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3.55 AVERAGE
3.55 AVERAGE
ARC provided by author/publisher in exchange for an honest review. this in no way affects my rating/review.
Trigger Warnings: MAJOR RAPE TRIGGERS. DON’T SAY I DIDN’T WARN YOU. Also triggers for physical abuse, profanity and bullying.
3 irritated stars.
Hmph. This was….. pretty much a darker version of The Selection, and I didn’t really love it. Maybe it’s because I’m kind of tired of love triangles? Maybe it’s because I feel an urge to cry every time I read about an MC who’s so incredibly special that somehow every guy within a 5 mile radius is attracted to her? Or maybe it’s just because the one and only thing keeping me going as I read this was Beck (my angel and the love of my life – the sole reason this book isn’t 2 stars).
But for the Mountains has an amazing synopsis and cover, I’ll admit that. It was these things that drew me in, but the actual book had me a little disappointed. Firstly, this book began with a rape scene which was TOTALLY unexpected, but that wasn’t the problem. My problem was how dumb and naive the other women in our MC’s household were! I mean, this dude “dotes” on Arden and somehow she always ends up with torn dresses but no one suspects anything? And she literally picks splinters out of her palm IN FRONT OF SOMEONE ELSE and they don’t notice? You can’t tell me that EVERYONE in the household is this damn stupid. That was the first thing that irritated me.
The second thing I found annoying was the prince. Literally just the prince, period. His personality was irritating, the way he spoke to Arden was cringeworthy and he was so bad at dealing with issues! However, I get the feeling that he’s supposed to be like this, as it makes the other love interest – Beck *angels sing* – seem so much better (which he is hehe).
“‘Aw man, don’t tell me Prince Bilgehurler the Wonder-Dilp finally got to you.'”
Yeah, that was basically what I wanted to yell at Arden the entire book. Get your crap together, babe! Another thing I hated – probably the thing I hated most – was the girl hate. I thought authors were moving on from the trope where a bunch of girls pitted together – usually in a competition to get the guy – become enemies, and inevitably there are the bitches and the MC is just a sweet little nobody at the bottom of the heirarchy. God, haven’t we reached the stage where women don’t all want to date the guy! Sure, there was one lesbian in here, but she left pretty quickly and then it was just the (naturally smart and gorgeous even though she’s special enough that she doesn’t wear that much makeup) MC and the bitchy rich girls. Why can’t I find a book where the bitchy rich girls are actually, hmm I don’t know, good people who are sweet and are as much victims of this situation as Arden is? Ugh I’m so tired of the bitchy girl stereotype.
“‘I’m not jealous, Molly. I’m worried!”
“Oh yeah, that’s rich. Another girl competing for the same guy who doesn’t have nearly the connection with him that I do, and you’re worried about me? Bullshit.”
“I think you deserve better than that.”
“What, and you don’t?”
AMEN MOLLY. LOVE YOU GIRL, YOU PUT ARDEN IN HER DAMN PLACE FOR BEING SUCH AN EPIC BITCH TO YOU! YOU DO DESERVE BETTER! BETTER FRIENDS! Ugh god, I just wish Arden would shut up and stay away from that good-for-nothing prince!
However, that’s enough book hate here. Time for the good stuff, which leads me to best person of all! As I said before, Beck carried this entire book. He appeared in all his drunk and dirty glory and wormed his sarcastic ass into my heart, and I will never let him go. This dear pirate – sorry, “swift merchant with a sexy boat” – was freaking hilarious and caring and sweet and badass and BRILLIANT and I’m highkey considering reading book #2 just for Beck. I loved everything about Beck, and honestly he deserves better than Arden, but I still ship him and Arden an INSANE amount. I just wish Arden would drop Prince Whats-His-Name like the trash he is! My boy is clearly the superior guy, and it got to the stage of love where I started highlighting literally every sentence that mentioned Beck.
“It smells like him: salt and orange peel and sarcasm.”
Yep, that’s Beck in one sentence. I’m so glad that Arden started going to Beck more often towards the end of the book and started realising how brilliant he is, and I loved that there were just little sentences woven into this story that gave me vibes hinting that Beck is end-game (fingers crossed!).
Anyhow, that’s all for now! This book was pretty much a retelling of The Selection which was disappointing, but Beck almost made up for it. All up, I did enjoy this, I just did lots of yelling out of irritation as well. Not too bad, just not that good either. Thank you to the author and publisher for providing the free copies, and to Favourite Pages Book Club for organising this tour!
Trigger Warnings: MAJOR RAPE TRIGGERS. DON’T SAY I DIDN’T WARN YOU. Also triggers for physical abuse, profanity and bullying.
3 irritated stars.
Hmph. This was….. pretty much a darker version of The Selection, and I didn’t really love it. Maybe it’s because I’m kind of tired of love triangles? Maybe it’s because I feel an urge to cry every time I read about an MC who’s so incredibly special that somehow every guy within a 5 mile radius is attracted to her? Or maybe it’s just because the one and only thing keeping me going as I read this was Beck (my angel and the love of my life – the sole reason this book isn’t 2 stars).
But for the Mountains has an amazing synopsis and cover, I’ll admit that. It was these things that drew me in, but the actual book had me a little disappointed. Firstly, this book began with a rape scene which was TOTALLY unexpected, but that wasn’t the problem. My problem was how dumb and naive the other women in our MC’s household were! I mean, this dude “dotes” on Arden and somehow she always ends up with torn dresses but no one suspects anything? And she literally picks splinters out of her palm IN FRONT OF SOMEONE ELSE and they don’t notice? You can’t tell me that EVERYONE in the household is this damn stupid. That was the first thing that irritated me.
The second thing I found annoying was the prince. Literally just the prince, period. His personality was irritating, the way he spoke to Arden was cringeworthy and he was so bad at dealing with issues! However, I get the feeling that he’s supposed to be like this, as it makes the other love interest – Beck *angels sing* – seem so much better (which he is hehe).
“‘Aw man, don’t tell me Prince Bilgehurler the Wonder-Dilp finally got to you.'”
Yeah, that was basically what I wanted to yell at Arden the entire book. Get your crap together, babe! Another thing I hated – probably the thing I hated most – was the girl hate. I thought authors were moving on from the trope where a bunch of girls pitted together – usually in a competition to get the guy – become enemies, and inevitably there are the bitches and the MC is just a sweet little nobody at the bottom of the heirarchy. God, haven’t we reached the stage where women don’t all want to date the guy! Sure, there was one lesbian in here, but she left pretty quickly and then it was just the (naturally smart and gorgeous even though she’s special enough that she doesn’t wear that much makeup) MC and the bitchy rich girls. Why can’t I find a book where the bitchy rich girls are actually, hmm I don’t know, good people who are sweet and are as much victims of this situation as Arden is? Ugh I’m so tired of the bitchy girl stereotype.
“‘I’m not jealous, Molly. I’m worried!”
“Oh yeah, that’s rich. Another girl competing for the same guy who doesn’t have nearly the connection with him that I do, and you’re worried about me? Bullshit.”
“I think you deserve better than that.”
“What, and you don’t?”
AMEN MOLLY. LOVE YOU GIRL, YOU PUT ARDEN IN HER DAMN PLACE FOR BEING SUCH AN EPIC BITCH TO YOU! YOU DO DESERVE BETTER! BETTER FRIENDS! Ugh god, I just wish Arden would shut up and stay away from that good-for-nothing prince!
However, that’s enough book hate here. Time for the good stuff, which leads me to best person of all! As I said before, Beck carried this entire book. He appeared in all his drunk and dirty glory and wormed his sarcastic ass into my heart, and I will never let him go. This dear pirate – sorry, “swift merchant with a sexy boat” – was freaking hilarious and caring and sweet and badass and BRILLIANT and I’m highkey considering reading book #2 just for Beck. I loved everything about Beck, and honestly he deserves better than Arden, but I still ship him and Arden an INSANE amount. I just wish Arden would drop Prince Whats-His-Name like the trash he is! My boy is clearly the superior guy, and it got to the stage of love where I started highlighting literally every sentence that mentioned Beck.
“It smells like him: salt and orange peel and sarcasm.”
Yep, that’s Beck in one sentence. I’m so glad that Arden started going to Beck more often towards the end of the book and started realising how brilliant he is, and I loved that there were just little sentences woven into this story that gave me vibes hinting that Beck is end-game (fingers crossed!).
Anyhow, that’s all for now! This book was pretty much a retelling of The Selection which was disappointing, but Beck almost made up for it. All up, I did enjoy this, I just did lots of yelling out of irritation as well. Not too bad, just not that good either. Thank you to the author and publisher for providing the free copies, and to Favourite Pages Book Club for organising this tour!
I LOVED this book!! Seriously, (and I know this has been done) but anyone needing a more grown-up, Selection fix should definitely pick this book up. I'm in love with the characters, and if you're looking for a book where the characters follow you even after you've put it down then this is the book for you. While it starts out with the same premise as the Selection, it does not stick to the same structure throughout the book. A great story of love and overcoming trauma.
Fans of 'Selection' may find this story somewhat similar, but I can't be the judge of that since I never got to read the series. I might after this, as it looks like I am inclined to like this particular trope. It is not everyday one can find such a strong heroine who fights back even with all the mental and physical abuse she has undergone. Books like these are a necessity.
Arden Thatcher doesn't have much to look forward to in her life. Her hopes of being selected to the Institute have been demolished long back, she has no way of escaping the clutches of her benefactor's son. Then the unthinkable happens opening an escape route to a better future. But is the life at the Institute is all that is promised? Is she just transferring her bronze chains to golden ones?
Well, the story had me hooked from the beginning. Lots of intrigues, mishaps and a love triangle -- quite a page turner from start to finish. Romantic part didn't interest me that much (nothing is confirmed yet, by the way) as Arden is a force to be reckoned with. I don't think she even needs a man. Her resilience and strong will to survive is hardly ordinary. I can't wait to know what new adventures destiny plans for you.
Arden Thatcher doesn't have much to look forward to in her life. Her hopes of being selected to the Institute have been demolished long back, she has no way of escaping the clutches of her benefactor's son. Then the unthinkable happens opening an escape route to a better future. But is the life at the Institute is all that is promised? Is she just transferring her bronze chains to golden ones?
Well, the story had me hooked from the beginning. Lots of intrigues, mishaps and a love triangle -- quite a page turner from start to finish. Romantic part didn't interest me that much (nothing is confirmed yet, by the way) as Arden is a force to be reckoned with. I don't think she even needs a man. Her resilience and strong will to survive is hardly ordinary. I can't wait to know what new adventures destiny plans for you.
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault
I love the way the writer does dialogue in this book, it makes it feel more fun. I felt like the author was trying to display their full vocabulary in this book, like they needed to upstage somebody. I did love their use of description for inanimate objects though, it felt like I could be placed in the story for the amount of description they put in. I didn't like that the map was placed at the end of the book, I find it easier if the map is at the beginning so it's easier to reference.
TRIGGER WARNING- THIS BOOK DEALS WITH SEXUAL ASSAULT
I thought this book was excellent despite what I thought was a rocky beginning with the sexual assault at the beginning I realized that there were so many layers and pieces to this book. It follows the heartbreaking story of Arden, who lives with a "wealthy" benefactor. The book follows her journey as she is miraculously selected to be 1 of the 18 females to attend a prestigious finishing school.
What she doesn't realize is that her fear of being used as she had been by the men around her benefactor's estate is just the tip to a much deeper societal problem.
This book was so hard to put down once I started reading, I was lucky enough to get an ARC and plan to add it to my permanent collection.
I thought this book was excellent despite what I thought was a rocky beginning with the sexual assault at the beginning I realized that there were so many layers and pieces to this book. It follows the heartbreaking story of Arden, who lives with a "wealthy" benefactor. The book follows her journey as she is miraculously selected to be 1 of the 18 females to attend a prestigious finishing school.
What she doesn't realize is that her fear of being used as she had been by the men around her benefactor's estate is just the tip to a much deeper societal problem.
This book was so hard to put down once I started reading, I was lucky enough to get an ARC and plan to add it to my permanent collection.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
I have received a digital copy from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion. Thank you!
4 stars - a dark but gripping tale of resilience
This is the (hopefully) first part of Arden's story - a girl who is born poor but given by her parents to a "benefactor": a rich man who takes in girls to sponsor and send them as candidates to the so-called "National Women’s Institute" every year. There they are to perfect their education and then to move into prestigious positions where they use their skill and knowledge to represent their country. At least this is the official story. When Arden hears she is one of the few chosen for the school she finally sees a way out of the grip of her benefactor's son CJ who is abusing his power over her in the worst way possible.
But in this school it seems that it is all about catching the prince. Or if not that, then at least another husband in a position of influence. Arden, who is not well prepared to be a candidate is very much an underdog- but anything would be better than to return to her old home, back to her abuser. All she wants is to be free to make her own decisions ...
Now, this was an absolutely gripping story I could barely put down, but it was darker than my usual fare. There is plenty of mention of abuse of different kinds, mostly rape, which is not easy to stomach. The descriptions were not graphic though, we are rather confronted with the aftermath of the emotional and physical scars abuse leaves and that still, it is possible to refuse to be the victim, to fight back - if one gets the means to do so.
Arden is a great heroine in that regard. Despite all that has happened to her she may be damaged but not broken. She does not put up with being treated poorly, she keeps fighting for what feels like it should not even be a privilge - the simple right to free decisions, particularly when it comes to your own body.
The book is at its strongest when it comes to analysing how power and privilege play out. How helpless those without power are to be moved around like pawns in a game of chess and how easy it is to use them for those who wield that power. It is also great in highlighting how blind privilege can make us to understanding the struggles of those who don't have it. The prince, Conrad, represents that perfectly - he is well meaning but in many ways a pampered boy and rather clueless. And in one case one of the girls in the school has to pay for his well-meaning cluelessness. He of course, doesn't.
Speaking of the prince: of course the story has to have some romance. And there's not only the fair prince, there is also his antithesis, a dark, handsome captain of a boat, no a SHIP, who comes from less privilege and who understands much more.
To be honest, I could really have done without the love triangle and the parts where Arden cannot seem to be able to decide who she actually likes. I felt that her behaviour in some of those scenes did not quite mesh with what we know about her, it seemed to just serve the trope. But maybe I'm just biased because I really didn't care for the fair prince whatsoever ...
Actually, I feel like the story would have been stronger without the romance altogether, if it had focussed more on Arden.
But really, that's my only gripe. At least I like one of the guys so I have someone to root for! In any case, I very much hope that the story will continue, it's one worth following.
4 stars - a dark but gripping tale of resilience
This is the (hopefully) first part of Arden's story - a girl who is born poor but given by her parents to a "benefactor": a rich man who takes in girls to sponsor and send them as candidates to the so-called "National Women’s Institute" every year. There they are to perfect their education and then to move into prestigious positions where they use their skill and knowledge to represent their country. At least this is the official story. When Arden hears she is one of the few chosen for the school she finally sees a way out of the grip of her benefactor's son CJ who is abusing his power over her in the worst way possible.
But in this school it seems that it is all about catching the prince. Or if not that, then at least another husband in a position of influence. Arden, who is not well prepared to be a candidate is very much an underdog- but anything would be better than to return to her old home, back to her abuser. All she wants is to be free to make her own decisions ...
Now, this was an absolutely gripping story I could barely put down, but it was darker than my usual fare. There is plenty of mention of abuse of different kinds, mostly rape, which is not easy to stomach. The descriptions were not graphic though, we are rather confronted with the aftermath of the emotional and physical scars abuse leaves and that still, it is possible to refuse to be the victim, to fight back - if one gets the means to do so.
Arden is a great heroine in that regard. Despite all that has happened to her she may be damaged but not broken. She does not put up with being treated poorly, she keeps fighting for what feels like it should not even be a privilge - the simple right to free decisions, particularly when it comes to your own body.
The book is at its strongest when it comes to analysing how power and privilege play out. How helpless those without power are to be moved around like pawns in a game of chess and how easy it is to use them for those who wield that power. It is also great in highlighting how blind privilege can make us to understanding the struggles of those who don't have it. The prince, Conrad, represents that perfectly - he is well meaning but in many ways a pampered boy and rather clueless. And in one case one of the girls in the school has to pay for his well-meaning cluelessness. He of course, doesn't.
Speaking of the prince: of course the story has to have some romance. And there's not only the fair prince, there is also his antithesis, a dark, handsome captain of a boat, no a SHIP, who comes from less privilege and who understands much more.
To be honest, I could really have done without the love triangle and the parts where Arden cannot seem to be able to decide who she actually likes. I felt that her behaviour in some of those scenes did not quite mesh with what we know about her, it seemed to just serve the trope. But maybe I'm just biased because I really didn't care for the fair prince whatsoever ...
Actually, I feel like the story would have been stronger without the romance altogether, if it had focussed more on Arden.
But really, that's my only gripe. At least I like one of the guys so I have someone to root for! In any case, I very much hope that the story will continue, it's one worth following.
Honest Review in exchange for an ARC copy of this book thanks to Netgalley! All opinions expressed are solely my own.
Erin Riha is certainly a writer of skill. I enjoyed this book once I was able to throw myself in, I found the opening slightly confusing and too vague to be of interest, but once I pursued, I enjoyed it a lot more. People compare this a lot to The Selection... I have to admit, The Selection is definitely one of my biggest guilty pleasures; as such I know it well enough to easily see the commonalities between the two books (and their eventual series). And I agree. This is very similar in concept, but I knew that going in, what I didn't know is how quickly it would attempt (fairly successfully at points) to turn this into a redemption of self-worth for our MC.
Arden. I love love love that name, and in a way it totally suits her. Arden, to my knowledge, comes from a meaning of "High" and sometimes "High Beauty", or "High Value". Which to me, is a compliment to our MC's virtue. Here we have an MC that is no damn damsel in distress, but a young woman who's had stuff chucked her way since she was a kid, and still stood strong, finding a way through and on, not just collapsing in a heap or onto a mans shoulders as they do for disney. She's not the most relateable MC, but I still enjoyed her as a character immensely. It's a shame side characters like Zerah weren't given more of a relationship with our MC as I would have found that deeply intriguing and interesting for their perspectives to grow. I love that the 'sidekick' or closest to that, was written in a strong woman who has a mask to the world but still has an obvious archilles heel. No more of those powderpuff girls who act like they've never had brains, here we see an array of DIFFERENT women, each with their own personalities. Now, I have to follow that up with the disappointment that for so many of those characters there was a bitter rivalry that felt secondary to the goings on of the book. Mainly because it would have been ever more so interesting for their to be some woman/woman power instead of just more of the misogynistic world we are so familiar with. Though that leads me to the positive point; that this writer addresses the misogyny at multiple times within our MC's narration, and gives Arden the "hell naw" energy we've been missing in the books of authors prior. My biggest disappointment? The Pirate man. He was a freaking asshole, and his crew weren't life changing just different. AND I am so, so so so so done with bloody love triangles. And it felt so over done and over played with the whole "oh it felt different with him" vibes and "oh but i dont know what that means"... just ENOUGH. Please. In regards to the sensitive matters dealt within of rape/assault and violence etc, I think they were covered and dealt with with grace. I find many authors struggle with this sensitive material and make it too fantastical, or horror story like and unrealistic, and I struggle to read the graphic depictions attempted by other writers. Here, it feels realistic and repulsive, and CJ... CJ is the man we all want to punch in the face, and the two personas shown within society are crafted well, cleverly, and believable. Overall, I enjoyed this book and found it an interesting read, but the forced love triangle (with a toxic member, a sensitive wanting to learn member who is basically an aside story, and a member recovering from something as drastic as Arden), lack of interesting connections between characters, and fairly standard and basic world building, leads me to a score of 2.5/5 stars. I'm not sure I'll read the sequel or continuing books unless I find myself bored.
Erin Riha is certainly a writer of skill. I enjoyed this book once I was able to throw myself in, I found the opening slightly confusing and too vague to be of interest, but once I pursued, I enjoyed it a lot more. People compare this a lot to The Selection... I have to admit, The Selection is definitely one of my biggest guilty pleasures; as such I know it well enough to easily see the commonalities between the two books (and their eventual series). And I agree. This is very similar in concept, but I knew that going in, what I didn't know is how quickly it would attempt (fairly successfully at points) to turn this into a redemption of self-worth for our MC.
Arden. I love love love that name, and in a way it totally suits her. Arden, to my knowledge, comes from a meaning of "High" and sometimes "High Beauty", or "High Value". Which to me, is a compliment to our MC's virtue. Here we have an MC that is no damn damsel in distress, but a young woman who's had stuff chucked her way since she was a kid, and still stood strong, finding a way through and on, not just collapsing in a heap or onto a mans shoulders as they do for disney. She's not the most relateable MC, but I still enjoyed her as a character immensely. It's a shame side characters like Zerah weren't given more of a relationship with our MC as I would have found that deeply intriguing and interesting for their perspectives to grow. I love that the 'sidekick' or closest to that, was written in a strong woman who has a mask to the world but still has an obvious archilles heel. No more of those powderpuff girls who act like they've never had brains, here we see an array of DIFFERENT women, each with their own personalities. Now, I have to follow that up with the disappointment that for so many of those characters there was a bitter rivalry that felt secondary to the goings on of the book. Mainly because it would have been ever more so interesting for their to be some woman/woman power instead of just more of the misogynistic world we are so familiar with. Though that leads me to the positive point; that this writer addresses the misogyny at multiple times within our MC's narration, and gives Arden the "hell naw" energy we've been missing in the books of authors prior. My biggest disappointment? The Pirate man. He was a freaking asshole, and his crew weren't life changing just different. AND I am so, so so so so done with bloody love triangles. And it felt so over done and over played with the whole "oh it felt different with him" vibes and "oh but i dont know what that means"... just ENOUGH. Please. In regards to the sensitive matters dealt within of rape/assault and violence etc, I think they were covered and dealt with with grace. I find many authors struggle with this sensitive material and make it too fantastical, or horror story like and unrealistic, and I struggle to read the graphic depictions attempted by other writers. Here, it feels realistic and repulsive, and CJ... CJ is the man we all want to punch in the face, and the two personas shown within society are crafted well, cleverly, and believable. Overall, I enjoyed this book and found it an interesting read, but the forced love triangle (with a toxic member, a sensitive wanting to learn member who is basically an aside story, and a member recovering from something as drastic as Arden), lack of interesting connections between characters, and fairly standard and basic world building, leads me to a score of 2.5/5 stars. I'm not sure I'll read the sequel or continuing books unless I find myself bored.