Walking Mountain

by Joan Lennon

Every year, for as long as anyone can remember, the Mountain has moved a little northwards. But now it’s moving in the opposite direction. And it’s picking up speed.

Pema is sent by his grandparents to consult the Sisters of the Snow, the Keepers of the Mountain, but his enquiries are met with stony denial. Singay, a rebellious apprentice Sister knows different and secretly shows Pema cracks in the rock. Then she invites him inside the Mountain where they meet Rose, the Meteor Driver who is literally trying to hold everything together. This unlikely trio embark on an epic adventure which leads them far beyond the safe, closeted world they know. And as they learn the terrible truth about the Walking Mountain their journey becomes a race against time to save the entire planet from disaster.

Set in a future world in which greed, corruption, hypocrisy and blind ignorance threaten the very fabric of the planet, Joan Lennon’s novel has all the qualities of a classic quest – peopled with a fabulous cast of extraordinary characters and animals, it is witty, lyrical, dark, powerful, and constantly surprising. And at its heart is the friendship between three disparate and unforgettable characters, a bond that has the reader cheering them on until the novel’s extraordinary conclusion.

Genres: Fantasy

272 pages, Paperback

Published June 15, 2017

About the author

I live and write in the Kingdom of Fife, overlooking the silvery River Tay, with a view of trees and grey slate roofs and a skyscape it would be hard to better. Also resident in the flat are an unruly crowd of characters, including a Victorian detective girl, a miner boy from an alien planet, a ferret princess, a medieval orphan, a talking gargoyle, a short Viking and the occasional flying horse. I enjoy their company and do my very best to keep up with their stories.

Reviews

[Alexandra · Rating 2 out of 5]

One thing I enjoyed about this book is the concept of Drivers and of 'walking mountains.' I found that creative and clever. This book would have been better if the character personalities were also as cleverly written. I did like what ended up happening with Singay, and was something I did not quite expect.

Overall though was hard to read through. I picked this up as an easy read; it was meant for a younger audience. However, it took me so long to finish because it went slowly and the writing style was flat. The characters in particular are flat and kind of the same (except Rose). There really wasn't a different between Pema and Singay in personality, really. A little bit of character devvelopment, but honestly not enough to interest me or bring insight. And the 'romance' of sudden and unattainable interest in the end was sudden and improbable and cliche, kind of upsetting.

[Alison Peters · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's not often I give up on a book but I just couldn't get into it, I found it really hard to follow despite the glossary in the back. For the right person It's probably got a lot of potential but it's not for me.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This fantastical story is a great read for kids. It's a story about justice and the bravery that is sometimes needed to accomplish that justice.

[Jamie Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mystifies me why this book isn't a bestseller. Just glorious from start to finish - fast-paced, incredibly imaginative and beautifully written. Ticks every box, Joan Lennon's a class act. :)

[Moira McPartlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love it when a book takes me by surprise. This book did that. the exact time and setting is vague but the story is a universal quest to save the world from harm. Beautiful writing and a unique story, what's not to like.