What do you think?
Rate this book
Bell Mountain #1
Bell Mountain
The world is going to end ... as soon as Jack and Ellayne ring the bell on top of Bell Mountain. No one has ever climbed the mountain, and no one has ever seen the bell. But the children have a divine calling to carry out the mission, and it sweeps them into high adventure.
For the world is already changing, and fast: legends come to life, strange beasts emerge from the forest, bandits and slave traders hunt the helpless, and war rumbles on the borderlands.?The children must make their way through all these perils-not knowing that a professional killer has been sent to stop them.
For there are others who know the secret of the bell ... a terrible secret, only hinted at in the sacred writings. But do they understand God's plan any better than the children?
The world has been shaken to its foundations before. Will this be the final shaking?
For the world is already changing, and fast: legends come to life, strange beasts emerge from the forest, bandits and slave traders hunt the helpless, and war rumbles on the borderlands.?The children must make their way through all these perils-not knowing that a professional killer has been sent to stop them.
For there are others who know the secret of the bell ... a terrible secret, only hinted at in the sacred writings. But do they understand God's plan any better than the children?
The world has been shaken to its foundations before. Will this be the final shaking?
288 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2010
13 people are currently reading
111 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
June 5, 2011
Hey everyone! I want to share with you a children's adventure novel I recently finished. Below if my official review, but between friends on Goodreads, I wanted to add that I loved this book and read it in one sitting. I never guessed what would happen next, and by the end, I found that I cried for reasons not readily known. I was joyful and happy and I didn't want the book to end. Now, with my emotional blubbering out of the way, here's my review. *still smiling*...
Bell Mountain by Lee Duigon
Jack and Ellayne live in a time when the Old Books have been forgotten and New Books, filled with exaggerations and replacement stories, have become the new Scriptures. People, wealthy and poor, for the most part have forgotten who God is and when they pray, rarely do they expect an answer. In this atmosphere, set in an alternate but ancient-earthlike reality, two children embark on an impossible mission to follow the pull of God in their hearts, to fulfill a mission more important than any other of their time.
But that’s just the grown-up stuff.
This is an adventure tale. Fantastical animals, perilous journeys, human friends and foes all combine to take the reader on an extraordinary and heroic quest. Never did the telling confuse, and never did the action lag. The characters are constructed of solid stuff, making them as three-dimensional as in any bestselling adult fiction novel, yet this story would appeal to children of all ages: eight to eighty, and everywhere in between.
Anyone who enjoys adventure will enjoy this trip up Bell Mountain with Jack and Ellayne. I am aware of the second book and will be chomping that down soon.
Recommended—5 stars. Enjoy your trip! I know I did.
Bell Mountain by Lee Duigon
Jack and Ellayne live in a time when the Old Books have been forgotten and New Books, filled with exaggerations and replacement stories, have become the new Scriptures. People, wealthy and poor, for the most part have forgotten who God is and when they pray, rarely do they expect an answer. In this atmosphere, set in an alternate but ancient-earthlike reality, two children embark on an impossible mission to follow the pull of God in their hearts, to fulfill a mission more important than any other of their time.
But that’s just the grown-up stuff.
This is an adventure tale. Fantastical animals, perilous journeys, human friends and foes all combine to take the reader on an extraordinary and heroic quest. Never did the telling confuse, and never did the action lag. The characters are constructed of solid stuff, making them as three-dimensional as in any bestselling adult fiction novel, yet this story would appeal to children of all ages: eight to eighty, and everywhere in between.
Anyone who enjoys adventure will enjoy this trip up Bell Mountain with Jack and Ellayne. I am aware of the second book and will be chomping that down soon.
Recommended—5 stars. Enjoy your trip! I know I did.
March 19, 2017
Really, really good Christian fantasy for children. I've very impressed, and amazed that these books aren't more well-known!
On to Book Two...
On to Book Two...
December 9, 2015
I will admit that as an adult, I still enjoy reading young adult fiction—I even studied it as part of my writing major in college. Whether you like to read young adult books yourself, or pass them along to a young person in your life, I can sincerely recommend Bell Mountain as one book that should not be missed.
Jack’s dreams have been haunted by the legendary Bell Mountain—a place shrouded in both mystery, and a thick ring of clouds that obscure its peak from view. But Jack isn’t the only one who has been dreaming about the mountain, or wondering what the dreams might mean. Some said that there was an ancient bell on top of the mountain that could bring the whole world to an end if it was struck, but others disagreed there could be any such bell. Tormented by his persistent dreams, Jack was determined to find out for himself. He and an equally determined young girl named Ellayne, set out on the journey together. And though their purpose was to solve the mystery of Bell Mountain, in the end what they found went deeper, and spread farther, than they could have ever imagined.
