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Into the Land of Snows
Sixteen year old Blake travels to Base Camp on Mt. Everest to spend time with his physician father. When a deadly avalanche occurs, Dad is forced to rethink things and sends Blake away. Now accompanied by a Sherpa guide, and in possession of a mysterious camera, Blake undertakes a journey that will change everything he believes. In the magical Himalayas, he will be forever changed by what he experiences.
- GenresYoung Adult
206 pages, Paperback
First published February 7, 2012
About the author
Ellis Nelson
4 books14 followersEllis Nelson has served as an Air Force officer, government contractor, and teacher. She writes for children and young adults largely under the newly emerging category of visionary fiction. Having returned from living abroad in Europe, she now calls Colorado home. Visit her website to learn more about her and what she's working on (www.ellisnelson.com).
"Mystical life is the centre of all that I do and all that I think and all that I write." WB Yeats
"Mystical life is the centre of all that I do and all that I think and all that I write." WB Yeats
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
August 24, 2015
Into the Land of Snows is a thoughtful journey into the soul of the protagonist, Blake, but also into the soul of the reader. As the plot unfolds in a pristine landscape foreign to Blake and also to me, Nelson aptly shows us what a real relationship to the Earth looks (and feels) like. Having been raised in contemporary California and moved to Ohio, Blake is completely unprepared for the journey his father, a physician, has instigated. The rugged mountains (including Everest) that he encounters are apt metaphors for the spiritual peaks and valleys he navigate in order to understand who he really is and what has become of his life. He and his Sherpa guide, Ang, journey from monastery to monastery gently teaching Blake the difference between material success and inner awareness. Along the way, Blake learns basic Buddhist principals that he is eventually able to apply to his own life. In the Buddhist manner, these principals are shown, not forced, and it is up to Blake to make the connections or not.
Into the Land of Snows is a eminently readable YA novel that moves quickly and adeptly through many mystical twists and turns. A very fast and enjoyable read! I recommend it highly to YA audiences, but to adults as well.
Into the Land of Snows is a eminently readable YA novel that moves quickly and adeptly through many mystical twists and turns. A very fast and enjoyable read! I recommend it highly to YA audiences, but to adults as well.
July 24, 2013
Location. Location. Location.
There's something inexplicably captivating about the Himalayas. And although most of us will never get to see this distant part of the world first hand, Into the Land of Snows provides a tantalising glimpse.
Forced to relocate to an unfamiliar, rural town when his parents split up, Blake McCormack strives to cope with a host of issues all too familiar to many teenagers. But when his mother catches him smoking marijuana, Blake’s parents decide he should spend some time with his estranged father, who is currently working as a doctor in a far from familiar place... Everest Base Camp.
An avalanche soon after Blake’s arrival, makes his father rethink the wisdom of having his son in such a wild and dangerous place. He decides to send Blake back to Kathmandu, in the care of a Sherpa named Ang.
Blake’s trek down the mountain transports the reader to a semi-mystical landscape of mountains, valleys, secluded villages and isolated monasteries. But when he discovers an unexpected secret, Blake’s journey takes on a spiritual dimension, which blurs the boundaries between the possible and impossible.
There's something inexplicably captivating about the Himalayas. And although most of us will never get to see this distant part of the world first hand, Into the Land of Snows provides a tantalising glimpse.
Forced to relocate to an unfamiliar, rural town when his parents split up, Blake McCormack strives to cope with a host of issues all too familiar to many teenagers. But when his mother catches him smoking marijuana, Blake’s parents decide he should spend some time with his estranged father, who is currently working as a doctor in a far from familiar place... Everest Base Camp.
An avalanche soon after Blake’s arrival, makes his father rethink the wisdom of having his son in such a wild and dangerous place. He decides to send Blake back to Kathmandu, in the care of a Sherpa named Ang.
Blake’s trek down the mountain transports the reader to a semi-mystical landscape of mountains, valleys, secluded villages and isolated monasteries. But when he discovers an unexpected secret, Blake’s journey takes on a spiritual dimension, which blurs the boundaries between the possible and impossible.
April 6, 2015
This is much more than a superb coming-of-age novel. At one level it is a Bildungsroman about a sixteen year-old American boy's learning about life, and the truth about his parents' divorce while on a trekking tour in the Himalayas with an experienced Sherpa guide. But the book is also about the purity of the high mountains and the life lessons one learns when confronting oneself and one's fears at these elevated heights. On a third plane, this is also a book about Buddhism, a book that teaches without preaching. I was attracted to this book after reading an article on the author's blog and can recommend it without reservation to anyone who sees life as a magical journey of growth and discovery.
June 24, 2014
Ellis Nelson writes as one who knows of being in the land of snows, of being with the Himalayans, Sherpas, Monks, Lamas and hence the beginning of an amazing life changing experience by Blake McCormack, Ellis Nelson’s main character in this fascinating novel. I came upon this amazing story by chance and did not even read the book description. The title alone was compelling. The story begins with the angst of a young 17 year old boy, Blake, who is angry at his parents. Blake is forced by his physician father to accompany him to the Himalayans to help at the base camp at Mount Everest, but here the story takes a life changing turn for Blake and then the real story begins. Into the Land of Snows takes the reader into a world so different, so beautifully challenging in its vision of life that the reader is drawn-in completely. So strong is the vision presented in this book it may even change the being within you.
March 20, 2016
Was looking for a book on Nepal prior to a visit, and "Into the Land of Snows" seemed interesting. Unfortunately, at least for me, it fails in the execution. Positives include some lovely descriptions of the Himalayas and a fair introduction to Buddhism, if a bit more mystical/supernatural than expected). The main negative is the one-dimensionality of the characters, especially the protagonist, Blake. While teenagers tend to be self-absorbed, Blake was just grating. Also feel that the delivery was lacking, with much of the plot seemed contrived, simply a vehicle to deliver Blake's "transformation" rather than showing an actual spiritual journey, leading to a rushed ending. Interesting premise, which could have - should have - been so much more. 2.5 stars.
April 3, 2012
After enduring his parents' painful divorce and having some disciplinary problems at school 16 year old Blake is sent to spend some time living with his father, a physician working at Everest Base Camp, in Nepal. Just after his arrival at Everest Base Camp a deadly avalanche occurs and Blake's father is forced to send him to safety. With a Sherpa as his guide, and carrying a set of photos that may hold the key to one of Everest's greatest mysteries, Blake undertakes a spiritual journey that will alter his perceptions and change his life.
I've spent several months traveling in Nepal, and I really enjoy reading about Buddhism, so when I was given the opportunity to review Into the Land of Snows I was pretty excited. I REALLY wanted to like this book. Unfortunately, quite a few aspects of it fell short for me.
My biggest problem with the book was the main character, Blake. I know that he is a high school boy, and high schoolers tend to be pretty wrapped up in themselves (I remember! I was in high school once!), but throughout the book black was rude, uncaring, and disrespectful to an almost comical and completely unbelievable degree! He was impossible for me to like. I spent most of the story wanting to slap him! Throughout his entire "spiritual journey" he seemed completely unconvinced by everything he was taught; and his "transformation" at the end of the book seemed less like a gradual transition that was a result of everything that he learned throughout the book and more like the author realizing that she needed to end the story and so Blake better hurry up change his views. It literally happened within the span of a few pages. That, to me, was completely unbelievable.
Another issue I had with the book was the poor editing. This book was not self published, and I checked out the author's blog and in several entries she talks about working with her editor, so I was shocked that there were so many glaring spelling and grammatical errors. I definitely don't nitpick , I understand that things happen and the occasional error slips through the cracks (it happens to me all the time!), but there were so many in this book that I found it distracting. When a book is edited by a professional and not self published my expectations for this sort of thing are justifiably higher.
There were some things that I did like. I think that the book does a nice job teaching the reader about some of the basic tenants of Buddhism. It also offers some beautiful descriptions of Nepal's magical countryside. In those moments I could really feel the author's love of her subject matter, and that was enjoyable. However, I had many other issues with the book in general that I really couldn't overlook them for the moments that I did like.
In it's current state I have a hard time recommending this book to anyone. Maybe teenagers who would like to learn more about Buddhism, but would prefer to read fiction books (as opposed to religious texts) would get something out of it? I'm not sure. I think with some editing it would be a much more enjoyable story, but in it's current state it's just not a pleasant read.
I've spent several months traveling in Nepal, and I really enjoy reading about Buddhism, so when I was given the opportunity to review Into the Land of Snows I was pretty excited. I REALLY wanted to like this book. Unfortunately, quite a few aspects of it fell short for me.
My biggest problem with the book was the main character, Blake. I know that he is a high school boy, and high schoolers tend to be pretty wrapped up in themselves (I remember! I was in high school once!), but throughout the book black was rude, uncaring, and disrespectful to an almost comical and completely unbelievable degree! He was impossible for me to like. I spent most of the story wanting to slap him! Throughout his entire "spiritual journey" he seemed completely unconvinced by everything he was taught; and his "transformation" at the end of the book seemed less like a gradual transition that was a result of everything that he learned throughout the book and more like the author realizing that she needed to end the story and so Blake better hurry up change his views. It literally happened within the span of a few pages. That, to me, was completely unbelievable.
Another issue I had with the book was the poor editing. This book was not self published, and I checked out the author's blog and in several entries she talks about working with her editor, so I was shocked that there were so many glaring spelling and grammatical errors. I definitely don't nitpick , I understand that things happen and the occasional error slips through the cracks (it happens to me all the time!), but there were so many in this book that I found it distracting. When a book is edited by a professional and not self published my expectations for this sort of thing are justifiably higher.
There were some things that I did like. I think that the book does a nice job teaching the reader about some of the basic tenants of Buddhism. It also offers some beautiful descriptions of Nepal's magical countryside. In those moments I could really feel the author's love of her subject matter, and that was enjoyable. However, I had many other issues with the book in general that I really couldn't overlook them for the moments that I did like.
In it's current state I have a hard time recommending this book to anyone. Maybe teenagers who would like to learn more about Buddhism, but would prefer to read fiction books (as opposed to religious texts) would get something out of it? I'm not sure. I think with some editing it would be a much more enjoyable story, but in it's current state it's just not a pleasant read.
January 10, 2015
The novel starts with Blake being forced to visit his father at base camp at Mount Everest. It was nice that the story started out with a bit of action, but it was almost too abrupt. Blake’s issues with his father are at the forefront at the beginning of the book. It’s obvious he blames him for everything that went wrong, but even I found it too much of an overreaction to ship him off to Mount Everest for smoking a little pot. He’s a sixteen year old boy for crying out loud! There are probably better ways to handle that. To uproot him in the middle of the school year (after uprooting him once already after a divorce) seems like it would be doing more harm than good. It also seemed pointless for him to go all the way to Mount Everest just to be asked to leave.
Obviously, it was a necessary plot device to start his trip with Ang and to reach “enlightenment”. On the trip with Ang, Blake and Ang debate philosophy and discuss Buddhist teachings. It’s an interesting subject to learn about, but all of the conversations seemed forced and weren’t written very organically. I did enjoy learning about some of the teachings though since I wasn’t aware of Buddhist principles before.
The end of the novel is a little anticlimactic and Blake’s transformation seemed quite rushed. Perhaps the novel is good to introduce Buddhism to younger readers, but there are probably better books out there for that. Overall, it’s a mediocre book with a couple of interesting principles thrown in.
I received this book through the LibraryThing Early Reviewers program.
Obviously, it was a necessary plot device to start his trip with Ang and to reach “enlightenment”. On the trip with Ang, Blake and Ang debate philosophy and discuss Buddhist teachings. It’s an interesting subject to learn about, but all of the conversations seemed forced and weren’t written very organically. I did enjoy learning about some of the teachings though since I wasn’t aware of Buddhist principles before.
The end of the novel is a little anticlimactic and Blake’s transformation seemed quite rushed. Perhaps the novel is good to introduce Buddhism to younger readers, but there are probably better books out there for that. Overall, it’s a mediocre book with a couple of interesting principles thrown in.
I received this book through the LibraryThing Early Reviewers program.
November 19, 2016
This book is a light, imaginative, novel that stole my interest from the beginning. The introduction into Buddhism was incredibly interesting as a teenage girl who doesn't know what gonna happen when she dies. Maybe this is it.
About 30-50 pages into this novel the story really seemed to pick up and I couldn't put it down. Although the characters could do with some more depth at times, I really related to Blake. He sleeps whenever he has the chance it seems and I highly relate. Ang and Blake seem a little erratic with their moods sometimes, but it seems to always be validated by Ang in the long run. Blake is exactly as you'd expect, an angsty teenage boy.
Throughout Blake's trip across the mountain and as he is introduced to the ways of the Tibet people, I find it so interesting. Sometimes I think what the people think is real, their religion, is too surreal to comprehend, but Ang and others really seem to make me feel like there's a chance. There could be a chance that all this is legit. It's just amazing to think about.
I'd recommend this novel to anyone who wants to read a book that will make you think, but is positive. Although, I feel like young adults would appreciate the story more given that they would relate to the moody Blake more than others. By date it took me a month to read this book, but that's only because of my busy band and school schedule, it only actually took me a few days.
About 30-50 pages into this novel the story really seemed to pick up and I couldn't put it down. Although the characters could do with some more depth at times, I really related to Blake. He sleeps whenever he has the chance it seems and I highly relate. Ang and Blake seem a little erratic with their moods sometimes, but it seems to always be validated by Ang in the long run. Blake is exactly as you'd expect, an angsty teenage boy.
Throughout Blake's trip across the mountain and as he is introduced to the ways of the Tibet people, I find it so interesting. Sometimes I think what the people think is real, their religion, is too surreal to comprehend, but Ang and others really seem to make me feel like there's a chance. There could be a chance that all this is legit. It's just amazing to think about.
I'd recommend this novel to anyone who wants to read a book that will make you think, but is positive. Although, I feel like young adults would appreciate the story more given that they would relate to the moody Blake more than others. By date it took me a month to read this book, but that's only because of my busy band and school schedule, it only actually took me a few days.
December 31, 2016
This appears to be a novel better suited to the YA market. The main character, a teenage boy, is shipped off to be with his father, a doctor who works with climbers attempting to scale Mt. Everest. He develops a friendship with a Sherpa named Ang who introduces him to the mystical beliefs of the native population. A standard coming-of-age, perhaps. One thing I did like was the delving into the belief system of Buddhism.
January 7, 2017
The novel Into the Land of Snows was a continual adventure/journey of protagonist Blake McCormack in the rugged Himalayas. It's a story of discovery, not only of the Himalayas but also of himself. Ellis Nelson's storytelling and descriptions were outstanding. I could picture everything. The Buddhist practices and folklore made the book more alluring. I've already recommended this book to others.
May 9, 2025
The reason I discovered this book is because the author frequently likes my other book reviews and I just couldn’t help but get a copy of their book in the hopes that they would see this post. I thought it would be a fun surprise for them.
Ellis, just know that you interacting with my blog has not gone unnoticed. Thank you so much, it is so appreciated.
If you’re looking for a young adult novel that seamlessly blends adventure, mysticism, and deep emotional growth, look no further than Into the Land of Snows. This is a poignant and beautifully written story that takes readers on a transformative journey through the Himalayas.
At the heart of this novel is Brandon, his evolution throughout is subtle yet powerful.
Into the Land of Snows is such a compelling read.
Overall it is a beautifully told coming of age tale steeped in Eastern philosophy and breath taking landscapes.
It’s a rare kind of young adult novel that encourages self reflection without losing its sense of wonder and adventure.
Ellis, just know that you interacting with my blog has not gone unnoticed. Thank you so much, it is so appreciated.
If you’re looking for a young adult novel that seamlessly blends adventure, mysticism, and deep emotional growth, look no further than Into the Land of Snows. This is a poignant and beautifully written story that takes readers on a transformative journey through the Himalayas.
At the heart of this novel is Brandon, his evolution throughout is subtle yet powerful.
Into the Land of Snows is such a compelling read.
Overall it is a beautifully told coming of age tale steeped in Eastern philosophy and breath taking landscapes.
It’s a rare kind of young adult novel that encourages self reflection without losing its sense of wonder and adventure.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews