"Wow, this book was fantastic. I thought I was throwing myself into an epic fantasy, but it gave me a twist I was not expecting, but it did so in the best way.

Now I know a lot of people hate the good old phrase "she released a breath she didn't know she was holding", but I'll be damned, if this book didn't make me do that in the flesh! I found so many scenes in this book truly suspenseful and edge of your seat.... one scene even had my hands getting clammy!

This does found tribe, friendship and love in such a magnificent way too. The relationships throughout this story are uplifting and beautiful, but also make you want to reach through the page and tear some characters apart.

If you love epic adventure fantasy that twists into something more, then you best be adding this one to your TBR, stat!"

"The Review

Immediately what stands out to the reader is how immense and powerful this world the author has created seems to be. The detail and depth the author goes into really highlights the world building the author managed to capture, making the long narrative that was developed feel both necessary and inviting. The detail also helps elevate the setting and the imagery in the author’s writing really brings the visuals of the action and the characters to life on the page.

Aside from the world building, the character growth and dynamics was astonishing, delving into themes of friendship and found family as the story develops and revelations about the world around them come to life. The protagonist is complex, giving readers not a straight and narrow hero who becomes one-dimensional, but instead a multi-dimensional hero whose mistakes and faults blend with his tendencies to do what’s right and defy the laws that hinder the rights of his people. The connection between him and Robin was especially interesting, showcasing the ability to bridge the gap between two worlds as they come from very different places.

The Verdict

Thought-provoking, entertaining, and compelling, author Drew Harrison’s “The Men of the Mountain” is a powerful blend of epic fantasy and sci-fi greatness, and is a must-read novel of 2026. The twists and turns as the truth behind the origins of the Men of the Mountain and the origins of the Renn come to life, and the dark and gritty tone the book takes on as the world grows and the characters are forced to come together under extreme circumstances make the story a powerful entry and start to a brand new dark fantasy/sci-fi series and a memorable narrative."

"I have read and watched a veritable plethora of post-apocalyptic or dystopian society stories, going way back to the original "Planet of the Apes," and I can confidently say that "The Men of the Mountain" can proudly stand amongst the top-tier of these tales.

Other than simply telling a gripping adventure event, the author deftly examines how institutions exert control over a population, often in the name of "progress," but does so in a way that is not beating one about the ears with this message. By having a troubled villager rescue a survivor from a wrecked spacecraft and shelter the occupant from the disciples of the dominant mystical religious system, Drew Harrison sets the table for a classic foray into the power of the soul versus the power of science.

I absolutely enjoyed how the plot developed, and was even more engaged by the evolution of the complex characters with which Harrison chose to carry this story forward; they stood out as real individuals, not just as the easy to access tropes that are frequently the stock of novels of this type.

I enjoyed the free advance copy, and wish Drew amazing success for this and future works. I look forward to reading more."