter which I liked but there are also a lot of entertaining differences as well. Simon is a likable kid in an enjoyable story. He is lucky and unlucky on alternating days, which adds some interesting twists and turns. At times the events are predictable but still enjoyable. There is also a lot of magic in the story. Our group of amateur sleuths break into the school and end up opening Simons magical crate. Inside is a coat with magical pockets and each one does something different, so cool. This one is full of Simon learning about his magical abilities that he had no idea he possessed. In the beginning when he first got to the school, he had a talking chameleon on his shoulder explaining what was happening. Simon wondeted when he would wake up.
It's a cute story with Harry Potter vibes. I just wish there was more of the boot dwelling dragon but still a cute story.
This is one of those stories where a boy goes to a magical wizard school, There are a lot of similarities to the Harry Potter which I liked but there are also a lot of entertaining differences as well. Simon is a likable kid in an enjoyable story. He is lucky and unlucky on alternating days, which adds some interesting twists and turns. At times the events are predictable but still enjoyable. There is also a lot of magic in the story. Our group of amateur sleuths break into the school and end up opening Simons magical crate. Inside is a coat with magical pockets and each one does something different, so cool. This one is full of Simon learning about his magical abilities that he had no idea he possessed. In the beginning when he first got to the school, he had a talking chameleon on his shoulder explaining what was happening. Simon wondeted when he would wake up.
It's a cute story with Harry Potter vibes. I just wish there was more of the boot dwelling dragon but still a cute story.
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