The Mountains of Instead

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

The Neverending (love) Story

For those of you who haven't noticed, Puffin recently - and rather beautifully - started to re-release some of the most beloved of children's books.  From Charlotte's Web, to Gobbolino, to Tarka the Otter, to Goodnight Mister Tom to Watership Down each and every title has been repackage…
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Anarchy in the UK (review: Nowhere by Jon Robinson)

Nowhere
Jon Robinson Penguin 2013
Alyn, Jes, Ryan and Elsa are nowhere.  Confined to a concrete block that serves as a prison to them and ninety-four others they have no idea where they actually are.  They and their fellow inmates are watched around the clock, kept in cells and subjected to endless le…
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If You Go Down To The Woods (Review: A Tale Dark and Grimm by Adam Gidwitz)

A Tale Dark And Grimm Adam Gidwitz Puffin 2011
“"You're being foolish," Gretel told herself. "Rain can't talk."

No, of course it can't. The moon can eat children, and fingers can open doors, and people's heads can be put back on. But rain? Talk? Don't be ridiculou…
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Hungry Like the Wolf (review: Scarlet by Marissa Meyer)

Scarlet
Marrisa Meyer
Puffin 2013

Scarlet Benoit is on her own. Her beloved Grandmother is missing and no-one seems to care. Dragged from the quiet existence of her farm, Scarlet finds herself drawn into a world of street-fighting, marked men and swirling conspiracy. Unsure where to turn, she finds…
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I Am Not A Robot (Review: Cinder by Marissa Meyer)

Cinder Marissa Meyer Puffin 2012
Cinder is a mechanic.  She’s good with wires and hardware and such – a good thing, as a large proportion of her body is made up of these things. In a world where medicine has advanced to the point where those near death can by saved by using non-human parts, she owns a…
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Like Dust, I Rise (Review: Crossed by Ally Condie)

Crossed Ally Condie Puffin 2011
Crossed is the second book in the trilogy that started with Matched. If you have not read Matched then this review will contain spoilers for the first title. You have been warned.
Three months on from the events of Matched, Cassia has endured the manual labour of several…
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Show Me The Pretty

I generally avoid cover reveal posts, mainly because everyone does them at around the same time and it seems silly to add one more to the pile. However, today I'm making an exception and featuring the UK cover of Richelle Mead's forthcoming Bloodlines:

Anyone familiar with The Vampire Academ…
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And The Stars Look Very Different Today (Review: Across The Universe; Beth Revis)

Across The Universe Beth Revis Razorbill 2011
Space, as well as being the final frontier, would appear to be the next big thing in young adult fiction. James Frey saw it when he approached Jobie Hughes with I Am Number 4 and I am sure that the publication of the far superior Across The Universe will h…
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All That Glitters (Reviews of The Other Countess and The Queen's Lady by Eve Edwards)

The Other Countess and The Queen's Lady Eve Edwards Razorbill 2010/11
I have oft been heard to say that I do not enjoy historical fiction but, having been proved wrong time and time again, I may have to start qualifying that with the statement that when it is done well it can be jolly good fun. W…
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Guest Post - Phil Earle

Earlier today I reviewed Being Billy, the debut title of UK author Phil Earle.  Inspired by his own experience as social carer, the book is haunting, thought provoking and moving.  It also highlights the plight of many kids in the UK and for that alone it should be championed.

Here, Phil talks about…
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What Is This Life, If Full Of Care (Review: Being Billy; P. Earle)

Being Billy Phil Earle                 Puffin 2010
To be honest, when Being Billy appeared through my door I pretty much instantly dismissed it.  I read YA mostly to try and escape the real world and a story about a kid in a care home really doesn’t fit that bill.  However, an impassioned email from t…
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Blog Tour Stop for Wereworld: Rise Of The Wolf

I'm delighted to be a stop on the blog tour for exciting new fantasy title Wereworld: Rise of The Wolf by debut author Curtis Jobling.  I'm lucky enough to have had him write a fascinating post for this here blog, all about combining horror, fantasy and his love of both:





My love of fantasy a…
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