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tanyarobinson's review
3.0
I won this novel through a Goodreads Giveaway Contest.
I enjoyed reading about hikers lost in the mountains above Palm Springs, especially since I rode up the aerial tramway and explored the trails just a year ago. I have read other wilderness survival stories that I found more compelling, but the rescue portion of this novel stood out (I don't want to give anything away, so I'll just leave it at that).
I didn't particularly relate to any of the characters, but if I were more like any of them, personal connections would have probably made the book more meaningful for me. As it was, this book earned 3.5 stars.
I enjoyed reading about hikers lost in the mountains above Palm Springs, especially since I rode up the aerial tramway and explored the trails just a year ago. I have read other wilderness survival stories that I found more compelling, but the rescue portion of this novel stood out (I don't want to give anything away, so I'll just leave it at that).
I didn't particularly relate to any of the characters, but if I were more like any of them, personal connections would have probably made the book more meaningful for me. As it was, this book earned 3.5 stars.
mmouse1977's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
martha_g's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- 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
kez91's review against another edition
3.0
3.5* The first 100 pages or so started out pretty slow, but after that the story was fast-paced. I liked the flashes of Wolf's younger years and dysfunctional family life intermingled with his experience lost on the mountain, and the way Byrd's story was gradually revealed. I loved Nola and though Bridget was interesting, but I found Vonn to have the least depth of the women and found her a bit boring. Overall an enjoyable read
lindsayw's review against another edition
3.0
This is no Rush Home Road (few things are), but it was still pretty good. Despite a slow start, I was remarkably invested by the time the book ended (even though there were parts of the ending I thought were ridiculous), so things definitely improved over time.
The fact that the front cover says, "Five days. Four lost hikers. Three survivors" gives the whole book this frankly kind of impressive feeling of dread that hangs over it throughout the entire story. While I read, I just kept waiting for The Event, trying to guess who it would be that wouldn't make it out alive. And Lori Lansens does do an impressive job of keeping you guessing..
The flashbacks to Wolf's life with his dad and in Tin Town are depressing, but the pacing during those parts was a bit slow. I found myself stopping whenever I got to those parts and then trying to hurry through them when I'd pick the book back up again. Fortunately, those become a lot less frequent as the story moves along, which is a good thing because the strongest parts of The Mountain Story are, appropriately, the parts on the mountain. And the flashbacks that do remain are much stronger at the end than they are at the beginning. Finally learning about Byrd and Truly, I couldn't put the book down.
I unfortunately guessed a fair bit of the ending before the end, but I think that was inevitable because the tone of this book encourages so much speculation. I was bound to get some things right.
The fact that the front cover says, "Five days. Four lost hikers. Three survivors" gives the whole book this frankly kind of impressive feeling of dread that hangs over it throughout the entire story. While I read, I just kept waiting for The Event, trying to guess who it would be that wouldn't make it out alive. And Lori Lansens does do an impressive job of keeping you guessing.
Spoiler
Although I knew it wouldn't be Nola because that would be way too obviousThe flashbacks to Wolf's life with his dad and in Tin Town are depressing, but the pacing during those parts was a bit slow. I found myself stopping whenever I got to those parts and then trying to hurry through them when I'd pick the book back up again. Fortunately, those become a lot less frequent as the story moves along, which is a good thing because the strongest parts of The Mountain Story are, appropriately, the parts on the mountain. And the flashbacks that do remain are much stronger at the end than they are at the beginning. Finally learning about Byrd and Truly, I couldn't put the book down.
I unfortunately guessed a fair bit of the ending before the end, but I think that was inevitable because the tone of this book encourages so much speculation. I was bound to get some things right.
amos0924's review
5.0
After thinking on this book a few days, I changed my original rating of 4 stars to 5. This story (and the characters) really stay with you and you spend time thinking about familial relationships, shared histories and the real heroes that exist in everyday people.
kimmiereadsalot's review
3.0
I have mixed feelings about this book. It was interesting and well-written but I didn't like how much we knew ahead of time. We already knew that only three of four survived after five days. So there's was a lack of suspense already. But it was still good and still interesting. I just think it could have been a little more suspenseful.
patsaintsfan's review against another edition
5.0
WOW! What a story! I kept thinking about this when I was away from it - that's how you know it is a great book. One affecting you!