What do you think?
Rate this book
Everest Files #2
North Face
The Everest Files story continues in North Face ... Ryan Hart is an 18-year-old adventurer on a mission. To get himself to Mount Everest and check out the truth about the world's highest peak. Friends have told him dark stories about the mountain, outrageous things that he wants to see for himself. Just a few hours after Ryan arrives at Everest Base Camp a lethal earthquake strikes. Avalanches pound the glacier, burying Ryan's climbing buddy and killing many others. A desperate rescue saves Ryan's friend, but only after a local Tibetan girl Tashi helps with the search. Stress levels are running high among the climbing teams. The mountain is shut for the season because it is judged too dangerous. Then a flashlight reveals a clue. Someone is alive, high on Everest's treacherous north face! Tashi is convinced it is her 15-year-old brother. Ryan is prepared to risk everything to help. Storm clouds gather as they set out on their illegal climb, a do-or-die mission which the local militia will do anything to stop.
- GenresYoung AdultAction
288 pages, Paperback
Published May 10, 2016
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
May 6, 2019
North Face
For those with an interest in outdoor adventure, this is an interesting read. The plot is well developed, if a little predictable, with enough action to keep the reader engaged throughout. The characters are interesting and reflect diverse cultures alongside their traditions. This is the first book I have read in this series and I’m now keen to read another title to see how it compares - although I do wonder whether the content will be different enough to keep me engaged.
As a teacher, I am always on the lookout for outdoor adventure novels. I feel this book is well suited to teens and slightly younger children too (Year 5 & 6), although a lack of understanding of some of the key technical vocabulary may be an issue.
For those with an interest in outdoor adventure, this is an interesting read. The plot is well developed, if a little predictable, with enough action to keep the reader engaged throughout. The characters are interesting and reflect diverse cultures alongside their traditions. This is the first book I have read in this series and I’m now keen to read another title to see how it compares - although I do wonder whether the content will be different enough to keep me engaged.
As a teacher, I am always on the lookout for outdoor adventure novels. I feel this book is well suited to teens and slightly younger children too (Year 5 & 6), although a lack of understanding of some of the key technical vocabulary may be an issue.
December 28, 2017
I really didn’t expect to enjoy this book as much as I did! ‘North Face’ is the second book in ‘The Everest Files’ trilogy and is an exciting read. You don’t have to read the first book to enjoy this one as it works well as a stand alone novel. The story begins with Ryan, an adventurer on a gap year, who arrives at Everest but soon after an earthquake strikes devastating the camp. In the chaos that follows he ends up meeting Tashi, a Tibetan girl who helps him with his friend, but soon it’s Tashi who needs help.
The first chapter of the book is written in the first person and is from Ryan’s perspective but this soon changes to the third person when we hear Tashi’s story. I’ll be honest, I wasn’t sure if I’d enjoy this book when reading the first chapter. There was a lot of fast-paced action happening when the earthquake hits but I didn’t really feel much of a connection with Ryan’s character yet. It’s only when chapter two starts, where we read Tashi’s backstory, that I began to feel connected and really interested in reading this book.
Tashi’s tale is a fascinating one and once I’d started reading her story I really couldn’t put this book down. Her story begins with her life with her family, leading a nomadic life free in Tibet. But soon the Chinese military show up ruining everyone’s lives, slowly repressing the Tibetan people, and lives. I don’t want to go into the details of what happens but it’s a sad and at times shocking read. I’ve read a lot of books, both fiction and non-fiction, about the freedoms of certain people and cultures being taken away from them, especially during the second world war, but something about reading this book which is set in times today made this all the more shocking.
Tashi’s story continues for more than half of the book and eventually reaches the point where she began talking to Ryan. At this point the story switches back to Ryan’s perspective. I didn’t mind this transition at all. It felt natural and I really enjoyed getting to know Tashi and the truth about the authorities repression of her people. I have to admit that it’s the story of what happens to Tashi’s family and her which really drove me to want to read this book. I became completely engrossed in the story and fascinated by the moments of Tibetan culture that are mentioned too.
This book really has a lot of fast-paced action in it although I wouldn’t say that it’s action throughout. Tashi’s parts were slower and more typical of any contemporary novel however what happens on the climb and after is thrilling, especially when there is trouble behind them, during the climb. I don’t want to spoil this part of the story or the ending but there’s a lot more that happens and it was unpredictable right to the end. Even the last moments of action and the last chapter were exciting and I’m surprised with how much I enjoyed this book. It’s made me want to read the entire Everest Files trilogy as there are mentions of something in this story which make me wonder what happened in the first book and what will happen in the next.
Each chapter has a header image which is a beautiful illustration and worth mentioning. They contain pictures of peacocks, yaks and tigers among other things and it just makes the book all the more special to read. The descriptions of some of the things that happen to the Tibetan people are a bit disturbing. Though nothing is gruesome it can be a little shocking and there are occasional blunt descriptions of dead bodies and other such things. There isn’t anything offensive though I still wouldn’t recommend this for anyone below teen age. The back of the book has some quick information on where you can find more about Everest and what’s happening with the Tibetan people which is good as this subject has really interested me.
This book is surprisingly engrossing and a much deeper and important novel than it first appears to be. The descriptions of what’s happening to Tashi, her family and her fellow Tibetans makes this all the more important to read as it’s based in the realities of what is happening today. Although Tashi’s story is fiction, I have no doubt that the author described some of the horrors of what is happening in Tibet today and it makes this such an important read as well as being a really good action story too.
I’d definitely recommend this book to read for everyone teen aged and up and I can’t wait to read the rest of the series to find out what happens!
-Thanks to Vertebrate Publishing for a free copy.
The first chapter of the book is written in the first person and is from Ryan’s perspective but this soon changes to the third person when we hear Tashi’s story. I’ll be honest, I wasn’t sure if I’d enjoy this book when reading the first chapter. There was a lot of fast-paced action happening when the earthquake hits but I didn’t really feel much of a connection with Ryan’s character yet. It’s only when chapter two starts, where we read Tashi’s backstory, that I began to feel connected and really interested in reading this book.
Tashi’s tale is a fascinating one and once I’d started reading her story I really couldn’t put this book down. Her story begins with her life with her family, leading a nomadic life free in Tibet. But soon the Chinese military show up ruining everyone’s lives, slowly repressing the Tibetan people, and lives. I don’t want to go into the details of what happens but it’s a sad and at times shocking read. I’ve read a lot of books, both fiction and non-fiction, about the freedoms of certain people and cultures being taken away from them, especially during the second world war, but something about reading this book which is set in times today made this all the more shocking.
Tashi’s story continues for more than half of the book and eventually reaches the point where she began talking to Ryan. At this point the story switches back to Ryan’s perspective. I didn’t mind this transition at all. It felt natural and I really enjoyed getting to know Tashi and the truth about the authorities repression of her people. I have to admit that it’s the story of what happens to Tashi’s family and her which really drove me to want to read this book. I became completely engrossed in the story and fascinated by the moments of Tibetan culture that are mentioned too.
This book really has a lot of fast-paced action in it although I wouldn’t say that it’s action throughout. Tashi’s parts were slower and more typical of any contemporary novel however what happens on the climb and after is thrilling, especially when there is trouble behind them, during the climb. I don’t want to spoil this part of the story or the ending but there’s a lot more that happens and it was unpredictable right to the end. Even the last moments of action and the last chapter were exciting and I’m surprised with how much I enjoyed this book. It’s made me want to read the entire Everest Files trilogy as there are mentions of something in this story which make me wonder what happened in the first book and what will happen in the next.
Each chapter has a header image which is a beautiful illustration and worth mentioning. They contain pictures of peacocks, yaks and tigers among other things and it just makes the book all the more special to read. The descriptions of some of the things that happen to the Tibetan people are a bit disturbing. Though nothing is gruesome it can be a little shocking and there are occasional blunt descriptions of dead bodies and other such things. There isn’t anything offensive though I still wouldn’t recommend this for anyone below teen age. The back of the book has some quick information on where you can find more about Everest and what’s happening with the Tibetan people which is good as this subject has really interested me.
This book is surprisingly engrossing and a much deeper and important novel than it first appears to be. The descriptions of what’s happening to Tashi, her family and her fellow Tibetans makes this all the more important to read as it’s based in the realities of what is happening today. Although Tashi’s story is fiction, I have no doubt that the author described some of the horrors of what is happening in Tibet today and it makes this such an important read as well as being a really good action story too.
I’d definitely recommend this book to read for everyone teen aged and up and I can’t wait to read the rest of the series to find out what happens!
-Thanks to Vertebrate Publishing for a free copy.
November 15, 2019
This is the second book of the Everest Files trilogy starring 18 year-old adventurer Ryan. The adventure begins as an earthquake causes avalanches at Everest Base Camp in Tibet. Ryan survives and amidst the devastation meets Tashi, A Nepali girl, concerned about her brother Karma who is high on the north face, cut off from help. Chinese authorities order all climbers to leave the mountain. Here the narrative shifts to Tashi’s story about how she and her brother ended up at Everest Base Camp. This extensive back story provides more insight into Tashi’s character than we have for Ryan. The struggle of the Tibetan people against Chinese oppression and forced migration is dealt with in detail and occupies a significant slice of the novel. A suitable villain emerges – Officer Chen – who continues a vendetta against Tashi’s brother Karma, with high mountain action taking us to a surprising resolution.
Authors, especially if new to a genre or audience, are often advised to “Write about what you know”, and Matt Dickinson does know a lot about the Himalaya and high altitude mountaineering. His career as an adventurer and film maker equips him well to write with some authority, and the setting is rich in detail and authenticity. Knowing your stuff doesn’t always guarantee that great writing will follow, but Matt does a good job in creating a well-paced adventure for the young adult market. Excitement, fear and anticipation keep the plot moving along, and his experience in film transfers well to his descriptions of the environment and the people of the region. His main characters and their motivations are well sketched, particularly Tashi, Karma and Chen, yet Ryan, ostensibly the key protagonist, plays more of a supporting role in events and I felt I needed more insight into what makes him tick. Maybe the final book in the trilogy will let us see his full character.
The young adult audience is a tough and diverse one to gauge. In terms of fast-paced adventure, it hits the spot, and there may not be that much literature around to attract those in the age group who have strong interests in the outdoors. By weaving in the political background of Tibet and the Tibetans adds some depth to an otherwise straightforward action-film page turner.
Authors, especially if new to a genre or audience, are often advised to “Write about what you know”, and Matt Dickinson does know a lot about the Himalaya and high altitude mountaineering. His career as an adventurer and film maker equips him well to write with some authority, and the setting is rich in detail and authenticity. Knowing your stuff doesn’t always guarantee that great writing will follow, but Matt does a good job in creating a well-paced adventure for the young adult market. Excitement, fear and anticipation keep the plot moving along, and his experience in film transfers well to his descriptions of the environment and the people of the region. His main characters and their motivations are well sketched, particularly Tashi, Karma and Chen, yet Ryan, ostensibly the key protagonist, plays more of a supporting role in events and I felt I needed more insight into what makes him tick. Maybe the final book in the trilogy will let us see his full character.
The young adult audience is a tough and diverse one to gauge. In terms of fast-paced adventure, it hits the spot, and there may not be that much literature around to attract those in the age group who have strong interests in the outdoors. By weaving in the political background of Tibet and the Tibetans adds some depth to an otherwise straightforward action-film page turner.
January 13, 2025
North Face is a great book that mixes Tibetan history to a dynamic and crazy rescue on Mount Everest. My favourite part about this book is the backstory, where we learn all the terrible things China inflicted on Tibetan people. These crimes are not talked about much, and I didn’t even know they happened until I read this book. The story itself isn't very well structured, especially because most of the story is a flashback, and the actual story is covered by only a quarter of the book. The story itself isn’t very interesting, but it is dynamic and makes one want to continue reading. This book is generally good, and I recommend it to people who want to read a short book while travelling.
February 22, 2019
A real gem and definetly a great sequel to Matt Dickinson's Everest Files.
May 8, 2022
Whilst the facts were very interesting I didn't enjoy the storyline - it didn't gel well in my opinion & became predictable
March 7, 2017
This is the second in a trilogy but can be read as a stand alone as well. Ryan Hart is at Everest base camp as an earthquake hits. With the help of a local Tibetan girl, Tashi, they rescue his friend. Afterwards, Ryan asks Tashi about herself and the first half of the book is her story. It is the story of Tibet under Chinese rule and is an insight into the human rights issues surrounding Tibet, China, and their people. The story returns to Everest after Tashi tells Ryan how she came to be there and the two stories merge. It is a pacy adventure story and well told. The author is a mountaineer, which adds authenticity but takes nothing away from the writing.
October 15, 2016
After loving The Everest Files, the first book in this trilogy, I was highly anticipating North Face. And I wasn’t disappointed. This book picks up with Ryan travelling to Base Camp to get a closer look at Mount Everest for himself. Whilst there, an earthquake causes tragedy on the mountain, and soon enough Ryan finds himself on a rescue mission.
At Base Camp, Ryan meets Tashi, a Tibetan girl who herds yaks on the mountain with her family. Life for the family has been difficult since Chinese soldiers prevented them from settling at their usual destination. Ryan agrees to help Tashi reach a higher camp that her brother may be trapped at.
As with the first book in the series, North Face switches from Ryan telling the story in the present, to going back and showing us Tashi’s story. I enjoyed learning how Tashi and her family came to be in their current situation, and the experiences they face are devastating to read. This book manages to shine a light on the difficult and often heart-breaking situations that the Tibetan people face. Whilst the characters in North Face are fictional, their story is all too real for the actual families like theirs out there in Tibet, trying to live the way their people have been for generations.
What I also loved in this book was getting to know more about Ryan. Although a large part of the book is Tashi’s story, we get a lot more scenes from the POV of Ryan. He’s an awesome character with a lot of courage and determination. He and Tashi make an epic team when taking on the problems around them. Tashi was also a wonderfully strong character throughout the story and I warmed to her immediately.
The action scenes during the climb up Everest were fantastically gripping. I loved seeing how Ryan adapted to the challenge after being thrown into it without prior training, but I adored that he was so willing to help. All of the scenes featuring the Chinese soldiers were extremely tense and kept me on edge, particularly those final few chapters!
North Face makes for such an exciting read. There are heart stopping moments from start to finish, as well as plenty of touching scenes between the characters. There really is a little bit of everything to enjoy, and I love how these books manage to stand out from the other YA series’ out there. I’m very excited to see where Ryan’s journey will take him next!
At Base Camp, Ryan meets Tashi, a Tibetan girl who herds yaks on the mountain with her family. Life for the family has been difficult since Chinese soldiers prevented them from settling at their usual destination. Ryan agrees to help Tashi reach a higher camp that her brother may be trapped at.
As with the first book in the series, North Face switches from Ryan telling the story in the present, to going back and showing us Tashi’s story. I enjoyed learning how Tashi and her family came to be in their current situation, and the experiences they face are devastating to read. This book manages to shine a light on the difficult and often heart-breaking situations that the Tibetan people face. Whilst the characters in North Face are fictional, their story is all too real for the actual families like theirs out there in Tibet, trying to live the way their people have been for generations.
What I also loved in this book was getting to know more about Ryan. Although a large part of the book is Tashi’s story, we get a lot more scenes from the POV of Ryan. He’s an awesome character with a lot of courage and determination. He and Tashi make an epic team when taking on the problems around them. Tashi was also a wonderfully strong character throughout the story and I warmed to her immediately.
The action scenes during the climb up Everest were fantastically gripping. I loved seeing how Ryan adapted to the challenge after being thrown into it without prior training, but I adored that he was so willing to help. All of the scenes featuring the Chinese soldiers were extremely tense and kept me on edge, particularly those final few chapters!
North Face makes for such an exciting read. There are heart stopping moments from start to finish, as well as plenty of touching scenes between the characters. There really is a little bit of everything to enjoy, and I love how these books manage to stand out from the other YA series’ out there. I’m very excited to see where Ryan’s journey will take him next!
June 22, 2016
Second in the Everest trilogy. Wonderful portrayal of courage of Tibetan people as they face the demands from China and the erosion of their migrant lives. Heroine, Tashi, is believable and tenacious. A possible BOB book for next year for grades 7 and 8?
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews