The Rogue Mountains by Joshua Tarquinio

Joshua Tarquinio, 2017

ISBN-13: 978-0999240212

Available: Paperback, Kindle edition, audiobook

Brothers, Pennsylvania is a small town nestled in the shadow of three tree covered peaks known as The Rogue Mountains.  The main industries are farming and hunting.  Brothers is considered to be the edge of the East, at least since the Events of Pittsburgh, 23 years ago, when the monsters moved in.  Hideous creatures dedicated to tearing humans limb from limb, these beasts live for eating, sleeping and making little monsters.  They have taken over The Rogue Mountains and infested them.

Mt. Fayette is home to The Witch: no one has seen her for years, and no one wants to.  Mt. Liston is where the Cave Worm lives: nobody that wants to stay sane or alive goes there.  Ever.  Devil’s Mountain is where the hunters go to work. They come into town for a week or two to get their thrills and trophies. When they visit, the monster population is pruned back, and the town gets to survive a little longer.  Times are changing though–  humans are not the only hunters these days.

The Rogue Mountains was a pretty good read.  I expected lots of monsters, guns, and general mayhem, and it delivered.  The plot was consistent and the pace flowed along with the action well.  I did think that it was a little long and drawn out. It could have used a little less romantic sub-plot and more action.  The descriptions were well done, and kept me tuned into the environment.  There were a lot of characters, but the author did a good job of making most of them distinctive, with different personalities and goals.  There were occasional typos, but not enough to break the flow of the story.  I really liked the unique situation that was set up at the start, and the author did a good job delivering on the promise.  I have not read any of this author’s work previously. Recommended for adult readers.

Contains: Adult Language, Swearing, Adult Situations, Sex, Suicide.

Reviewed by Aaron Fletcher