Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book.

Just ordered!! Cant wait to startt!! also im so in love with the cover! Its majestic!!
I also didnt know it was a multiple book series!. Running to order that too!!

The best descriptor I can think of for this book is charming. Jack's adventures of fairies and witches alongside his quirky grandmother and his clever cat pester were a delight to read.

When he is sent to stay with his grandmother for the summer in her small village in France, Jack gets significantly more than he bargained for when he realizes that fairies and fae are real, and that witches have returned to try and destroy it.

I think Jeffery Mattson has done a remarkable job with the first installment of this series. His world is inventive and fun, filled with surprises and a bright array of characters. And lots of cats. I am excited to see where Jack's adventures continue to take us.

I will say the book does skew slightly younger on the YA scale than I had expected for a 14 year old protagonist, but Jack is a delight, and this book was a whole lot of fun.

The Precocious Boy is a charming look into one boy’s ordinary-turned-extraordinary life as he gets thrown head-first into the land of magic, fairies, and devious plots.

I really enjoyed a lot of things about this sweet YA fantasy adventure book. The characters are charming and well-rounded, the mythos mixed with modern day. It gave me a sort of naive and child-like version of Seanan McGuire’s October Daye series. The illustrations at the beginning of each chapter as also sweet little additions.

The biggest issue I had with this one was the amount of typos. I’m not someone who gets hung up on grammar/spelling/punctuation in everyday life, but in books it throws me completely out of the story, and that, unfortunately, happened a lot with this one.

I’ll definitely be reading more of this series because it was a quick enjoyable read, but I do hope future installments have a little more polish to them.

Thank you to NetGalley for the free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This captivating first installment in the Fablestone Series, weaves an enchanting tapestry of adventure, magic, and friendship. Set in the idyllic village of Saint Galdramour, the story introduces us to Jack, a young boy whose summer takes an unexpected turn when he befriends Finn and becomes entangled in the mystery of his grandfather's disappearance. Mattson's storytelling prowess shines as he paints a vivid world filled with magical creatures and a realm on the brink of collapse.

The novel effortlessly draws readers into Jack's journey, from his initial homesickness to his unexpected encounter with the world of fairies. The intricate web of alliances, rivalries, and treacherous intentions keeps the pages turning, and Jack's transformation from a curious boy to a heroic figure is skillfully portrayed. Mattson's imaginative prose and intricate world-building create an immersive experience that will captivate readers of all ages

From the very first page, I was hooked by the exciting world of Saint Galdramour and the mysteries that unfold. Imagine stumbling upon a hidden realm of fairies, magical cats, and otherworldly beings – that's exactly what happens to Jack, our brave and curious hero.

This book had me turning pages late into the night, as I followed Jack's quest to find his missing grandfather and uncover the secrets of the fairy world. The characters are so vividly crafted, and I couldn't help but root for Jack as he faced challenges from all sides – witches, forest spirits, and even a mischievous cat race. Mattson's writing style is engaging and imaginative, making every twist and turn feel like a new discovery.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was a fun and cute start to a YA fantasy series. I throughly enjoyed this story and look forward to seeing where this story goes.

When Jack reluctantly arrives to spend the summer with his grandmother, there isn't much to be excited about in the village where she lives, or her rundown antiques shop.

Nor is he happy about the fact that his grandfather has disappeared under mysterious circumstances, his grandmother blaming it on witches!

So Jack is relieved when he finally finds a friend of his own age in a boy named Finn. The fact that the latter is willing to help him figure out what actually happened to his grandfather is an additional bonus.

But neither of the boys has any idea just what a hornets nest they have stepped into. Very soon they are caught up in a perilous adventure involving fairies, witches, and various other magical creatures - none of whom they really know how to handle! How can the duo possibly hope to emerge unscathed from this adventure?

The characters of Jack and Finn are well drawn, and this story sees quite a bit of action. It isn't for everyone, but the narrative would probably best fit readers who are looking for a fantasy adventure featuring a whole slew of magical beings.

While I didn't enjoy this story myself, this series seems perfect for young teens looking for a fantasy story that has relatable elements to it

Although some of the side characters are pretty one note, the main characters are well thought out and are full of life

(Although it could do with being looked through again for spelling mistakes and wording errors since there are a few spots where sentences seem to just be missing words that end up making it not make sense)

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing me with this eARC!

First of all, let me begin with what I liked about this book.

The book has potential. The characters all have distinct voices, the plot moves along at a reasonable pace without feeling rushed, and there's a definite sense of love from the author that's been put into the worldbuilding and woven through the characters' interactions. However, there were quite a few things I couldn't overlook.

One, the grammatical errors. I feel that this book could've benefited heavily from some more editing. Sentences would start in one tense and end in another, run-on sentences were plentiful, and certain phrases were just awkwardly worded in a way that dragged you out of the story entirely.

Two, it sometimes felt forced. Attempts at humor or to describe a character's actions felt overly described or lingered on. Traits or aspects were pushed at us to the point of almost feeling like stereotypes. It felt like the book often relied on, "tell, not show" instead of the other way around.

Three, the plot, while interesting, sometimes became rushed or convoluted. Not often, but often enough to be jarring. I had a hard time deciphering what the scene looked like at times, too.

Also, a bit of a pet peeve on my behalf - while I understand that witches were being laid out as the enemies, I didn't feel like it was necessary to bring pentagrams into the conversation so early on, only to describe them as an ancient Christian symbol when they are, in fact, sacred to many real-world witchcraft practitioners. And then, the character who was very quick to state that basically set up spell jars for protection with no qualms whatsoever. There were multiple insensitive moments throughout and the book really could've been improved without them.

Not a bad book, by any means! Just one that could've used more polish and time.