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Peak #2
The Edge
Fifteen-year-old Peak Marcello hasn’t climbed since intentionally failing to reach the summit of Mount Everest. He’s been enjoying life at sea level, spending his time with the Two Peas—his younger twin sisters—and being a regular, law-abiding teenager. But then his old climbing buddies, JR, Will, and Jack, show up with an offer Peak may not be able to refuse: the International Peace Ascent. The billionaire Sebastian Plank is recruiting a global team of young climbers to make an inspiring, world-uniting documentary. Peak’s been chosen as the U.S. representative. A part of him wants to stay home and out of the spotlight. But another part is itching to get back out there. In the end, the itch has got to be scratched, and Peak, along with his mom, is helicoptered in to a remote base camp in the Hindu Kush Mountains.
But the trip quickly goes from good time to nightmare. Attacked by an unknown and unseen enemy, some of the climbers are kidnapped—including Peak’s mom.
Peak has no choice but to go after them.
But the trip quickly goes from good time to nightmare. Attacked by an unknown and unseen enemy, some of the climbers are kidnapped—including Peak’s mom.
Peak has no choice but to go after them.
240 pages, Hardcover
First published October 6, 2015
164 people are currently reading
1752 people want to read
About the author
Roland Smith
152 books837 followersRoland Smith is an American author of young adult fiction as well as nonfiction books for children.
Smith was born in Portland, Oregon, and graduated from Portland State University and, following a part-time job at the Oregon Zoo in Portland, began a 20-year career as a zookeeper, both at the Oregon Zoo and the Point Defiance Zoo in Tacoma, Washington. After working to save wildlife following the Exxon Valdez oil spill, in 1990, he published his first book, Sea Otter Rescue, a non-fiction account of the process of animal rescue. Smith continued to draw upon his zoo experiences for other non-fiction titles, including Journey of the Red Wolf, which won an Oregon Book Award in 1996.
In 1997, Smith published his first novel, Thundercave. The book continues Smith's theme, as teenage protagonist Jacob Lansa follows his biologist father to Africa where the father is researching elephants. The Lansa character also appears in 1999
s Jaguar and 2001's The Last Lobo. Other novels by Smith include The Captain's Dog: My Journey with the Lewis and Clark Tribe, Zach's Lie, Jack's Run, Cryptid Hunters, Sasquatch (novel), about a boy who searches for Bigfoot. Peak, the story of a teenage boy obsessed with climbing mountains, Elephant Run and Tentacles(novel). In 2008, Smith published the first book in the series I, Q, titled Independence Hall. Smith's books have won "Book of the Year" awards in Colorado, Nevada, South Carolina, and Florida, as well as in his native Oregon. Smith lives in Tualatin, Oregon with his wife and stepchildren.
Smith was born in Portland, Oregon, and graduated from Portland State University and, following a part-time job at the Oregon Zoo in Portland, began a 20-year career as a zookeeper, both at the Oregon Zoo and the Point Defiance Zoo in Tacoma, Washington. After working to save wildlife following the Exxon Valdez oil spill, in 1990, he published his first book, Sea Otter Rescue, a non-fiction account of the process of animal rescue. Smith continued to draw upon his zoo experiences for other non-fiction titles, including Journey of the Red Wolf, which won an Oregon Book Award in 1996.
In 1997, Smith published his first novel, Thundercave. The book continues Smith's theme, as teenage protagonist Jacob Lansa follows his biologist father to Africa where the father is researching elephants. The Lansa character also appears in 1999
s Jaguar and 2001's The Last Lobo. Other novels by Smith include The Captain's Dog: My Journey with the Lewis and Clark Tribe, Zach's Lie, Jack's Run, Cryptid Hunters, Sasquatch (novel), about a boy who searches for Bigfoot. Peak, the story of a teenage boy obsessed with climbing mountains, Elephant Run and Tentacles(novel). In 2008, Smith published the first book in the series I, Q, titled Independence Hall. Smith's books have won "Book of the Year" awards in Colorado, Nevada, South Carolina, and Florida, as well as in his native Oregon. Smith lives in Tualatin, Oregon with his wife and stepchildren.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 231 reviews
December 13, 2015
It’s been so long since I read Peak but I remember it fondly. Unfortunately, this sequel did NOT live up to my memory of Peak. I love a fast-paced adventure but this one didn’t do much for me. It was quick and easy to read but that's pretty much it.
For starters, I think this book needed more development. Everything happened too fast and the tension was never the right amount. As a result, I wasn’t as invested in what was happening. I also found the entire situation unbelievable. A lot of things didn’t add up and there were way too many loopholes. For example, the climber from Australia is some guy who cannot even climb but the entire event is supposed to be full of professional young adult climbers. Could they not find a single kid who knew how to climb in Australia? I am just like woah.
Peak, for the most part was an okay kid, but he said some obnoxious things that made me wonder whether or not he lived under a rock (yes I am trying to be punny.) I guess when you’re a child prodigy, anything is a possible…
Maybe pass this one if you, like me, haven’t read Peak in years. Or if you haven’t read either, Peak might be something cool to try! Mountain climbing for the win!
For starters, I think this book needed more development. Everything happened too fast and the tension was never the right amount. As a result, I wasn’t as invested in what was happening. I also found the entire situation unbelievable. A lot of things didn’t add up and there were way too many loopholes. For example, the climber from Australia is some guy who cannot even climb but the entire event is supposed to be full of professional young adult climbers. Could they not find a single kid who knew how to climb in Australia? I am just like woah.
Peak, for the most part was an okay kid, but he said some obnoxious things that made me wonder whether or not he lived under a rock (yes I am trying to be punny.) I guess when you’re a child prodigy, anything is a possible…
Maybe pass this one if you, like me, haven’t read Peak in years. Or if you haven’t read either, Peak might be something cool to try! Mountain climbing for the win!
July 14, 2015
eARC courtesy of Edelweiss Above the Treeline
Recommended for: Grades 6+
Content advisory: Somewhat graphic and violent, may upset some readers.
Pairs well with: Peak is the first book in this series. Readers can read The Edge without reading Peak, but there are spoilers in this book so I recommended reading Peak first.
Booktalk: Peak (yes, that's his real name, and please don't call him Pete) Morello is a born mountain climber. His mother was a serious mountain climber before a bad accident and several broken bones took her away from climbing and she instead works in a bookstore in Manhattan's Upper West Side. His father, whom he calls by his first name, lives in the Himalayas and has been absent for much of Peak's life.
After his Everest adventure, Peak's been lying low and trying to integrate himself back into regular teenage routines: writing papers, going to Central Park, you know, the usual. One day, his friends approach him with an offer he can't refuse: an eccentric multimillionaire wants him to join 200 other teens from around the world on a climb for peace and wants a documentary filmmaking crew to follow the climbers during the trip. The millionaire has even bought the television time to make sure this documentary is broadcast on TV, and he's willing to put up the money for top-of-the-line gear for every climber.
Ordinarily Peak would say no to the publicity and corporate tone to this climb: he's in it for the love of the sport. But his friends pressure him to agree, and this climb for peace turns into something he never expected...
Review:
Roland Smith knows how to write a solid middle grades-appropriate adventure that is not condescending towards its readers -- not an easy feat. While this book is middle grades in plotting and pacing, it definitely has a YA feel. Peak is such a teenage boy: he's snarky, sarcastic, at times shy and awkward, rebellious and occasionally impulsive yet principled and reflective.... and I appreciate how his narration is not overly steeped in sarcasm or snark, unlike the many male voices of YA books, but his teen-ness kind of flows naturally.
I found the moutain settings difficult to visualize (of course I did: I'm terrified of heights and spend zero time outdoors) and I wonder if some of my readers will find this book offputting for similar reasons. Aspects of the plot were farfetched and I felt that some of the terrific characters took a back seat to the story, but overall this book kept me reading far past my bedtime.
Recommended for: Grades 6+
Content advisory: Somewhat graphic and violent, may upset some readers.
Pairs well with: Peak is the first book in this series. Readers can read The Edge without reading Peak, but there are spoilers in this book so I recommended reading Peak first.
Booktalk: Peak (yes, that's his real name, and please don't call him Pete) Morello is a born mountain climber. His mother was a serious mountain climber before a bad accident and several broken bones took her away from climbing and she instead works in a bookstore in Manhattan's Upper West Side. His father, whom he calls by his first name, lives in the Himalayas and has been absent for much of Peak's life.
After his Everest adventure, Peak's been lying low and trying to integrate himself back into regular teenage routines: writing papers, going to Central Park, you know, the usual. One day, his friends approach him with an offer he can't refuse: an eccentric multimillionaire wants him to join 200 other teens from around the world on a climb for peace and wants a documentary filmmaking crew to follow the climbers during the trip. The millionaire has even bought the television time to make sure this documentary is broadcast on TV, and he's willing to put up the money for top-of-the-line gear for every climber.
Ordinarily Peak would say no to the publicity and corporate tone to this climb: he's in it for the love of the sport. But his friends pressure him to agree, and this climb for peace turns into something he never expected...
Review:
Roland Smith knows how to write a solid middle grades-appropriate adventure that is not condescending towards its readers -- not an easy feat. While this book is middle grades in plotting and pacing, it definitely has a YA feel. Peak is such a teenage boy: he's snarky, sarcastic, at times shy and awkward, rebellious and occasionally impulsive yet principled and reflective.... and I appreciate how his narration is not overly steeped in sarcasm or snark, unlike the many male voices of YA books, but his teen-ness kind of flows naturally.
I found the moutain settings difficult to visualize (of course I did: I'm terrified of heights and spend zero time outdoors) and I wonder if some of my readers will find this book offputting for similar reasons. Aspects of the plot were farfetched and I felt that some of the terrific characters took a back seat to the story, but overall this book kept me reading far past my bedtime.
March 23, 2017
This was a very good book! I took me a bit longer than I would have wished for, but still a good read. It was realistic fiction, and I also read the first book, "Peak", in seventh grade. I would recommend this book for anyone who likes adventure and the outdoors. Peak is a regular boy who was in a climbing competition to climb a mountain the fastest. He and his friends had some trouble on the way. Peak needed to save his friends and family from death.
March 6, 2017
The Edge is about a boy named Peak. Peak and his mom are invited to a climing get together called The International Peace Ascent. The Peace Climb takes place in Afganistan and, is hosted by a very rich man named Plank. The goal of the climb is to hang up very bright lights on a mountian side. The lights will spell peace, which Plank hopes will help spread peace around the world. While Peak is
climbing and getting ready to setup the lights with his group, something terrible happens.
Since I like the character, Peak, I really enjoyed following him in a second adventure. The first couple of chapters felt slow to me but the ending was great as it was very suspenseful. I felt nervous and concerned for the events that took place once the climb began and was relieved and happy with the ending.
If you enjoyed Peak and Everest because they are climbing stories, then I think you'll enjoy The Edge too.
climbing and getting ready to setup the lights with his group, something terrible happens.
Since I like the character, Peak, I really enjoyed following him in a second adventure. The first couple of chapters felt slow to me but the ending was great as it was very suspenseful. I felt nervous and concerned for the events that took place once the climb began and was relieved and happy with the ending.
If you enjoyed Peak and Everest because they are climbing stories, then I think you'll enjoy The Edge too.
December 6, 2019
it wasn't a very good 2nd book to PEAK but I hope the ascent is better
February 8, 2017
What a great sequel to Peak. Although I enjoyed that book very much, I enjoyed the story in this one even more. Peak had a lot of talking and sitting around, something that is normal when climbers are waiting weeks for the weather to clear on Everest. But this book, wow, lots of action and some very scary situations. Once everyone got to where the climb was going to be there was pretty much non stop action. And jealousy, and fighting, and not knowing who to trust, and some incredible climbing and rescue scenes. Any student who loved Peak definitely needs to read this sequel.
May 21, 2020
I thought that this book would be simler to the first, just about the climb, but it took another turn that I did not expect. What the heck. After the big event happens I read the book in a day, I was so hooked what the heck, that shook me. That ending too though. What the PEAK actually stood for was amazing.
February 13, 2018
I read Peak, the prequel to The Edge, a few months ago. This book and Peak by Roland Smith are both worth reading. This entertaining book kept me wanting to read more, and I was always annoyed when I had to stop reading. Smith published The Edge in 2015, eight years after he published Peak. Smith has published other series such as I, Q and Storm Runners. Smith used a unique feature when writing this novel. The main character, Peak, was assigned a project by his english teacher. Throughout the piece, Smith adds snippets from Peak's journal. This is most definitely an adventure novel. Peak and a team of other mountain climbers are selected to participate in one of many climbs that will be combined into a documentary in order to promote world peace. Without having read the previous novel in the trilogy, some of the characters may be underdeveloped, but if the reader has read Peak, all the characters are well developed. They seem authentic, but not very relatable due to the fact that most of the readers have not summitted Mt. Everest. Anything that may better characterize them would likely distract from the plot of the book. The plot is very original and not predictable at all. Smith took every opportunity he had to throw the reader a curveball, perhaps sometimes a bit far-fetched. Geography plays a large role in this novel. Around the world, other groups of climbers are doing similar climbs to promote world peace. Geography plays a huge role in Peak's group's climb. His group is constantly studying topographical maps and planning climbing routes. This book is unique from any book I have read. It is similar to the stories on the news about the near-death experiences of adventurers and mountain climbers. Smith seemed to have done a great amount of research while writing both this and Peak. They are both similar in the amount of technical knowledge put into them. After reading these novels, I now have the urge to go climb a mountain. The only controversial topics readers should be aware of is . The theme of this piece is adventure, and that people should be willing to try things they have never done. A moral that can be taken away from this is that hope and bravery are key in order to survive in the world when danger looms. I would recommend this to any age group, but preferably young adults. Both male and females would enjoy this. Women's strength is shown throughout the book. This was an easier book, but an advanced student would enjoy it as much as anyone.
May 17, 2019
I think the theme to this book is to work hard. I say this because Peak worked really hard to help Plank put up the lights. Also he worked hard to climb the mountains for the Afghanistan peace climb.
August 27, 2020
Wanted to read this after reading Peak with my students. Wasn’t as impressed wit my it as the first in the series. Felt a little too far-fetched to me. But I did enjoy seeing some characters back from the first book to climb again.
November 14, 2018
The book The Edge (Peak #2) by Roland Smith is a really good book, I like how he just has a history of him climbing and his two sisters are always doing and thinking the same thing, but then again, they are twins. I think the youngster that broke the record instead of the main character breaking the record, I think that the main character just wanted to give the kid a chance. I personally think this book is entertaining because of all the commotion going on, especially the contest for climbing. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys the suspense of a book.
February 27, 2017
My son read this. He uses my account for his books.
September 26, 2015
Book #120 Read in 2015
The Edge by Roland Smith
This is the sequel to Peak, which was a good read. In this book, Peak is back and is requested to go on a "climb for Peace". He agrees and heads to Afghanistan for the climb; his mother, a former climber, accompanies him. Shortly after their arrival, Peak's mother and fellow climbers are kidnapped and Peak decides to try to follow their trail and rescue them. Will he succeed? Or will he be killed? This series is great for middle school and high school readers...especially reluctant and boy readers. Peak has matured since the first book, which helps make him a believable hero. I received a copy of this book from Amazon Vine in exchange for a honest review.
http://melissasbookpicks.blogspot.com
The Edge by Roland Smith
This is the sequel to Peak, which was a good read. In this book, Peak is back and is requested to go on a "climb for Peace". He agrees and heads to Afghanistan for the climb; his mother, a former climber, accompanies him. Shortly after their arrival, Peak's mother and fellow climbers are kidnapped and Peak decides to try to follow their trail and rescue them. Will he succeed? Or will he be killed? This series is great for middle school and high school readers...especially reluctant and boy readers. Peak has matured since the first book, which helps make him a believable hero. I received a copy of this book from Amazon Vine in exchange for a honest review.
http://melissasbookpicks.blogspot.com
March 17, 2016
Good book. It reminded me of Gary Paulsen but more for middle school. The Edge is the second book and even though you do not need to read the first book, Peak, I am glad I did. By reading Peak first, I better understood the relationship between two of the characters in the story. I enjoyed how this book took place outside in nature. Peak travels to Afghanistan with to meet a small group of climbers for a “peace climb”. While on his climb, he runs into trouble. Roland Smith does a great job of describing how to climb even though I have no mountain climbing knowledge or skill. I’m hoping there will be a third book.
September 17, 2016
The Edge by Roland Smith was a fictional sequel to Peak. Peak and his climbing group are sent on a Peace Climb in Afghanistan. While the group is setting up their tents for the night they are all kidnapped by four mysterious men, everyone except Peak. It is up to Peak to find and rescue everybody, while protecting his own life too. This is an action-packed thriller that at times will make you shiver with fear. The author did an excellent job of making the reader feel as if he/she was on the mountain themselves. I really enjoyed reading this and would recommend this story to readers who love adventure stories and anyone who enjoyed the first book Peak.
November 20, 2016
The Edge is about a very rich guy who recruits young climbers and film-makers to make a documentary. The excitement begins when 15 year old boy, Peak Marcello, and his mother are helicoptered to a remote base camp in Hindu Kush mountains on the Afghanistan boarder. When the camp is attacked and his mother is taken,Peak has no choice,but to go look for his mother and track down the predators. You will like this book if you are into suspense and thrilling books like the first book to the sequel, Peak.This book made me feel like I was in the book live and it was all happening to me to.
October 8, 2022
Character Interview of Peak from The Edge
Information about the book: In The Edge fifteen-year-old Peak Marcello has not climbed since intentionally failing to reach the summit of Mount Everest. He’s been enjoying life at sea level, spending his time with the Two Peas (his younger twin sisters), and being a regular, law-abiding teenager. But then his old climbing buddies, JR, Will, and Jack, show up with an offer Peak may not be able to refuse: the International Peace Ascent. The billionaire Sebastian Plank is recruiting a global team of young climbers to make an inspiring, world-uniting documentary. Peak’s been chosen as the U.S. representative. A part of him wants to stay home and out of the spotlight. But another part is itching to get back out there. In the end, the itch has got to be scratched, and Peak, along with his mom, is helicoptered into a remote base camp in the Hindu Kush Mountains.
But the trip quickly goes from good time to nightmare. Attacked by an unknown and unseen enemy, some of the climbers are kidnapped—including Peak’s mom.
Peak has no choice but to go after them.
Hello, I am Caitlynn Mena reporting live in New York City where fifteen-year-old Peak Marcello lives. Today I am Interviewing Peak After the tragic event of what happened in Afghanistan.
Q: How would you describe yourself?
A: I would say I am a kid who is adventurous with the outdoors and loves my family. I like rock climbing because it is very calming and fun. My family brings me joy and I do many activities with them. I have climbed rock climbing with my mom many times before and gone to the zoo with my half-sisters. This is why rock climbing and family are most important to me.
Q: Describe who influences in your past that led you to do the things you do today.
A: My mother was a famous rock climber in the past. She even introduced me to rock climbing and she was so obsessed with it that she named me “Peak”. Unfortunately, she had an accident and stopped rock climbing. Even if she does not rock climb now she influenced me to rock climb and taught me to always go for the best I can be, no matter how high up.
Q: Who is your best friend and why?
A: I don not have just one best friend, in fact, I have two. The peas or my little half sisters Paula and Patricia. They are twins and are my best friends in life. We always go to the zoo ad watch snow lions and little cubs. Without them, in my adventure, I probably would have not kept going on because they are one of the reasons I keep going.
Q. Who do you consider your nemesis or rival and why?
A: I would consider my nemesis as Rafe. Rafe has been jealous of me and has been trying to brag that he has climbed better things than me. I believe he only acts around a girl named Alessia in the crew just to impress her. However, I still had to work with Rafe in the end to survive.
Q: What is one thing you walked away from these events learning?
A: From these events, I learned to keep striving for my goals. Some of my crew was kidnapped and killed but I never gave up to help them. Even when my friends were injured and wanted to quit, I told them to continue and I continued too. I knew, in the end, we could do it together and if we had not we probably would not be all living.
Q: What are the three words you would use to describe yourself and why those three words?
A: If I could describe myself with three words I would describe using the words determined, mature and thoughtful. I am determined to achieve all my goals and complete all my tasks I act mature since I am the oldest of my siblings, work by myself, and have a job. Lastly, I am thoughtful of my surroundings and the people around me. These help me and describe me the most.
Q: How do you feel about your surroundings and why?
A: While in Afghanistan it was a nice review, however, I knew something was suspicious with the people around me. This feeling ended up being correct and even though I felt peace while rock climbing I could not trust anyone.
Q: What is one thing you could change if you could?
A: If I could change one thing it would be the choice of going to Afghanistan. Even though I learned an important lesson it was still the pressure of missing out on the fun. I knew other kids were going so had to go. It was all a very important lesson in the end.Q: What do you consider your greatest achievement so far, and why?
A: My Greatest achievement is climbing Mount Everest in New York City. Not many people do it and it was a great challenge for me. However, I did not summit Mount Everest. Though I did not summit, the best part was I let my friend Sun-jo summit and became the youngest person to summit Mount Everest. This was a beautiful experience for both of us earlier in my life
Q: Who would you turn to if you were in desperate need of help and why?
A: If I was in desperate need of help I would turn to my old climbing buddies. JR, Will, and Jack are my old climbing buddies and all of them are smart. They know how to get out of serious situations and keep calm. Being around them helps me to stay calm and they somewhat give off energy to keep calm while climbing.
That is it for today's interview with Peak Marcello. If you want to know more about Peak check out a great book about him called The Edge by Ronald Smith.
Want to read
July 23, 2015I'm down.
February 11, 2016
I loved this book! It was really good! Filled with adventure, twist turning plot and a lot of surprises!! Great book to read!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
February 7, 2017Amazing, totally action packed and intense. If you read peak and enjoyed it I highly recommend this. It is very violent though.
October 19, 2016
I really enjoyed reading Ronald Smith novel “The Edge”. At the beginning, the book was really calm, so I wasn’t excited. I wasn’t excited because I’m a type of a reader that like to see the events going fast. The settings were in modern cities and in the mountains. This book showed a cultural collision with an American boy staying for a couple of days in Afghanistan. Sometimes the book made me imagine that I’m living the events with the characters. “ The Edge” reminded me of my cousin, because my cousin loves climbing and hiking. The ending of the book was really patchy.
Fifteen years old, Peak Marcello is the protagonist of the novel. The billionaire Sebastian Plank is sending two hundred climbers from around the world to Afghanistan for a peace climbing competition, to produce a documentary films .Peak is chosen to represent the U.S in that competition, so he is leaving his twin sisters in New York city, and he is flying to Afghanistan with his mom. Peak went after his friends, who are the film crew persuade him to go . The story mostly take place in Afghanistan. The main conflicts in the story were: how Plank cheated all the climbers, Peak getting love with a climber that is called”Alissa”, and how did Peak deal kidnappers.
The story become more interesting after they arrived to Afghanistan. They realized that Plank cheated everyone, because their were only five climbers, the other 195 climbers were climbing in different countries. The group started going every day to walk and climb. Peak gets in love with Alissa, the French ambassador's daughter, who is a climber in the same group as Peak. In the other side Rafe also loves Alissa, so this made a war between Peak and Rafe. Everyone started showing Alissa that he is better than the other.
In one night Peak came back to the camp and he slept. When he woke up in the morning he was surprised, because nobody woke him up. Then he started searching for the for the people and founded Rafe laying down on the ground and his forehead was bleeding, so he aided him. Rafe told Peak about everything that happened, the whole group including Peak’s mother were kidnapped by six or eight Afghans. Peak and Rafe did everything to find them and save them. At the end they saved their lives and Plank came to Afghanistan to make sure that everybody was okay. Then most of the climbers headed back to their home countries.
It’s been a pleasure for me to read this novel. I totally recommend this book for people who like action events. Although I found this novel kind of uncannily due to the settings and the events. I think that all of the interesting events were hold to the last part of the story. You will find yourself rooting for brave Peak who showed that he is brave after dealing with all of these situations.
Fifteen years old, Peak Marcello is the protagonist of the novel. The billionaire Sebastian Plank is sending two hundred climbers from around the world to Afghanistan for a peace climbing competition, to produce a documentary films .Peak is chosen to represent the U.S in that competition, so he is leaving his twin sisters in New York city, and he is flying to Afghanistan with his mom. Peak went after his friends, who are the film crew persuade him to go . The story mostly take place in Afghanistan. The main conflicts in the story were: how Plank cheated all the climbers, Peak getting love with a climber that is called”Alissa”, and how did Peak deal kidnappers.
The story become more interesting after they arrived to Afghanistan. They realized that Plank cheated everyone, because their were only five climbers, the other 195 climbers were climbing in different countries. The group started going every day to walk and climb. Peak gets in love with Alissa, the French ambassador's daughter, who is a climber in the same group as Peak. In the other side Rafe also loves Alissa, so this made a war between Peak and Rafe. Everyone started showing Alissa that he is better than the other.
In one night Peak came back to the camp and he slept. When he woke up in the morning he was surprised, because nobody woke him up. Then he started searching for the for the people and founded Rafe laying down on the ground and his forehead was bleeding, so he aided him. Rafe told Peak about everything that happened, the whole group including Peak’s mother were kidnapped by six or eight Afghans. Peak and Rafe did everything to find them and save them. At the end they saved their lives and Plank came to Afghanistan to make sure that everybody was okay. Then most of the climbers headed back to their home countries.
It’s been a pleasure for me to read this novel. I totally recommend this book for people who like action events. Although I found this novel kind of uncannily due to the settings and the events. I think that all of the interesting events were hold to the last part of the story. You will find yourself rooting for brave Peak who showed that he is brave after dealing with all of these situations.
June 23, 2018
After reading/teaching Peak with my sixth-graders for the past couple of years, I was excited to read the sequel. My students and I loved the first book in the series and were hoping that the follow-up would contain the same excitement and magic.
Set in the Hindu Kush Mountains, Peak joins a slew of young climbers for an International Peace Ascent - a climb that would be televised to promote peace around the world. (Sure.... why not?) Before long, things go awry and the climbers find themselves in danger.
I think I was a bit disappointed, because I thought this would be another novel where climbing played an important role. (I'm not a climber, but the climbing in the first novel really hooked me.)
Yes, the plot is focused on a climb and there are a few instances of climbing in the novel; however, I never felt any tension while they climbed. Well, I thought, if they're not going to focus on climbing, at least they'll focus on the character of Peak. Nope.
The book is high on action and low on much else. One of the things that I loved so much about the first novel is the dynamic between the characters, especially Peak and his father. I felt like the characterization of Peak in the first book was great, but here, in The Edge, the majority of the characters are limited in favor of action. Zopa is still Zopa (*shrugs*), but most of the other characters are fairly flat. Phillip is the incompetent jerk, Rafe is the egotistical jerk, Alessia is the perfect girl, and Ethan and Peak's Mom are "overpowered." Plot hole? Quick - give Peak's mom the ability to fix it!
I think that my students would enjoy this book, but not necessarily because of the "deftly developed characters" or "nifty plotting." I think they'll enjoy it because there are a few recognizable characters, a fast-paced and action-packed plot, and a bit of senseless violence. I'm hoping that the third book, The Ascent, returns to its roots of a character-driven story.
Set in the Hindu Kush Mountains, Peak joins a slew of young climbers for an International Peace Ascent - a climb that would be televised to promote peace around the world. (Sure.... why not?) Before long, things go awry and the climbers find themselves in danger.
I think I was a bit disappointed, because I thought this would be another novel where climbing played an important role. (I'm not a climber, but the climbing in the first novel really hooked me.)
Yes, the plot is focused on a climb and there are a few instances of climbing in the novel; however, I never felt any tension while they climbed. Well, I thought, if they're not going to focus on climbing, at least they'll focus on the character of Peak. Nope.
The book is high on action and low on much else. One of the things that I loved so much about the first novel is the dynamic between the characters, especially Peak and his father. I felt like the characterization of Peak in the first book was great, but here, in The Edge, the majority of the characters are limited in favor of action. Zopa is still Zopa (*shrugs*), but most of the other characters are fairly flat. Phillip is the incompetent jerk, Rafe is the egotistical jerk, Alessia is the perfect girl, and Ethan and Peak's Mom are "overpowered." Plot hole? Quick - give Peak's mom the ability to fix it!
I think that my students would enjoy this book, but not necessarily because of the "deftly developed characters" or "nifty plotting." I think they'll enjoy it because there are a few recognizable characters, a fast-paced and action-packed plot, and a bit of senseless violence. I'm hoping that the third book, The Ascent, returns to its roots of a character-driven story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 23, 2022
I am a sucker for novels about mountain climbing. What could be more fun than sitting in my warm house, wrapped in a blanket, eating a snack and reading about hypoxemic people in extreme conditions risking their life just for the thrill of it all? I enjoyed the previous book, and was pleasantly surprised to discover this book in the library and find out it was a series.
The Edge actually didn't have a ton of mountain climbing in it; it was more of a thriller. It exceeded my expectations in terms of suspense and action. The teen climber goes to Afghanistan with his mom to participate in a charity climb. Early on, there was a character whose only function was to talk at length about Islam and basically say, "Not all Muslims are terrorists or bad people" and then exit the novel. This made me think
Add some snow leopards and a wise sherpa/Buddhist monk, and it's totally my kind of novel! There are a couple more in the series and I look forward to reading them.
The Edge actually didn't have a ton of mountain climbing in it; it was more of a thriller. It exceeded my expectations in terms of suspense and action. The teen climber goes to Afghanistan with his mom to participate in a charity climb. Early on, there was a character whose only function was to talk at length about Islam and basically say, "Not all Muslims are terrorists or bad people" and then exit the novel. This made me think
Add some snow leopards and a wise sherpa/Buddhist monk, and it's totally my kind of novel! There are a couple more in the series and I look forward to reading them.
October 31, 2018
The Edge by Roland smith is a young adult fiction book about the struggles of professional climber Peak Marcello, peak is 15 years old and throughout the book he is faced with many problems.
My favorite part of the book is in the very beginning when peak gets and offer from the owner of a climbing company that there is gonna be a fundraiser in a foreign country with 200 of the best climbers in the world. Peak isnt as thrilled as many people would be and rejects the offer kindly by saying “i'll think about it”, but in the back of his mind he still wants to expand his experience in climbing and also wants to travel the world as a climber. After peak thinks hard about the benefits of going to the fundraiser, he chooses that he is going to participate.
Peak is a very self controlling person throughout the book and has a good moral compass.
This can be shown throughout the thought process that peak shows when thinking about going to the fundraiser or not, he has all the pros and cons of the offer and is wise about his decision.
This can also be shown when the people invade the camp of the climbers and kidnap many people, many of the adults automatically decide they are going to go after the kidnappers but peak is smart and thinks about what he needs to do to stay alive in the situation cause he was lucky that he was not kidnapped and did not want to die.
The edge is a book about learning to think before you do something and to smart about things if you're not completely sure they are the right thing to do.
My favorite part of the book is in the very beginning when peak gets and offer from the owner of a climbing company that there is gonna be a fundraiser in a foreign country with 200 of the best climbers in the world. Peak isnt as thrilled as many people would be and rejects the offer kindly by saying “i'll think about it”, but in the back of his mind he still wants to expand his experience in climbing and also wants to travel the world as a climber. After peak thinks hard about the benefits of going to the fundraiser, he chooses that he is going to participate.
Peak is a very self controlling person throughout the book and has a good moral compass.
This can be shown throughout the thought process that peak shows when thinking about going to the fundraiser or not, he has all the pros and cons of the offer and is wise about his decision.
This can also be shown when the people invade the camp of the climbers and kidnap many people, many of the adults automatically decide they are going to go after the kidnappers but peak is smart and thinks about what he needs to do to stay alive in the situation cause he was lucky that he was not kidnapped and did not want to die.
The edge is a book about learning to think before you do something and to smart about things if you're not completely sure they are the right thing to do.
August 19, 2021
More Entertaining Awesomeness
I loved the first book, Peak, and was thrilled to find that this one shares the same great innovative thinking as the first. It feels and sounds like a YA read, but it's one of those that gets wrapped around your brain and won't let you go.
There's something completely refreshing about the character Peak. He's young and still finding his way. But he has a strong moral compass and a deep foundational trust of people. He's nowhere near perfect, and freely admits his struggles with certain people, actions, and feelings. The style of this writing is very much like sitting down with a friend while they tell you about their latest adventure. Nice...
While Peak took on the highest mountain on earth in his first book, this time he finds a (slightly) lower elevation to be just as exciting, and in some ways even more of a challenge. But as with Everest, his experience on this mountain range brings him to new revelations about himself, his family, and the world around him.
If you're new to this series, it's possible to pick this story up as a stand alone. But I would seriously suggest you start with the first book, Peak, first. There's just too much going on in the first book to miss. Readers will find a small amount of adult language, and definitely some intense moments as this climb becomes a struggle of life and death. But there's also quite a bit of humor, and a beautiful story of a young man with an unusual name and a big heart. You just can't help rooting for him.
I loved the first book, Peak, and was thrilled to find that this one shares the same great innovative thinking as the first. It feels and sounds like a YA read, but it's one of those that gets wrapped around your brain and won't let you go.
There's something completely refreshing about the character Peak. He's young and still finding his way. But he has a strong moral compass and a deep foundational trust of people. He's nowhere near perfect, and freely admits his struggles with certain people, actions, and feelings. The style of this writing is very much like sitting down with a friend while they tell you about their latest adventure. Nice...
While Peak took on the highest mountain on earth in his first book, this time he finds a (slightly) lower elevation to be just as exciting, and in some ways even more of a challenge. But as with Everest, his experience on this mountain range brings him to new revelations about himself, his family, and the world around him.
If you're new to this series, it's possible to pick this story up as a stand alone. But I would seriously suggest you start with the first book, Peak, first. There's just too much going on in the first book to miss. Readers will find a small amount of adult language, and definitely some intense moments as this climb becomes a struggle of life and death. But there's also quite a bit of humor, and a beautiful story of a young man with an unusual name and a big heart. You just can't help rooting for him.
December 18, 2017
Smith, Roland The Edge, 240 pages, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing, 2015, $17.99 Language: G (0 swears 0 ‘f”) Mature Content: G; Violence: PG13.
Peak Marcello, a 15-year old from New York City, who just came from a failed attempt at Mt. Everest, is called to be part of an international peace climb with participants from all over the world. Each climber climbs with others at different locations. While climbing in Afghanistan, Peak’s mother and several fellow climbers are kidnapped by a group of terrorists. Peak, climbing guide Zhopa, and another climber named Ethan chase the group in the hopes of saving their fellow climbers. They have already discovered the bodies of two other climbing guides. As they get nearer, they discover the bodies of several more climbers. When they finally reach the hideout of the kidnappers, they must fight to take back the remaining captives. One of the climbers, a French girl, was the daughter of the French Ambassador to Afghanistan, and the terrorists, actually French extremists, kidnapped her for ransom money.
The book had great detail, especially the facts and details about climbing and the history of Afghanistan. However, many of the characters could have had their stories developed better, and I feel like there was some unnecessary tragedy.
MS, HS - ADVISABLE JB 8th Grade Student Reviewer
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2017...
Peak Marcello, a 15-year old from New York City, who just came from a failed attempt at Mt. Everest, is called to be part of an international peace climb with participants from all over the world. Each climber climbs with others at different locations. While climbing in Afghanistan, Peak’s mother and several fellow climbers are kidnapped by a group of terrorists. Peak, climbing guide Zhopa, and another climber named Ethan chase the group in the hopes of saving their fellow climbers. They have already discovered the bodies of two other climbing guides. As they get nearer, they discover the bodies of several more climbers. When they finally reach the hideout of the kidnappers, they must fight to take back the remaining captives. One of the climbers, a French girl, was the daughter of the French Ambassador to Afghanistan, and the terrorists, actually French extremists, kidnapped her for ransom money.
The book had great detail, especially the facts and details about climbing and the history of Afghanistan. However, many of the characters could have had their stories developed better, and I feel like there was some unnecessary tragedy.
MS, HS - ADVISABLE JB 8th Grade Student Reviewer
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2017...
November 19, 2019
(This review is for the second book of the series but it did not come up when I searched for it)
The Edge by Roland Smith is an action/ adventure book that will keep you hooked on it wanting to know the fate of the characters. Peak Marcello, the protagonist, is a 15 year old set out to climb in an organized climb for peace in Afghanistan with other young climbers from around the globe. At the start of the treacherous hike, the group ran into some trouble with kidnappers who take everyone including Peak’s mother in search of a ransom but Peak was left behind. A friendly climb for peace turns into a mission across some of the most rugged terrain on the planet to find the others and most importantly his mother.
Roland Smith’s The Edge will keep you in suspense from start to finish with unpredictable twists and turns throughout the plot. Not anything significant that could be improved in the book, just wish it was longer.
I would recommend this novel to any young person who can relate more to a 15 year old protagonist. If you like the outdoors and adventures then this story will be perfect for you. It will keep you flipping the pages and keep your nose stuck in the pages for hours at a time. Overall this is one of the best books that I have read and I highly recommend it to everyone.
The Edge by Roland Smith is an action/ adventure book that will keep you hooked on it wanting to know the fate of the characters. Peak Marcello, the protagonist, is a 15 year old set out to climb in an organized climb for peace in Afghanistan with other young climbers from around the globe. At the start of the treacherous hike, the group ran into some trouble with kidnappers who take everyone including Peak’s mother in search of a ransom but Peak was left behind. A friendly climb for peace turns into a mission across some of the most rugged terrain on the planet to find the others and most importantly his mother.
Roland Smith’s The Edge will keep you in suspense from start to finish with unpredictable twists and turns throughout the plot. Not anything significant that could be improved in the book, just wish it was longer.
I would recommend this novel to any young person who can relate more to a 15 year old protagonist. If you like the outdoors and adventures then this story will be perfect for you. It will keep you flipping the pages and keep your nose stuck in the pages for hours at a time. Overall this is one of the best books that I have read and I highly recommend it to everyone.
February 28, 2019
I read the book THE EDGE by Roland Smith . This book is the second book in Smith's book series PEAK. The main character in this book is Peak Marcello he is a 15 year old boy that loves to mountain climb. Peak has summited some of the most tallest mountains in the world and has set a couple records but this next climb will be one out of his league which is to climb mountain Everst in China.
When Peak arrives into the small village in China he is greeted by some of his old climbing buddies JR, Will , And Jack. After they all talk and catch up after the passed couples years Peaks buddies tells him he has been accept to compete in the international peace accent which is where a millionaire guy recruits climbers from all over the globe . Peak was really shocked when he found out his team was accept to climb but he has thoughts where he dont want to but will Peak accept the challenge?.
I read the first book in this series and it was really good and after I read it I decided to read the second book and they both are attention grabbers and I found this book in my schools library . I rated this book five stars because it is really really good and it will have readers hooked really quick ..
When Peak arrives into the small village in China he is greeted by some of his old climbing buddies JR, Will , And Jack. After they all talk and catch up after the passed couples years Peaks buddies tells him he has been accept to compete in the international peace accent which is where a millionaire guy recruits climbers from all over the globe . Peak was really shocked when he found out his team was accept to climb but he has thoughts where he dont want to but will Peak accept the challenge?.
I read the first book in this series and it was really good and after I read it I decided to read the second book and they both are attention grabbers and I found this book in my schools library . I rated this book five stars because it is really really good and it will have readers hooked really quick ..
October 12, 2019
15 year old Peak Marcello is an amazing climber and only months after climbing Mount Everest is contacted by a group of film makers. He had climbed Everest with them, they asked him to participate in a peace climbing event held by a secretive billionaire. After some convincing he decided to do the climb with his mother another great climber tagging along. He then find out that they will be climbing in Afghanistan, making it a risky climb due to the fact that is pretty much a war going on. When they arrive, they find out the climb master is an friend Zopa. Zopa was a Sherpa that accompanied Peak on Mount Everest. Peak soon wakes to find that several of the climbers including his mother have gone missing. With the guidance of Zopa and help of Another climber Peak attempt to rescue his mother and other climbers before they are killed.
I would recommend this book to 12 to 16-year-olds who enjoy reading adventure-based books. Before reading, I recommend reading Peak, Where the main character Peak attempts to summit Everest as the youngest climber ever.
Overall this is an action packed book that I enjoyed reading. If you enjoy reading this book I would recommend any book in the hatchet series by Gary Paulsen.
I would recommend this book to 12 to 16-year-olds who enjoy reading adventure-based books. Before reading, I recommend reading Peak, Where the main character Peak attempts to summit Everest as the youngest climber ever.
Overall this is an action packed book that I enjoyed reading. If you enjoy reading this book I would recommend any book in the hatchet series by Gary Paulsen.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 24, 2020
The Edge is Roland Smith's 2015 sequel to Peak. Despite the eight-year gap between the publication of the first book and this one, The Edge actually picks up only a few months after the first book ended.
Now fifteen-year-old Peak Marcello receives an invitation to join a billionaire's worldwide 'Climb for Peace. At first he is reluctant but then accepts to help out a group of friends from the first book who have been hired to film documentary footage of the climb. Since the climb will be in Afghanistan, Peak's mother (a former climber) decides to accompany him.
In Afghanistan, their party is attacked by a group of kidnappers after an ambassador's daughter who is one of the climbers. Left behind by accident, Peak decides to go after the kidnappers, who have his mother and his friends.
I gave The Edge five stars. When I first started this series, I was doubtful that a book about mountain climbing (no matter how interesting it might be when actually doing it) wouldn't be all that exciting. Roland Smith manages to make it interesting while giving readers a group of engaging characters as well.
Now fifteen-year-old Peak Marcello receives an invitation to join a billionaire's worldwide 'Climb for Peace. At first he is reluctant but then accepts to help out a group of friends from the first book who have been hired to film documentary footage of the climb. Since the climb will be in Afghanistan, Peak's mother (a former climber) decides to accompany him.
In Afghanistan, their party is attacked by a group of kidnappers after an ambassador's daughter who is one of the climbers. Left behind by accident, Peak decides to go after the kidnappers, who have his mother and his friends.
I gave The Edge five stars. When I first started this series, I was doubtful that a book about mountain climbing (no matter how interesting it might be when actually doing it) wouldn't be all that exciting. Roland Smith manages to make it interesting while giving readers a group of engaging characters as well.
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