Klarke’s goal in life is to become an Ascenditure, part of the elite climbing team that climbs up mountains to get medicine and other valuable supplies. However, she is a woman, and in a land where women are owned by their fathers, husbands, and the government, becoming a part of the Ascenditure always seems out of her grasp. No matter how good she is, she’s passed over for men, and refusing to give up is causing protests and even women being murdered for asking for Klarke to get a spot. As a result, the king sends Klarke and other climbers on a mission that is sure to end with most of them dying. It’s not just the mountains that are causing danger, however, because someone is murdering the climbers. Klarke has to try to solve the mystery and keep herself alive in spite of overwhelming odds against her.

My frustration with this book was often with Klarke herself. She watches people get killed protesting because she wants to be a climber, and she has almost no reaction. People ask her why she wants to do it, and her response is basically, well, you know, climbing is fun. There are occasionally other people who remind her that she’s a trailblazer who will hopefully create more freedom and options for other people, but Klarke herself doesn’t really seem to care about the broad impacts. There are hints from other people about how terrible marriage is or how important her actions are socially, but Klarke herself doesn’t think about those things. She’s clearly supposed to be a role model who is breaking traditions to pave a better world for women, but that’s not how she comes across. She’s just obsessed with climbing, other people’s safety be damned.

The plot suffers from some similar issues. Like how Klarke is clearly supposed to be a fearless warrior for women’s rights but doesn’t seem to care about rights other than how they apply to her immediate circle, the plot has shortsightedness issues sometimes. There are a lot of plot threads, but sometimes not a lot of focus on any of them. What happened to Klarke’s parents? It's probably not important for 150 pages and then super big on Klarke’s mind. Her good friend? Eh, sure, let’s make him a love interest! Klarke hasn’t noticed any romantic interest in him at all, even thinking he offers to marry her out of pity early in the book. Sometimes Klarke just comes off as so stupid I want to shake her. Is this book about murder mysteries? Fighting against the patriarchy? Romance? It’s really hard to tell sometimes. Sometimes it just feels like this big is trying WAY too hard to be a feminist, strong woman character type story and sometimes gets in its own way.

However. As critical as I am about Klarke as a person and some of the other writing choices, I still really enjoyed this book.

The characters are rich and varied, and there’s a wide range of people from absolutely lovable to absolutely despicable and a whole lot in between. The characters all feel like separate, living people, as if the writer was describing people she hangs out with on weekends. As frustrated as I was with Klarke, she certainly had strengths and weaknesses that made her interesting to read about. Most of the people come in shades of gray and nuance instead of blank and white.

The world-building in this book is also incredible. It’s clear why elite mountain climbers and needed and so important. The places of women in society or different social classes have a lot of depth. There are strong social hierarchies and reasons for why things are the way they are. Not always — I had no idea why women were hated so much. But I still understood what place they had in society clearly. The setting gave the book great opportunities for mystery, political intrigue, discrimination, and romance. The book is full of adventure, social commentary, mystery, and suspense.

Overall, in spite of its flaws, I thought this was an exciting adventure book that opens up an intriguing world with a lot of room for future books.

Thank you for the ARC! I loved this book. It sucked me in quickly. The book is fast paced. Will definitely be recommending to my audience.

"The Ascenditure" by Robyn Dabney presents a compelling narrative of societal upheaval and personal resilience as Klarke Ascher challenges tradition to pursue her dreams. Dabney skillfully navigates themes of gender inequality and political intrigue within a vividly imagined kingdom. While the premise is engaging and the protagonist's journey inspiring, the plot's execution occasionally falters, with some developments feeling predictable. Nonetheless, Dabney's evocative prose and dynamic characters make "The Ascenditure" a worthy read for fans of fantasy adventure.

One thing I love is when a description sounds great and the book matches my expectations almost exactly!

I don't think I've ever read a book about mountain climbing before but it was great, especially with the feminist themes and the murder mystery! Such a unique story

Klarke is a great main character and I was really rooting for her the whole time, such a fierce FMC without being obnoxious which I know a lot of people are searching for these days!

Major pattern recognition means that I usually figure out who the villain is pretty quickly so I'm always searching for something that keeps me guessing and this book definitely did! There are so many potential bad guys and twists you're always entertained and left guessing

I really enjoyed The Ascenditure and if you're looking for a YA book that feels fresh and unique this is for you!

This book had comprehensive worldbuilding. Any questions that came to mind about the world or the society were answered. I found the setting and history of the world interesting, but sometimes, the amount of settings named was overwhelming.

