The Ascenditure - Book Review

Robyn Dabney, author of The Ascenditure,  has integrated her passion and expertise in the little-understood sport of rock climbing into a mesmerizing fiction with action, suspense, and political intrigue. Dabney grew up climbing rocks and exploring the outdoors. Her knowledge of climbing terms and equipment enhances the story. Her passion for reading books about unlikely courageous heroes, evil villains, and natural disasters led her to create a young adult fantasy thriller with a determined heroine.

    The setting will thrill fantasy readers with an island kingdom surrounded by dark, tumultuous seas, bounded by craggy, treacherous mountain ranges, populated by a male-dominated society, and ruled by a ruthless king. Klarke Ascher was born into the middle class but became an orphan and had to make it on her own.  Her goal was to become a climber, an “Ascenditure,” the most coveted profession in the Kingdom. Her skills and courage are undeniable, but she is ridiculed for her dreams. She is portrayed as a highly intelligent and determined seventeen-year-old.

    Generations of tradition have trapped women in invisible cages. As a bride prize, women are assigned husbands that they are forced to marry and to carry out traditional female roles. The reader learns the country’s history, culture, and beliefs through flashbacks that provide many visual and sensory details. Klarke’s family secrets are hinted at as well as unseen miracles in her life.

The purpose and importance of the selected climbing team is revealed in segments throughout the story. The king’s involvement and his animosity toward Klarke are insinuated through his manipulating and dastardly character. The author has included a vocabulary and language used by her characters in such a way that the terms are understood and a humorous intent is easy to detect.

    Klarke’s fight for equality for women becomes one of survival. The king, driven by his agenda, sends the climbers on a treacherous mission to ascend a frozen peak during a fierce winter storm. The journey is fraught with fear of the brutal elements, numerous climbing hazards, and the ever-present danger of hypothermia. Additionally, the climbers are haunted by the peril of a possible murderer within their ranks, making the remote chance of escaping the mountains alive seem even grimmer. These challenges test Klarke’s resolve to its limits.

Despite the overwhelming adversity, hope, faith, and courage eventually enable Klarke to overcome the pervasive hate and cruelty. With the mission complete, Klarke begins to plan her revenge against those who wronged her. However, she must also take into consideration the happiness of others affected by her actions. Are her plans a form of justified retribution, or merely an act of selfishness? This moral dilemma adds another layer to Klarke’s already complex struggle.

This captivating tale will mesmerize both teen and adult readers, drawing them into a world where they will root for the heroine through all her trials and challenges. From heart-pounding physical confrontations to deeply emotional battles, every twist and turn will keep readers on the edge of their seats, eager to see how she overcomes each obstacle on her journey. The conclusion leaves the question, “What happens next?” Hopefully, a sequel is in the future.