Sometimes climbing mountains requires a revolution.
Daughter of the Summit and Sea
The Ascenditure, Book One, Daughter of the Summit and Sea
“A powerful female protagonist fights for equality in a vivid, multifaceted fantasy world.” — Kirkus Reviews
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, where the king is determined to see Klarke fail.
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.
Finding Ramanata, Book Two, Daughter of the Summit and Sea
“In the gripping sequel to The Ascenditure, Klarke Ascher’s quest continues as she heroically navigates political intrigue, forbidden love and epic dangers, through a brilliantly crafted world designed for her to fail.” —Laura Reeves, author of Otherworldly Secrets
After a devastating loss and the discovery of a dark conspiracy, Klarke Ascher is determined to uncover the truth, no matter the cost. Her mission: to find the prince’s missing twin and the elusive Ramanata, who hold the key to exposing the king’s deceit and forcing his abdication. To advance her cause, Klarke cleverly convinces the king to allow the Ascenditures to join Ainar’s team for a peace climb aimed at healing the rift between their lands.
As she embarks on this journey, Klarke discovers a kingdom that values diversity and equality—ideals she yearns to bring back to Ectair. But first, she must brave the perilous slopes of Mount Opasno while searching for one of the many women her mother helped smuggle to safety from their oppressive king.
In a world where lies are as fierce as the mountain winds and danger lurks around every craggy outcrop, Klarke must navigate a tangled web of enemies and political intrigue. As alliances shift and hidden agendas emerge, she realizes that not all allies can be trusted and not all adversaries are as they seem.
What inspired The Ascenditure?
THE ASCENDITURE’s origin is a story of two parts. The first is a love letter to the mountains and my parents. The second is a strict condemnation of sexism and misogyny in traditionally male-dominated fields. I will share part one, the delightful bit about mountains and family here, and tackle the heavier inspiration later.
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To truly understand the genesis of this book series, you must understand my parents.
I grew up hearing my dad’s stories of scaling the peaks of the Teton range in Wyoming and climbing Mount Rainier in Washington State. He was a ranger there in the 1970s, and even at a young age, I was hooked when he’d talk about navigating treacherous glaciers to recover bodies or attempting to break the fastest winter ascent records. I loved it when my mom brought out her slides from her trip around the world and was especially drawn to her photos of Everest. The tallest mountain in the world. The queen of summits. I was smitten, drawn to the forbidding slopes and the absolute challenge they presented. To the men, and especially the women, who stepped out from the basecamps of the world’s great massifs. Someday, I wanted to see what they had seen.
Who is THE ASCENDITURE for?
In short, everyone. THE ASCENDITURE is a young adult fantasy novel with crossover appeal for adults. Think Hunger Games or Harry Potter. I hope young women and girls will find this story and be inspired to dive into the world of climbing, outdoor sports, or perhaps something they’ve been told isn’t for them due to gender.
Check out this fun book trailer for The Ascenditure created by LitPick Reviews!
