Shine Mountain

by Julie Hunt

FROM THE AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR OF SONG FOR A SCARLET RUNNER

On his deathbed, Ellie's pop reveals a secret - a magical button-box. It's a musical instrument from the Gleam country - a land far from Spit Farm and the mountains, with talking goats, sweet grass and corn that grows so high you have to fell it with an axe.

But the button-box's magic is sinister. When Ellie plays it, flowers bloom and crops spring up overnight - but soon the farm is cursed by drought and her beloved oma is gravely ill.

To save her oma and discover the truth about her own identity, Ellie must embark on a dangerous journey to the Gleam country - the only place where the evil button-box can be destroyed.

Genres: Fantasy

288 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 24, 2018

About the author

There is more than one author with this name

Julie Hunt has written poetry and performed with the Kazakstan Kowgerls. When she wrote Little Else: Trick Rider, she discovered that one book didn’t have enough room for this daring little heroine who left home with just a lucky horseshoe nail and the ability to talk to horses.

Reviews

[Clare Snow · Rating 3 out of 5]

'Why are you telling this story?'
'I don't know.'

Me too, Nanny.

The map confused me to the Pallisades and back. Why did she have to follow the road? Couldn't she just pack water and travel in a straight line across the Flatlands? There was a drought everywhere, and if she did no one would have stolen that stupid box. Ellie could have made a whole lot less dumb decisions and this book would be 10 pages long. Just saying.

Might not have won any awards, but I still don't know why it was shortlisted/ longlisted, whatever it got.

I may never understand CBCA award choices.

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Why can't I add to my review? Whyyyyyyyyy?

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Pre-reading:
Wow! to that cover & blurb

[Leigh Swinbourne · Rating 5 out of 5]

A highly imaginative mash-up of country Australia, Celtic folklore and classical mythology, as feisty brave-hearted Ellie chases down both her origins and her destiny, and helps a few good souls to boot. Great reading for early teens.

[Jennie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful combination of traditional storytelling and fantasy quest in the story of Ellie, finding her roots, seeking the magical button box and dealing with a past history that permeates the present and a sense of loss as she discovers that the family she has always known is not her own.

I really liked the solid ending of this story that concluded soundly but also provided threads for a sequel. Not being left up in the air is a bonus.

[Pauline · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the great strengths of this novel is the sense of atmosphere created by Julie Hunt. This is a modern fantasy world meshed with traditional folk-lore. Imaginative readers who enjoy stories of rich imagery, invented languages, and magical animals and places will love this story. When Ellie’s grandfather is dying and he plays the magical button-box he cannot anticipate the chain of events that ensues. The playing of the box brings about a severe drought and Ellie’s grandmother is slowly wasting away. Ellie, who has always known she is not from the mountain, must embark on a perilous journey to take the box to the Gleam and destroy it. Along the way Ellie must have tremendous courage to face her battles to unearth the secret of her family and save her community.

Suitable for 11+ family secrets, disability, magic, quests, talking animals, evil villains

Teacher’s Notes: https://www.allenandunwin.com/browse/...

[Sherry Mackay · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m being a bit generous giving this 4 stars but it is good and I did enjoy it so 3.5? The story got a bit dark and heavy in the middle but thank goodness for a happy ending. Can’t wait for the sequel. I want to see what happens next to Luca the weather boy and Ellie the way-girl. And how about nanny the talking goat? The drought breaks and the good guys win. Yay.

[Allison Mitchell · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a pleasure to send this novel to my 10 year-old niece. It's charming, with characters easy to love, a few easy to dislike and others you just can't trust. It reads like an old-fashioned fable with just the right amount of risk and danger. I loved it and am looking forward to hearing what Alice thinks.

[Elizabeth Fitzgerald]

This book is an entry in the 2018 Aurealis Awards, for which I am a judge. Any review will be withheld until the results of the awards are announced.

[AD · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great fantasy story with elements of mystery and adventure. I recommend for around Year 5 and up, as it can be a bit spooky!

[Lara O'Donoghue · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having read Song for a Scarlet Runner a couple of years ago, I had high expectations for this middle school fantasy. While it holds many promising elements, it just doesn’t deliver on those promises. I think there are parts that need building for the novel to allow readers to believe in the characters and story. For example, Ellie’s acceptance of protection from the travelling show happens way too quickly. Even though the author has Luca stand up for Ellie against the herders who want to buy Sol from her, it seems like an empty moment when the herders then disappear from the story completely and the strength of Luca’s offer isn’t tested. Ellie just seems to trust Luca and the travelling show too quickly. It’s almost as if the author has sketched out Ellie’s twelve stages of the hero’s journey, including all the archetypes, allies and foes but hasn’t walked through those stages and characters with the reader. It’s a shame as the concept behind the story is very strong.

[Rebecca Fung · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked the idea of the magic button box and the setting. However, this book was not nearly as engaging as Song for a Scarlet Runner. The characters aren't as compelling and it often seems like Ellie is just wandering around and repeating herself (and eating hotcakes soaked in milk) and making stupid mistakes without learning. I didn't feel close to her or her problems, and couldn't care as much. I was a bit up and down with this book. I started off much more engaged then wandered in and out. I liked the rhythm of the prose. But ultimately it didn't draw me in and hold me so well.

I'd still probably try another Julie Hunt book though as Song for a Scarlet Runner was very strong.

[Jaq · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful, well told tale. Highly recommended for Grade 5 and beyond. Beautiful book to extend gifted readers.

[Fudgy · Rating 2 out of 5]

ellie was dumb

[Peter Hilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book.

Shine Mountain is the tale of a young girl who leaves everything she has ever known behind her in order to make a journey to destroy the evil that has brought drought to the land. Even better than 2013’s Song for a Scarlet Runner, Julie Hunt has created a wonderfully imaginative, and at time dark, story of magic, secrets, discoveries, trials, and triumphs.

Hard to put down.

[Dianne Wolfer]

Was engrossed in this beautiful journey