Reviews

Gods of Howl Mountain by Taylor Brown

Only show reviews with written explanations

kb_sherman's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Content Warnings

jbridges99's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

**I received a copy of this book through the Goodreads giveaway program.

This was my first book from this author and I enjoyed it. The characters were well written and felt true to the time period and setting. . The prose is flowery and it took some time for me to adjust to the writing style but once I did, I think it lent a nice contrast to the grittiness of the storyline. Although the story's main points were resolved in the end, I was left wanting more. I'd love to see a 2nd story about Granny May and her new "venture".

lholmi's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous emotional reflective tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

einstein7931's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

alisonlaw's review against another edition

Go to review page

skirmishgirl's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

This was a recommendation from the sales person at a little bookstore in Savannah. I want him to pick all my books for me from now on.

al_monaghan's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.0

3.5 stars rounded down

librarianlinds's review against another edition

Go to review page

2.0

I really wanted to like this book since it could have been based on my own family (minus the prostitution, murder, and mental hospitals) but I just didn't care for the style. Too literary for my tastes.

ridgewaygirl's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

Rory comes home from Korea to the mountains of North Carolina missing half of a leg, which means he's not going to find work in the textile mills or in the logging camps. But making a living outside of what is legal is a family tradition and connections get him a job running bootleg moonshine to the red light district of the nearest town. It's a job that requires driving skill and the willingness to take risky chances and Rory is doing fine with his job. His grandmother, who raised him, is involved with the boss of the moonshiners and his best friend runs a small garage and keeps Rory's car fast and powerful. But the local sheriff is under pressure to make arrests when the FBI sends a new agent in. And Rory sees a young woman attending the Pentecostal church that occupies an old gas station building on the edge of the red light district and can't get her out of his mind.

Set in the 1950s, this novel is full of atmosphere and excitement. The author has an eye for detail and a love for the history and geography of the South and it shows. The plot is predictable, as are the characters (the wise mountain woman, the evil sheriff, etc...) but Brown is enjoying the story so much it would be rude to not just go with it and do the same.

ammbooks's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

you feel yourself riding shotgun as the car runs along the roads.... You can hear the forest as you walk up the trails. Great writing.

More...