I received this book for free from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The Inn at the Foot of Mount Vengeance by Chiara Bullen Published by Del Rey on July 7 2026
Genres: Adult, Cozy fantasy
Pages: 352
Format: ARC
Source: Publisher
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The nitty-gritty: The perfect antidote to action-heavy fantasy, The Inn at the Foot of Mount Vengeance has surprising depth, well drawn characters, and a nice found family vibe.
“Climbing a mountain is more than simply striving for the peak, Ainsworth.”
For a book that got off to a very shaky start, I was surprised by how much I ended up enjoying The Inn at the Foot of Mount Vengeance. This is an extremely low stakes, cozy fantasy that focuses on the characters more than anything else. For me, it was one of those books that grew on me, and by the time I hit the mid point, I was completely invested in Ainsworth and Honey and how their relationship would play out. There’s also a mystery threaded throughout the story that kept me turning the pages, as well as a host of delightfully quirky side characters.
Ainsworth Gladsly is a scholar who has been given an unusual (and frankly, unwelcome) assignment—to leave his beloved Skarrow Library to investigate a mysterious mountain, which is shrouded in lore, rumors and speculation. Mount Vengeance is said to be the home of a fierce dragon, and Ainsworth’s job is to interview the “adventurers” who attempt to climb the mountain and face the beast. He knows this could be his big chance to propel himself to fame, provided he can uncover the mysteries of Mount Vengeance. At the foot of the mountain lies the Misnich Inn, the base camp, so to speak, for those making the journey to the mountain, and this is where Ainsworth plans to stay while he’s conducting his research.
But when he arrives, he’s greeted with suspicion by the innkeeper and her staff. He expected to find a lively inn teeming with adventurers getting ready to climb the mountain, but the inn is nearly empty of guests. Even worse, no one seems excited to have a scholar in their presence. Ainsworth, it turns out, thrives on attention and accolades, but Honey, the innkeeper, seems unimpressed with his status, fine clothing and his huge ego. The Inn’s guard, a tyflan named Ashe, is downright hostile and wants nothing to do with him.
But as the days pass and Ainsworth slowly gets to know Honey, Ashe and the other staff members, he realizes there’s an even bigger mystery afoot. The adventurers who do come to the inn inevitably decide not to scale the mountain and face the dragon, leaving Ainsworth with no one to interview for his book. Something is going on, and Ainsworth is determined to figure it out.
Ainsworth was the biggest surprise for me in this book. At first I couldn’t believe what a pompous ass he was, literally preening in front of mirrors and bragging about his status as a big city scholar. No wonder everyone at the inn was giving him the cold shoulder! But then things begin to change. Ashe calls him out on his rudeness, and Ainsworth begins to realize that if he wants to befriend these people, he’s going to have to take a good, hard look at himself. It’s a bit awkward at first. The reader knows how annoying he is and it’s painful to watch him face the truth. I loved the way the author handled his growth, which felt believable and made me start to love him.
The story also focuses on other types of personal growth, like reevaluating your life and figuring out what might actually make you happy. Ainsworth is obsessed with being recognized in his field, and his whole adult life has been geared toward a successful career. It isn’t until he leaves the city for the remote Misnich Inn that his research starts to feel less important. The friends he’s making, especially his growing romantic feelings for Honey, take on greater importance. Small moments, like sharing a delicious meal or chatting over drinks at the bar, make him feel real happiness, perhaps for the first time in his life. He is still passionate about research and learning, though, so it’s just a matter of striking the right balance.
Bullen’s secondary fantasy world is fascinating, full of different types of creatures (some of them based on Scottish folklore, I believe) who all seem to get along for the most part. The author doesn’t delve too deeply into the world, but it was just enough to get a sense of history and how things are connected.
Most of the tension comes from a man in Ainsworth’s past named Enach, another scholar and Ainsworth’s ex-romantic partner. Enach is a controlling, gaslighting jerk who tries to get Ainsworth to come home, and it was so stressful to watch those scenes unfold.
I also loved the mystery of why the adventurers kept changing their minds about climbing the mountain. When the reason is finally revealed, it was not what I expected at all, and it also ties in with a nice twist having to do with the dragon.
For readers looking for a break from heavy, action packed fantasy, The Inn at the Foot of Mount Vengeance would be an excellent book to pick up. With a slow build, sweet romance, cozy elements like found family and good food, and an engaging mystery (despite the low stakes), I found myself smiling throughout the story.
Big thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy.
I’m into the cozy fantasies these days. This one is going on my list!
I hope you get to read it!
This sounds like a great cozy fantasy even if it did take some time to grow on you. Sometimes sticking with a book is worth it!
Yes exactly! I really wanted to see if Ainsworth would change, he was awful in the beginning.
Glad to hear this one won you over when it got going. The character journey you’ve described reminds me a bit of the one I had with Mortedant’s Peril with someone you start off pretty much hating but grow to love by the end. I’m interested to discover why no one ever makes the climb too. Lovely review.
I loved the surprise twist at the end about the mountain:-)
I love how different this sounds, despite its employing a number of popular tropes.
It was much different than I expected:-)
I love that found family vibe! 😀
I’m a big fan of found family too, it was really well done.
It is not my type of book, but OMG does the cover and story sound adorable and cozy! Deff a book my fiance would love!
I’m in love with the cover!
Okay, I think I’m sold! I was already curious, but you’ve made it very tempting.
It’s a slow build but really well done:-)
This sounds so cute! To the list it goes. The guy on the cover looks like a grown-up version of the kid in Sweet Tooth, lol.
LOL you are right! I loved how all the different characters had horns and antlers, so much fun.
Sounds definitely lighter than your usual books, lol
Oh yes, much much lighter;-)
Ooh I like the sounds of this. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Hena!
I’m glad you enjoyed this one, I like the cover. It sounds like the author developed the characters nicely.
I love the cover too! And the characters were very well done.
Ooh, sneaky review, now I feel like I very much would like to know the mystery of why people change their mind about climbing that mountain.
Lynn 😀
It was a really fun reveal:-)
Sounds like a good cozy fantasy. I might have to give this one a try. Great review!
Thanks Lisa!
“I found myself smiling throughout the story.” I think that says it all. 🙂
Yes, it’s hard not to like a book that makes you smile:-)
I feel I would like this if I read it but it seems pretty weird.
This seems like a sweet cozy fantasy with lessons learned along the way.