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scootoquinto's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
shinynewjb's review against another edition
3.0
A unique setting and excellent premise, combining elements of extreme isolation, altitude sickness and the effects of pushing the human body to its limits with a traditional ghost story. The plot is executed with a very slow pace and I didn't experience too much dread until right before the excellent conclusion. Also, it is important to be aware this is a story about mountaineering (and the personalities and egos of those on the expedition) with a supernatural element, rather than the other way around. However, some well crafted, subtle spooks make this a recommendation for fans of slow-burn horror.
mockingquantum's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
ghostsmut's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.75
mariaoverbooked's review
4.0
This was 3.5 until that ending, wow.
This was a haunting story about the power of nature, the cruelty of ego, and the naivety of man. Our main character, and most of these characters are not exactly likable. He's spoiled, self centered, not very understanding about locals and they're customs and even downright rude sometimes. He's a doctor who seems to care about humans while at the same time seeing his work more as duty than care.
He's on a trek (the year is 1935) to the top of a mountain that has already stolen countless lives. It's when he and his companions start the climb that things begin to take a turn. First, the mountain shows how cruel nature can be and then...there's something else haunting the mountain. Something dark, something tied to the past that won't let go.
This book escalates like the slope of the mountain itself. It starts out with a sense of wrongness that grows and grows until the end. It's a short book that I managed to devour in two days but it's one that I think will stick with me for a while.
This was a haunting story about the power of nature, the cruelty of ego, and the naivety of man. Our main character, and most of these characters are not exactly likable. He's spoiled, self centered, not very understanding about locals and they're customs and even downright rude sometimes. He's a doctor who seems to care about humans while at the same time seeing his work more as duty than care.
He's on a trek (the year is 1935) to the top of a mountain that has already stolen countless lives. It's when he and his companions start the climb that things begin to take a turn. First, the mountain shows how cruel nature can be and then...there's something else haunting the mountain. Something dark, something tied to the past that won't let go.
This book escalates like the slope of the mountain itself. It starts out with a sense of wrongness that grows and grows until the end. It's a short book that I managed to devour in two days but it's one that I think will stick with me for a while.
nwesterv's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
catherine_mack's review
5.0
A new favourite read. Paver is a genius both in her descriptions of the perils of mountain climbing and in the Edgar Allen Poe-like psychological tension she creates in this unusual setting. The combination of arrogance, haunting past misdeeds and lack of oxygen keep the stakes high and the reader engaged.
nadiajohnsonbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Racism, Grief, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Minor: Vomit