Book Review: The Mountain King

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

The Mountain King     Amazon US PB Amazon Canada PB
Rick Hautala
Class/Genre:   Fantasy   Horror
Leisure, Jun 2001, $5.99, 379 pp.

Long before the European reached the North American shore, Mount Agiochook in what is now Maine was considered taboo because demons lived on the mountain. Modern people know that the so-called demons are only legends and myths of a superstitious race. Mark Newman and a friend Phil are on the mountain when a sudden snow squall erupts. They mange to attain shelter.

When the storm ends, they begin their descent, but Phil falls off the edge of a cliff. Mark sees Phil’s body and start to climb down towards it praying that his friend still lives. Before he reaches Phil, a creature standing on two legs with a grotesque human-like visage effortlessly carries Phil with him. Mark manages to make it to the nearby town, but the sheriff rejects the story of a creature. Mark returns to the mountain to track down the creature also tracking down Mark.

Anyone interested in the Bigfoot legend will enjoy reading THE MOUNTAIN KING, a fast-paced horror tale loaded with action. Rick Hautala may have written his best work to date in the obsessively heroic Mark who refuses to give up his quest despite impossible odds of succeeding. As an added bonus to Mr. Hautala’s fans, the author includes three short stories starring the Untcigahunk from LITTLE BROTHERS.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner