Tower of the Four - The Rise of Magic: Episodes 7-9

by Todd Fahnestock

In a world where magic binds fate, trust is the most dangerous spell of all.

Ovalia was once a powerful mage, bound by loyalty to her closest companions. But when betrayal strikes, her friends—four trusted allies—cast her into The Dreaming, a nightmarish dimension where time and reality twist and tear apart. There, a dragon of unimaginable power incinerates her in a burst of fiery wrath.

But death is not the end.

Resurrected by an ancient magic, Ovalia emerges from The Dreaming stronger, fiercer, and driven by a singular vengeance. With her power growing in ways she cannot yet control, she will stop at nothing to make her former friends pay for their treachery. Yet the deeper she plunges into a world of revenge, the more she discovers the dark secrets of those she once trusted—and the devastating price of her resurrection.

Now, as shadows close in and alliances shift, Ovalia must decide whether she will remain a weapon of destruction... or become something far more dangerous.

Genres: Fantasy

423 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 27, 2025

About the author

TODD FAHNESTOCK is a fantasy/sci-fi author of the bestselling Tower of the Four, Threadweavers and The Whisper Prince series. He was a winner of the New York Public Library’s Books for the Teen Age, a finalist for the Colorado Book Award in 2021 for Tower of the Four: The Champions Academy, and a finalist in the Colorado Authors League Writing Awards for the past two years, for Charlie Fiction and The Undying Man. His passions are fantasy and his quirky, fun-loving family. When he’s not writing, he teaches taekwondo, swaps middle grade humor with his son, plays Ticket to Ride with his wife, scribes modern slang from his daughter and goes on morning walks with Galahad the Weimaraner. Visit Todd at www.toddfahnestock.com.

Reviews

[Kaye Lynne Booth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tower of Four: Rise of Magic, comprises episodes 7-9 in Todd Fahnestock's Tower of the Four fantasy series. Even though I have not read episodes 1-6, I found the rules of the world clearly outlined where needed and had no problem following the later episodes in this volume.

The world building is top notch, as Fahnestock does a great job of introducing us to a world of magic, where seemingly nothing is impossible. Or is it? Fahnestock takes us on an adventure, as magic is conception on this world, through several turns of the tables over the centuries, cluing readers in to the rules of magic, and showing us just what it can do.

The characters are well-developed, but unpredictable, which in epic fantasy, can be a good thing. You never know who will be tempted or tricked into switching sides, and of course all good villians have an unsuspected trick up their sleeve. In this epic tale, the villians have more than a few. But, as is often in life, the character's true inner selves, may be their downfall.The possession of magical powers changes people in unsuspected ways, and those who are at first percieved as heroes, may later be seen as villians in this tale of betrayal and revenge.

[aili · Rating 5 out of 5]

I continue to be obsessed with the Tower of the Four saga. Every new edition is compelling and engaging, with a complex and unusual universe that really drags me into it like I’m watching Ovalia’s badassery in person. Fahnestock has written some of the most believable villains I’ve come across; not only are their actions and intentions complex and often understandable, but their descent into corruption is often the consequence of plausible events. Nothing is more satisfying than a villain I can understand.

**SPOILERS**

Ovalia serves as a perfect example of this. Her desire to survive, grief from losing her sister, and anger from betrayal drove her to become an incredible antagonist. The complex relationship between Ovalia and Arsinoe was both thrilling and heartbreaking. I felt a deep sympathy for Arsinoe as I learned more about his backstory, but I was also reminded of his depravity—which, again, makes him a very compelling character. His experiences do not excuse his future actions in any way, but they indicate that he had a soul at one point in his life.

I can’t believe I have to wait so long to read the next installment after that cliffhanger. I will be begrudgingly patient, I guess. Very well done! :)

[Christopher Bray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Todd Fahnestock does it again... Gripping fantasy adventure with several twists

I love all Todd's work, and alwasy look forward eagerly to each new release. This new omnibus edition was no different and I grabbed it as soon as it was made available. The omnibus includes eposides 7 to 9 in the series, starting with two sisters wondering why their mother had to die, and struggling in their own way to try to come to terms with it. They both have magical powers, but they are very different indeed.

They have a group of friends who are also magical, but are they really friends and how far will they to to get what they want? I can't tell you much more without spoiling the surprise, so I will leave it to you to read the book and find out for yourself. If you love quality fantasy, you won't be sorry you bought it.

This is a really well written book, as always with Todd. It offers exceptional value considering that you get three books for the price of one, and it really is a great read. I recommend it, and have given it a five star rating which I believe it fully deserves.

[Arya Poff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Please please tell me there is gonna be more episodes released soon!?!!! I was really hoping more then one of The Four would meet their demise (mostly Olivaard and Wulfric I can’t stand them two)! and REALLY thought Ovalia was going to team up with Quad Brilliant to take revenge on The Four. But no! She has to do things her own way sticking her green fire in places/people they don’t belong like BROM. Like our Anima is back to life and he is being controlled by Ovalia not cool. Also when’s Orianas lover come into play ? Because she is being controlled by Ovalia too per last book. So many unanswered questions, now I’m desperate to read how this story end ENDS.