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The Cipher of Tolo
Not yet published
Expected 15 Oct 26546 pages, Paperback
Expected publication October 15, 2026
About the author
C.L. Walters
13 books105 followersAs a kid, CL Walters’s world revolved around two things: stories and make believe. She’s built a real life around those two passions as a teacher of stories and a writer of make believe.
From a small town in Oregon, she attended college in a smaller town in Oregon majoring in English and adding experiences to fill her creative reservoir. She married her college sweetheart and moved to Hawaiʻi where she now lives. The rich diversity and cultural complexity of Hawaiʻi has added to the tapestry of her creative journey.
In 2020, she started Mixed Plate Press —a publishing imprint—with her husband and has grown it into a thriving business as a published author, writing coach, ghostwriter, editor, and teacher.
She says she reads and writes everyday and her mission as a writer is to create stories that resonate with the truth and offer a place of hope.
From a small town in Oregon, she attended college in a smaller town in Oregon majoring in English and adding experiences to fill her creative reservoir. She married her college sweetheart and moved to Hawaiʻi where she now lives. The rich diversity and cultural complexity of Hawaiʻi has added to the tapestry of her creative journey.
In 2020, she started Mixed Plate Press —a publishing imprint—with her husband and has grown it into a thriving business as a published author, writing coach, ghostwriter, editor, and teacher.
She says she reads and writes everyday and her mission as a writer is to create stories that resonate with the truth and offer a place of hope.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
September 22, 2026
This is one of my favourite sci-fi sequels. Book one is pretty standard in that it’s an academy trial book, but this moves beyond into the wider world and throws us into fascinating politics and societies. Walters does an incredible job of worldbuilding and handling a large cast of characters. I’m anxiously awaiting book three!
Review of advance copy received from Author
What a ride. Slow burn in the beginning with great world building and solid space opera vibes.
C.L. Walters has a gem here and left me wanting more. Cannot wait to see where this series goes next.
C.L. Walters has a gem here and left me wanting more. Cannot wait to see where this series goes next.
Review of advance copy received from Author
As soon as I started reading, I was brought right back into Imogene's world. CL Walters does a stellar job of dropping you right back in her world, and taking you on her journey, you feel all the struggles - it felt reminiscent of the dystopian books from over a decade ago, but with a wonderful new scifi setting.
TCOT is one of the best sequel out there; I wish I could have sat and read this book from start to finish in one go. There's so much that happens, my mind is still trying to cope, theorize and sort out the possibilities of what's happened and where we can go next! There are a few characters I would like to request protection for because you can't make me love them and then have to leave them.
I really hope this series finds it audience because it is something magical.
TCOT is one of the best sequel out there; I wish I could have sat and read this book from start to finish in one go. There's so much that happens, my mind is still trying to cope, theorize and sort out the possibilities of what's happened and where we can go next! There are a few characters I would like to request protection for because you can't make me love them and then have to leave them.
I really hope this series finds it audience because it is something magical.
Review of advance copy received from Author
4.5 (really great)
First things first - Thank you to the author for not only allowing me to eARC read this, but for sending me an eBook of The Trials of Imogene Sol since when applying I said I had not read it and would like to. Seriously, thank you!
I really liked the first book, was satisfied with the ending, and yet it definitely left me wanting more - which is not a bad thing since it is only part 1 (a big thanks to the fans for making that possible). This book is definitely just the start of that and I enjoyed it even more.
I really liked the way this book expanded the world and the story, it was just what I was looking and hoping for. I was sad, though not surprised, that our favorite characters had moved onto their jobs elsewhere and thus everyone was separated when the book starts. Even still, I enjoyed seeing Imogene move forward and her relationship with her new uncle progress and well as that of Vempur and Timaeus. Once things really started to happen I was kept at the edge of my seat, especially when a certain message arrived. The mystery of it all really grabbed my attention and held on. By the time events had progressed to a certain point, I was left waiting for the other shoe to drop. I just knew there was going to be some major hurdles, even if Imogene's name was not as much of an issue to some of the new additions. My favorite of the new additions is definitely Lock - he was a mystery and yet I just knew who had sent him and I was right ;-). Overall, I just really enjoyed this and how much deeper we got into this layered and complex world. There are still a lot of questions and mysteries to be solved and by the end a new, and bigger, obstacle as well. While I knew the end was coming, and a certain element of it, that ending still shocked me as I was not expecting it to end how it did. Then I read the preview of book 3 and my mind was spinning even more! I cannot wait to see what happens next! Science fiction, at its best, comments on real life emotions, situations, experiences, and history in a way that is still relatable - and makes us question and think. This series definitely succeeds in that respect and ranks up there with the best of Star Trek and Star Wars for me. Yes, read it!
