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White Magic #1
The Mountain's Call
Tales are told of the mysterious, powerful Mountain where the gods—powerful beings in the form of white horses—live. But Valeria knows no woman has ever been called to the Mountain. Until she feels a strange pull and answers the call—as a boy….
When her secret is discovered Valeria loses all that she's won. Her anger and frustration with the Empire might be enough to give the barbarians a way into the Mountain. And so the Empire now depends on the will, the strength and the loyalty of one Rider. A Rider who has been rejected by all but the gods…
When her secret is discovered Valeria loses all that she's won. Her anger and frustration with the Empire might be enough to give the barbarians a way into the Mountain. And so the Empire now depends on the will, the strength and the loyalty of one Rider. A Rider who has been rejected by all but the gods…
544 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2004
19 people are currently reading
1229 people want to read
About the author
Caitlin Brennan
6 books49 followersA pseudonym used by Judith Tarr.
Caitlin Brennan believes wholeheartedly in the writer's favorite adage, "Write what you know." She is a history buff and a lifelong reader and writer of fantasy, and she breeds and trains Lipizzan horses--the original "White Gods." She lives near Tucson, Arizona, with her stallion, Pluto Carrma III, and his herd of Ladies and his rival the Evil Gelding, along with five cats, two dogs, and a goat.
Caitlin Brennan believes wholeheartedly in the writer's favorite adage, "Write what you know." She is a history buff and a lifelong reader and writer of fantasy, and she breeds and trains Lipizzan horses--the original "White Gods." She lives near Tucson, Arizona, with her stallion, Pluto Carrma III, and his herd of Ladies and his rival the Evil Gelding, along with five cats, two dogs, and a goat.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
October 22, 2012
So. Hello Goodreads. This feels a little weird, being back after half a year, so I'm going to try to slip in quietly instead of drumrolling it. I've spent the last six months in refugee camps in jungles and swamps and beaches and internet has been a rare and mostly absent luxury, so i feel like one of those Third Rock from the Sun people. But the good thing is, no laptop meant paper books after a long time, which meant no YA books which meant I actually started expanding my reading tastes again after the YA glut of the last couple of years.
Anyway, this book. I'm not sure what I thought of it, even back when I read it for the first time 2008 or whenever. It's a story about a girl who is strong and powerful and skilled and amah-zing... and has to battle the terrible adversity of being all those things and not being accepted because of how she's a girl who is all those things, which might possibly have been a terrible cross to bear if it weren't for the fact that all the gods are on her side, as is one of the most important men in the magic school (but of course she hates him, because she is just that stupid). Oh and she sleeps with an enemy of the empire, even after she finds out he's an enemy of the empire, and even after she acknowledges that her true soulmate is, of course, the man she has hated thus far. Etc.
This book dances on the edge of being absolutely awesome... but somehow manages to never quite make it to that side of the line. It takes chances that most romantic fantasy books do not take, especially in the romance parts, but instead of being different and powerful, it feels disconnected and gratuitously sexual. The heroine is sexually attracted to one man, but realizes that her intellect and her magic are drawn to another man entirely. This would have been awesome - how many romance books let you explore love and sexuality as independent of each other instead of inextricably entwined? But the author unfortunately fails to put any amount of character development or relevant contextualization into either of these relationships. Flash - she's sleeping with the barbarian prince - flash - she's sleeping with the imperial prince - flash - she's sleeping with the barbarian prince again... but her one true love is the imperial prince! Say what? I believe, in most societies, that's called cheating. Bah. And towards the end of the book, she does something so appallingly stupid that you can't help but wish someone would cut her fool head off!
The fantasy works a little bit better than the romance. The plot development is not terribly original - SO Awesome heroine with So Awesome powers So Awesomely (and single-handedly) saves the kingdom and gets the prince. Again, I say, Bah. But the awesome part is the horses. You can feel that this is where the author (who breeds those Spanish Academy dancing horses IRL) really puts her heart and soul into the writing. The parts with Valeria (the heroine) and the stallion-gods are satisfying and fun. Unfortunately, there's too little of them.
All in all, it's a quick read and while I was frustrated several times in the course of reading, it didn't rouse me to unspeakable fury. Probably because I've always had an extra-big soft spot for stories with animals in them, and the horse gods were cool.
Anyway, this book. I'm not sure what I thought of it, even back when I read it for the first time 2008 or whenever. It's a story about a girl who is strong and powerful and skilled and amah-zing... and has to battle the terrible adversity of being all those things and not being accepted because of how she's a girl who is all those things, which might possibly have been a terrible cross to bear if it weren't for the fact that all the gods are on her side, as is one of the most important men in the magic school (but of course she hates him, because she is just that stupid). Oh and she sleeps with an enemy of the empire, even after she finds out he's an enemy of the empire, and even after she acknowledges that her true soulmate is, of course, the man she has hated thus far. Etc.
This book dances on the edge of being absolutely awesome... but somehow manages to never quite make it to that side of the line. It takes chances that most romantic fantasy books do not take, especially in the romance parts, but instead of being different and powerful, it feels disconnected and gratuitously sexual. The heroine is sexually attracted to one man, but realizes that her intellect and her magic are drawn to another man entirely. This would have been awesome - how many romance books let you explore love and sexuality as independent of each other instead of inextricably entwined? But the author unfortunately fails to put any amount of character development or relevant contextualization into either of these relationships. Flash - she's sleeping with the barbarian prince - flash - she's sleeping with the imperial prince - flash - she's sleeping with the barbarian prince again... but her one true love is the imperial prince! Say what? I believe, in most societies, that's called cheating. Bah. And towards the end of the book, she does something so appallingly stupid that you can't help but wish someone would cut her fool head off!
The fantasy works a little bit better than the romance. The plot development is not terribly original - SO Awesome heroine with So Awesome powers So Awesomely (and single-handedly) saves the kingdom and gets the prince. Again, I say, Bah. But the awesome part is the horses. You can feel that this is where the author (who breeds those Spanish Academy dancing horses IRL) really puts her heart and soul into the writing. The parts with Valeria (the heroine) and the stallion-gods are satisfying and fun. Unfortunately, there's too little of them.
All in all, it's a quick read and while I was frustrated several times in the course of reading, it didn't rouse me to unspeakable fury. Probably because I've always had an extra-big soft spot for stories with animals in them, and the horse gods were cool.
March 25, 2008
Gah, what a terrible book. I mean, I didn't expect this to be any good, but it was written well enough that I couldn't just toss it without at least trying to read it.
Some thoughts:
The female prejudice the Horse Master peoples had was not convincing, especially since it was stated that plenty of magic schools elsewhere were packed with females. It wasn't the society as a whole that had a problem with women in power. It was just that one magic horse-riding club out in the mountains, holding out as the only misogynistic pigs in the land.
For some strange reason, the lead female constantly thought her eventual One-True-Love was "infuriating" and hated his guts, even though he didn't do anything to get on her nerves besides keeping their relationship on a professional level. And oh, not blab to his mysoginistic comrades that she was a girl in disguise and even fighting on her behalf to let him teach her instead of kicking her out of the school.
Somewhere in the middle of the book, her eventual One-True-Love gets tortured and raped (mentally with magic and physically) by a black KKK-masked "Brother of Pain". The female lead stages a rescue, jumps into bed with him to prevent hyphothermia, where upon they enthusiastically get it on, despite, yanno, the guy still bloody, recently butt-raped, and barely able to speak much less walk. Please, someone tell me, would YOU want to be touched if you recently went through MIND RAPE and SODOMY?
They were so busy that night, they forgot that the bad guys were STILL AFTER THEM. So they get caught. Again. Lover-boy gets tortured. Again. *tosses book in trash*
I haven't had much luck in the romance department, and not without trying. I've tried Nora Roberts and sporked my eyes out; I've tried Danielle Steele and dropped from boredom; I've tried at least 5 different inspirational ones and gagged from the cheese. I've cycled through various chick-lit ones with varying degrees of eye-rolling. And now this. I think I'm about ready to declare that romance as a genre is filled with inferior writers, and it's just not worth digging through the trash to find the gems.
Some thoughts:
The female prejudice the Horse Master peoples had was not convincing, especially since it was stated that plenty of magic schools elsewhere were packed with females. It wasn't the society as a whole that had a problem with women in power. It was just that one magic horse-riding club out in the mountains, holding out as the only misogynistic pigs in the land.
For some strange reason, the lead female constantly thought her eventual One-True-Love was "infuriating" and hated his guts, even though he didn't do anything to get on her nerves besides keeping their relationship on a professional level. And oh, not blab to his mysoginistic comrades that she was a girl in disguise and even fighting on her behalf to let him teach her instead of kicking her out of the school.
Somewhere in the middle of the book, her eventual One-True-Love gets tortured and raped (mentally with magic and physically) by a black KKK-masked "Brother of Pain". The female lead stages a rescue, jumps into bed with him to prevent hyphothermia, where upon they enthusiastically get it on, despite, yanno, the guy still bloody, recently butt-raped, and barely able to speak much less walk. Please, someone tell me, would YOU want to be touched if you recently went through MIND RAPE and SODOMY?
They were so busy that night, they forgot that the bad guys were STILL AFTER THEM. So they get caught. Again. Lover-boy gets tortured. Again. *tosses book in trash*
I haven't had much luck in the romance department, and not without trying. I've tried Nora Roberts and sporked my eyes out; I've tried Danielle Steele and dropped from boredom; I've tried at least 5 different inspirational ones and gagged from the cheese. I've cycled through various chick-lit ones with varying degrees of eye-rolling. And now this. I think I'm about ready to declare that romance as a genre is filled with inferior writers, and it's just not worth digging through the trash to find the gems.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 13, 2019
If you follow me you know I'm a tough grader and VERY rarely give a book a 5.
My non-horse folk friends may not be quite as impressed as I, but I must say not only is this a good intro to an interesting series but very atypically I didn't find a single irritating horse-related error. That's REALLY rare in books with horses as characters in my pretty expansive experience reading about horses specifically or just reading in general. What is clear is that Ms. Brennan KNOWS horses. It wasn't until I was done with the book that I saw her biography mentions that she has Lippazaners.
As usual, I will tell you to read the publisher's summary and/or the existing reviews. I have no desire to retype those for you. What I WILL do, which is not common for me to do, is quote a few paragraphs which were such lovely writing about horses - or in this case, horse gods - that I felt I had to share this:
" That rhythm was the beat of a stallion’s heart. Valaria found herself breathing in time with it. The circle of stallions opened to admit the great dancers, then closed again, cantering in slow cadence around and around. Inside the circle, the great ones came to a halt, each at a quarter of the circle, north and south and east and west, earth and water and fire and air.
For a long moment, they stood still. Then they begin to dance.
Great haunches lowered. Heavy necks arched and raised. One of them snorted softly. As if that had been a signal, they each began the Piaffe, which the untutored would call a trot in place, but it was much more potent than that.
Each deliberate step called up power. The earth below, the air above, came together in those gleaming bodies. They were living fire, supple as water. With each step, their haunches sank deeper and their necks rose higher, and they came close to taking flight."
My non-horse folk friends may not be quite as impressed as I, but I must say not only is this a good intro to an interesting series but very atypically I didn't find a single irritating horse-related error. That's REALLY rare in books with horses as characters in my pretty expansive experience reading about horses specifically or just reading in general. What is clear is that Ms. Brennan KNOWS horses. It wasn't until I was done with the book that I saw her biography mentions that she has Lippazaners.
As usual, I will tell you to read the publisher's summary and/or the existing reviews. I have no desire to retype those for you. What I WILL do, which is not common for me to do, is quote a few paragraphs which were such lovely writing about horses - or in this case, horse gods - that I felt I had to share this:
" That rhythm was the beat of a stallion’s heart. Valaria found herself breathing in time with it. The circle of stallions opened to admit the great dancers, then closed again, cantering in slow cadence around and around. Inside the circle, the great ones came to a halt, each at a quarter of the circle, north and south and east and west, earth and water and fire and air.
For a long moment, they stood still. Then they begin to dance.
Great haunches lowered. Heavy necks arched and raised. One of them snorted softly. As if that had been a signal, they each began the Piaffe, which the untutored would call a trot in place, but it was much more potent than that.
Each deliberate step called up power. The earth below, the air above, came together in those gleaming bodies. They were living fire, supple as water. With each step, their haunches sank deeper and their necks rose higher, and they came close to taking flight."
February 25, 2019
Meh. Started out as a strong fantasy but then Valeria got on my nerves for various reasons. I probably would have enjoyed this more as a preteen tbh, but now? 3.5/5 stars, and that's only for the stallions being awesome.
July 21, 2016
This is the second time I've read this book. I think i originally read it in 2003, so it's been bot 7 years. I knew kind of how it ended, who lived and died, but Iremembered nothing of the events, which surprised me in their intensity. I didn't expect torture and to figure so prominently in the book. I enjoyed the earthy sensuality/sexuality with the "bad boy" and her true completion with the one who truly fit in her heart and life.
In a way, it reminds me of the Dragon series by Patricia Briggs- like the brutality of times is accepted, but their is plenty that is magical, and hero/heroine learning to control their power for the good of all rather than the detriment, and doubts by all around them about their sanity, trustworthiness.
Esp with Valeria, the names she is called as a woman always refer to her sexuality.In particular, how even Kerrec falls to this in his anger, jealously and hurt. I can't wait to hear her say in later books (for surely, she will!)- were I a man would you misunderstand my need for physical satiation while loving another in my heart?- Can't wait.
This book is very attuned to the chauvinism, sexism of the times that due to it's virulence could be a death sentence for the targeted female. When I first read the book, this tension was unbearable. Even the second time, it's uncomfortable. So, good book, I think a 14 yo could read it unless very shelterd. The sex scenes are cursorily descriptive, nthing hot and happy but enough to stir your imagination. Some books that leave most to your imagination don't give enough to start off with, but this one does. Besides a 14yo who doesn't know about the existence and general appearance of the male sex organ has more difficulties than reading this book!
In a way, it reminds me of the Dragon series by Patricia Briggs- like the brutality of times is accepted, but their is plenty that is magical, and hero/heroine learning to control their power for the good of all rather than the detriment, and doubts by all around them about their sanity, trustworthiness.
Esp with Valeria, the names she is called as a woman always refer to her sexuality.In particular, how even Kerrec falls to this in his anger, jealously and hurt. I can't wait to hear her say in later books (for surely, she will!)- were I a man would you misunderstand my need for physical satiation while loving another in my heart?- Can't wait.
This book is very attuned to the chauvinism, sexism of the times that due to it's virulence could be a death sentence for the targeted female. When I first read the book, this tension was unbearable. Even the second time, it's uncomfortable. So, good book, I think a 14 yo could read it unless very shelterd. The sex scenes are cursorily descriptive, nthing hot and happy but enough to stir your imagination. Some books that leave most to your imagination don't give enough to start off with, but this one does. Besides a 14yo who doesn't know about the existence and general appearance of the male sex organ has more difficulties than reading this book!
February 5, 2011
If you love horses and the fantasy/magic genre, you'll love this book. As a lifetime horseperson, I'm usually disappointed by authors who clearly have never touched a real horse in their lives. But Caitlin Brennan obviously has a strong background in horses and her accuracy shows up in her writing.
I read this book years ago and had forgotten all about it, but recently rediscovered it and re-read it. I have to say that I loved it even more the second time around. I think that because I am not older and more mature, I was able to read more into the complexeties of the characters. The main character, Valeria, is often conflicted. She is put into impossible situations with difficult choices. A younger reader may be tempted to look at her decisions as either black or white, right or wrong. As the Gods in horse form in this book teach, you need to simply look at what IS. Valeria's sex life offended me the first time around, but as an older reader I recognize that women make such choices all the time. If Valeria's Gods approved of her choices, who am I as a reader to question?
This is a book that I'll re-read time and time again. I've read the first 2 books in the series, and I'm going to go online and order the 3rd today. I cannot recommend this series highly enough!
I read this book years ago and had forgotten all about it, but recently rediscovered it and re-read it. I have to say that I loved it even more the second time around. I think that because I am not older and more mature, I was able to read more into the complexeties of the characters. The main character, Valeria, is often conflicted. She is put into impossible situations with difficult choices. A younger reader may be tempted to look at her decisions as either black or white, right or wrong. As the Gods in horse form in this book teach, you need to simply look at what IS. Valeria's sex life offended me the first time around, but as an older reader I recognize that women make such choices all the time. If Valeria's Gods approved of her choices, who am I as a reader to question?
This is a book that I'll re-read time and time again. I've read the first 2 books in the series, and I'm going to go online and order the 3rd today. I cannot recommend this series highly enough!
November 13, 2008
This is a very intriguing fantasy. It is about gods who run on a mountain as horses, the young men who are alive with magic that care for and ride the gods and a troubled society. The main character is a girl pulled into an all male society who must pose as a boy.
I don't read a lot of fantasy but this book really drew me in. It is coming of age story, Valeria must find her place in a world that says she is not allowed to follow the path her heart is telling her she must.
There are some heart wrenching moments, some incredibly difficult things for the main characters to overcome. It is not predictable and when done leaves you wanting more.
This is my favorite of the 3 book series.
I don't read a lot of fantasy but this book really drew me in. It is coming of age story, Valeria must find her place in a world that says she is not allowed to follow the path her heart is telling her she must.
There are some heart wrenching moments, some incredibly difficult things for the main characters to overcome. It is not predictable and when done leaves you wanting more.
This is my favorite of the 3 book series.
June 1, 2017
I liked this book. The pull of animal magic was so great that she could not ignore it. The details in this book describing the characters is so great that I could picture the characters in my head. The humiliation for the main character was hard but she pulled beyond it to save all in the end despite what was happening to her. I cannot wait for the next book.
June 5, 2017
This was a wonderful story. I can't wait for the other books. I must say I have a greater appreciation for the horses in this story because as I was reading this I was reading THE PERFECT HORSE. Strongly recommend both!
January 31, 2010
A compelling read - just couldn't put it down. Yes, there's a theme of infidelity which is uncomfortable but juxtaposed against the theme of sacrifice for the good. Horses and magic - wonderful!
March 12, 2024
j’ai lu ce livre il y a des années en étant ado, et j’ai décidé de le relire en y ayant repensé et… QUEL LIVRE DE MERDE !!!
je donne mon avis en français parce que j’ai lu une traduction qui ma foi n’était absolument pas mauvaise et retranscrit la médiocrité déplorable de ce roman qui a quand même été édité (c’est assez incroyable à mes yeux ?? qui a permis cela ???)
le personnage principal, valéria, est si je peux me le permettre (et je peux) une grosse conne, mais c’est sûrement la faute d’une mauvaise écriture qui en voulant lui donner de la profondeur en fait un personnage vapide. elle déteste kerrec pour des raisons incompréhensibles dont la principale est : il la défend… oui ?! elle aime euan avant de se rendre compte qu’il l’utilise, mais au final elle continue quand même de coucher avec lui alors que c’est son ennemi et qu’il la retient prisonnière, qu’elle s’est rendue compte qu’elle aimait kerrec et donc elle se force mais en même temps elle ne peut pas lui résister… ok girl ??? elle aurait bien besoin d’un psy
d’ailleurs le sexe est trop présent et inutile dans cette histoire où même kerrec qui vient de se faire torturer et violer ne peut s’empêcher de vouloir valéria… y’a pas d’autres moyens d’entretenir une relation par hasard ?
en dehors de ça, c’est une mary sue (non pas que ça me dérange) mais que les cavaliers détestent parce qu’elle est femme et forte… y compris après avoir sauvé l’empire où ils hésitent encore à la tuer… même si on a dit misogynie !!!
bref un livre que j’ai fini juste pour voir si ça s’améliorait et ce n’était pas le cas
je donne mon avis en français parce que j’ai lu une traduction qui ma foi n’était absolument pas mauvaise et retranscrit la médiocrité déplorable de ce roman qui a quand même été édité (c’est assez incroyable à mes yeux ?? qui a permis cela ???)
le personnage principal, valéria, est si je peux me le permettre (et je peux) une grosse conne, mais c’est sûrement la faute d’une mauvaise écriture qui en voulant lui donner de la profondeur en fait un personnage vapide. elle déteste kerrec pour des raisons incompréhensibles dont la principale est : il la défend… oui ?! elle aime euan avant de se rendre compte qu’il l’utilise, mais au final elle continue quand même de coucher avec lui alors que c’est son ennemi et qu’il la retient prisonnière, qu’elle s’est rendue compte qu’elle aimait kerrec et donc elle se force mais en même temps elle ne peut pas lui résister… ok girl ??? elle aurait bien besoin d’un psy
d’ailleurs le sexe est trop présent et inutile dans cette histoire où même kerrec qui vient de se faire torturer et violer ne peut s’empêcher de vouloir valéria… y’a pas d’autres moyens d’entretenir une relation par hasard ?
en dehors de ça, c’est une mary sue (non pas que ça me dérange) mais que les cavaliers détestent parce qu’elle est femme et forte… y compris après avoir sauvé l’empire où ils hésitent encore à la tuer… même si on a dit misogynie !!!
bref un livre que j’ai fini juste pour voir si ça s’améliorait et ce n’était pas le cas
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 27, 2024
I really wanted to love this book…it had a great premise and so much potential. It was well written but just sorta predictable. I mean…when one reads enough books, you begin to recognize the beats of a story and how things will probably play out, it’s just part of it. With most books, I can tell when something is going to go bad but most times I couldn’t say exactly WHAT was gonna go badly…this one, I was picking out plot points and guessing the twists at every turn once the main character made it to the school she was Called to.
Aside from the predictable nature of the plot, I really liked the magic system and the horses…I’m a salty old horse girl so it’s nice to come across a book where I can tell the author really understands horses, the inherent magic they hold and the connection a horse and rider develop over time. That was really well done in this book.
Aside from the predictable nature of the plot, I really liked the magic system and the horses…I’m a salty old horse girl so it’s nice to come across a book where I can tell the author really understands horses, the inherent magic they hold and the connection a horse and rider develop over time. That was really well done in this book.
May 20, 2020
A powerful and enthralling tale of acceptance, change, and growth. I look forward to the rest of the series!
December 7, 2023
I really loved the premise of this book and the plot was great! At times I found the writing style a bit rushed, but otherwise a great read!
February 2, 2012
Luna, the new kid on the block when it comes to fantasy novels, continues to demonstrate it plans to be a powerhouse. Indeed, they’re likely to succeed if they keep publishing novels like The Mountain’s Call.
This romantic fantasy features Valeria, a woman called to the Mountain where the white gods reign. In our world, we would label the white gods Lipizzaner stallions. In Caitlin Brennan’s world, they are gods who call their riders to be trained at the mountain. They Dance, and that Dance controls the patterns of time and fate.
Like many fantasy worlds with some historical base, our heroine faces more than a little chauvinism. Women aren’t supposed to be called as a Rider. Women possess magic of the moon, while the Riders possess sun magic. To overcome these obstacles, Valeria disguises herself as a man and ingratiates herself with her fellow candidates much the way Mulan did in the animated Disney flick. And like Mulan’s comrades, Valeria’s comrades turn against her when they discover her gender and talent.
Brennan creates a richly textured world. There is a complex system of magic and caste. The characters each have their own interlocking goals and drives. The good guys may ride white horses, but they are cloaked in gray and dressed in less than flattering behaviors and attitudes. Only a few of the villains are outright evil. The others are drawn with great complexity. We have the opportunity to sympathize with them and understand why Valeria might be tempted by their goals.
Equally impressive in this first novel by Brennan was the strength with which she drew the horses. She showed us the divinity of the horses by the way the humans interacted with them, by their mannerisms and occasionally by their speech. She drew us into feeling the strength and majesty of the creatures by showing them to us through the eyes of her characters. It was done with a great deal of craftsmanship. She never broke our suspension of disbelief and led us into easily accepting a world of her creation.
Be forewarned. There is a lot of sex in this book. It’s no accident that this book is published by a house that is fusing fantasy and romance. The sex is often described in great detail and adds to the book’s intensity. There are times when I questioned why Valeria made the sexual choices that she did, but it was a layer that added interest to the book rather than detracting from it.
Sex, horse, and fantasy—is it any wonder that the book targets women as its audience?
Brennan does occasionally seem to be showing a disdain for monotheism, the monotheists in her world being bloodthirsty barbarians who worship their One God through sacrifices and chaos. They are contrasted with the accessible and actively involved gods of the Mountain.
The book begs the question of what a god is. They aren’t supreme beings, for many times the Ladies—the mothers of the stallion gods—are referred to as being more powerful and superior to the gods. They are immortal, yet they breed (which does make one wonder why the world is not overpopulated with gods. Perhaps that will be answered in a future novel.).
Ultimately, though, these are minor quibbles in a book that is overall an excellent women’s fantasy novel and the opening to a new series. I am eager to see next year’s offering.
Luna Books
While Luna may be new to fantasy publishing, it has quite the powerhouse behind them. It is a new imprint of Harlequin, an imprint launched in 2003 to publish romantic fantasies. It came out with its first line of books this summer, attracting such authors as Mercedes Lackey, Sarah Zettel, and Christie Golden.
I’ve been mostly impressed with the books I’ve seen them produce so far. Zettel’s For Camelot’s Honor and Golden’s On Fire’s Wings were both excellent, compelling reads. The Mountain’s Call is another in the win column for Luna, balancing out Laura Anne Gilman’s Staying Dead, a book that suffered from poor writing. In all, Luna appears to be a line worth watching, publishing books that are certain to appeal to fantasy and romance fans alike—especially those who might normally disdain the other genre.
Caitlin Brennan
Caitlin Brennan is a pen name for fantasy author Judith Tarr, a writer perhaps best-known for her collaborations with Harry Turtledove. On her Web site, she said she chose to write about what she knows. She is a breeder and trainer of Lipizzaner stallions, currently owning six of the 1,000 that are in the United States. Her passion for these stallions shines through The Mountain’s Call, giving an authentic flavor to a fantasy novel.
This romantic fantasy features Valeria, a woman called to the Mountain where the white gods reign. In our world, we would label the white gods Lipizzaner stallions. In Caitlin Brennan’s world, they are gods who call their riders to be trained at the mountain. They Dance, and that Dance controls the patterns of time and fate.
Like many fantasy worlds with some historical base, our heroine faces more than a little chauvinism. Women aren’t supposed to be called as a Rider. Women possess magic of the moon, while the Riders possess sun magic. To overcome these obstacles, Valeria disguises herself as a man and ingratiates herself with her fellow candidates much the way Mulan did in the animated Disney flick. And like Mulan’s comrades, Valeria’s comrades turn against her when they discover her gender and talent.
Brennan creates a richly textured world. There is a complex system of magic and caste. The characters each have their own interlocking goals and drives. The good guys may ride white horses, but they are cloaked in gray and dressed in less than flattering behaviors and attitudes. Only a few of the villains are outright evil. The others are drawn with great complexity. We have the opportunity to sympathize with them and understand why Valeria might be tempted by their goals.
Equally impressive in this first novel by Brennan was the strength with which she drew the horses. She showed us the divinity of the horses by the way the humans interacted with them, by their mannerisms and occasionally by their speech. She drew us into feeling the strength and majesty of the creatures by showing them to us through the eyes of her characters. It was done with a great deal of craftsmanship. She never broke our suspension of disbelief and led us into easily accepting a world of her creation.
Be forewarned. There is a lot of sex in this book. It’s no accident that this book is published by a house that is fusing fantasy and romance. The sex is often described in great detail and adds to the book’s intensity. There are times when I questioned why Valeria made the sexual choices that she did, but it was a layer that added interest to the book rather than detracting from it.
Sex, horse, and fantasy—is it any wonder that the book targets women as its audience?
Brennan does occasionally seem to be showing a disdain for monotheism, the monotheists in her world being bloodthirsty barbarians who worship their One God through sacrifices and chaos. They are contrasted with the accessible and actively involved gods of the Mountain.
The book begs the question of what a god is. They aren’t supreme beings, for many times the Ladies—the mothers of the stallion gods—are referred to as being more powerful and superior to the gods. They are immortal, yet they breed (which does make one wonder why the world is not overpopulated with gods. Perhaps that will be answered in a future novel.).
Ultimately, though, these are minor quibbles in a book that is overall an excellent women’s fantasy novel and the opening to a new series. I am eager to see next year’s offering.
Luna Books
While Luna may be new to fantasy publishing, it has quite the powerhouse behind them. It is a new imprint of Harlequin, an imprint launched in 2003 to publish romantic fantasies. It came out with its first line of books this summer, attracting such authors as Mercedes Lackey, Sarah Zettel, and Christie Golden.
I’ve been mostly impressed with the books I’ve seen them produce so far. Zettel’s For Camelot’s Honor and Golden’s On Fire’s Wings were both excellent, compelling reads. The Mountain’s Call is another in the win column for Luna, balancing out Laura Anne Gilman’s Staying Dead, a book that suffered from poor writing. In all, Luna appears to be a line worth watching, publishing books that are certain to appeal to fantasy and romance fans alike—especially those who might normally disdain the other genre.
Caitlin Brennan
Caitlin Brennan is a pen name for fantasy author Judith Tarr, a writer perhaps best-known for her collaborations with Harry Turtledove. On her Web site, she said she chose to write about what she knows. She is a breeder and trainer of Lipizzaner stallions, currently owning six of the 1,000 that are in the United States. Her passion for these stallions shines through The Mountain’s Call, giving an authentic flavor to a fantasy novel.
September 26, 2012
Each year, a call goes out from the Mountain and the gods that live there in the form of white stallions, seeking boys to become Riders. Now, something monumental is changing. Valeria has received the Call, even though she is a girl. Unable to turn away from it, she disguises herself as a boy and sets out for the Mountain. On the way there she is first rescued from a pack of nobles by a stranger, who finds her a safer passage as part of a caravan. It is there that she meets Euan Roe, a barbarian prince who is in the Aurelian Empire as a hostage. On arrival at the Mountain, she discovers her rescuer is called Kerrec and is a First Rider. It is these two men that will shape Valeria's future, and with it the future of Aurelia.
Valeria succeeds in all the tests the candidates must face, but at her moment of triumph she is revealed to be female. Centuries of tradition war with the possible will of the gods and it is tradition that wins. Valeria is forbidden to be a candidate, only managing to stay on the Mountain as Kerrec's servant.
When Euan Roe, in collusion with the Emperor's bastard, half-barbarian son, unleashes his scheme to defeat the Empire, Valeria suddenly finds herself a pivotal player in the future of the world. She is caught between two men and two possible destinies. Who she chooses will shape the future - literally, as the stallions can influence past and present with their dance.
I was dubious about this book. First, when I considered buying it, I remember that I'd had varied opinions of the stories in the Luna range so far. I had also read some mixed reviews. So I asked my pusher/dealer, Barbara (who is also known as my favourite bookseller). She recommended it highly and I left the shop with a copy. I was secondly dubious when I read the blurb more carefully - the book sounded like it had the potential to be a bad rip-off of Mercedes Lackey's Valdemar. I am delighted to say I was wrong on all counts. I loved this book and I can't wait for the next one.
Caitlin Brennan is actually author Judith Tarr, obviously choosing to use a pseudonym to write in a different field from the one where her name is already known (historicals and historical fantasy). This is straight fantasy and might be a shock for anyone expecting it to be a historical. She is also deeply involved in the world of Lippizan horses (those wonderful horses so well known through the Viennese riding school) and that is where the inspiration for her stallion has clearly come from. The stallions dance, just as Lippizans do, and it is from that dance and the patterns it makes that some of the greatest magic in her fantasy world comes.
The stallions are other-worldly, a little condescending to humans and have ways that all well beyond what ordinary mortals are likely to understand. Valeria could be called a clichéd heroine - she is the farm girl who receives a magical call and ends up saving the world (did you think she wouldn't?) and mixing with the high and mighty. Brennan saves Valeria and her story by making her heroine engaging and far from perfect. Her supporting characters are generally also well drawn. Kerrec is slowly revealed as being a man under all his Rider discipline, while Euan Roe moves from being an apparently pleasant, captivating prince, to something a little less pleasant. The Imperial Heir, Brianna is also well drawn and I could just picture her lovely, little courtyard where a surprising amount of the story took place. Some of the other characters suffer in comparison, especially the masters on the Mountain, who are little more than silhouettes.
The end shows this to clearly be part of a series - it is a case of winning the battle rather than the war, and the two major villains are at large at the end. I don't mind. I want to know what happens next. I really loved this book; so long as you don't go into it expecting a Lackey story, I think many others will as well. Brennan has carved out a very nice little world for herself and it is begging to be explored further.
[Copied across from Library Thing; 26 September 2012]
Valeria succeeds in all the tests the candidates must face, but at her moment of triumph she is revealed to be female. Centuries of tradition war with the possible will of the gods and it is tradition that wins. Valeria is forbidden to be a candidate, only managing to stay on the Mountain as Kerrec's servant.
When Euan Roe, in collusion with the Emperor's bastard, half-barbarian son, unleashes his scheme to defeat the Empire, Valeria suddenly finds herself a pivotal player in the future of the world. She is caught between two men and two possible destinies. Who she chooses will shape the future - literally, as the stallions can influence past and present with their dance.
I was dubious about this book. First, when I considered buying it, I remember that I'd had varied opinions of the stories in the Luna range so far. I had also read some mixed reviews. So I asked my pusher/dealer, Barbara (who is also known as my favourite bookseller). She recommended it highly and I left the shop with a copy. I was secondly dubious when I read the blurb more carefully - the book sounded like it had the potential to be a bad rip-off of Mercedes Lackey's Valdemar. I am delighted to say I was wrong on all counts. I loved this book and I can't wait for the next one.
Caitlin Brennan is actually author Judith Tarr, obviously choosing to use a pseudonym to write in a different field from the one where her name is already known (historicals and historical fantasy). This is straight fantasy and might be a shock for anyone expecting it to be a historical. She is also deeply involved in the world of Lippizan horses (those wonderful horses so well known through the Viennese riding school) and that is where the inspiration for her stallion has clearly come from. The stallions dance, just as Lippizans do, and it is from that dance and the patterns it makes that some of the greatest magic in her fantasy world comes.
The stallions are other-worldly, a little condescending to humans and have ways that all well beyond what ordinary mortals are likely to understand. Valeria could be called a clichéd heroine - she is the farm girl who receives a magical call and ends up saving the world (did you think she wouldn't?) and mixing with the high and mighty. Brennan saves Valeria and her story by making her heroine engaging and far from perfect. Her supporting characters are generally also well drawn. Kerrec is slowly revealed as being a man under all his Rider discipline, while Euan Roe moves from being an apparently pleasant, captivating prince, to something a little less pleasant. The Imperial Heir, Brianna is also well drawn and I could just picture her lovely, little courtyard where a surprising amount of the story took place. Some of the other characters suffer in comparison, especially the masters on the Mountain, who are little more than silhouettes.
The end shows this to clearly be part of a series - it is a case of winning the battle rather than the war, and the two major villains are at large at the end. I don't mind. I want to know what happens next. I really loved this book; so long as you don't go into it expecting a Lackey story, I think many others will as well. Brennan has carved out a very nice little world for herself and it is begging to be explored further.
[Copied across from Library Thing; 26 September 2012]
October 4, 2016
It seems I'm not that into horses.
December 30, 2014
Originally posted at Read. Run. Study.
Let me start by saying I only managed to finish the first 130 pages (~25%) of the book. Consider this a warning if you don’t believe people should review books they didn’t finish.
I picked up The Mountain’s Call because the title was intriguing, the cover was beautiful, and the synopsis sounded unique. It was an unknown quantity that unfortunately didn’t pan out. Reviews suggested people either loved it or hated it – I apparently fell on the side of the latter. Well, hate may be a little strong, but I definitely did not like it.
This was one of those books where I couldn’t figure out how I felt about it as I was reading it. At 78 pages in, I wrote “This is an odd story so far. Not sure how I feel about it” on Goodreads. And I really didn’t know at that point. Then, at 130 pages in, I posted “still not sure what I think of this” and I chose to put the book down for a bit. There were things that annoyed me, but I couldn’t outright say I hated it. I needed to think on it and decide if it was worth continuing.
After distancing myself from the book and thinking for a while, I realized I really didn’t like it – I just wanted to. The concept was interesting at first, and the writing was actually decent, but the execution didn’t work for me. I didn’t connect to the lead, and I had a hard time believing the relationships the author was trying to develop. None of the characters spoke to me. I didn’t care what happened to them – they could live or die, they could end up with whoever – I didn’t care. I’ve read reviews calling it a “romantic fantasy,” but neither the fantasy nor the romance were enjoyable or believable for me.
Rating: 1/5 (Did not finish)
Let me start by saying I only managed to finish the first 130 pages (~25%) of the book. Consider this a warning if you don’t believe people should review books they didn’t finish.
I picked up The Mountain’s Call because the title was intriguing, the cover was beautiful, and the synopsis sounded unique. It was an unknown quantity that unfortunately didn’t pan out. Reviews suggested people either loved it or hated it – I apparently fell on the side of the latter. Well, hate may be a little strong, but I definitely did not like it.
This was one of those books where I couldn’t figure out how I felt about it as I was reading it. At 78 pages in, I wrote “This is an odd story so far. Not sure how I feel about it” on Goodreads. And I really didn’t know at that point. Then, at 130 pages in, I posted “still not sure what I think of this” and I chose to put the book down for a bit. There were things that annoyed me, but I couldn’t outright say I hated it. I needed to think on it and decide if it was worth continuing.
After distancing myself from the book and thinking for a while, I realized I really didn’t like it – I just wanted to. The concept was interesting at first, and the writing was actually decent, but the execution didn’t work for me. I didn’t connect to the lead, and I had a hard time believing the relationships the author was trying to develop. None of the characters spoke to me. I didn’t care what happened to them – they could live or die, they could end up with whoever – I didn’t care. I’ve read reviews calling it a “romantic fantasy,” but neither the fantasy nor the romance were enjoyable or believable for me.
Rating: 1/5 (Did not finish)
November 24, 2014
Let me start by saying I did not finish this book. I stopped reading on page 357. I was so intrigued by the premise and the beginning of this book but one thing after another killed it for me and I had to quit.
First the things I liked. I loved the horse gods and all of the myth and magic surrounding them. And I felt like a number of characters had potential. I like stories with deep connections between humans and animals so that aspect of it was fun to read. I enjoyed Valeria's trials to get accepted into the mountain.
Valeria however is a problem for me. She is too much of a special snowflake. She is the first woman to be called to the mountain EVER. She can tame the most powerful horse, one that even the Masters can't tame. She can see and control the dance better than any other student. She is so hot that all the princes want to jump her bones. The list goes on. I just find it really hard to tolerate a character who has every special gift ever.
The romances are also pretty flat. I can enjoy a book where sex isn't tied to love because that is realistic but even with Kerrec everything felt all wrong. I never got the sense that she had deep feelings for him or him for her and then after they have sex it's all deep abiding love for like a day until she goes right back to banging the barbarian prince in the same room with an unconscious Kerrec. There was no connection to their romance for me.
And last but not least there was the thing that killed this story stone dead for me. On page 357 Briana is stewing over all the stuff going wrong in her world and the narrative outright states "The stakes were desperately high." Are you kidding me? I am a writer and I know that raising the stakes and keeping the tension up is very important but if you have to come right out and say it then even you know that the book is falling apart.
First the things I liked. I loved the horse gods and all of the myth and magic surrounding them. And I felt like a number of characters had potential. I like stories with deep connections between humans and animals so that aspect of it was fun to read. I enjoyed Valeria's trials to get accepted into the mountain.
Valeria however is a problem for me. She is too much of a special snowflake. She is the first woman to be called to the mountain EVER. She can tame the most powerful horse, one that even the Masters can't tame. She can see and control the dance better than any other student. She is so hot that all the princes want to jump her bones. The list goes on. I just find it really hard to tolerate a character who has every special gift ever.
The romances are also pretty flat. I can enjoy a book where sex isn't tied to love because that is realistic but even with Kerrec everything felt all wrong. I never got the sense that she had deep feelings for him or him for her and then after they have sex it's all deep abiding love for like a day until she goes right back to banging the barbarian prince in the same room with an unconscious Kerrec. There was no connection to their romance for me.
And last but not least there was the thing that killed this story stone dead for me. On page 357 Briana is stewing over all the stuff going wrong in her world and the narrative outright states "The stakes were desperately high." Are you kidding me? I am a writer and I know that raising the stakes and keeping the tension up is very important but if you have to come right out and say it then even you know that the book is falling apart.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 5, 2012
The story was interesting, but I kept feeling like the writing itself was missing something. It felt jumpy, going from one situation to another with no warning and no transition, with chapter breaks in the middle of scene - apparently the author felt no compunction about disrupting a scene for that, because having the chapters all be about the same length was more important than the story itself.
Perhaps the reason I was so bothered by this book is the fact that the main character, Valeria, never seems to have any emotions...the ones she does have are stated flat-out, rather than shown through body language. There's a lot of action, but that's it. Exposition has fallen by the wayside, as has pacing and characterization - there were moments in this book when I wondered if all the main characters might be bipolar, or if these scenes were throwbacks to an earlier draft where they acted differently.
The other thing I had a problem with was Valeria's sudden "romance" with Kerrec. After he's tortured, mentally and physically, including rape, he has no problem with having sex with her in a cave...while they're supposedly on the run from his evil half-brother? In addition, the "hints" that Kerrec was going to end up being Valeria's "one true love" were not subtle at all, and the transition from "man, this guy is infuriating" to "oh Kerrec I wuv you" was lightning-fast.
This book would have been much better if the author had devoted a little more time to her writing - pacing, characterization, plot - and a little less to all the loving descriptions of the horses. I'm tempted to skip the sequels, because the ending of this book didn't leave me wanting more or wondering what's going to happen next, the way the first book in a trilogy should.
Perhaps the reason I was so bothered by this book is the fact that the main character, Valeria, never seems to have any emotions...the ones she does have are stated flat-out, rather than shown through body language. There's a lot of action, but that's it. Exposition has fallen by the wayside, as has pacing and characterization - there were moments in this book when I wondered if all the main characters might be bipolar, or if these scenes were throwbacks to an earlier draft where they acted differently.
The other thing I had a problem with was Valeria's sudden "romance" with Kerrec. After he's tortured, mentally and physically, including rape, he has no problem with having sex with her in a cave...while they're supposedly on the run from his evil half-brother? In addition, the "hints" that Kerrec was going to end up being Valeria's "one true love" were not subtle at all, and the transition from "man, this guy is infuriating" to "oh Kerrec I wuv you" was lightning-fast.
This book would have been much better if the author had devoted a little more time to her writing - pacing, characterization, plot - and a little less to all the loving descriptions of the horses. I'm tempted to skip the sequels, because the ending of this book didn't leave me wanting more or wondering what's going to happen next, the way the first book in a trilogy should.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 12, 2012
Under her various pen names, Judith Tarr has long been one of my favorite authors, particularly when she writes about horses. This book is full of horse-magic, the usual kind because they're so marvelous and the special kind created by the "white gods" of Aurelia as they Dance the patterns of the world. One moment they're ordinary "fat white ponies," but don't let that fool you. We all know their wisdom and power run far, far deeper. I especially loved how their motives and values are not always clear -- they truly are mysterious as well as magical.
In this world, the stability of the realm is maintained by a meticulously executed equestrian Dance, very much akin to the performances of the Lippizan horses of the Spanish Riding Academy of Vienna. The riders train all their lives for ii, in partnership with the magnificent white stallions. Historically, only boys have been Called (as in the title of the book) to the riding school, so when our heroine Valeria shows up, and then bonds with a young stallion of exceptional power, the reactions range from bewilderment to outright hostility. She then becomes a prime target for recruitment into a plot to usurp the throne and the very fabric of the kingdom. Suffice it to say, divided loyalties, not to mention schemes and betrayals ensue. Because the book appears under the "Luna" imprint of Harlequin Books, there is of course a love story. Actually, depending on how you look at it, more than one. But fantasy readers won't be disappointed, as the story, the first part of three, is anything but formulaic with its independent, earthy heroine, two dashing lovers, and of course the magical white horses. This one definitely belongs on the bookshelf of every fantasy reader and horse lover.
In this world, the stability of the realm is maintained by a meticulously executed equestrian Dance, very much akin to the performances of the Lippizan horses of the Spanish Riding Academy of Vienna. The riders train all their lives for ii, in partnership with the magnificent white stallions. Historically, only boys have been Called (as in the title of the book) to the riding school, so when our heroine Valeria shows up, and then bonds with a young stallion of exceptional power, the reactions range from bewilderment to outright hostility. She then becomes a prime target for recruitment into a plot to usurp the throne and the very fabric of the kingdom. Suffice it to say, divided loyalties, not to mention schemes and betrayals ensue. Because the book appears under the "Luna" imprint of Harlequin Books, there is of course a love story. Actually, depending on how you look at it, more than one. But fantasy readers won't be disappointed, as the story, the first part of three, is anything but formulaic with its independent, earthy heroine, two dashing lovers, and of course the magical white horses. This one definitely belongs on the bookshelf of every fantasy reader and horse lover.
March 26, 2014
2.5 Stars
DNF
I would like to give this book a higher rating, but I can't justify it considering that I didn't finish it.
I abruptly stopped reading not quite halfway through - I did make a concentrated effort to pick it up again but... I could only force myself to slog through a tiny bit more before putting it down again. That was a while ago, I still don't feel like picking it up again, so I concede defeat, I have to leave this one unfinished.
The problems I had with this book were an odd combination, on one hand I sometimes found the writing style a little 'distant' and struggled to relate and/or connect with the characters - I just didn't 'feel' the emotion that was obviously supposed to be there.
On the other hand, there were certain other parts that were almost too graphic and painful to read about. I don't usually shy away from reading about hard subject matter if it fits in with an overall story but... I don't know in this particular case it seemed both unnecessary/excessive and also (in some ways) treated to casually..
I find it hard to explain, but it didn't sit well with me, it was... oddly 'jarring' for lack of a better word.
That said, this book is packed full of really interesting ideas and a good focused plot, I wish I had enjoyed it more because I would have liked to learn more about the world Brennan has created.
Plus I have always had a soft spot for magical animals/animal companions in fantasy novels!
But overall, sadly, not for me.
DNF
I would like to give this book a higher rating, but I can't justify it considering that I didn't finish it.
I abruptly stopped reading not quite halfway through - I did make a concentrated effort to pick it up again but... I could only force myself to slog through a tiny bit more before putting it down again. That was a while ago, I still don't feel like picking it up again, so I concede defeat, I have to leave this one unfinished.
The problems I had with this book were an odd combination, on one hand I sometimes found the writing style a little 'distant' and struggled to relate and/or connect with the characters - I just didn't 'feel' the emotion that was obviously supposed to be there.
On the other hand, there were certain other parts that were almost too graphic and painful to read about. I don't usually shy away from reading about hard subject matter if it fits in with an overall story but... I don't know in this particular case it seemed both unnecessary/excessive and also (in some ways) treated to casually..
I find it hard to explain, but it didn't sit well with me, it was... oddly 'jarring' for lack of a better word.
That said, this book is packed full of really interesting ideas and a good focused plot, I wish I had enjoyed it more because I would have liked to learn more about the world Brennan has created.
Plus I have always had a soft spot for magical animals/animal companions in fantasy novels!
But overall, sadly, not for me.
December 13, 2015
This was my second read through, but I had originally read it a couple years after its original release (back in 2008) when I was part of Luna's mailing program. It was also around the same time that I was reading Mercedes Lackey's Valdemar books. Both series feature magical white horses that have more sense than humans. They also both feature gender inequality and bullying issues. Caitlin Brennan presents an intriguing tale about a girl who just wants to follow her destiny, but the patriarchy of society wants her to either die or do what females have always done. I liked the social commentary on both bullies and gender inequality, but there didn't seem to be much of a reason besides tradition as the heir to the throne was female. There was also graphic rape and sex scenes, which did fit the story but I found it disconcerting that they were graphically described multiple times. In the end, the story was well-told and certainly fun to read.
The physical book is out of print, but the ebook is still available and is relatively cheap, so you should definitely check out this trilogy.
The physical book is out of print, but the ebook is still available and is relatively cheap, so you should definitely check out this trilogy.
March 25, 2019
My Review: I read this book several years ago and have been wanting to re-read it. I did find it to be a bit of a crossover YA/Adult fantasy romance, where as before I would have put it strictly in the adult category. It was a lot longer than I remember it being and a bit of a slower read than I expected. It does become a bit tedious, how many roadblocks can you really throw in a character's way before it becomes a bit unbelievable. I also found that for being a girl recovering from a trauma, she was awfully promiscuous, I didn't pick up on that so much before because I was enjoying it for the horse magic, but this time around it was very prominent. With all that said, it does give me Alanna, from the Song of the Lioness quartet, vibes but on a more adult level and I enjoy that idea. The magic system is very complex and could maybe use a bit more explanation, but for a horse lover I was at least able to understand 'the dance' and riding portions. I loved the personalities of the gods and found them to be fantastic characters.
July 31, 2012
I couldn't even finish this book. I love riding horses and I've been impressed by several of Judith Tarr's (Caitlin Brennan's AKA) short stories, but this was just too much.
The protagonist, a sheltered teenage girl, gets sexually attacked by some nobles and then has NO problem going for a long horse ride (no physical discomfort there), and mooning over her rescuer (that she knew for all of one day)in the process. Apparently gang rape is just another silly inconvenience in this author's world. I might've been able to wrap my mind around it if the author was a man (I'd still be pissed-off), but to have a female author have that much disregard for her heroine just defies logic.
Anyway, besides the above rant, the largest problem with Mountain's Call was the plot movement. Every couple of pages, I felt like I'd missed an entire chapter. Unfortunately, it just seemed like lazy writing.
The protagonist, a sheltered teenage girl, gets sexually attacked by some nobles and then has NO problem going for a long horse ride (no physical discomfort there), and mooning over her rescuer (that she knew for all of one day)in the process. Apparently gang rape is just another silly inconvenience in this author's world. I might've been able to wrap my mind around it if the author was a man (I'd still be pissed-off), but to have a female author have that much disregard for her heroine just defies logic.
Anyway, besides the above rant, the largest problem with Mountain's Call was the plot movement. Every couple of pages, I felt like I'd missed an entire chapter. Unfortunately, it just seemed like lazy writing.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 10, 2010
PG-13
It was an interesting premise, for sure. The whole "strong woman leading role" thing is starting to wear on me, though. These girls need flaws! And not sexual ones, though that may have been the author's idea of diversifying her character, but it just made me like her less. I just find it hard to believe that a girl living with her family and just coming into marriageable age (which is in the early to mid-teens) and is also a victim of an almost-rape turns into a sex-aholic. What does she even see in these guys? Any relationship development is passed over in favor of teen girl outcast trying to prove herself angst. Everything the men do is wrong and stupid, and the girl knows all. Not buying it. It was one of those books that got a good rating from me for the writing (which was beautiful), and the even more impressive story I wrote in my head while reading it.
It was an interesting premise, for sure. The whole "strong woman leading role" thing is starting to wear on me, though. These girls need flaws! And not sexual ones, though that may have been the author's idea of diversifying her character, but it just made me like her less. I just find it hard to believe that a girl living with her family and just coming into marriageable age (which is in the early to mid-teens) and is also a victim of an almost-rape turns into a sex-aholic. What does she even see in these guys? Any relationship development is passed over in favor of teen girl outcast trying to prove herself angst. Everything the men do is wrong and stupid, and the girl knows all. Not buying it. It was one of those books that got a good rating from me for the writing (which was beautiful), and the even more impressive story I wrote in my head while reading it.
January 2, 2016
Ok, I very much enjoyed this book. I had two issues with it though. First, we've got the heroine having sex with a traitor to her country, while still claiming that she loves this other man. This SERIOUSLY bothered me, because how can you say you love someone while having sex with someone else?! The second issue I had is that she follows along with this evil plan because she 'promised' she would in order to save the life of the guy she supposedly loves. Since when is it NOT ok to lie to the enemy?! Betray the enemy all you want, but the country and man you supposedly love?! This latter issue wasn't as bothersome to me as the first though. I honestly really did enjoy this book, but I feel that it could have been much stronger if Valeria hadn't been sleeping with every man that wanted her. Just my thoughts.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 22, 2008
rubish, the author kills it dead half way through with Valeria who finaly get it together with Kerrec and promtly cheats on him as soon as she saves his life. i don't care what her excuses where i hate it. you want to slap her. show some control woman!!!
also the characters are shallow, they don't seem real. Valeria only loves Kerrec because she knows she loves him.but he irritates her. she only slept with the enemy barbarian because she needs comfort. stupid! where is your self-respect? in short it is totally half formed. i sound realy good when i read the blurb but and going on that alone i would still pick it. but the blurb is the best peice of writting so don't look for anything better.
i've stopped reading half way through which is terruble for and have only done it once.
also the characters are shallow, they don't seem real. Valeria only loves Kerrec because she knows she loves him.but he irritates her. she only slept with the enemy barbarian because she needs comfort. stupid! where is your self-respect? in short it is totally half formed. i sound realy good when i read the blurb but and going on that alone i would still pick it. but the blurb is the best peice of writting so don't look for anything better.
i've stopped reading half way through which is terruble for and have only done it once.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 31, 2010
The premise sounds a little like Mercedes Lackey's Valdemar -- girl gets called to become a rider of one of the gods, who are horse-shaped -- but it's got more grit and less angst. I was pleasantly surprised by the gray-shaded relationships but wearily annoyed by the big misunderstanding genre of romantic conflict.
There are some sensible characters in here, but also a couple of caricature bad guys, and a surprisingly constrained feel to a world that's supposed to encompass an empire and more. It's held together in the end by competent writing, and something I may well reread, but the plot has made me wary of the sequels.
There are some sensible characters in here, but also a couple of caricature bad guys, and a surprisingly constrained feel to a world that's supposed to encompass an empire and more. It's held together in the end by competent writing, and something I may well reread, but the plot has made me wary of the sequels.
December 1, 2011
This world didn't pull me in. I couldn't imagine being in it and even if I did there wasn't anything that would make me think wow this would be an interesting world to live in. There wasn't one character that I really felt like I got to know or even like. A lot of the time their behavior didn't seem particularly realistic.
While I did manage to finish this book I don't feel compelled to read more of the series. It wasn't terrible and it was a decent time waster when I had nothing better to do or read. Maybe it could have been a good book but there seemed to be a lot missing as far as developing the world and developing the characters.
While I did manage to finish this book I don't feel compelled to read more of the series. It wasn't terrible and it was a decent time waster when I had nothing better to do or read. Maybe it could have been a good book but there seemed to be a lot missing as far as developing the world and developing the characters.
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