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Landfill Mountains
In a world ravaged by the effects of climate change sixteen-year-old, Joe has been left with nothing but mountains full of junk.
When Joe and his friends are caught in an avalanche of waste, a six-year-old girl named Lily is left deathly ill. Joe travels to the city to seek out help for her.
Nothing could prepare him for what he finds on the way: a dangerous prince wearing a suit made of stars, the wolf from Red Riding Hood bearing its teeth, and the reality-changing power of storytelling aloud.
When Joe and his friends are caught in an avalanche of waste, a six-year-old girl named Lily is left deathly ill. Joe travels to the city to seek out help for her.
Nothing could prepare him for what he finds on the way: a dangerous prince wearing a suit made of stars, the wolf from Red Riding Hood bearing its teeth, and the reality-changing power of storytelling aloud.
352 pages, Paperback
Published September 14, 2021
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October 10, 2021
Despite his lover’s protests, the prince begins to chop away at the first of many trees. He will clear this forest, and build a city upon the land: the greatest city the world has ever seen.
I was so excited to win this book! The cover instantly caught my eye and I really liked the theme of the giveaway. And talk about one amazing opener. Wow.
From the start, this book is absolutely engrossing. The prologue was so good I reread it twice. It hit me. It’s hard to describe. The writing is just so poignant. This book is as much a warning about the ravages of climate change as it is a story about love and connection and survival. In my mind, I kept going back to Mortal Engines, although this book isn’t steampunk the way Mortal Engines is. But I think the ruined, post-apocalyptic future where everything’s barren and horrible just reminds me of the Mortal Engines universe. But Landfill Mountains is a decidedly different tale, one that is cli-fi and post-apocalyptic, and as brilliantly well realised as it is brutal.
Oftentimes, I have a hard time sinking into futuristic settings and it takes me a few chapters to be able to imagine the landscape and the characters. But with Landfill Mountains, it was instant. I sank right into the horrifying wreck of a world the characters have inherited and it broke me from the start. I read the first fifty pages without pausing, which is again rare for me.
‘Back in the old days, when the air was not so hot […] when people lived in the city and talked on phones, watched television and worked in buildings that scraped the sky, there was a man who had a son. His son was not like the other children. He’d never once felt his breath tremble or his heart pound, he’d never been afraid, and he asked his father to teach him what fear was…’
There’s Joe, the MC, who lives with his dad David and his grandfather, the storyteller. Everyone who lives in the mountains has a nickname. Children are rare, everyone is starving, and each day is spent rooting through the rubbish heaps of generations-past that is all they have to live off of. Everything is mouldy, rotted, stale. Sometimes drifters pass through with cars powered by the final dregs of a battery’s charge. Joe’s world extends to his family, his girlfriend Sonya, and those of his community in the landfill.
Without spoiling, this is a simply superb debut from a new author that blends many genres together in a way that is both original and classic. I can’t wait to see what Ferguson writes next!
Thank you to the author for the ARC.
☆ Blog | Twitter ☆
I was so excited to win this book! The cover instantly caught my eye and I really liked the theme of the giveaway. And talk about one amazing opener. Wow.
From the start, this book is absolutely engrossing. The prologue was so good I reread it twice. It hit me. It’s hard to describe. The writing is just so poignant. This book is as much a warning about the ravages of climate change as it is a story about love and connection and survival. In my mind, I kept going back to Mortal Engines, although this book isn’t steampunk the way Mortal Engines is. But I think the ruined, post-apocalyptic future where everything’s barren and horrible just reminds me of the Mortal Engines universe. But Landfill Mountains is a decidedly different tale, one that is cli-fi and post-apocalyptic, and as brilliantly well realised as it is brutal.
Oftentimes, I have a hard time sinking into futuristic settings and it takes me a few chapters to be able to imagine the landscape and the characters. But with Landfill Mountains, it was instant. I sank right into the horrifying wreck of a world the characters have inherited and it broke me from the start. I read the first fifty pages without pausing, which is again rare for me.
‘Back in the old days, when the air was not so hot […] when people lived in the city and talked on phones, watched television and worked in buildings that scraped the sky, there was a man who had a son. His son was not like the other children. He’d never once felt his breath tremble or his heart pound, he’d never been afraid, and he asked his father to teach him what fear was…’
There’s Joe, the MC, who lives with his dad David and his grandfather, the storyteller. Everyone who lives in the mountains has a nickname. Children are rare, everyone is starving, and each day is spent rooting through the rubbish heaps of generations-past that is all they have to live off of. Everything is mouldy, rotted, stale. Sometimes drifters pass through with cars powered by the final dregs of a battery’s charge. Joe’s world extends to his family, his girlfriend Sonya, and those of his community in the landfill.
Without spoiling, this is a simply superb debut from a new author that blends many genres together in a way that is both original and classic. I can’t wait to see what Ferguson writes next!
Thank you to the author for the ARC.
☆ Blog | Twitter ☆
January 5, 2023
Format: audiobook ~ Narrator: Christopher Ragland
Content: 3 stars ~ Narration: 4 stars
Complete audiobook review
Sixteen-year-old Joe lives in a town next to a mountain of waste left from the previous world. After climate change effects took place, there was no going back and no life for people like they knew before. Joe lives with his father, David, and his grandfather, Joe. All residents, including children, collect objects from the garbage mountain and trade them to drifters for food.
Part dystopian (overconsumption and climate change effects) and part a fantasy tale.
Thanks to Saga Egmont Audio for the ALC and this opportunity! This is a voluntary review and all opinions are my own.
Content: 3 stars ~ Narration: 4 stars
Complete audiobook review
Sixteen-year-old Joe lives in a town next to a mountain of waste left from the previous world. After climate change effects took place, there was no going back and no life for people like they knew before. Joe lives with his father, David, and his grandfather, Joe. All residents, including children, collect objects from the garbage mountain and trade them to drifters for food.
Part dystopian (overconsumption and climate change effects) and part a fantasy tale.
Thanks to Saga Egmont Audio for the ALC and this opportunity! This is a voluntary review and all opinions are my own.
September 14, 2021
Landfill Mountains is at once a sprawling dystopian novel, a fantasy in both genre and the storytelling, and a cautionary tale of global warming and human selfishness. I haven’t read climate fiction before this, but I will certainly be on the look out from now on. Rab Ferguson submerses the reader in a post-apocalyptic version of society, where people from generations past carelessly disregarded warnings of climate change, pollutants, and waste. And now…well, now the younger generation is dealing with those repercussions.
That brings us to our main character, Joe. Sixteen years old and angry at his parents for leaving him with a world that is meant to swallow him up and provide nothing but constant labor and stress. I really enjoyed Joe’s character, and while I grew frustrated with some of his decisions and thought processes, it fit perfectly with the age and lifestyle. We rarely read teenaged characters that are just that: teenaged characters. I appreciated the realism in how Joe approached the world, his family, and the other characters.
Aside from living in a world filled with trash and a lack of natural resources – we’re talking excessive sun exposure, drought, infertile land – there exists the common thread of the persistence of humanity. Landfill Mountains is a story of survival and resistance in the face of doom and blight. It is about how people not only handle their present, but how they reconcile the past and learn from it to move into the future.
My favorite thing about this amazing story was Joe’s grandfather – the storyteller. Within this dystopian fiction is a thread of fantasy and magic. Joe’s grandfather shares very classic fairytale retellings, ever-changing based on the situation and who is listening. Each one is at its core (as all fairytales are) a lesson, whether in morals or actions. These fantastical stories connect fantasy and reality and offer a really unique genre-blending twist to Ferguson’s own storytelling.
My second favorite aspect about this book was the Witch. I won’t dive into it so as to not spoil the story, but I have always loved the idea of having strange, reclusive people being spun into someone fantastical or terrifying. The old woman who lives in the ratty house could be a poor widow or an evil sorceress. Landfill Mountains keeps those lines just thin enough to keep you constantly wondering how much is a fairytale and how much is reality.
Overall, this was a very enjoyable book. It was a slow-burn, but worth it once it started to build. The plot itself is complex but doesn’t necessarily need to be delved into to follow. Because of the interwoven genre-blending and stories, it can be difficult to follow if you don’t end on a good stopping point…but then again, the chapters are just long enough to provide easy places to pause and resume.
Landfill Mountains reminded me a lot of the movie Big Fish, where the father has told his son grandiose tales of his adventures only for the son to find that they weren’t made up as he suspected but exaggerated to make the story spectacular. Ferguson uses this same tactic with the grandfather’s stories and Joe’s experiences out in the world. I think it is absolutely perfect and such a unique way of telling a story.
For those who enjoy realistic fiction with doses of fantasy and whimsy, this book is for you. There are so many aspects to it, that it is possible to name a million genres and themes and still not catch them all. Well worth the read. With unique storytelling and powerful messaging, Landfill Mountains is a must read for those who like original dystopian settings, fantastical elements, and unique storytelling.
That brings us to our main character, Joe. Sixteen years old and angry at his parents for leaving him with a world that is meant to swallow him up and provide nothing but constant labor and stress. I really enjoyed Joe’s character, and while I grew frustrated with some of his decisions and thought processes, it fit perfectly with the age and lifestyle. We rarely read teenaged characters that are just that: teenaged characters. I appreciated the realism in how Joe approached the world, his family, and the other characters.
Aside from living in a world filled with trash and a lack of natural resources – we’re talking excessive sun exposure, drought, infertile land – there exists the common thread of the persistence of humanity. Landfill Mountains is a story of survival and resistance in the face of doom and blight. It is about how people not only handle their present, but how they reconcile the past and learn from it to move into the future.
My favorite thing about this amazing story was Joe’s grandfather – the storyteller. Within this dystopian fiction is a thread of fantasy and magic. Joe’s grandfather shares very classic fairytale retellings, ever-changing based on the situation and who is listening. Each one is at its core (as all fairytales are) a lesson, whether in morals or actions. These fantastical stories connect fantasy and reality and offer a really unique genre-blending twist to Ferguson’s own storytelling.
My second favorite aspect about this book was the Witch. I won’t dive into it so as to not spoil the story, but I have always loved the idea of having strange, reclusive people being spun into someone fantastical or terrifying. The old woman who lives in the ratty house could be a poor widow or an evil sorceress. Landfill Mountains keeps those lines just thin enough to keep you constantly wondering how much is a fairytale and how much is reality.
Overall, this was a very enjoyable book. It was a slow-burn, but worth it once it started to build. The plot itself is complex but doesn’t necessarily need to be delved into to follow. Because of the interwoven genre-blending and stories, it can be difficult to follow if you don’t end on a good stopping point…but then again, the chapters are just long enough to provide easy places to pause and resume.
Landfill Mountains reminded me a lot of the movie Big Fish, where the father has told his son grandiose tales of his adventures only for the son to find that they weren’t made up as he suspected but exaggerated to make the story spectacular. Ferguson uses this same tactic with the grandfather’s stories and Joe’s experiences out in the world. I think it is absolutely perfect and such a unique way of telling a story.
For those who enjoy realistic fiction with doses of fantasy and whimsy, this book is for you. There are so many aspects to it, that it is possible to name a million genres and themes and still not catch them all. Well worth the read. With unique storytelling and powerful messaging, Landfill Mountains is a must read for those who like original dystopian settings, fantastical elements, and unique storytelling.
August 23, 2021
I haven't read a lot of climate fiction, but it's definitely a genre that interests me. What I mainly appreciated about this book was its intriguing blend of genres, seemingly effortlessly combining a dystopian novel with fairytales. It seems like the genres would clash, but they worked together so well and it made the depressing yet very relevant topic of climate change feel a little lighter, while still packing a punch. The novel holds a lot of ideas on how stories and storytelling are fundamental parts of humanity, and that when there are humans, there will be stories, no matter how bleak their circumstances.
April 27, 2022
I did dnf this book and I just want to say, I think it was a me issue rather than the book itself.
I loved the concept of the post apocalyptic world we're shown here, and I really liked the individual characters. I warmed to Joe, but the pacing did not quite grab me.
I think I will come back in the future to reread, perhaps when I'm in the mood for something slower paced.
This is outside my genre, and that's why I absolutely feel it's not the right book for me, but it is definitely worth picking up and seeing for yourselves. 🖤
I loved the concept of the post apocalyptic world we're shown here, and I really liked the individual characters. I warmed to Joe, but the pacing did not quite grab me.
I think I will come back in the future to reread, perhaps when I'm in the mood for something slower paced.
This is outside my genre, and that's why I absolutely feel it's not the right book for me, but it is definitely worth picking up and seeing for yourselves. 🖤
September 18, 2021
I love when books include real life issues such as climate change as they can give us a insight into how the world may turn out if we don’t change. This book has a combination of climate change & fantasy that I really enjoyed but the best part for me was definitely the folktales told throughout that played a large role in the overall story. I enjoyed this cautionary tale I just wish there was more of the world that we were shown
September 8, 2021
**I was provided with a digital ARC through the publisher in exchange for an honest review**
CW: violence, death, death of a parent, animal death, mention of suicide, infertility, pregnancy, child labour
Landfill Mountains is book that beautifully blends a post-apocalyptic setting and society with wisps of magic.
Negligence and climate change have left the planet in a dire state and this story predominantly follows Joe, a sixteen year old boy who lives among a community of people getting by through trading useful or recyclable items they find each day from the mountains of rubbish humanity has left behind. Joe is annoyed at the state of their tedious and quite hazardous lives with only the folktales and stories of the past shared amongst the people to give an insight to better times. That is until a tragic incident on the mountains one day drives Joe to set out beyond his neighbourhood to find a solution.
Though pacing was a little slow for my taste Ferguson’s words paint such a bleak and credible picture of the future, particularly in how the story makes us consider the amount of waste we as a species put out and our reliance on technology for communication and accessibility. There is a feel of reading a classic dystopian novel about this story but one with its own original spin too.
I expected the narrative to follow a full on adventure/journey storyline going in and though that was there in part, this book is very much about people. Our interconnectedness to the world and to each other and how recollection and telling of stories are such an important part of life.
I was entranced by the folktales and stories within the story and though Joe wasn’t the most likeable of characters his development was enjoyable to read too.
Final Rating – 3/5 Stars
CW: violence, death, death of a parent, animal death, mention of suicide, infertility, pregnancy, child labour
Landfill Mountains is book that beautifully blends a post-apocalyptic setting and society with wisps of magic.
Negligence and climate change have left the planet in a dire state and this story predominantly follows Joe, a sixteen year old boy who lives among a community of people getting by through trading useful or recyclable items they find each day from the mountains of rubbish humanity has left behind. Joe is annoyed at the state of their tedious and quite hazardous lives with only the folktales and stories of the past shared amongst the people to give an insight to better times. That is until a tragic incident on the mountains one day drives Joe to set out beyond his neighbourhood to find a solution.
Though pacing was a little slow for my taste Ferguson’s words paint such a bleak and credible picture of the future, particularly in how the story makes us consider the amount of waste we as a species put out and our reliance on technology for communication and accessibility. There is a feel of reading a classic dystopian novel about this story but one with its own original spin too.
I expected the narrative to follow a full on adventure/journey storyline going in and though that was there in part, this book is very much about people. Our interconnectedness to the world and to each other and how recollection and telling of stories are such an important part of life.
I was entranced by the folktales and stories within the story and though Joe wasn’t the most likeable of characters his development was enjoyable to read too.
Final Rating – 3/5 Stars
January 5, 2022
This book took me a while to get into.
The concept itself felt very original, innovative and capturing; the idea of a post-apocalyptic type world where climate change had reached the point of no return really intrigued me. However, the plot itself (once I began to read) became quite complex. I felt as though Joe was a really difficult character to understand. In one instant I loved him and sympathised with him, understanding his anguish toward the older generation for ruining what could have been his life but in the next I was disappointed in him for how he handled the situation. I think it takes a lot to write a character that is hard to comprehend and to have mixed feelings toward so I applaud the author for that.
Overall, I thought the story was refreshing but once again, extremely complicated. I wasn’t sure what genre the book was supposed to be due to the fact that there were an insurmountable amount of different ideas that overpowered each other. There were two elements (that I won’t spoil) that I found very difficult to read about and thought they weren’t approached in the best way but apart from that, the book sat at a solid 3 stars.
Thank you Onwe for sending me this ARC, I really appreciate it :)
The concept itself felt very original, innovative and capturing; the idea of a post-apocalyptic type world where climate change had reached the point of no return really intrigued me. However, the plot itself (once I began to read) became quite complex. I felt as though Joe was a really difficult character to understand. In one instant I loved him and sympathised with him, understanding his anguish toward the older generation for ruining what could have been his life but in the next I was disappointed in him for how he handled the situation. I think it takes a lot to write a character that is hard to comprehend and to have mixed feelings toward so I applaud the author for that.
Overall, I thought the story was refreshing but once again, extremely complicated. I wasn’t sure what genre the book was supposed to be due to the fact that there were an insurmountable amount of different ideas that overpowered each other. There were two elements (that I won’t spoil) that I found very difficult to read about and thought they weren’t approached in the best way but apart from that, the book sat at a solid 3 stars.
Thank you Onwe for sending me this ARC, I really appreciate it :)
July 30, 2021
Rab Ferguson’s debut, Landfill Mountains, blends all the coming-of-age and young love of YA with a bleak, futuristic landscape and eerie characters plucked straight from folktales. The result is an ode to the fragile beauty of our planet and the timeless art of oral storytelling.
Landfill Mountains took me out of my comfort zone as a reader, but it will stick with me for a long time. Ferguson’s portrayal of the heaps of refuse in the landfill took me straight back to the time I visited the Guatemala City trash dump and met the people who live alongside it, gathering anything of value that could help them survive. But then he introduced a twist— this magical element to the novel. A Storyteller’s folktales start coming to life, strange events begin to occur, and Joe and his town will never be the same. This book is both a call to action and an invitation to reflection, and as such it is beautifully done.
Landfill Mountains took me out of my comfort zone as a reader, but it will stick with me for a long time. Ferguson’s portrayal of the heaps of refuse in the landfill took me straight back to the time I visited the Guatemala City trash dump and met the people who live alongside it, gathering anything of value that could help them survive. But then he introduced a twist— this magical element to the novel. A Storyteller’s folktales start coming to life, strange events begin to occur, and Joe and his town will never be the same. This book is both a call to action and an invitation to reflection, and as such it is beautifully done.
January 29, 2022
I received a copy of this book from the author in a Twitter giveaway.
I was immediately hooked into Rab Ferguson's fascinating plot, set in a town beside a huge rubbish dump in an hot dystopian future. As well as telling the story of the families eking out a survival from the mounds of trash, this is also a tale about how stories from the past are passed on, and how important they still are to people when their present is so bleak.
The characters seem very relatable, with many of the older ones clinging to the traditions of a fading past and angry young people, such as the protagonist Joe, seeking answers on their limited future. There were some intriguing fantasy elements which intertwined the stories told by Joe's grandfather and Joe's search for answers outwith the town into the wasteland, as well as some big twists to keep the plot moving.
As a fan of dystopian novels generally, this one's message really hit home more than many, as very little about its premise seemed unbelievable. It sadly hints at where humanity may actually be heading, as this lifestyle of foraging through landfill to sell things to trade for food is already a reality for many.
A fine debut with a powerful message, and I'm really interested to read more by the author.
I was immediately hooked into Rab Ferguson's fascinating plot, set in a town beside a huge rubbish dump in an hot dystopian future. As well as telling the story of the families eking out a survival from the mounds of trash, this is also a tale about how stories from the past are passed on, and how important they still are to people when their present is so bleak.
The characters seem very relatable, with many of the older ones clinging to the traditions of a fading past and angry young people, such as the protagonist Joe, seeking answers on their limited future. There were some intriguing fantasy elements which intertwined the stories told by Joe's grandfather and Joe's search for answers outwith the town into the wasteland, as well as some big twists to keep the plot moving.
As a fan of dystopian novels generally, this one's message really hit home more than many, as very little about its premise seemed unbelievable. It sadly hints at where humanity may actually be heading, as this lifestyle of foraging through landfill to sell things to trade for food is already a reality for many.
A fine debut with a powerful message, and I'm really interested to read more by the author.
September 28, 2021
I loved this book on so many levels. A great coming of age tale, a powerful environmental cautionary story. And at its core, a rich metaphor for the power of story and storytelling to effect change and transformation. As someone with an abiding interested in the power of storytelling, I strongly recommend Landfill Mountains to readers of any and all ages
November 23, 2021
I've been excited to get to this ever since I heard it was about two of my favourite topics; climate change and storytelling. The seriousness of the former might not seem like it would blend well with the lightness of the latter, yet Rab Ferguson pulls it off seamlessly.
Well worth the read!
Well worth the read!
September 15, 2021
I wasn't sure what to expect going into this book, except that it sounded like an interesting YA dystopian novel. I did go into it knowing it would be triggering, as it is set in an environment that will unfortunately most likely become a reality with the way we are treating our world.
Joe has known no life but the mountains - the Landfill Mountains, that is. Hearing the stories from his father, grandfather, and the other adults in the town, Joe knows that he was born and briefly lived in Madera, the city that the adults used to call home. But the extreme consumption and irresponsible waste of the citizens in Madera resulted in society breaking, and having to flee the city to find somewhere to live. They ended up living with the mountains of waste they were responsible for, now going through the waste looking for anything they can salvage and trade for food. When one of the few young children gets sick, Joe is determined to find her cure in the city no one visits anymore. But getting there isn't easy, and comes with dangers of its own.
I really loved the characters in this novel - they were diverse, determined, resourceful and all brought their own spin to the story. With the lifestyle the town was forced to live in, there is little healthcare, little food, and dangerous avalanches on the mountains that can occur. It kept a level of suspense in the story. Joe's grandfather was the storyteller, and the stories he wove added an element of fantasy to the story as well. Overall I really loved the writing, I loved where the story took us and the different characters that came up within them. This was a great debut novel from Rab!
Joe has known no life but the mountains - the Landfill Mountains, that is. Hearing the stories from his father, grandfather, and the other adults in the town, Joe knows that he was born and briefly lived in Madera, the city that the adults used to call home. But the extreme consumption and irresponsible waste of the citizens in Madera resulted in society breaking, and having to flee the city to find somewhere to live. They ended up living with the mountains of waste they were responsible for, now going through the waste looking for anything they can salvage and trade for food. When one of the few young children gets sick, Joe is determined to find her cure in the city no one visits anymore. But getting there isn't easy, and comes with dangers of its own.
I really loved the characters in this novel - they were diverse, determined, resourceful and all brought their own spin to the story. With the lifestyle the town was forced to live in, there is little healthcare, little food, and dangerous avalanches on the mountains that can occur. It kept a level of suspense in the story. Joe's grandfather was the storyteller, and the stories he wove added an element of fantasy to the story as well. Overall I really loved the writing, I loved where the story took us and the different characters that came up within them. This was a great debut novel from Rab!
December 19, 2021
Original, important and well written, 'Landfill Mountains' really is a great read as well as carrying important messages.
Aside from the obvious observations about how humans live with nature and the impact we have had on it, Ferguson also conveys the importance and power of stories and storytelling.
The blurring of reality with stories is especially well done and effective, and makes this a wonderful book with many layers and depths.
I can imagine lovers of fantasy enjoying this book as much as environmentalists. It really is quite something!
Aside from the obvious observations about how humans live with nature and the impact we have had on it, Ferguson also conveys the importance and power of stories and storytelling.
The blurring of reality with stories is especially well done and effective, and makes this a wonderful book with many layers and depths.
I can imagine lovers of fantasy enjoying this book as much as environmentalists. It really is quite something!
October 17, 2021
A climate-focused dystopian novel with both fantasy and magical realism Rab brings us a fantastic cautionary tale of global warming and human selfishness. You are immediately submersed into a post-apocalyptic version of society, where people are having to deal with the repercussions of previous generations who disregarded warnings of climate change. The writing, world building and the magic of storytelling are so cleverly intwined, you are hooked from the start!
My favourite parts were the characters. Beautifully written, they are diverse, resourceful, and determined, with each person and family bringing a unique perspective.
The main character is Joe, a young man who lives with his dad David and his grandfather. They live in huts beside a landfill mountain where babies are rare, everyone is starving, and the people spend each day rooting through the rubbish heaps of generations-past. Everything is mouldy and rotted, with the stench a normal part of their day. What is valuable they trade with the drifters who occasionally travel through with cars powered by the dregs of the recycling centre. This landfill though is Joe’s world and community.
One of the greatest things I loved was that this is a story about family as much as it is about the environment. Joe, Sonya, David, Lily, to name a few, are all part of this unique family and community and the magic that flows through the power of stories binds them together. The ever growing relationship between Joe and his dad especially, was a definite highlight. Even the characters in the stories told by Joe’s grandfather, the community’s Storyteller, had a sense of belonging and community.
Rab explores how storytelling is a fundamental part of human life and how wherever there are humans, there will be stories. No matter what context or tradition, tailored to the people they are told to and by.
This is an exciting tale about family, community and survival, mixed with fantasy, suspense and whimsy. Beautifully written with a unique storytelling, this book is as much a warning about climate change as it is a story about love, connection and survival and is well worth the read.
August 11, 2021
'"This morning - the funeral - showed how everyone here can come together and support each other. Then tonight there was food, and drinking, and gifts, and song, and art, and stories, and dancing. What is it that you're looking for, that you can't find here?"'
Landfill Mountains is a wonderfully written book that mixes dystopian YA with fairytales, fairytale-esque characters and just a bit of magic. In a barren wasteland, on the mountains of landfill spilled from a city of the past, we meet Joe, his family and his fellow townsfolk. We learn about how they are living now that nothing works anymore. We see how the community has come together, but how it isn't quite enough for Joe. Especially when a little girl gets seriously ill and a boy his age dies on the mountains. He decides to go looking for a solution and the book starts to read more like an adventure story.
Besides being a clear cry for environmental action, the story is packed with beautifully written characters (brave Sonya, the interesting Librarian and Ms. Winnipeg, and adventurous Niv, to name a few) and shares the power of poetry and stories (seriously, the stories within the story made me stop and think more than once, and I actually couldn't keep my eyes dry during The Boy Who Learned What Fear Was). I also appreciated the growing relationship between Joe and his dad, as Joe learns more about who he is and wants to be. There is so much to digest in this book, that it will keep me thinking and re-reading passages for at least a little while to come.
Thank you so much to the author, Rab Ferguson, for providing a digital ARC in return for an impartial review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Landfill Mountains is a wonderfully written book that mixes dystopian YA with fairytales, fairytale-esque characters and just a bit of magic. In a barren wasteland, on the mountains of landfill spilled from a city of the past, we meet Joe, his family and his fellow townsfolk. We learn about how they are living now that nothing works anymore. We see how the community has come together, but how it isn't quite enough for Joe. Especially when a little girl gets seriously ill and a boy his age dies on the mountains. He decides to go looking for a solution and the book starts to read more like an adventure story.
Besides being a clear cry for environmental action, the story is packed with beautifully written characters (brave Sonya, the interesting Librarian and Ms. Winnipeg, and adventurous Niv, to name a few) and shares the power of poetry and stories (seriously, the stories within the story made me stop and think more than once, and I actually couldn't keep my eyes dry during The Boy Who Learned What Fear Was). I also appreciated the growing relationship between Joe and his dad, as Joe learns more about who he is and wants to be. There is so much to digest in this book, that it will keep me thinking and re-reading passages for at least a little while to come.
Thank you so much to the author, Rab Ferguson, for providing a digital ARC in return for an impartial review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
September 7, 2021
♻️🌱 BOOK TOUR REVIEW 🌱♻️
Landfill Mountains by @rabtales
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5⭐️s
Thank you to Alice at @weareonwe for my #gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.
For every preorder of Rab Ferguson's LANDFILL MOUNTAINS and you'll get:
🌲 To help the planet with a donation to One Tree Planted 🌱
This book is a slow burn fantasy but one that keeps you interested.
The book is set in the aftermath of too little change from the world in respect of climate change and our culture of throwing things away when we personally have no use for them.
The people in the aftermath resent those who did not take enough effective action sooner in the fight again climate change but also now have to eek out an existence from the waste left behind.
This book should (I would hope) make the readers think about how they live their daily lives and the waste they produce daily that could be recycled or reused as opposed to going to landfill. It definitely made me think about the efforts made by myself and my household in respect of wastage.
The characters are enchantingly written but my favourite was Joe’s Grandad and all his stories.
I found this a great blend of dystopian and fantasy and would definitely recommend it for those who want to get a view of and show others about some of the consequences of climate change and our current lifestyle of throwing away things unnecessarily.
#LandfillMountains is out on 14th September 🌱
#BookReview #AmReading #Bookish #ClimateChange #Reuse #Recycle #Sustainability
Landfill Mountains by @rabtales
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5⭐️s
Thank you to Alice at @weareonwe for my #gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.
For every preorder of Rab Ferguson's LANDFILL MOUNTAINS and you'll get:
🌲 To help the planet with a donation to One Tree Planted 🌱
This book is a slow burn fantasy but one that keeps you interested.
The book is set in the aftermath of too little change from the world in respect of climate change and our culture of throwing things away when we personally have no use for them.
The people in the aftermath resent those who did not take enough effective action sooner in the fight again climate change but also now have to eek out an existence from the waste left behind.
This book should (I would hope) make the readers think about how they live their daily lives and the waste they produce daily that could be recycled or reused as opposed to going to landfill. It definitely made me think about the efforts made by myself and my household in respect of wastage.
The characters are enchantingly written but my favourite was Joe’s Grandad and all his stories.
I found this a great blend of dystopian and fantasy and would definitely recommend it for those who want to get a view of and show others about some of the consequences of climate change and our current lifestyle of throwing away things unnecessarily.
#LandfillMountains is out on 14th September 🌱
#BookReview #AmReading #Bookish #ClimateChange #Reuse #Recycle #Sustainability
September 8, 2021
“In a world ravished by climate change, a secret hidden in a deserted city begins a whirlwind adventure.”
Landfill Mountains follows Joe, a teenager who resides in a close-knit community who live off the mountains of rubbish, that people from years gone by discarded without thought. Most things are scavenged to trade to the drifters in exchange for food, some items kept, like books for the local librarian. However, life is monotonous and tough, Joe is forever looking to the horizon across the dry desert to the old city of Madera, in the hopes of a different life. One from the stories his grandfather tells. Whilst sifting through the mountainous piles of waste one of Joe's friends are badly injured, sending Joe on the adventure he’s dreamt of.
This YA dystopia is a stark reminder of what could come to pass if we don’t act against climate change. Rab has written such an incredible piece of fiction that will inspire conversations and hopefully create a stir within the bookish world. I adore how Rab has managed to entwine dystopia with well thought out stories, within stories that gave this novel a magical/fairytale feel.
I have to say this book intrigued me from the outset. The title, the cover, and the blurb. I’m a huge advocate for climate action. For too long we have sat back and watched as our planet changes around us, without helping. I hope we can make a big difference in how we go about climate action in the future and reduce the amount of waste we create.
Landfill Mountains follows Joe, a teenager who resides in a close-knit community who live off the mountains of rubbish, that people from years gone by discarded without thought. Most things are scavenged to trade to the drifters in exchange for food, some items kept, like books for the local librarian. However, life is monotonous and tough, Joe is forever looking to the horizon across the dry desert to the old city of Madera, in the hopes of a different life. One from the stories his grandfather tells. Whilst sifting through the mountainous piles of waste one of Joe's friends are badly injured, sending Joe on the adventure he’s dreamt of.
This YA dystopia is a stark reminder of what could come to pass if we don’t act against climate change. Rab has written such an incredible piece of fiction that will inspire conversations and hopefully create a stir within the bookish world. I adore how Rab has managed to entwine dystopia with well thought out stories, within stories that gave this novel a magical/fairytale feel.
I have to say this book intrigued me from the outset. The title, the cover, and the blurb. I’m a huge advocate for climate action. For too long we have sat back and watched as our planet changes around us, without helping. I hope we can make a big difference in how we go about climate action in the future and reduce the amount of waste we create.
October 9, 2021
I'm fully engrossed in Ferguson's debut novel, Landfill Mountains.
This is an incredibly poignant and timely story, set against the backdrop of climate crisis. We follow Joe, in a world destroyed by climate change, as he lives and rages against the world he has inherited. Following a trash avalanche and one of the children from their community's life hanging in the balence, Joe sets off in an effort to save her.
What strikes me about this novel is that while climate change and the terrible effects of it are at the heart of this story, there are other powerful themes running through it.
The story focuses on the past and the present through the relationships of Joe, his father, and his grandfather, as well as through the towns people's relationship with the garbage their ancestors left them.
The story also focuses on storytelling and stories themselves - this is seen early on with Joe's grandfather, and is one of the parts I'm really looking forward to reading more of.
While only a small portion of the way through, I'm hooked. As you can tell, I feel that this is an important story to tell, but alongside that, the writing draws you in, and you immediately feel part of the world that Ferguson have created. The environment and the characters that inhabit it are well rounded, and the writing keeps you wanting more.
I can't wait to read more and I'm sure I won't be disappointed - this post-apocalyptic cli-fi has enthralled me thus far!
This is an incredibly poignant and timely story, set against the backdrop of climate crisis. We follow Joe, in a world destroyed by climate change, as he lives and rages against the world he has inherited. Following a trash avalanche and one of the children from their community's life hanging in the balence, Joe sets off in an effort to save her.
What strikes me about this novel is that while climate change and the terrible effects of it are at the heart of this story, there are other powerful themes running through it.
The story focuses on the past and the present through the relationships of Joe, his father, and his grandfather, as well as through the towns people's relationship with the garbage their ancestors left them.
The story also focuses on storytelling and stories themselves - this is seen early on with Joe's grandfather, and is one of the parts I'm really looking forward to reading more of.
While only a small portion of the way through, I'm hooked. As you can tell, I feel that this is an important story to tell, but alongside that, the writing draws you in, and you immediately feel part of the world that Ferguson have created. The environment and the characters that inhabit it are well rounded, and the writing keeps you wanting more.
I can't wait to read more and I'm sure I won't be disappointed - this post-apocalyptic cli-fi has enthralled me thus far!
September 9, 2021
A beautiful book written with care and passion for the underlying subject.
At the surface what you think you have is a simple Post-Apocalyptic YA, but hidden beneath that surface - like the mountains of scrap the characters live between - is a story of yearning, growth, and self discovery.
Joe's world is small, stinking, and dying - he wishes for the freedom to explore the world outside of his village lost among the mountains of landfill. His life is quiet but discontented, as scavenging among the deadly shifting mounds of trash leaves him longing to find out how they came to be here.
His father and grandfather tell stories of the past - his grandfather is a font of tales that regale and beautifully build the world, not only for Joe, but also for the reader - yet Joe holds a resentment towards his father for his inaction at the end of the old-world.
The City is close, and yet so far away and Joe wants nothing but investigate the roots of his past and possibly find a future within the ruins for himself and Sonya, his partner.
A powerful story about climate change, inactivity, and the deadly foreshadowing of a world doomed to destruction, although not without hope.
A 5 star debut from a promising new author.
At the surface what you think you have is a simple Post-Apocalyptic YA, but hidden beneath that surface - like the mountains of scrap the characters live between - is a story of yearning, growth, and self discovery.
Joe's world is small, stinking, and dying - he wishes for the freedom to explore the world outside of his village lost among the mountains of landfill. His life is quiet but discontented, as scavenging among the deadly shifting mounds of trash leaves him longing to find out how they came to be here.
His father and grandfather tell stories of the past - his grandfather is a font of tales that regale and beautifully build the world, not only for Joe, but also for the reader - yet Joe holds a resentment towards his father for his inaction at the end of the old-world.
The City is close, and yet so far away and Joe wants nothing but investigate the roots of his past and possibly find a future within the ruins for himself and Sonya, his partner.
A powerful story about climate change, inactivity, and the deadly foreshadowing of a world doomed to destruction, although not without hope.
A 5 star debut from a promising new author.
August 22, 2021
First of all, I was instantly captivated by the cover of this book and the synopsis made me excited to read it. Landfill Mountais is a YA dystopian novel that focuses on the effects of climate change that horribly affected the people. The descriptions and world are neatly described. I fell in love with the characters instantly especially the MC named Joe.
A girl fell ill and Joe was motivated to find a cure or solution for this and his adventure through the place begins. I was in awe of Joe's character growth. The message that this story holds is strong and it gives the readers like me, a great lesson.
I really recommend this book, magically written and it makes you think about the consequences of what we are doing to the environment!
A girl fell ill and Joe was motivated to find a cure or solution for this and his adventure through the place begins. I was in awe of Joe's character growth. The message that this story holds is strong and it gives the readers like me, a great lesson.
I really recommend this book, magically written and it makes you think about the consequences of what we are doing to the environment!
August 20, 2021
Received an ARC of this book and seriously loved the story! It centers around the affects of climate change and the daily waste we produce. When a young girl gets horribly sick, Joe listens to the stories the witch and his grandfather tell and begins his journey to the city to save her life.
This took so many unexpected turns and I fell in love with the characters instantly. A great novel that makes you think and reminds us that everything we do (or throw away) has consequences.
Also - the writing is beautiful!
This took so many unexpected turns and I fell in love with the characters instantly. A great novel that makes you think and reminds us that everything we do (or throw away) has consequences.
Also - the writing is beautiful!
September 23, 2021
Thank you to Onwe Independent Publishers for sending me this beautiful proof copy of Landfill Mountains by Rab Ferguson 💜
Landfill Mountains is based on the very important topic of global warming and landfill, telling a tale of family and friendship in unconventional places 🤍 the book focuses on these crucially important themes in a dystopian-type way. This makes for a non-preachy message but still provoked thought and brings awareness to this global crisis.
I mentioned family and friendships and want to elaborate. This book created a community of true support and working together, depicting a future where the old fashioned community spirit and collaboration is essential. Tied in without this was awareness of other important topics like loss and miscarriage. The emotions I experienced whilst reading this book were a rollercoaster 💔
Although Landfill Mountians is essentially a dystopian novel, there was also a fantasy touch ✨ this was introduced in the form of vivid storytelling. I’ve never really experienced this done this way before and I was really impressed. I wouldn’t say the fantasy was epic or full of adventure but there was a lovely slower paced feeling that focused on detail and emotion! 💜
This was a really unique read and I recommend of for fans of Ready Player One and Earthlings!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ read for me! Outstanding debut!
Landfill Mountains is based on the very important topic of global warming and landfill, telling a tale of family and friendship in unconventional places 🤍 the book focuses on these crucially important themes in a dystopian-type way. This makes for a non-preachy message but still provoked thought and brings awareness to this global crisis.
I mentioned family and friendships and want to elaborate. This book created a community of true support and working together, depicting a future where the old fashioned community spirit and collaboration is essential. Tied in without this was awareness of other important topics like loss and miscarriage. The emotions I experienced whilst reading this book were a rollercoaster 💔
Although Landfill Mountians is essentially a dystopian novel, there was also a fantasy touch ✨ this was introduced in the form of vivid storytelling. I’ve never really experienced this done this way before and I was really impressed. I wouldn’t say the fantasy was epic or full of adventure but there was a lovely slower paced feeling that focused on detail and emotion! 💜
This was a really unique read and I recommend of for fans of Ready Player One and Earthlings!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ read for me! Outstanding debut!
October 4, 2021
The concept behind this book was both wonderful and strange. I went in fully expecting pure dystopian and it ended up being urban fantasy.
The overall message about environmentalism and post consumerism is very clear and very potent. But do feel that at times it overshadows the entirety of the story and the plot.
I did like how Joe failed in his goal several times before things came to fruition. But the segments before and after those attempts I found really detracted from the story. The whole thing with Buddy’s funeral didn’t need to be so long. Nor all the build up to what starts Joe’s wanting to leave.
I also found Joe a bit of a flat character. He’s well into his teens yet acts much younger. And it didn’t help that the entirety of the books narration seemed to be geared towards a middle grade audience.
Though the whole thing with the stories was interesting, I almost feel like I would’ve liked this book more if it wasn’t there. Overall though, still and interesting and thought provoking book.
The overall message about environmentalism and post consumerism is very clear and very potent. But do feel that at times it overshadows the entirety of the story and the plot.
I did like how Joe failed in his goal several times before things came to fruition. But the segments before and after those attempts I found really detracted from the story. The whole thing with Buddy’s funeral didn’t need to be so long. Nor all the build up to what starts Joe’s wanting to leave.
I also found Joe a bit of a flat character. He’s well into his teens yet acts much younger. And it didn’t help that the entirety of the books narration seemed to be geared towards a middle grade audience.
Though the whole thing with the stories was interesting, I almost feel like I would’ve liked this book more if it wasn’t there. Overall though, still and interesting and thought provoking book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 9, 2021
This debut novel by Rab Ferguson is a YA adult story set in a world where climate change has turned the world a bleak place and people rummaging through landfill mountains to try and survive. The characters draw you in. I loved how Joe's Grandad would tell stories to the towns people. Which gives an extra element to the story. The characters and writing is so vivid. You feel you are there. When he goes to find medicine for an ill child Joe's life and the the town will never be the same again.
There are some twists to the story which keep the story moving.
Go plant a tree and read this book.
There are some twists to the story which keep the story moving.
Go plant a tree and read this book.
August 16, 2021
I really enjoyed this post-apocalyptic YA novel woven with storytelling, and coming of age rebellion. The message (about climate change) is strong, precious and crafitly delivered - though a bit obvious.
Similar to : The Book of Koli.
Similar to : The Book of Koli.
September 3, 2021
Not for me.
January 14, 2022
The gorgeous cover of this book jumped out at me and I had to read at least the synopsis, which gripped me even further.
It's been a while since I've read writing as rich as Rab's, and there wasn't a single page where the imagery wasn't crystal clear and I knew exactly where I was. The story itself is such a clever intertwining of lives and storylines, and has a great twist at the end that I didn't see coming in the slightest. The climate warnings throughout are just prevalent enough to carry that thread of the novel without upsetting the balance of the narrative, and link in with the motivations of the characters extremely well.
Get your hands on a copy of this one!
It's been a while since I've read writing as rich as Rab's, and there wasn't a single page where the imagery wasn't crystal clear and I knew exactly where I was. The story itself is such a clever intertwining of lives and storylines, and has a great twist at the end that I didn't see coming in the slightest. The climate warnings throughout are just prevalent enough to carry that thread of the novel without upsetting the balance of the narrative, and link in with the motivations of the characters extremely well.
Get your hands on a copy of this one!
December 11, 2021
This is not the usual thing I would read but I was absolutely enthralled. I loved the characters and the humanistic way they were presented despite the apocalyptic setting. I was gripped throughout the story and I loved the storytelling throughout.
Such a beautiful book and also so very sad because it feels like the trajectory we are likely on as humans. I am really hoping there's going to be a second so we can see Joe and David get to the city
Such a beautiful book and also so very sad because it feels like the trajectory we are likely on as humans. I am really hoping there's going to be a second so we can see Joe and David get to the city
February 10, 2022
Landfill Mountains by Rab Ferguson: A well written, captivating book that also addresses real-life issues is really hard to find. Landfill Mountains is definitely one of the rare few. Great characters, engrossing plot and excellent visual descriptions make this a must read. Author link: https://linktr.ee/RabTales
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