The Mountains of Instead

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

To Boldly Go (review: Redshirts by John Scalzi)

Redshirts: A Novel with 3 Codas John Scalzi Gollancz 2012
The Intrepid, flagship of the Universal Union, seems like the dream assignment for any aspiring Starfleet rookie. The chance to work alongside the best of the best; the most up-to-date technology; the most exciting missions. This is what Ensign…
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Because It Is Bitter (Review: I Am Legend by Richard Matheson)

I Am Legend
Richard Matheson
Gollancz 2006 (originally published 1954)

Another day, another post-apocalyptic book review. As Splendibird has pointed out, Hallowe'en approaches so it's time to rustle up our best costumes (I'm doing 'Sexy Book Reviewer' this year), carve up a lantern…
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There But For The Grace (review of Graceling by Kirsten Kashore)

Graceling Kristin Cashore Gollancz 2009
In a continent dissected into seven Kingdoms, the Lady Katsa is an oddity in a world of such oddities.  The society in which she lives is separated into those Graced with particular skills and those not, yet those Graced are by no means favoured.  Those born wit…
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What Is All This Sweet Work Worth... (Review: Red Glove by Holly Black)

Red Glove Holly Black Gollancz 2011
Red Gloveis the second book in the Curse Workersseries by Holly Black. If you have not read the first book (White Cat) then this review will contain spoilers. You have been warned.
After the startling, transforming (yep, I went there) and violent events of White C…
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Quis Separabit? (Review: The Dark And Hollow Places; Carrie Ryan)

The Dark And Hollow Places
Carrie Ryan
Gollancz 2011


The Dark and Hollow Places is the third in Carrie Ryan's excellent series.  This review, therefore, contains spoilers regarding both The Forest of Hands and Teeth and The Dead Tossed Waves.
Annah has been alone ever since Elias left her – three l…
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The Con Is On (Review: White Cat; Holly Black)

White Cat Holly Black Gollancz 2010
Cassel comes from a family of curse workers -- people who have the power to change your emotions, your memories, your luck, by the slightest touch of their hands. And since curse work is illegal, they're all mobsters, or con artists. Except for Cassel. He hasn&#…
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I Went Into The Woods Because... (Review: The Dead-Tossed Waves; C. Ryan)

The Dead-Tossed Waves Carrie Ryan Gollancz 2010
This review may contain slight spoilers, especially if you have not read the first in this series – The Forest of Hands and Teeth (review here). You have been warned.
Gabry lives a quiet life, secure in her town next to the sea and behind the Barrier. Sh…
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The Horror Of The Shade (Review: The Forest of Hands and Teeth; C. Ryan)

Not read any Carrie Ryan yet? Shame on you!  Vicki from Rhiana Reads reviews The Forest of Hands and Teeth - one of the most beautifully written books out there at the moment.



 The Forest of Hands and Teeth Carrie Ryan Gollancz 2009
In Mary's world there are simple truths. The Sisterhood always know…
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