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The Tower of Beggars: Stormfell Academy, Book 1
When Niri’s nuncle dies, the coal girl finds herself suddenly penniless and alone on the streets of Brightburgh.
Her already perilous situation is further complicated by her heritage – she’s half Aeldae, a descendant of the people who enslaved the humans of the Splinterlands centuries ago. This alone brands her as both an outcast and a target.
Clinging to a glimmer of hope, Niri possesses a special coin that will grant her admission into the prestigious Stormfell Academy, renowned for its magical and martial training.
However, her hopes are dashed when she learns that the coin only provides access to the Tower of Beggars. To truly benefit from the Academy, she must find a way to pay for the lessons.
Driven by desperation, she turns to the ruins at the foot of the Stormfell, combing through the remnants in the hopes of finding a way to escape her dire circumstances and change her fate…
Her already perilous situation is further complicated by her heritage – she’s half Aeldae, a descendant of the people who enslaved the humans of the Splinterlands centuries ago. This alone brands her as both an outcast and a target.
Clinging to a glimmer of hope, Niri possesses a special coin that will grant her admission into the prestigious Stormfell Academy, renowned for its magical and martial training.
However, her hopes are dashed when she learns that the coin only provides access to the Tower of Beggars. To truly benefit from the Academy, she must find a way to pay for the lessons.
Driven by desperation, she turns to the ruins at the foot of the Stormfell, combing through the remnants in the hopes of finding a way to escape her dire circumstances and change her fate…
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Published July 1, 2025
About the author
Torsten Weitze
61 books237 followersI was born in Krefeld, Germany in 1976 and still live there under the caring eyes of my wife and two Norwegian Forest cats. Originally a publishing salesman, I couldn't resist the lure of writing, and after over a dozen years of playing the gamemaster in pen-and-paper groups, not to mention reading hundreds of fantasy novels, I decided to finally try to write a story myself that I thought might be worth telling. And so my novel Ahren was published in Germany, the first in the best-selling series The 13th Paladin.
When I am not creating new worlds and stories, I like to relax by playing pen-and-paper and story rich video games, reading or binging on TV series. I also practise Jiu Jitsu and the art of handling ancient Japanese weapons like the Katana or the Bo Staff.
When I am not creating new worlds and stories, I like to relax by playing pen-and-paper and story rich video games, reading or binging on TV series. I also practise Jiu Jitsu and the art of handling ancient Japanese weapons like the Katana or the Bo Staff.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
July 4, 2026
An excellent start to a new series, I found The Tower of Beggars to be very compelling and I can't wait until I can see where the story goes in the future.
The cast of characters were great. I found Niri, especially, to be compelling both with her attitude and her history. Grabbasnack, Jonah, Harduul, Apllut, and Tullpa were also really interesting. As were the instructors as the Academy. And the world was even more interesting than the characters. I very much want to know more about the history of this world and its gods and people.
As for the plot, I enjoyed it overall - though there were some moments that I felt dragged a bit to much. Especially the classes and Niri's travels with the Wagon Singers. That being said, even though school/academy settings aren't my favourite, I feel like Torsten did a good job balancing the school aspects of the story with the (in my opinion) exciting events that took place outside of classrooms and the backstabbing that occurred among students.
My only major gripe with the book was the prologue. It hooked me immediately, so I spent much of my time reading the book wondering if the next chapter was finally going to get us back to those events. And we never really do. You can figure out what event was happening in the prologue eventually, but I'm not sure I found it satisfying. I imagine that later in the series, I'll have more appreciation for why the events of the prologue were told the way they were, but having only read book 1 so far, I think I probably would have preferred it as a story told by Niri or her nuncle.
I received and eARC of this book from NetGalley.
The cast of characters were great. I found Niri, especially, to be compelling both with her attitude and her history. Grabbasnack, Jonah, Harduul, Apllut, and Tullpa were also really interesting. As were the instructors as the Academy. And the world was even more interesting than the characters. I very much want to know more about the history of this world and its gods and people.
As for the plot, I enjoyed it overall - though there were some moments that I felt dragged a bit to much. Especially the classes and Niri's travels with the Wagon Singers. That being said, even though school/academy settings aren't my favourite, I feel like Torsten did a good job balancing the school aspects of the story with the (in my opinion) exciting events that took place outside of classrooms and the backstabbing that occurred among students.
My only major gripe with the book was the prologue. It hooked me immediately, so I spent much of my time reading the book wondering if the next chapter was finally going to get us back to those events. And we never really do. You can figure out what event was happening in the prologue eventually, but I'm not sure I found it satisfying. I imagine that later in the series, I'll have more appreciation for why the events of the prologue were told the way they were, but having only read book 1 so far, I think I probably would have preferred it as a story told by Niri or her nuncle.
I received and eARC of this book from NetGalley.
June 2, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I found The Tower of Beggars to be an utterly addictive start to what promises to be an incredible fantasy series. From the very first chapter I was completely invested in Niri’s journey and found myself racing through the pages well into the early hours!
Niri is exactly the kind of protagonist I love to follow she is determined, resilient, and impossible not to root for. Watching her navigate loss, prejudice, and the brutal challenges of Stormfell Academy made for a gripping and emotional read.
The academy setting was everything I hoped for: competitive, dangerous, immersive, and packed with mystery. The world building felt rich without ever becoming overwhelming, and there was always something happening to keep me hooked.
What really stood out was how effortlessly Torsten Weitze balanced action, character development, and intrigue. Every victory felt earned, every setback mattered, and I was constantly eager to see what would happen next.
This is the kind of fantasy that reminds me why I love the genre so much. A fantastic opening to a hugely promising series, and I cannot wait to continue Niri’s story.
I found The Tower of Beggars to be an utterly addictive start to what promises to be an incredible fantasy series. From the very first chapter I was completely invested in Niri’s journey and found myself racing through the pages well into the early hours!
Niri is exactly the kind of protagonist I love to follow she is determined, resilient, and impossible not to root for. Watching her navigate loss, prejudice, and the brutal challenges of Stormfell Academy made for a gripping and emotional read.
The academy setting was everything I hoped for: competitive, dangerous, immersive, and packed with mystery. The world building felt rich without ever becoming overwhelming, and there was always something happening to keep me hooked.
What really stood out was how effortlessly Torsten Weitze balanced action, character development, and intrigue. Every victory felt earned, every setback mattered, and I was constantly eager to see what would happen next.
This is the kind of fantasy that reminds me why I love the genre so much. A fantastic opening to a hugely promising series, and I cannot wait to continue Niri’s story.
June 15, 2026
Wow! This is an incredible story and I wish I had the next installment in my hands!
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This world is like no other I have visited before. The cast of characters are so different from one another and so real. And the plight of our heroine and her driving spirit to rise above made me cheer for her every step of the way.
My thanks for the ARC. I am SO happy to have had this opportunity and I highly recommend this adventure to all who love fantasy
.
This world is like no other I have visited before. The cast of characters are so different from one another and so real. And the plight of our heroine and her driving spirit to rise above made me cheer for her every step of the way.
My thanks for the ARC. I am SO happy to have had this opportunity and I highly recommend this adventure to all who love fantasy
July 13, 2025
It was really good. It left me wanting more of it.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews