What do you think?
Rate this book
AKA Simon Lee #1
Phantom Thief
Lee is known as many things. A con artist, master thief and most times smarter than anyone else in the room. One thing he'll never be, is normal. He never has been, nor will he ever be. That's why the agency needs his help, and that's why he'll give it to them, but that doesn't mean he doesn't have his own plans too.
Joining up with the team that arrested him won't be easy, but he'll do anything to bring down the man who ruined his life. After he's worn so many faces, how does he really know who he is underneath?
Some teenagers have hobbies, his is crime.
Joining up with the team that arrested him won't be easy, but he'll do anything to bring down the man who ruined his life. After he's worn so many faces, how does he really know who he is underneath?
Some teenagers have hobbies, his is crime.
Unknown Binding
First published September 1, 2019
3 people are currently reading
77 people want to read
About the author
P.D. Atkerson
63 books111 followersP.D. Atkerson is a homeschooled writer, living in Montana, who may or may not be a secret agent. She spends almost as much time in the worlds she creates as she does the real one.
When she’s not reporting the stories of her agents, she’s learning different languages, or traveling to different worlds through the portals of books.
She has a black belt in sarcasm and a master’s degree in useless facts.
If you're interested in reading any of her books for an honest review, just fill out the form here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FA...
When she’s not reporting the stories of her agents, she’s learning different languages, or traveling to different worlds through the portals of books.
She has a black belt in sarcasm and a master’s degree in useless facts.
If you're interested in reading any of her books for an honest review, just fill out the form here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FA...
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
September 11, 2025
Today (September 11th 2025) through Sunday this book is free on Amazon.
For those of you that might be interested, I'm always looking for honest review, and if you fill out this form, I'll send you a PDF of the Phantom Thief: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FA...
For fans of the AKA Simon Lee book series, I just added a special spot on my blog just for you! Check it out, and if you haven't read the Christmas Hostage yet, you can earn the security clearance to read it for free!
https://pdatkerson.blogspot.com/p/top...
Buy the book here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07...
Find Pinterest board here: https://www.pinterest.com/PDAtkerson/...
For those of you that might be interested, I'm always looking for honest review, and if you fill out this form, I'll send you a PDF of the Phantom Thief: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FA...
For fans of the AKA Simon Lee book series, I just added a special spot on my blog just for you! Check it out, and if you haven't read the Christmas Hostage yet, you can earn the security clearance to read it for free!
https://pdatkerson.blogspot.com/p/top...
Buy the book here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07...
Find Pinterest board here: https://www.pinterest.com/PDAtkerson/...
January 4, 2024
5 stars & 5/10 hearts. Wow. This is so not my type of book but I was so hooked! From page one I couldn’t put it down. The banter was seriously amazing and so, so hilarious. I bet I highlighted 75% or more of the book, haha! Knowing as I did before I went in that the writing was rough and needed editing, it didn't bother me. There were some euphemisms, also Lee is somewhat disrespectful to people but with the way they treat him I kind of understand why, even though I don’t agree with it. Because of his attitude I recommend it for kids older than 16, or at least mature/steady enough not to be influenced by him. The plot was intriguing. I think it did a good job of explaining stuff while still keeping some things under wraps. I was somewhat confused at times but I read so fast that it’s no wonder! I liked Lee and I really liked Winfield. And I am SO eager to read the next book in the series!
A Favourite Humorous Quote: Lee fake screamed and rolled his seat back away from him. ‘Am I going to have to worry about my life the whole time I’m working with you?’ he asked Winfield. ‘Because if I am, it won’t be any better than prison.’
Winfield let out a sigh. This might be worse than babysitting two-year-olds. ‘I promise you, no one on this team is going to kill you. I won’t promise they won’t want to, I’m pretty sure most of them already do. You’ll be perfectly safe with us, as long as you do what you’re told and stay out of trouble.’
Lee sighed dramatically. ‘Alright. I guess that will have to do, for now. But if I die, I promise to haunt you until the day you die. Maybe even after, who knows how it works?’
‘I think I can live with that,’ Winfield said. ‘It wouldn’t be that much different than when you’re living.’
———
2021 review: So I was super bored and needed something quick and light and fun to read so I thought I’d try rereading this series and by page 2 I was hooked all over again. Did I stay up till past 1 AM to finish the book? Yes, yes I did. It’s even better with rereading. #IWuvsWinfield
A Favourite Humorous Quote: Lee fake screamed and rolled his seat back away from him. ‘Am I going to have to worry about my life the whole time I’m working with you?’ he asked Winfield. ‘Because if I am, it won’t be any better than prison.’
Winfield let out a sigh. This might be worse than babysitting two-year-olds. ‘I promise you, no one on this team is going to kill you. I won’t promise they won’t want to, I’m pretty sure most of them already do. You’ll be perfectly safe with us, as long as you do what you’re told and stay out of trouble.’
Lee sighed dramatically. ‘Alright. I guess that will have to do, for now. But if I die, I promise to haunt you until the day you die. Maybe even after, who knows how it works?’
‘I think I can live with that,’ Winfield said. ‘It wouldn’t be that much different than when you’re living.’
———
2021 review: So I was super bored and needed something quick and light and fun to read so I thought I’d try rereading this series and by page 2 I was hooked all over again. Did I stay up till past 1 AM to finish the book? Yes, yes I did. It’s even better with rereading. #IWuvsWinfield
February 8, 2022
I really enjoyed this a lot! My advice to anyone thinking about reading this is to pay attention, there are a lot of small comments that explain so much if you pay attention. I had read someone's review where they said they were confused so I paid extra attention. I didn't find it that confusing, honestly, I think I was just as confused as the characters in the book which to me means I was supposed to be...lol...there was an air of mystery about the book and I loved that!
Lee is super sarcastic, but I liked his character and he was pretty funny most of the time. I do think he should have a least been skinned by a bullet or something because in one scene several guys were shooting at him and none of them hit him....so having him a least get skinned or hit in a nonvital spot would have made it a little more believable. But overall I have no other complaints!
I loved the ending! It was a twist I had started unraveling about halfway through the book and it was great! I loved how Lee was always way ahead of me in everything, you could tell he was crazy smart. I really enjoyed this book!
Lee is super sarcastic, but I liked his character and he was pretty funny most of the time. I do think he should have a least been skinned by a bullet or something because in one scene several guys were shooting at him and none of them hit him....so having him a least get skinned or hit in a nonvital spot would have made it a little more believable. But overall I have no other complaints!
I loved the ending! It was a twist I had started unraveling about halfway through the book and it was great! I loved how Lee was always way ahead of me in everything, you could tell he was crazy smart. I really enjoyed this book!
August 9, 2021
It has been a long time since I walked away from a book and said, “Boy, that was fun!” I guess I’ve been reading a lot of subpar fiction and a lot of heavy stuff recently—I don’t know.
All I know is that Phantom Thief was indeed fun. Action-packed, suspenseful, wild, and fun. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and that kind of nail-biting, thrilling experience trumps any qualms, if you ask me.
I will just throw it out there that there were some typos and errors, but they didn’t detract from the story. (And I’m a fine person to critique typos, am I right?) One thing that did make my reading a little slow was that it was written from a more omniscient perspective, so I did a few double-takes to try and figure out who was talking and when. The writing style was kind of hard to follow at times, but once I got into the story (which occurred when I discovered that I can actually read PDFs on my Kindle) I couldn’t get out!
I guess you’d classify this as a YA spy thriller/suspense...in which case, this was a first time for me. Definitely not my usual historical romance, right?
But I have a secret affinity for fiction like this. I know, you couldn’t tell it by looking at me, could ya? Well, it’s true.
Anyway, the characters were all so amazing—from Lee (of course) to Winfield to the rest of the gang—and, y’all, the banter! The sarcasm! Those moments where you’re just casually reading and all of a sudden a laugh bursts out of nowhere and you’re trying to keep your mouth shut so that nobody looks at you like you’re weird, but you end up choking on your laugh and getting looked at anyway. You know those moments, don’t you? (Tell me I’m not the only one!)
Yeah, there were a lot of those in this book.
There were also a TON of plot twists. Y’ALL, THE TWISTS!
Atkerson did such a great job at weaving those twists in throughout the story, so that I never detected anything until it was revealed and I just marvel at how I didn’t notice it before! Gotta love a twist that catches you by surprise and then makes you feel like an idiot because it was there the whole time and you never picked up on it. (I totally got the deal with Winfield on, like, Chapter 3, though. It was everybody else who had me fooled.)
Another thing, the way the story flowed was way different than anything else I’ve ever read—mainly because this isn’t my usual genre…but also because of how many different turns the story took. I guess you could say it read like a pantsed novel—as a pantser myself, I could see how Phantom Thief unfolded a lot like some of my own stories. Now, I may be wrong—it could’ve been plotted—but that’s the vibe I got.
It was kind of slow in the beginning, picked up in the middle, and then just brought out all the stops toward the end. Plus, I started reading it much faster once I sent it to my Kindle. (Yeah, yeah, I’m one of those dummies who didn’t realize PDFs could be emailed to and read on a Kindle. Cut me some slack, will ya? I’m not tech savvy.) So, yes, that made a difference.
Needless to say, if you can make it through the beginning—and I have no doubt you can; Lee’s snark is showcased in the first couple chapters perfectly—you will breeze through this story!
Obviously, there were some elements that seemed unrealistic—about as realistic as a book about a fifteen-year-old genius thief who could break into the Pentagon while munching on a Pop Tart could possibly be—but it wasn’t written in an unrealistic way. Make sense? You find yourself buying the whole thing (and wondering if your next-door neighbor is secretly an evil mastermind) and getting so immersed in the story that it starts playing in your head like a movie. Mark of a great novel, am I right?
I’m right.
So let me just stop with all my nonsensical rambling and tell you that Phantom Thief will without a doubt be one of the funnest reading experiences you’ll go through. On top of that, you’ll come to love Lee so much that you’ll be on the edge of your seat, waiting to read the next installment of his story!
Seriously, I love that kid. He’s something else, lemme tell ya.
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. All opinions expressed are my own.
All I know is that Phantom Thief was indeed fun. Action-packed, suspenseful, wild, and fun. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and that kind of nail-biting, thrilling experience trumps any qualms, if you ask me.
I will just throw it out there that there were some typos and errors, but they didn’t detract from the story. (And I’m a fine person to critique typos, am I right?) One thing that did make my reading a little slow was that it was written from a more omniscient perspective, so I did a few double-takes to try and figure out who was talking and when. The writing style was kind of hard to follow at times, but once I got into the story (which occurred when I discovered that I can actually read PDFs on my Kindle) I couldn’t get out!
I guess you’d classify this as a YA spy thriller/suspense...in which case, this was a first time for me. Definitely not my usual historical romance, right?
But I have a secret affinity for fiction like this. I know, you couldn’t tell it by looking at me, could ya? Well, it’s true.
Anyway, the characters were all so amazing—from Lee (of course) to Winfield to the rest of the gang—and, y’all, the banter! The sarcasm! Those moments where you’re just casually reading and all of a sudden a laugh bursts out of nowhere and you’re trying to keep your mouth shut so that nobody looks at you like you’re weird, but you end up choking on your laugh and getting looked at anyway. You know those moments, don’t you? (Tell me I’m not the only one!)
Yeah, there were a lot of those in this book.
There were also a TON of plot twists. Y’ALL, THE TWISTS!
Atkerson did such a great job at weaving those twists in throughout the story, so that I never detected anything until it was revealed and I just marvel at how I didn’t notice it before! Gotta love a twist that catches you by surprise and then makes you feel like an idiot because it was there the whole time and you never picked up on it. (I totally got the deal with Winfield on, like, Chapter 3, though. It was everybody else who had me fooled.)
Another thing, the way the story flowed was way different than anything else I’ve ever read—mainly because this isn’t my usual genre…but also because of how many different turns the story took. I guess you could say it read like a pantsed novel—as a pantser myself, I could see how Phantom Thief unfolded a lot like some of my own stories. Now, I may be wrong—it could’ve been plotted—but that’s the vibe I got.
It was kind of slow in the beginning, picked up in the middle, and then just brought out all the stops toward the end. Plus, I started reading it much faster once I sent it to my Kindle. (Yeah, yeah, I’m one of those dummies who didn’t realize PDFs could be emailed to and read on a Kindle. Cut me some slack, will ya? I’m not tech savvy.) So, yes, that made a difference.
Needless to say, if you can make it through the beginning—and I have no doubt you can; Lee’s snark is showcased in the first couple chapters perfectly—you will breeze through this story!
Obviously, there were some elements that seemed unrealistic—about as realistic as a book about a fifteen-year-old genius thief who could break into the Pentagon while munching on a Pop Tart could possibly be—but it wasn’t written in an unrealistic way. Make sense? You find yourself buying the whole thing (and wondering if your next-door neighbor is secretly an evil mastermind) and getting so immersed in the story that it starts playing in your head like a movie. Mark of a great novel, am I right?
I’m right.
So let me just stop with all my nonsensical rambling and tell you that Phantom Thief will without a doubt be one of the funnest reading experiences you’ll go through. On top of that, you’ll come to love Lee so much that you’ll be on the edge of your seat, waiting to read the next installment of his story!
Seriously, I love that kid. He’s something else, lemme tell ya.
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. All opinions expressed are my own.
January 1, 2022
Short, fast paced, and filled with intrigue
I had a few minor dislikes -mostly the childish bickering-, but overall, it's a fun ride with exciting twists and turns. I would continue this series. :)
I had a few minor dislikes -mostly the childish bickering-, but overall, it's a fun ride with exciting twists and turns. I would continue this series. :)
July 22, 2020
This book had a slow start and was a little hard to get in to but I am so glad I stuck with it! I was surprised just how intense it turned out to be! I loved the characters, especially "Phantom Thief". By the time I got midway through it I was having a hard time putting it down and when I got to the end... Let's just say I'm ready to start the second one!!😄
January 2, 2022
Wow, was this one action-packed ride! I've been meaning to read P.D. Atkerson's books for a long time now, and I'm so glad I got the chance to read this one.
Characters: Okay, can we just talk about Simon Lee? (I'm going to call him Lee, because that's how I think of him.) This kid was hilarious. The sarcasm was so intense, and I loved how he fought against adults constantly thinking he was incapable because he was only 15. (How is that kid only 15?) But for all of his bluster, he made me want to give him a hug. He triggered my teacher persona massively! But by the end of the book, I think maybe he was coming around a little bit? I don't know. I feel like he has a long way to go. And Winfield! What a great character. I was rooting for the truth to come out (it didn't until the end of the book) but what a great twist! I would've loved to see more of his and Lee's interactions, but I guess that's what the rest of the series is for. Winfield, though, was a cool agent, and he sometimes was a good example/protector to Lee. (Emphasis on sometimes.) The rest of the agents - Trinity, Davis, Smith, and Pierson - were interesting, but I kept getting them confused at first. However, Davis and Smith seemed like they could have an interesting book. So intriguing!
Plot/Setting: Okay, when you pick up this book (and you should!) don't walk into it expecting a hefty dose of realism. Once you have that correct expectation, you'll have a blast. In reality, this is way more exciting than what "real" spies/agents would do most days. The plot was pretty direct, and the twists in this one were golden - I loved it! I had to see what happened next. The setting wasn't hugely described - it was based around D.C., but there weren't long descriptions about the city. Honestly, Lee could be anywhere, and things would be a massive riot.
Moral/theme: I didn't find a lot of overt themes in this one, but there was of course Lee and Winfield's tenuous relationship. Lee said a couple prayers, but he definitely wasn't the most devout. I'm looking forward to see if the rest of the series develops Lee into more of a Christian character, because that could be a really beautiful story.
Overall, this was a blast. If you're in the mood for a spy/adventure book that isn't mired down in a lot of details, this one's for you. The writing worked well - it wasn't anything flashy or dramatic and was easy to read. I'm looking forward to discovering more of Lee's adventures sometime in the future!
Characters: Okay, can we just talk about Simon Lee? (I'm going to call him Lee, because that's how I think of him.) This kid was hilarious. The sarcasm was so intense, and I loved how he fought against adults constantly thinking he was incapable because he was only 15. (How is that kid only 15?) But for all of his bluster, he made me want to give him a hug. He triggered my teacher persona massively! But by the end of the book, I think maybe he was coming around a little bit? I don't know. I feel like he has a long way to go. And Winfield! What a great character. I was rooting for the truth to come out (it didn't until the end of the book) but what a great twist! I would've loved to see more of his and Lee's interactions, but I guess that's what the rest of the series is for. Winfield, though, was a cool agent, and he sometimes was a good example/protector to Lee. (Emphasis on sometimes.) The rest of the agents - Trinity, Davis, Smith, and Pierson - were interesting, but I kept getting them confused at first. However, Davis and Smith seemed like they could have an interesting book. So intriguing!
Plot/Setting: Okay, when you pick up this book (and you should!) don't walk into it expecting a hefty dose of realism. Once you have that correct expectation, you'll have a blast. In reality, this is way more exciting than what "real" spies/agents would do most days. The plot was pretty direct, and the twists in this one were golden - I loved it! I had to see what happened next. The setting wasn't hugely described - it was based around D.C., but there weren't long descriptions about the city. Honestly, Lee could be anywhere, and things would be a massive riot.
Moral/theme: I didn't find a lot of overt themes in this one, but there was of course Lee and Winfield's tenuous relationship. Lee said a couple prayers, but he definitely wasn't the most devout. I'm looking forward to see if the rest of the series develops Lee into more of a Christian character, because that could be a really beautiful story.
Overall, this was a blast. If you're in the mood for a spy/adventure book that isn't mired down in a lot of details, this one's for you. The writing worked well - it wasn't anything flashy or dramatic and was easy to read. I'm looking forward to discovering more of Lee's adventures sometime in the future!
January 4, 2026
This was my second time reading Phantom Thief, and honestly at this point AKA Simon Lee is one of my favorite series. If you like cool spy things, undercover work, action, and suspense then read this book. Add in clean and Christian and it was super awesome.
P.D. Atkerson's characters and plots are the best. Sometimes I wish the prose was a bit better and I think the stories could be improved by a higher quality of writing, but the characters and plots are so good, it's just fine. Plus, I think her writing will probably get better and better as time goes on. Without top-notch stories and characters your prose won't get you much of anywhere, so this is great.
As for this particularly book, it kept me on the edge of my seat and cried out for a reread. I originally read it on my Kindle Unlimited trial so when it went on sale I knew I had to get it and reread it. It was even better the second time.
Simon Lee...is frustrating. But I love his character! You might find him a bit annoying at spots as he gets under other characters' skin, but stick with a little bit longer (in other words...read the next book too!) because P.D. Atkerson's character development skills are phenomenal.
Just read it.
As far as mature content, I would probably say 13+ and do note that a nonbelieving character uses the words "heck" and "gosh." Also...there is a lot of sarcasm (hehe) and it could potentially rub off on unsuspecting, sarcasm-susceptible readers...buuut you didn't hear it from me.
P.D. Atkerson's characters and plots are the best. Sometimes I wish the prose was a bit better and I think the stories could be improved by a higher quality of writing, but the characters and plots are so good, it's just fine. Plus, I think her writing will probably get better and better as time goes on. Without top-notch stories and characters your prose won't get you much of anywhere, so this is great.
As for this particularly book, it kept me on the edge of my seat and cried out for a reread. I originally read it on my Kindle Unlimited trial so when it went on sale I knew I had to get it and reread it. It was even better the second time.
Simon Lee...is frustrating. But I love his character! You might find him a bit annoying at spots as he gets under other characters' skin, but stick with a little bit longer (in other words...read the next book too!) because P.D. Atkerson's character development skills are phenomenal.
Just read it.
As far as mature content, I would probably say 13+ and do note that a nonbelieving character uses the words "heck" and "gosh." Also...there is a lot of sarcasm (hehe) and it could potentially rub off on unsuspecting, sarcasm-susceptible readers...buuut you didn't hear it from me.
November 13, 2021
Just finished this book, and Oh. My. Goodness. It was amazing! It was full of action and humor. I loved the ending! It was so heart warming! (And a bit suspenseful) 😆 I'm itching to read more of the "AKA Simon Lee books", and find out what happens next!
Thanks, P.D. Atkerson, for a thrilling read!❤️
Thanks, P.D. Atkerson, for a thrilling read!❤️
October 30, 2021
4.5 stars // read October 2021
Whew, that was a wild ride.
RTC!
Whew, that was a wild ride.
RTC!
August 31, 2021
Wow. Talk about an action-packed thrill ride. I read this extremely fast (even for me), which tells you I really wanted to know what happened! (It also tells you that I may have had to read it again to catch the things I missed. Ahem.) I really liked Simon Lee's character—how his sarcasm and skill hid some real depth and pain. Those flashes of his true character were some of my favorite parts. The tension in his relationship with Winfield was palpable. A lot of the agents seemed a little flat, without much to distinguish them from each other, but not so with Winfield. (I suspect the other agents were mostly intended as a backdrop for Lee and Winfield anyway.)
As for the story itself…how to say this? It had all the ingredients of a great teen thriller, and it did keep some of those promises. But I felt that a lot of the plot points weren't really fleshed out. In some ways it seemed almost "gimmicky" to me, as if I was supposed to feel suspense simply because "this is obviously supposed to be a suspenseful scene!" I had a hard time honestly believing some of the twists. All of that, combined with the characters' constant back-and-forth and a lack of description, made it hard for me to engage with the story. As a whole, I felt really…confused. I kept feeling like I should have read book one first so I'd know what was going on—but this was book one. I think there's a prequel out now, so that might help. It should be noted that there are significant amounts of typos, grammar/punctuation errors, and stylistic issues. Some readers will be bothered by that and some won't, but I don't think it serves independent writers well to "lower the bar" by overlooking quality altogether.
All that said, I still wound up wanting to give the next story in the series a try. I think this is one of the author's first books, and from what I understand, her writing style has improved somewhat over the series. I also think this book might have been geared toward readers a little younger than I. Simon Lee is definitely one of a kind! It was fun to see his unique brand of resourcefulness. So if you're in the mood for a truly wacky teen thriller with oodles of sarcasm and a wildly gifted hero, try this one for yourself and see what you think.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
As for the story itself…how to say this? It had all the ingredients of a great teen thriller, and it did keep some of those promises. But I felt that a lot of the plot points weren't really fleshed out. In some ways it seemed almost "gimmicky" to me, as if I was supposed to feel suspense simply because "this is obviously supposed to be a suspenseful scene!" I had a hard time honestly believing some of the twists. All of that, combined with the characters' constant back-and-forth and a lack of description, made it hard for me to engage with the story. As a whole, I felt really…confused. I kept feeling like I should have read book one first so I'd know what was going on—but this was book one. I think there's a prequel out now, so that might help. It should be noted that there are significant amounts of typos, grammar/punctuation errors, and stylistic issues. Some readers will be bothered by that and some won't, but I don't think it serves independent writers well to "lower the bar" by overlooking quality altogether.
All that said, I still wound up wanting to give the next story in the series a try. I think this is one of the author's first books, and from what I understand, her writing style has improved somewhat over the series. I also think this book might have been geared toward readers a little younger than I. Simon Lee is definitely one of a kind! It was fun to see his unique brand of resourcefulness. So if you're in the mood for a truly wacky teen thriller with oodles of sarcasm and a wildly gifted hero, try this one for yourself and see what you think.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
July 11, 2021
**I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review**
Lee, AKA Phantom Thief, is described as being uncontrollable and having the will of a hurricane. Not only was this a really neat comparison, but it was about as accurate as it gets. For both Lee's character and the book itself.
First I've got to mention the sarcasm! Oh my. If you enjoy dialogue with snappy comebacks, witty or dry humor, or unmatched banter, then you'll really enjoy this because the book is riddled with it. Aside from the great dialogue, there were so many twists, turns, betrayals and surprises that it made my head spin. This is definitely a story that I would recommend rereading, much like rewatching the 6th sense movie. The plot was constantly moving and I don't think there ever was a dull moment.
One thing that kind of bothered me was that it felt like I was reading a sequel instead of the first in the series. There were a lot of instances where a previous event in Lee's past was brought up as if it was old news to the reader. The characters already knew each other very well and had past dealings. I would really like more of a backstory on Lee and his work as the Phantom Thief- that would be cool!
Overall, this was a wild ride of suspense, action and betrayal. I was kept on my toes for the majority of the story. And that ending- nicely done! 3 stars- I liked it!
Lee, AKA Phantom Thief, is described as being uncontrollable and having the will of a hurricane. Not only was this a really neat comparison, but it was about as accurate as it gets. For both Lee's character and the book itself.
First I've got to mention the sarcasm! Oh my. If you enjoy dialogue with snappy comebacks, witty or dry humor, or unmatched banter, then you'll really enjoy this because the book is riddled with it. Aside from the great dialogue, there were so many twists, turns, betrayals and surprises that it made my head spin. This is definitely a story that I would recommend rereading, much like rewatching the 6th sense movie. The plot was constantly moving and I don't think there ever was a dull moment.
One thing that kind of bothered me was that it felt like I was reading a sequel instead of the first in the series. There were a lot of instances where a previous event in Lee's past was brought up as if it was old news to the reader. The characters already knew each other very well and had past dealings. I would really like more of a backstory on Lee and his work as the Phantom Thief- that would be cool!
Overall, this was a wild ride of suspense, action and betrayal. I was kept on my toes for the majority of the story. And that ending- nicely done! 3 stars- I liked it!
July 18, 2024
4.5 stars
Wow. Just... wow.
I wasn’t sure what to expect from this book, and I admit I went into it feeling very doubtful. From the synopsis, I was worried about the sort of book it appeared to be, but all the reviews I’d read seemed to indicate there was more to it than it seemed at first. So I decided to give it a try. I’m so glad I did - because there is. There is MUCH more to Lee than what meets the eye... and he is not what he seems.
Phantom Thief is an amazing start to an amazing series. It is incredibly suspenseful, hilariously funny, and kept me sitting on the edge of my seat the whole way through. P.D. Atkerson is an extremely good writer, and I wasn’t bored with the story for a single moment.
And the twists… oh, those twists. I think there were… four? in the last few pages alone. Just as you start recovering from one, another hits you! I did guess some of them, but for the most part, they took me completely by surprise.
The characters are just… wonderful. Lee, Winfield… all of them. At the end of the book, I was left spinning with questions about some of them, as their backstories are extremely vague and are only really hinted at, which makes the reader itch to know more! But I loved them all immediately. All of them.
The one thing I didn’t like is that the characters lie once or twice and the team sometimes bends the law to achieve their goals. A lot of Lee’s actions I can’t agree with, even knowing the truth about him. Some of these issues are addressed in the later books, to a certain extent, but I still don't like it.
Other than that, though, I love this book, and can almost guarantee that once you've read it, you won't want to stop until you've read all the other books in the series - and indeed in the whole SLU!
Recommended Reading Order for the Simon Lee Universe books (SLU):
Note: This is the order I've put together after reading and rereading almost all of these books, sometimes at once. While there are different opinions on which series should be read first, this is the order I personally feel is best for a first-time reader. It is NOT the chronological order - and I strongly recommend that a first-time reader does NOT read these books in chronological order. That's great for rereads, but the most will be got out of the SLU books by reading them loosely in the following order
Phantom Thief
Nicholas Bishop
Gregory's Epilogue (blog short)
Christmas Hostage
Guardian Eagle
Murphy Lawson
Ghost Hunter
Most Wanted
Winnie Winfield
Not Enough
Rebel Mind
Talking Turkey (blog short)
Killian Young
Domestic Conflict (Seize the Fight)
They Call Her Ella
Deadlock
First Christmas (blog short)
Exploit
Choices
License
Training
Guilt
My Name is Anastasia
Night Crier (blog short)
Only For a Moment (blog short)
Christmas Bear (blog short)
Everything
Sick Leave (blog short)
Water Boy (Classified Files)
Школьник (blog short)
Bank Robber (Classified Files)
Blinded (blog short)
Room Escapee (Classified Files)
Dare (blog short)
Wrong Number (blog short)
Minor Detail
Unwanted Services
Off the Rails
Smoke Screen
Lost Time
Web of Lies
Wow. Just... wow.
I wasn’t sure what to expect from this book, and I admit I went into it feeling very doubtful. From the synopsis, I was worried about the sort of book it appeared to be, but all the reviews I’d read seemed to indicate there was more to it than it seemed at first. So I decided to give it a try. I’m so glad I did - because there is. There is MUCH more to Lee than what meets the eye... and he is not what he seems.
Phantom Thief is an amazing start to an amazing series. It is incredibly suspenseful, hilariously funny, and kept me sitting on the edge of my seat the whole way through. P.D. Atkerson is an extremely good writer, and I wasn’t bored with the story for a single moment.
And the twists… oh, those twists. I think there were… four? in the last few pages alone. Just as you start recovering from one, another hits you! I did guess some of them, but for the most part, they took me completely by surprise.
The characters are just… wonderful. Lee, Winfield… all of them. At the end of the book, I was left spinning with questions about some of them, as their backstories are extremely vague and are only really hinted at, which makes the reader itch to know more! But I loved them all immediately. All of them.
The one thing I didn’t like is that the characters lie once or twice and the team sometimes bends the law to achieve their goals. A lot of Lee’s actions I can’t agree with, even knowing the truth about him. Some of these issues are addressed in the later books, to a certain extent, but I still don't like it.
Other than that, though, I love this book, and can almost guarantee that once you've read it, you won't want to stop until you've read all the other books in the series - and indeed in the whole SLU!
Recommended Reading Order for the Simon Lee Universe books (SLU):
Note: This is the order I've put together after reading and rereading almost all of these books, sometimes at once. While there are different opinions on which series should be read first, this is the order I personally feel is best for a first-time reader. It is NOT the chronological order - and I strongly recommend that a first-time reader does NOT read these books in chronological order. That's great for rereads, but the most will be got out of the SLU books by reading them loosely in the following order
Phantom Thief
Nicholas Bishop
Gregory's Epilogue (blog short)
Christmas Hostage
Guardian Eagle
Murphy Lawson
Ghost Hunter
Most Wanted
Winnie Winfield
Not Enough
Rebel Mind
Talking Turkey (blog short)
Killian Young
Domestic Conflict (Seize the Fight)
They Call Her Ella
Deadlock
First Christmas (blog short)
Exploit
Choices
License
Training
Guilt
My Name is Anastasia
Night Crier (blog short)
Only For a Moment (blog short)
Christmas Bear (blog short)
Everything
Sick Leave (blog short)
Water Boy (Classified Files)
Школьник (blog short)
Bank Robber (Classified Files)
Blinded (blog short)
Room Escapee (Classified Files)
Dare (blog short)
Wrong Number (blog short)
Minor Detail
Unwanted Services
Off the Rails
Smoke Screen
Lost Time
Web of Lies
Read
December 5, 2021This was super fun and at the same time somewhat confusing for me. It's not the normal kind of book I pick up and read, so that may be why I was confused at times about what was going on. I wanted to have some things cleared up at the end of the book but while some things were answered, not everything was. So not sure if those answers come in the next book or not. Overall, I really enjoyed this and am looking forward to more by this author. Some of the writing was simplistic but I believe that is a mixture of it being for a younger audience and the fact that this was possibly the first or one of the first published by this author.
January 23, 2022
Overall, this was a fun book to read.
Once again, PD Atkerson kept up the sarcastic humor, which of course I really enjoyed. She writes sarcasm well.
This book is a clean, fast paced, CIA-secret-agent type of book. If you're a parent looking for a clean, fun fast-paced non-romantic book for your kid, this is it.
I could tell that this was one of the author's older books, and thus, the writing style wasn't as polished as it was in her newer books, like Testing of the Stars. But that's alright, you'll find that in pretty much any author's work that's been writing for awhile.
I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review, all opinions are my own.
Once again, PD Atkerson kept up the sarcastic humor, which of course I really enjoyed. She writes sarcasm well.
This book is a clean, fast paced, CIA-secret-agent type of book. If you're a parent looking for a clean, fun fast-paced non-romantic book for your kid, this is it.
I could tell that this was one of the author's older books, and thus, the writing style wasn't as polished as it was in her newer books, like Testing of the Stars. But that's alright, you'll find that in pretty much any author's work that's been writing for awhile.
I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review, all opinions are my own.
November 11, 2022
Phantom Thief was one of those fast-paced and fun reads that you can't help but to enjoy. I haven't read much in the way of spy works/espionage types of novels before, but after Phantom Thief, I think that's going to change. The plot is interesting and fast-paced, drawing you in right from the start. I won't say too much so I don't give anything away, but Lee joins up with a team of agents for a very intense mission. When I first started reading, there were a few instances where I felt the reader could have been given maybe a little more context or info to better understand what was going on, but overall, that didn't detract from my enjoyment of the story. In all honesty, I couldn't put the book down and read over halfway through it until I had to put it down to go to bed. I finished up the few remaining chapters this evening, and I am so glad I read this book.
Along with the engaging plot, P. D. Atkerson crafts complex characters that contain much more than what shows on the surface. Each of the agents has their own distinct personality and several have quite a few layers unbeknownst to their companions. I appreciate how Agent Winfield looks out for Lee and still chooses to see the good in him despite his past. Lee may be a thief, but he is still just a kid, after all. And Lee. Lee is such a great character. His wit and sarcasm are amazing. Also, I loved getting to know more about his character. I do think it would have been interesting if there were one or two moments where one of the agents was ahead of Lee in terms of knowledge, since they are adults and he is a teen. He is a genius character, but experience is a great teacher too, which the adults on the team would have more of than him.
There wasn't a lot in the way of Christian elements in this story, aside from Lee praying occasionally throughout the story, but I feel that it's set up in such a way that it will grow throughout the series, and I'm looking forward to that.
Also, THAT ENDING. I did discover some of the secret identities of a few characters before it was revealed, but I did not see that twist at the end coming. But at the same time, it fit the story and gave it a very satisfying ending. It did require a little bit of suspension of disbelief on my part, but I still thoroughly enjoyed it, and I'm looking forward to picking up the next book! (I actually already purchased it on my Kindle and cannot wait to read it!) If you're looking for a fun, fast-paced, and clean spy thriller, give this one a try!
Content: some violence but nothing gratuitous; lying, going behind others' backs, and skirting around the truth.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Along with the engaging plot, P. D. Atkerson crafts complex characters that contain much more than what shows on the surface. Each of the agents has their own distinct personality and several have quite a few layers unbeknownst to their companions. I appreciate how Agent Winfield looks out for Lee and still chooses to see the good in him despite his past. Lee may be a thief, but he is still just a kid, after all. And Lee. Lee is such a great character. His wit and sarcasm are amazing. Also, I loved getting to know more about his character. I do think it would have been interesting if there were one or two moments where one of the agents was ahead of Lee in terms of knowledge, since they are adults and he is a teen. He is a genius character, but experience is a great teacher too, which the adults on the team would have more of than him.
There wasn't a lot in the way of Christian elements in this story, aside from Lee praying occasionally throughout the story, but I feel that it's set up in such a way that it will grow throughout the series, and I'm looking forward to that.
Also, THAT ENDING. I did discover some of the secret identities of a few characters before it was revealed, but I did not see that twist at the end coming. But at the same time, it fit the story and gave it a very satisfying ending. It did require a little bit of suspension of disbelief on my part, but I still thoroughly enjoyed it, and I'm looking forward to picking up the next book! (I actually already purchased it on my Kindle and cannot wait to read it!) If you're looking for a fun, fast-paced, and clean spy thriller, give this one a try!
Content: some violence but nothing gratuitous; lying, going behind others' backs, and skirting around the truth.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
August 6, 2022
A rollicking romp with a fast-talking, smart alec, teen thief. The story keeps you on your toes as the plot twists and turns. Humor vies with suspense in rapid succession.
October 31, 2022
Phantom Thief is set in a genre I don't typically read (spy work/thriller), but this book may make me reconsider that. It is also an example of how you can have a solid story with no profanity, extreme violence and gore, and sex, and still have plenty of action to keep you on the edge of your seat.
The Plot
Very intriguing. I'm not investigatory-minded, so it kept me guessing. I definitely did not see some of the twists coming. The thought and detail put into it really shines through and as a fellow author, I couldn't imagine trying to keep all of it straight. But, somehow, Atkerson easily achieved that.
Settings
Can't say much without giving away the plot, but they were nicely done.
Characters
I think Simon Lee--oh, excuse me, Phantom Thief is one of the most multi-faceted characters I've read in a while. Mysterious, master snoop, snarky, and a child in an adult's setting (I know, I know, he's no mere child--but let's all admit he's fifteen. He's a kid.). The others were interesting as well. I guessed one-point-five characters' real identities (kudos for me because that doesn't happen often) but not the rest.
Faith
Not a ton of it, but what there was proved to be impactful. I believe it will increase as the series goes on, if I'm reading it correctly.
Content Warning
Fights, injuries, and explosions, none of which are gratuitous. Lies, lots of stepping-around-the-subject, and tempers lost, though it's not portrayed as a good thing. Overall, it's a clean read with clean action that I think most ages can comfortably read.
Conclusion
Phantom Thief is an interesting story able to be read by most ages. Atkerson's bio says she has a black belt in sarcasm; I think her characters do too.
This was a fun read that will keep you snickering at the humor and anxiously awaiting to see what happens next.
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed therein are my own.
The Plot
Very intriguing. I'm not investigatory-minded, so it kept me guessing. I definitely did not see some of the twists coming. The thought and detail put into it really shines through and as a fellow author, I couldn't imagine trying to keep all of it straight. But, somehow, Atkerson easily achieved that.
Settings
Can't say much without giving away the plot, but they were nicely done.
Characters
I think Simon Lee--oh, excuse me, Phantom Thief is one of the most multi-faceted characters I've read in a while. Mysterious, master snoop, snarky, and a child in an adult's setting (I know, I know, he's no mere child--but let's all admit he's fifteen. He's a kid.). The others were interesting as well. I guessed one-point-five characters' real identities (kudos for me because that doesn't happen often) but not the rest.
Faith
Not a ton of it, but what there was proved to be impactful. I believe it will increase as the series goes on, if I'm reading it correctly.
Content Warning
Fights, injuries, and explosions, none of which are gratuitous. Lies, lots of stepping-around-the-subject, and tempers lost, though it's not portrayed as a good thing. Overall, it's a clean read with clean action that I think most ages can comfortably read.
Conclusion
Phantom Thief is an interesting story able to be read by most ages. Atkerson's bio says she has a black belt in sarcasm; I think her characters do too.
This was a fun read that will keep you snickering at the humor and anxiously awaiting to see what happens next.
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed therein are my own.
June 23, 2020
Good-plus story geared toward a younger crowd (Simon is 15) and introducing a young genius thief as protagonist. It’s a debut novel and in some ways that’s a drawback, but in some places there are hilarious one-liberal d facets of real brilliance. Simon starts as an attitudinal kid and yet somehowI ended up liking him almost right away. I did guess the big surprise at the end but it’s what I was hoping was going to happen all along.
There’s a lot of action and a lot of stuff going on. At times it could be overwhelming and some key actions took place off camera so sometimes it was a little difficult to follow. Punctuation was all over the place, but I understand a second edition is in the works to fix that.
I’m definitely interested in Simon and will be reading more in the series!
There’s a lot of action and a lot of stuff going on. At times it could be overwhelming and some key actions took place off camera so sometimes it was a little difficult to follow. Punctuation was all over the place, but I understand a second edition is in the works to fix that.
I’m definitely interested in Simon and will be reading more in the series!
January 22, 2022
RTC soon
Loved this so much!
I'm now DYING in anticipation of the next one!!!!!!
*somebody HELP!!*
Loved this so much!
I'm now DYING in anticipation of the next one!!!!!!
*somebody HELP!!*
May 26, 2022
This was a really awesome book! I liked that it was clean, had funny sarcasm and had edge of your seat excitement!
August 8, 2023
A delightful read! I really enjoyed how some plot twists were partially apparent and others hit me with no warning.
We need more Christian fiction with strong families like this! Thank you PD for putting in the effort to publish a well-crafted mystery that kept me on my toes but was also clean and wholesome.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. 😊
We need more Christian fiction with strong families like this! Thank you PD for putting in the effort to publish a well-crafted mystery that kept me on my toes but was also clean and wholesome.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. 😊
January 3, 2021
So, I pretty much had no idea what I was getting into with this book, but after reading the first chapter and falling pretty much instantly in love with the hero's incredible level of sass and spunk (which can be either a selling point or a turnoff for me, depending on how it's done), I knew I had to read the rest of it. And...I was not disappointed!
Wow, the mystery in this book runs deep, people! It's deceptions inside deceptions inside deceptions and spies on top of spies on top of spies, and every time you think you know who someone really is and what they're really doing--you start to realize that maybe you don't know as much as you think you did. To be honest, I'm still not 100% sure I made all the right connections or figured out all the roles, but the ones I did were...well, let's just say, they kept me on my toes! Wow! Also, there was a certain reveal at a certain point that was built up to so well that it didn't feel out of the blue and "what on earth?" but at the same time had me wanting to go back and read the whole thing over again to see how things would appear differently in light of this new revelation. I'm honestly still not sure how you pull both of those off with the same plot point, but it was so well done! <3
Also, as mentioned above, I really loved the hero's sassiness and spunk, and it was pretty funny to see him pretty much run rings around the adults on the team and annoy everybody to death just for the fun of it. XD His beyond-average smarts made things interesting too (definitely a Sherlock Holmes-esque vibe there), although I would have loved a few more explanations of exactly how he was figuring some of these things out. But I have to say, as fun as the outward persona was, there was some interesting and complicated depth there, too, that made him not just a fun but a seriously compelling character as the story continued to progress. To the point where I think I actually teared up at one scene near the end?!? Definitely way more than I was expecting, but very, very well done.
My only tiny complaints story-wise were that some of the scenes, particularly when it got to the action parts, moved really fast, to the point where I was sometimes left wondering, "wait, how did they do that again?" Also, one inconsistency where a team member's injury either changes or heals much too quickly. But like I said, very minor points. There were also a couple editing issues, particularly in regard to comma usage, which bugged me pretty badly at points, but I'm sort of an incurable proofreader, so it probably wouldn't bother others quite as much. And even with that said, I really don't feel like knocking off points because of it, so you know the story was good. :D
4.5 stars
Content--action-type violence (fighting, gunplay, bombings, people drugged, etc.); slight mentions of blood and wounds (not graphic); lying, stealing, and deception, sometimes for a good cause; mentions of death and murder; a few uses of "heck", "gosh", etc.
---
2021 reread... Okay, I just went back and read this for the first time after finishing the series, and I'm absolutely blown away! I mean, I knew it was good, but I had no idea it was THIS good! Knowing what you learn at the end of this book and in the rest of the series...my word, the subtext runs DEEP, people!!! You definitely need at least two reads of this book to take in all the awesomeness! Bumping my rating up to a full 5 stars. ;)
Wow, the mystery in this book runs deep, people! It's deceptions inside deceptions inside deceptions and spies on top of spies on top of spies, and every time you think you know who someone really is and what they're really doing--you start to realize that maybe you don't know as much as you think you did. To be honest, I'm still not 100% sure I made all the right connections or figured out all the roles, but the ones I did were...well, let's just say, they kept me on my toes! Wow! Also, there was a certain reveal at a certain point that was built up to so well that it didn't feel out of the blue and "what on earth?" but at the same time had me wanting to go back and read the whole thing over again to see how things would appear differently in light of this new revelation. I'm honestly still not sure how you pull both of those off with the same plot point, but it was so well done! <3
Also, as mentioned above, I really loved the hero's sassiness and spunk, and it was pretty funny to see him pretty much run rings around the adults on the team and annoy everybody to death just for the fun of it. XD His beyond-average smarts made things interesting too (definitely a Sherlock Holmes-esque vibe there), although I would have loved a few more explanations of exactly how he was figuring some of these things out. But I have to say, as fun as the outward persona was, there was some interesting and complicated depth there, too, that made him not just a fun but a seriously compelling character as the story continued to progress. To the point where I think I actually teared up at one scene near the end?!? Definitely way more than I was expecting, but very, very well done.
My only tiny complaints story-wise were that some of the scenes, particularly when it got to the action parts, moved really fast, to the point where I was sometimes left wondering, "wait, how did they do that again?" Also, one inconsistency where a team member's injury either changes or heals much too quickly. But like I said, very minor points. There were also a couple editing issues, particularly in regard to comma usage, which bugged me pretty badly at points, but I'm sort of an incurable proofreader, so it probably wouldn't bother others quite as much. And even with that said, I really don't feel like knocking off points because of it, so you know the story was good. :D
4.5 stars
Content--action-type violence (fighting, gunplay, bombings, people drugged, etc.); slight mentions of blood and wounds (not graphic); lying, stealing, and deception, sometimes for a good cause; mentions of death and murder; a few uses of "heck", "gosh", etc.
---
2021 reread... Okay, I just went back and read this for the first time after finishing the series, and I'm absolutely blown away! I mean, I knew it was good, but I had no idea it was THIS good! Knowing what you learn at the end of this book and in the rest of the series...my word, the subtext runs DEEP, people!!! You definitely need at least two reads of this book to take in all the awesomeness! Bumping my rating up to a full 5 stars. ;)
February 19, 2020
Age Appropriate For: 13 and up for mild violence and intensity
Best for Ages: 13-25
This book was just a lot of fun. It was perfect for a sick day, which is when I read it. It had action, adventure, spies, a super-smart teen, and snappy dialogue.
I have two minor issues with this book neither of which is about the story and neither affected my enjoyment of the book enough to knock off any stars. However, the Kindle formatting wasn’t done right. There were breaks between chapters and there were a few minor flaws throughout. Second, the cover (I’m writing this review in 2020) is pretty cringe-worthy. Not the worst I’ve seen, but not great either.
This story has witty banter from beginning to end. All of it is well done. I have to applaud the author, which is hard to do. It’s part of what made this book stand out. I laughed out loud a few times, which is quite a feat because I don’t find many things funny when I’m running a fever. I probably would have laughed my head off if I had been well. The humor was just my type.
This book was fast pace. A couple of times I had trouble keeping up, but I enjoyed the fast pace and the antics and the improbable missions. Sure, some of it wasn’t believable, but this is more like one of those fun 80’s spy tv shows – it’s just meant for fun.
The characters were interesting and unique. They each stand out enough that even though there are a lot of them, I was rarely confused about who was who. The author gave them each their own voice and way of talking.
Overall, I recommend this book for those who like snarky humor, want a fun spy adventure, and those who like books about genius teens.
I received a copy of this book for review purposes. I was not required to write a positive review. All the thoughts in this review are my own.
Best for Ages: 13-25
This book was just a lot of fun. It was perfect for a sick day, which is when I read it. It had action, adventure, spies, a super-smart teen, and snappy dialogue.
I have two minor issues with this book neither of which is about the story and neither affected my enjoyment of the book enough to knock off any stars. However, the Kindle formatting wasn’t done right. There were breaks between chapters and there were a few minor flaws throughout. Second, the cover (I’m writing this review in 2020) is pretty cringe-worthy. Not the worst I’ve seen, but not great either.
This story has witty banter from beginning to end. All of it is well done. I have to applaud the author, which is hard to do. It’s part of what made this book stand out. I laughed out loud a few times, which is quite a feat because I don’t find many things funny when I’m running a fever. I probably would have laughed my head off if I had been well. The humor was just my type.
This book was fast pace. A couple of times I had trouble keeping up, but I enjoyed the fast pace and the antics and the improbable missions. Sure, some of it wasn’t believable, but this is more like one of those fun 80’s spy tv shows – it’s just meant for fun.
The characters were interesting and unique. They each stand out enough that even though there are a lot of them, I was rarely confused about who was who. The author gave them each their own voice and way of talking.
Overall, I recommend this book for those who like snarky humor, want a fun spy adventure, and those who like books about genius teens.
I received a copy of this book for review purposes. I was not required to write a positive review. All the thoughts in this review are my own.
May 6, 2020
Five stars
Prose: 4/5
Romance: -
Characters: 5/5
Plot: 5/5
Prose:
There were definitely a few instances were things felt a little choppy, or I noticed a grammar mistake, but it wasn't a huge deal and didn't pull me out of the story or anything.
Romance:
So there wasn't really any romance in this book, but I just want to talk about the non-romantic relationships here for a few minutes. I absolutely LOVED the family dynamics in this, and I really liked the friendships too! Everything seemed super realistic and I really liked how everything was woven together.
Characters:
Really well done. Since this is a spy type novel, there was a lot of good/bad/which-side-are-you-on stuff. I think how everyone reacted to Lee was pretty cool. I really want to know more about him, maybe more about his backstory, and why he's so smart. There were a lot of little clues throughout the story. Also, as I said above, the relationships are great!
Plot:
Okay, so this was all over the place! Because Lee is a criminal before the story even begins, there was a lot of him kind of trying to figure out which side he was on/etc. But I really thought it was well carried out. I was never confused, and it moved along pretty quickly.
Overall:
I really enjoyed this novel! Hopefully, I can read the rest of the series sometime! It was very fast-paced and engaging. I am a little curious about the cover because on the cover the boy has glasses but I don't think Lee has glasses? Maybe they're sunglasses?
Content:
Okay so it is a spy book so.... there's definitely mentions of guns/people getting killed etc. There's also some bombs, they do break into a building, mentions of jail/being locked up. Mentions of crime leaders, the usual things you would expect from a spy novel. Nothing gory or over-described, no foul language. All-in-all fairly clean.
Prose: 4/5
Romance: -
Characters: 5/5
Plot: 5/5
Prose:
There were definitely a few instances were things felt a little choppy, or I noticed a grammar mistake, but it wasn't a huge deal and didn't pull me out of the story or anything.
Romance:
So there wasn't really any romance in this book, but I just want to talk about the non-romantic relationships here for a few minutes. I absolutely LOVED the family dynamics in this, and I really liked the friendships too! Everything seemed super realistic and I really liked how everything was woven together.
Characters:
Really well done. Since this is a spy type novel, there was a lot of good/bad/which-side-are-you-on stuff. I think how everyone reacted to Lee was pretty cool. I really want to know more about him, maybe more about his backstory, and why he's so smart. There were a lot of little clues throughout the story. Also, as I said above, the relationships are great!
Plot:
Okay, so this was all over the place! Because Lee is a criminal before the story even begins, there was a lot of him kind of trying to figure out which side he was on/etc. But I really thought it was well carried out. I was never confused, and it moved along pretty quickly.
Overall:
I really enjoyed this novel! Hopefully, I can read the rest of the series sometime! It was very fast-paced and engaging. I am a little curious about the cover because on the cover the boy has glasses but I don't think Lee has glasses? Maybe they're sunglasses?
Content:
Okay so it is a spy book so.... there's definitely mentions of guns/people getting killed etc. There's also some bombs, they do break into a building, mentions of jail/being locked up. Mentions of crime leaders, the usual things you would expect from a spy novel. Nothing gory or over-described, no foul language. All-in-all fairly clean.
January 8, 2022
What this book lacked in finesse it made up for in a charming protagonist. Lee was the kind of character you immediately fell in love with for his charm, wit, and skills. The banter between characters was ceaseless, and although at times it became a little tiresome, for the most part it was very enjoyable. Certainly, eye-rolling and scoffing was used in excess which became more and more noticeable as the book went on, but the dialogue itself kept it from becoming too predictable.
The character dynamics were great, especially in its “more than meets the eye” style of relationships. The mysteriousness surrounding Lee seeped into everything from his backstory to his intentions and it allowed the plot to steer wildly in directions you wouldn’t have expected.
You could have argued that the plot was so inadequate that the reason it was able to keep you on your toes was because it was never very clear or logical. You’d probably be right in saying so, too. In the end, I wasn’t certain whether the 3rd person unreliable narrator was a technique used as a sort of shield to hide the plot’s shortcomings or was the reason why those shortcomings existed in the first place. Regardless, the unreliable narrator aspect did lead to an ending I really loved to see, so there was pros and cons to its use.
The character dynamics were great, especially in its “more than meets the eye” style of relationships. The mysteriousness surrounding Lee seeped into everything from his backstory to his intentions and it allowed the plot to steer wildly in directions you wouldn’t have expected.
You could have argued that the plot was so inadequate that the reason it was able to keep you on your toes was because it was never very clear or logical. You’d probably be right in saying so, too. In the end, I wasn’t certain whether the 3rd person unreliable narrator was a technique used as a sort of shield to hide the plot’s shortcomings or was the reason why those shortcomings existed in the first place. Regardless, the unreliable narrator aspect did lead to an ending I really loved to see, so there was pros and cons to its use.
September 3, 2019
Simon Lee is too smart for his own good, and he'll keep everyone on their toes- the team of FBI agents who arrested him and now have to work with him, the villains he once worked with, and even the readers won't be able to see the twists and turns of his plans coming. He's like the mini Sherlock Holmes with a sardonic twist wrapped up in a fifteen year old package. But instead of a Watson, he gets a team of FBI agents who don't trust him- because they're the ones who arrested him to begin with. And if he wants to shorten his sentence, he first needs to survive. The perfect twisty-turny thrill ride for any reader, clean and exciting at the same time.
I received a copy of this book from the author, and the thoughts and opinions are my own.
I received a copy of this book from the author, and the thoughts and opinions are my own.
August 27, 2020
Phantom Theif (AKA Simon Lee) surprised me. I never knew this book would leave me on the edge of my seat, flying through the pages and leaving me desperate for more by the end of the book. P.D.Atkerson. mixes mystery, action, humor, and suspense all into one thrilling novel!
One of the many things I really liked about the book was that the author wrote Lee's character so well. He is one of my favorite characters of all time by his insightfulness, skill, humor, and the way he's described as being. Unlike other authors, P.D.Atkerson did amazingly well at drawing out the plot and making the reader engage even more so by coming up with their own theories along the way. As I read this book my mind was busy putting together ideas and throwing out old ones when in what felt like every chapter more and more clues are given to certain things, yet in the end, everything is drawn together so well in ways you would never suspect it to, yet it's so good, and I love some of the twists and turns the book takes!
All in all, P.D.Atkerson did an amazing job, and I am excited to read her next ones. I'm looking forward to it!
~Brooklyn Kramer
{I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.}
One of the many things I really liked about the book was that the author wrote Lee's character so well. He is one of my favorite characters of all time by his insightfulness, skill, humor, and the way he's described as being. Unlike other authors, P.D.Atkerson did amazingly well at drawing out the plot and making the reader engage even more so by coming up with their own theories along the way. As I read this book my mind was busy putting together ideas and throwing out old ones when in what felt like every chapter more and more clues are given to certain things, yet in the end, everything is drawn together so well in ways you would never suspect it to, yet it's so good, and I love some of the twists and turns the book takes!
All in all, P.D.Atkerson did an amazing job, and I am excited to read her next ones. I'm looking forward to it!
~Brooklyn Kramer
{I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.}
October 5, 2021
This is exactly the kind of book I like to read.
Lee, as often stated, is too smart for his own good, and makes this book a fun one to read. He's always on the ball. Do not mistake this boy as your average teenager. He will make sure you regret it XD. And make your head hurt trying to figure him out. So just sit back, expect to finish it in one sitting, and look forward to one of the best teenage spy/theif/Christian books there are.
Lee, as often stated, is too smart for his own good, and makes this book a fun one to read. He's always on the ball. Do not mistake this boy as your average teenager. He will make sure you regret it XD. And make your head hurt trying to figure him out. So just sit back, expect to finish it in one sitting, and look forward to one of the best teenage spy/theif/Christian books there are.
March 29, 2020
This was certainly hilarious! Lee was so funny and smart, too. I don't know of many authors who can create unique characters that are funny while being sarcastic, but P.D. nailed it. I was laughing the whole time, and there were several twists that were not expected at all! Charming and delightful, all ages can enjoy this! Very highly recommend for everyone!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews