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Song of Simon
Never stop singing. Life was never sweet for Simon. He lived in suburban New York, dodging high school bullies and strumming his guitar. Things were about to get much worse. Simon is drawn into the land of Algavar, where High Priestess Teretha has imprisoned their god in amber. He falls into a holy war led by Ilyana, a renegade priestess who claims to be the Messiah. Simon agrees to accompany Ilyana on a quest to kill Teretha, and he sinks hip deep into the violence and despair that permeate Algavar. Will Simon become the hero Ilyana believes he is, or will he lose his soul in a bloody world so different from his own?
234 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2013
1 person is currently reading
408 people want to read
About the author
C.A. Sanders
4 books18 followersC. A. Sanders is a writer, teacher, and essayist. His debut novel, Song of Simon, is available in e-format and print at Damnation Books, Amazon.com, or your local bookseller. His latest release is The Watchmage of Old New York, based on his award-winning serial of the same name. It is available for preorder on Amazon now, and its official release is October 27th.
C.A has a BA in Creative Writing from SUNY New Paltz and an MA from The City College of New York. After graduating in '00, C.A. took on a variety of unique, interesting, and occasionally terrible jobs, in order to gain experience for his writing. C.A. has worked as a tarot reader, a writer/actor in a dinner theater, an ambush salesman, a non-profit solicitor, a Human Resources pencil pusher, a music journalist, a guitar instructor, a limo driver, and a Special Education teacher, to name just a few. He currently tutors and teaches creative writing.
A life long New Yorker, C. A. currently lives in the suburbs of NYC with a turtle that he has had for thirty years. He is patiently waiting for MetroNorth service in his area. He is convinced that this is the year that the Jets win the Super Bowl...he says this every year.
C.A has a BA in Creative Writing from SUNY New Paltz and an MA from The City College of New York. After graduating in '00, C.A. took on a variety of unique, interesting, and occasionally terrible jobs, in order to gain experience for his writing. C.A. has worked as a tarot reader, a writer/actor in a dinner theater, an ambush salesman, a non-profit solicitor, a Human Resources pencil pusher, a music journalist, a guitar instructor, a limo driver, and a Special Education teacher, to name just a few. He currently tutors and teaches creative writing.
A life long New Yorker, C. A. currently lives in the suburbs of NYC with a turtle that he has had for thirty years. He is patiently waiting for MetroNorth service in his area. He is convinced that this is the year that the Jets win the Super Bowl...he says this every year.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
October 7, 2015
I was attracted to this book by two things; the stringed musical instrument on the cover and the fact that the main character, Simon, comes from suburban New York. Coming from New York myself I was curious to learn about Simon’s adventures. Simon doesn’t spend a lot of time in New York; very quickly he is whisked away to a fantasy world. What a fantasy world it is! Inhabited by fascinating characters and drawn into political and religious battles, Simon develops from an uncertain teenage boy to a young man who becomes something of a folk hero in Algavar. The journey to that point is fraught with battles, creatures both good and evil, and life or death choices. The rich tapestry of the fantasy world is brought vividly to life with Sanders colorful descriptions. Some portions of the story are downright gory, but war is usually gory. Incredible characters, especially the Ratlings who terrify me, are liberally sprinkled throughout. Of course there are the “good guys” as well. Sanders does a wonderful job of mixing violence in religion and politics much like the world we currently live in. As Simon’s innocence is torn away my heart breaks for him. But his uncertain youth is left behind as he develops an incredible strength and courage as well as the wisdom to make the right choices. You may notice I have not revealed the details of the mysterious stringed instrument. I leave that to the reader to discover. For lovers of fantasy or those who simply appreciate a good, well told story, I highly recommend this book.
June 4, 2015
If you're looking for a new voice in fantasy I highly recommend C.A. Sander's Song of Simon. The world and its characters have all of the complexity and depth fantasy readers crave. I had so much fun with this novel. The humor and dialog are spot on. Every character felt authentic, and each had their own extremely colorful past and captivating motivations. Song of Simon REALLY surprised me.
Fantasy books like this make me wish I'd wake up in a different world like Simon did. Maybe not one on the brink of war but.. you know what I'm getting at! The author gives such vivid detail in his writing, the characters, the environment. This book has all the depth and quality of a seasoned, true professional so put down that lead weight of a novel that you're reading now and pick this book up!
Fantasy books like this make me wish I'd wake up in a different world like Simon did. Maybe not one on the brink of war but.. you know what I'm getting at! The author gives such vivid detail in his writing, the characters, the environment. This book has all the depth and quality of a seasoned, true professional so put down that lead weight of a novel that you're reading now and pick this book up!
June 25, 2014
I would like to start off by saying that this is a fantastic read. A great story! Told well and full of adventure and fantasy. A great book indeed.
Now, that being said, let me get on with it.
Simon is your average teenager with tons of stress all around him.
He's being bullied in school, his father was locked up in the nut house after having been a hero for 9/11, his mother is a drunk and his grandmother a religious extremist. Poor Simon can't catch a break. His only real means of escape is his guitar and his music. He resides in a New York suburb and doesn't have much of a life as per the teen mind frame.
One day Simon has an altercation with some of the bullies from his school--not at school however--and not only do they beat him up, but they toss his treasured guitar in the lake. Simon dives in after it, and that becomes the portal to another world, in seemingly another time.
In this new antiquated land Simon meets people that are nothing like the people back home. These people are medieval in their daily living, and extremely religious in their own right as well. Unbeknownst to him, Simon is caught up in a religious war. There are people against people, pitting god against god--the highest of whom is the Stag.
Simon meets people that make all sorts of life long impressions on him, and he finds himself in an emotional roller coaster that he would have never expected.
SIDE NOTE:
There are many characters in this book, so I will not mention them all.
During his time in this land, with these people Simon falls in love, loses his virginity, learns how to fight, goes to war, and most of all sings. The people of the land fall in love with Simon's talent and at every occasion possible they ask him to sing and play his martina (that is their rendition of a guitar).
So, now that you all know the premise of the book, let me go ahead and give you a break down of my thoughts. I'll start with the Cons, as those are the fewest.
CONS:
1) The Simon portrayed on the cover, looks nothing like the Simon described in the story. Simon in the story is fair skinned and red headed, as well as very thin. Also the martina depicted on the cover does not look like the one described in the book.
2) Although this work is traditionally published, I found several instances of typos and mistakes. Now, I need you to understand that they only reason I point these things out is because I use this as a tool to break the myth that traditional is better than indie. Here are a few that I noticed:
Page 13, paragraph 4, reads "He leaped over a rotting log--not even realizing it there--but tripped on the way down." There is a word missing here. It should be "...--not even realizing that it was there--..."
Page 21, paragraph 7, says "...Oren walked down the plush purple carpet, kowtowing every three steps.. He wore..." There is an extra period there. It should be "kowtowing every three steps. He wore..."
Page 22, paragraph 1, reads "... braziers'' light, it looked..." There is an extra apostrophe there.
Page 38, paragraph 1, reads "... ink thickly lined the walls He had a..." There is a period missing here.
There were several more typos/mistakes, but I'll limit it to these four. This just goes to show that no one (traditional or indie) are completely exempt of some mistakes.
3) After the war, once Simon has come too, and has realizes everything that has happened, feeling guilt and a need to make a mends he rushed off to dig through the rubble in order to find the bodies or both the dead and the survivors. Most of all, that of Ilyana. After this point the story starts approaching it's culmination.
My thoughts are that I felt as though the resolution was rushed. You see, the author took his time in weaving such a meticulous story together, with lots of details and characters and drama. So, in hurrying through the closing of the story it was almost like he did not give the story due justice in it's denouement. I believe that such a rich story deserves an equally rich finale.
PROS:
1) As I mentioned above, this is a rich story, full of emotion and drama. It's a fantastic blend of Lord of The Rings, meets the Old Testament, meets current day society. It is an amazing fantasy with tons of soul.
2) Several times I laughed out loud, just as I yelled at some characters. I also found myself talking to Simon out loud at times. This is the sign of a great book. When you are so invested that you connect with the characters and want to talk some sense into them.
SIDE NOTE:
In my opinion the funniest parts of the story were Simon's encounter with his mother who was trying to ground him and then his "song battle" with a fellow at a tavern where he sung THE MOST hilarious sung I've ever heard. I won't say too much. I don't want to spoil it for anyone.
3) The authors has a great talent for bringing each character to life, as well as the environment around them. So many times I felt as if I were right there, in the place, with the people.
4) There is some foul language in this book, but I by no means felt like it was "too much" or overbearing. On the contrary, I felt like the bad language made the people more believable.
5) This story actually has a lesson to teach. It is, that no matter what happens, no matter how ugly things get, never stop singing. This is precisely what Simon did.
All in all, Song of Simon is a great, great story and I highly recommend it.
4 Goodreads
Now, that being said, let me get on with it.
Simon is your average teenager with tons of stress all around him.
He's being bullied in school, his father was locked up in the nut house after having been a hero for 9/11, his mother is a drunk and his grandmother a religious extremist. Poor Simon can't catch a break. His only real means of escape is his guitar and his music. He resides in a New York suburb and doesn't have much of a life as per the teen mind frame.
One day Simon has an altercation with some of the bullies from his school--not at school however--and not only do they beat him up, but they toss his treasured guitar in the lake. Simon dives in after it, and that becomes the portal to another world, in seemingly another time.
In this new antiquated land Simon meets people that are nothing like the people back home. These people are medieval in their daily living, and extremely religious in their own right as well. Unbeknownst to him, Simon is caught up in a religious war. There are people against people, pitting god against god--the highest of whom is the Stag.
Simon meets people that make all sorts of life long impressions on him, and he finds himself in an emotional roller coaster that he would have never expected.
SIDE NOTE:
There are many characters in this book, so I will not mention them all.
During his time in this land, with these people Simon falls in love, loses his virginity, learns how to fight, goes to war, and most of all sings. The people of the land fall in love with Simon's talent and at every occasion possible they ask him to sing and play his martina (that is their rendition of a guitar).
So, now that you all know the premise of the book, let me go ahead and give you a break down of my thoughts. I'll start with the Cons, as those are the fewest.
CONS:
1) The Simon portrayed on the cover, looks nothing like the Simon described in the story. Simon in the story is fair skinned and red headed, as well as very thin. Also the martina depicted on the cover does not look like the one described in the book.
2) Although this work is traditionally published, I found several instances of typos and mistakes. Now, I need you to understand that they only reason I point these things out is because I use this as a tool to break the myth that traditional is better than indie. Here are a few that I noticed:
Page 13, paragraph 4, reads "He leaped over a rotting log--not even realizing it there--but tripped on the way down." There is a word missing here. It should be "...--not even realizing that it was there--..."
Page 21, paragraph 7, says "...Oren walked down the plush purple carpet, kowtowing every three steps.. He wore..." There is an extra period there. It should be "kowtowing every three steps. He wore..."
Page 22, paragraph 1, reads "... braziers'' light, it looked..." There is an extra apostrophe there.
Page 38, paragraph 1, reads "... ink thickly lined the walls He had a..." There is a period missing here.
There were several more typos/mistakes, but I'll limit it to these four. This just goes to show that no one (traditional or indie) are completely exempt of some mistakes.
3) After the war, once Simon has come too, and has realizes everything that has happened, feeling guilt and a need to make a mends he rushed off to dig through the rubble in order to find the bodies or both the dead and the survivors. Most of all, that of Ilyana. After this point the story starts approaching it's culmination.
My thoughts are that I felt as though the resolution was rushed. You see, the author took his time in weaving such a meticulous story together, with lots of details and characters and drama. So, in hurrying through the closing of the story it was almost like he did not give the story due justice in it's denouement. I believe that such a rich story deserves an equally rich finale.
PROS:
1) As I mentioned above, this is a rich story, full of emotion and drama. It's a fantastic blend of Lord of The Rings, meets the Old Testament, meets current day society. It is an amazing fantasy with tons of soul.
2) Several times I laughed out loud, just as I yelled at some characters. I also found myself talking to Simon out loud at times. This is the sign of a great book. When you are so invested that you connect with the characters and want to talk some sense into them.
SIDE NOTE:
In my opinion the funniest parts of the story were Simon's encounter with his mother who was trying to ground him and then his "song battle" with a fellow at a tavern where he sung THE MOST hilarious sung I've ever heard. I won't say too much. I don't want to spoil it for anyone.
3) The authors has a great talent for bringing each character to life, as well as the environment around them. So many times I felt as if I were right there, in the place, with the people.
4) There is some foul language in this book, but I by no means felt like it was "too much" or overbearing. On the contrary, I felt like the bad language made the people more believable.
5) This story actually has a lesson to teach. It is, that no matter what happens, no matter how ugly things get, never stop singing. This is precisely what Simon did.
All in all, Song of Simon is a great, great story and I highly recommend it.
4 Goodreads
March 24, 2014
***I received a gift copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review***
First off, if you have a weak stomach then some of the scenes in this book may make you wanna puke.... This book may be in the Fantasy genre but it so is not for the fainthearted.
C.A Sanders did not hold back when he wrote 'Song Of Simon' and oh boy, what a massive gem he wrote. I was sent this book a while back to review and I so wish I'd read it before everything else!!
When we first meet Simon, he's not the kind of guy that you'd particularly remember. By the end of the book, he's not the kind of guy that's easy to forget.
Simon becomes the target of Ray, a boy who likes to bully people. During a run in with Ray and his two friends, Simon ends up in the river and ends up in Algavar where he then finds himself being chased by some Oren. He ends up being rescued by some soldiers and from here the story really begins.
Characters: There are a multitude of characters in 'Song Of Simon'. From Simon himself to Ilyana and Teretha, the two females fighting over the Stag. From the Oren to Ratlings to the Brotherhood of Wolves. From Generals to kitchen boys. There is a big cast in this story and each prominent character really stands out in their own way.
Simon: Throughout the story he grows from a "ghost" who wishes to just blend into the background into a man who battles with his inner rage to become the hero that he is needed to be.
Lady Ilyana: A beautiful young girl who hides with her people in caverns, trying to stay out of the clutches of the Queen of Love and Beauty. A servant of the Stag, Ilyana uses gem stones (referred to as Sacred Stones) to cast her magic.
Queen Teretha: Known as the Queen of Love and Beauty, Teretha also worships the Stag. Residing in her Great Horned Tower in a place called Gil, Queen Teretha has her men hunting for Lady Ilyana who she calls the Apostate.
For me, Simon, Ilyana and Teretha are the more prominent characters with Simon being the major main character.
There are a few secondary characters who are quite prominent in their own way and for different reasons. Sir Wiktor, Jaym and General Slen being the three that I remember the most about.
Oh and there's the Old Ones. Now these guys can be friend or foe and you'd better pray they become your friend :D There's a Ghillie Dhu that Simon names Dash - I would LOVE to have a companion like him. You'll also meet a couple of Voden and they are majorly not happy if you upset them.
Storyline: I couldn't get enough of this book. Filled with music and magic, bloodshed and friendships, emotion and power, this story is pure Fantasy and it rocks. I don't want to give any spoilers but as you follow Simon on the path he's been forced to take, you'll see how much he changes and grows. Most will be able to relate to the feelings and emotions the poor guy goes through.
I found myself cheering, scowling, feeling slightly ill, aghast and so much more with each chapter.
Favourite Quote: "Dear Jesus, please don't let me shit myself" ~ Simon
When I read this, I laughed out loud and so hard, I nearly spilled my coffee!
Who would I recommend this to: Anyone aged 16+ who loves Fantasy.
'Song Of Simon' is easily in the Top Ten Fantasy books I have read in the past year. I got totally engrossed in it and was quite surprised at how some things turned out. There was parts that made my stomach churn and there was parts that brought a huge grin to my face. C.A Sanders' writing makes you feel like you are watching a very well made movie on a big screen, he draws you into Algavar and Gil that much with his descriptions.
My rating: There is no way I can give this book any less than 5 Shamrocks. It has the whole package and I well and truly loved it :D
First off, if you have a weak stomach then some of the scenes in this book may make you wanna puke.... This book may be in the Fantasy genre but it so is not for the fainthearted.
C.A Sanders did not hold back when he wrote 'Song Of Simon' and oh boy, what a massive gem he wrote. I was sent this book a while back to review and I so wish I'd read it before everything else!!
When we first meet Simon, he's not the kind of guy that you'd particularly remember. By the end of the book, he's not the kind of guy that's easy to forget.
Simon becomes the target of Ray, a boy who likes to bully people. During a run in with Ray and his two friends, Simon ends up in the river and ends up in Algavar where he then finds himself being chased by some Oren. He ends up being rescued by some soldiers and from here the story really begins.
Characters: There are a multitude of characters in 'Song Of Simon'. From Simon himself to Ilyana and Teretha, the two females fighting over the Stag. From the Oren to Ratlings to the Brotherhood of Wolves. From Generals to kitchen boys. There is a big cast in this story and each prominent character really stands out in their own way.
Simon: Throughout the story he grows from a "ghost" who wishes to just blend into the background into a man who battles with his inner rage to become the hero that he is needed to be.
Lady Ilyana: A beautiful young girl who hides with her people in caverns, trying to stay out of the clutches of the Queen of Love and Beauty. A servant of the Stag, Ilyana uses gem stones (referred to as Sacred Stones) to cast her magic.
Queen Teretha: Known as the Queen of Love and Beauty, Teretha also worships the Stag. Residing in her Great Horned Tower in a place called Gil, Queen Teretha has her men hunting for Lady Ilyana who she calls the Apostate.
For me, Simon, Ilyana and Teretha are the more prominent characters with Simon being the major main character.
There are a few secondary characters who are quite prominent in their own way and for different reasons. Sir Wiktor, Jaym and General Slen being the three that I remember the most about.
Oh and there's the Old Ones. Now these guys can be friend or foe and you'd better pray they become your friend :D There's a Ghillie Dhu that Simon names Dash - I would LOVE to have a companion like him. You'll also meet a couple of Voden and they are majorly not happy if you upset them.
Storyline: I couldn't get enough of this book. Filled with music and magic, bloodshed and friendships, emotion and power, this story is pure Fantasy and it rocks. I don't want to give any spoilers but as you follow Simon on the path he's been forced to take, you'll see how much he changes and grows. Most will be able to relate to the feelings and emotions the poor guy goes through.
I found myself cheering, scowling, feeling slightly ill, aghast and so much more with each chapter.
Favourite Quote: "Dear Jesus, please don't let me shit myself" ~ Simon
When I read this, I laughed out loud and so hard, I nearly spilled my coffee!
Who would I recommend this to: Anyone aged 16+ who loves Fantasy.
'Song Of Simon' is easily in the Top Ten Fantasy books I have read in the past year. I got totally engrossed in it and was quite surprised at how some things turned out. There was parts that made my stomach churn and there was parts that brought a huge grin to my face. C.A Sanders' writing makes you feel like you are watching a very well made movie on a big screen, he draws you into Algavar and Gil that much with his descriptions.
My rating: There is no way I can give this book any less than 5 Shamrocks. It has the whole package and I well and truly loved it :D
October 5, 2014
*A Copy of this Book Was Given To Me By The Author In Exchange For An Honest Review*
Well worth the five stars I gave it for anyone into Sword and Sorcery Fantasy.
A shy teenage boy with nothing to recommend him to you is transported to an alternate universe where he matures into a young man anyone would be proud of. Whilst he is maturing he has a series of adventures, one after another and you are privy to all his decision making, though there are times when you want to shout at him or shake him. For example he is so obviously able to be manipulated by any teenage girl with a good body and fails to realise that she may have an ulterior motive. Fortunately the girl he falls for you will approve of.
There are enough mythical creatures to fight and battle scenes to satisfy even the most bloodthirsty reader – and they are very well written: if you have a good imagination it will be like seeing a movie.
Whilst you are not left with a cliff hanger and the novel is complete in itself, it would obviously be possible for this talented author to write more for the same universe.
Review has been done in conjunction with Nerd Girl Official.
For more information regarding our reviews please visit our Fansite: www.facebook.com/NerdGirl.ng ***
Well worth the five stars I gave it for anyone into Sword and Sorcery Fantasy.
A shy teenage boy with nothing to recommend him to you is transported to an alternate universe where he matures into a young man anyone would be proud of. Whilst he is maturing he has a series of adventures, one after another and you are privy to all his decision making, though there are times when you want to shout at him or shake him. For example he is so obviously able to be manipulated by any teenage girl with a good body and fails to realise that she may have an ulterior motive. Fortunately the girl he falls for you will approve of.
There are enough mythical creatures to fight and battle scenes to satisfy even the most bloodthirsty reader – and they are very well written: if you have a good imagination it will be like seeing a movie.
Whilst you are not left with a cliff hanger and the novel is complete in itself, it would obviously be possible for this talented author to write more for the same universe.
Review has been done in conjunction with Nerd Girl Official.
For more information regarding our reviews please visit our Fansite: www.facebook.com/NerdGirl.ng ***
December 19, 2014
If you're a fan of high fantasy, then raise my score by one star. But, given that I can't even finish reading the second Lord of the Rings book, it's safe to say that I'm not a fan of the genre. In fact, I hate it. Which says a lot for C.A. Sanders' book, Song of Simon, because I did finish it. So, uh, take that, Tolkein! :) But I do have an issue with the protagonist, and it's a major one. I didn't like him. And I mean, like, throughout the entire book. I never found him likeable and was never truly interested in his storyline. He does have growth, though, so I will give the author credit for that.
Another issue I had with the book is the tone. As a writer friend of mine told me, it's like Harry Potter in the beginning and it turns into Game of Thrones, which is absolutely the case. The violence in this book is so vividly described, that you feel like you're actually right there on the battlefield. I'm most certainly not saying that's a bad thing, but it kind of throws off whatever tone this book is trying to go for. In the end, it left me a little lost.
All the same, if you like high fantasy, you'll love Song of Simon. Personally, I don't love high fantasy, hence my "it's just okay" score.
Another issue I had with the book is the tone. As a writer friend of mine told me, it's like Harry Potter in the beginning and it turns into Game of Thrones, which is absolutely the case. The violence in this book is so vividly described, that you feel like you're actually right there on the battlefield. I'm most certainly not saying that's a bad thing, but it kind of throws off whatever tone this book is trying to go for. In the end, it left me a little lost.
All the same, if you like high fantasy, you'll love Song of Simon. Personally, I don't love high fantasy, hence my "it's just okay" score.
August 28, 2014
I was familiar with the author's work on "The Watchmage of New York", and received an e-copy of "Song of Simon" from the author in exchange for an honest review.
There are just a few books that I can say grabbed a hold of me and didn't let go. I started and finished this book in just a couple of days. Every time that I put my phone down (which I use as an e-reader), I felt compelled to pick it back up and keep reading.
The detail that the author puts into this new world is deep and thorough. The main characters are well developed, and some of the minor characters are better developed than what is seen in most novels. The story is well written and the end leaves plenty of ideas for potential sequels, which I will look forward to reading.
Well done, C.A. Sanders!
There are just a few books that I can say grabbed a hold of me and didn't let go. I started and finished this book in just a couple of days. Every time that I put my phone down (which I use as an e-reader), I felt compelled to pick it back up and keep reading.
The detail that the author puts into this new world is deep and thorough. The main characters are well developed, and some of the minor characters are better developed than what is seen in most novels. The story is well written and the end leaves plenty of ideas for potential sequels, which I will look forward to reading.
Well done, C.A. Sanders!
February 23, 2018
This is a tough one for me.
I pick up a fantasy book with over a dozen five-star ratings and an average over 4.5 and there's obvious expectations. The book has a great description and I was drawn to it because 1) my name is Simon, 2) I'm a musician, 3) I'm a prolific fantasy reader, and 4) I write fantasy. I had high hopes and opened up the book to take me on a new adventure.
Here's the good:
The premise and plot are grand and well thought out. A lot of research went into this work and it shows. Basically, a New York teen with problems of his own is thrust into another world waging a religious war. Through the journey, Simon develops into a sort of hero. The Gore is real, the creatures vivid. All the action and vision is there, along with the intrigue.
But now the bad:
From page one, I struggled to get into it and once I forced myself forward I felt the book took some veers off-course.
Firstly, it goes from a YA-type read to a violent, grotesque gore-fest with a Game of Thrones-type narrative without the depth, and it's far from smooth in transition.
Then there's the telling. Rather than participating in the events I'm having them explained to me.
The worst aspect of the book was the lack of editing. I'm not a stickler for typos - every book has them, especially in a lengthy epic - but the entire book needs a purge, and I'm talking developmental editing as well as a serious grammar brow-beating. In one paragraph alone I had to bear the name 'Simon' used seven times. On one page all but two sentences started with either 'he' or 'Simon.' The repetition got to be a big distraction and I reached a point where the book no longer pulled me along in an engaged manner.
That's the really tough part here. Song of Simon has so much to it, so much adventure and world-building and plot that is epic in scope but I can't agree with the other ratings on this one. Three stars is as good as it gets.
