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The Mountain God Sleeps On Its Back
The Mark of the Gods runs from Laslin’s palm to her heart. It is the only true part of her; her body is a mortal shell, destined to change like all the gods before her. She follows their legacy, two hundred years since the last god brought peace to the continent, answering what few prayers remain.
Eight years after leaving the mountains she once called home, Laslin finds the beginnings of purpose in a woman named Avery. The rules she’d followed and etched for herself begin to break, and she realises she does not have to be defined by her divinity alone.
Once committed to her godhood and now in love with a mortal, Laslin must reconcile the changes creeping across her skin with the truths awaiting her beyond cliffs rearing over the Empty Ocean.
Eight years after leaving the mountains she once called home, Laslin finds the beginnings of purpose in a woman named Avery. The rules she’d followed and etched for herself begin to break, and she realises she does not have to be defined by her divinity alone.
Once committed to her godhood and now in love with a mortal, Laslin must reconcile the changes creeping across her skin with the truths awaiting her beyond cliffs rearing over the Empty Ocean.
406 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 17, 2022
10 people are currently reading
144 people want to read
About the author
Sam Farren
9 books166 followersSam Farren started writing the way many young authors do: they really, really wanted to post some fanfiction. After dabbling in both transformative and original works for many years, they developed a passion for representing queer women of all sorts in fantasy worlds. Their debut novel, Dragonoak: The Complete History of Kastelir, is the first instalment in a fully-written trilogy, spanning both years and continents.
Born and raised in the south-east of England, Sam currently resides in Oxford, with a charming pile of royal pythons, Tofu, Twix and Toffee. They are currently living the much coveted life of a poor student, and deeply appreciates any and all support via her published works.
Born and raised in the south-east of England, Sam currently resides in Oxford, with a charming pile of royal pythons, Tofu, Twix and Toffee. They are currently living the much coveted life of a poor student, and deeply appreciates any and all support via her published works.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
April 16, 2025
This is one of those cases I would love to write an impressive and very deep review, but I only can burst fangirling silly words (you know, love love! Awesome! Everybody should go read this now!) (More Love! Love! for good measure). It happens when something I read touches my black heart (black hearts and fangirling are a curious mix indeed) and leaves it a mess. I just would like to add: love love! Awesome! Everybody should go read this now!
It is a slow paced, heartfelt story. More wholesome than banana bread.
It is a slow paced, heartfelt story. More wholesome than banana bread.
November 4, 2022
I
really loved this book.
in the past several days, I have torn through Farren's Dragonoak trilogy and Brackish books, and I unknowingly had read tens of thousands of words of their fanfiction before that. I love all of their writing that I've read, but this is definitely my favorite so far.
some of you know that I have a fondness for webcomics. one particular type of webcomic genre I love is gays-gently-journeying-through-and-existing-in-a-fantasy-world (though I guess the Tea Dragon series by Kay O'Neill has been a physical comic series for years now, making itjust a comic genre, but I still associate that sort of stories most strongly with webcomics). this book has the same sort of feel as those comics and as some Ghibli movies. it's not fast paced or action packed, but it doesn't need to be.
anyway, that's me saying that you should maybe check out this very good story about a divine lesbian with autism* navigating the world and herself.
*yes!! it's a fantasy book that uses the word "autism"!! and the Dragonoak books use the word "dyslexic"!! I am very glad that Farren has shared their writing with the world.
really loved this book.
in the past several days, I have torn through Farren's Dragonoak trilogy and Brackish books, and I unknowingly had read tens of thousands of words of their fanfiction before that. I love all of their writing that I've read, but this is definitely my favorite so far.
some of you know that I have a fondness for webcomics. one particular type of webcomic genre I love is gays-gently-journeying-through-and-existing-in-a-fantasy-world (though I guess the Tea Dragon series by Kay O'Neill has been a physical comic series for years now, making itjust a comic genre, but I still associate that sort of stories most strongly with webcomics). this book has the same sort of feel as those comics and as some Ghibli movies. it's not fast paced or action packed, but it doesn't need to be.
anyway, that's me saying that you should maybe check out this very good story about a divine lesbian with autism* navigating the world and herself.
*yes!! it's a fantasy book that uses the word "autism"!! and the Dragonoak books use the word "dyslexic"!! I am very glad that Farren has shared their writing with the world.
March 12, 2022
This is great.
Very Sam Farren -- as always.
There's a kind of pacing and interpersonal tension which I don't often find taking centre stage elsewhere. It's good in a different kind of way.
It's also good on the level of execution. I like the prose here and the premise is great. It gives a lot of room to explore very human elements with a bit of a hat trick involving a premise of godhood.
You get sense of purpose, one's relation to others and oneself, somebody else's primacy to their own history. Fun stuff. Honestly.
Anyways this is great I love these.
4+/5
Very Sam Farren -- as always.
There's a kind of pacing and interpersonal tension which I don't often find taking centre stage elsewhere. It's good in a different kind of way.
It's also good on the level of execution. I like the prose here and the premise is great. It gives a lot of room to explore very human elements with a bit of a hat trick involving a premise of godhood.
You get sense of purpose, one's relation to others and oneself, somebody else's primacy to their own history. Fun stuff. Honestly.
Anyways this is great I love these.
4+/5
April 13, 2022
A bit philosophical
If you’ve read Farren’s other books you’ll notice this one is a bit different. The pace is a bit slower and the action is purposeful. Laslin is a god so therefore does things with intention.
How it’s similar to Farren’s other books are the characters and their complex interpersonal relationships. I don’t think they are capable of writing a shallow character.
This book makes you slow down and contemplate things.
If you’ve read Farren’s other books you’ll notice this one is a bit different. The pace is a bit slower and the action is purposeful. Laslin is a god so therefore does things with intention.
How it’s similar to Farren’s other books are the characters and their complex interpersonal relationships. I don’t think they are capable of writing a shallow character.
This book makes you slow down and contemplate things.
April 2, 2022
Couldn't put it down!
I loved everything about this book, from the characters to the plot. It's very well written and captures your attention to the point that I was reading at the gym (🤫). I was heartbroken when I was finished as I didn't want the journey to end. I will be inpatiently patient for the next book!
I loved everything about this book, from the characters to the plot. It's very well written and captures your attention to the point that I was reading at the gym (🤫). I was heartbroken when I was finished as I didn't want the journey to end. I will be inpatiently patient for the next book!
March 1, 2022
Loved it
I picked out Ayad and N'yako I think I remember these names from your first ,book lol maybe I'm wrong. Always well written and an adventure to accompany it. Keep up the good work.
I picked out Ayad and N'yako I think I remember these names from your first ,book lol maybe I'm wrong. Always well written and an adventure to accompany it. Keep up the good work.
March 31, 2022
Amazing
I loved Sam Farren's draconian series so I had to buy this and it was so worthwhile. Amazing plot, interesting characters and an intriguing backstory that slowly unfolds throughout the story.
I loved Sam Farren's draconian series so I had to buy this and it was so worthwhile. Amazing plot, interesting characters and an intriguing backstory that slowly unfolds throughout the story.
July 22, 2022
In short: Loved this.
As a fantasy lover, this was very refreshing to read. The story is not about some form of impending doom (such as wars or 'evil' dragons) - what a nice change compared to the usual! I loved the world building in general as well.
As a fantasy lover, this was very refreshing to read. The story is not about some form of impending doom (such as wars or 'evil' dragons) - what a nice change compared to the usual! I loved the world building in general as well.
July 8, 2022
Haven’t finished it yet but oh my isn’t this lovely?
November 11, 2022
A journey worth taking!
A slow paced, whimsical fairytale about love, belonging, and personal transformation, topped with lovable characters and great worldbuilding. The moment our heroes first arrived at the Empty Ocean will stick with me for a long, long time. As a fan of Farren's former works, this one certainly did not disappoint.
A slow paced, whimsical fairytale about love, belonging, and personal transformation, topped with lovable characters and great worldbuilding. The moment our heroes first arrived at the Empty Ocean will stick with me for a long, long time. As a fan of Farren's former works, this one certainly did not disappoint.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews