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The Mountains of Ebbon
Cast out. Thrown Away. Shipwrecked. Elowen finds herself in the Elven Realm, a land of magic at the cusp of a war between two kingdoms. The kingdom of Valdis is being ravaged by a blight. A blight that has infected every edible plant and now is affecting its subject’s health. Lilja is the Queen of the failing kingdom. She stands with her chosen family to salvage what’s left of her home. Ardour is a kingdom at the height of prosperity. But at what cost? Queen Alieta is beloved by all of her subjects. Yet she stands alone on the throne. Ignorance clouds her judgment, shadowed. Thrusted in the middle, Elowen is alone and afraid and unsure of whom to trust. Who can she trust? Will Elowen be able to unravel the mystery of the blight that spans hundreds of years? Even with a blooming romance in her midst?
Long Book Description
Cast out. Thrown Away. Shipwrecked. Elowen finds herself in the Elven Realm, a land of magic at the cusp of a war between two kingdoms. The kingdom of Valdis is being ravaged by a blight. A blight that has infected every edible plant and now is affecting its subject’s health. Lilja is the Queen of the failing kingdom. She stands with her chosen family to salvage what’s left of her home. Ardour is a kingdom at the height of prosperity. But at what cost? Queen Alieta is beloved by all of her subjects. Yet she stands alone on the throne. Ignorance clouds her judgment, shadowed. Thrusted in the middle, Elowen is alone and afraid and unsure of whom to trust. Who can she trust? Will Elowen be able to unravel the mystery of the blight that spans hundreds of years? Even with a blooming romance in her midst?
Long Book Description
Cast out. Thrown Away. Shipwrecked. Elowen finds herself in the Elven Realm, a land of magic at the cusp of a war between two kingdoms. The kingdom of Valdis is being ravaged by a blight. A blight that has infected every edible plant and now is affecting its subject’s health. Lilja is the Queen of the failing kingdom. She stands with her chosen family to salvage what’s left of her home. Ardour is a kingdom at the height of prosperity. But at what cost? Queen Alieta is beloved by all of her subjects. Yet she stands alone on the throne. Ignorance clouds her judgment, shadowed. Thrusted in the middle, Elowen is alone and afraid and unsure of whom to trust. Who can she trust? Will Elowen be able to unravel the mystery of the blight that spans hundreds of years? Even with a blooming romance in her midst?
354 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 2024
1 person is currently reading
91 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
September 21, 2024
I am lucky enough to be on the PR team for this author, and therefore got the opportunity to read this beautiful debut early!
I don’t want to say much since it’s so early, but know that this one is worth a read. The representation, the emotion, the way you’re captivated by page 1…. it’s so good. Admittedly, I’m a mood reader who struggles getting into books for the first few chapters. Not with this one. You’re immediately thrown into the story, given some context, and in chapter ONE the action starts.
Please please please pre-order this, and/or add to your TBR to read upon release. Fantasy lovers, or those looking for their next sapphic read will not be disappointed!!!!
I don’t want to say much since it’s so early, but know that this one is worth a read. The representation, the emotion, the way you’re captivated by page 1…. it’s so good. Admittedly, I’m a mood reader who struggles getting into books for the first few chapters. Not with this one. You’re immediately thrown into the story, given some context, and in chapter ONE the action starts.
Please please please pre-order this, and/or add to your TBR to read upon release. Fantasy lovers, or those looking for their next sapphic read will not be disappointed!!!!
December 10, 2024
I received this book in exchange for an honest review. I can honestly say this book was amazing! I am not usually a reader of this genre but after reading the synopsis, I was drawn to it. Upon starting the book, I was immediately drawn into it. This continued throughout the book, it was action packed. The premise and storyline of this book was so interesting and intriguing, I have never read anything like it before. The character development was also great and the writing just flowed so smoothly. I also loved that this book was very inclusive, it includes a plus sized FMC and also includes LGBTQ+. I would definitely recommend this book!
November 6, 2025
The Mountains of Ebbon by Bethany Witte-Krantz *includes spoilers*
I'll start by saying I'm a writer myself and have two writing degrees so while I have a critical eye, I will be fair in my assessment especially because I've gotten to know Beth a bit better through this ARC process for book two and she is awesome. I will say I did really enjoying reading this, the plot is quite interesting and it was hard to put down. I was invested in wanting to know what would happen next. I will also say in all fairness, that this should have went through at least one more round of editing, both developmental and copyediting. I found multiple grammatical and spelling errors, with a few formatting mistakes. The dialogue was really fun, but there were times I was confused as to who was supposed to be speaking. For example, at the beginning of chapter 36, it opens with dialogue from Lilja. "We need to make it to camp as fast as possible..." Lilja hoisted herself onto an extra horse. It would have made more sense to have this action sentence before the actual dialogue so the reader knows it's Lilja saying this as she's getting on the horse.
Another point I wasn't a fan of was the POV shifts especially in the second half. I didn't mind switching between Elowen and Lilja, because they are main characters and getting their perspectives makes sense. But, I don't think it was necessary to see the others like Kallan for instance, when he could have just explained what he saw with the group. I will also say I wanted to know more about Lilja's background and getting more of her perspective could have helped with that.
I enjoyed the different characters and their personalities but thought there might have been too many, it was a bit hard to keep up with who was who and what their background was. The ease with how the main Valdis group travels also didn't feel as realistic to me, how people were so willing to help because of the blight. Some of the choices in language, like using modern sayings, didn't feel right for this setting that seems like it's supposed to be the traditional medieval setting used in most high fantasy. That said, I really enjoyed this found family aspect as well as the insistence on feminine power, queer power, and body positivity.
I also thought that the worldbuilding was pretty solid though I wondered a bit about the supposed gods that were getting mentioned, more of what kinds of roles they do in this world. We see Darach, the rooted goddess play a significant role but what about the others? There was also a bit more of a plot hole at the end when Elowen is captured by Queen Alieta, how does the queen know her name? Elowen never tells anyone in the castle her name. This question does raise more questions for me, how much does the queen know? Were there people following the Valdis team or was there a traitor? Secret spy? How did the queen know to take Elowen specifically? The ending was surprising, but not necessarily in a bad way. It's now on Elowen to take matters in her own hands which I like, changes up the original infiltration plan a bit, since how is Elowen supposed to get info out?
With all of that said, my official rating is a 3.75, the editing and other errors/decisions didn't knock off as much for me because this story did really capture my attention and I know Beth is still early in her writing journey and will only get better from here! Love you girl <3
I'll start by saying I'm a writer myself and have two writing degrees so while I have a critical eye, I will be fair in my assessment especially because I've gotten to know Beth a bit better through this ARC process for book two and she is awesome. I will say I did really enjoying reading this, the plot is quite interesting and it was hard to put down. I was invested in wanting to know what would happen next. I will also say in all fairness, that this should have went through at least one more round of editing, both developmental and copyediting. I found multiple grammatical and spelling errors, with a few formatting mistakes. The dialogue was really fun, but there were times I was confused as to who was supposed to be speaking. For example, at the beginning of chapter 36, it opens with dialogue from Lilja. "We need to make it to camp as fast as possible..." Lilja hoisted herself onto an extra horse. It would have made more sense to have this action sentence before the actual dialogue so the reader knows it's Lilja saying this as she's getting on the horse.
Another point I wasn't a fan of was the POV shifts especially in the second half. I didn't mind switching between Elowen and Lilja, because they are main characters and getting their perspectives makes sense. But, I don't think it was necessary to see the others like Kallan for instance, when he could have just explained what he saw with the group. I will also say I wanted to know more about Lilja's background and getting more of her perspective could have helped with that.
I enjoyed the different characters and their personalities but thought there might have been too many, it was a bit hard to keep up with who was who and what their background was. The ease with how the main Valdis group travels also didn't feel as realistic to me, how people were so willing to help because of the blight. Some of the choices in language, like using modern sayings, didn't feel right for this setting that seems like it's supposed to be the traditional medieval setting used in most high fantasy. That said, I really enjoyed this found family aspect as well as the insistence on feminine power, queer power, and body positivity.
I also thought that the worldbuilding was pretty solid though I wondered a bit about the supposed gods that were getting mentioned, more of what kinds of roles they do in this world. We see Darach, the rooted goddess play a significant role but what about the others? There was also a bit more of a plot hole at the end when Elowen is captured by Queen Alieta, how does the queen know her name? Elowen never tells anyone in the castle her name. This question does raise more questions for me, how much does the queen know? Were there people following the Valdis team or was there a traitor? Secret spy? How did the queen know to take Elowen specifically? The ending was surprising, but not necessarily in a bad way. It's now on Elowen to take matters in her own hands which I like, changes up the original infiltration plan a bit, since how is Elowen supposed to get info out?
With all of that said, my official rating is a 3.75, the editing and other errors/decisions didn't knock off as much for me because this story did really capture my attention and I know Beth is still early in her writing journey and will only get better from here! Love you girl <3
December 9, 2024
As a queer reader, I was thrilled by the representation in this book! While I’m usually drawn to stories about shadowy "daddies," it was such a refreshing change of pace to see a queer heroine take center stage. The FMC’s journey really resonated with me—especially her banishment from her community for being queer. That aspect hit close to home, so I’d advise anyone sensitive to themes of homophobia due to past experiences to be mindful of this element.
What I loved most was how the FMC is also plus-sized and struggles with anxiety, making her feel even more relatable. Elowen’s quest to find a place where she could truly be herself and be accepted was deeply moving. I enjoyed following her emotional journey as she dealt with the grief of losing a past lover, the guilt of falling for someone new, and the pressure of being thrust into a new realm filled with magic, war, and the expectation that she’s fated to save it all.
The world-building was unique with Elves instead of the usual fae, and I particularly enjoyed the banter within the queen’s inner circle—it added a nice touch of levity to the story. My only real wish is that we had seen more of the development of Elowen and Lilja's relationship. It felt like it moved a bit too quickly, jumping from "I'm not ready" to "I accept our bond and will marry you" in the blink of an eye.
Another slight issue I had was with the passage of time. While I noticed the seasons changing, I often had difficulty gauging whether events were unfolding over a matter of days or weeks, which occasionally left me a bit disoriented.
Overall, this is a great debut novel that offers much-needed and refreshing representation. I’m excited to see what the author brings next!
What I loved most was how the FMC is also plus-sized and struggles with anxiety, making her feel even more relatable. Elowen’s quest to find a place where she could truly be herself and be accepted was deeply moving. I enjoyed following her emotional journey as she dealt with the grief of losing a past lover, the guilt of falling for someone new, and the pressure of being thrust into a new realm filled with magic, war, and the expectation that she’s fated to save it all.
The world-building was unique with Elves instead of the usual fae, and I particularly enjoyed the banter within the queen’s inner circle—it added a nice touch of levity to the story. My only real wish is that we had seen more of the development of Elowen and Lilja's relationship. It felt like it moved a bit too quickly, jumping from "I'm not ready" to "I accept our bond and will marry you" in the blink of an eye.
Another slight issue I had was with the passage of time. While I noticed the seasons changing, I often had difficulty gauging whether events were unfolding over a matter of days or weeks, which occasionally left me a bit disoriented.
Overall, this is a great debut novel that offers much-needed and refreshing representation. I’m excited to see what the author brings next!
December 10, 2024
Mountain of Ebbon is a fantastical debut novel from Bethany Witte-Krantz, following the journey of Elowen as she is forcibly shunned from her village after being charged with the Same-Sex Desire, which goes against their gods, and traveling by boat to find a place that would accept her for who she was and for a place to call home. The premise was already interesting enough, but reading the first chapter had made me really want to continue on with the story and see if and how Elowen will get the happily ever after she deserved.
I have come across multiple characters where I have felt connected to a certain degree, but Elowen was definitely a character where every raw emotion she felt, I felt. Elowen, for all of the pain and heartache she had to endure, had become an even stronger character with the help of Lija and her newly found family. She had to learn to both love and trust in herself and her abilities, something I was very pleased to see by the end of the book.
Now, as for the magical elven realm, I loved every minute of it. I’m such a huge elf fan after watching the Lord of the Rings (I still haven’t gotten around to reading the books yet; someday I will). But Witte-Krantz has managed to make the elvish magic entirely her own and separate from other elvish books and, like I said, I loved every minute of it.
The romance between (my) beloved Elowen and Lija was the type of romance that had me kicking my feet and smiling like an idiot. I loved how with every interaction between them was not comprised of Lija “helping” Elowen by doing everything for her because she is “vulnerable” and therefore is not capable of doing anything herself. Lija challenges her in a healthy way and though that, Elowen is able to grow to become a fierce woman she is meant to be.
I could honestly write more, but I fear I might spoil lol.
Thank you to Bethany Witte-Krantz and Torch Lit Link for gifting me an advance readers copy! This review is entirely of my own and no one else’s.
I have come across multiple characters where I have felt connected to a certain degree, but Elowen was definitely a character where every raw emotion she felt, I felt. Elowen, for all of the pain and heartache she had to endure, had become an even stronger character with the help of Lija and her newly found family. She had to learn to both love and trust in herself and her abilities, something I was very pleased to see by the end of the book.
Now, as for the magical elven realm, I loved every minute of it. I’m such a huge elf fan after watching the Lord of the Rings (I still haven’t gotten around to reading the books yet; someday I will). But Witte-Krantz has managed to make the elvish magic entirely her own and separate from other elvish books and, like I said, I loved every minute of it.
The romance between (my) beloved Elowen and Lija was the type of romance that had me kicking my feet and smiling like an idiot. I loved how with every interaction between them was not comprised of Lija “helping” Elowen by doing everything for her because she is “vulnerable” and therefore is not capable of doing anything herself. Lija challenges her in a healthy way and though that, Elowen is able to grow to become a fierce woman she is meant to be.
I could honestly write more, but I fear I might spoil lol.
Thank you to Bethany Witte-Krantz and Torch Lit Link for gifting me an advance readers copy! This review is entirely of my own and no one else’s.
December 9, 2024
A Promising Sapphic Romantasy with Room to Grow
The Mountains of Ebbon by Bethany Witte-Krantz is an engaging start to what promises to be a captivating fantasy series. It is written in multiple POV which offered interesting insights to the story.
From the first page, I was hooked by Elowen, a plus-sized FMC on a quest to find a place where she truly belongs—only to get swept up in a mystery that could determine the fate of an entire kingdom. Elowen's journey is filled with emotional stakes, intense battles, and a beautifully written slow-burn romance with Queen Lilja that feels entirely natural.
The world-building is strong, and the representation—especially the plus-size and sapphic elements—adds depth and authenticity to the story. The bond between Elowen and Lilja is moving, and the "found family" dynamic provides warmth and heart to the narrative.
The Mountains of Ebbon is a solid and well-crafted romantasy that will resonate with fans of sapphic fantasy. I’m excited to see where the series goes next!
📓✧˖°.📓✧˖°.𝑻𝒓𝒐𝒑𝒆𝒔: 📓✧˖°.📓✧˖°.
✧ One Bed
✧ Romantasy
✧ Queer / Sapphic Romance
✧ Found Family
✧ Mental Health Rep
✧ Plus sized FMC
The Mountains of Ebbon by Bethany Witte-Krantz is an engaging start to what promises to be a captivating fantasy series. It is written in multiple POV which offered interesting insights to the story.
From the first page, I was hooked by Elowen, a plus-sized FMC on a quest to find a place where she truly belongs—only to get swept up in a mystery that could determine the fate of an entire kingdom. Elowen's journey is filled with emotional stakes, intense battles, and a beautifully written slow-burn romance with Queen Lilja that feels entirely natural.
The world-building is strong, and the representation—especially the plus-size and sapphic elements—adds depth and authenticity to the story. The bond between Elowen and Lilja is moving, and the "found family" dynamic provides warmth and heart to the narrative.
The Mountains of Ebbon is a solid and well-crafted romantasy that will resonate with fans of sapphic fantasy. I’m excited to see where the series goes next!
📓✧˖°.📓✧˖°.𝑻𝒓𝒐𝒑𝒆𝒔: 📓✧˖°.📓✧˖°.
✧ One Bed
✧ Romantasy
✧ Queer / Sapphic Romance
✧ Found Family
✧ Mental Health Rep
✧ Plus sized FMC
November 11, 2024
✨ book review ✨
📖: The Mountains of Ebbon
Rating: 5/5 ⭐️’s
🌶️: ❌
𝘉𝘦𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘺𝘦𝘥, 𝘢𝘣𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘮𝘯𝘦𝘥, 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘥, 𝘌𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘯 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘬 𝘰𝘧 𝘥𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘩 𝘢𝘴 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘴 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘦𝘴𝘤𝘢𝘱𝘦. 𝘞𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘧𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘰𝘯 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦, 𝘌𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘯 𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘶𝘱 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘦𝘭𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘮 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘘𝘶𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘓𝘪𝘭𝘫𝘢 𝘰𝘧 𝘝𝘢𝘭𝘥𝘪𝘴 - 𝘢 𝘰𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘥𝘰𝘮 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘥𝘶𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘢 𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵. 𝘐𝘵 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘤𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘌𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘯’𝘴 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘦 𝘱𝘶𝘳𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘱 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘘𝘶𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘴𝘰𝘭𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘺𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘬𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘴𝘶𝘣𝘫𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘴, 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘣𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘸𝘢𝘳.
This was the first ARC I’ve had the privilege of receiving! As a romantasy reader, it was so refreshing to read a novel that not only has LGBTQ+ representation but a plus sized FMC as well!
I found the storyline so interesting, and SO action packed that when I think of everything that occurred it’s hard to believe it all fit into one story. There’s so much adventure that it never felt like it dragged on and made it such an easy read.
The characters were so well established with their own personality and quirks that made them effortless to envision while reading this novel, and I loved the banter and relationships between them all.
I cannot wait to see where the next book will take us! 🫶🏼
📖: The Mountains of Ebbon
Rating: 5/5 ⭐️’s
🌶️: ❌
𝘉𝘦𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘺𝘦𝘥, 𝘢𝘣𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘮𝘯𝘦𝘥, 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘥, 𝘌𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘯 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘬 𝘰𝘧 𝘥𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘩 𝘢𝘴 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘴 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘦𝘴𝘤𝘢𝘱𝘦. 𝘞𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘧𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘰𝘯 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦, 𝘌𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘯 𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘶𝘱 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘦𝘭𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘮 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘘𝘶𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘓𝘪𝘭𝘫𝘢 𝘰𝘧 𝘝𝘢𝘭𝘥𝘪𝘴 - 𝘢 𝘰𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘥𝘰𝘮 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘥𝘶𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘢 𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵. 𝘐𝘵 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘤𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘌𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘯’𝘴 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘦 𝘱𝘶𝘳𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘱 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘘𝘶𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘴𝘰𝘭𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘺𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘬𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘴𝘶𝘣𝘫𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘴, 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘣𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘸𝘢𝘳.
This was the first ARC I’ve had the privilege of receiving! As a romantasy reader, it was so refreshing to read a novel that not only has LGBTQ+ representation but a plus sized FMC as well!
I found the storyline so interesting, and SO action packed that when I think of everything that occurred it’s hard to believe it all fit into one story. There’s so much adventure that it never felt like it dragged on and made it such an easy read.
The characters were so well established with their own personality and quirks that made them effortless to envision while reading this novel, and I loved the banter and relationships between them all.
I cannot wait to see where the next book will take us! 🫶🏼
December 5, 2024
This is a story about self-discovery and courage.
This romantasy starts off with Elowen looking for a place that will accept her as she is and ends up finding a place that embraces her wholly.
Our plus-sized FMC is thrown into a mystery that could determine the fate of this kingdom—no pressure, of course.
Meanwhile, we’ve got a Queen who rules with fierce love—Lilja will do whatever it takes to save her home and the newest member of this little found family.
This premise had me so hooked, but I really found myself feeling a bit mixed about this one, especially with the multiple POVs. While I appreciate the different perspectives, especially once everyone split up, it was difficult for me to keep track of all the moving pieces and pulled me out of the narrative flow a bit.
The pacing was also slightly off, feeling like there was a lot of forward progression action-wise in parts and then there were some lulls that were really amplified by the abrupt ending. The intense buildup right at the finale left me craving more—I needed to know what happened to the kingdom!
Despite that, the overall concept, the intensity of the characters, and the easy-to-follow world-building made this one a good introduction to the series.
Thanks to TorchedInk for the ARC!
This romantasy starts off with Elowen looking for a place that will accept her as she is and ends up finding a place that embraces her wholly.
Our plus-sized FMC is thrown into a mystery that could determine the fate of this kingdom—no pressure, of course.
Meanwhile, we’ve got a Queen who rules with fierce love—Lilja will do whatever it takes to save her home and the newest member of this little found family.
This premise had me so hooked, but I really found myself feeling a bit mixed about this one, especially with the multiple POVs. While I appreciate the different perspectives, especially once everyone split up, it was difficult for me to keep track of all the moving pieces and pulled me out of the narrative flow a bit.
The pacing was also slightly off, feeling like there was a lot of forward progression action-wise in parts and then there were some lulls that were really amplified by the abrupt ending. The intense buildup right at the finale left me craving more—I needed to know what happened to the kingdom!
Despite that, the overall concept, the intensity of the characters, and the easy-to-follow world-building made this one a good introduction to the series.
Thanks to TorchedInk for the ARC!
December 7, 2024
4 stars!
Thank you to Bethany for allowing me to read an ARC and be on your PR team, it has been an honour <3 This has not influenced my review :)
The Mountains of Ebbon is Bethany Witte-Krantz's debut novel and wow is it a beautiful start to her career as a writer. Bethany is first and foremost a beautiful writer, her language used is wonderful and helped to paint a stunning picture of the characters and world. I loved this world (even with the hetreonormative society...) and the romance within it.
There is wonderful representation in this book and I am thrilled to see some of myself within these characters.
I do think the pacing was a little off at nice and could've done with a little bit more editing but for a debut novel, this is very easy to rectify.
Very proud of Bethany and can't wait to see what happens next!
Tropes:
- Sapphic
- Plus sized representation
- Romantasy
- mental health representation.
Thank you to Bethany for allowing me to read an ARC and be on your PR team, it has been an honour <3 This has not influenced my review :)
The Mountains of Ebbon is Bethany Witte-Krantz's debut novel and wow is it a beautiful start to her career as a writer. Bethany is first and foremost a beautiful writer, her language used is wonderful and helped to paint a stunning picture of the characters and world. I loved this world (even with the hetreonormative society...) and the romance within it.
There is wonderful representation in this book and I am thrilled to see some of myself within these characters.
I do think the pacing was a little off at nice and could've done with a little bit more editing but for a debut novel, this is very easy to rectify.
Very proud of Bethany and can't wait to see what happens next!
Tropes:
- Sapphic
- Plus sized representation
- Romantasy
- mental health representation.
December 9, 2024
This was another book I added to my list since I’m trying to add more fantasy into my reading lineups. The world building in this book was done really well and it was easy to follow.
Elowen was cast out of her family for being a lesbian and she’s not on the run. So she boards a boat and sets sail to find a distant continent to escape to. She finds herself washed up on the shore of Elven Realm where she befriends the Queen, Lilja.
I loved that Elowen was a very relatable character for many people. She is a plus size woman, which I think we need to see more of, lesbian, she has anxiety, and has panic attacks.
I will say, I found myself a little lost at times with having so many POVs. I found myself going back to remember who it was about at the moment.
3.5⭐️
Elowen was cast out of her family for being a lesbian and she’s not on the run. So she boards a boat and sets sail to find a distant continent to escape to. She finds herself washed up on the shore of Elven Realm where she befriends the Queen, Lilja.
I loved that Elowen was a very relatable character for many people. She is a plus size woman, which I think we need to see more of, lesbian, she has anxiety, and has panic attacks.
I will say, I found myself a little lost at times with having so many POVs. I found myself going back to remember who it was about at the moment.
3.5⭐️
December 10, 2024
Elowen captivated me from the very start. Her (unfortunately) common story felt all too real for me. Seeing her end up somewhere she could be herself without fear was so empowering and comforting that I could not adequately put it into words. The representation in this story was great beyond the queer community. Anxiety and other mental health concerns are so important to include in all types of media, especially romantasy stories!
I loved reading about the Elves and the amusing banter between them. They felt so real as if I was with friends rather than formal speech the entire time. The multiple POVs was extremely helpful throughout, although I will fully admit I'm a sucker for multiple POV stories!
I loved reading about the Elves and the amusing banter between them. They felt so real as if I was with friends rather than formal speech the entire time. The multiple POVs was extremely helpful throughout, although I will fully admit I'm a sucker for multiple POV stories!
November 13, 2024
Elowyn lives a quiet life on the outskirts of her community after they ostracized her due to her sexuality. When she runs and finds herself shipwrecked on an unknown continent, surrounded by creatures she had only ever heard of in stories, she soon realizes its far from paradise.
Ever since I saw the cover floating around, I was intrigued by this book (story of my life at this point). After I read the premise I was even more interested and I can say now, that the book didn't promise too much.
Though this book is Bethanys debut, you can see it was written by someone, well educated on the fantasy genre. Bethany makes the worldbuilding easy to grasp and yet manages, to plant it into your head so thouroughly, you can't help but picture everything. Her writing style makes it so easy to lose yourself in the Kingdom of Valdis.
Both Elowyn and Lilja are strong and relatable FMCs and I loved how their interactions felt very much like watching a movie play out. All the banter made my stomach flip on more than one occassion and I couldn't help but notice how beautiful their blooming romance was written.
If you're on the lookout for an actionpacked and relatable sappic romantasy read, this one right here might just be up your alley.
Ever since I saw the cover floating around, I was intrigued by this book (story of my life at this point). After I read the premise I was even more interested and I can say now, that the book didn't promise too much.
Though this book is Bethanys debut, you can see it was written by someone, well educated on the fantasy genre. Bethany makes the worldbuilding easy to grasp and yet manages, to plant it into your head so thouroughly, you can't help but picture everything. Her writing style makes it so easy to lose yourself in the Kingdom of Valdis.
Both Elowyn and Lilja are strong and relatable FMCs and I loved how their interactions felt very much like watching a movie play out. All the banter made my stomach flip on more than one occassion and I couldn't help but notice how beautiful their blooming romance was written.
If you're on the lookout for an actionpacked and relatable sappic romantasy read, this one right here might just be up your alley.
October 15, 2024
This book…ahhhh I loved it so much!! I was/am so lucky to be able to read this one early!! You are instantly thrown into the story and honestly not let go of until the end! I sat down to start this book..read a few chapters before I did some homework..absolutely did not move until I had finished this book!
This is a sapphic fantasy book you just need to have on your TBR! A Debut novel that is sure to knock your socks off with the amazing plot line it follows!
5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This is a sapphic fantasy book you just need to have on your TBR! A Debut novel that is sure to knock your socks off with the amazing plot line it follows!
5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
October 25, 2024
When I saw someone talking about this book on threads I instantly knew I needed to read it.
If you’re not new here you know I’m a sucker for a sapphic book and this one happened to be fantasy which is also a fave genre of mine.
Immediately this story encaptures you to the point that when you’re not reading it, you’re thinking about it.
There’s lots representation, lots of feelings, and a beautiful romance! What more could you ask for?
I love it when an author and book surprises me, and this one did just that.
If you like romantasy books, I encourage you to add this one to your TBR. 💕
If you’re not new here you know I’m a sucker for a sapphic book and this one happened to be fantasy which is also a fave genre of mine.
Immediately this story encaptures you to the point that when you’re not reading it, you’re thinking about it.
There’s lots representation, lots of feelings, and a beautiful romance! What more could you ask for?
I love it when an author and book surprises me, and this one did just that.
If you like romantasy books, I encourage you to add this one to your TBR. 💕
December 9, 2024
Let me start with saying that I am not normally a fantasy reader, but wanting to support a new author really had me pushing to read it.
I enjoyed the story, I enjoyed the world building, I enjoyed the romance, I enjoyed the found family.
There were a few grammar errors but nothing that kept me from enjoying this story.
I wasn’t expecting the ending and cannot wait for the story to continue.
I enjoyed the story, I enjoyed the world building, I enjoyed the romance, I enjoyed the found family.
There were a few grammar errors but nothing that kept me from enjoying this story.
I wasn’t expecting the ending and cannot wait for the story to continue.
January 8, 2025
This is a book that makes you never want to put it down. The perfect descriptions to visualize every character and every situation, it’s as if you are there with them. The author portrays happiness, confusion, loss, and love in her characters. The ending will make you ask the author when she’s going to release the second book. This book deserves five stars for its ability to capture the reader making them want to read more and more. Very excited to see her future works.
December 1, 2024
This was such a fun read for me, action packed right from the get go. The storyline was beautifully and carefully plotted that just kept me glued to the page. One thing I truly love in a book is a really good female lead character and the Mountain of Ebbon delivered. Great work!
December 1, 2024
This book is for readers looking for an adventure with easy to follow world building, a queer normative world and plus size representation
Thank you Bethany for giving me the opportunity to read your debut novel before release day
Thank you Bethany for giving me the opportunity to read your debut novel before release day
December 9, 2024
This was a story that can be captivating for the right reader, there was enough of a story it just felt like it took me awhile to get into it when usually i can plow through a book, others will definitely enjoy it
December 3, 2024
The Mountains of Ebbon is a debut novel by Beth w Krantz. This is a story about identity and resilience. Readers will love the character depth and world building. I feel the language used is great for a young adult audience and will be relatable to many teens who are trying to navigate their own sense of self. The language used by the author was frustrating for me at times with the use of words like duh and shut up. I am a 40 yr old mom with three teens tho. As a debut novel I feel this book could be turned into a series and I would probably read the next book in the series. I was allowed to read this book before it's release date and for that I am grateful to both the author and torchlitink.
Read
October 25, 2025Review coming soon
November 11, 2024
This book hit all the right notes for me. From the very start I was hooked on the FMC Elowen, I hated what she had to go through and I couldn’t help but feel emotionally invested. The romance was beautifully written and felt natural and the battles were intense. I was on edge the whole time wondering if they would make it out alive.
Sapphic fantasy lovers you need to add this one to your list!
Sapphic fantasy lovers you need to add this one to your list!
December 7, 2024
I loved the world building in this book a lot more than I thought I would. I loved the LGBTQ+ representation. I’m not a mega fan of FMCs who can’t hold their own but that’s what makes Elowyn her. I loved the action pieces in this and come on the cliff hanger at the end?? Downright rude 😂 like I have so many questions. Worth a read!
July 16, 2025
4/5☆
The Mountains of Ebbon by Bethany Witte-Krantz is an impressive debut, featuring a female protagonist ostracized for her sexual preferences—a compelling narrative choice— and combines heartfelt LGBTQ+ representation with rich world-building. The story explores themes of identity and resilience, making it both timely and deeply engaging.
The novel delivers an emotionally charged journey that will captivate readers. Bethany sucessfully balances tension, character development, and a fresh perspective that sets this book apart. This is a must-read for fans of character-driven fantasy and a promising start for an indie author to watch.
I was lucky enough to be chosen for an ARC and to be on the author's PR team, but that has not influenced my review.
The Mountains of Ebbon by Bethany Witte-Krantz is an impressive debut, featuring a female protagonist ostracized for her sexual preferences—a compelling narrative choice— and combines heartfelt LGBTQ+ representation with rich world-building. The story explores themes of identity and resilience, making it both timely and deeply engaging.
The novel delivers an emotionally charged journey that will captivate readers. Bethany sucessfully balances tension, character development, and a fresh perspective that sets this book apart. This is a must-read for fans of character-driven fantasy and a promising start for an indie author to watch.
I was lucky enough to be chosen for an ARC and to be on the author's PR team, but that has not influenced my review.
December 2, 2024
An adult fantasy debut featuring a young lesbian woman whose life changes for the better when she washes ashore on the Elven Realm and befriends the Queen and her traveling companions.
Elowen has been cast out from her noble family for being gay and now she's on the run with her very life on the line. In a desperate attempt to escape, Elowen boards a boat and sails for a distant continent. However, her ship is destroyed in a storm and she finds herself washed up on the shores of the Elven Realm. There, she meets the stoic queen Lilja and her merry band of travelers who are looking for the cause of the blight that is killing all the crops in the kingdom. With no way to return home, Elowen joins them on their quest and begins to learn that maybe with this band of misfits is where she truly belongs.
I must say, I am struggling a bit on how to rate this one. On one hand, I really enjoyed my time with this story, I like the main cast of characters, and I found myself needing to know what happens in future installments of this series. However, this book does read a bit like fanfiction, it doesn't follow the structure of most books, and the writing is rather amateur (as was the editing). I did read an ARC of this book though, so hopefully some of these things were resolved before the final version was published. And if not, these are things that the author can certainly work on remedying in the future installments.
I really enjoyed Elowen as a main character. For one, she's a lesbian, plus sized woman who is riddled with anxiety and is prone to having panic attacks. I love all the diverse groups that she is a part of and her nervous personality made her an interesting addition to the fantastical world full of fearless elves who are willing to put their entire existence into fighting for their kingdom. The fact that she has a fair dose of trauma to deal with from her past life added some serious depth to her character, too.
Lilja's gang of elvish warriors is quite diverse in personality and I found myself greatly appreciating each one of them as I progressed throughout this book. I may not one hundred percent be able to tell them apart even at the conclusion of this story, but hey, that's kinda to be expected with how many of them there are. Aidan has got to be one of my favorites with his nerdy nature and his reluctance to fight. Keres is quite fiery and certainly left a lasting impression in my mind. Cassia is sweet and I was shocked by how many times she surprised me in this one book alone. I look forward to spending more time with this group one day.
I do appreciate how Elowen's character addressed several prominent issues in our society. The most obvious being the fact that the human realm exiled her from her homeland just for being a lesbian.
This showcases a nasty aspect of our society that I hope we can get over sooner rather than later. No one should be discriminated like Elowen was for being who they truly are. The fact she also had to deal with prejudicial beliefs in the Elven Realm due to the fact that she is a human also takes a look into our racial differences and how people are also treated unfairly just for being who they are.
I want to go into a little more detail into the strange formatting of this book and some of my minor gripes when it comes to the way this book was written. Some of these things did take away from the story a bit, so I wanted to address them. One of the first things I noticed is how repetitive the vocabulary is. Right from the start, the same words are used over and over again in the same paragraph, which can make some scenes really grating to read. This is something that would be super easy to remedy in future stories. The pacing in this book is also a bit odd. There are times where it will jump months at a time in the middle of a chapter, which was really hard for me to follow on occasion. There should definitely be at least a page break if we are about to jump a major amount of time. The final thing I wanted to mention is the fact that this book infrequently changes perspectives with no rhyme or reason. From time to time, this also happens in the middle of chapters which can be quite jarring. This attributes greatly to the roleplay/fanfiction vibes that this story has. Most of these things aren't the worst things in the world, but they certainly took my brain quite a bit of time to adapt to.
Overall, "The Mountains of Ebbon" is a fun high fantasy adventure that explores the complexities of gender differences and prejudices all while being packed full of exciting circumstances. I enjoyed the characters, the banter, and the themes that this book explores. This book may have struggled a tad in the vocabulary and editing departments, but I still very much enjoyed the story. I am definitely hooked enough to check out the next installment in this series and see how Elowen gets out of the sticky situation that she finds herself in at the end of this book.
Elowen has been cast out from her noble family for being gay and now she's on the run with her very life on the line. In a desperate attempt to escape, Elowen boards a boat and sails for a distant continent. However, her ship is destroyed in a storm and she finds herself washed up on the shores of the Elven Realm. There, she meets the stoic queen Lilja and her merry band of travelers who are looking for the cause of the blight that is killing all the crops in the kingdom. With no way to return home, Elowen joins them on their quest and begins to learn that maybe with this band of misfits is where she truly belongs.
I must say, I am struggling a bit on how to rate this one. On one hand, I really enjoyed my time with this story, I like the main cast of characters, and I found myself needing to know what happens in future installments of this series. However, this book does read a bit like fanfiction, it doesn't follow the structure of most books, and the writing is rather amateur (as was the editing). I did read an ARC of this book though, so hopefully some of these things were resolved before the final version was published. And if not, these are things that the author can certainly work on remedying in the future installments.
I really enjoyed Elowen as a main character. For one, she's a lesbian, plus sized woman who is riddled with anxiety and is prone to having panic attacks. I love all the diverse groups that she is a part of and her nervous personality made her an interesting addition to the fantastical world full of fearless elves who are willing to put their entire existence into fighting for their kingdom. The fact that she has a fair dose of trauma to deal with from her past life added some serious depth to her character, too.
Lilja's gang of elvish warriors is quite diverse in personality and I found myself greatly appreciating each one of them as I progressed throughout this book. I may not one hundred percent be able to tell them apart even at the conclusion of this story, but hey, that's kinda to be expected with how many of them there are. Aidan has got to be one of my favorites with his nerdy nature and his reluctance to fight. Keres is quite fiery and certainly left a lasting impression in my mind. Cassia is sweet and I was shocked by how many times she surprised me in this one book alone. I look forward to spending more time with this group one day.
I do appreciate how Elowen's character addressed several prominent issues in our society. The most obvious being the fact that the human realm exiled her from her homeland just for being a lesbian.
This showcases a nasty aspect of our society that I hope we can get over sooner rather than later. No one should be discriminated like Elowen was for being who they truly are. The fact she also had to deal with prejudicial beliefs in the Elven Realm due to the fact that she is a human also takes a look into our racial differences and how people are also treated unfairly just for being who they are.
I want to go into a little more detail into the strange formatting of this book and some of my minor gripes when it comes to the way this book was written. Some of these things did take away from the story a bit, so I wanted to address them. One of the first things I noticed is how repetitive the vocabulary is. Right from the start, the same words are used over and over again in the same paragraph, which can make some scenes really grating to read. This is something that would be super easy to remedy in future stories. The pacing in this book is also a bit odd. There are times where it will jump months at a time in the middle of a chapter, which was really hard for me to follow on occasion. There should definitely be at least a page break if we are about to jump a major amount of time. The final thing I wanted to mention is the fact that this book infrequently changes perspectives with no rhyme or reason. From time to time, this also happens in the middle of chapters which can be quite jarring. This attributes greatly to the roleplay/fanfiction vibes that this story has. Most of these things aren't the worst things in the world, but they certainly took my brain quite a bit of time to adapt to.
Overall, "The Mountains of Ebbon" is a fun high fantasy adventure that explores the complexities of gender differences and prejudices all while being packed full of exciting circumstances. I enjoyed the characters, the banter, and the themes that this book explores. This book may have struggled a tad in the vocabulary and editing departments, but I still very much enjoyed the story. I am definitely hooked enough to check out the next installment in this series and see how Elowen gets out of the sticky situation that she finds herself in at the end of this book.
September 1, 2024
I have been infatuated with this story since I first heard the premise and it has definitely lived up to that attention. If you're on the fence, it's definitely worth a read and review! I've read hundreds of fantasy novels, thousands, and this still caught my eye with its lovely prose and uplifting messages as well as lgbtqia+ representation. I can really relate to her characters- especially Elowyn, our main girl. As someone who has been bullied and treated differently for something that came naturally to me, the positive sentiments within were like a balm to my soul. It's an extremely strong start to what I hope is a long lived literary career. I hope you enjoy it as well!
Favorite quote/snippet of prose from the book: “Tears sprung to my eyes at the memory; I allowed them to fall as we rode out of the city. It was important to heal from the memories that could never happen again. The world existed and ended with life and death, and sometimes it left people behind to learn how to live without the other.”
Spoilers/synopsis:
Ostracized and nearly put to death by the community she loved just because of her sexuality and saved only by the guilty manipulations of a former friend, Elowyn finds herself running from everything she knew, adrift in a sea of her nightmares.
She quickly learns that the land she was aiming for is not where she came ashore as her small vessel was pushed elsewhere by a freak storm. Instead of an isolated island where she could find sanctuary from her accusers,she ends up on a whole new continent, surrounded by creatures that previously only existed in stories to her: elves, complete with pointy ears and a beautiful warrior Queen, who is altogether too interested in her right from the beginning.
Elowyn soon realizes that all is not sunshine and fairy tales in this shocking new land. For hundreds of years a blight has brought their once great civilization to its knees. Hardly any edible plants have managed to survive infection, leaving the entire population on the brink of starvation- even the Queen and her closest companions.
Their Queen, Lilja, and her crew of friends are determined to remedy this- no matter what the cost. Sure that their neighboring enemy has something to do with it, the entire group goes undercover within their Kingdom, searching for any trace of the disease's beginning.
Our cast of characters soon unveils a plot that would bring their country to its knees, and it must be stopped. Luckily they also managed to find some old allies, hiding from the conflict in an oasis. They quickly join the plot to combat this affliction, which has now mutated and grown to latch onto the elves themselves.
Will they find a cure? Will Armand ever find a woman willing to sleep with him? Will our favorite potential couple make it? Inquiring minds want to know. Here's hoping book two comes swiftly!
Favorite quote/snippet of prose from the book: “Tears sprung to my eyes at the memory; I allowed them to fall as we rode out of the city. It was important to heal from the memories that could never happen again. The world existed and ended with life and death, and sometimes it left people behind to learn how to live without the other.”
Spoilers/synopsis:
Ostracized and nearly put to death by the community she loved just because of her sexuality and saved only by the guilty manipulations of a former friend, Elowyn finds herself running from everything she knew, adrift in a sea of her nightmares.
She quickly learns that the land she was aiming for is not where she came ashore as her small vessel was pushed elsewhere by a freak storm. Instead of an isolated island where she could find sanctuary from her accusers,she ends up on a whole new continent, surrounded by creatures that previously only existed in stories to her: elves, complete with pointy ears and a beautiful warrior Queen, who is altogether too interested in her right from the beginning.
Elowyn soon realizes that all is not sunshine and fairy tales in this shocking new land. For hundreds of years a blight has brought their once great civilization to its knees. Hardly any edible plants have managed to survive infection, leaving the entire population on the brink of starvation- even the Queen and her closest companions.
Their Queen, Lilja, and her crew of friends are determined to remedy this- no matter what the cost. Sure that their neighboring enemy has something to do with it, the entire group goes undercover within their Kingdom, searching for any trace of the disease's beginning.
Our cast of characters soon unveils a plot that would bring their country to its knees, and it must be stopped. Luckily they also managed to find some old allies, hiding from the conflict in an oasis. They quickly join the plot to combat this affliction, which has now mutated and grown to latch onto the elves themselves.
Will they find a cure? Will Armand ever find a woman willing to sleep with him? Will our favorite potential couple make it? Inquiring minds want to know. Here's hoping book two comes swiftly!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 11, 2025
The Mountains of Ebbon (The Alwyn) by Bethany Witte-Krantz is a beautifully woven fantasy filled with political intrigue, ancient mysteries, and a protagonist caught between two kingdoms on the brink of war. From the moment Elowen is cast away and shipwrecked in the Elven Realm, the story sweeps you into a world of breathtaking magic and devastating secrets.
Elowen is a compelling heroine—lost, vulnerable, and navigating a land she doesn’t understand, yet possessing an inner strength that makes her journey all the more captivating. As she becomes entangled in the struggles of Valdis and Ardour, the tension between the two kingdoms is masterfully crafted. Queen Lilja’s desperate fight to save her blighted kingdom contrasts sharply with Queen Alieta’s seemingly untouchable reign, setting the stage for a conflict that is as complex as it is thrilling.
The world-building is rich and immersive, drawing readers into a realm where magic is both a gift and a curse, and the weight of history threatens to consume the present. The mystery of the centuries-old blight adds an extra layer of suspense, keeping you hooked as Elowen unravels the truth. And amidst the political turmoil, a slow-burning romance simmers, adding heart to an already gripping narrative.
Bethany Witte-Krantz has crafted a stunning fantasy that delivers adventure, intrigue, and emotional depth in equal measure. If you love epic stories with strong heroines, court politics, and a touch of forbidden magic, The Mountains of Ebbon is an absolute must-read.
🔥✨ Perfect for fans of Elise Kova, Tricia Levenseller, and Holly Black! ✨🔥
Elowen is a compelling heroine—lost, vulnerable, and navigating a land she doesn’t understand, yet possessing an inner strength that makes her journey all the more captivating. As she becomes entangled in the struggles of Valdis and Ardour, the tension between the two kingdoms is masterfully crafted. Queen Lilja’s desperate fight to save her blighted kingdom contrasts sharply with Queen Alieta’s seemingly untouchable reign, setting the stage for a conflict that is as complex as it is thrilling.
The world-building is rich and immersive, drawing readers into a realm where magic is both a gift and a curse, and the weight of history threatens to consume the present. The mystery of the centuries-old blight adds an extra layer of suspense, keeping you hooked as Elowen unravels the truth. And amidst the political turmoil, a slow-burning romance simmers, adding heart to an already gripping narrative.
Bethany Witte-Krantz has crafted a stunning fantasy that delivers adventure, intrigue, and emotional depth in equal measure. If you love epic stories with strong heroines, court politics, and a touch of forbidden magic, The Mountains of Ebbon is an absolute must-read.
🔥✨ Perfect for fans of Elise Kova, Tricia Levenseller, and Holly Black! ✨🔥
December 27, 2024
Plus sized FMC
Sapphic romantasy
LGBTQ+
Fated Mates
Magic & Fae
Mental Health Rep
This book is amazing. The beginning is a little rough because it starts where we meet Elowen living a harsh life on her own having lost everything because of who she was. And the world building is something else. I couldn’t help but feel LOTR vibes a little when she somehow ends up in the Elven world. Were it not for Lilja, Queen of Valdis, saving her when she washed ashore, this story would have been quite different. This book touches on many topics from body image (Elowen being plus sized) to sexuality and the discrimination against those who choose same sex relationship. It was hard to read how things came to be for her in the beginning, but it’s the background story that explains her thought pattern throughout the majority of the book. I had no idea how this book was going to be for me but I have no regrets in reading this. It is a great read for people who love magic and adventure, a story about personal growth, and the journey to save kingdoms from magical evil. I highly recommend this book. You will not be disappointed.
Sapphic romantasy
LGBTQ+
Fated Mates
Magic & Fae
Mental Health Rep
This book is amazing. The beginning is a little rough because it starts where we meet Elowen living a harsh life on her own having lost everything because of who she was. And the world building is something else. I couldn’t help but feel LOTR vibes a little when she somehow ends up in the Elven world. Were it not for Lilja, Queen of Valdis, saving her when she washed ashore, this story would have been quite different. This book touches on many topics from body image (Elowen being plus sized) to sexuality and the discrimination against those who choose same sex relationship. It was hard to read how things came to be for her in the beginning, but it’s the background story that explains her thought pattern throughout the majority of the book. I had no idea how this book was going to be for me but I have no regrets in reading this. It is a great read for people who love magic and adventure, a story about personal growth, and the journey to save kingdoms from magical evil. I highly recommend this book. You will not be disappointed.
November 22, 2024
I received this book as an ARC and this is my honest review.
I really love the representation of LGBTQ+ people and mental health in this story! As a lesbian woman, it was refreshing to see myself reflected on the page, the anxiety rep was unexpected though! I could easily relate ti Elowen and her intrusive thoughts. The world building and fated mates concepts are very interesting. It felt like a DND campaign with all of the travel and visits to different towns and areas. I love that there were elves, mages, and nymphs. I can’t wait to see how Elowen’s story continues.
I did struggle with some of the language used as it felt a little too modern for the setting. The relationship between Elowen and Lilja didn’t build enough for me. I would have liked to see more communication between them, there was a lot of sleeping that could have been private moments between the two. I felt like Elowen and Lilja had stronger relationships with the side characters than each other, which makes sense for Lilja and her crew.
I really love the representation of LGBTQ+ people and mental health in this story! As a lesbian woman, it was refreshing to see myself reflected on the page, the anxiety rep was unexpected though! I could easily relate ti Elowen and her intrusive thoughts. The world building and fated mates concepts are very interesting. It felt like a DND campaign with all of the travel and visits to different towns and areas. I love that there were elves, mages, and nymphs. I can’t wait to see how Elowen’s story continues.
I did struggle with some of the language used as it felt a little too modern for the setting. The relationship between Elowen and Lilja didn’t build enough for me. I would have liked to see more communication between them, there was a lot of sleeping that could have been private moments between the two. I felt like Elowen and Lilja had stronger relationships with the side characters than each other, which makes sense for Lilja and her crew.
December 2, 2024
The Mountains of Ebbon by @authorbjwk
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
🌶
This is a sapphic romantasy with adventure, magic, fighting, romance, drama, and magical creatures.
It has an amazing story, loveable characters, and no spice! There is mental health & LBGTQ+ representation. I also love the fact that the FMC is plus-sized ❤️
I love the found family in this and the main group of characters. The side characters are funny and loveable.
Elowen and Lilja compliment each other so well. Elowen is very damsel in distress, and Lilja is so protective and caring. Everyone needs a Lilja in their life! 😍
The story to this is so unique, magical, and gripping. The cliffhanger killed me! I need to know what's going to happen immediately 😅
This is the author's debut novel and, in my opinion, is brilliant! I am so glad I got to read it and can't wait to read more of this series 😍
Please check it out or add to your tbr! It is available on Kindle Unlimited & in paperback on Amazon 😁🫶🏼
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
🌶
This is a sapphic romantasy with adventure, magic, fighting, romance, drama, and magical creatures.
It has an amazing story, loveable characters, and no spice! There is mental health & LBGTQ+ representation. I also love the fact that the FMC is plus-sized ❤️
I love the found family in this and the main group of characters. The side characters are funny and loveable.
Elowen and Lilja compliment each other so well. Elowen is very damsel in distress, and Lilja is so protective and caring. Everyone needs a Lilja in their life! 😍
The story to this is so unique, magical, and gripping. The cliffhanger killed me! I need to know what's going to happen immediately 😅
This is the author's debut novel and, in my opinion, is brilliant! I am so glad I got to read it and can't wait to read more of this series 😍
Please check it out or add to your tbr! It is available on Kindle Unlimited & in paperback on Amazon 😁🫶🏼
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