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The Mountain Ride
The armies of Kerthar will cross the border, and everyone in their path will die.
Seventeen-year-old Folke is training with the best hunters of Velonea when he is conscripted for a secret mission. He learns of an artifact that resets time, a war that has already killed him countless times—and a mission whose true purpose remains hidden even from him.
In a city where days repeat for lifetimes and lies build on lies, Folke faces a is the real enemy the one outside the border, or the one sending him across it?
Twisting timelines, deadly secrets, and unexpected alliances collide in this gripping YA fantasy novel. The Mountain Ride delivers a high-stakes blend of dark magic, time loops, and epic moral dilemmas. With magic battles and a found-family team you'll root for, this fast-paced novel explores the cost of rewriting fate in a war-torn world where one choice can unravel everything.
Seventeen-year-old Folke is training with the best hunters of Velonea when he is conscripted for a secret mission. He learns of an artifact that resets time, a war that has already killed him countless times—and a mission whose true purpose remains hidden even from him.
In a city where days repeat for lifetimes and lies build on lies, Folke faces a is the real enemy the one outside the border, or the one sending him across it?
Twisting timelines, deadly secrets, and unexpected alliances collide in this gripping YA fantasy novel. The Mountain Ride delivers a high-stakes blend of dark magic, time loops, and epic moral dilemmas. With magic battles and a found-family team you'll root for, this fast-paced novel explores the cost of rewriting fate in a war-torn world where one choice can unravel everything.
214 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 10, 2025
1 person is currently reading
5 people want to read
About the author
Jaakko Koivula
6 books2 followersJaakko Koivula writes fantasy adventures packed with time loops, moral twists, and magical mayhem. A Master of Social Sciences turned IT consultant, he lives in northern Finland. Beyond his writing desk, Jaakko sings baritone, blogs about books at Tavaus.fi, and does his best to be a good father to his kids.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
April 7, 2025
This book is about a young man who is chosen for a mission, they train by doing the same day over and over, learning from it, from each other, learning how things go and what happens if they do it one way or another. In the mix is other people with their own agendas and trying to outsmart them. It is all quite confusing but it does come together by the end, so you need to read it to the end.
It is quite a good story, there is no love interest, but there are plenty of people to like and dislike, our young hero is smart and manages to work it all out and make plans for how the mission he is recruited for should go and despite his youth, his skills are needed. I enjoy predicting how it will go. It's a very interesting book.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
It is quite a good story, there is no love interest, but there are plenty of people to like and dislike, our young hero is smart and manages to work it all out and make plans for how the mission he is recruited for should go and despite his youth, his skills are needed. I enjoy predicting how it will go. It's a very interesting book.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
April 11, 2025
This was great! The editing was beautiful so that the story flowed perfectly. Transitions between scenes and chapters were smooth and logical. Folke's humour and train of thought were very believable and engaging. I don't want to add spoilers in but if you enjoy fantasy novels, adventure and magic, you will really enjoy this one. Looking forward to book 2!
This review is based on an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) which I received free of charge and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This review is based on an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) which I received free of charge and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
May 23, 2025
Recruited for a secretive mission, Folke, a teenager, leaves his home into the unknown. A war is about to break out between the Kertharians and the rest of the world. Folke enters a ride where his actions, if done right, can save everyone. This ride manipulates time, allowing the same day to repeat for a limited amount of times. There, he meets an already assembled team awaiting their final member. Will Folke be able to learn the lessons he needs in time to stop the war?
Opinion:
The main character, Folke, was very relatable, even though the book is fantasy. Presented as ordinary, he shows that anyone can become a hero. His quick thinking and analytical skills help set him apart and render him the crucial piece to the puzzle. Folke is a team player, who used the strengths of his team to stop an impeding war.
While reading the book, it was sometimes hard to differentiate between the scenes Folke was on the ride and when he was not. The days blended together, yet they were all the same day. Folke would either die or fail on the ride, and the day would begin again. I found this a clever tactic and it made the book much more compelling. The book was action-packed, and as a reader, I kept thinking Folke would be successful this time. Yet, something unexpected would happen to foil the plan. Although he ultimately succeeds, there were other times I thought he would have stopped the war.
The team Folke meets upon entering the ride consists of an elf, a thief, and a warrior. He must figure out how each member can contribute to the mission of preventing a war. Initially, Folke is confused why a thief would be included in their group. However, after multiple rides, he establishes a plan to utilize her talents to steal the time gem, which they will need to teleport to stop the armies of Kerthar. With lessons learned from previous rides, Folke is able to use the strengths of the team to propel them to success.
I would recommend this to young adult fantasy readers. It is a compelling read that leaves you wanting more, which is convenient because it is the first of the series. I can’t wait to read the next one.
Opinion:
The main character, Folke, was very relatable, even though the book is fantasy. Presented as ordinary, he shows that anyone can become a hero. His quick thinking and analytical skills help set him apart and render him the crucial piece to the puzzle. Folke is a team player, who used the strengths of his team to stop an impeding war.
While reading the book, it was sometimes hard to differentiate between the scenes Folke was on the ride and when he was not. The days blended together, yet they were all the same day. Folke would either die or fail on the ride, and the day would begin again. I found this a clever tactic and it made the book much more compelling. The book was action-packed, and as a reader, I kept thinking Folke would be successful this time. Yet, something unexpected would happen to foil the plan. Although he ultimately succeeds, there were other times I thought he would have stopped the war.
The team Folke meets upon entering the ride consists of an elf, a thief, and a warrior. He must figure out how each member can contribute to the mission of preventing a war. Initially, Folke is confused why a thief would be included in their group. However, after multiple rides, he establishes a plan to utilize her talents to steal the time gem, which they will need to teleport to stop the armies of Kerthar. With lessons learned from previous rides, Folke is able to use the strengths of the team to propel them to success.
I would recommend this to young adult fantasy readers. It is a compelling read that leaves you wanting more, which is convenient because it is the first of the series. I can’t wait to read the next one.
May 14, 2025
I loved this Book, and I am Super excited to continue with the series. While reading this it had me wanting more and more and more, I loved the Way it was written. I will be following the Author Now and in the Furture. I am excited to see how this story line plays out.
April 25, 2025
A good start I like the training and story and the way the characters are very well written
April 25, 2025
I really like the idea of this book. I felt lost most of the book, so much back and forth with time lines. hard to follow. the ending had a good twist. I would read the next book.
this was a non paid review of an ARC via booksirens.
this was a non paid review of an ARC via booksirens.
April 26, 2025
ITA
"The Mountain Ride" è un romanzo avvincente che segue le vicende di Folke, un giovane cacciatore di 17 anni. La sua vita cambia radicalmente quando Lille, la sua persona di riferimento, gli comunica che un Janitor, di nome Lictor, verrà a parlargli. Lictor arruola Folke e altri tre individui per una missione cruciale: evitare una guerra con i Kerthar, una guerra che potrebbe causare la morte di molti innocenti.
Lictor introduce Folke a un mondo in cui è possibile rivivere la stessa situazione più volte, cercando il modo migliore per prevenire il conflitto. Inizialmente, Folke si fida ciecamente di Lictor, ma con il tempo inizia a porsi delle domande critiche: perché questa guerra? Da cosa è scaturita? Non ci sono altri modi per evitarla? Chi ha autorizzato questo piano?
Il mondo descritto in questo libro è lo stesso di "Grand Harvest", anche se con personaggi diversi, le vicende di questo libro avvengono anni prima, penso. Ricordo vagamente un Folke che accompagna Ash e Dale, ma non sono sicura dei nomi.
La storia mi è piaciuta molto. È interessante vedere come, durante le varie "corse", Folke impari nuove cose, si ponga domande e, corsa dopo corsa, sveli strati di una trama molto complessa. Alla fine del libro, l'autore anticipa il secondo volume, "The Kerthar Mission".
Ho una domanda: chi è Minerva?
Ho ricevuto una copia gratuita. Questa recensione contiene la mia opinione ed è pubblicata liberamente.
ENG
"The Mountain Ride" is a gripping novel that follows the events of Folke, a young 17-year-old hunter. His life changes dramatically when Lille, his guide, informs him that a janitor named Lictor is coming to talk to him. Lictor recruits Folke and three others for a crucial mission: to prevent a war with the Kerthar, a war that could result in the deaths of many innocent people.
Lictor introduces Folke to a world where it is possible to relive the same situation over and over again in search of the best way to prevent conflict. At first, Folke blindly trusts Lictor, but over time he begins to ask critical questions: Why this war? What has caused it? Are there no other ways to prevent it? Who authorized this plan?
The world described in this book is the same as in "The Great Harvest," but with different characters, and what happens in this book is years before, I guess. I vaguely remember a Folke accompanying Ash and Dale, but I am not sure of their names.
I really took pleasure in reading this story. It is engaging to see how Folke learns new things during the different rides, asks questions, and unravels layers of a very complex plot, ride after ride. At the end of the book, the author hints at the second volume, "The Kerthar Mission."
I have one question: who is Minerva?
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
"The Mountain Ride" è un romanzo avvincente che segue le vicende di Folke, un giovane cacciatore di 17 anni. La sua vita cambia radicalmente quando Lille, la sua persona di riferimento, gli comunica che un Janitor, di nome Lictor, verrà a parlargli. Lictor arruola Folke e altri tre individui per una missione cruciale: evitare una guerra con i Kerthar, una guerra che potrebbe causare la morte di molti innocenti.
Lictor introduce Folke a un mondo in cui è possibile rivivere la stessa situazione più volte, cercando il modo migliore per prevenire il conflitto. Inizialmente, Folke si fida ciecamente di Lictor, ma con il tempo inizia a porsi delle domande critiche: perché questa guerra? Da cosa è scaturita? Non ci sono altri modi per evitarla? Chi ha autorizzato questo piano?
Il mondo descritto in questo libro è lo stesso di "Grand Harvest", anche se con personaggi diversi, le vicende di questo libro avvengono anni prima, penso. Ricordo vagamente un Folke che accompagna Ash e Dale, ma non sono sicura dei nomi.
La storia mi è piaciuta molto. È interessante vedere come, durante le varie "corse", Folke impari nuove cose, si ponga domande e, corsa dopo corsa, sveli strati di una trama molto complessa. Alla fine del libro, l'autore anticipa il secondo volume, "The Kerthar Mission".
Ho una domanda: chi è Minerva?
Ho ricevuto una copia gratuita. Questa recensione contiene la mia opinione ed è pubblicata liberamente.
ENG
"The Mountain Ride" is a gripping novel that follows the events of Folke, a young 17-year-old hunter. His life changes dramatically when Lille, his guide, informs him that a janitor named Lictor is coming to talk to him. Lictor recruits Folke and three others for a crucial mission: to prevent a war with the Kerthar, a war that could result in the deaths of many innocent people.
Lictor introduces Folke to a world where it is possible to relive the same situation over and over again in search of the best way to prevent conflict. At first, Folke blindly trusts Lictor, but over time he begins to ask critical questions: Why this war? What has caused it? Are there no other ways to prevent it? Who authorized this plan?
The world described in this book is the same as in "The Great Harvest," but with different characters, and what happens in this book is years before, I guess. I vaguely remember a Folke accompanying Ash and Dale, but I am not sure of their names.
I really took pleasure in reading this story. It is engaging to see how Folke learns new things during the different rides, asks questions, and unravels layers of a very complex plot, ride after ride. At the end of the book, the author hints at the second volume, "The Kerthar Mission."
I have one question: who is Minerva?
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
April 6, 2025
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. I'd have bought it anyway, though. Time loops always appeal, but often they're involuntary or inexplicable. To be able to control them, and then to add in the layer of not knowing if someone is in one already so you never know what on earth is happening, was utterly delightful.
Folke is a plucky young hero, of course, just what this story needs. His team are harder to get into, but I think that actually works well given how little time we spend with them, at least in a linear fashion. The whole idea of being "on a Ride", of knowing what you do has no impact around you yet lets you learn, is excitingly done, and being smashed over the head at the prospect of being a player in someone else's Run is a great motivator to think of the Human condition (hopefully not too much of a spoiler there, but the Run idea is in the description).
I want to know how things play out next, want to see more of Velonea, want to know about the janitors, want to know where our intrepid grew end up. It's a fast-paced, sometimes confusing but action-packed world I really enjoyed being a part of for a fun few hours.
Folke is a plucky young hero, of course, just what this story needs. His team are harder to get into, but I think that actually works well given how little time we spend with them, at least in a linear fashion. The whole idea of being "on a Ride", of knowing what you do has no impact around you yet lets you learn, is excitingly done, and being smashed over the head at the prospect of being a player in someone else's Run is a great motivator to think of the Human condition (hopefully not too much of a spoiler there, but the Run idea is in the description).
I want to know how things play out next, want to see more of Velonea, want to know about the janitors, want to know where our intrepid grew end up. It's a fast-paced, sometimes confusing but action-packed world I really enjoyed being a part of for a fun few hours.
April 5, 2025
Thankyou to Net Galley and Justeeraus Oy for the ARC copy of this story.
The story was unique and different to the fantasy I have previously read and whilst I liked the setting along with the varied characters and their developments throughout the story, it was hard to figure out who the heroes were and to connect with them on a deeper level.
It was a good story to read and full of adventure but due to what I stated in my previous comment, the character issue took me out of the story to a certain extent and I didn't enjoy it as much as I would have liked as a whole.
The story was unique and different to the fantasy I have previously read and whilst I liked the setting along with the varied characters and their developments throughout the story, it was hard to figure out who the heroes were and to connect with them on a deeper level.
It was a good story to read and full of adventure but due to what I stated in my previous comment, the character issue took me out of the story to a certain extent and I didn't enjoy it as much as I would have liked as a whole.
December 19, 2025
I was generally aware of the setting coming into this book; having read some of the author's later work before, really enjoying it. This book has great world building and characters.
His descriptions and environmental storytelling are top notch; only lacking a little of the refinement he develops in later books. The climax of the book was masterfully handled given the complexity of the situation, and I am definitely reading all his other works.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
His descriptions and environmental storytelling are top notch; only lacking a little of the refinement he develops in later books. The climax of the book was masterfully handled given the complexity of the situation, and I am definitely reading all his other works.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
March 25, 2025
A really interesting fantasy tale in which it is a little difficult to decide who the good guys are. It's a bit like LitRPG but without the scoring. I enjoyed the concept of the ride device, and the descriptive narrative makes envisioning the locations and creatures easily done. I look forward to the next in the series as the adventure continues.
April 10, 2025
He is about to be given a mission he is not sure he can do. He need to prevent a war and he can relive each events more than once. It may become more dangerous if he does not get the right strategy. See just what he must do
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and wow what an adventure
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and wow what an adventure
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews