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mary00's review against another edition
1.0
1 1/2 stars. I did not like this book in the least, but I am undoubtedly not the intended audience. I am not even sure how this one ended up on my To Read list as it is not the type of book I would typically read. This book is filled with evil, violent people (to the point that it feels unrealistic) and it had more swearing than any book I've ever read. Not for me. There is nothing uplifting about this book.
I am giving it an extra half star because the first chapter or two were compelling enough to keep me reading. I should have tossed it aside.
I am giving it an extra half star because the first chapter or two were compelling enough to keep me reading. I should have tossed it aside.
billymac1962's review against another edition
3.0
I liked it well enough.
Bull Mountain was structured nicely. It alternated from present day to a couple of past periods which gives us a good overview of how this hillbilly druglord saga came to be and how it was sustained. The characters were well done for the most part, and I was particularly pleased with the story arc of Angel when that happened. It was at that point where the story really went broad scope in a good way.
I'm not gushing over it like most reviewers are, but it was something that I needed at the time. I love the show Ozark, and already miss it a lot, so this was a nice stop gap measure with some Fargo-esque flavour added. Lots of family loyalty and violence, as expected.
Hick-lit is almost becoming a thing, and a lot of people are loving this novel because of that. I was interested but for some reason not as fully engrossed at times as I would have liked, particularly towards the end, but it did scratch the itch I had. I'm glad I read it.
Bull Mountain was structured nicely. It alternated from present day to a couple of past periods which gives us a good overview of how this hillbilly druglord saga came to be and how it was sustained. The characters were well done for the most part, and I was particularly pleased with the story arc of Angel when that happened. It was at that point where the story really went broad scope in a good way.
I'm not gushing over it like most reviewers are, but it was something that I needed at the time. I love the show Ozark, and already miss it a lot, so this was a nice stop gap measure with some Fargo-esque flavour added. Lots of family loyalty and violence, as expected.
Hick-lit is almost becoming a thing, and a lot of people are loving this novel because of that. I was interested but for some reason not as fully engrossed at times as I would have liked, particularly towards the end, but it did scratch the itch I had. I'm glad I read it.
gardengorgon37's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
jessmoats's review against another edition
4.0
Bull Mountain tells the story of the Burroughs family- a redneck, drug infused group set upon personal destruction. The story unfolds through the eyes of multiple family members, sometimes spanning generations. Clayton is the youngest brother of the Burroughs clan, and has distanced himself from his outlaw family by becoming the local sheriff. When a federal agent arrives offering Clayton and his brothers a way out of the crime business, a whole new story is set into motion.
lyellboi's review against another edition
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
the_enobee's review against another edition
3.0
I read Bull Mountain over the weekend while camping, and I must say this was an excellent match for outdoors reading. The descriptions of the land and events are vivid and well written in what I found to be an original voice. I ended up enjoying the first half of this book much more than the second half. The story changed gears in a way that felt somewhat forced. I was a little disappointed because this story seemed to be striving for a heightened narrative on family and a family's relationship to the land they own and live on, but seemed to eschew that in favor of action scenes with questionable motivations in the second half. This was still a highly enjoyable novel. The history of the Burroughs family was incredibly interesting to read, especially having insight into the family situation in 2015. While the book had its flaws, at around 300 pages, I would recommend this to anyone looking for a nice dose of family crime fiction from an impressive new author.
d_hryniuk's review against another edition
3.0
The positive side of the novel is that the author described the background of each character really widely. Chapters change from past to present. I like such a writing style very much. It makes me think of different ways in which people may be connected so the story is more interesting then.
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What I didn't like about the book are the numerous accounts of violence. Later I looked for the description of Southern Gothic and understood that madness, crimes, and violence are its main characteristic. So the book perfectly fits in its genre but it's just not my type.
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What I didn't like about the book are the numerous accounts of violence. Later I looked for the description of Southern Gothic and understood that madness, crimes, and violence are its main characteristic. So the book perfectly fits in its genre but it's just not my type.
lessard8424's review against another edition
5.0
Great first novel. Tight story although it skips back and forth in time. Recommended to me and I enjoyed it.
laureninthebuf's review against another edition
4.0
This book was such a pleasant surprise. It’s so far out of my wheelhouse - gritty, violent, unapologetic male perspectives— and I loved every minute of reading it. I was so torn of how I wanted to see it turn out right until the last page - and it had a great finish. Great book club choice.
dljmsw's review against another edition
4.0
Overall, well done. There is a lot of violence, including a very graphic rape scene, which I definitely could have done without. But, I enjoyed the book and plan to read the second in the series.