Shockingly brutal, and unflinchingly honest, 'The Mover of Mountains' is an absolute must-read. After 'The End of Everything', I knew I would be in for a rollercoaster ride when it came to the second book in The Connection Series. 'The Mover of Mountains' delivered, and then some. Indeed, I would go so far as to describe myself as emotionally wrecked.

It's hard to know where to begin with this review. I could talk about the shocking brutality of the truly despicable villain that is Mason, the ultimate counterpoint to the supposedly-so-bad villains who turn out to simply be misunderstood. He is an incredibly complex and outstandingly-written character, and I have gone over and over in my head trying to figure him out, and each time I think I have the answer, he eludes me. Esme Carmichael provides a masterclass in true villainy in 'The Mover of Mountains'. I could talk about the beautiful shimmers of hope in the friends and companions Alira finds in the Palace, the greatest of which I cannot include here due to spoilers, but which makes me cry just thinking of it.

I could talk about how the portrayal of the relationship in this novel is about as close to perfection as you can get. It's the best example I can remember reading of a long-term abusive relationship, and at times it became too much for me. The second half of the story, in particular, as coping mechanisms such as rationalising, numbing, and minimising, struck such a chord with me. I am always on the look out for stories that include themes like those explored in 'The Mover of Mountains', because I believe they are sadly lacking. Here, they are so expertly handled and honestly written.

But I want to talk specifically about how the author manages emotion in this story. I cannot praise Esme Carmichael enough for this. Not only in the moments between Alira and Anya (find me when you've read Chapter 33 and we can weep over it together). But also Alira's love, despite the circumstances, and all the things she does to show her love, despite the awful way she is treated by Isobel, Verity, Mason, and so many other characters. Her quiet resilience and bravery was just so moving. I was also living for Alira's heart-of-darkness slide as the events of the story take their toll on her. The way the author sprinkles coping mechanisms and branches of hope throughout such a dark and brutal story - painting, reading, sewing, the Flowerbook Alira makes - serve as beautiful, fragile reminders of attempts at clinging to normalcy and the drive of a survivor to simply make it through another day.

In my opinion, 'The Mover of Mountains' is a masterpiece.

I was so grateful to receive and ARC copy of 'The Mover of Mountains' in return for an honest review.