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Summit's Shadow
Tana Walker has only ever felt at home in the mountains. So when her college roommates plan to reunite for a girls’ trip, she suggests an Alaskan expedition to attempt the treacherous Mount Torket. At over eighteen-thousand feet tall, and crisscrossed with crevasses, avalanche zones, and dangerous pitches, Mount Torket is a climber’s dream—or nightmare. Unbeknownst to her teammates, Tana has summited Torket once before, nearly two decades ago. The day her entire family vanished from its icy peak without a trace.
The higher they climb, the more the women suspect they’re not alone. Footsteps and shadows stalk their every move, growing bolder and more vicious as the days wear on. When a slew of near-death accidents befall their journey, Tana realizes that Torket is no typical mountain—and her parents’ disappearance was anything but ordinary.
As Tana’s quest for closure morphs into a fight for survival, she and her friends must band together, even as Torket threatens to rip them apart. Otherwise, they’ll end up as one more batch of souls lost to the dark and hungry mountain.
The higher they climb, the more the women suspect they’re not alone. Footsteps and shadows stalk their every move, growing bolder and more vicious as the days wear on. When a slew of near-death accidents befall their journey, Tana realizes that Torket is no typical mountain—and her parents’ disappearance was anything but ordinary.
As Tana’s quest for closure morphs into a fight for survival, she and her friends must band together, even as Torket threatens to rip them apart. Otherwise, they’ll end up as one more batch of souls lost to the dark and hungry mountain.
219 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 20, 2024
1 person is currently reading
13 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
December 18, 2024
Captivating and unforgettable!
Tana reunites with her college roommates for a trip to Mount Torket, which as a treacherous reputation and is either considered a dream challenge or a nightmare. But Tana hasn’t told them she’d been to the summit before, they day she lost her family and is determined to get answers as to why. As they begin their adventure it is clear they are not alone, and something dark and dangerous is lurking there.
This is one of those stories you start reading, become intrigued by, and by the end realise it is going to be one that you’ll never forget. I don’t always enjoy thrillers and horrors, but the meshing of both genres with the adventure element for Summit’s Shadow worked perfectly for me. It was as if something was just within grasp but not, and the way Heather portrayed that in the book had me excited and anxious to learn what it was. I could really put myself in Tana’s place and feel every emotion and sensation she was up on Mount Torket with her friends.
There was a lot of tension between them as friends already, but the events awaiting them and that they befell on the mountain were testing the strength and endurance of their connections with one another. There were heart stopping moments of danger, high tensions when arguments about things that were happening to them or what they should do next were discussed, and fear mounting the higher to the summit they got. It really was Tana’s story though and her backstory and reasons for wanting to do all of this had me intrigued and desperate to know more.
It’s difficult to share too much in a review without giving away far too many important moments in the story that would spoil it. I don’t think my review can ever do this story the justice it deserves, so it is one I can only recommend you take a chance on and try for yourself, because it really was quite the experience.
Tana reunites with her college roommates for a trip to Mount Torket, which as a treacherous reputation and is either considered a dream challenge or a nightmare. But Tana hasn’t told them she’d been to the summit before, they day she lost her family and is determined to get answers as to why. As they begin their adventure it is clear they are not alone, and something dark and dangerous is lurking there.
This is one of those stories you start reading, become intrigued by, and by the end realise it is going to be one that you’ll never forget. I don’t always enjoy thrillers and horrors, but the meshing of both genres with the adventure element for Summit’s Shadow worked perfectly for me. It was as if something was just within grasp but not, and the way Heather portrayed that in the book had me excited and anxious to learn what it was. I could really put myself in Tana’s place and feel every emotion and sensation she was up on Mount Torket with her friends.
There was a lot of tension between them as friends already, but the events awaiting them and that they befell on the mountain were testing the strength and endurance of their connections with one another. There were heart stopping moments of danger, high tensions when arguments about things that were happening to them or what they should do next were discussed, and fear mounting the higher to the summit they got. It really was Tana’s story though and her backstory and reasons for wanting to do all of this had me intrigued and desperate to know more.
It’s difficult to share too much in a review without giving away far too many important moments in the story that would spoil it. I don’t think my review can ever do this story the justice it deserves, so it is one I can only recommend you take a chance on and try for yourself, because it really was quite the experience.
February 8, 2025
Heather Werner has crafted an absolute gem with Summit's Shadow, a novel that masterfully blends psychological horror, adventure, and deep emotional stakes. From the very first page, Werner immerses the reader in the icy, unforgiving beauty of Mount Torket, a setting so vividly described that you can almost feel the biting wind and hear the crunch of ice underfoot.
Tana Walker is one of the most compelling heroines I've encountered in recent fiction. Her determination, resilience, and complex emotional journey are at the heart of this novel, making her and her friends' struggle for survival all the more gripping. The fact that she's returning to the mountain where her family mysteriously vanished adds an extra layer of tension, and as the story unfolds, it becomes clear that Mount Torket is hiding secrets far darker than anyone could have imagined.
Werner's writing is razor-sharp, balancing heart-pounding action with deeply atmospheric suspense. The slow buildup of eerie occurrences: footsteps in the snow, shifting shadows, and near-fatal accidents, creates a sense of dread that is impossible to shake. The friendships among the characters add richness to the narrative, making their fear and desperation feel even more real.
What sets Summit's Shadow apart from other thrillers is its ability to blend horror and adventure so seamlessly. It's "Into Thin Air" meets "The Terror", with a touch of mystery that keeps you turning pages late into the night. Every twist and revelation hits hard, leading to a climax that is both shocking and deeply satisfying.
If you love books that transport you completely, leaving you breathless with suspense and emotionally invested in every character's fate, Summit's Shadow is an absolute must-read. Werner has delivered a stunning debut that will linger in your mind long after you turn the last page. Don't miss this one!
Tana Walker is one of the most compelling heroines I've encountered in recent fiction. Her determination, resilience, and complex emotional journey are at the heart of this novel, making her and her friends' struggle for survival all the more gripping. The fact that she's returning to the mountain where her family mysteriously vanished adds an extra layer of tension, and as the story unfolds, it becomes clear that Mount Torket is hiding secrets far darker than anyone could have imagined.
Werner's writing is razor-sharp, balancing heart-pounding action with deeply atmospheric suspense. The slow buildup of eerie occurrences: footsteps in the snow, shifting shadows, and near-fatal accidents, creates a sense of dread that is impossible to shake. The friendships among the characters add richness to the narrative, making their fear and desperation feel even more real.
What sets Summit's Shadow apart from other thrillers is its ability to blend horror and adventure so seamlessly. It's "Into Thin Air" meets "The Terror", with a touch of mystery that keeps you turning pages late into the night. Every twist and revelation hits hard, leading to a climax that is both shocking and deeply satisfying.
If you love books that transport you completely, leaving you breathless with suspense and emotionally invested in every character's fate, Summit's Shadow is an absolute must-read. Werner has delivered a stunning debut that will linger in your mind long after you turn the last page. Don't miss this one!
December 20, 2024
Can’t wait to get my copy of Summit’s Shadow!
The author, Heather Werner, is a mountain climber and has been climbing mountains all over the world including Mount Everest.
I’m sure with her many experiences climbing mountain s, she has put together some thoughts of situations that could have happened on her climb to many mountain tops. I couldn’t put her last book away until I finished it! A great read!
Thanks!
The author, Heather Werner, is a mountain climber and has been climbing mountains all over the world including Mount Everest.
I’m sure with her many experiences climbing mountain s, she has put together some thoughts of situations that could have happened on her climb to many mountain tops. I couldn’t put her last book away until I finished it! A great read!
Thanks!
July 22, 2025
I loved this fast-paced, nail-biting thriller! Heather’s firsthand knowledge of climbing shines through, grounding the story in realism even as the eerie, otherworldly elements take hold. The often tense, layered relationships between the women deepen the high-stakes tension, making their fight for survival all the more gripping. Be warned—it’ll probably have you looking over your shoulder on your next snowy climb!
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews