Song of the Mountain

Mountain Trilogy, Book 1

By: Michelle Isenhoff

Narrated by: Shea Taylor

Nominated for a 2013 Cybils Award.Semi-finalist in the 2013 Kindle Book Review Book Awards.

Orphaned at a young age, Song has grown up listening to his grandfather recite legends of the distant past. But it is his own history he seeks to uncover, particularly the events surrounding his parents' deaths. That is a secret closely guarded by his grandfather. Then Song discovers an heirloom that links him to an ancient prophecy. His destiny lies within the old tales he has scorned. Song must follow the path that killed his father.

Mud and mire shall birth a tree; A sprout shall grow of ancient seed. The five unite to break the one; The curse of man shall be undone. But brothers rise ere dragon's bane; The last shall smite the first again.

©2012 Michelle Isenhoff (P)2015 Michelle Isenhoff

Delightfully moving!

What made the experience of listening to Song of the Mountain the most enjoyable?

Song of the Mountain is a great story of self-discovery. It is very engaging, haunting at times, and inspiring. I absolutely loved the underlining themes and how Ms. Isenhoff parodies the story of Cane and Able. This is a series I will continue to follow and read!

What was one of the most memorable moments of Song of the Mountain?

Often we are distracted from our true friends by the glimmer of those that appear to be more shiny. Song has one of these moments and his realization of it really stuck with me. I will now be more conscience of the way I act toward others.

Which scene was your favorite?

I really liked the climax but I'm not going to give away any spoilers. You just have to listen to it for yourself. But once you do, you'll agree with me I'm sure!

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes! And I did listen to it all in one sitting. I believe Shae Taylor offered a wonderful fullness to this story and he and Michelle Isenhoff make a great team.

Any additional comments?

Very few stories leaving me thinking about them after they're done. This one lingers and makes you think. I believe that is the mark of a great storyteller!

Beautifully written and narrated

What made the experience of listening to Song of the Mountain the most enjoyable?

This book was a pleasure to listen to. It is elegantly written, with word choices and language that evoked the time and place of ancient China with a touch of magic thrown in. I found myself caught up in the story of Song and his journey to uncover his mysterious past. He is a character to whom many children can relate, and I think they will feel his successes and failures as keenly as I did. The author seemed to have great insight into human character in portraying Song’s struggles to forgive old enemies and take on his role to fulfill a prophecy.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Song of the Mountain?

The author painted vivid, descriptive scenes without weighing down the prose that left me with many poignant memories. In my mind, I could see the river and the mountain where Song lived, his little hut, and the opulent grounds of the Lord who owned it all. With some books, I find myself forgetting early details of the plot once I've reached the climax, but not so with this book. It has made a lasting impression on me that I won't soon forget.

Which scene was your favorite?

I especially loved the character of Karina, Song’s only friend, and the inspiring example she is for him. My favorite scene happened when Song must face Karina after his thoughtless actions wounded her feelings. Somehow, she finds it in her to forgive, and the two are strong friends once again. I think this teaches children that even though they will make mistakes, they can make amends and all will be right with the world again.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I really enjoyed listening to the audio version of the novel during a recent road trip, and thought the length was perfect for children. The narrator did a superb job of reading the story, with distinct voices for each character, so it almost seemed as if more than one person were reading. I would definitely recommend this audio book to children and parents alike.