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Upon the Darkest Mountain
A curse lying over the land, seen by none but felt by all. An imposing mountain hidden in plain sight.
The world is no longer as it once was.
In place of prosperity, there’s famine and drought. Magic has all but disappeared.
At Ember House, Adria exists inside a sheltered bubble, until she's tasked with carrying provisions up a mountain for the rest of her life, and her happy world begins to fall apart.
Entirely alone, a kinship builds between her and the mountaintop's sole occupant, but what secrets does he hide?
Claiming to have lost his memory, the man locked away in a small room is a mystery, even to himself.
Can she set him free?
Should she?
Adria’s resolve will be pushed to the limit, but there’s no going back…
As thirst for power is pitted against the desire for revenge, find out which will triumph in this compelling, dystopian fantasy tale.
The world is no longer as it once was.
In place of prosperity, there’s famine and drought. Magic has all but disappeared.
At Ember House, Adria exists inside a sheltered bubble, until she's tasked with carrying provisions up a mountain for the rest of her life, and her happy world begins to fall apart.
Entirely alone, a kinship builds between her and the mountaintop's sole occupant, but what secrets does he hide?
Claiming to have lost his memory, the man locked away in a small room is a mystery, even to himself.
Can she set him free?
Should she?
Adria’s resolve will be pushed to the limit, but there’s no going back…
As thirst for power is pitted against the desire for revenge, find out which will triumph in this compelling, dystopian fantasy tale.
329 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 8, 2014
19 people are currently reading
181 people want to read
About the author
Rachel L. Tilley
34 books26 followersReading, writing, watching movies... anything fantasy!
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If you like the same books, add me as a friend.
www.twitter.com/rachelltilley
www.instagram.com/rachel_l_tilley
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
May 29, 2024
A wonderful new fantasy novel
Upon the Darkest Mountain by Rachel L. Tilley
What a wonderful new fantasy novel from this author. I loved following Adria through her journey as she discovered the hidden mountain. In her new role, she unveils a world of magic and finds herself in the middle of it.
The story has great pace and twists to keep you turning the pages. I loved the world-building and the way the world reacts to magic. There’s a coming-of-age feel to the story, but older adults could also enjoy it. The story doesn’t shy away from some harder hitting topics such as loss.
Upon the Darkest Mountain by Rachel L. Tilley
What a wonderful new fantasy novel from this author. I loved following Adria through her journey as she discovered the hidden mountain. In her new role, she unveils a world of magic and finds herself in the middle of it.
The story has great pace and twists to keep you turning the pages. I loved the world-building and the way the world reacts to magic. There’s a coming-of-age feel to the story, but older adults could also enjoy it. The story doesn’t shy away from some harder hitting topics such as loss.
November 24, 2024
Amazing story. Loved following Adria's journey and personal growth.
My favourite thing was peeking inside Varick's mind. I rushed to every new chapter to find out what he was thinking!
I recommend this book not only to young people but also if you are like me a bit more mature. ✌🏻😊
My favourite thing was peeking inside Varick's mind. I rushed to every new chapter to find out what he was thinking!
I recommend this book not only to young people but also if you are like me a bit more mature. ✌🏻😊
August 3, 2024
A lovely read
This was an excellent story in my opinion. Really well paced and I couldn't put it down. I really liked the characters and the descriptions. I hope the author has a lot of success with this story 👍👍👍
This was an excellent story in my opinion. Really well paced and I couldn't put it down. I really liked the characters and the descriptions. I hope the author has a lot of success with this story 👍👍👍
July 6, 2024
Thank you to the wonderful @rachel_l_tilley who gifted me a copy of her book in exchange for an honest review.
This is the second book I've read from this author, a standalone which didn't disappoint. A lovely dystopian fantasy.
We follow Adria, who was an orphan who was placed within Ember House whose job it was to provide trips up to the mountain with food, clothes, and various necessities to the unknown locked inside. Until she releases him... was this a smart move? Time will tell.
I loved the poetic prose of this book, the POVs, and the internal thoughts from Varick himself. The theme of greed and power were obvious in the narrative, and what I thought would be an enemies to lovers trope...or was it?
We follow her fight and willpower to make the world a better place, decisions that had to come from strength and power that she did not hold. Within her new role, she finds herself thrown into the world of magic, a heavy responsibility she finds herself in. This was a very different YA fantasy book, with a unique storyline and not the usual tropes you'd see in a typical one.
I enjoyed the twists and the turns and the journey they both undertook to get to the bottom of all the unknown questions bubbling within the reader.
Well done, Rach 🙌
This is the second book I've read from this author, a standalone which didn't disappoint. A lovely dystopian fantasy.
We follow Adria, who was an orphan who was placed within Ember House whose job it was to provide trips up to the mountain with food, clothes, and various necessities to the unknown locked inside. Until she releases him... was this a smart move? Time will tell.
I loved the poetic prose of this book, the POVs, and the internal thoughts from Varick himself. The theme of greed and power were obvious in the narrative, and what I thought would be an enemies to lovers trope...or was it?
We follow her fight and willpower to make the world a better place, decisions that had to come from strength and power that she did not hold. Within her new role, she finds herself thrown into the world of magic, a heavy responsibility she finds herself in. This was a very different YA fantasy book, with a unique storyline and not the usual tropes you'd see in a typical one.
I enjoyed the twists and the turns and the journey they both undertook to get to the bottom of all the unknown questions bubbling within the reader.
Well done, Rach 🙌
February 7, 2025
This was an enjoyable story about a cursed land, a strange prisoner, and a young woman who finds herself thrust into something she is simply not prepared for! Adrian is drawn in by the mysterious Varick, the prisoner she is charged to provide food and clothing for. Their relationship develops, at first seeming friendly but soon becoming something all too toxic. Adria’s journey takes her far from home, past the borders of Ember House where the country of Azaileah has lived with a curse for hundreds of years. The cause of that curse? Adria is soon to find out, and to understand Varick’s true nature. I particularly enjoyed the unique nature of the magic within the story, and Adria’s role with it. Her relationship with Varick was an emotional rollercoaster, and with Alis was lovely. We see Adria grow as a person as she realises what she must do. The end of the story was also a nice epilogue that finished on a bittersweet but hopeful note.
July 2, 2024
A beautifully woven tale. Poetic prose that grips you from the start. Such simplicity in story-telling and yet it has gravitas.
What is this enigmatic world and why is it so bleak? I was keen to read on to find out what happened to this previously magical and majestic land.
We meet the main character, Adria. A young lady who appears to be a maid, yet is tasked with a perplexing new role.
Follow her story as she forges a bond with Varrick - for good or bad, time will tell.
What is this enigmatic world and why is it so bleak? I was keen to read on to find out what happened to this previously magical and majestic land.
We meet the main character, Adria. A young lady who appears to be a maid, yet is tasked with a perplexing new role.
Follow her story as she forges a bond with Varrick - for good or bad, time will tell.
November 5, 2024
Mike
Fantastic book. Gripping! Couldn’t put it down. Very well thought out! Thank you for writing this book. Ready for the next one!
Fantastic book. Gripping! Couldn’t put it down. Very well thought out! Thank you for writing this book. Ready for the next one!
January 21, 2025
DEFINITELY CHECK THIS ONE OUT!
"If you are looking for a good book to add to your reading list, then this one is worth a peek! There is plenty enough to like here!"
"If you are looking for a good book to add to your reading list, then this one is worth a peek! There is plenty enough to like here!"
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews