Review: The Inn at the Foot of Mount Vengeance by Chiara Bullen

The Inn at the Foot of Mount Vengeance
by Chiara Bullen

My Rating: 4 stars

Genre: Cozy Fantasy
Age Category: Adult
Type of romance: m/f

Blurb:
BEHIND EVERY HERO, THERE’S A HISTORIAN

An ambitious young scholar is sent to research the mysteries of an adventurer’s inn – only to uncover a centuries-old secret in this heart-warming and poignant fantasy.

Mount Vengeance is legendary, a monumental climb with a dragon at its peak.
For most, it’s an adventure, or a quest to prove themselves worthy of fame and glory.
For Ainsworth, it’s perfect thesis material.

Ainsworth Gladsly, ambitious young scholar, research fellow and up-and-coming historian is finally ready to make his mark on the world. When his supervisor learns of a rustic inn at the foot of the legendary Mount Vengeance, she sends him to be the first to document the exploits of the bold adventurers who face the perils of the mountain – and the dragon said to inhabit it.

But the inn is far from the sophisticated city life he’s grown to love, and even as he grudgingly warms to its rustic charm – and its lovely innkeeper, Honey – the mystery of the mountain refuses to reveal itself. Worse, Ainsworth can’t find evidence that anyone has ever undertaken the climb – every adventurer comes to the inn, stays for a single night, and then returns home.

And with Ainsworth’s reputation as an academic on the line, it’s a mystery he can’t allow to remain unsolved – even if he has to push the adventurers up the mountain himself.

My Review

I received a free copy from the publisher through Netgalley and voluntarily reviewed it.

I really like the cozy fantasy genre, so when I saw this one on Netgalley I knew I had to read this one. When I was in the mood for a cozy fantasy book I started it. The Inn at the Foot of Mount Vengeance follows scholar Ainsworth Gladsly, who travels to the Misnich to document it’s history and the stories of the travelers who go to the mountain. He is used to the luxuries of the big city and struggles to adapt to the inn’s life and then his biggest challenge hits with how no adventures actually go on to brave the mountain and instead turn back. He needs those accounts for his research and the book he is writing and is determined to figure out what’s going on.

I have to say after the first few chapters I wasn’t sure whether I would enjoy this book, but decided to give it a few more chapters and I am glad I did s it got better and I ended up really enjoying this book. Ainsworth wasn’t very likable at the start, he is used to luxury and think highly of himself and looks down upon those who work at the inn. But slowly I grew to like him more, he sheds some of his pompous behavior and I liked seeing that he actually isn’t really like that, but it’s more of a facade and way of being he taught himself. Slowly the real Ainsworth comes out the longer he stays at the inn. And he slowly figured out more of what he wants from his life and what really matters to him. I really liked his character development and getting to know more about him as the story progressed. He turned into quite the interesting character and I liked who he became at the end.

This book has quite the cozy vibe with the focus on the inn and those who work there. It has some found family themes as well with the people who work at the inn being like family and being close to each other. I liked getting to know the side characters and seeing Ainsworth interact with them and grow closer. There is also a bit of romantic vibes as Ainsworth grows closer to the innkeeper Honey. I also liked the scholar-y vibes with Ainsworth’s research and the way he approached that. There is also some yummy food and cozy times at the inn and some adventuring vibes when Ainsworth climbs part of the mountain.

While mostly character driven I also liked the plot and the mystery of Ainsworth figuring out what is going on at the inn and why no adventurers actually go on with their plans to scale the mountain. I liked how this plot line got resolved and the reveal made a lot of sense, but I hadn’t actually predicted that twist. The world building and mythical creatures feel a tad different from most books in the genre and is inspired by Scottish folklore according to the subtitle.

To summarize: I enjoyed reading this book. At first I wasn’t sure if I would like Ainsworth as he was quite frankly annoying and rude at first, but slowly he changes and more of the real him shows and he became more likable. There’s also some great character development there with him figuring out what he wants and what really matters to him and figuring out his way forward in life. The book has plenty of cozy vibes with the inn setting and some nice descriptions of food and cozy evenings at the inn. The side characters are interesting as well and I liked getting to know them. I liked the mystery of what is going on at the inn and how no adventurers actually go up the mountain and the resolution to that plot line was well done and interesting. All in all I had a good time reading this book and I am glad I read it.

Links:
– Goodreads
– Bookbub
– Amazon
– B&N
– Kobo

You can also read my review on Goodreads and Bookbub.