Review: The Girl and the Mountain

The Girl and the Mountain by Mark Lawrence
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thanks to Netgalley and Berkley publishing for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Mark Lawrence, you wily minx, you've tricked me. You somehow got that one big character introduction over on me (I blame my failing memory and how many books I read in between releases for yours). Then you made me think I could read this trilogy, having only read the Ancestor trilogy so far, when clearly you have your own little universe of interconnected books going on and I was completely unaware. My plan for this year was to read this ARC and then pick up the Impossible Times trilogy and save the other two series you've written (Red Queen and Broken Empire) for next year... I need stuff to fill in between releases but don't want to binge them all so fast and be out of them. But you messed with my brain, Mark. You've made me want to read them all this year and dig in for connections.

If you've not read Mark Lawrence, give him a shot, but don't start with this one. This one is second in a new trilogy, and book three won't come out until next year. I started with Red Sister. It's not a bad place to start. I'm pretty sure you can start with any of his trilogies you like. But be warned, you'll want to read them all.

When it comes to the nitty gritty of this book, The Girl and the Mountain, I do have one complaint amidst all the glowing praise. There's a point in the book, around halfway, that this book feels like it ends and another starts, and that second book starts with a part that drags a bit. Yes, that's a semi-intended pun that you'll understand when you read it. Some action still occurs, but that was the hardest part of the book for me. That's why I gave the book the rating I did (4.5 stars, rounded up since I can't do half stars).

I love the characters in this world. The magic system is freaking cool. And this book delves even deeper (another intended pun) into the history and mythology of the world they live in and the planet they live on.

Highly recommended - but again, don't start with this book. :)

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