The Mountains of Instead

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

Introducing our Youngest Contributor and her First Book Review

We don't really review books for anyone under YA age here on MOI, but that's all about to change because we have a new reviewer: Lady M.  Lady M is six and has been interested in getting in about these here hills for a while. So here is her first book review, originally written out by hand …

Calling All Avenging Angels (Review: Angelfall by Susan Ee)

Angelfall Susan Ee Hodder and Stoughton 2013
Six week after the Angels of the Apocalypse arrived to take over the world, things are looking pretty grim.  The Angels are neither an awesomely monikered biker gang nor anything to do with Pinky and the Brain but rather a horde of fearsome winged warriors …

Running Up That Hill (Review: Requiem by Lauren Oliver)

Requiem Lauren Oliver Hodder and Stoughton 2013
Requiem is the final book in Lauren Oliver's Delirium trilogy. As such, this review contains spoilers for the previous two titles. You can find our reviews of Delirium and Pandemonium by clicking on the links.
Having escaped the clutches of Deliria Fr…

A Weapon The Size of Her Heart (Review: Pandemonium, Lauren Oliver)

Pandemonium Lauren Oliver Hodder and Staughton 2012
Pandemonium is the second book in Lauren Oliver’s Delirium trilogy.If you have not read Delirium, the first book, then this review will contain spoilers.You can find a review of Delirium here.
After the life-changing events of Delirium, Lena Haloway …

You Are At The Bottom Of My Mind (Review: My Name Is Memory by Ann Brashares)

My Name Is Memory
Ann Brashares
Hodder and Stoughton 2010


Daniel is an old soul. Literally. He has lived many lives and, unlike the majority of souls, is able to remember each and every one. And in each and every one his driving force has been his love for another soul – Sophia. In each life he se…

Comfortably Numb (Review: Delirium by Lauren Oliver)

Delirium Lauren Oliver HarperTeen/Hodder and Stoughton 2011
In Lena's world love is a four letter word – a disease; an infection of which all are cured at age eighteen. After the cure, citizens are no longer cursed with the highs and lows that love can bring. In fact, they are no longer inconven…

Lord Help The Mister... (Review: Sisters Red by Jackson Pearce)

Sisters Red Jackson Pearce Hodder 2010
Scarlett March lives to hunt the Fenris- the werewolves that took her eye when she was defending her sister Rosie from a brutal attack. Armed with a razor-sharp hatchet and blood-red cloak, Scarlett is an expert at luring and slaying the wolves. She's determin…