High Intensity

Rating:
Summary: Belle Reilly at her best.
Review: A topical read for 2003, the fiftieth anniversary of Hillary's ascension of the Everest, 'High Intensity' is the story of Quebec-born Véronique Bouchard, one of the best female climber in the World, and Allison Peabody, a rich, spoiled and disillusioned young woman seeking her next adrenaline rush. Véronique or 'Ricky' now works as a guide for Peak Performance, a commercial mountaineering company in order to finance her next climbs.

Peak Performance expedition will take Allison and other rich clients to the most mythical of all mountains: mount Everest. When Ricky is sent to pick up Allison at Kathmandu's airport, it's hate at first sight; or is it?

This is not another formulaic love story with a dull, and poorly developed setting. Belle Reilly takes her time to set the scene and develop the interaction between the two women. Ricky and Allison are given believable background stories and the other members of the expedition are not dispensable cardboard characters but bring real depth to the book.

It is obvious to this reader that Reilly has conducted in-depth research for this story. Her depiction of the Himalayan landscapes and the climbing route from Everest's South col seem true to life. The details she incorporates into the description of the acclimatisation climbs or the harshness of the final summit push contribute to make 'High Intensity' a well rounded and gripping read.

Rating:
Summary: Worth The Read
Review: A topical read for 2003, the fiftieth anniversary of Hillary's ascension of the Everest, `High Intensity' is the story of Quebec-born Véronique Bouchard, one of the best female climber in the World, and Allison Peabody, a rich, spoiled and disillusioned young woman seeking her next adrenaline rush. Véronique or `Ricky' now works as a guide for Peak Performance, a commercial mountaineering company in order to finance her next climbs.

Peak Performance expedition will take Allison and other rich clients to the most mythical of all mountains: mount Everest. When Ricky is sent to pick up Allison at Kathmandu's airport, it's hate at first sight; or is it?

This is not another formulaic love story with a dull, and poorly developed setting. Belle Reilly takes her time to set the scene and develop the interaction between the two women. Ricky and Allison are given believable background stories and the other members of the expedition are not dispensable cardboard characters but bring real depth to the book.

It is obvious to this reader that Reilly has conducted in-depth research for this story. Her depiction of the Himalayan landscapes and the climbing route from Everest's South col seem true to life. The details she incorporates into the description of the acclimatisation climbs or the harshness of the final summit push contribute to make `High Intensity' a well rounded and gripping read.

Rating:
Summary: A terrific thrilling adventure
Review: I was so delighted to be reading this during the 50th anniversary of the ascent of Everest. She really made me feel every step of the way to the summit and blending this well researched atmosphere with a fabulous lesbian love story which also happens to be uber... Who could ask for anything more. I could not put it down. One of the most compelling adventure novels I've ever read.

Rating:
Summary: Worth The Read
Review: This was an excellent adventure/romance story. The only criticism is that the mountain adventure could have been cut back some and the romance side developed more. But, it is really worth the read.

Rating:
Summary: Belle Reilly Climbs High Again
Review: Veronique "Ricky" Bouchard, a French-Canadian mountaineer, signs on to help guide a trek to the top of the formidable Mt. Everest. She's reached the summit twice before and comes to the expedition with more background and knowledge than the trip leaders and the odd assortment of experienced and greenhorn climbers. New York stockbroker Allison Peabody is a thrill-seeker who has spent considerable time and money on dangerous and extreme sports, unconsciously trying to get a reaction from her distant and uncaring parents. She ponies up the $70,000 to join the expedition, and that's how she and the taciturn, mysterious Ricky Bouchard meet.

The story is essentially an adventure/romance, but not just between the two women; it's also about the age-old romance climbers have with a mountain that is awesome, unforgiving, and changing hourly before one's eyes. The novel is long and filled with beautiful descriptions of the trek, including information about real-life climbers, some of whom failed and others who succeeded at reaching Everest's summit.

Mountain climbers have to ascend and attempt to acclimate to the altitude, then come back down, then ascend again, going a little further each time. Reilly tends to start chapters in media res, then go back and tell the reader some of what has transpired, and move on. Stylistically, the narrative ends up mimicking the ups and downs of the expedition, and the book builds in drama the higher the group climbs. Every step of the way, the reader wonders if anybody will make it to the top, and if so, who will it be? And will they make it back or be lost in an avalanche or accident? High Intensity is a satisfying read filled with good characterizations as well as the characterization of a mountain that has challenged and defeated many climbers since time began. Like Reilly's other books, this one is a keeper.
---Lori L. Lake, Midwest Book Review

Rating:
Summary: Belle Reilly Climbs High Again
Review: Veronique "Ricky" Bouchard, a French-Canadian mountaineer, signs on to help guide a trek to the top of the formidable Mt. Everest. She's reached the summit twice before and comes to the expedition with more background and knowledge than the trip leaders and the odd assortment of experienced and greenhorn climbers. New York stockbroker Allison Peabody is a thrill-seeker who has spent considerable time and money on dangerous and extreme sports, unconsciously trying to get a reaction from her distant and uncaring parents. She ponies up the $70,000 to join the expedition, and that's how she and the taciturn, mysterious Ricky Bouchard meet.

The story is essentially an adventure/romance, but not just between the two women; it's also about the age-old romance climbers have with a mountain that is awesome, unforgiving, and changing hourly before one's eyes. The novel is long and filled with beautiful descriptions of the trek, including information about real-life climbers, some of whom failed and others who succeeded at reaching Everest's summit.

Mountain climbers have to ascend and attempt to acclimate to the altitude, then come back down, then ascend again, going a little further each time. Reilly tends to start chapters in media res, then go back and tell the reader some of what has transpired, and move on. Stylistically, the narrative ends up mimicking the ups and downs of the expedition, and the book builds in drama the higher the group climbs. Every step of the way, the reader wonders if anybody will make it to the top, and if so, who will it be? And will they make it back or be lost in an avalanche or accident? High Intensity is a satisfying read filled with good characterizations as well as the characterization of a mountain that has challenged and defeated many climbers since time began. Like Reilly's other books, this one is a keeper.
---Lori L. Lake, Midwest Book Review