I pick up a fantasy book with over a dozen five-star ratings and an average over 4.5 and there's obvious expectations. The book has a great description and I was drawn to it because 1) my name is Simon, 2) I'm a musician, 3) I'm a prolific fantasy reader, and 4) I write fantasy. I had high hopes and opened up the book to take me on a new adventure.
Here's the good:
The premise and plot are grand and well thought out. A lot of research went into this work and it shows. Basically, a New York teen with problems of his own is thrust into another world waging a religious war. Through the journey, Simon develops into a sort of hero. The Gore is real, the creatures vivid. All the action and vision is there, along with the intrigue.
But now the bad:
From page one, I struggled to get into it and once I forced myself forward I felt the book took some veers off-course.
Firstly, it goes from a YA-type read to a violent, grotesque gore-fest with a Game of Thrones-type narrative without the depth, and it's far from smooth in transition.
Then there's the telling. Rather than participating in the events I'm having them explained to me.
The worst aspect of the book was the lack of editing. I'm not a stickler for typos - every book has them, especially in a lengthy epic - but the entire book needs a purge, and I'm talking developmental editing as well as a serious grammar brow-beating. In one paragraph alone I had to bear the name 'Simon' used seven times. On one page all but two sentences started with either 'he' or 'Simon.' The repetition got to be a big distraction and I reached a point where the book no longer pulled me along in an engaged manner.
That's the really tough part here. Song of Simon has so much to it, so much adventure and world-building and plot that is epic in scope but I can't agree with the other ratings on this one. Three stars is as good as it gets.
July 18, 2018
I already have read one book by this author so far, and found it quite enjoyable. Just as in his other book, the story in Song of Simon does not disappoint! Sanders proves he is very good at description as well as fleshing out his main characters, Simon, especially. In this book, there are a lot of characters, so I wish he had stuck with Simon's perspective and maybe one other. That would be the only concern I have with this book, and I did read that this was his first published novel. Otherwise, it is a very suspenseful fantasy, and Simon, the main character, is quite appealing and believable. The parallel world (or is it alternate world) Sanders created here is very fascinating. It was easy to stay up late reading just to find out what would happen next. I would definitely read more of his work!
June 25, 2014
Song of Simon began as a slow read for me. I could relate to Simon as an outcast sort of character with a terrible home life but I found it hard to like him much. It wasn’t until Simon is “drawn into the land of Algavar” that my attention was truly engaged.
The world Simon is delivered unto is one of impressive depth and breadth. Sanders has spent considerable time in his world building, giving us a world populated by at least four religions, human and non-human populations, as well as mythical beings known as the Old Ones. Algavar’s history is vivid in Sanders’ writing, his intimate familiarity with back story and events leading up to Simon’s introduction into the story more than apparent. He gives us a fully articulated world through which he puts Simon, a musically inclined young man reluctant to embrace what sets him apart, through his developmental paces.
Sanders’ attention to detail is exquisite, his imaginative take on the genre most appreciated. Song of Simon is a story worth reading and thanking Sanders’ for sharing it.
Some positive notable mentions:
• The cover art for the book is excellent and sets the scene and tone of expectation perfectly.
• I was enchanted by the Old Gods and what other stories Sanders may have to offer, if any, revolving around this aspect of his wonderfully imagined, designed and executed world. The Ghillie Dhu, Dash, the Voden, the Grugach, the Stag, Salmon, Wolf and others were the highlight of the book for me. The Ratlings are probably the most gruesome foe I’ve ever encountered in a story – one I never hope to encounter again. The Wolfbrothers come in a close second. *primal shudder* Simon’s story, his musicality and use of it was wonderful but I’d love to plunge deeper into Algavar itself.
Some negative notables:
The text frequently changes tense. For instance:
• Page 6: Iris returned to her bottle, leaving Simon on the bed, tears welling in his eyes. She has not spoken to him since. (Should be “She had not spoken to him since.”)
This happens in quite a few more places so Sanders is encouraged to have an editor take a another look for tense consistency.
There are also a few places where the scene changes but there are no indicators.
Example:
Page 37 into 38:
Murosa twitched her whiskers. “We will tell the Orens.”
Balensis frowned, but Murosa continued. “Then we raid the farm.
They are ours to take.”
Balensis and Murosa disappeared into the darkness. (scene cut should be here)
A bruised Simon found his way to Gibron’s chambers. They were larger than Simon figured. Dusty books and empty pots of ink thickly lined the walls (missing period) He had a crudely-built desk stacked with more books and a simple bed in the corner. For the most part, everything was up against a wall. There was a large amount of room in the center, carpeted with wooden lattice.
Page 159:
Slen returned to his quarters. He hoped that the Queen of Love and Beauty contacted him soon. He finally had some good news. (scene cut indicator should be here)
With Ilyana awake again, the travelers were once again ready to travel.
Page 159:
Murosa was ready for more blood. (scene cut should be here)
Jaym opened his eyes and stared at the darkened ceiling. It was the dead of night, and the only light came from the fire barely burning in the hearth.
General editing misses:
Page 94:
The trio continued to follow the River Tadish to the west. They were about four days east of the frontier town of Solitude, where they could rest, resupply, and find some Most considered Solitude the border where the civilized lands of Gil ended and the wild lands began. (Incomplete sentence: what do they find?)
Page 144:
He landed nimbly onto the flat campsite and drew a dagger. He was all shadows and breeze, creepy closer to the furred bodies lying around the flyer. (creeping closer)
Page 296:
“I’ve killed so many people, Dash,” he said one day. “I’ve cut them and stabbed them and I blew up a freakin’ god on them. Everywhere I go I bring destruction. I just want to be left along.” (alone)
Page 301:
Lara, the girl he gave his innocence too. (to)
Song of Simon earns a rating of 4 stars out of 5. I enjoyed the book a great deal but the editing misses were enough to detract from the story.
The world Simon is delivered unto is one of impressive depth and breadth. Sanders has spent considerable time in his world building, giving us a world populated by at least four religions, human and non-human populations, as well as mythical beings known as the Old Ones. Algavar’s history is vivid in Sanders’ writing, his intimate familiarity with back story and events leading up to Simon’s introduction into the story more than apparent. He gives us a fully articulated world through which he puts Simon, a musically inclined young man reluctant to embrace what sets him apart, through his developmental paces.
Sanders’ attention to detail is exquisite, his imaginative take on the genre most appreciated. Song of Simon is a story worth reading and thanking Sanders’ for sharing it.
Some positive notable mentions:
• The cover art for the book is excellent and sets the scene and tone of expectation perfectly.
• I was enchanted by the Old Gods and what other stories Sanders may have to offer, if any, revolving around this aspect of his wonderfully imagined, designed and executed world. The Ghillie Dhu, Dash, the Voden, the Grugach, the Stag, Salmon, Wolf and others were the highlight of the book for me. The Ratlings are probably the most gruesome foe I’ve ever encountered in a story – one I never hope to encounter again. The Wolfbrothers come in a close second. *primal shudder* Simon’s story, his musicality and use of it was wonderful but I’d love to plunge deeper into Algavar itself.
Some negative notables:
The text frequently changes tense. For instance:
• Page 6: Iris returned to her bottle, leaving Simon on the bed, tears welling in his eyes. She has not spoken to him since. (Should be “She had not spoken to him since.”)
This happens in quite a few more places so Sanders is encouraged to have an editor take a another look for tense consistency.
There are also a few places where the scene changes but there are no indicators.
Example:
Page 37 into 38:
Murosa twitched her whiskers. “We will tell the Orens.”
Balensis frowned, but Murosa continued. “Then we raid the farm.
They are ours to take.”
Balensis and Murosa disappeared into the darkness. (scene cut should be here)
A bruised Simon found his way to Gibron’s chambers. They were larger than Simon figured. Dusty books and empty pots of ink thickly lined the walls (missing period) He had a crudely-built desk stacked with more books and a simple bed in the corner. For the most part, everything was up against a wall. There was a large amount of room in the center, carpeted with wooden lattice.
Page 159:
Slen returned to his quarters. He hoped that the Queen of Love and Beauty contacted him soon. He finally had some good news. (scene cut indicator should be here)
With Ilyana awake again, the travelers were once again ready to travel.
Page 159:
Murosa was ready for more blood. (scene cut should be here)
Jaym opened his eyes and stared at the darkened ceiling. It was the dead of night, and the only light came from the fire barely burning in the hearth.
General editing misses:
Page 94:
The trio continued to follow the River Tadish to the west. They were about four days east of the frontier town of Solitude, where they could rest, resupply, and find some Most considered Solitude the border where the civilized lands of Gil ended and the wild lands began. (Incomplete sentence: what do they find?)
Page 144:
He landed nimbly onto the flat campsite and drew a dagger. He was all shadows and breeze, creepy closer to the furred bodies lying around the flyer. (creeping closer)
Page 296:
“I’ve killed so many people, Dash,” he said one day. “I’ve cut them and stabbed them and I blew up a freakin’ god on them. Everywhere I go I bring destruction. I just want to be left along.” (alone)
Page 301:
Lara, the girl he gave his innocence too. (to)
Song of Simon earns a rating of 4 stars out of 5. I enjoyed the book a great deal but the editing misses were enough to detract from the story.
January 26, 2014
A fantasy tale unlike any other!
Reads like you are watching a movie. A very exciting movie! I honestly loved this book. It wasn't until 85% into the book that I actually put it down. It took me a good two weeks to pick it back up after that. I want to say that it was life, but it was more than likely my disliking of an extremely short scene that brought everything from rage to sorrow bubbling to my surface. (There are very few things that will invoke that in me.) Outside of that there was no real issues with the novel. It was gritty and real, which is a nice change of pace. All things considered it was an outstanding book. Be warned, there isn't pages of cupcakes, unicorns and worry free friendships. Its in your face and doesn't hold back. If you like your fantasy novels with a YA feel, but none of the YA content, this book is for you and worth every penny!
*** The reason I gave it four stars instead of five was very personal. One it was due to constant swearing, and I'm not fond of reading books full of cursing. It's a personal preference. The other is because of the one scene.I'm sure anyone but me would have rated five stares, and I know it deserves it. But it was just my honest opinion. ****
A wonderful story none the less!!!
Reads like you are watching a movie. A very exciting movie! I honestly loved this book. It wasn't until 85% into the book that I actually put it down. It took me a good two weeks to pick it back up after that. I want to say that it was life, but it was more than likely my disliking of an extremely short scene that brought everything from rage to sorrow bubbling to my surface. (There are very few things that will invoke that in me.) Outside of that there was no real issues with the novel. It was gritty and real, which is a nice change of pace. All things considered it was an outstanding book. Be warned, there isn't pages of cupcakes, unicorns and worry free friendships. Its in your face and doesn't hold back. If you like your fantasy novels with a YA feel, but none of the YA content, this book is for you and worth every penny!
*** The reason I gave it four stars instead of five was very personal. One it was due to constant swearing, and I'm not fond of reading books full of cursing. It's a personal preference. The other is because of the one scene.I'm sure anyone but me would have rated five stares, and I know it deserves it. But it was just my honest opinion. ****
A wonderful story none the less!!!
June 25, 2014
Vividly extraordinary!
Simon’s life is kind of desolate. Some is by choice and some is not. He finds his comfort in his music—a talent he encompassed at a young age. Simon misses his father who has been sent away. His mother punishes him with weeks of silence until an accident transforms the world around Simon. Lost in a land of swords and knights, queens and magic; Simon has no choice but to adapt—and fast.
Simon fights from the moment his feet hit the ground. He runs and finds shelter. His trainer’s methods are harsh but effective. Simon’s world brightens a bit more when an instrument is placed in his hands. Only it’s not his only instrument. His mere presence sets forth a new history and an uprising against a tyrant that saw fit to enslave a god.
With fearsome creatures and magical entities Song of Simon was a perfect whimsical adventure. Simon is a very deep character and his evolution is a story in and of itself. The imagery is perfect: descriptive without being drawn out. This is a book that is hard to put down and you’ll find yourself laughing aloud and biting your nails in anticipation. Simon’s tenacity is second only to his principals. His inspiration reminds us all to “never stop singing”.
Simon’s life is kind of desolate. Some is by choice and some is not. He finds his comfort in his music—a talent he encompassed at a young age. Simon misses his father who has been sent away. His mother punishes him with weeks of silence until an accident transforms the world around Simon. Lost in a land of swords and knights, queens and magic; Simon has no choice but to adapt—and fast.
Simon fights from the moment his feet hit the ground. He runs and finds shelter. His trainer’s methods are harsh but effective. Simon’s world brightens a bit more when an instrument is placed in his hands. Only it’s not his only instrument. His mere presence sets forth a new history and an uprising against a tyrant that saw fit to enslave a god.
With fearsome creatures and magical entities Song of Simon was a perfect whimsical adventure. Simon is a very deep character and his evolution is a story in and of itself. The imagery is perfect: descriptive without being drawn out. This is a book that is hard to put down and you’ll find yourself laughing aloud and biting your nails in anticipation. Simon’s tenacity is second only to his principals. His inspiration reminds us all to “never stop singing”.
November 20, 2013
C A Sanders takes you on an exciting adventure. Simon, a teenage boy, is taken from our world and transferred to an alternate world where a religious war is in full swing. Simon is taught to use a sword and given a quest to kill the Queen of Love and Beauty. HIs adventures lead him into taking perilous paths. Along the way, Simon learns about this new world, and the war he is now involved in.
With a God helping him, through different mystical creatures, Simon still has a daunting task ahead of him. He must somehow free The Stag from imprisonment.
"When we're on the road, I need to know that I can turn my back to you and you'll guard it and not falter."
"You will see, Simon Kale. You will do what needs to be done, because that is your nature. you have the hero's mark on you - you were born to serve, and to serve is to suffer."
With a God helping him, through different mystical creatures, Simon still has a daunting task ahead of him. He must somehow free The Stag from imprisonment.
"When we're on the road, I need to know that I can turn my back to you and you'll guard it and not falter."
"You will see, Simon Kale. You will do what needs to be done, because that is your nature. you have the hero's mark on you - you were born to serve, and to serve is to suffer."
January 2, 2015
This book seemed to really drag until the last couple of chapters. It was really hard to relate to any of the characters or develop a liking to most due to the number of new characters thrown at you which had an effect on their behavior which then affected your liking or dislike of any of the other characters. I think the main character needed to struggle a bit more and seemed too comfortable in a strange world that was so different from his own. He did struggle later on but that just made his character seem less credible because of that. I do enjoy and have read many high fantasy novels, but this one just seemed to drag on and on and hard to get to the cannot put it down and must finish it point. It never takes me this long to finish a book normally. I received this book for free from the author in exchange for an honest review.
November 12, 2013
Song of Simon is a cut above the standard sword & sorcery novel. C.A. Sanders takes an underdog teenager and throws him into the middle of a religious war in an alternate universe. He then explores, with care, a modern reaction to the violence and brutality of the battlefield, which is so ubiquitous in seemingly every fantasy novel. Soldiers hack and slash, but how do they view the enemy and themselves? Are evil queens always one dimensional, or is there an emotional subtext that drives them? I look forward to future works from this author, he knows his stuff when it comes to adventure and fantasy, but he also invites the reader to take a step back and really look at the fantasy genre through a different prism.
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