#cipheroftolo
First things first - Thank you to the author for not only allowing me to eARC read this, but for sending me an eBook of The Trials of Imogene Sol since when applying I said I had not read it and would like to. Seriously, thank you!
I really liked the first book, was satisfied with the ending, and yet it definitely left me wanting more - which is not a bad thing since it is only part 1 (a big thanks to the fans for making that possible). This book is definitely just the start of that and I enjoyed it even more.
I really liked the way this book expanded the world and the story, it was just what I was looking and hoping for. I was sad, though not surprised, that our favorite characters had moved onto their jobs elsewhere and thus everyone was separated when the book starts. Even still, I enjoyed seeing Imogene move forward and her relationship with her new uncle progress and well as that of Vempur and Timaeus. Once things really started to happen I was kept at the edge of my seat, especially when a certain message arrived. The mystery of it all really grabbed my attention and held on. By the time events had progressed to a certain point, I was left waiting for the other shoe to drop. I just knew there was going to be some major hurdles, even if Imogene's name was not as much of an issue to some of the new additions. My favorite of the new additions is definitely Lock - he was a mystery and yet I just knew who had sent him and I was right ;-). Overall, I just really enjoyed this and how much deeper we got into this layered and complex world. There are still a lot of questions and mysteries to be solved and by the end a new, and bigger, obstacle as well. While I knew the end was coming, and a certain element of it, that ending still shocked me as I was not expecting it to end how it did. Then I read the preview of book 3 and my mind was spinning even more! I cannot wait to see what happens next! Science fiction, at its best, comments on real life emotions, situations, experiences, and history in a way that is still relatable - and makes us question and think. This series definitely succeeds in that respect and ranks up there with the best of Star Trek and Star Wars for me. Yes, read it!
#cipheroftolo
October 1, 2026
CL Walter’s is making my fall back in love with Science Fiction one book at a time. This series is truly Sci-Fi at its best.
I was genuinely so excited for this book after reading the first installment “The Trials of Imogene Sol” and it did NOT disappoint. This is one of the best sequels to a strong series.
We get to drop right back into Imogene’s world and it was amazing the way the author brings her story to life. It isn’t just the slow burn energy, but the way the author writes, the visualization, and the political scheming and intrigue. Imogene is a strong female lead that surrounds herself with strong side characters.
The world building is intense but easy to follow. So much happens and so much is discovered in this book and the author does a great job making sure the plot progressed effectively. We were able to dive deeper into the complex world and I just know there is more to come!
Thank you to the author for the opportunity to read their work. I received this book as an ARC and this is my honest review.
I was genuinely so excited for this book after reading the first installment “The Trials of Imogene Sol” and it did NOT disappoint. This is one of the best sequels to a strong series.
We get to drop right back into Imogene’s world and it was amazing the way the author brings her story to life. It isn’t just the slow burn energy, but the way the author writes, the visualization, and the political scheming and intrigue. Imogene is a strong female lead that surrounds herself with strong side characters.
The world building is intense but easy to follow. So much happens and so much is discovered in this book and the author does a great job making sure the plot progressed effectively. We were able to dive deeper into the complex world and I just know there is more to come!
Thank you to the author for the opportunity to read their work. I received this book as an ARC and this is my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I usually avoid all books that have sci-fi as the genre, but I loved this book and that is saying something. The mysterious elements of what Imogene has not yet uncovered about her parents legacy are going to haunt me, but that’s how good the story building is. You also can’t help but love Imogene and her friends. I highly recommend this book, even if sci-fi isn’t your preferred genre!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews