The Ascenditure

"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