Peak is the story of a fourteen-year old boy with a talent for climbing who is given an opportunity to fulfill every climber’s dream of standing atop the summit of the highest mountain in the world, Mount Everest. However, doing so is easier said than done. The main character, Peak, will be taught several brutal lessons the hard way, and he will have a whole lot more on his mind than just the climb. Wondering if the mountain will show him grace, and wondering whether his father has come back into his life for the right reasons.

Peak is the story of adaptation and overcoming hurdles far beyond your control, with an end that will leave you shocked. Roland Smith’s writing successfully conveys the image of a relatable protagonist. When characters are forced to make rash decisions, Smith’s writing perfectly demonstrates how we as humans do what we think is right, and can often make mistakes. Smith’s descriptive writing also vividly and effectively describes the setting throughout the novel, and characters are well developed and grown as the story continues. Many points in the story can leave the reader thinking about their own actions and decisions, and wondering what they would do if faced with similar situations. The end, especially, leaves the reader shocked at how much Peak had grown without us even realizing. Peak will leave you dazed, contemplating, and pull you in more every word. And for people of any age interested in stories of overcoming, determination and growth, you will instantly fall in love with the story and the characters.