A.K. Mulford

Full of romance, intrigue, magic, and passion, the first book of The Five Crowns of Okrith—the thrilling TikTok sensation from A.K. Mulford—The High Mountain Court begins the journey of the fugitive red witch Remy as she fights to reclaim her kingdom and discover what’s inside her heart. For thirteen years, nineteen-year-old Remy has known she is possibly the last red witch alive, and she is determined to stay that way. But the Northern Court King, who has slaughtered her family and placed a bounty on red witch heads, is intent on destroying her kind once and for all. When four fae warriors enter her tavern refuge, Remy tries to flee, but her magic isn’t strong enough to stop the determined—and handsome—Prince Hale of the Eastern Kingdom. He claims he wants to stop a war with the Northern Court before his kingdom succumbs to the same fate as Remy’s. In order to do that, he needs a red witch…and Remy may be the only person alive who can help him. Yet even as she’s drawn to him, can she really trust Prince Hale? Can her fallen court truly be rescued from the evil clutches of the Northern Court King? Does she even have a choice? For the chance to save herself, her people, and help rid the world of a murderous tyrant, Remy must put her faith in Hale and his companions on a dangerous quest to find lost relics…and discover if she is ready to secure her legacy.

A Novel

The High Mountain Court

Molly Morgan

This book kept getting recommended to me and I finally gave in. It wasn't my cuppa. I found the main characters annoying and kind of flat. The characters kept contradicting themselves and it made them seem like everything all of the time.

I think if you love more YA style fantasy romance you'll really like this! It just wasn't quite for me.

I've not read a fantasy book in ages.  I just felt that sometimes they were all style no substance.  Well, this book blew that theory out of the water.  Whilst there is world-building and an overarching plot, you're not bogged down in made up languages and you don't have to refer to the world map every 5 minutes to remember where you are!

All your favourite fantasy figures are represented: fae, witches, humans.  There are fated mates (of all variants not just MF), magic and quests.  it feels a bit like Dungeons and Dragons come to life and I really enjoyed it.  I'm a sucker for a hidden identity type trope and this delivered.

Remy, a red witch, is hiding in plain sight amongst Brown witches (Healers), trying to stay under the radar of witch hunters.  Enter Hale, of the Eastern Court, who is on a quest for some fabled artifacts, and his posse of Fae warriors. Remy is strong, emotionally and magically.  She loves her found family and would do anything for them.  Hale and his team interrupt their plan of being incognito though.  Hale himself has a compelling backstory and I enjoyed learning more about him during their journey. Hale is equally compelling, and I loved learning more about him and his backstory.  Don't be too quick to judge some of the characters - allies may be found in some very overlooked places!

The characters are all fully formed and have distinct personalities.  They are not "perfect" and have their flaws.  What I loved most about the world was its inclusiveness.  It's LGBTQ+ friendly, has all sizes of people represented and love is love, no matter who or what you are.  Each area has a distinct feel and the descriptions provided really cement the vision of them in your head.

Whilst there is prejudice between the races represented it doesn't mean that Fae/Witches/Humans can't or don't work together to overturn the High King.  They just have their own strengths and weaknesses.  

The banter is on point and you know that this team may take the pee out of each other but they are in this together.

Nicola Sarah Brooks

I've not read a fantasy book in ages.  I just felt that sometimes they were all style no substance.  Well, this book blew that theory out of the water.  Whilst there is world-building and an overarching plot, you're not bogged down in made up languages and you don't have to refer to the world map every 5 minutes to remember where you are!

All your favourite fantasy figures are represented: fae, witches, humans.  There are fated mates (of all variants not just MF), magic and quests.  it feels a bit like Dungeons and Dragons come to life and I really enjoyed it.  I'm a sucker for a hidden identity type trope and this delivered.

Remy, a red witch, is hiding in plain sight amongst Brown witches (Healers), trying to stay under the radar of witch hunters.  Enter Hale, of the Eastern Court, who is on a quest for some fabled artifacts, and his posse of Fae warriors. Remy is strong, emotionally and magically.  She loves her found family and would do anything for them.  Hale and his team interrupt their plan of being incognito though.  Hale himself has a compelling backstory and I enjoyed learning more about him during their journey. Hale is equally compelling, and I loved learning more about him and his backstory.  Don't be too quick to judge some of the characters - allies may be found in some very overlooked places!

The characters are all fully formed and have distinct personalities.  They are not "perfect" and have their flaws.  What I loved most about the world was its inclusiveness.  It's LGBTQ+ friendly, has all sizes of people represented and love is love, no matter who or what you are.  Each area has a distinct feel and the descriptions provided really cement the vision of them in your head.

Whilst there is prejudice between the races represented it doesn't mean that Fae/Witches/Humans can't or don't work together to overturn the High King.  They just have their own strengths and weaknesses.  

The banter is on point and you know that this team may take the pee out of each other but they are in this together.

Onwards and Upwards to book two!

Samantha Penland

I adored this book! The end had me bawling like a baby!

Megan Lowe

I was pleasantly surprised with this book, I really liked it!
I loved the cast and the twists and turns, as well as how the plot kept moving along. I do feel like some things were a bit predictable, but it wasn’t in a clichéd way.
I like Remy and Hale, and the spice level was good.
I do feel as if Remy’s magic is a bit inconsistent, but I hope that will rectify in the following books.
Give it a go!

Zoe P

I say this with full certainty - never has the first book of a high fantasy series made me sob especially like I just did in this one. I feel like all first novels are essentially a long prequel with predictable plot lines. NOT THIS ONE. I’m so impressed that Mulford was able to world build so efficiently and make you fall in love with the main characters but also the side characters all in one fairly short book. The spice? So well timed. The plot wrap arounds? Impeccable. Bravo Mulford. I’m a big fan.

Alison James

This book was incredible.

The writing was amazing and the world that Mulford created was so beautiful. The magic system in this world was very unique and interesting.

The spicy scenes were perfect and added to the plot. 

I love how Mulford put little hints throughout the entire book about Remy's identity and past. So as you read you could piece it together, but it wasn't all thrown at you at once.

Love the tropes in this book: fated mates, one horse, touch her and you die, found family, secret identity

I am excited to read the second book. I like how each book follows a different character, but I hope we still get to see Remy and Hale and how they are doing. I am excited to read Rua's story and to see her grow the way we say Remy grow.

The High Mountain Court A Novel

Reviews