Quick Synopsis – Mount Vengeance is legendary. For most, it’s an adventure or a quest to prove themselves worthy of fame and glory. For Ainsworth Gladsly, it’s the perfect thesis material.

Ainsworth is an ambitious research fellow and up-and-coming historian, finally ready to make his mark on the world. When his supervisor learns of the rumored Misnich Inn at the foot of Mount Vengeance, she sends Ainsworth to be the first to document the exploits of the bold adventurers who seek to face the perils of the mountain and the dragon said to inhabit it.

The inn is far from the sophisticated city life he’s grown to love, but even as he grudgingly warms to its rustic charm—and its lovely innkeeper, Honey—the mystery of the mountain refuses to reveal itself. Worse, Ainsworth can’t find evidence that anyone has ever undertaken the climb. Even the bravest warriors who stay at the inn turn away from Mount Vengeance the next day.

With Ainsworth’s reputation on the line, he can’t allow this mystery to remain unsolved—even if he has to push the adventurers up the mountain himself.

Song This Reminds Me Of – Sound of Settling by Death Cab For Cutie

Publication Date – July 07, 2026

Bookshop Link – The Inn at the Foot of Mount Vengeance by Chiara Bullen (I receive a small commission if you use my link to order)

Content Notes – This book does depict intimate partner violence, both emotional and physical abuse. This is told briefly during flashbacks. There is also so light blood and mentions of battles.

Rating – ⭐⭐⭐ out of 5 stars

Review – This is a cute cozy fantasy with very low stakes. The pacing was just a little too slow for me. I also felt like I could have done with a little more of the world lore sprinkled throughout the novel. Ainsworth is essentially a historian/anthropologist. He is studying adventurers and the mysterious Mount Vengeance. However, I felt like he was a little too dry in the beginning of the book. I get that he wanted to chase prestige, but he almost came off as too cold to me.

As the book progresses we learn more about Ainsworth and the employees of the inn. Ainsworth also begins to investigate why no one seems to actually conquer the mountain. Most adventurers wake up in the morning and decide to avoid the mountain. Either they suddenly fill fulfilled or they find purpose elsewhere. Multiple times Ainsworth butts head with the innkeeper, Honey. But they’re also a little flirting and as they get to know each other their walls start coming down.

The heart of this story isn’t an adventure but remembering who you are. Each employee at the inn has their own reason for being there and we get a good amount of backstory through Ainsworth’s interviews. These interviews also help Ainsworth remember himself and who he was without the influence of his “peers”. I did like this book, but maybe it was a little too cozy for me. I wanted a little more oomph.

Thanks to NetGalley and Del Rey for the advanced copy, all opinions are my own.