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Mount Emily #1
Mount Emily
While digging around their school’s backyard in search of an urban legend, Patsy Goh and her best friend Elena are whisked back in time to 1987. Trapped in their mums’ 13-year-old bodies, the duo race against the clock to hunt down the magical time crystal that got them in this mess, before the evil Midnight Warriors find it and cause a time crisis that could destroy all of existence.
154 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2016
About the author
Low Ying Ping
11 books17 followersLow Ying Ping is the author of two middle grade fantasy series, Mount Emily and Prophecy of the Underworld. She has also written a three-volume English adaptation of the Chinese classic, Journey to the West, for younger children. Her books have won the Singapore Book Awards and were shortlisted for the Hedwig Anuar Children’s Book Award and the Popular Readers’ Choice Award. A short story has also won second prize in the British Fantasy Society’s short story competition. She will be making her U.S. debut with the middle grade novel, Song of the Yellow Dragon, in 2026.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
June 21, 2020
Wow, this is such an amazing mystery that takes place in a school named Mount Emily, to 13 year old girls Eleana and Patsy. The best friends go digging near the school to discover the body of a girl whose ghost has been seen by one of the students. But what happens to them is even more mysterious: they go back in time to be trapped in their respective 13 year old mothers body, at the time when their mothers went to the same school.
This is such a sweet book about family and friendship, an investigation into a death and time travel. I enjoyed this tiny book. This book is suitable for young teens but I guess can be enjoyed by people of all ages.😉
This is such a sweet book about family and friendship, an investigation into a death and time travel. I enjoyed this tiny book. This book is suitable for young teens but I guess can be enjoyed by people of all ages.😉
December 28, 2017
"I found this a riveting read. A complex story vividly told!"
– Tan Ter Cheah, author of One: Based on a True Story of Grit and Courage
"The story displays a keen sensitivity to human relationships, and will appeal to children, teens and the young at heart."
– Huang Jinfang, English Language teacher and mother of two
"My favourite part is when the characters from the present meet the people from the past. I truly enjoyed this read."
– Heidi, 12, Ai Tong School
"Brilliantly plotted, its unique storyline will have you reading it again and again."
– Joni, 12, SOTA (School of the Arts)
"The story is very entertaining."
– Hannah, 10, CHIJ St Nicholas Girls' School
– Tan Ter Cheah, author of One: Based on a True Story of Grit and Courage
"The story displays a keen sensitivity to human relationships, and will appeal to children, teens and the young at heart."
– Huang Jinfang, English Language teacher and mother of two
"My favourite part is when the characters from the present meet the people from the past. I truly enjoyed this read."
– Heidi, 12, Ai Tong School
"Brilliantly plotted, its unique storyline will have you reading it again and again."
– Joni, 12, SOTA (School of the Arts)
"The story is very entertaining."
– Hannah, 10, CHIJ St Nicholas Girls' School
May 13, 2017
The believable way that Low's alternative world hangs together is definitely one of the strong points of her debut novel. For a time-travelling narrative, the consistency of the world-building and the internal logic of her storyverse bode well for more adventures to come (a sequel is already in the works).
The familiar environs of a girls' school (the titular Mount Emily), and local roadnames and landmarks that appear in this engaging book would appeal to Singaporeans young and old, not just the preteen and teenage readers the book is primarily aimed at, but those who went to school in the 80s, or "the-days-before-MRT". And beyond the local flavour of these telltale elements, international readers would also enjoy Low's inventive take on the complexities of childhood friendships, seeing your parents in a new light (while literally walking in their shoes), amidst high drama about time breaches, Time Keepers and shadowy Midnight Warriors.
With plenty of twists and heartstopping moments, this YA fantasy tale is a highly addictive page-turner.
The familiar environs of a girls' school (the titular Mount Emily), and local roadnames and landmarks that appear in this engaging book would appeal to Singaporeans young and old, not just the preteen and teenage readers the book is primarily aimed at, but those who went to school in the 80s, or "the-days-before-MRT". And beyond the local flavour of these telltale elements, international readers would also enjoy Low's inventive take on the complexities of childhood friendships, seeing your parents in a new light (while literally walking in their shoes), amidst high drama about time breaches, Time Keepers and shadowy Midnight Warriors.
With plenty of twists and heartstopping moments, this YA fantasy tale is a highly addictive page-turner.
June 22, 2019
Sweet quick read! Really liked how it was so short but still complex.
November 16, 2022
I DIDNT KNOW THERE WERE OTHER BOOKS IN THE SERIES
I GUESS I HAVE TO ASK MY SISTER TO HELP ME BORROW FROM HER PRIMARY SCHOOL'S LIBRARY
I GUESS I HAVE TO ASK MY SISTER TO HELP ME BORROW FROM HER PRIMARY SCHOOL'S LIBRARY
December 31, 2022
This is an excellent book!!! It is about a girl named Patsy Goh and her friend Elena Tan going on an adventure to find the ghost near the slope at Mount Emily. It was a legend that Elena believed because she was the one who led them into this mystery. Once they arrived at the slope,Elena took out a long ruler and told Patsy that they were going to dig but before they could, a prefect appeared out of nowhere!! They were caught! But luckily,she did not take down their names as she was a kind prefect. She only asked them “Are you two digging?” Elena then answered the prefect that they were just looking around. Then, the adventure begun. I love this book so much!!👍🏻I cannot wait to read all the series!
April 11, 2024
caved and read this out of curiosity because being a school librarian means that I'll see this book floating around a lot.
Maybe my 13-14year-old self would've liked it but reading it at my current age...I really disliked it.
It was insanely boring and I felt that there were barely any stakes present for our leads, except for the climax scene but apart from that everything happened TOO easily for them, like Maggie appearing out of nowhere and believing their time travelling story off the bat (granted shes a time keeper but that was also too convenient) and so making their lives easier by having someone there to guide them.
Also there was a ton of "tell-no-show" and it was paragraphs of it. I skimmed through those and still understood the story.
The plot twist was completely unexpected and tragic tho so that left me reeling.
Maybe my 13-14year-old self would've liked it but reading it at my current age...I really disliked it.
It was insanely boring and I felt that there were barely any stakes present for our leads, except for the climax scene but apart from that everything happened TOO easily for them, like Maggie appearing out of nowhere and believing their time travelling story off the bat (granted shes a time keeper but that was also too convenient) and so making their lives easier by having someone there to guide them.
Also there was a ton of "tell-no-show" and it was paragraphs of it. I skimmed through those and still understood the story.
The plot twist was completely unexpected and tragic tho so that left me reeling.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 17, 2018
This book was a great quick read. It is about a school in Singapore where two girls discover time travel and must get back to their own time. It is well written and keeps you engages until the end. The surprising twists and connections from the plots in both times are done very well. Especially at the end of the book, one surprising plot twist drives the story in a completely different direction than expected. Essentially, this book is about the fight vs good and evil.
March 9, 2022
Reading this as an adult reader. The writing style is compelling; I couldn't put it down! The plot is simple and rather predictable, which is suitable for a young audience but not so intriguing for an adult reader. It is, after all, a children's book. Overall a great read for young readers (perhaps P4 to Sec 2)!
December 22, 2025
Wanted to support Singlit and Children’s lit so I got this book…
Hmmm……. I wish the story and characters could be better developed and for the content to be more cohesive (especially how the story progressed from one event to the next and facts were introduced - especially at the start).
Hmmm……. I wish the story and characters could be better developed and for the content to be more cohesive (especially how the story progressed from one event to the next and facts were introduced - especially at the start).
February 10, 2026
två 13 åringar från Singapore hamnar i en tidsskärva och reser tillbaka i tiden till 1987 och hamnar i deras mammors 13 åriga kroppar, och blir vän med en tidsmästare som hjälper dem tillbaka till deras egen tid, men mister livet.
Gullig bok om tjejers vänskap, förlåtande och hantering av sorg.
Gullig bok om tjejers vänskap, förlåtande och hantering av sorg.
October 12, 2017
An utterly brilliant depiction of time travel set in little Singapore!
Also, the teenage leads are very relatable with all their flaws and insecurities.
Also, the teenage leads are very relatable with all their flaws and insecurities.
February 12, 2019
My BEST book discovery of Singapore authors in 2016!
July 10, 2019
#booksforcommutes
The characters are believable and lovable. Ashley Teo's voice narration is fascinating.
The characters are believable and lovable. Ashley Teo's voice narration is fascinating.
November 2, 2017
This is well plotted, well written, and possibly / probably an authentic voice. Just that it didn't speak to me at all. It got so heavily into the emo aspects of teenage girls that, never having been a teen girl myself, I found myself quite at a loss. I might recommend it to an adventurous woman reader to see if they found it more relevant; but I wouldn't recommend it at large. Sorry, Ms Low. :(
February 23, 2021
What a fun novella!
February 6, 2019
Mediocre.
May 27, 2016
Patsy and Elena are different as night and day. Patsy is bright and cautious. Elena is adventurous and charming. Despite the occasional friction in their friendship, this BFF pair are still #friendshipgoals and they are never seen without each other.
Full review on my blog!
Full review on my blog!
June 5, 2021
Starting off the beautiful series, this book is full of mystery and adventure, with so many secrets unfolding page after page. Worth a read, definitely. You'll find yourself long to read more of Patsy's adventure.
May 13, 2016
What an engaging & enjoyable read. Beautifully written and well plotted!
June 26, 2023
Kind meh.I loved the book, but something about it felt off. Would definitely recommend though as a short read
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews