The Enigmatic Pull of The Ascent: A Journey Through Identity and Trauma
After being utterly captivated by Allison Buccola’s debut, Catch Her When She Falls, I found myself buzzing with excitement to dive into her second novel, The Ascent. The themes of identity, marriage, motherhood, and trauma have always intrigued me, and the mention of cults had me rushing to request an advanced reader’s copy. Rarely does a book live up to the hype, but I can wholeheartedly say that The Ascent is a thrilling, sizzling tale that kept me entranced until the last page.
At its core, The Ascent explores the fractured identity of Lee Burton, a woman grappling with the aftermath of her traumatic childhood in a cult known as The Fifteen. The mystery surrounding this reclusive group is compelling, and as Lee tries to build a seemingly perfect life with her husband and baby daughter, Lucy, we witness her internal struggles intensify. The slow burn of the narrative is expertly crafted, making the ensuing chaos feel both inevitable and shocking. I found myself questioning every character’s motives, creating an exhilarating sense of paranoia that permeated the pages.
Buccola’s writing style shines through—not just in the way she constructs her characters, but in her ability to evoke feelings of claustrophobia and dread. As Lee’s world becomes increasingly unstable, we are drawn deeper into her psychological turmoil. I often felt the weight of her past pressing down on her present, keeping me glued to the page. The pacing is deliberate, building suspense beautifully. However, when the climax hits, it does feel like a jarring shift into the darker, more unhinged aspects of Lee’s reality. While this didn’t lessen my enjoyment, it did leave me wanting a more seamless transition that would amplify the impact of her character arc.
One of the most striking elements of The Ascent is Lee herself. The complexity of her journey—as she battles between feeling like a survivor and a victim—made her deeply relatable. Questions lingered in my mind long after I closed the book: How much of her trauma shapes her perceptions? Whom can she trust? Every twist brought to light new layers of both her character and those around her, maintaining a thrilling tension throughout. The other characters are equally well-developed, each exuding a tension that kept me constantly second-guessing my judgments.
Of course, a standout moment for me was the book’s final chapter. The conclusion tied together the intricate threads of narrative with a satisfying bow, leaving me with that Cheshire-like smile that signals a truly great story. Buccola’s skill at navigating the intricate web of human emotion and the weight of our pasts is commendable, inviting readers to reflect on their own identities and choices.
If you enjoy psychological thrillers steeped in themes of trauma and cult dynamics, The Ascent is a must-read. It melds gripping suspense with deeply personal insights that resonate long after you’ve turned the last page. This novel reached me on levels beyond just entertainment—it made me ponder the fragility of identity and the opaque nature of trust. I walked away from this reading experience feeling not just entertained, but also honored to have glimpsed the intricacies of Lee’s journey.
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.5 stars).
So grab your copy on May 20, 2025, and prepare for a wild ride—you won’t be able to put it down!
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