It’s been a little over a month since Danger Peak was released, and the reviews are slowly trickling in. How are they so far? Pretty good, actually! Here is a smattering:
Perone weaves a compelling tale of one young boy’s coming-of-age journey in his engrossing debut… (He) beautifully develops Robert’s emotional arc (of wanting) to attain his goal of conquering the mountain but feels frustrated in the face of his father’s impossibly difficult attitude. He deftly portrays the young boy’s fears and insecurities, his longing for Danny, and his burning need for acceptance and understanding. Crisp and straightforward, the prose is smooth and the pacing measured. A dash of magical realism adds to the intrigue, and themes of teenage angst, friendship, bullying, grief, understanding, acceptance, and sibling bonds are beautifully woven into the narrative. A gripping, raw read.
—The Prairies Book Review
Perone sets up the perfect teenage boy crusade in these pages, packed with dirt bike racing, mechanical know-how, a dash of romance, and even some high-speed chases, all under the guise of Robert’s quest to “conquer the mountain that had conquered his brother.” …In the end, this feel-good tale on how to handle grief, accompanied by a crash course on refusing to give up your dreams, will please younger readers.
—Publishers Weekly
Danger Peak is fast paced and exciting. I also found it surprisingly emotional, especially toward the end. To explain why would give it away. Even though it takes place in the 1980s, you don’t have to be an ‘80s nerd to enjoy the story.
—five-star Amazon review
Danger Peak is funny and even touching at times. Of course, there’s plenty of adventure (just look at that book cover!), but I found the personal family story more compelling than the action parts, to be quite honest.
—five-star Amazon review
Great ‘80s-based book for both adolescents and adults. Read it as my summer beach read, and it had a great ‘80s movie vibe. I would compare to it “Stand By Me,” “The Goonies,” or “Stranger Things.” Recommended for my 10-year-old son or even my middle-school students but also a quick, enjoyable read for adults. Touched nicely upon friendships, family relationships, and the trauma of losing a sibling at a young age. Both fun and touching.
—five-star Amazon review
I don’t normally write reviews, but I have to admit that I was impressed by the author’s ability to weave together an engaging plot with humorous characters from the 1980s. The nostalgic references really brought me back to the days when I rode dirt bikes with my neighborhood pals. As the story builds, it’s difficult to put the book down.
—five-star Amazon review
I found Danger Peak sweet and a little moving. I didn’t grow up in the ‘80s, so I wasn’t able to identify that much with all the references, but I still found the story adventurous and satisfying. It’s also quite funny in places. (You’re going to love the character Rinnie.) Overall, I thought it was very good. I’ll probably read it again at some point.
—five-star Amazon review
I was an ‘80s kid, and Danger Peak really nails the tone of being a vaguely defiant sort of miscreant teen in the ‘80s. Very much captures the spirit of an ‘80s-kids-going-on-a-wacky-adventure movie vibe. Manages to throw in a little heart as well, like any good ‘80s flick. I give it a rating of Totally Radical! Five mint-in-box Luke Skywalkers out of five.
—five-star Amazon review
A beautifully written book about friends chasing their dream. (Perone) eloquently describes each setting for a clear understanding of what was taking place. I loved that it was fast paced and used many references from rock bands and T.V. shows I could relate to. Made me sit back and reminisce the days of riding my Schwinn bike and hanging out with my friends when I was 12.
—five-star Amazon review
Danger Peak is a quick, easy, and captivating must-read. The author draws you in from the first page with his vivid descriptions — I immediately imagined that I was Robert. Bonus points for bringing me back to my ‘80s childhood. If you were a preteen/teen in the mid to late ‘80s, you will love all the references to the era.
—five-star Amazon review
Couldn’t put it down! Having grown up in the ‘80s, this book brought on a ton of nostalgia for me. Felt like “The Goonies” meets “E.T.,” without the aliens and deformed sibling. Rather those friendships as a kid in the ‘80s: packs of kids roaming the neighborhoods, seeking adventures. Fast-paced with lovable characters, this book also had a sentimentality to it that tugged at my heartstrings. Can’t wait for more from this author.
—five-star Amazon review
A staggering work of genius. Miraculously, Michael Thomas Perone has come out of nowhere to insist people don’t forget Generation X.
—five-star Amazon review
Okay, that last one was me (fool you!), but the rest were real! You may be asking yourself, “Is Danger Peak really that good?” Pick up a copy and judge for yourself! Thanks to everyone who took the time not only to buy my book and read it but write such nice things. I’m touched, people.
MTP
P.S.: Next week’s blog: A Surprise Announcement About Danger Peak (oh, the suspense…)
P.P.S.: Danger Peak is now available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble:
Danger Peak 