Review: Not Your Mountain by AJ Alexanders
“As tempting as it was to have security in warm meals and soft beds to sleep in, the mere thought of returning in disgrace fueled his aspirations. He couldn’t do that—wouldn’t do that. No. He needed to do what he’d set out to do.”—Chap 4
Blurb:
He wanted to be an adventurer, but adventure could cost him his home.
Matty has spent his whole life working in the mines. It's just what a dwarf is supposed to do: sing to the stone, gather its wealth, learn its properties, and build incredible things.
After a chance visit from a dwarven adventurer, his entire life is turned upside down. Dwarves don't leave, guests don't visit. Matty wants to change all of that.
With his cunning, bravery, and will, Matty sets off with his left foot forward....and stumbles
Review:
Style
Now, I do have to admit right away that the first chapter of this book threw me a little. There was going back in time that, when first picking it up, did confuse me a bit, until I got into the rhythm of it. Once past that, we get into a very nicely paced story written in third person from the perspective of our main character - Matty.
We get a very clear view of his goals and wants right away, and I love so much how the author made it so easy to connect with Matty and better understand where he is coming from and where he is going. He takes on a very real-world problem with his adventure, having to decide between something new and interesting vs comfort and safety. And while this is explored quite a bit, it does not detract from the main plot and the little hints that start off quite early that something is afoot.
Throw in a dashing and charming side character that we feel like we have to hate at the beginning, (but we can’t, really, no way), and the set up for an epic adventure is just a step away!
Story
The story itself takes place in a magical world that is reminiscent of DnD. You have your dwarven main character, the humans he meets along the way, the monsters that come in all forms and sizes, and the magic that is common in the world but still special.
Once the tiny things that have been poking at you so far start coming together, you also end up learning even more. There are some hints throughout for a bigger issue that ended up not only being answered but done so beyond my expectations. And let’s not forget the colourful cast of amazing side characters, all with their own ambitions, goals, and purposes.
Also, if you’re like me and like your subtle and slow-burn romances, you will probably be putting on your rose-coloured glasses fairly early on. I know I did! And yes, there is romance in this book, but it is not a main plot point or even used as a plot device, which is a huge plus in a comforting adventure like this.
Character growth
I wanted to throw in a specific mention here for Matty and his growth throughout the story. First of all, Matty is sweet, adorable, relatable, and absolutely real. He is an amazing character that tugs at all the right strings for me.
A specific focus though: I absolutely loved his character growth. We have pretty much an entire lifeline starting with the child-like wonder to the rebellious teen years, moving onto the student who moved out of the house and becoming the despondent working adult, and then the all-too-familiar feeling of knowing you can do better, so you try. And it just continues to grow. It all feels so real and relatable.
A huge bonus for me was how the reader starts looking at Matty differently as the story progresses through a very simple and extremely effective narrative change by the author. Genius!
“ “Have you thought of going home?” Erhart asked, startling him.
Matty’s heart thudded with an uncomfortable sense of longing. “No,” he said, his voice catching. He coughed. “Can’t say I have.” ”—Chap 3
