But when her name is announced, she’s presented with something she never thought she’d have: a future away from her abuser. Shuttled off to attend the prestigious National Women’s Institute, Arden will receive Nordania’s highest honor, studying with other elite candidates to become leaders, diplomats, and ambassadors on the world stage.
Only, the institute’s not quite what she expected. Paraded around in gown after gown, the tests seem less about educating and more about a different competition, with a very specific prize at stake—the Nordanian Prime Minister’s son. Despite the dean’s protestations that angling for an engagement leads to expulsion, Arden sees the truth. There’s a secret bubbling beneath the institute’s refined surface, and those who refuse to play along may well wind up dead.
With the danger escalating, and the return of her abuser on the horizon, Arden’s shiny future becomes a gilded cage. And this time, she’s going to need powerful allies to escape.
Political intrigue, swoon-worthy romance, and a dash of dystopian flare, But for the Mountains begs the question, how do you change the world when you’re not allowed to try?
Excerpt:
The sun is still high when I leave, amplifying the briny fishiness blowing in from the docks. It’s busier than usual, people rushing home from the port to hear the Announcement of Candidates. Excitement hums that a hometown girl might be chosen. I couldn’t care less. It’s not my home.
Review:
First, let's take a moment and look at this beautiful cover. I absoutely love it. I think the white, silver, and gold look is stunning. I love how it has that sketch feel to it. Erin Riha, you were blessed with an amazing cover. I guess now we will jump into the thing you came here for. Adren Thatcher was chosen to become part of the prestigious Nation Women's Institute where one trains to become a proper young lady who will make a difference in the world by marrying someone of that is going to be a great leader.
I think the thing I enjoyed most about this book is how Arden was able to work on overcoming her trauma. She had been physically and emotionally abused before coming to the institute. I think her growing and learning to heal was my favorite part of this story. I found that it was a bit hard to buy the "not like other girls" trope in this book. I think Arden is a decent character but I felt it could have had a bit more fleshing out in the narrative. Arden didn't do well with all the dresses and makeup. She was pretty defiant. I still really liked how the trauma aspect of Arden's life was handled.
Don't miss out on But For the Mountains by Erin RIha. Available today.
I think the thing I enjoyed most about this book is how Arden was able to work on overcoming her trauma. She had been physically and emotionally abused before coming to the institute. I think her growing and learning to heal was my favorite part of this story. I found that it was a bit hard to buy the "not like other girls" trope in this book. I think Arden is a decent character but I felt it could have had a bit more fleshing out in the narrative. Arden didn't do well with all the dresses and makeup. She was pretty defiant. I still really liked how the trauma aspect of Arden's life was handled.
Don't miss out on But For the Mountains by Erin RIha. Available today.
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