Novel set in BAVARIA (and Hamburg)
YA fantasy novel set across SCOTLAND
9th June 2026
Sleeper on the Mountain by Richard J Sutton, YA fantasy novel set across SCOTLAND
Drumnadrochit, Inverness, Loch Ness, fictional setting in Scotland
Sleeper on the Mountain is an exciting and involving Young Adult novel that skilfully blends Scottish and Viking history with elements of fantasy, a sprinkling of magic and a touch of romance. A mysterious ancient text provides the Prologue and, after a gentle introduction, the story leaps through puzzles and battles, building to a dramatic finale.
The narrator, Erik, is a young man from a troubled family, living in Inverness-shire. His mum is distant, and he doesn’t know who his father is, but he has a supportive network of friends. He enjoys solo climbing in the mountains, and on one such outing he encounters another young man – Sigurd. Erik speaks to Sigurd briefly before the character mysteriously disappears. Erik returns to volunteering at an archaeological dig, which is taking place in his village – the fictional Killiekiltie – prior to the construction of a new housing estate. Later he stumbles upon an amber necklace, which he decides to keep. Erik doesn’t yet know it, but he is about to embark on a quest and he will need to call on resources within himself that he hadn’t been aware he possessed.
Sutton sets Sleeper on the Mountain in a mixture of real and imagined locations, which he describes beautifully. It is easy to imagine yourself striving to climb the rocky outcrops of the ancient hillsides in the Scottish Highlands alongside Erik, then gazing down over the deepest loch and the wild countryside below. The setting is more than just scenery though, as it enfolds the very history of the place. The significance of placenames and ill-remembered figures from history are brought to life for Erik as his adventure progresses.
Sleeper on the Mountain is a coming-of-age novel that recalls the historical fantasy fiction of authors such as Rosemary Sutcliffe and Susan Cooper. The characters and storyline are engaging, and it is well-paced to keep the reader’s attention. There is some tricky (but essential) vocabulary, but luckily there’s a handy glossary at the end. Highly recommended for fans of historical fiction and fantasy world-building novels.
Sue for the TripFiction Team
Join team TripFiction on Social Media:
Twitter (@TripFiction), Facebook (@TripFiction.Literarywanderlust), YouTube (TripFiction #Literarywanderlust), Instagram (@TripFiction) and Pinterest (@TripFiction) and BlueSky(tripfiction.bsky.social) and Threads (@tripfiction)
Please wait...
