Member Reviews
Good option for boys who enjoyed PEAK. It wasn't as good for me, but that wont stop me from adding it inot my classroom library.
I already received this book from my library before I got the notification from NetGalley. In general, I did not like this book as much as the first on ein the series because it had very little mountain climbing in it, but more cultural things. Still, it was okay.
Peak has survived an avalanche on the mountain of Hkakabo Razi and is trying to descend into Tibet. This wouldn’t be easy for most people, but it is even harder since Peak’s father and climbing guide are both wanted by the Chinese government. This team may be skilled mountain climbers, but they aren’t ready to face Mother Nature and man at the same time. Will Peak ever make it back to the United States?
Descent is the fourth book in the Peak adventure series. Events in this book pick up shortly after the events of Ascent and readers will have few issues remembering the dynamic personalities of these characters. This is a quick read and even the most reluctant reader will be turning the pages to see what will happen next. Descent is a great finale for a strong series and I am glad that Smith brought us along for the ride. I strongly recommend this book to everyone. You don’t need to have read the first three, but you also might want to get the full experience by backing up and starting at the beginning.
Descent is the fourth book in Roland Smith's series featuring teenage mountain climber Peak Marcello. I received an advance reader copy of this book through Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
I first became aware of Roland Smith when my son got a copy of his book Jaguar through our library system's summer reading program. A year or two later, he made a school appearance at his elementary school. Smith's Cryptid Hunters series had just been published, and my son (along with my wife and I) began reading more and more of his books.
My wife insisted that I read all of the previous volumes in the Peak Marcello series before reading this ARC. This book is basically a continuation of the story that began in Ascent, the third book in the series. The plot begins after Peak and his group of climbers descend after summitting Hkakabo Razi, and follows their struggle to get safely back home. It doesn't feature quite as much climbing action as the prior books, but still has a lot of conflict and suspense.
I gave Descent five stars. This book is a representative sample of Roland Smith's work and I recommend it highly, especially for 'reluctant' tween readers who may have difficulty identifying books to interest them.
Peak and his father, both master climbers, are being chased by the Chinese authorities and need to escape to a hidden Buddhist monastery in Tibet in order to survive.
I loved reading about Peak’s latest adventure and my students will love this latest book in the series. Smith is a master at incorporating action, suspense and learning (different countries and cultures) into his stories!
Roland Smith does not disappoint with his fourth Peak Marcello book. All the climbing and adventure are here, and better, in my opinion, than the previous book. Peak, Josh and Zopa are back, with guest appearances by characters from the other books in the series, and are on the run from Captain Shek. This book was a quick, exciting read and a solid addition to the series. I'll be adding it to my classroom library this fall.
Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC.
I have read almost all of Roland Smith's books. I enjoyed this book in the PEAK series although somehow I missed book 3. (I will have to go back and read that) I think I missed a bit because I forgot about book 3 but still, this book was a good book. Just like books one and two, this has great likable characters, a ton of action and intrigue. Students that like survival books and fans of Watt Key or Gary Paulsen will like this series. Makes me want to go learn how to climb.