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Robert Appleton
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Wild Descent (Beyond Limits Book 2) Kindle Edition

by Robert Appleton (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 17 ratings
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Disaster strikes Flight 114 out of Lhasa, Tibet when the cabin depressurizes in a severe storm over the Himalayas, and the co-pilot is forced to make an emergency crash-landing at high altitude. With limited supplies and no radio communications, the survivors are faced with a life-or-death decision: stay with the plane and await an unlikely rescue, or attempt a perilous descent while they still have enough strength?

For flight attendant Beth Agnew, the choice is even harder. Her paraplegic sister, Mina, is on board. Beth blames herself for the accident that crippled Mina years ago, and has vowed never to leave her side. In the thin air, it would be impossible to carry anyone down a mountain anyway. But two amateur American climbers hatch a daring plan: if they can find their gear that spilled during the crash, they might be able to take half the survivors with them for an all-or-nothing descent beneath the clouds.

Stay or go? As the group splits, leaders emerge and alliances form, and each of them must face their worst fears. For those attempting the climb, a gauntlet of hidden dangers awaits, including maze-like glaciers, avalanches, high-wire traverses in gale-force winds, and the deadliest obstacle of all: a treacherous icefall. It’s survival beyond the limits in the wildest descent on Earth—an emotional odyssey of courage, endurance, and devotion.
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  1. Book 2 of 2
    Beyond Limits
  2. Print length
    272 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  5. Publication date
    August 30, 2023
  6. File size
    2314 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  10. See all details
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0CH1MKLB8
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Mercury Seven Books (August 30, 2023)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ August 30, 2023
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2314 KB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 272 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 17 ratings

About the author

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Robert Appleton

Robert Appleton

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***LATEST*** Alien Safari: Genesis (Book 5 in the series) is OUT NOW on Kindle, paperback and hardcover!

Robert Appleton is a British science fiction and adventure author wild about survival tales in far-flung locations. Many of his sci-fi books share the same universe as his popular Alien Safari series. His rebellious characters range from orphaned grifters on Mars to a lone woman gate-crashing the war in a fabled biotech suit. His sci-fi readers regularly earn enough frequent flyer miles to qualify for a cross-galaxy voyage of their choosing. His publishers include Harlequin Carina Press, and he also ghost-writes novels in other genres. In his free time he hikes, plays soccer, and kayaks whenever he can. The night sky is his inspiration.

He has won awards for both fiction and book cover design.

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5
17 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

D.M.
5.0 out of 5 stars Exciting – Even If you don’t know much about climbing
Reviewed in the United States on March 21, 2024
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I know zilch about climbing and mountaineering. Ok, I know what a carabiner is, and rope, and that’s about it. It's a testament to very good writing that I didn’t need much knowledge, even if all the terminology didn’t make sense to me.

The story kept me riveted, and I was quickly invested in the survival of the characters. I have a significant fear of heights, so my heart sped up quiet a bit in several sections as they struggled to surpass a daunting obstacle. And there are lots of obstacles. The author does well to build tension in a section, and then let it go, sort of a metaphorical ascent in story-telling where the overall tension grows but the reader can celebrate with the characters on small wins.

The writing is good, expressive without being flowery, and painted enough of the landscape for me to see it in my mind. The editing is very good – this is a high-quality production.

The characters…let’s be honest, you probably aren’t picking up this book for a deep exploration of character. Beth (the main POV) and her sister are the most well-developed characters, achieved mostly through flashbacks and side convos. The other characters are mostly surface-level, but they are different enough that by mid-book I easily knew who was who.

If you enjoy a good adventure, survival, battle-against-the-elements story – highly recommended.
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Aspen
5.0 out of 5 stars The merciless beauty of nature at its most unforgiving.
Reviewed in the United States on March 19, 2024
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The Himalayas and the unbreakable human spirit, this tale intertwines the fate of Flight 114’s survivors with the merciless beauty of nature at its most unforgiving. Wild Descent is a gripping tale of survival, heroism, and the unbreakable human spirit. Throw in the backup drop of the forbidding Himalayas, and you have a wild ride.

Experiencing the merciless beauty of nature at its most unforgiving. The detailed portrayal of the characters’ ordeal, from the harrowing crash landing to the daunting decision to embark on a descent fraught with peril, is both thrilling and deeply emotional. The author captures the very essence of adventure and the complexities of human relationships.

Wild Descent is an unforgettable journey that not only tests the limits of its characters but also challenges readers to reflect on what it means to survive against all odds. The novel’s pace is relentless, its tension palpable, and its exploration of the themes of courage and sacrifice is profound.
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EB Hauk
4.0 out of 5 stars A Fantastic Read
Reviewed in the United States on September 6, 2023
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By far one of the best books I've read recently, and the best by an independent author. From the get-go, the book hooks you with its quick pace, mostly fantastic prose, varied characters, and our compelling and sympathetic lead, Beth. Her relationship with her paraplegic sister is the heartbeat of this story and the counterweight to Beth's adventurous, courageous impulses as she finds that she's one of only three experienced climbers who could brave a descent down a sheer Himalayan mountainside after a disastrous plane crash.

Once I started reading, I wanted to keep reading. Everything unfolds naturally, and we get snippets of Beth and Mina's backstories piece by piece. None of the character development feels forced.

Not being a climber or a pilot, I don't know how accurate our author's terminology and explanations were. Still, with layman's knowledge and the excellent pacing, it was easy to believe, nod along, and devour this book. I read it all in just under 48 hours and probably would've read it quicker if I wasn't wiped the first day I picked it up.

There are a couple of reasons this isn't five stars, namely that our characterization isn't *super* deep, and most of the side characters feel somewhat two-dimensional. However, even they grow, and there's still emotional scenes. A couple of small moments rubbed me the wrong way, too, but by and large, it was a good, entertaining read. I'd recommend it to anyone who wants something quick and exciting.
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Vampire Hunter
5.0 out of 5 stars A Taut Tale of Survival!
Reviewed in the United States on September 7, 2023
This is the second book I have read by Robert Appleton, and I found this one to be far superior than the first. In “Wild Descent,” flight attendant Beth has the challenge of her life when the plane she is employed on crashes during a winter storm. She and the surviving passengers are stranded 20K up on a snow-covered mountain. Even worse, among the group is her crippled sister, Mina. This is an adventure tale of disaster and survival as plane crash victims employ ingenuity to stay alive in a harsh, unforgiving environment.
Appleton is a competent writer, and really shines in the action scenes, making them vivid and tense. I appreciate that he goes beyond the usual way expressing ideas in this story. For instance, he wrote, “Beth clove to a middle grove between reassured and scared, between peppy and sullen.” And, “Patrick embodied the word ‘steady’ better than most, appearing laid-back but possessing a hidden gear that kicked in whenever the route became dicey.” Although there were times when the narration/introspection seemed a bit high in comparison to the action, his efforts at making the prose more interesting kept me from getting weary of it. There is a twist at the end that I did not love, but I think others may like. Overall, I enjoyed this story very much and highly recommend it.
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Top reviews from other countries

CC234
5.0 out of 5 stars This book takes readers on a heart pounding journey
Reviewed in Canada on September 14, 2023
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"Wild Descent" by Robert Appleton is a heart-pounding, emotionally charged thriller set against the unforgiving backdrop of the Himalayas. From the gripping opening of Flight 114's crash in a violent storm, readers are thrust into a high-stakes survival story. The passengers and crew face an agonizing choice: wait for rescue amidst the wreckage or attempt a perilous descent down the treacherous mountainside. The stakes are even higher for flight attendant Beth Agnew, who carries the weight of guilt for her paraplegic sister, Mina, also on board. Appleton deftly explores Beth's complex emotions, adding layers of depth and emotional resonance to the narrative.

The vivid descriptions of the perilous descent, including glacier mazes, avalanches, and high-wire traverses, immerse readers in the heart-pounding challenges faced by the characters. What truly sets this book apart is its exploration of the human spirit. The characters' courage and resilience in the face of insurmountable odds are inspiring, particularly Beth's character arc as she confronts her past and battles her fears.

Appleton's writing is evocative and immersive, making it easy to become emotionally invested in the characters and their survival. "Wild Descent" is an unforgettable odyssey of courage, endurance, and unwavering devotion that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very last page. It's a must-read for fans of high-stakes action and heart-pounding drama.
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Anita Dow, The Martian Diaries sequel to The War Of The Worlds
5.0 out of 5 stars Superb writing in this haunting roller-coaster action adventure
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 12, 2023
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I read this gripping page-turner in a weekend and would award it 6 stars if I could. From the first page I was right there in the small plane carrying fifty assorted passengers over the Himalayas. The action comes thick and fast but it's balanced with learning about the protagonist Beth through skilful writing from a gifted storyteller. The way her back story is unwrapped for the reader is beautifully done and segues quite naturally with the dramatic events that follow the onboard damage to the plane. It's not all disaster scenes, in fact some of the best moments come in the quieter, more reflective times. Author Robert Appleton's knowledge of climbing and mountaineering makes the story completely believable and I learned a lot about the topic.

Every one of the characters is well drawn and when some were lost it evoked real emotion in me. I couldn't stop thinking about this story in between my reading sessions and I'm sure it will haunt me for a long time to come. The twist at the end of the resolution was masterful and this has got to be one of my top three books of the year so far. I can't recommend it highly enough and will definitely be reading other books by this author. There is no sexual content, violence or adult language, making it a suitable gift for a wide range of readers. It's a thrilling, nail biting page-turner of the highest order. Wild Descent is totally satisfying, completely believable and absolutely unmissable.
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars This wild adventure will keep you on edge.
Reviewed in Canada on September 9, 2023
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Beth struggles with the events of her past and to keep away from her thoughts, she decides to take a job as a stewardess. However, Flight 114 is cursed. As the plane crashes on top of the Himalayan mountain, too high for the rescue team to reach, there is no time to wait but to attempt to descend to a lower altitude. The thrilling trek down the mountain, trying to save as many crash survivors as she can, changes Beth forever.

Robert Appleton skillfully navigates not only the snow-covered mountains and glacier’s ice, but also human nature, fear, pride, and the drive for survival. The story keeps the reader on the edge of their seats (and mountain shelves), as the characters hang to the only things that are left, themselves and hope. As the reader turns the pages, new details and events emerge. The author does not give the reader a chance to put away the book until everyone is safe.
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Leonie
4.0 out of 5 stars High drama in both senses …
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 27, 2024
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This tale of survivors of a Himalayan air crash relies on the familiar premise of a disparate group of people thrown together by an unforeseen event. Any such narrative needs a touch of the original before and while the action unwinds in order to give it lustre and differentiate it from other books based on a similar trope. And this the author of Wild Descent does with skill and depth.

Although the scene setting and character sketching inevitably make for a leisurely start, they’re done well and set the scene for the events to unfold. Which they do rapidly, with pace, drama and mounting tension.

I’m always interested to read female characters written by a man. The two Agnew sisters are convincingly portrayed, particularly the main character Beth with her original backstory, emotional baggage and engaging verve and sassieness. And the other passengers who attempt the descent are also well depicted.

I learned a lot about mountain climbing terms and techniques as I read! But the author wears his knowledge lightly and I never felt it slowed the pace; on the contrary, it helped my understanding of the incredible challenges faced by the survivors and how they strove to overcome them. And the vivid descriptions of the Himalayan peaks, snowy landscapes, the vast awe-inspiring night sky, extreme weather, impossible decisions taken, successes, failures and tragedies, all give dramatic colour and texture to the drama that carries the reader forward at breakneck speed (I read the book in under 24 hours).

But — spoiler alert — a big downside for me is that a critical plot point depended on the supernatural. For this reader that was a disappointment, and I feel that anything speculative about a book should be flagged in advance. But for the many readers who have no problem with a latter day deus ex machina, this well written edge-of-the-seat adventure is a five-star read.
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J
5.0 out of 5 stars “He’ll get sucked into the engine!”
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 20, 2023
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‘ “You can’t let [the pilot] go!” fumed the co-pilot. “He’ll get sucked into the engine!” ’ Straight away, right in the middle of Chapter One, Robert Appleton hooks the reader with his vivid—and credible—description of an aeroplane crash in the Himalayas. ‘Wild Descent’ is the second book in his ‘Beyond Limits’ series, although perfectly consumable (unlike the characters) as a novel in its own right. This isn’t ‘Alive’ by Piers Paul Read, but it is just as good.

Having hiked in these mountains on three occasions, I can relate to his authentic descriptions of the scenery, ice and snow, and (given my personal experiences in a mountain tragedy) how people respond in the thin air under extreme duress. Bravo, Mr Appleton: this is a superb piece of work. Very quickly, his survivors must decide to attempt a descent through unfamiliar ground or wait in the hope of a rescue.

This book is equally gripping and gruelling and essentially centres around a leadership power struggle, which is totally relatable. There are two sorts of people in a disaster: altruists and self-absorbed individuals. Our protagonists/antagonists are beset with significant calamities: avalanches, hunger, challenging climbs, hypoxia and death.

Our hero is Beth: ‘Beth Agnew, reckless creature of the rugged outdoors, was now cooped up in a steel can for a living, obsessing over rouge and hemlines and how best to be decorous at thirty thousand feet.’ This is our first clue that our flight attendant (not stewardess!) will save the day and that she is one of the experienced climbers on the flight. She’s the sort of person you want on your team, but by her admission, she is hampered by her physically immobile sister, a passenger on the flight.

Appleton’s characters, for the most part, are well-drawn and relatable. The few stereotypes are there for good reason and aid in the storytelling. These are robust people facing extreme circumstances, and those who survive do so through their base humanity. Like any good thriller, there is a curveball near the end, which I enjoyed, although some might find it jarring.

‘Wild Descent’ is a fast read for a reasonably sized book. The descriptions are vivid and easily pictured, and the emotional turmoil is relentless. Appleton has crafted an elegant disaster story presented as an action drama, but at its heart, it’s about the people and how adaptable we genuinely can be.
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