Book Review: Heritage Mountain by Karen Black
Heritage Mountain is a tale where the real world and the mystical world come together in a story that is actually quite thought-provoking if you consider the underlying theme. The blurb sets the scene.
When Marco Cason joins an expedition to explore the history of the Adirondack Mountains, he discovers his colleagues are guardians of the fae.
When these creatures' homes come under threat from illegal mining, the explorers and supernatural creatures must unite to protect Heritage Mountain.
Take the mystical creatures out of this story and it's about how wonderful places in the world are being destroyed by humanity's greed. It's only through the work of people like the characters in this book that these places are preserved.
This is a fantasy tale, however, and Black has crammed it full of all sorts of interesting creatures. Different kinds of elves, fairies and pixies, leprechauns and giant guardians. There's plenty to capture the imagination. Being a history buff, I found the archaeological and heritage discussions of particular interest.
The prose itself was very accessible for all ages, and the romance and threat are suitable for children.
Having said that, the lack of any danger is a problem. Everything is too easy. The characters have very few adversities to overcome, and when they do, a quick phone call, a bit of magic, or the fae sort it out for them without any difficulty. Some people may like the safe feel of the story, but for me, it all felt a little convenient.
A large proportion of the story is delivered through dialogue. I love a good conversation in a book, but it was often used to describe actions, deliver the plot, or fill space. If you like being fed information without having to work for it, then it may suit. However, if you prefer to devise the scene or plot through the characters' actions, you might find this detracts from your enjoyment.
The story itself is simple, the locations feel real enough, and the fantasy creatures are well described and have their own distinct personalities that I enjoyed.
In summary, Black has written an enchanting tale full of wonderful creatures, with an underlying theme that might resonate with some. For me, it was too nice. No escalating issues for the characters to face and no real character development. This is apparently the third in a series, although it reads well as a standalone. I'm sure lovers of the series will find a lot to enjoy in this adventure.
