Ascent

This is a book about a teenaged mountain climber named Peak Marcello. It is the third book in a series about Peak’s mountain-climbing adventures. In this latest installment, Peak and his companions are trekking through the Burmese jungle on their way to Hkakabo Razi, reputedly the highest mountain peak in Southeast Asia. Their guide is a native named Lwin, who has a huge, menacing elephant named Nagathan. Nagathan is a vicious animal that is forced to wear an iron bell, indicating he has killed people! When businessman Chin shows up, is he a friend or a foe? Can he be trusted to help when circumstances are dire?

Between the perils of the jungle, illness, cut bridges, sabotage, and a gruesome murder, Peak and his friends are in for the challenge of a lifetime. Will they make it to the mountain, much less the summit?

This book is the perfect read for anyone looking for an interesting, page-turning adventure. It is thrilling, suspenseful, and exciting. I loved the plot line and unexpected twists. The life-or-death situations in which Peak and his friends find themselves are awesome!