The Mountain Story by Lori Lansens

This action/adventure novel hits a home run in this genre and is a must read for those wanting a fast paced, adventure novel!

Normally, these types of books aren't my thing but for whatever reason this book stuck with me and I could not put it down. I'm slightly annoyed I didn't pick this book up early, because it was a fantastic read, leaving me to believe I absolutely need more Lori Lansens in my life.

This book isn't just a survive out in the wilderness story - it has heart, a plot, and lots of backstory. There are definitely survival aspects, but it's not just survival/wilderness porn. It's a fantastic blend of action, adventure, suspense, mystery and a splash of romance (just a tiny splash). We follow our leads throughout the story revealing truths about themselves and developing their personalities and lives. It's not cookie cutter or the norm, which is why this book is such a great read.

Why is it not a five star you may ask? There were definitely some slow/boring parts for me. There were a few times I put the book down and thought I might not pick it up, but decided that I needed to. Once you get past those few boring chapters, the book keeps chugging along at it's fast pace.

This book has plot twists and turns that make it interesting - you think it's going one way and then it swings in another - all while maintaining a PG/PG13 rating that I believe any reader will enjoy - not just adults, perhaps young adults too?

The book isn't sensory in it's description, but it's well written that you can almost imagine yourself with the characters. I applaud Lori for writing this novel - it's a fantastic read that I'll definitely be recommending to fellow readers!

Overall, this fascinating novel is a truly spectacular ride! Four out of five stars!

I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads. ( )

The format of this story is a father writing to his son, Daniel. Daniel has long wanted to hear the details of what happened to his father, Wolf Truly on his 18th birthday, when he went hiking on his favourite mountain.
Wolf's intention had been to commit suicide, however when confronted by three women seeking his help, his life path heads on a different trajectory. The four become lost and spend five days struggling to survive in extreme conditions. Gradually their life stories are revealed, providing plenty of surprises to the reader. I found I had to keep reading into the night until the story had reached a satisfying conclusion. ( )

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I was expecting more quirkiness from the characters a la "the Girls" as that is what made that book so endearing. However, this story moved along in such an exciting fashion that I have to say it was just as good. It was especially interesting to me as I have been up this mountain but never knew even 1/10th of what I learned in this book. Place seems to be a recurring theme in Ms. Lansens books and it always stands out. The Girls was good, for me, because so many of the places were familiar and that is almost as true for this book. I read it at the cottage and kept gasping at the suspenseful bits. I told my family at the cottage that for sure the "1 dead" advertised in the title wasn't going to be the obvious person. Boy, it sure wasn't. ( )

Enjoyed it. I thought it started slowly, and the main characters were more annoying than likeable for a good part of the book, but eventually the plot picked up and the characters became more human. The ending was excellent. ( )

Very compelling read about a tragedy that takes place in the mountains of Santa Sophia, CA, near Palm Springs. Wolf (Wilifred) Truly lived it and is now sharing it through a letter to his son 18 years later, now that Daniel is on the cusp of college and leaving home. While the story centers on the time Wolf and the Devine family of 3 generations of women were lost on the mountain for days, it also includes much of Wolf's backstory of a hard childhood and horrible father. Wolf's mother Glory died when he was young and Frankie, his drinking, drugging, womanizing, out-of-legit-work father raises him and moves him from MI to CA to be with Frankie's sister, who is white-trash personified and no closer to a parental figure than Frankie. On the upside, Wolf quickly acquires a new best friend Byrd whose Native American family has lots of ties in the area and who teaches Wolf a lot about hiking and the mountain. They have a few good years together but teen choices and tragedy intervenes when Byrd has an accident on the mountain (brought on by both of them trying to impress girls) and Frankie goes to jail for a DUI crash that killed a couple. Wolf is bereft and has no ties left and is ready to end his life at Angel Pass on the mountain when he gets mixed up in the Devine family drama and they all get lost together. The 4 days and nights he spends with Nola (there to spread her husband's ashes) Bridget, her daughter, a high-maintenance troubled middle-aged woman, and Vonn, her granddaughter who is a little lost even off the mountain, allow them all to become very close, break down personal walls, and find sources of healing. There is a lot of spirituality - Wolf senses his mother and Byrd helping him from another realm - and ultimately this saves his life. Another life is lost though and the spectacular way this all unfolds is really indicative of good writing craft. Great characters, nature description, grit and survival, and a fantastic twist in the plot. ( )