ARC Review: The High Mountain Court by A.K. Mulford

About the Book:

Title: The High Mountain Court

Author: A.K. Mulford

Series: The Five Crowns of Okrith #1

Publication Date: Aug. 10, 2021

Synopsis: Gripping and action-packed, The High Mountain Court is an adrenaline-filled, high fantasy with fae courts, powerful witches, and a diverse cast of characters, perfect for fans of Jennifer L. Armentrout and Holly Black.

Thirteen years fleeing witch hunters and the looming threat of death. Nineteen-year-old Remy knows she is possibly the last red witch alive, and she is determined to stay that way. The Northern Court King has slaughtered her home court and placed a bounty on red witch heads.

When four fae warriors enter her tavern refuge, Remy tries to flee, but her magic isn’t strong enough to stop a fae prince on a mission. The handsome Prince Hale of the Eastern Kingdom wants to stop a war with the Northern Court before his kingdom befalls the same fate as Remy’s. He needs a red witch and Remy may be the only person alive who can help him. Can she really trust Prince Hale? Can her fallen court be resurrected from the evil clutches of the Northern Court King? For the chance to save herself, her people, and help defeat the Northern King, Remy must put her faith in Hale and his companions on a dangerous quest to find lost relics.

The High Mountain Court is the first book in the thrilling fantasy saga, The Five Crowns of Okrith. Expect danger, intrigue, and thrilling passion as Remy journeys to save the kingdom she holds most dear.

LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon

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My Review:

The High Mountain Court is the first book in The Five Crowns of Okrith series, and it is fantastic! The story has so many elements that I enjoy in a high fantasy – fae, witches, fated mates, magic, epic quests, found families, monstrous villains, strong messages, and a fast-paced plot. The story follows Remy, a red witch in hiding who goes on an epic quest with a fae prince to help defeat the evil King of the Northern Court.

The world-building is vivid and immersive, and it quickly pulled me into an immense fantastical world. Since the characters travel throughout the story, there are a variety of settings, each one as vividly and carefully created as the one before. The world is intricately created and easy to visualize., and the author has a knack of pulling you into the story without overwhelming you with too much information at once. I was so intrigued by this world of witches and fae and all of the struggles and obstacles that they face. This is a world in turmoil, where red witches are persecuted, and Fae hold all of the power. Witches and humans are not considered equal to fae, and the author explores the prejudices and inequities that they face because of it. Remy, for example, lives much of her life on the run because she is a red witch.

No one decides how bright you shine but you.

Remy is a great protagonist, and I love her growth throughout the story. She changes so much and learns a lot about herself, her past, and what she wants for her future. Her strength, patience, determination, and more are challenged over and over again, and Remy never gives up. Hale is equally compelling, and I’m pretty sure he is my new book boyfriend! He made me swoon so many times in this story! He and Remy both put up walls and pretend to be something they’re not as a form of protection. His public persona sharply contrasts who he really is, as Remy learns throughout their journey together. Remy and Hale realize that they complement each other in many ways, and I love how their relationship grows over the course of the story.

The love story, of course, is one of my favorite aspects of the novel. I love a good romance, and this one is beyond fabulous. Remy and Hale have amazing chemistry from their very first meeting, and I enjoyed their growth as individuals and as a couple. They are so strong apart, but even stronger together, and their banter is fantastic. Their every encounter is filled with chemistry, equally sweet and steamy, and I so rooted for them to admit their feelings for each other. Of course, with so many obstacles standing in their way, their road to happiness is complex.

I also love the found family aspect in the story, and this continues to be one of my favorite tropes. Several characters in the story have toxic, dysfunctional, or no family, yet they find a bond with each other. Remy and Hale both find that family isn’t always a blood relation. There are some wonderful messages about love, family, the bonds of friendship, and more.

The things that bring us the most joy are the things hardest won.

The quest is intense, and there is a lot of suspense, intrigue, and action-packed moments. With political unrest, war looming, and power plays in abundance, the stakes are high for Remy, Hale, and their friends. On top of that, Remy and Hale’s quest is difficult and dangerous, and their lives are at constant risk. This makes for a super exciting read with quite a few twists and turns that I didn’t expect.

A wonderful fantasy-romance with dynamic characters, tons of action, an epic quest, and a swoon-tastic love story, The High Mountain Court is a fantastic read! I devoured it in one day and enjoyed every minute of it. I’m so thankful to AK Mulford for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review, and I can’t wait to read the next book in this great series!