Truth through Fantasy.

THE ASCENDITURE: Book One, Daughter of the Summit and Sea series coming May 14, 2024 from Fitzroy Books.

The Ascenditure, book one in the Daughter of the Summit and Sea Trilogy by young adult fantasy author Robyn Dabney

Sometimes Climbing Mountains
Requires a Revolution.

Klarke Ascher, the strongest climber of her generation in a patriarchal kingdom that forbids women from climbing, fights to become an Ascenditure and uncovers a dangerous conspiracy that threatens not only her ascent but also her life.

“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 Book Tour Dates
(For more information vist my Updates & Events page!)

May 16

Reading, Q & A, Signing
Tattered Cover Book Store
Denver, CO
6 PM

Get Tickets (Free, but please register!)

June 6

Panel (1:30 PM): Strength and Feminine-Presenting Characters
Panel (6:30 PM): New Debut Authors Meetup - Host
2024 Nebula Conference
Pasadena, CA

May 25

Book signing
Barnes & Noble Sugarhouse
Salt Lake City, UT
12-4 PM

June 15

Book signing
Barnes & Noble Briargate
Colorado Springs, CO
11-3 PM

May 21

Book signing
Back of Beyond Book Store
Moab, UT
6 PM

June 22

Book signing
Barnes & Noble Crossroads Commons
Boulder, CO
12-4 PM

Early Praise for 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

Welcome readers, writers, outdoor enthusiasts, podcast aficionados, and those who stumbled upon this page by accident.

Photo of young adult fantasy author Robyn Dabney

My name is Robyn Dabney, and I am on a mission to write books that matter. Books that explore good and evil and what it means to be human. I am currently working on two separate series, The Soul Mender Trilogy and The Daughter of the Summit and SeaTrilogy. I also enjoy the challenge of spinning creepy short horror stories (it can’t all be about saving the world!).

My motto is Truth through Fantasy. What does that mean?

I grew up reading Tolkien, Lewis, L'Engle, Le Guin, Atwood... You know, the greats.

Fantasy has always been a vessel to tell truths, and that's what I'm all about.

Our world is filled with many issues to explore, shine a light on, bring to the forefront of conversation, expose, and make people think. I want everything I write to be a fun, exciting adventure, but I also want it to mean something. I write to explore my own feelings. To sort out my own frustrations with the world. I write as a piece of the puzzle of authors past and present, from all curves of the globe, who are trying to sort out this crazy world we live in through words.

My books are about tolerance, empathy, and the world being a solid shade of gray vs. black and white. I put my characters through a lot of hell because the struggle for empathy and love for self and others is often a steep mountain to climb. I hope this doesn’t make it sound like I’m a pessimist. That couldn’t be further from the truth. I like to think I’m a realistic optimist who understands that a glorious, happy ending and real change can only come about through deep hardship and pain.

Plus, as a reader, I’m drawn much more to struggle and hardship than I am to an easy slide through life. Who isn’t?

And like most authors, I write what I like to read.