• The Mountains Rise

  • Embers of Illeniel, Book 1
  • By: Michael G. Manning
  • Narrated by: Alex Wyndham
  • Length: 13 hrs and 3 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (2,322 ratings)

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The Mountains Rise  By  cover art

The Mountains Rise

By: Michael G. Manning
Narrated by: Alex Wyndham
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Publisher's summary

**A note of warning from the author;

I waited until the book was finished before writing this foreword. Now I find it difficult to encapsulate the book in a short summary, but I felt the need to forewarn you, The Reader. Many of you have probably read my previous series, Mageborn, which is set two millennia after the events in this book, so you may have some misconceptions about what you’ll find here.

Unlike Mageborn, this story encounters more adult issues. The main character does not always do the ‘right’ thing, and in fact, cannot be called a hero. Events conspire to darken his future and twist his morality, but his choices are his own. Most importantly, the story delves into some topics of a sensitive nature, particularly sexual abuse and violence, though there is nothing graphic in the telling.

I didn’t set out to write a book about those things, but they came up as part of the course of this tale, and I couldn’t avoid them. Before allowing some of the situations in this book, before writing them, I sought advice from a number of friends; people who have confided in me over the years. Several of them have been through experiences that correlate to a surprising degree with some of the darker elements within this tale.

Fortunately, they had much better outcomes, and in fact, I doubt any of them would condone the choices that the main character in this story makes. My main purpose in writing this foreword is to make sure that my audience understands that I don’t take the subject matter lightly.

- Michael G. Manning

©2014 Michael G. Manning (P)2015 Podium Publishing

What listeners say about The Mountains Rise

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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    1,790
  • 4 Stars
    429
  • 3 Stars
    61
  • 2 Stars
    23
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Performance
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Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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  • 4 Stars
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  • 3 Stars
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  • 2 Stars
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Dark and heart wrenching beautiful.

Here you will find an expertly crafted world with story that will surprise you. The dark story only enhanced the moments of profound beauty, in my opinion. This was the first Michael G. Manning book I have read and I'm excited. to have found another excellent author. The Narrator, Alex Wyndham gave an awesome performance. I honestly did not like his voice at first but his undeniable talent was apparent in the first few minutes. I'm a fan now. I am more than satisfied with my purchase.

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29 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

the world isn't black and white

I took immense pleasure from this story. Love the narrator. My favorite parts were the development of his powers, the strategy and battles in the arena. I also really enjoyed his ability to create attachment between you and the characters at the beginning of the story, and the very realistic view of the drama that ensued. the world that was created was complex enough to be believable while not being bogged down with so many details to be grasped. all in all a very entertaining story

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22 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

I mostly liked this book...

Only, a few this bothered me. The story is told by a character who is a father retelling it to his children. The kids would complain about the sex. All of which was fine, until I started thinking and noticing the level of detail invoked in some of the recountings. That's when things got off center for me. Nothing wrong with sex. Nothing terribly wrong with gratuity if one must. Nothing even with a father educating his children. But when he explains why he's adding such details, he tells them it's integral. Whether or not the protagonist placed his hand on her bum is integral? Again, I don't mind that it happened. The explanation, however, didn't fit the level of detail, and that eventually highlighted EVERY instance. I found myself thinking too much about it.


Also, the system of power was cool, but seemed unrefined. Obviously, one need not focus on such things to write a great story, but the manor and rate of the lead's growth in his ability seemed...a little...convenient. That might be too harsh, but near the end I couldn't understand how the lead was figuring things out. Likely the author knows where he's going, and perhaps our narrator and family dropped hints, but that's how I experienced THIS book.

Otherwise, the story and players are RIFE with conflict! Some may find it melodramatic at times. And there were a couple turning points near the start that had me shaking a furrowed brow, but nothing unbelievable IMHO.

I do look forward to the next. There are diamonds in this story, and I will try the other series.

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20 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

suspenseful . you keep wanting more.

wonderful detail with a storey line to match. Not for younger readers. A wonderful magic system that grows through the whole story. All the characters have a genuine personas. I really enjoyed the whole experience.

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15 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent continuation of the Illeniel story

I really enjoyed this book - I especially liked how Manning went back to the past to tell about the origins of the Illeniels without losing any of the characters from the previous installments and keeping these "present" characters involved in a believable, realistic and meaningful way.

It was thoroughly enjoyable. I look forward to the next installment.

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12 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

it could have been perfect

Have you listened to any of Alex Wyndham’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

no

Any additional comments?

a minor problem I had with this story is that the author seems hesitant to fully embrace the mature/dark fantasy genre. the story has these interludes which try to rationalise certain events before they happen. "our hero is not really a bad man, he had no choice...". this only manages to interrupt a great story as well as spoil the plot for the next few chapters. I ended up skipping the next 2-4 minutes whenever this happens. great story overall

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10 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

Rape, magical induced rape the more rape.

the story started out a tad dull , sheep herding and the promise of the girl next door romantic. Then the rape started so I skip a chapter now the main character is magically inflaming the town folk (more rape) about 5 chapters later the town boys are trying to rape the girl next door and I am giving up on this.

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10 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great book!!!

I've never felt the need to write one of these but I have to give credit where it is due. It had me from the beginning and I couldn't stop listening. Can't wait until took two is released.

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9 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Much better than the Mageborn series.

Much better than the Mageborn serie, both the story and the narrator. Although, Mageborn is a good series, if you ger through the first 1/4 of the story when it gets better.

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9 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A great book

Loved it it was an amazing book it had you hanging on every word I just wasn't able to put the book down even

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8 people found this helpful