What do you think?
Rate this book
Mountain Fast: A Gothic Tale of Medieval Horror
Hungary, 1468.
At Kuszkol, the old-timers say, shadows walk and men go mad. But sixty years after the remote mountain fortress was first abandoned, it is attracting soldiers once again.
The bishop’s messenger András carries a letter for the new commander. On his party’s northward journey, he downplays the old tales. Yet he cannot explain why the castle’s beacon should burn the night before their arrival. Nor why, once they arrive, the garrison is missing. Nor can he explain the mysterious charcoal figures they find etched on the walls.
By the time they settle down for their first night at Kuszkol, András faces an even more pressing question—why is he speaking in his dead wife’s voice?
At Kuszkol, the old-timers say, shadows walk and men go mad. But sixty years after the remote mountain fortress was first abandoned, it is attracting soldiers once again.
The bishop’s messenger András carries a letter for the new commander. On his party’s northward journey, he downplays the old tales. Yet he cannot explain why the castle’s beacon should burn the night before their arrival. Nor why, once they arrive, the garrison is missing. Nor can he explain the mysterious charcoal figures they find etched on the walls.
By the time they settle down for their first night at Kuszkol, András faces an even more pressing question—why is he speaking in his dead wife’s voice?
268 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 24, 2024
45 people are currently reading
168 people want to read
About the author
S.J. Shank
4 books15 followersS.J. Shank is a lover of dead languages and collapsed empires. His writing inhabits the grim borderlands between fantasy, horror and historical fiction. He is the author of The Knave of Graves, Mountain Fast and Rare Specimen and Other Stories.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
July 13, 2024
2½ stars. Full review coming.
September 2, 2024
Honestly, I thought this book was released last year, so it kind of stumped me when I saw it actually only came out in June of this year. I think part of it was maybe I’d seen the cover reveal earlier and just kind of assumed it was a book out? Who knows. Or, it could very well be that I’ve lost some semblance of how time operates. Either way, I snagged this book back in July and when I saw Tim McGregor raving about it, I knew I needed to bump it up the TBR and get on it. Even better – I saw Shank was Canadian and voila, Steve is all over this one.
From the vibe/atmosphere of the cover, the synopsis and the fact Tim was raving about it, I knew I was in for a historical type piece of fiction that would be dread-filled and eerie. Double that up with this being Shanks debut novel and I knew he’d be swinging for the fences.
What I liked: The story follows András, a messenger, who has a letter to deliver to a commander. It is Hungary, late 1400’s, and Religion plays a large role in everyone’s lives, but also the fear of death, sin and the unknown.
He accompanies a group of soldiers heading to Kuszkol, a remote mountain fortress that was abandoned sixty years prior, but has been used by soldiers recently, as a lookout for foreign troops marching towards them. But, mysteriously, the fortress has gone silent and so, a group sets out to make contact. At first, András is there to say goodbye to his deceased wife’s younger brother, Pal, who is joining the group. But he is then told to go along, deliver his letter and continue with his job.
It’s here that Shank really ramps things up. First at the approach, and then upon arrival. Throughout, we get growing tension between the men, a darkening of light around the edges of the prose and as we arrive and we discover the horses, Shank dims the light a bit more, drops the temperature and prepares to deliver his worst.
This feels exactly what a lot of the older storylines within Hellboy/BPRD was like. Remote settings, seclusion, horrible weather, and the always lingering notion that something sinister lurks around every corner.
But Shank doesn’t just deliver us a haunted, abandoned mountain fortress. No, we get a personal haunting story, a look at PTSD in the so-called ‘dark ages’ and what happens when something imagined just very well might be real.
What I didn’t like: I will say, based on setting and narrative necessity, there are a lot of slower, glacial-paced parts. It works to ramp up the grit and dirt that Shank is conjuring, but these moments do pause the flow and reduce some of the unnerving moments a touch. I found, when these moments hit, to just keep pushing onwards and they past soon enough, but if you require non-stop action, this one might be a miss for you.
As well, this is prime historical-horror fiction, so if that’s not usually your jam, I can’t see this one changing that.
Why you should buy this: If you like your horror to be the kind that makes you feel unwashed, frostbitten and starving to death with the hunger growing after each and every chapter, look no further. Shank’s delivered a dark, unforgiving story about remoteness, soullessness and the ache of losing a loved one, no matter how complicated that relationship ultimately was. And for a debut novel, this was really well done.
From the vibe/atmosphere of the cover, the synopsis and the fact Tim was raving about it, I knew I was in for a historical type piece of fiction that would be dread-filled and eerie. Double that up with this being Shanks debut novel and I knew he’d be swinging for the fences.
What I liked: The story follows András, a messenger, who has a letter to deliver to a commander. It is Hungary, late 1400’s, and Religion plays a large role in everyone’s lives, but also the fear of death, sin and the unknown.
He accompanies a group of soldiers heading to Kuszkol, a remote mountain fortress that was abandoned sixty years prior, but has been used by soldiers recently, as a lookout for foreign troops marching towards them. But, mysteriously, the fortress has gone silent and so, a group sets out to make contact. At first, András is there to say goodbye to his deceased wife’s younger brother, Pal, who is joining the group. But he is then told to go along, deliver his letter and continue with his job.
It’s here that Shank really ramps things up. First at the approach, and then upon arrival. Throughout, we get growing tension between the men, a darkening of light around the edges of the prose and as we arrive and we discover the horses, Shank dims the light a bit more, drops the temperature and prepares to deliver his worst.
This feels exactly what a lot of the older storylines within Hellboy/BPRD was like. Remote settings, seclusion, horrible weather, and the always lingering notion that something sinister lurks around every corner.
But Shank doesn’t just deliver us a haunted, abandoned mountain fortress. No, we get a personal haunting story, a look at PTSD in the so-called ‘dark ages’ and what happens when something imagined just very well might be real.
What I didn’t like: I will say, based on setting and narrative necessity, there are a lot of slower, glacial-paced parts. It works to ramp up the grit and dirt that Shank is conjuring, but these moments do pause the flow and reduce some of the unnerving moments a touch. I found, when these moments hit, to just keep pushing onwards and they past soon enough, but if you require non-stop action, this one might be a miss for you.
As well, this is prime historical-horror fiction, so if that’s not usually your jam, I can’t see this one changing that.
Why you should buy this: If you like your horror to be the kind that makes you feel unwashed, frostbitten and starving to death with the hunger growing after each and every chapter, look no further. Shank’s delivered a dark, unforgiving story about remoteness, soullessness and the ache of losing a loved one, no matter how complicated that relationship ultimately was. And for a debut novel, this was really well done.
Read
July 10, 2024Historical horror at its finest. S. J. Shank is an absolute master at capturing 15th century Hungary in this eerie, grim tale of ghosts within and without. There's a space on your bookshelf between Christopher Buehlman's Between Two Fires and F. Paul Wilson's The Keep. Mountain Fast evokes both of those favorites, but stands completely on its won. Highly recommended.
November 29, 2024
This really surprised me. It’s got creepy atmosphere and despair by the boatload but it also has a streak of heartache and the complications of love that gave the book a little extra something.
The vocab is dense at times, and the pace occasionally gets as frozen as the haunted keep’s walls. So despite being 260 pages it was a chewy read for me. But I still came away really pleased with the overall story and occasionally legitimately creeped out!
Definitely impressed this was Shank’s first novel because it was really polished and confident. I look forward to what he writes next.
The vocab is dense at times, and the pace occasionally gets as frozen as the haunted keep’s walls. So despite being 260 pages it was a chewy read for me. But I still came away really pleased with the overall story and occasionally legitimately creeped out!
Definitely impressed this was Shank’s first novel because it was really polished and confident. I look forward to what he writes next.
June 24, 2024
“It frightens me,” I said, “your ignorance of how far a man might fall.”
Set in 15th century Hungary, Mountain Fast is an atmospheric and chilling Gothic horror story that centers around a small group of men seeking shelter in an abandoned, and supposedly cursed, mountain fortress.
As the snow falls, the mystery deepens. Is this a descent into madness… or something more sinister?
The travelers arrival at the seemingly abandoned keep was slightly reminiscent of Dracula in the sense of unease felt and the shadows hovering at one’s periphery, as well as the epistolary nature of the story as told by the protagonist, Anders. However, while Mountain Fast does share some similarities with Stoker’s classic, author S.J. Shank does a wonderful job in creating a work of Gothic horror that absolutely stands on its own.
There is a steady building of suspense and dread that is compounded by the isolation of the setting and the coldness of the winter months. The tonal shift in the narratives is done exceptionally well in the chapters where it’s obvious that the memories and recollections are not of the narrator, but of someone or something else. I hesitate to comment further as I don’t want to give anything away that Shank obviously worked hard to craft.
There were times that the abundance of foreign names and geographical locations made reading a little difficult and tedious, particularly in the very beginning where there’s a lot of new information being introduced, but I found that once the story picked up pace it became less overwhelming.
Shank writes in a very poetic style, with the character’s speech patterns being much more formal than contemporary writing, so this definitely isn’t a quick read. The language and descriptive nature create such a haunting atmosphere that it’s easy to get lost within the pages of Mountain Fast, only to finally look up and see that quite a bit of time has passed.
I definitely want to revisit this book in the winter months. Shank writes of the cold, isolated loneliness incredibly well; so much that even with reading in the midst a mini heatwave, one can still physically feel the frigid chill in his words. I think the monotonous days of hibernal January would add even more to the overall visceral experience…
I received an ARC of this book via Booksprout, however my review is completely unbiased and entirely my own personal opinion.
4 stars
Set in 15th century Hungary, Mountain Fast is an atmospheric and chilling Gothic horror story that centers around a small group of men seeking shelter in an abandoned, and supposedly cursed, mountain fortress.
As the snow falls, the mystery deepens. Is this a descent into madness… or something more sinister?
The travelers arrival at the seemingly abandoned keep was slightly reminiscent of Dracula in the sense of unease felt and the shadows hovering at one’s periphery, as well as the epistolary nature of the story as told by the protagonist, Anders. However, while Mountain Fast does share some similarities with Stoker’s classic, author S.J. Shank does a wonderful job in creating a work of Gothic horror that absolutely stands on its own.
There is a steady building of suspense and dread that is compounded by the isolation of the setting and the coldness of the winter months. The tonal shift in the narratives is done exceptionally well in the chapters where it’s obvious that the memories and recollections are not of the narrator, but of someone or something else. I hesitate to comment further as I don’t want to give anything away that Shank obviously worked hard to craft.
There were times that the abundance of foreign names and geographical locations made reading a little difficult and tedious, particularly in the very beginning where there’s a lot of new information being introduced, but I found that once the story picked up pace it became less overwhelming.
Shank writes in a very poetic style, with the character’s speech patterns being much more formal than contemporary writing, so this definitely isn’t a quick read. The language and descriptive nature create such a haunting atmosphere that it’s easy to get lost within the pages of Mountain Fast, only to finally look up and see that quite a bit of time has passed.
I definitely want to revisit this book in the winter months. Shank writes of the cold, isolated loneliness incredibly well; so much that even with reading in the midst a mini heatwave, one can still physically feel the frigid chill in his words. I think the monotonous days of hibernal January would add even more to the overall visceral experience…
I received an ARC of this book via Booksprout, however my review is completely unbiased and entirely my own personal opinion.
4 stars
June 11, 2024
Hungry 1468.
Rumor has it that Kuszkol, a desolate mountain fortress, is haunted. It's tale known to many.
Andras, the Bishops messenger embarks on the quest of his life.
Mystery lurks on the mountain top and questions start to build up.
Strange black figures haunt the fortress; people begin to disappear, all as the snow begins to fall.
Cold days followed by colder nights bring a solitude that sounds the voice of Andras's dead wife.
Till death do us part, has extended past the grave.
Mountain Fast is a Gothic novel filled with obscurity.
This novel is written in first person, and I have to say S.J. Shank has done a brilliant job.
Throughout this book the main character has conveyed the goings on in a brilliant way, I always knew what was happening and the surroundings in which they took place.
If you are a lover of spooky tales filled with mystery and adrenaline, then this is the read for you.
S.J. Shank uses weather to his advantage in this book. Frost inhabits all and it adds to the atmosphere of this tale. You can really imagine the the foggy breaths Andras takes surrounded by the snow encrusted fortress.
I definitely recommend this book. If you are a seasonal reader I would give it a go in the colder months to really add to it's atmosphere.
It was my pleasure to be able to read this book as a pre-release. I am truly grateful.
Rumor has it that Kuszkol, a desolate mountain fortress, is haunted. It's tale known to many.
Andras, the Bishops messenger embarks on the quest of his life.
Mystery lurks on the mountain top and questions start to build up.
Strange black figures haunt the fortress; people begin to disappear, all as the snow begins to fall.
Cold days followed by colder nights bring a solitude that sounds the voice of Andras's dead wife.
Till death do us part, has extended past the grave.
Mountain Fast is a Gothic novel filled with obscurity.
This novel is written in first person, and I have to say S.J. Shank has done a brilliant job.
Throughout this book the main character has conveyed the goings on in a brilliant way, I always knew what was happening and the surroundings in which they took place.
If you are a lover of spooky tales filled with mystery and adrenaline, then this is the read for you.
S.J. Shank uses weather to his advantage in this book. Frost inhabits all and it adds to the atmosphere of this tale. You can really imagine the the foggy breaths Andras takes surrounded by the snow encrusted fortress.
I definitely recommend this book. If you are a seasonal reader I would give it a go in the colder months to really add to it's atmosphere.
It was my pleasure to be able to read this book as a pre-release. I am truly grateful.
June 19, 2024
The story is set in Hungary in the 1400's and written from the pov of Andras, the bishop's messenger. He along with three other soldiers and his young brother in law are tasked to go to Kuszkol. While he is just there to deliver a letter, he thinks it a good idea to keep an eye on and protect Pal, who he loves like a son. His sister, Andras' wife had burned in a fire in a prison where she was being held for knowing and speaking things she possibly cannot.
IN But Kuszkol is no ordinary place. The mountain fortress is supposedly cursed and was abandoned for 60 years. Although the men ignore these stories, things change once they get there.
Black shadows roaming the castle halls, the fierce winter cold, the dead horses, men's figures covered in black soot and the disappearance of the men, one after the other. Andras wants to run but doesn't want to Pal behind, who is nowhere to be found.
• And the most mysterious thing of all, his wife's presence that he feels through her betrothal ring that he now wears on his finger. The question is, is she possessing him? Or, has she cursed the ring to live on even after her death to save the two mean she loves most.
Although the writing was a bit difficult for me to understand, I loved the way it was written like an old tale. It wasn't very scary, but thinking of the haunted castle gave me the chills, it was described so perfectly and in so much detail. The characters were well built. I just wish it was a little more easy to read for me.
I loved the writing style, it was new for me.
This was a great book.
IN But Kuszkol is no ordinary place. The mountain fortress is supposedly cursed and was abandoned for 60 years. Although the men ignore these stories, things change once they get there.
Black shadows roaming the castle halls, the fierce winter cold, the dead horses, men's figures covered in black soot and the disappearance of the men, one after the other. Andras wants to run but doesn't want to Pal behind, who is nowhere to be found.
• And the most mysterious thing of all, his wife's presence that he feels through her betrothal ring that he now wears on his finger. The question is, is she possessing him? Or, has she cursed the ring to live on even after her death to save the two mean she loves most.
Although the writing was a bit difficult for me to understand, I loved the way it was written like an old tale. It wasn't very scary, but thinking of the haunted castle gave me the chills, it was described so perfectly and in so much detail. The characters were well built. I just wish it was a little more easy to read for me.
I loved the writing style, it was new for me.
This was a great book.
June 24, 2024
Not many books make me want to keep the lights on, this one did. I started it late at night which maybe wasn't a good idea. I was up most of the night because I wanted to read one more chapter and because I didn't want to turn the lights out!
It is set in Hungary which immediately puts me on edge for no clear reason. The atmosphere started out spooky and that spookiness continued to build throughout. I rushed home from work to finish it (in the daylight) and was not disappointed.
Overall it's a story of grief, of family and is very well written. I enjoyed getting to know Annaka, the main character's wife, who may or may not be possessing him. I think we could have been great friends..... maybe. The haunted castle will remain in my dreams for awhile I think.
The author did an outstanding job of keeping me alert and on the edge of my seat. I will certainly look for more from him!
If you love gothic horror and feeling like someone is watching you, this is for you! 🙂
Thank you to the author and booksprout for allowing me to read and offer my honest review.
It is set in Hungary which immediately puts me on edge for no clear reason. The atmosphere started out spooky and that spookiness continued to build throughout. I rushed home from work to finish it (in the daylight) and was not disappointed.
Overall it's a story of grief, of family and is very well written. I enjoyed getting to know Annaka, the main character's wife, who may or may not be possessing him. I think we could have been great friends..... maybe. The haunted castle will remain in my dreams for awhile I think.
The author did an outstanding job of keeping me alert and on the edge of my seat. I will certainly look for more from him!
If you love gothic horror and feeling like someone is watching you, this is for you! 🙂
Thank you to the author and booksprout for allowing me to read and offer my honest review.
May 12, 2024
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Mountain Fast is a haunting story set in 15th century Hungary. The book does a great job of setting a uneasy cold atmosphere that progresses throughout the book, as well as the intrigue of wanting to know what fate befell the previous residents of the fort. I also enjoyed slowly learning more about the personal hauntings the MC is going through after the fateful death of his late wife. Overall a haunting and captivating tale.
Mountain Fast is a haunting story set in 15th century Hungary. The book does a great job of setting a uneasy cold atmosphere that progresses throughout the book, as well as the intrigue of wanting to know what fate befell the previous residents of the fort. I also enjoyed slowly learning more about the personal hauntings the MC is going through after the fateful death of his late wife. Overall a haunting and captivating tale.
July 18, 2024
While reading this I got hardcore Between Two Fires vibes.
A messenger tags along with a group of soldiers up a frozen mountain to a rumoured haunted fortress. Once there they have to piece together what happened to the occupants and survive.
Part haunted castle, part haunted people. I think more haunted people, since each character has their own set of ghosts that they are trying not to acknowledge due to where they stand in their religious background.
I will say, I like the possession aspect to it, it’s coming at you from a different direction from how you usually see it in stories.
A messenger tags along with a group of soldiers up a frozen mountain to a rumoured haunted fortress. Once there they have to piece together what happened to the occupants and survive.
Part haunted castle, part haunted people. I think more haunted people, since each character has their own set of ghosts that they are trying not to acknowledge due to where they stand in their religious background.
I will say, I like the possession aspect to it, it’s coming at you from a different direction from how you usually see it in stories.
July 22, 2024
This book is creepy at times, but my personal opinion, I wouldn't call it horror. It was still a fantastic read, though.
August 3, 2025
Loved it.
January 11, 2026
chilling and insightful
Spooky and riveting! I was on the edge of each page gripped by the madness of this book! If you love dark twisting fear this book is for you!
Spooky and riveting! I was on the edge of each page gripped by the madness of this book! If you love dark twisting fear this book is for you!
May 19, 2024
Received as an ARC. Andras was s messenger for king and clergy. When his wife died in custody he and his brother in law are enlisted in a group of ragtag soldiers to a cursed fort in the mountains. The fortress is sealed and a signal fire burns but no one is there. This story gets very cold full pun meant of madness and deciphering the reason of this misadventure.
September 23, 2025
I’ve read a lot of wonderful books from passionate authors since I got my kindle, and this book always stays in my memory. The atmosphere and world itself is enough to draw you in, even before you find yourself wondering what makes these characters do the things they do.
Basic spoilers
Typically in my reviews, I praise the realistic horrors of historical novels and this one blows that aspect out of the water. There’s plenty of supernatural and paranormal events to keep you on the edge of your seat, but I found myself more attached to the natural ramifications of this book. It’s so blisteringly cold here in the Hungarian winter, that madness is almost assured. We have a man character who has lost his ‘peculiar’ wife and found himself being a father to a child that’s not his, or hers. But his brother in law, whom he has raised since he was a small boy. Desperate, as all parents are to secure a living and safety for their child, he unknowingly sends his inherited son, who he refers to beautifully as “my boy”, into dangers seen and unseen. The main character, Andras, is strong, brave and will do whatever he must to secure the safety of his boy, even if it means walking head first into a castle of madness, blood, bone and terror. They find men who have gone beyond mad to escape the cold and effectively eliminated themselves. Another soldier is subjecting himself to frostbite after looting dying corpses of their silver rings as he slips further and further out of his senses. They find betrayal, in a blasphemous, occultic knight who in my opinion, steals the show. And betrayal from even further in the past,Andras’ wife having been burned on suspicion of being a witch, by his employer, a Bishop, who also was the one who approved the man’s son to be sent into the Hungarian army in the first place - at the request of Andras.
He finds a former soldier stationed at the fortification, who begs him to climb into bed with him and share his warmth. All the while, the Ottoman Turks are a looming force not-so far away anymore, and provide an external threat, as if there weren’t enough internal ones already to drive a man to madness.
None of these events scratch the surface of the environmental horrors and let alone, the supernatural, that he must fight in order to get his son back.
The flashbacks are potent and perfectly placed, characters are fleshed out clearly and efficiently and everything is explained perfectly without having to break you out of the story. With how much this story has stuck in my mind, I highly recommend you read it as well.
Basic spoilers
Typically in my reviews, I praise the realistic horrors of historical novels and this one blows that aspect out of the water. There’s plenty of supernatural and paranormal events to keep you on the edge of your seat, but I found myself more attached to the natural ramifications of this book. It’s so blisteringly cold here in the Hungarian winter, that madness is almost assured. We have a man character who has lost his ‘peculiar’ wife and found himself being a father to a child that’s not his, or hers. But his brother in law, whom he has raised since he was a small boy. Desperate, as all parents are to secure a living and safety for their child, he unknowingly sends his inherited son, who he refers to beautifully as “my boy”, into dangers seen and unseen. The main character, Andras, is strong, brave and will do whatever he must to secure the safety of his boy, even if it means walking head first into a castle of madness, blood, bone and terror. They find men who have gone beyond mad to escape the cold and effectively eliminated themselves. Another soldier is subjecting himself to frostbite after looting dying corpses of their silver rings as he slips further and further out of his senses. They find betrayal, in a blasphemous, occultic knight who in my opinion, steals the show. And betrayal from even further in the past,Andras’ wife having been burned on suspicion of being a witch, by his employer, a Bishop, who also was the one who approved the man’s son to be sent into the Hungarian army in the first place - at the request of Andras.
He finds a former soldier stationed at the fortification, who begs him to climb into bed with him and share his warmth. All the while, the Ottoman Turks are a looming force not-so far away anymore, and provide an external threat, as if there weren’t enough internal ones already to drive a man to madness.
None of these events scratch the surface of the environmental horrors and let alone, the supernatural, that he must fight in order to get his son back.
The flashbacks are potent and perfectly placed, characters are fleshed out clearly and efficiently and everything is explained perfectly without having to break you out of the story. With how much this story has stuck in my mind, I highly recommend you read it as well.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 25, 2024
Haunting. Mysterious. Cryptic.
A ghost story and a story of revelation. A journey into the discovery of one self, of the bonds we shared and the ones we share, the ones that will never die, even after death.
I can't tell what's not working out in this book for me. In certain points I found it almost redundant, ripetitive, although the stillness, I think, was something desired by the author:it helped to create the right atmosphere and accentuated the waiting of the protagonist in that abandoned and haunted fortress.
I find it almost too much cryptic in certain points of the plot. The characters are realistic, human and simple to empathize with. I was prepared for something different, maybe is that that couldn't convince me completely.
Hungary, 1468.
Andràs is a letter deliver, a messenger who saw almost everything in the king's domain and now he has received another letter from his master, to deliver to Kuszkol, the 'haunted fortress'. Talks of the folk or there is something truth in their sayings? Andràs will sort this out with his brother-in-law Pàl, a grumpy veteran soldier, a new soldier and a knight. But the fortress is not the only thing to be haunted: Andràs is haunted by his dreams, by the words echoing in his head, carrying the voice of his dead-loved wife, Annaka, burned in her cell.
The reader will journey into Andràs mind and life and into the mysteries of the mountain. The shadows around us will fool us and our own shadow will fail us. In a world full of shadow, there is need of light. And long time ago, there is a sage who wanted only for the king to stand out of his sun…
Knights and soldiers, snow and wind, shadows and lights will be your company in this dark, mysterious world. Will you find the road that will guide you to solve the mountain's curse? Hold on and start to search in the soot forest, among the soot men… And be ready for the plot-twist!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
A ghost story and a story of revelation. A journey into the discovery of one self, of the bonds we shared and the ones we share, the ones that will never die, even after death.
I can't tell what's not working out in this book for me. In certain points I found it almost redundant, ripetitive, although the stillness, I think, was something desired by the author:it helped to create the right atmosphere and accentuated the waiting of the protagonist in that abandoned and haunted fortress.
I find it almost too much cryptic in certain points of the plot. The characters are realistic, human and simple to empathize with. I was prepared for something different, maybe is that that couldn't convince me completely.
Hungary, 1468.
Andràs is a letter deliver, a messenger who saw almost everything in the king's domain and now he has received another letter from his master, to deliver to Kuszkol, the 'haunted fortress'. Talks of the folk or there is something truth in their sayings? Andràs will sort this out with his brother-in-law Pàl, a grumpy veteran soldier, a new soldier and a knight. But the fortress is not the only thing to be haunted: Andràs is haunted by his dreams, by the words echoing in his head, carrying the voice of his dead-loved wife, Annaka, burned in her cell.
The reader will journey into Andràs mind and life and into the mysteries of the mountain. The shadows around us will fool us and our own shadow will fail us. In a world full of shadow, there is need of light. And long time ago, there is a sage who wanted only for the king to stand out of his sun…
Knights and soldiers, snow and wind, shadows and lights will be your company in this dark, mysterious world. Will you find the road that will guide you to solve the mountain's curse? Hold on and start to search in the soot forest, among the soot men… And be ready for the plot-twist!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
May 26, 2024
MOUNTAIN FAST by S. J. Shank reads like a Gothic classic: a modern-day Bram Stoker tale, with attention to atmosphere and a supernatural mystery. It put me in mind of DRACULA, specifically Jonathan Harker’s early epistolary and journal entries.
The world is atmospheric and immersive. Even while reading in the heat of summer, the cold of Kuszkol castle seeped out of the pages and chilled me to the bone.
Isolation, suspense, dread—all these aspects weave together with a plot that unfolds at first like what could be madness (which is a delightful nod to many of the classic Gothic tales), but turns instead to a real supernatural threat. One that skulks in darkness. I think that plucks a fear many of us had—what is in the deep, oppressive dark?
The chapters from a second perspective—with a drastically different voice as a hint that it isn’t András—introduced some of the supernatural underpinnings of the backstory. I loved these chapters. I wanted more of these chapters. But the story unfolds purposefully. Each tidbit of history is exhumed to shed just enough light on the mystery. One breadcrumb at a time. 😊
The only drawback for me was that, while the ending was pulled together for the characters (vague for spoilers), I didn’t have a strong sense of the supernatural entity’s purpose or goal. Perhaps it was intentional—a vague idea so that it could be open for interpretation. And maybe if I reread some earlier chapters, I may glean more insight into its motives, but it felt a little underdeveloped to me. That being said, it wasn’t enough of a let down to detract from the story as a whole.
So, if you like Bram Stoker’s DRACULA, or books that would keep Dracula company on the shelf, MOUTAIN FAST by S.J. Shank will thoroughly entertain you.
I was given the opportunity to read an advance review copy of this book for free. My opinions are honest, and given freely.
The world is atmospheric and immersive. Even while reading in the heat of summer, the cold of Kuszkol castle seeped out of the pages and chilled me to the bone.
Isolation, suspense, dread—all these aspects weave together with a plot that unfolds at first like what could be madness (which is a delightful nod to many of the classic Gothic tales), but turns instead to a real supernatural threat. One that skulks in darkness. I think that plucks a fear many of us had—what is in the deep, oppressive dark?
The chapters from a second perspective—with a drastically different voice as a hint that it isn’t András—introduced some of the supernatural underpinnings of the backstory. I loved these chapters. I wanted more of these chapters. But the story unfolds purposefully. Each tidbit of history is exhumed to shed just enough light on the mystery. One breadcrumb at a time. 😊
The only drawback for me was that, while the ending was pulled together for the characters (vague for spoilers), I didn’t have a strong sense of the supernatural entity’s purpose or goal. Perhaps it was intentional—a vague idea so that it could be open for interpretation. And maybe if I reread some earlier chapters, I may glean more insight into its motives, but it felt a little underdeveloped to me. That being said, it wasn’t enough of a let down to detract from the story as a whole.
So, if you like Bram Stoker’s DRACULA, or books that would keep Dracula company on the shelf, MOUTAIN FAST by S.J. Shank will thoroughly entertain you.
I was given the opportunity to read an advance review copy of this book for free. My opinions are honest, and given freely.
June 23, 2024
Set in Hungry 1468, Andras ends up in Kuszkol, a desolate mountain fortress that is haunted, left abandoned for 60 years.
It is dark and atmospheric, written with a slight poetic lilt, but I did find that I did not always understand what was happening, so I just had to go with it.
The key link seems to be Andreas’ wife who had burned in a fire in a prison where she was being held for knowing and speaking things not possible.
Black shadows roam halls, amidst fierce winter cold, dead horses, men's figures covered in black soot and the slow disappearance of the men.
While Andras was just there to deliver a letter, he wanted to k protect Pal, his nephew who he loves like a son. As such he resists leaving when Pal goes missing.
The writing style feels like it is steeped in folklore. An evil fairy tale if you will. It is quite spooky and unsettling, set in a bitterly cold and odd place. There is nothing much that is graphic, more mysterious and ominous. To that end there is reasonable tension, but mainly a sense of being lost and bewildered. I think I kept expecting more to unfold than it did. It kept me intrigued but perhaps a little disappointed. Overall it was just sad.
It is dark and atmospheric, written with a slight poetic lilt, but I did find that I did not always understand what was happening, so I just had to go with it.
The key link seems to be Andreas’ wife who had burned in a fire in a prison where she was being held for knowing and speaking things not possible.
Black shadows roam halls, amidst fierce winter cold, dead horses, men's figures covered in black soot and the slow disappearance of the men.
While Andras was just there to deliver a letter, he wanted to k protect Pal, his nephew who he loves like a son. As such he resists leaving when Pal goes missing.
The writing style feels like it is steeped in folklore. An evil fairy tale if you will. It is quite spooky and unsettling, set in a bitterly cold and odd place. There is nothing much that is graphic, more mysterious and ominous. To that end there is reasonable tension, but mainly a sense of being lost and bewildered. I think I kept expecting more to unfold than it did. It kept me intrigued but perhaps a little disappointed. Overall it was just sad.
May 30, 2024
I think this book was beyond me… but I found the chapters of poetic telling from who I assume to be the wife and other poetic bits that deviated from the main story to be frustrating. I wanted ghost story!
Throughout most of the book, I found the phrasing very confusing and I had a hard time following along. For example, the descriptions of the shadow forest I think made sense in the authors head but I had a hard time visualizing it. At times the paragraphs read as disorganized and the end left me a bit confused? I guess that is the feeling after watching most horror films though.
The critiques aside, I was drawn in by the main narrative so much that it kept me up til 3 am the first night as I made it halfway through the book. It is a gripping story, and although I found myself frustrated with the read, I will give it 4 stars because I think the poetic telling was talented but just went over my head.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Throughout most of the book, I found the phrasing very confusing and I had a hard time following along. For example, the descriptions of the shadow forest I think made sense in the authors head but I had a hard time visualizing it. At times the paragraphs read as disorganized and the end left me a bit confused? I guess that is the feeling after watching most horror films though.
The critiques aside, I was drawn in by the main narrative so much that it kept me up til 3 am the first night as I made it halfway through the book. It is a gripping story, and although I found myself frustrated with the read, I will give it 4 stars because I think the poetic telling was talented but just went over my head.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 26, 2024
Set in 1400s Hungary and swirled in Gothic mystery, Mountain Fast is the tale of a journey, of growing, of discovery, of life, and of death. The author's poetic prose is lilting as messenger András accompanies his young brother-in-law Pál and his fellow soldiers on a trek to a supposedly haunted village.
The atmosphere is palpable in places, but this wasn't the ghost story I hoped it would be. I feel it has been misgenred as a horror book, and perhaps historical or literary fiction would be more appropriate. It is an interesting story, but I found it wandered down a rather meandering path, which led to a rather abrupt conclusion.
I know some readers will absolutely adore this book, but unfortunately, although i can appreciate the author's obvious talent, I'm not one of them.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thanks to Hidden Gems Books for providing an eARC; this is my honest review.
The atmosphere is palpable in places, but this wasn't the ghost story I hoped it would be. I feel it has been misgenred as a horror book, and perhaps historical or literary fiction would be more appropriate. It is an interesting story, but I found it wandered down a rather meandering path, which led to a rather abrupt conclusion.
I know some readers will absolutely adore this book, but unfortunately, although i can appreciate the author's obvious talent, I'm not one of them.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thanks to Hidden Gems Books for providing an eARC; this is my honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 13, 2024
I didn't hate this book but I didn't love it either. I went into this expecting a period piece gothic horror. However, while there was the gothic element, the horror was definitely lacking.
The book was written extremely well, with beautiful prose at times. I did like the setting and I found the narrator to be an interesting character indeed. They were times when I found it hard to follow what was going on. Nonetheless, I still understood the story at the end.
I don't think I'm the right target audience for a book like this. And I don't think it should be categorized as a horror. It's more of a historical fiction, with a slight supernatural element thrown in. It wasn't a bad book by any means, just not my preferred taste.
Thank you to Netgalley, Publishers and The Author for my eARC of this book.
The book was written extremely well, with beautiful prose at times. I did like the setting and I found the narrator to be an interesting character indeed. They were times when I found it hard to follow what was going on. Nonetheless, I still understood the story at the end.
I don't think I'm the right target audience for a book like this. And I don't think it should be categorized as a horror. It's more of a historical fiction, with a slight supernatural element thrown in. It wasn't a bad book by any means, just not my preferred taste.
Thank you to Netgalley, Publishers and The Author for my eARC of this book.
June 18, 2024
A group of men and one boy set out to reach a keep, which they learn along the route is said to be haunted.
The messenger with a letter for the lord of the keep, his young brother in law, a young soldier, a veteran and the lords son.
Their journey brings them to a dark
forest, an abandend village and the keep which is clouded in cold and shadows.
Here the messenger learns about the fate his late wife befell, an accused witch who wanted to be free of the confinements of being a woman.
Very well written, disturbing landscapery and an absolute must-read.
The messenger with a letter for the lord of the keep, his young brother in law, a young soldier, a veteran and the lords son.
Their journey brings them to a dark
forest, an abandend village and the keep which is clouded in cold and shadows.
Here the messenger learns about the fate his late wife befell, an accused witch who wanted to be free of the confinements of being a woman.
Very well written, disturbing landscapery and an absolute must-read.
June 20, 2024
The start of this book was a bit slow but once it got going, it became very suspenseful, mysterious and yet, thrilling. The story unfolded very well with the backstory of the main character and his late wife weaving in between chapters revealing the mystery of the haunting bit by bit. I am still a bit baffled regarding the dynamics between Andras, Pal and Annaka but am satisfied with the ending of the story. Worth reading!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 21, 2024
This is a historical horror set in Hungary in the 1400s. It has a gothic flavour, with themes such as ghosts, witchcraft and demonic possession. It was dark, eerie and atmospheric. I felt a connection with the protagonist, and escaped into the story. In places, I actually got chills and goosebumps as well. So if you are a fan of historical horror or dark fantasy, you may like this.
Thank you to Booksprout and the author for a free copy to review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Thank you to Booksprout and the author for a free copy to review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 5, 2024
Mountain Fast is a haunting odyssey of occult horror, grief, and possession in 15th century Hungary. Beautifully descriptive, evoking the sights, sounds, smells, and painful toils of a pre-modern world.
Imagine a decaying hall of stone, a chamber with arched ceiling and floor of broken tiles. Imagine a hooded monk in the darkness. Imagine his esoteric chant. You’re alone, unseen, and the sonorous music of ghosts vibrates in your skin. There you have it. That’s how this novel resonates.
Imagine a decaying hall of stone, a chamber with arched ceiling and floor of broken tiles. Imagine a hooded monk in the darkness. Imagine his esoteric chant. You’re alone, unseen, and the sonorous music of ghosts vibrates in your skin. There you have it. That’s how this novel resonates.
May 30, 2024
This novel can be a bit confusing at first. Kept on turning the proverbial pages to discover what happens next with the various characters. Brought tears finally realizing what happens (happened) to Andr`as, Annika, and P`al on the final page. 5 out of 5 🌟
// I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review
// I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review
May 26, 2024
The old fortress is back in use and soldiers are going there. He will travel there but strange things will happen. The beacons are lit for their arrival but there is no one there at all. What is going on? Where are they? Will he find them? See what is going on
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and I want to review
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and I want to review
December 17, 2025
one of the only books i read this year that actually scared me at points but also was not a huge fan of the last 30 ish pages of this book, also the narrative voice didn’t do a whole lot for me but still a good book
May 30, 2024
This was SUPER spooky and had my hairs standing up. Very visual read for me, and thats very important in a great horror book. I wanna see more from this author for real!!!
January 29, 2025
Interesting historical horror/fantasy set within an environment of extreme, life-threatening cold.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews