Down from the Mountain

By Elizabeth Fixmer

Eva just wants to be a good disciple of Righteous Path. She grew up knowing that she’s among the chosen few to be saved from Armageddon. Lately, though, being saved feels awfully treacherous. Ever since they moved to the compound in Colorado, their food supplies have dwindled even while their leader, Ezekiel, has stockpiled weapons. The only money comes from the jewelry Eva makes and sells down in Boulder—a purpose she’ll serve until she becomes one of Ezekiel’s wives. But a college student named Trevor and the other “heathens” she meets on her trips beyond the compound are far different from what she’s been led to believe. Now Eva doesn’t know which is more dangerous—the outside world, or Brother Ezekiel’s plans . . .

• Language: English
• Publisher: Albert Whitman Company
• Release date: Mar 3, 2015
• ISBN: 9781504002257

Elizabeth Fixmer

Elizabeth Fixmer has always loved children, literature, and writing, valuing storytelling as an integral tool for growth and self-discovery. After years of attending workshops and retreats for writers she obtained an MFA in writing for children and young adults from the prestigious Hamline University program. She currently lives in Madison, Wisconsin.

Reviews for Down from the Mountain

[twileteyes · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is the story of Eva, a fourteen year old who has spent almost 10 years living within a religious cult. As she is allowed a little bit of interaction with the outside world she begins to question some of the rules and decisions their leader makes, ultimately leading Eva to a situation that requires her to face her doubts and make choices that could change all of their lives forever.

There were moments when the book seemed just a little bit slow, and other times where it seemed like the scenes were too rushed. There was a little bit of inconsistency in some of the minor details but it wasn't terrible enough to make me dislike the book. The only reason I didn't give this book a 5 is because of the ending. Which I knew ahead of time that I probably wasn't going to like because I skimmed the other reviews. It's not that the ending was bad, the final events were pretty much what I expected, it's just that I want to know more! It definitely ends too soon, even if the story is probably technically complete as it is. Maybe Ms. Fixmer will write a sequel or two...


I received a digital copy of this book through NetGalley.

[janarose1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Eva, a member of the Righteous Path cult begins selling jewelry in the local town. As life on the compound grows harder, Eva begins to realize that the heathens aren't the evil monsters they have been made out to be. When she is called to become the prophet's wife, she must decide if she will continue following the cult or escape.This was a fascinating book. I would love to read a sequel. Eva felt very realistic. She was a very dynamic character. I look forward to reading more from this author.

[jwarbler-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I'm so glad I picked this book up. Eva's journey is so heartwrenching and intriguing, and I loved all the Narnia references (because I am a huge nerd like that). This book never feels disrespectful or flippant about religion, either, which I really appreciate. The reader knows that Ezekiel's beliefs are wrong, but they're never treated pejoratively, either. Truly engrossing.

[amandacb_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Now, this is why I read young adult literature – an interesting and not overwrought narrative from the viewpoint of a teenager ingrained in a religious cult, Down From the Mountain is interesting, fresh, and alarming.Eva, so named after Eve and therefore always a reminder of temptation, is 14 years old and lives on a compound with her real mother, several other “Mothers,” and several children. Prophet Ezekiel leads his flock with an increasingly iron fist. He insists on marrying every woman in the compound, thereby driving out the men and further bolstering Ezekiel’s power. When Eva’s talent at jewelry-making allows her to leave the compound for the heathen world outside, she begins to realize that Prophet Ezekiel may not be the word of God, after all.Fixmer creates a nuanced suspense that is charming and realistic; we hope that Eva escapes from the cult but we also are sympathetic to her desire to be loved. Eva clings to the memories from a book she read, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, an allegory for a loving God:“Ezekiel can make me say yes when I mean no, I think. He can make me submissive and obedient, but he can’t control everything. He can’t control my thoughts or memories. Like my book, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. He burned it, but it will always remain in my heart” (139).Eva befriends a waiter named Trevor and they begin meeting at a local library; once Eva obtains “[her] most precious possession,” a library card, she begins to devour the knowledge that Ezekiel may not be God’s word.The ending is sad and tragic, but also quite realistic. I only wish we would have gotten more information about what ultimately happened to Ezekiel. Overall, I will be highly recommending this story – what a treat!

[ellie.pelto · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from Albert Whitman & Company for an honest review.

Eva and her mother (her biological mother, not the other mothers on the compound) have lived with Righteous Path for over 10 years. They live simply, striving to always be better in God’s eyes than the heathens of the outside world. Eva, almost 15, is frightened — she will soon become one of Ezekiel’s wives, just like the rest of the women on the compound. She will have to begin her duty as a woman of trying to conceive offspring for Ezekiel, their elderly leader. Mother has been doing this for years, and she has just announced that she is with child. After Eva was born, the doctor said that she would likely die if she gave birth again. Without modern medicine or doctors to help, Eva is worried that this baby could be the end of her mother, the only person who makes her feel safe in this dangerous compound.

When Eva is given the task of creating and selling jewelry in a heathen flea market in Boulder, Colorado, she gets a chance to see the outside world that she used to live in. The nice people she meets can’t really be the devil trying to make her sin, to damn her, can they? She makes a few friends that help her see what she has been kept captive from seeing — that God is not the vengeful being that Ezekiel says, but a benevolent one who brings joy to those who believe. “Down from the Mountain” is a quiet psychological thriller set in a polygamist cult — it’d be a sin to miss this one.