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A review by ktgaay
The Stars of Mount Quixx by S.M. Beiko
4.0
Thanks to NetGalley and ECW Press for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
To be so unique and yet somehow feel so incredibly nostalgic makes The Stars of Mount Quixx such an interesting read. It has everything I enjoyed about reading growing up, reminding me of all my old favorites that I haven't thought of in so long. Except better, because it's queer.
Mount Quixx, a character all on its own, serves as the mysterious and whimsical backdrop of this story which follows the Ivyweather sisters as they are sent away for the summer by their disengaged parents. Staying at a borderline abandoned boarding house run by a woman lovingly referred to as Batty Miss Bee, the girls quickly realize their vacation led them into a town unlike any other. The setting is so rich, with the ever-present fog covering the landscape, the strange stories of monsters on the mountain, and the townspeople and major landmarks all seemingly coming from a different time. Honestly, above all else, the setting is what makes this book worth reading.
The plot itself is fun, and the characters are all quirky and eccentric. The romance is a subplot so there isn't very much to it, but it's simple and sweet and fitting for the two characters. The mysterious past of the town was compelling, and it was fun to put together the pieces slowly as I read.
Given that this book is at the younger end of the young adult genre, I did have trouble identifying with the characters. I would go so far as to say that this story is appropriate for middle school kids. This is no criticism, but it felt much younger than what I usually read so there were aspects of the story that fell short for me. Overall though, for the genre and age range for which it was written, it did a beautiful job of enchanting me with its cozy setting and eccentric characters.
To be so unique and yet somehow feel so incredibly nostalgic makes The Stars of Mount Quixx such an interesting read. It has everything I enjoyed about reading growing up, reminding me of all my old favorites that I haven't thought of in so long. Except better, because it's queer.
Mount Quixx, a character all on its own, serves as the mysterious and whimsical backdrop of this story which follows the Ivyweather sisters as they are sent away for the summer by their disengaged parents. Staying at a borderline abandoned boarding house run by a woman lovingly referred to as Batty Miss Bee, the girls quickly realize their vacation led them into a town unlike any other. The setting is so rich, with the ever-present fog covering the landscape, the strange stories of monsters on the mountain, and the townspeople and major landmarks all seemingly coming from a different time. Honestly, above all else, the setting is what makes this book worth reading.
The plot itself is fun, and the characters are all quirky and eccentric. The romance is a subplot so there isn't very much to it, but it's simple and sweet and fitting for the two characters. The mysterious past of the town was compelling, and it was fun to put together the pieces slowly as I read.
Given that this book is at the younger end of the young adult genre, I did have trouble identifying with the characters. I would go so far as to say that this story is appropriate for middle school kids. This is no criticism, but it felt much younger than what I usually read so there were aspects of the story that fell short for me. Overall though, for the genre and age range for which it was written, it did a beautiful job of enchanting me with its cozy setting and eccentric characters.