"The Inn at the Foot of Mount Vengeance" by Chiara Bullen

 

"The Inn at the Foot of Mount Vengeance" by Chiara Bullen is a feel-good cozy fantasy inspired by Scottish culture and folklore, following a scholar who takes on a quest to prove himself worthy to his peers. And my, what a journey it turns out to be!

Ainsworth Gladsly is an aspiring human scholar with druid-blood lineage who is sent to research the mysteries of Mount Vengeance for his thesis. He stays at the Misnich Inn at the foot of the mountain, run by its innkeeper, Honey, and her staff. He hopes to document the journeys of the adventurers who come to conquer the mountain, and the dragon said to inhabit it.

Alas, none of the adventurers complete their quest. There seems to be a curse on the mountain, and Ainsworth is determined to uncover its secrets while recovering from an abusive relationship. He gradually warms to the charm of the inn and even befriends some of the staff. However, his academic status is on the line unless he finishes his research. Easier said than done.

I enjoyed this sweet, cozy fantasy. After a slow start, both the story and Ainsworth grew on me. I liked Ainsworth’s character development, from entitled and arrogant to more likeable and gentle. Like Honey, I wanted to give him a good shake now and then, and I was glad he finally grew a backbone. I also appreciated that he comes to understand that fulfillment takes many forms, and that there is more to life than status, glory, or the approval of others. One doesn’t need to show off to prove one’s mettle.

I also loved the diverse cast. It made the inn feel lively and full of personality. From a dwarf and an elf to a tortoise-mhith woman, an orc, and a Wildeshifter, the variety made the cast and guests fun to follow. While we don’t get an in-depth view of every character, there’s enough personality to make this such a great cast. We also have LGBTQ+ main characters, which adds to the inclusivity of the story.

The story touches on themes of found family, friendship, love, self-worth, and homecoming, all wrapped in a warm ambience. Last but not least, there is a slow-burn romance, though the focus isn’t on the romance. There is a somewhat stereotypical view of scholars, painting most with the same brush, and I guessed some of the twists, but this didn’t hurt my overall enjoyment. The writing flows smoothly, making it easy to be drawn in. I could see myself visiting the inn and sharing an ale with its inhabitants.

This is a standalone, though another book set in the same world is expected next year, and I eagerly await it. I loved this book, small flaws and all, and recommend it to anyone who enjoys cozy fantasy about healing, self-discovery, and character-driven stories. I rate it 4.5 out of 5 stars, rounded up to 5. After all, sometimes a feel-good book is exactly what the doctor ordered.

* Thank you NetGalley and (publisher) for the opportunity to read this arc.  All opinions are my own.

* For more info about the book: "The Inn at the Foot of Mount Vengeance" by Chiara Bullen