Today I caught my first whiff of someone not especially pleased with All My Holy Mountain. To date, all the feedback by email, website comment, personal conversation, etc., had been glowing, but the first neutral/negative reaction was bound to come at some point, and today was the day.
Of course, I went right to Amazon to see if they’d posted their displeasure there. Why? Because as of my last glance at Amazon over the weekend, there were no reviews. Since I tend slightly (perhaps an understatement) toward the pessimistic side, I was sure that despite the many complimentary reactions I’d received, this negative one would be the first (and no doubt the only) review at Amazon.
Happily, I was wrong. Someone had indeed reviewed the book since I last checked, but it was a glowing, 5 star review. For that I am grateful, as indeed I am always grateful when I see feedback from a fan. I’m grateful for negative feedback when it is helpful, but of course, that is always harder to hear, isn’t it?
At least now the book has a “rating,” but how long the pure 5-star gold shines beside the book, who can say?
I don’t think I could be disapointed with the book. I haven’t gotten it yet but I am sure it will be great (this is me being entirely optimistic which is surprising). I liked the other four books alot and doubt there will be anything wrong with this one.
I am currently reading it and enjoying it so far. I expect to be well pleased and give it a 5 star rating at Amazon when I’m done. I am sorry, L. B., that I will have to wait until I finish. I’m trying but life is busy right now! All indication are very good though!
Glad you are enjoying it – and you shouldn’t even think of giving it a 5 star review until you are finished. I like a 5 star review as much as the next person, but I need to “earn” them. So finish when you can and then review – and come back here to tell me what you thought of the series and it’s finale, AMHM. Enjoy!
Just finished the book a few days ago. I don’t want to spoil the story for anyone here, so hopefully you’ll know what parts I’m talking about if I go vague.
I liked how you recapped what was going on in the first couple pages from Wylla’s point of view. It’s always good to see another side of it, and it’s certainly nice if it’s been a while since you read Book 4.
Rulalin’s fate I didn’t expect to get resolved so quickly in the story. It was nice to see he was still around for another chapter or so after the sample chapter you put up.
The fulfilment of the four great peoples was well done, I was wondering how that would be able to work if they were indeed the 4th group. I wasn’t sure just how you’d be able to write it that’d make sense storywise, and the way you laid it out certainly worked. Even if I think it’s a little odd that they’d just have all of them sent out after them just to stall for time, that still was probably one of the better ways to go about getting it done for the sake of the story.
Valzaan’s last twist to the story certainly made me read the page again, just to make sure I didn’t accidently skip a page somewhere. I did assume he had a relation to the previous prophet of the second age, even if he wasn’t exactly the same person. But as to the final aspect of his backstory certainly was a nice twist. Can’t believe I didn’t think of that at all, especially considering all the debate on where Malak was, it should’ve come up in my mind to put the same argument up here as well.
Aljeron’s trouble with laying it down for good kind of made me wonder. I personally took it as him wanting it because of Koshti at first, before they went into more detail about why he was hesitant.
And all I will say about Benjiah is, I guess he isn’t going to continue the family tradition of marrying in the summerland, huh? Then again, I guess it could still happen… they never specifically got to that detail in the book. I guess that’s one for post story imagination of the reader.
All in all, I certainly liked it, and hope to see more works from you in the future. It’s a shame that there isn’t going to be more with this story, but there probably isn’t really much more you can do with it at this point.
After reading this post I wanted to let you know that I give it a Five star rating.
Any book that keeps me on the edge of my seat, causing me to read it in ONE day, deserves a Five star rating.
Well done, I can’t wait for the next series your going to do. *Applauds*
BB
I got the book yesterday and I’ve finished it. IT. WAS. AWSOME. Okay I’m done exclaiming now. Great work L.B.
Thanks for the feedback and compliments. It’s good to know the ending has satisfied so many fans of the series.
*slow reader returns*
Well, I’m about 3/4’s of the way through. I won’t give my full review yet, but I am enjoying it very much and look forward to finding out what happens.
Thanks goes to David for not revealing too much!
my library just got the book in today so I borrowed it today since it was on hold for me.
I look forward to reading the beginning of the end of the series. it looks AWESOME!
Hey LB
My mom (the one with the credit card! :p) finally got around to ordering AMHM for me. I am soooooooo excited! Thank you so much for writing these books for me. I always enjoy reading new books, but good books just aren’t being written anymore. Except for yours of course! So thank you. Ok…I’m done rambling now! 🙂 I am eagerly awaiting your next series. You truly have a storytelling gift from God. I’ll be praying for you and your family. God bless.
Thanks for praying – we can always use it.
Although Father of Dragons felt at times like a filler book, the last book in the quintet was absolutely magnificent. It fulfilled my expectations and more. Although I would have liked to have seen the return of a few more characters, the ending was beautiful.
I would be interested in learning what the negative reaction was. Of course there are a few things I dislike about your books, but those are primarily issues of style and taste. This was easily the best of the saga.
If I understand your comment about characters “returning,” I wouldn’t take what happens in the few pages at the end of the book to be exhaustive in accounting for Kirthanin post-restoration, but more representative of what happens. I thought this was one of those things to leave to readers’ imaginations rather than spelling out – books tend to get anti-climactic when authors spend too much time painting these “how it all ended up” pictures at the end of a series sometimes.
I had one question. While I enjoyed the book, I too would have liked to see more of the ending part, especially with a certain character that just so happens to be my favourite. Actually, make that two questions.
First of all, I just realised the meaning in Benjiah’s name. Ben being son of, and iah from Yahweh, meaning God. Was it your intention that his name in Hebrew mean literally son of God? Or was that just a coincidence?
My other question was, did Kelvan come back and if so, did he marry Bryar or did Saegan? Or is there going to be no marrying in the eternal Summerland, like it will be in heaven?
Whyyyyyyy???? Why does everyone get the book before me??? Oh well, I suppose I’ll wait my turn. I’m sure it will be just as good as you wrote it. (No one likes a realist.) I look forwards to reading it (obviously) and hope to get it soon. Thanks for writing these great books, L.B.!!!
Evan (The Lone Bagpiper)
“Ben” meaning son, “jiah” being an abbreviated variant of “Joraiem,” thus son of Joraiem.
As to “what happens now” with Bryar, Kelvan & Saegan, such questions are best left to the imaginations of individual readers, which I guess also addresses the “why wasn’t there more of the ending” issue.
i finished the book about 2 weeks ago and i really enjoyed it! you tell a wonderful story that kept me on the edge of my seat. i would say that your writing isn’t as good as J.R.R. Tolkien, but your storytelling does a good job of covering that. i give it 4 stars.
Not being as good as Tolkien is hardly criticism – I’ll take it!
I’m finally finished and posted a review on Amazon. Great book, Mr. L. B. Graham!
“I thought this was a great book, and a great conclusion to a great series. This one might be my favorite – but the 1st book was great, too. There is more to this series than just a fantasy adventure. There’s good character development as well. The characters grow and change when dramatic things happen to them. And the author isn’t afraid to let bad things happen to good characters, even your favorite characters. (I’m trying not to give a lot away here.)
Now, you do have to read the whole series. But I thought this was a wonderful end to the series. I enjoyed it. I suggest you buy this book – after you’ve bought and read the first four books! ”
Thanks for the kind words. I’m glad you enjoyed the series and “All My Holy Mountain.”
Here was my FIVE STAR review on Amazon…
“It took some time to arrive, but it was well worth the wait! This last book was very satisfying. Mr. Graham wrapped everything up in a way that did justice to the entire series. I seriously doubt anyone could be disappointed if they have read the other four books. These books are not only for young adults. They are certainly profitable to read as an older adult. To be honest, don’t let the covers fool you into thinking this series is just another fantasy series for kids. It is not. It has depth and it teaches lessons if one is willing to hear. Well done Mr. Graham. I look forward to any other future writing you might have published!!!!”
Thank you Mr. Graham!!!
You are welcome, & thanks for the review.
Well, I’ve been waiting to get to this point for longer than most, and it was well worth the wait.
Congratulations on a great book and an excellent series!
Yes, James, I’d say that’s a fair statement. You’ve waited longer than just about everybody but me. Who’d have thought when we sat at that table at Bread Co, 8 years ago, we’d actually see the fulfillment of that dream?
Outstanding, Mr. Graham! You are a master storyteller, I could not put the book down! AMHM ties with Beyond the Summerland as my favorite from the series. I have zero complaints… I thought the ending was perfect, just long enough. If you ever write about Kirthanin again, I’d love to read about the other ages, “Silmarillion” style. The prologues always left me wanting more. Thank you, and I will be looking forward to your next work, whatever and whenever it may be! God Bless you and your family!
Thanks for the kind word, and I’m glad you liked it!
O.K., finally got the book, and have started. Rave so far!! Great job!!!!
Evan
I order the book last week and it finally came in yesterday. (which just so happened to my birthday. Great present by the way.) I had a little trouble finding the book because my local book store had it on back order. I practically finished reading the book in one day. I loved the ending. I thought it was fantastic. I had my doubts after reading the first chapter online. After reading the book it has become my favorite of the series. My favorite thing about the series is how you put bibical symbolism and archetypes. Another, is that you make the reader feel strong emotions where at point you don’t want to put the book down and other where you just want to throw the book across the room but you can’t because you want to see what happens next. You feel the character joy when their happy and sorrow when their sad (I cried by the way when that furry creatured died.) Over all I give the last book f stars. Can’t wait to see what you write next.
I finished the book, but haven’t commented about it until now.
All in all, I thought it was a good ending to a good series. I enjoyed it a lot, though I was slightly annoyed with the very end. I thought it didn’t last long enough. I would give it four out of five stars.
Evan
I’ll try to get the “ending wasn’t long enough” people and the “there was too much stuff after the last battle” people together, and maybe they’ll balance each other out…
Or maybe those are the sort of people who should be kept away from each other at all costs. Like vinegar and baking soda, or those two other chemicals that form deadly fumes when they touch. No one will tell me what those are.
Evan
There may be a reason for people not telling you what chemicals make toxic fumes, Evan.
I really don’t know which side I’m on. Part of me thinks the ending was long enough but the other part (which might be slightly larger) wants much more detail about what happened.
I love the ending and even to the point of where every time I read it, I burst out smiling from ear to ear. Mr. Graham, I liked it how you left some things sort of unfinished for the reader’s brain to imagine.
I waited an agonizing two weeks before I got AMHL into my hands, and I finished it within 24 hours. I have absolutely no idea why anyone could think something is wrong with your series because they are the best I have ever read. EVER. That’s better than the Cronicles of Narnia, the Renegrade Spirits, and quite a few others. I NEED MORE!
Thanks a lot for posting the first chapters online- it really helped while I was waiting.
One of the best parts of your style is that you don’t make the ending completely obvious. Yes, you hinted in BTS, and we could expect Benjiah’s sacrifice in AMHL, but how it actually happened was beyond my wildest dreams. The 4th race, Valzaan also being you-know-who, the character at the very,very end, and everyone who died coming back to life was AMAZING!!!!!
I’m not the type who easily cries, but I did when Pedraal died. Then at the end… I think you get the point.
Please, please write the extra short stories! I really hope it works out.
Once again, thank you for writing a wonderful, Christian series!