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casparquarius's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
a quick fun read. I enjoyed the sense of confusion and urgency, and loved the format of the narrative. it wasn't particularly scary or as tense as I was hoping, but still definitely enjoyable
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Suicide, Medical content, Grief, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
ssummar's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Gun violence, Suicide, Blood, Medical content, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
ceredonia's review against another edition
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Death, Blood, Grief, and Murder
misshelenjunereads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I'm really not sure how to rate this book. I went into it looking for an adventure/mountain climbing novel with elements of weird, and found one of the most complex and challenging (on a scientific level) books I've ever read. I even wondered a few times if I just wasn't smart enough to be reading it, but I persisted.
The premise lulls you into a false sense of preparedness by being so simple. A mountain appears out of nowhere and a team of various scientists are gathered to investigate it - after only two members of the previous team come back alive but very changed. One of these survivors is the ex-wife of our protagonist - Harold - and the story is largely told in the form of letters written to his estranged niece, which have been discovered after his death and his surviving family is now trying to make sense of.
The book does not shy away from the realities of mountaineering in extreme weather conditions, but as well as that the team soon begin to realise that the fabric of reality works differently in this place. There are questions about time, about the place of humanity in the universe, and our scientific understanding of how our planet works and why. I found these questions fascinating, as well as the slow reveal of Harold's own past, and the tragedies therein.
This story is far more sci-fi than horror, but there are deaths, injuries, and other moments of unease, with a pleasing Lovecraftian edge to the goings on. Like the characters you will find yourself questioning everyone and everything as the situation deteriorates and paranoia increases. It is not a story I think anyone could rush - but I think how slowly you'll engage with it depends on how well you can follow the ideas.
For all this - and all my admiration for it - I struggle to give this 4 stars. There is a reveal at about 84% that's so silly, and honestly felt so juvenile, I felt it took the wind out of the sails. I understand what the author was going for with it, but looking at those words on paper I burst out laughing instead of feeling horror, which is a huge shame.
I feel this is a book that won't appeal to everyone - or possibly not many at all because of how heavy the science and thought experiments are - but I do think it's worth the effort. If you're looking for a challenge, this is it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Death, Grief, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
mandolin77's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Mental illness, Violence, Blood, Grief, Medical trauma, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
alireads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror, Child death, Death, Gun violence, Violence, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Bullying, Confinement, Mental illness, Suicide, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Religious bigotry, and Fire/Fire injury
zosiablue's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Oh I liked this so much. A little A Wrinkle in Time, a little Contact, a little Christopher Pike. One of the coolest "why are we alive?" metaphors I've read in a while. Well done.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Grief, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Suicide, Forced institutionalization, Blood, and Dementia
teatunesandtales's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Suicide and Forced institutionalization
honeywine's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Grief, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
carissa230's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
A mountain has popped up where there was never a mountain before. Scientists from different branches are brought together to see what they can discover about the mountain. Problem is most people never make it to the top and many are changed for even trying it.
The story is told through letters that Harold was writing. So we see the mountain and exploration through his eyes. While ascending the mountain he is also looking back on his life and why he is estranged from his wife.
The book was an interesting concept, but not an amazing execution. Maybe more perspectives would have helped or less back and fourth between past and present.
The story is told through letters that Harold was writing. So we see the mountain and exploration through his eyes. While ascending the mountain he is also looking back on his life and why he is estranged from his wife.
The book was an interesting concept, but not an amazing execution. Maybe more perspectives would have helped or less back and fourth between past and present.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief