All My Holy Mountain

Binding of the Blade #5

by L.B. Graham

The tide has turned for Kirthanin. Sulmandir and the dragons have returned, and despite the power of their adversaries, hope for victory is growing. However, before the binding of the blade can be broken, a sacrifice will have to be made, and Benjiah knows it will be his to make . . .

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Christian Fiction, Christian, Young Adult, Christian Fantasy, Dragons

479 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 1, 2008

About the author

L. B. Graham (BA Literature, Wheaton College; MDiv, Covenant Seminary) is chairman of the Bible department and teacher of English and Worldviews at Westminster Christian Academy in St. Louis. He has written several articles in IVP’s Dictionary of Biblical Imagery. He and his wife, Joanne, have two children.

Reviews

[Noel Hume · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this series. Everything was amazing, and the only small critique I have is about the pacing....the two books in the middle seem to have gone really slow and I think there was a bit of wasted writing. But enough about the negatives........
The Binding of the Blade is one of my favorite series!!! And I was SO skeptical about it at first cause the covers were horrible only now I know the books are incredible.
I actually enjoyed how Graham sort of made it into an allegory, with Benjiah sacrificing himself and then coming back to life.
But my favorite part was all the PLOT TWISTS!!!! THEY WERE SHOCKING!!!!!
Synoki was actually Malek who was literally there all along, and Valzaan was literally Alazare, who was also there all along!!!! It was crazy!!!!!
I thought Synoki was a really cool villain though, and I felt for Rulalin....so glad he was redeemed and forgiven.
I loved how this author made the charries feel so real............I hope my books can be at least half this good.
The most important part is....this series is an AMAZING allegory. And the best part is that the end echoes what Heaven will be like.
Here, let me show you.......
"They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea." Isaiah 11:9
This series is one of the BEST allegories.

[Shantelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

All My Holy Mountain, the conclusion to the Binding of the Blade series. (By the way, I can't say I'm a fan of the cover. I'd prefer the man to be dressed more properly!) This book continues the final war. But things are moving quickly. Many surprising, exciting, and mind-boggling things happened in this book. There were so many moments when I was sitting there stunned, "That's who he really was...?" "They really did that...?!" The first half or so of All My Holy Mountain was fresh and exciting. It did slow down a little after that.

There was a lot of violence. Too much for my taste. I just don't like the graphic killing, and almost a carelessness about the preciousness of life. Maybe this wasn't the author's intention... but I just don't like that much gruesome and goriness!

**Spoiler Alert!!!** I would of given All My Holy Mountain a higher rating, but really, the conclusion just didn't satisfy me. As a Christian-allegory/fantasy book, I felt All My Holy Mountain was a little vague and a bit weird. Valzaan is really a Titan, and he is the one who ends up killing Malek. Doesn't Malek stand for Satan? Why then is the prophet the one who kills him?? I would think that's Allfather's place. Also, I was kind of confused when everyone started coming back to life... yet they weren't in "heaven". It seemed that earth was just made perfect and at peace, and everyone would continue to live as they had, with Allfather (God) still invisible and up in heaven. It just had me confused and unsatisfied... Although it was absolutely lovely to see all the fallen heroes coming back, alive and hearty!! Joraiem!!!! I would have liked more of a scene with him too. Most importantly, I wonder how Jesus fits into all this? We have Allfather who must represent God, and Malek, who seems to represents Satan, but no Savior. Benjiah lays down the blade and gets killed by Malek, and Valzaan casts Malek off the mountain. Why does it seem like mere mortals are doing all the work in this story? Obviously, these characters had a faith in Allfather, and that is what ultimately saved them. But I just wish it could have expounded more on God's all-important sacrifice through which all people may be saved!

It was a good series. Interesting, unique, and sweet. A bit too violent for my taste though. And I would have liked a stronger Christian-allegory, since its of that genre. A little more in line with Biblical things I guess. I don't really know what else to say. I was disappointed.
Intriguing, well-written series, but just didn't satisfy for me in the end, as a Christian allegory.

[Trishelle Lin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! That's all I can really say.
When I first started reading this book, I wasn't to happy. Things were not going as I had wanted them to go, but then again they weren't in any of the other books in this series either, and I love them!
I think this one was by far the best, although I would have loved to see a little more of Joraiem.
All in all, I loved this book!

[Magma · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can hardly wait for this book to be out!
I'm like 99.99...% sure we'll see you-know-who again!*squees*

[Carson Meyers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honestly, as much as I liked this series, it has disappointed me. I had heard very high review from different people, and when I actually read the books, they did not turn out to be as good as I hoped. I think the idea is very good, and the story line was usually well-thought out. But I did not like (1) all the romance was getting dumb. I'm tired of all these modern authors trying, and failing, to portray romance correctly. No guy wants a tough girl who fights as good or better than he does. That's just dumb. (2) I think there was too much written. I think these books could be written in four or even maybe three books (like Tolkien, whom Graham copies). (3) Although the ending was very good, and the blade was bound, I did not quite get a good sense of Heaven. Algeron still fights to hold on to his blade. It's still possible for man to fall in to sin again! The only thing that was apparently made new was the fact that there are now no more weapons. We might as well start back over with Noah again and replay the world history of the world until now. That was something like how I felt at the end of this book. I also do not think the author explained very well how and why almost every character, including sinners and animals, that died in the course of the books came back to life at the end. (4) Throughout the books, the author describes certain violent scenes where people are dying or killing. The heroes did not seem to care very much about killing, or seem very sorry when it was required for the plot. Because of all the good opinions of these books that I had heard, I was expecting something truly amazing, and these reasons are why I was disappointed. But, despite my negative comments, I really did like this series. I loved the fact that Benjiah had to sacrifice himself before the blade could be bound, I liked the twist that Valzaan turned out to be a titan and the prophet for the second age. I also liked the line where Benjiah mentions his sacrifice to Algeron, and then, and only then does Algeron lay down his weapons. I would recommend these books.

[Tim Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cried so so many times in this series. That’s enough for me to rate every book in this series 5 stars. Even though the writer probably isn’t as good as others. The story spoke deeply to me in a time when I needed hope. The main thing that’d make it better would be more at the end showing the redemption - I cried so much with the small beautiful moments that were given.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not gonna lie I don't remember much about this series except the first book so this review kinda goes for all the rest

If I remembered more I might've given them 5 stars but the stuff that DID stick was pretty epic and worldbuilding/magic? Prophet Power system was solid too so good series worth reading overall

[Amy Meyers · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great ending to the series. Strong allegorical motifs. It’s not perfect, but very good. Graham’s greatest weakness, I feel, is romance writing; but the biblical imagery is excellent, and his imaginative plot twists were delightful. 4.5 stars ( and I agree with the reviewer who says the cover is, erm, a bit immodest…)

[K.A. Shelton · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good ending to the series. Also, a very unexpected plot twist.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

See the first book in the series for a full review.

[Julianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

SO MUCH MAKES SENSE NOW.

[Sergio Alonso Méndez · Rating 5 out of 5]

El final no defraudó. El sacrificio anunciado fue bien conducido. Buena fantasía con toque bíblico. Un poco larga la serie, pero valió la pena.

[Seth Meyers · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review for the whole series. 7 of 10.
All the free peoples must bind together to destroy Malek and thus enter an age without weapons or demons.

The dialogue is modern and stretched. Miracles must save the heroes several times. The faith and endurance of the heroes is inspiring.

[C.E. · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable conclusion to the Binding of the Blade series, despite its weird cover. All my Holy Mountain is filled with action, heart, surprises, and a very allegorical, happy ending. :)

[C.O. Bonham · Rating 5 out of 5]

All My Holy Mountain by: L.B. Graham is the last book in the epic Binding of the blade series. This book was everything I hoped it would be. And just when I thought I had it all figured out, a twist of titanic proportions, just blew my mind.

I recommend this series to anyone looking for an engaging fantasy that will capture you on an emotional level.

A note on the cover, I couldn't figure out why it bothered me until I finished the book, now I can't stop seeing how inconsistent it is. It does not depict one of the Kalin Seir, (dispite the snow leopards) because he has metal weapon. I thought it might be Pedraan but the Weapon is both a Hammer and an Axe. What's more if this is meant to depict the time of peace in the final chapter of the book then he shouldn't have any weapon at all. Not sure what happened with this one. And why didn't Benjiah ever make the cover of a book?

[Sariah · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Binding of the Blade is THE best series i have ever read! As Amilia has said, L.B. Graham is a christian author, I usually don't go for religious books, but it is unlike any other. It captivates you (after you get passed the prologue in the first book)and you learn so much more about religion and it makes you excited about the second coming because it seems so real, even though it is in a totally different world.(and it seems like the second coming is getting closer because Obama was elected)But i seriously recomend it. Read it, and you wont regret it at all. :D

[Kiersten]

This was amazing! A very satisfactory ending to a really great series. And talk about unexpected revelations, throughout the whole book! All My Holy Mountain is definitely a page-turner. The only thing i disliked was the odd cover artwork, but the book itself is great! I definitely recommend the whole series. The characters are fantastic, the history is rich, and the themes of redemption and human corruption seem to tie Kirthanin into our own world, despite how obviously different they are. Beautifully crafted.

[Bekah · Rating 5 out of 5]

One word: epic. And that goes for the entire series. Sure, it dragged along a bit at times, and maybe the romantic relationships weren't all that developed, but hey- if you're looking for an epic fantasy series with unforgettable characters and a deeper allegorical meaning woven throughout, then you won't be disappointed.





Rated PG for violence.

[Steve Hemmeke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good.

This last in the series was substantially better than the middle books.
Not the greatest writing, yet, but the biblical analogies grew in depth and some great plot twists added excitement as well.

I'll take back my last assessment: you need not be desperate to give these to your kids!

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great ending to the series!

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good ending to the series. Predictable but solid none the less. I'm looking forward to Graham's next series.

[Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a wonderful ending for a great series!!!!

[Ginny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderfully, excellent book
Quite refreshing
A read again series

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The beautiful finale to a solid Christian fantasy. Too bad the author had no control over the (awful) cover.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good conclusion to the series. Some beautiful moments.

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awesome last book for a five book series. I would recommend it to anyone who loves to read!

[Mackenzie Lockhart · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not quite the finale to the series that I expected, but nonetheless, it was fine.

[Grace Grimm · Rating 5 out of 5]

3 words. BEST. SERIES. EVER!

[Reb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent!

[Cole · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read this series twice and couldn't wait to download. A series I can recommend to anyone who enjoys fantasy.