The Mountains of Instead

Championing fiction as an escape from pandemics, politics and bad TV.

It's The End Of The World As We Know It (Review: The Daykeeper's Grimoire by Christy Raedeke)

The Daykeepers' Grimoire
(Prophecy of Days, book 1)
Christy Raedeke
Flux 2010


The story of Caity Mac Fireland, a girl from San Francisco whose parents drag her to an isle off the coast of Scotland to manage some family property. Caity finds that a Mayan relic is concealed there, intentionally left …
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Deus Ex Machina (Review: The Iron King by Julie Kagawa)

The Iron King
Julie Kagawa
Harlequin Teen 2010


Meghan Chase has never fit in at her small-town high school, and now, on the eve of her 16th birthday, she discovers why. When her half brother is kidnapped, Meghan is drawn into a fantastical world she never imagined--the world of Faery, where anything y…
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IMM (#9)

In My Mailbox is a meme created and hosted by Kristi over at The Story Siren with inspiration from Alea at Pop Culture Junkie. It basically give book bloggers everywhere the opportunity to share what books they have received/bought/librarised (yes, I know that librarised is not a word) over the las…
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Brother To Brother (Review: The Demon's Covenant by Sarah Rees Brennan)

The Demon's Covenant Sarah Rees Brennan Simon Pulse 2010
Mae Crawford always thought she was in control. Now she's learned that her little brother Jamie is a magician and Nick, the boy she'd set her heart on, has an even darker secret. Mae's whole world has spun out of control, and it&…
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If Music Be The Food Of Love...or Hot Boys And Their Instruments (ooh er, missus)

After threatening to write a post about hot boys and pianos, I was surprised to receive a couple of requests to actually do so. I'm not complaining. I am also not limiting myself to pianos. I should probably explain... I have always loved a creative sort of guy. Art is good – but music is b…
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Walk Like An Egyptian (Review of The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan)

The Red Pyramid Rick Riordan Puffin 2010
Since their mother’s death, Carter and Sadie have become near strangers. While Sadie has lived with her grandparents in London, her brother has traveled the world with their father, the brilliant Egyptologist, Dr. Julius Kane.

One night, Dr. Kane brings the sib…
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Bodacious Blogger Award

Last week, I was really excited to get awarded not one but two awards from fellow bloggers.  I squeeeeed, and danced and generally was very pleased.  I have procrastinated for a whole week as I didn't want to pass awards on to bloggers who I've noticed already receiving them lately but I am…
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IMM (#8)

In My Mailbox is a meme created and hosted by Kristi over at The Story Siren with inspiration from Alea at Pop Culture Junkie. It basically give book bloggers everywhere the opportunity to share what books they have received/bought/librarised (yes, I know that librarised is not a word) over the las…
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On Life And Living (Review: The Sky Is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson)

The Sky Is Everywhere Jandy Nelson Walker Books 2010
Seventeen-year-old Lennie Walker, bookworm and band geek, plays second clarinet and spends her time tucked safely and happily in the shadow of her fiery older sister, Bailey. But when Bailey dies abruptly, Lennie is catapulted to center stage of her…
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We have a winner...

Congratulations to The Lovely Reader who is the winner of my first ever contest! Check out her fantastic blog - its all kinds of loveliness. 
Thank you to all who entered and left such great comments.
Lovely Reader  - an email is winging its way to you and your books will surely follow.
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In Which A Girl Is Not So Much Bad As Vaguely Naughty (Review: Jekel Loves Hyde by B. Fantaskey)

Jekel Love Hyde
Beth Fantaskey
Harcourt 2010
Jill Jekel has always obeyed her parents’ rules – especially the one about never opening the mysterious, old box in her father’s office. But when her dad is murdered, and her college savings disappear, she's tempted to peek inside, as the contents might…
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