Review & Giveaway, STA #3, The War against Love ~ '

" Prepare, Simon. This is no school exercise. It is a fight for your life."
Attacked in New York City by vicious members of the Nazi magicians' cabal Gott im Himmel, Simon and Goldberry are drawn into a deadly war that could destroy them both. As they travel across Europe with their mentor Dr. Solomon Archer, the young wizards must survive vicious foe after vicious foe. There is no time for love… but how can Simon resist the tempestuous beauty Ana Vorkina, daughter of the all-powerful Arch-Mage of Prague? And even if he can win her heart, will the ferocious threats they face drive them apart?

A majestic epic of bittersweet romance and bone-crunching blood-feud -- filled with horrendous shocks, stunning revelations, remorseless villains, ghosts, monsters, elementals, and devastating loss -- The War Against Love is a magical epic for the 21st century. *amazon.com*

This latest installment in The School of the Ages series hits the ground running! Simon and Goldberry both face life threatening situations from the very start. Posner shares more of the history for Simon and his family as well as the Tinker's and Archer's families and connection. We find new friends as well as new enemies, all the while getting more in depth with some of the other characters we've come to know and love. Corby Crow is sarcastic as ever, Avery kicks some serious ass and Robbie shows his "romantic" side.

In a fight for their lives Simon and Goldberry, along with their friends and teachers, must face off against their most formidable adversary yet. When the threat is revealed friendship and trust are tested, lives are lost and changed, forever. When the dust settles who will be left standing? Will the sacrafices that are made along the way be worth it in the end?

What I love most about Posners writing is his ability to bring so many diverse characters, cultures and beliefs together in his story and make them all realistic and relatable.

I have described this series in the past as Harry Potter but, not. The magic is mind/body/soul not with wands but Simon, much like Harry, is very young and brilliant; and forced into dark situations with dire consequences, putting not only his life but the lives of his family and friends at stake. Recently reading another review for this series I saw it described as YA LOTR.. I'd have to agree with this summation as well. I was reminded of a line from LOTR while reading this book "Courage Merry, Courage for ourselves, Courage for our friends." It could have been a line for Simon and Dr. Archer.

I give this book 5/5; another success from Posner! If you liked Harry Potter and Lord Of The Rings, you are bound to love this series as well. But that's just my two cents................

It's been a couple months since I last chatted with Mr. Posner so I had a few quick questions for him, here is my quick Q&A with Matt Posner (giveaway details to follow).

*For those not familiar with your series, The School of the Ages, can you give a brief synopsis.

The School of the Ages series is about Simon, a melting-pot sort of kid who is one-quarter Asian Indian. He attends a magic school in New York City which is also an eclectic mix of cultures and faiths, including a cabala school whose students are mostly Chasidic Jews. The series focuses on a rich cast of diverse characters, on the use of real places and real-world events as the backdrop for the very personal story of Simon and his friends growing up. I also write a lot of romance into these books, with multiple romantic conflicts in every title. The series has been described as very dark compared to other urban fantasies featuring magic students. I have a tendency to kill characters who don't deserve to die. Simon is haunted by bad memories and bad people. Book three, which you are reviewing along with this interview, has a serial killer and a lot of Nazis who aren't shy with the anti-Semitic remarks.

*What has been the most interesting comment/review for The Ghost in the Crystal?

I was pleased to get a good review from the great Piers Anthony, whose work I devoured when I was growing up. The review in on his website and duplicated in the FAQ section of mine.

*What is involved in your daily writing process? Playlist; Routine; certain authors or movies that you view for research?

I have a playlist I update frequently which I play on my iPod as I commute to and from work. I also do research this way using iTunesU. The music on the playlist is inspirational and works as a soundtrack for me. The latest addition to this is "Love is Blindness" -- the version by Jack White which I heard on The Great Gatsby trailer. (The original is by U2.) I generally write in notebooks and then type them up. I've talked about authors who inspire me in the past, and the list is large. Tolkien, Austen, Gaiman,and Colin Wilson are usually at the top of my list. Lately, I've also been thinking about the influence upon me of the Bronte sisters and of David and Leigh Eddings. These days, though, I just read indie authors. I have over fifty unread indie books on my Kindle right now (sigh).

*What book are you currently reading?

Right now I have just finished Katarina the Dragon slayer and the Foebreaker's Curse by Sam Medina. Then I think I will take on some combination of Eight Days in Washington by Andre Jute, Alice Parker and the Mind Magician by Nicola Palmer, and The Time Heiress by Georgina Young-Ellis.

*What's next for Simon?

Simon is going to India in book four. He will face Rakshasas and meet characters from Hindu mythology.

Up for grabs for 2 lucky winners is a signed page from the Author's copy of The War against Love; 1 lucky winner a Crystal Necklace compliments of Rhonda @ Crazy Creations. This giveaway is NOT International.

Check out all Posner's published works via Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Matt-Posner/e/B005HA0J0E/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1347134826&sr=1-2-ent
Check out Posner's website: http://schooloftheages.webs.com/
Check out Posner's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/schooloftheages

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