There is a fairy tale quality to Bell Mountain that instantly captured my interest. Right from the first page, I settled in comfortably, ready to enjoy an adventurous tale as seen through the eyes of a young boy named Jack. It is told in a time-honored style that is familiar to all those who love both children’s fantasy and fairy tales. There are plenty of fantastical creatures to spark your imagination. Some are benevolent, like the small, hairy animal named Wytt who befriends the children. Others are terrifying, like giant birds that attack horses and eat them for supper. Peril and excitement abound in this unique story unlike anything else I have found. As a youth, this would have been a favorite book that I went back to read again and again. As an adult, it makes me feel like a kid again, sneaking off with a new book fresh from the library to get lost in world very different from my own.
Best of all, Bell Mountain is not just an ordinary story. It has a strong Biblical foundation that introduces some of the basic concepts of Christianity in an easy to understand, non-threatening way. I anticipate that as the series continues, the children’s faith will continue to grow and mature, becoming an increasingly important part of their lives and the lives of those around them. I look forward to picking up the second book, The Cellar Beneath the Cellar, to find out what is in store next for Jack and Ellayne.
Jack’s dreams have been haunted by the legendary Bell Mountain—a place shrouded in both mystery, and a thick ring of clouds that obscure its peak from view. But Jack isn’t the only one who has been dreaming about the mountain, or wondering what the dreams might mean. Some said that there was an ancient bell on top of the mountain that could bring the whole world to an end if it was struck, but others disagreed there could be any such bell. Tormented by his persistent dreams, Jack was determined to find out for himself. He and an equally determined young girl named Ellayne, set out on the journey together. And though their purpose was to solve the mystery of Bell Mountain, in the end what they found went deeper, and spread farther, than they could have ever imagined.
There is a fairy tale quality to Bell Mountain that instantly captured my interest. Right from the first page, I settled in comfortably, ready to enjoy an adventurous tale as seen through the eyes of a young boy named Jack. It is told in a time-honored style that is familiar to all those who love both children’s fantasy and fairy tales. There are plenty of fantastical creatures to spark your imagination. Some are benevolent, like the small, hairy animal named Wytt who befriends the children. Others are terrifying, like giant birds that attack horses and eat them for supper. Peril and excitement abound in this unique story unlike anything else I have found. As a youth, this would have been a favorite book that I went back to read again and again. As an adult, it makes me feel like a kid again, sneaking off with a new book fresh from the library to get lost in world very different from my own.
Best of all, Bell Mountain is not just an ordinary story. It has a strong Biblical foundation that introduces some of the basic concepts of Christianity in an easy to understand, non-threatening way. I anticipate that as the series continues, the children’s faith will continue to grow and mature, becoming an increasingly important part of their lives and the lives of those around them. I look forward to picking up the second book, The Cellar Beneath the Cellar, to find out what is in store next for Jack and Ellayne.
February 26, 2019
This was a really good book and I thoroughly enjoyed it, although it did lead to the most frustration I have faced in my reading career since the days when I was trying to sound out my third grade readers. It was eleven at night and I had just finished the climax when I got to the end and found to my dismay that the last page was missing! I was forced to go to bed with several loose ends still not tied up. The next morning, however, I discovered that our family had a copy of the same book (we had been borrowing the copy I read.) I thus was happily able to finish the book.
December 9, 2017
Mas que história deliciosa!
July 19, 2017
I read this because on my Reading Challenge, one of the books is a 'book with a character with your name', and even though the spelling is different, I figured this would count. I guess really, this would be a 3.5 stars for me (I do wish goodreads would allow half-stars!) This story is a good mix of a faith journey and an adventurous quest. Jack (and later, others), dream of the legendary Bell on Bell Mountain, which the Old Books say was placed there by King Ozias, back so far in time that the old kingdoms and the Empire have fallen and people no longer read the Old Books which tell the history. The Bell is supposed to be heard by God when rung, to usher in the end of the world, but even the ones who dream it don't really know what that means. But at this time in their world, many no longer believe in a God. Even though there is a Temple, it is nothing more than an arm of the State, and used for the State's purposes to exert power over the population. It's questionable whether even the First Prestor (or other clergy) really believe. But as Jack and Ellayne travel through the land, and as the assassin sent after them gets closer, they are each on their own spiritual journey as they question what they have been taught to believe, and realize God is closer and more accessible and more real than they had ever been told.
Overall, it's not a bad adventure/fantasy story-it's not epic by any means, but it's got good elements of adventure, surprises, risks. I think it's more geared for 'upper elementary', but it does have a fair number of deaths and a bit of 'spookiness', which might need caution for younger kids. The plot is fairly straightforward, but they do encounter some interesting characters along the way.
Overall, it's not a bad adventure/fantasy story-it's not epic by any means, but it's got good elements of adventure, surprises, risks. I think it's more geared for 'upper elementary', but it does have a fair number of deaths and a bit of 'spookiness', which might need caution for younger kids. The plot is fairly straightforward, but they do encounter some interesting characters along the way.
February 13, 2011
This was an easy read, I guess it'd have to be, it is really a children's book. I'm not really sure what to think yet, because the end wasn't really an ending. At least, I didn't feel it was. This book is obviously written as a world similar to ours, with a Bible similar to ours, but its really hard to place the "historical" context. I'm not sure if it's post-modern or supposed to be set like in an inter-testamentary period. Given the prolific amount of visions, I'd assume somewhere B.C. (Yes, this book is this strongly "parallel" to a Bible story/history). I'll have to come back after reading further adventures (one more published now, more to come I think) & maybe pass a more final judgement on the book/series. It is a wholesome story I think, except for the whole kids running away thing; but also some things are a little too convenient, and these random kids seem to bit too "divinely protected" to make a convincing, compelling story.
July 23, 2020
Brilliant in conception, ok in execution. As far as I have read, the rest of the books in the series are similar. Mr. Duigon has great ideas, but his writing, characters, plotting, and so forth are very mediocre. Maybe the biggest problem is his plotting. He does not outline his novels - he comes up with the plot as he writes. This results in a plot that often goes in circles with no apparent end goal in sight.
April 29, 2011
A good old fashioned adventure story. A few pacing problems, and the characters occasionally forget to be real people, but a solid book nonetheless. The sequel is even better thus far. My full review will appear soon on Fantasy Book Review.
November 12, 2018
Just didn't really get into this one (oh boy, I bought the whole series....:\ ). With the kind of journey the characters take in the book, they needed to be well-written enough for the reader to stick with them through all those slow-paced scenes. I just wasn't feelin' the connection. Might be just me though! ;)
June 19, 2017
Monotonous, explication-driven narrative. I gave up after a few chapters.
June 12, 2015
This YA fantasy tells the story of Jack an orphan living with his step-father who has dreams of being called by a mountain when he shares his dream with his only living relative Ashrof, he is disheartened to learn that Ashrof does not believe in the prophecy that he is supposed to climb the mountain to ring the bell allegedly placed at the top by an ancient King. Determined to prove his belief in the bell Jack decides to climb the mountain but does so with an unexpected ally or two. However, once his disappearance is noted the powers that be, who want to stop him, send an assassin after him. Can Jack and his party avoid the dangers both ahead and behind them to fulfil his dream?
This is about as far removed from genres I usually choose to read but I found Bell Mountain compelling reading. Not only was I engrossed in Jack's quest but I was charmed by the unusual animals encountered in the book as well as the larger than life characters. The underlying spiritual theme may not be in fashion but still made this an interesting read. With no foul language or explicit scenes, but a little moderate violence, this is definitely suitable for teenagers of any age.
A fun fantasy read with an underlying message.
This is about as far removed from genres I usually choose to read but I found Bell Mountain compelling reading. Not only was I engrossed in Jack's quest but I was charmed by the unusual animals encountered in the book as well as the larger than life characters. The underlying spiritual theme may not be in fashion but still made this an interesting read. With no foul language or explicit scenes, but a little moderate violence, this is definitely suitable for teenagers of any age.
A fun fantasy read with an underlying message.
January 2, 2014
Although this series was intended for children, it absolutely captivated my adult family. Set in the fictional land of Obann, this story follows young (and unlikely) heros Jack and Ellayne as they go on a journey that they believe will bring an end to the world. Instead, you will witness great revival as they find the lost books of Scripture, see pagan tribes converted, and behold the merciful terror of the Lord of Hosts!
January 23, 2015
I picked up this book just to switch up my reading habits. Once I picked it up, I couldn't put it down and I'm always checking for updates on new books. The story line and character development of this book and series place this series along the same field as some of the great writers such as C.S. Lewis.
��
May 18, 2013
What an adventure! Written for teens/young adults, but this book would be enjoyed by any age. Perfect for those who are home-schooling and looking for well written, exciting literature. So well done Lee Duigon!
May 6, 2012
I read this in one day. Easy to read to and by children.
September 12, 2012
it was Boring not my type of book.
January 23, 2018
Children's story, but very enjoyable.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews