The Ascenditure

(Paperback)

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Description

Klarke Ascher has a singular goal: to become an Ascenditure, a member of the kingdom's elite climbing team who scale the treacherous peaks of Miter's Backbone in search of an elusive medicine to treat the lung sickness that ails the populace. However, in a kingdom governed by centuries of tradition, where women are legally bound to home and hearth, owned by the men they are forced to marry, the Ascenditures have always been male. As the strongest climber of her generation, Klarke' s skill and strength are undeniable, and her courage and persistence prompt a civil uprising to which the king is finally forced to concede. Klarke' s fight for justice, however, quickly becomes a struggle for survival as fellow Ascenditures, one by one, are inexplicably murdered. For danger lies not only on the icy peaks of treacherous mountains, where ropes are cut and routes are compromised, but in the very halls of power. With the hope of an oppressed generation on her shoulders, Klarke must dig deep within herself to discover the greatest strengths- of muscle and mind- not only to survive but to unravel the sinister conspiracy upon which the foundation of their kingdom rests.

Reviews

"High stakes and cinematic worldbuilding anchor Dabney's immersive debut...Dabney's rich storytelling layers lyrical prose, feminist themes, and touches of magic against Ectair's deepening political unrest and Klarke's ambiguous origins, building to a gripping, open-ended conclusion."
--Publishers Weekly

"The Ascenditure is a gripping feminist mountaineering tale wrapped in a compelling mystery."
--Natalie Wright, Author of SEASON OF THE DRAGON

"A captivating thriller written in beautiful prose, providing an insightful, unflinching portrayal of institutionalized sexism and oppression of women and other marginalized people."
--Stephanie Scott, Author of COME BACK ALIVE

"Exquisitely written with characters to die for and a plot that is both intriguing and inspiring. I LOVED THIS BOOK!"
--Darynda Jones, New York Times Bestselling author of The Darklight Trilogy

"Klarke Ascher is the next Katniss Everdeen, with a climbing rope instead of a bow."
--Dr. Samantha Schinder, Ph.D, author of The Deliverance Series

"This gripping tale of determination and grit is a celebration of female resilience."
--Reviewed by Divine Zape for Readers' Favorite (5-star review)

"The Handmaid's Tale meets Free Solo in The Ascenditure, a heart-pounding story of one girl's courage in the face of incredible danger, both on and off the mountains she loves to scale."
--Ellen Parent, author of AFTER THE FALL

"It is a world for the senses, rich with lore and navigated by a heroine who is strong, vulnerable...and determined to conquer the innumerable odds she faces in her quest for equality."
--Sandra Waugh, author of LARK RISING and SILVER EVE

"Klarke's harrowing quest to uncover the king's violence and corruption, to advance women's rights over their own bodies, and to live fully and authentically is described so vividly that we feel it in our tendons, lungs, and muscles--and in our hearts."
--Karen Holmberg, author of THE COLLAGIST

Author Bio

Robyn Dabney is an author, copyeditor, and outdoor adventure enthusiast whose favorite books span every genre. She describes her work as having something for everyone- a sprinkle of suspense, a dash of adventure, and a lot of good versus evil. She lives in Germany and maintains a home base in Moab, Utah. When she isn' t writing, Robyn talks books as a co-host of the Tipsy Nerds Book Club podcast and plays in the great outdoors (usually climbing!).