The White Mountains

  This was one of the first science fiction novels I read, it is considered a YA novel but I think it works for all ages.

 It is the first novel in John Christopher's Tripods Trilogy, and is set on a future Earth that has long since been conquered by giant tripods.

 Humans live a medieval lifestyle, only interrupted when they are "capped", this occurs when they reach adulthood.   A tripod comes to their village, they are picked up by the tripod, and returned shortly with a new cap affixed to their skill.

 The narrator's name is Will, and he dreads his upcoming adulthood, for he has seen the behavioral changes that take place in those that are capped.  One day he meets a wandering old man, he tells him of a legend of a white mountain, where people live without interference by the Tripods.

 Will and his cousin Henry end up running away to avoid capping, and this novel covers their travels across a future Europe to the White Mountains.  They must avoid being captured, because if they are they will be capped.

 This is the start of a terrific story, forget Harry Potter, Narnia, or His Dark Materials,  this is a far more enjoyable YA series.

9.2/10