Klarke, the main character, has spent her life training and trying out to join the Ascenditures, an elite group of climbers who serve the king. Due to deep-rooted sexist beliefs, she has never been given a real chance to do what she loves. When two climbers die, and spots on the team open up, Klarke finally has her chance. Once she joins the team, the people around her continue to die, leading her to wonder just how involved she is in these deaths and what it might have to do with her past.

I enjoyed how this book tackled the issues of women trying to break into male-dominated fields. A lot was going on plot-wise, and I felt that none of the plot points in the book were fully explored. I would have loved to see a more significant focus on the romance aspect or the unknowns of Klarke's past. With the amount of subplots, it was difficult for any one aspect to be given enough attention to feel satisfying.

This book was a good read, and I enjoyed reading it. I would recommend this book to teens who have an interest in climbing or have felt like they need to work twice as hard to get half as much as others.

4.5 stars rounded up! I went a little outside of my typical genres of thrillers/horror to try out this dystopian fantasy adventure novel and there are a lot of things I really like about it. The writing and character development are amazing. I love the themes that are touched on in this book as well including girl power, loyalty, and standing up for what is right. Klarke is a wonderful, strong protagonist and she makes this book even more enjoyable. She takes a stand for what she believes in regardless of the possible consequences and she is admirable. This is a great book for fans of The Hunger Games. The pacing of this book is medium I would say, but it felt like it dragged at times for me, since I am typically drawn to faster paced reads. Overall, this is a great book packed with great themes and I recommend it!

Thank you to Netgalley and Regal House Publishing/Fitzroy Books for the opportunity to read this advance copy!

3.5.5 STARS (rounded to 4). I enjoyed The Ascenditure more than I initially believed I would. Perhaps it was the tang of an intriguing premise - I have been failed far too many times when reading a decent premise. However, this book not only defied those expectations, it shattered them. I loved the stakes, the worldbuilding, the narration, and, despite myself, found myself liking every single character. I'm not sure I'd read it again, but it was a quick thrill and definitely what I needed to get myself out of my reading slump. A feminist tribute, an enthralling read, and a delectable wonder.

I really enjoyed getting to know Klarke in this book and getting to know their goals. It had a great overall concept and worked with what I was looking for from the description. Robyn Dabney does a great job in writing this type of book and the characters worked overall in this story. I’m excited to read more from the author and this world.

Thank you for NetGalley for the Advanced Readers Copy. Since I got this book (e-book) in exchange of an honest review, here you go!

The main character is the best. I love her personality! And I like how it talked about patriarchy issue.

Thanks for NetGalley for giving me an E-Arc of this book. When I saw the cover and the description of the book it got me interested. The concept of the book was cool and not very like the usual fantasy I read so it took me a little bit to get used to.

The book involves themes of patriarchy, class systems both which I have a deep interest in. The book is also full of mystery with us the reader and in the book trying to work out who is trying to stop Klarke and also who are klarkes parents? This is a great read for readers interested in fantasy, and young women fighting what is right.

Robyn Dabney's The Ascenditure is a brilliant, heart-wrenching thriller full of tenderness and hope. With rich prose, Dabney transports you into the heart and mind of Klarke Ascher, a brave young mountaineer with a passion for climbing who risks all to challenge the patriarchy hell-bent on oppressing her. Klarke's quest to uncover corruption in the face of enormous peril is exhilarating, making this book a must-read for women of all ages. I can't wait to get my hands on the next installment of the trilogy.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I hadn’t heard anything about this book yet but when I saw the cover and that it was about climbing mountains I was sold! As someone who finds climbing fascinating but absolutely terrifying and would never actually do it but loves watching and reading about it, this book was perfect!

The concept of The Ascenditure was so intriguing and unlike any YA fantasy I’ve read before but it completely delivered on being a captivating mountaineering mystery full of feminism.

The book follows Klarke as she tries to join the Kingdom’s elite climbing team that scale mountains to secure medicine for the kingdom. The only problem is that the Kingdom values men and believe women to only belong to men as wives. But Klarke is the strongest climber of her generation and her persistence at joining the team sets in motion an uprising and a dangerous plot as her fellow climbers start winding up dead in suspicious circumstances. Klarke has to uncover the mystery in a world full of people who are out to get her and stay strong in the face of oppression and sinister conspiracies.

Klarke is such a badass! She is an incredible main character to read about and is so strong. She never bends and trusts and believes in herself. She’s an incredible climber and fierce in such awful circumstances.

The mystery is this book is so good and full of so many potential villains that I did not at all guess who it was. This book goes on such an adventure with so many twists you can’t help but devour it in one siting – I certainly did!

Dabney has crafted such a complex, rich fantasy world full of lore and depth that mirror her characters. I would highly recommend checking this book out when it comes out in May and I can’t wait to see what this author writes next!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

4/6 rounded up to 5/5.

Robyn Dabney's "The Ascenditure" is a captivating and adventurous tale that weaves themes of patriarchy, class systems, justice, and courage into a rich narrative. Set in a kingdom steeped in tradition, Klarke Ascher's singular goal of joining the exclusive Ascenditures, a male-dominated climbing team, sparks a civil uprising challenging centuries-old norms.

The novel is packed with adventure from the icy peaks of Miter's Backbone to the very halls of power, where danger lurks and a sinister conspiracy threatens the kingdom's foundation. Dabney masterfully blends mystery and intrigue, keeping the reader on the edge of their seat from start to finish.

What truly sets "The Ascenditure" apart is its powerful exploration of societal issues. The novel delves into the struggles against patriarchy and a rigid class system, presenting a female-driven adventure that resonates with themes of justice and the fight for equality. Klarke Ascher emerges as a strong and complicated protagonist, defying societal norms with undeniable skill, courage, and persistence.

The writing is beautifully crafted, painting vivid landscapes of treacherous mountain peaks and the corridors of power. The unflinching portrayal of the challenges Klarke faces, both on the mountains and within the oppressive structures of society, adds depth and authenticity to the narrative.

One of the standout aspects is the seamless integration of Klarke's personal journey with the larger societal issues at play. The stakes are high, and the hope of an oppressed generation rests on Klarke's shoulders as she battles not only the dangers of the mountains but also the machinations of those in power.

"The Ascenditure" is a masterfully written adventure that not only entertains but also challenges the reader to reflect on the complexities of societal norms and the resilience required to overcome them. Robyn Dabney's work is a triumph, delivering a compelling story with a strong, female-led narrative that will leave readers eagerly anticipating her future works.

This book was great after being in a reading slump for so many days, but I just knew I had to read this book from its description safe to say I was not disappointed. Even wish I could read more of this tale from another book in the future, loved the language the characters, how it kept me on my toes for every page I went on. It was a great adventure to join, I appreciated the mirroring in the writing. I laughed an I cried. Will definitely be reading more from this author.

“I am not basically a man …” Klarke Ascher shoots back at a climbing competitor. A peasant after her parents die, Klarke only wants to become an Ascenditure – a member of the elite climbing team who searches for medicines and plants in the high mountains of the kingdom.

This book has been sticking in my mind since I finished it. With themes of patriarchy, class systems, justice, and courage, this novel is packed with adventure that teens will enjoy. Klarke faces discrimination, betrayal, and alienation in a kingdom that relies on tradition to keep women as property of men and in the home.

Full of mystery (who is trying to stop Klarke from winning?) and intrigue (what really happened to Klarke’s parents?), this YA novel will make a great read for readers interested in competition, climbing, adventure, fantasy, and young women fighting for what is right.

Thank you #NetGalley for the ARC!

“I keep climbing, despite it all. The only place I truly feel free is pressed against
granite. Dangling from a thin rope, with no guarantees. It’s worth the pain of rejection, the broken bones, the sick feeling in my gut when I know I am about to be passed over. It’s the only thing I’ve done in my short life that is worth it all.”
Klarke has had a singular goal—to become an Ascenditure and serve her kingdom. An elite force tasked with feeding the king, procuring medicine for the sick, and protecting the bridges and dams leading in and out of the kingdom, Ascenditures put their lives on the line to help others. The strongest climber of her generation, Klarke should be an obvious choice to join the ranks, but hers is a kingdom that expects women to stay home, and she is repeatedly passed over until civil unrest threatens to boil over into complete rebellion. When the king declares she will be allowed on a probationary period, she’s soon embroiled in a conspiracy far more sinister than simple sexism as she finds herself fighting for her life and the lives of her other Ascenditures.
Set in the rock-climbing world of an alpen kingdom, Dabney gives us a refreshing female-driven adventure novel so desperately needed in young adult literature. Klarke isn’t a tropey teenage girl fighting the world character sometimes found in YA fantasy, but a strong, complicated character who has the experience and dedication to achieve her goals, but once she finds herself exactly where she thought she wanted to be, battles her own ambition and the expectations placed upon her not only by her government but the people she loves most. As a result, what could be a straightforward high fantasy novel is a captivating thriller written in beautiful prose, providing an insightful, unflinching portrayal of institutionalized sexism and oppression of women and other marginalized people. This novel is a must-read, not only for teenage girls, but anyone longing for an adventure novel filled with high-stakes political intrigue, lush fantasy worlds, and complex characters.