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Tower of Power #3
The Grand Tournament
A new challenge approaches!
Who knew that getting a second chance for life on another world—after you died—could turn out to be the best thing that ever happened to you? Morgan has been living on this new world for quite some time. He has made friends, found love, been betrayed, formed a guild, fought off a goblin horde, and become an adventurer. His life is perhaps a bit strange now compared to what he had been used to on Earth, but hey, he has an energy sword now.
But as much as a life of adventuring might seem like a good idea, it is a dangerous profession, with the threat of death on a daily basis. So when an opportunity arrives in the form of a tournament where the winners get the chance to climb the Tower of Power, the most dangerous place in this world, Morgan is obviously interested—so he and his team decide to join the tournament.
With teams from all over the world competing in everything from dungeon diving to monster hunting and, of course, single combat, there are plenty of opportunities for success, but also failure. Now, old enemies appear, and new friends are pitted against each other, all for the promise of a chance for them to die in the Tower—because no one has ever come back from beyond the fourth floor, and the organizers of the tournament intend to be the first.
WARNING: This book contains RPG mechanics and tables, profanity, mature themes, and a main character who thinks that he is funny.
Who knew that getting a second chance for life on another world—after you died—could turn out to be the best thing that ever happened to you? Morgan has been living on this new world for quite some time. He has made friends, found love, been betrayed, formed a guild, fought off a goblin horde, and become an adventurer. His life is perhaps a bit strange now compared to what he had been used to on Earth, but hey, he has an energy sword now.
But as much as a life of adventuring might seem like a good idea, it is a dangerous profession, with the threat of death on a daily basis. So when an opportunity arrives in the form of a tournament where the winners get the chance to climb the Tower of Power, the most dangerous place in this world, Morgan is obviously interested—so he and his team decide to join the tournament.
With teams from all over the world competing in everything from dungeon diving to monster hunting and, of course, single combat, there are plenty of opportunities for success, but also failure. Now, old enemies appear, and new friends are pitted against each other, all for the promise of a chance for them to die in the Tower—because no one has ever come back from beyond the fourth floor, and the organizers of the tournament intend to be the first.
WARNING: This book contains RPG mechanics and tables, profanity, mature themes, and a main character who thinks that he is funny.
306 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 30, 2019
621 people are currently reading
140 people want to read
About the author
Ivan Kal
42 books383 followersIvan Kal writes science fiction and fantasy, and is the author of the space opera series Rise of the Empire.
For most of his life he had been studying in the fields of electronics, IT, and web design.
But because of his great love for books and his need to tell stories, he decided to start writing.
His other interests include martial arts, movies and tv, and gaming.
For most of his life he had been studying in the fields of electronics, IT, and web design.
But because of his great love for books and his need to tell stories, he decided to start writing.
His other interests include martial arts, movies and tv, and gaming.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
June 28, 2020
This one lost the thread.
The characters show no growth after two years adventuring in the world. Their power sets are radically altered making them feel like new characters that you have no feelings for. The tournament is unrealistic and the conclusion feels forgone. At no point is there tension by the reading for any of the choices making it all moot. This one takes the tenuous threads connecting you to this story and destroys them leaving you in a state where you just do not care about the outcome of this book or any of the characters.
The characters show no growth after two years adventuring in the world. Their power sets are radically altered making them feel like new characters that you have no feelings for. The tournament is unrealistic and the conclusion feels forgone. At no point is there tension by the reading for any of the choices making it all moot. This one takes the tenuous threads connecting you to this story and destroys them leaving you in a state where you just do not care about the outcome of this book or any of the characters.
January 15, 2020
A very satisfying book
The author hit all the right spots with this book. The right amount of character development, skill progression and overall storyline.
We get some training montages and a really cool competition narrative as well as the closure of one of the primary motivations of the main character.
Really good and highly recommend it, especially if you enjoyed the first two books in the series.
The author hit all the right spots with this book. The right amount of character development, skill progression and overall storyline.
We get some training montages and a really cool competition narrative as well as the closure of one of the primary motivations of the main character.
Really good and highly recommend it, especially if you enjoyed the first two books in the series.
August 3, 2019
His best book so far.
I love this series. Morgan is growing into a powerful leader with a deep bond with his companions. This book was a good read that have us some side stories to help understand the story in a more profound way. As normal the author has done a wonderful job in pacing of the book and the action scenes.
I love this series. Morgan is growing into a powerful leader with a deep bond with his companions. This book was a good read that have us some side stories to help understand the story in a more profound way. As normal the author has done a wonderful job in pacing of the book and the action scenes.
August 24, 2020
Rating 4.0 stars
I am enjoying this series. More than I thought I would. I like that Morgan is the tactics guy and isn't the OP character that jumps in to beat everyone. He is the versatile one, that comes up with unique ideas. His character build is completely different than anything I have read about before. Most people that are into fantasy are also into science. So when the MC is going for a build there is a lot of science in the way the character is built. Most of the time it is physics, chemistry, and a lot of engineering. This is the first character I have read that uses botany for his character build. That right, Morgan continues to use plants for both offense and defence. He has started heading down the path of splicing different plants together as well. I would never make a character this way, but it is new and somewhat interesting. This book starts more than 2 years after the last book. Morgan's group is an adventuring party and they have been doing dungeon dives and quests to build up their levels and send their loot back to their guild. They are high enough level that they are able to enter a tournament from some of the biggest guilds for a chance to win a lot of good loot and the possibility of going to the Tower. A surprise character from the past shows up as well Overall I am enjoying this series and will continue.
I am enjoying this series. More than I thought I would. I like that Morgan is the tactics guy and isn't the OP character that jumps in to beat everyone. He is the versatile one, that comes up with unique ideas. His character build is completely different than anything I have read about before. Most people that are into fantasy are also into science. So when the MC is going for a build there is a lot of science in the way the character is built. Most of the time it is physics, chemistry, and a lot of engineering. This is the first character I have read that uses botany for his character build. That right, Morgan continues to use plants for both offense and defence. He has started heading down the path of splicing different plants together as well. I would never make a character this way, but it is new and somewhat interesting. This book starts more than 2 years after the last book. Morgan's group is an adventuring party and they have been doing dungeon dives and quests to build up their levels and send their loot back to their guild. They are high enough level that they are able to enter a tournament from some of the biggest guilds for a chance to win a lot of good loot and the possibility of going to the Tower. A surprise character from the past shows up as well Overall I am enjoying this series and will continue.
March 8, 2020
Fun
So there was a time jump of a few years from the last story. The characters are stronger and everyone gets ready for a tournament. There are numerous half-edits and verb tense errors. It’s a good enjoyable story that forwards the series but doesn’t truly wow. Enjoy.
So there was a time jump of a few years from the last story. The characters are stronger and everyone gets ready for a tournament. There are numerous half-edits and verb tense errors. It’s a good enjoyable story that forwards the series but doesn’t truly wow. Enjoy.
June 16, 2020
I listened to an audio version that is not currently listed on Goodreads.com so I am placing my review here.
This is a tough book to rate. Basically it is a good book but I disagree with a couple of story choices. First, a tournament is the focus of this book and personally I did not find it sufficiently interesting to justify that choice. Second, part of what I like about this book is that the MC (Morgan) is fairly intelligent. This book, however, focuses on his hangup with an orc adventurer (Emily) who tried to kill Morgan in the first book. The author at least turns this into a growth point for the MC so it is not horrible. Still, the author first has the MC do some incredibly stupid things.
Next, the whole point of the tournament is to identify adventuring parties to attempt the "Tower of Power" but the tournament seems to show, in spite of their success, that the MC's party is not ready. Finally the author teases a story line about a group of adventurers that have virtually completed the Tower of Power but then ignores it. This teaser is really just a distraction from the story the author actually tells.
In spite of all this the author tells an enjoyable story starting with how wilderness area the MC calls home is progressing. The MC's party is actively adventuring to financially support their fledgling guild. Upon returning from one such adventure they are told about the tournament by another adventuring party the MC and co. have become friendly with. Since the tournament's sponsors are wealthy guilds the MC and co. decide to participate even though they don't believe they will win as the consolation prizes should be valuable.
In the first stage of the tournament the MC and co. are sent to a dungeon and they do well enough to move on to round 2. In round 2, with 60 adventuring parties participating, MC and co. are paired with Emily and her party to take down a water elemental. In spite of a magical contract to the contrary and the detrimental effect on their own tournament participation, Emily and co. behave in such a way as to attempt to get Morgan and co. killed. This fails and the adventuring parties are given a month break before the final stage, one on one combat between the participants. During this break Morgan experiments on himself with his magic and ends up turning one arm into a symbiotic plant construct. Upon returning to the tournament Morgan is, of course, paired off against Emily, who he manages to defeat even though she is several levels ahead of him.
Bottom line: worth the read but an over-the-top great book.
This is a tough book to rate. Basically it is a good book but I disagree with a couple of story choices. First, a tournament is the focus of this book and personally I did not find it sufficiently interesting to justify that choice. Second, part of what I like about this book is that the MC (Morgan) is fairly intelligent. This book, however, focuses on his hangup with an orc adventurer (Emily) who tried to kill Morgan in the first book. The author at least turns this into a growth point for the MC so it is not horrible. Still, the author first has the MC do some incredibly stupid things.
Next, the whole point of the tournament is to identify adventuring parties to attempt the "Tower of Power" but the tournament seems to show, in spite of their success, that the MC's party is not ready. Finally the author teases a story line about a group of adventurers that have virtually completed the Tower of Power but then ignores it. This teaser is really just a distraction from the story the author actually tells.
In spite of all this the author tells an enjoyable story starting with how wilderness area the MC calls home is progressing. The MC's party is actively adventuring to financially support their fledgling guild. Upon returning from one such adventure they are told about the tournament by another adventuring party the MC and co. have become friendly with. Since the tournament's sponsors are wealthy guilds the MC and co. decide to participate even though they don't believe they will win as the consolation prizes should be valuable.
In the first stage of the tournament the MC and co. are sent to a dungeon and they do well enough to move on to round 2. In round 2, with 60 adventuring parties participating, MC and co. are paired with Emily and her party to take down a water elemental. In spite of a magical contract to the contrary and the detrimental effect on their own tournament participation, Emily and co. behave in such a way as to attempt to get Morgan and co. killed. This fails and the adventuring parties are given a month break before the final stage, one on one combat between the participants. During this break Morgan experiments on himself with his magic and ends up turning one arm into a symbiotic plant construct. Upon returning to the tournament Morgan is, of course, paired off against Emily, who he manages to defeat even though she is several levels ahead of him.
Bottom line: worth the read but an over-the-top great book.
August 10, 2020
3.5 The Mutated Stars
The Grand Tournament is the third installment in the LitRPG series Tower of Power by Ivan Kal.
All of the titles this far have been so entirely self explanatory. Maybe excluding the first book, which predominantly focused on building the World and explaining the culture, rules, and builds; then finally ending in him acquiring the Guild Master role.
In these pages, we follow Morgan and the SkyForce (lolz) as they continue to reach beyond their means, ever higher. In attempt to tackle the great challenge that is the Tower, they join a tournament held by two higher guilds with far reaching goals of their own. They do surprisingly well, given how low level they still are, even at level 30 is so.
The rest SkyReach has yet to grasp the unbounded and ever expanding possibilities their ascended nature’s open up for them. They still follow some set path, these false rules society has garnered and spread. It’s become somewhat annoying that they all haven’t reached savant status yet and broken away from the norm.
The Grand Tournament is the third installment in the LitRPG series Tower of Power by Ivan Kal.
All of the titles this far have been so entirely self explanatory. Maybe excluding the first book, which predominantly focused on building the World and explaining the culture, rules, and builds; then finally ending in him acquiring the Guild Master role.
In these pages, we follow Morgan and the SkyForce (lolz) as they continue to reach beyond their means, ever higher. In attempt to tackle the great challenge that is the Tower, they join a tournament held by two higher guilds with far reaching goals of their own. They do surprisingly well, given how low level they still are, even at level 30 is so.
The rest SkyReach has yet to grasp the unbounded and ever expanding possibilities their ascended nature’s open up for them. They still follow some set path, these false rules society has garnered and spread. It’s become somewhat annoying that they all haven’t reached savant status yet and broken away from the norm.
June 9, 2024
The positives - it’s a good litrpg story that focuses on action and humor. There is no harem (thank the heavens) and the main character is mostly enjoyable. I am looking forward to starting the next book in the series after I finish this review. Also, the pop culture references in this book are toned down compared to the first two books, so I appreciated that.
The negatives - the other characters in the group receive little or no character growth and have remained pretty much who they were since they entered the series either in the first book or the second. Some of the combat sequences have a lot of “but this” followed immediately by “but the other” so it’s a series of repetitive reversals that (for me at least) slows the pace down. Luckily, not every sequence is this way. Also, this book introduced some pretty significant time jumps that were not present between or during the first two books so I didn’t care for that.
The negatives - the other characters in the group receive little or no character growth and have remained pretty much who they were since they entered the series either in the first book or the second. Some of the combat sequences have a lot of “but this” followed immediately by “but the other” so it’s a series of repetitive reversals that (for me at least) slows the pace down. Luckily, not every sequence is this way. Also, this book introduced some pretty significant time jumps that were not present between or during the first two books so I didn’t care for that.
November 10, 2023
4.5
The book and characters keep improving. There isn't much else to say. These books are kind of short so not all that much happens in each book, but the story is trending in the right direction.
There is a "Tournament Arc" in this story which was done well. Mostly because it was fairly concise with multiple different challenges. Tournaments in these type of stories (especially cultivation novels) seem to take years to complete, so it was nice it was short and mostly only highlighted their team.
There is a bit of a time skip before this story which was also nice as grinding over and over can also get a bit tedious.
I did enjoy the prologue and epilogue showing Vess's parents and some more information about Oxy. I am looking forward to reading the next book.
The book and characters keep improving. There isn't much else to say. These books are kind of short so not all that much happens in each book, but the story is trending in the right direction.
There is a "Tournament Arc" in this story which was done well. Mostly because it was fairly concise with multiple different challenges. Tournaments in these type of stories (especially cultivation novels) seem to take years to complete, so it was nice it was short and mostly only highlighted their team.
There is a bit of a time skip before this story which was also nice as grinding over and over can also get a bit tedious.
I did enjoy the prologue and epilogue showing Vess's parents and some more information about Oxy. I am looking forward to reading the next book.
January 2, 2024
Book 3 of the Tower of Power series. I enjoyed this one. With a lot of new advances and craziness going on. We see a few old friends but most of the action is on the tournament. Overall. Am enjoying this series and look forward to the next book. The only advisory on this one is language and for that I would recommend to a more mature audience. Outside of that lots of action and reminded me a lot of the old Naruto tournaments if you have seen those.
Joseph McKnight
http://www.josephmcknight.com
Joseph McKnight
http://www.josephmcknight.com
September 18, 2021
Mediocre at best
I really tried liking it. But the whole thing was so underwhelming that it just left a bad taste. Boring characters, boring dungeon runs, boring classes. Dialogues serve no other purpose than to five us information. I even wondered if I was really pathetic to continue with this series.
MC plays with plants to fight mostly because he is cowardly. He seems to have low self worth but can easily abuse/scold a God.
I really tried liking it. But the whole thing was so underwhelming that it just left a bad taste. Boring characters, boring dungeon runs, boring classes. Dialogues serve no other purpose than to five us information. I even wondered if I was really pathetic to continue with this series.
MC plays with plants to fight mostly because he is cowardly. He seems to have low self worth but can easily abuse/scold a God.
July 10, 2023
Pretty standard LitRPG fare. It's a good thing I like tournament stuff and the fights were all fun and tactically interesting. Of course, there was a bit of development on the big bad orc nemesis plotfront, but honestly? It's a bit silly. The core of what makes this series interesting is the creative character-builds and how they stay loose and jiggly.
Not bad. Not my favorite series, but it isn't bad.
Not bad. Not my favorite series, but it isn't bad.
January 27, 2020
I loved this book. More moments of mad scientist type behavior with his arm. I kept expecting him to after it was done go off saying something like its alive! In a highly creepy and dramatic manner.
Can't wait til we get to the tower part. I wonder if they manage to make it to the top and meet his in-laws. That would be relatively amusing.
Can't wait til we get to the tower part. I wonder if they manage to make it to the top and meet his in-laws. That would be relatively amusing.
February 4, 2020
3.5
I preferred this installment to the second. The series is certainly entertaining, enough so that I am able to look past the childishness of the harem aspects. If you're into that type of book, I suspect you'll enjoy it a bit more, though it may not be on your top 5 list as that's a very weak sub-theme rather than pronounced.
I preferred this installment to the second. The series is certainly entertaining, enough so that I am able to look past the childishness of the harem aspects. If you're into that type of book, I suspect you'll enjoy it a bit more, though it may not be on your top 5 list as that's a very weak sub-theme rather than pronounced.
July 17, 2020
Ready for more
I've become really engrossed in the story including the main character. I really like that there's a multiverse in the background and I'm interested in reading the other series' to learn more. The guildies have good hearts in a harsh world trying to achieve strength without compromising who they are. And I always love an underdog story.
I've become really engrossed in the story including the main character. I really like that there's a multiverse in the background and I'm interested in reading the other series' to learn more. The guildies have good hearts in a harsh world trying to achieve strength without compromising who they are. And I always love an underdog story.
December 3, 2020
Suddenly skips 2,5 years. All the characters have vastly new abilities and the setting even moved completely. The entire point of LitRPG is to follow the power progression and the author just skips the majority of it. Also it takes at least 20% of the third book, to explain all these changes - extremely weird way to continue a series that doesnt feel good at all.
January 18, 2024
Morgan and his Guild have grown. They now have grown to controlling their valley and have grown enough to be invited to a Tournament for the selection of who gets to accompany a large guild to the Tower.
The tournament turns up to be a ton of action and the descriptions are fun. Now I want to see how they do in the Tower.
This series is really working out to be fun and compelling.
The tournament turns up to be a ton of action and the descriptions are fun. Now I want to see how they do in the Tower.
This series is really working out to be fun and compelling.
September 30, 2024
This book starts some 2 years after the end of the previous book. Otherwise, it's much the same: a standard LitRPG with weak characterization and a decent plot.
If you're looking for your first LitRPG, I would look elsewhere, but if you're what you're looking for is more of the same, this will provide it.
If you're looking for your first LitRPG, I would look elsewhere, but if you're what you're looking for is more of the same, this will provide it.
January 17, 2025
Needs editing
Extremely confusing start. Once I was hooked by the story it turns out not to be the story. So we go on dazed and confused finally figuring out what's going on enjoying the story and we hit the Epilogue. After reading the epilogue I have little desire to read the next book.
Extremely confusing start. Once I was hooked by the story it turns out not to be the story. So we go on dazed and confused finally figuring out what's going on enjoying the story and we hit the Epilogue. After reading the epilogue I have little desire to read the next book.
May 31, 2020
A mushroom arm?
A wonderful addition to the series. We grow, we evolve, we learn, we fail, we strive for more. A simple but profound message. A will to be more to be better than we are this moment, a drive to push for greatness. Next is the journey to the Tower of Power!
A wonderful addition to the series. We grow, we evolve, we learn, we fail, we strive for more. A simple but profound message. A will to be more to be better than we are this moment, a drive to push for greatness. Next is the journey to the Tower of Power!
June 18, 2020
Yes!
Lots of twists and surprises in this one. I really enjoy that the MC isn't stupidly overpowered and has to struggle to continue. Much more realistic when compared to some other books.
Lots of twists and surprises in this one. I really enjoy that the MC isn't stupidly overpowered and has to struggle to continue. Much more realistic when compared to some other books.
February 11, 2021
Still enjoying
I still liked the book. The growth of the character is excellent and I will continue to read the series.
But. A few more typos than I want to see. And I am not a huge fan of tournaments. Too easy for authorial manipulation.
I still liked the book. The growth of the character is excellent and I will continue to read the series.
But. A few more typos than I want to see. And I am not a huge fan of tournaments. Too easy for authorial manipulation.
March 19, 2022
fun read
The book series is fun with enough stats to satisfy the fact it isn’t just a fantasy novel. Very progression based with some fun world building. The story going on in the background is fun too and will obviously be the endgame.
The book series is fun with enough stats to satisfy the fact it isn’t just a fantasy novel. Very progression based with some fun world building. The story going on in the background is fun too and will obviously be the endgame.
February 4, 2024
This is the first book in the series that feels worth recommending to someone to read. It's more polished and thoughtful than the first two books in the series. There's more consideration of the broader world, and more logic applied to the mechanics.
February 25, 2024
A 9hr audio book. Right from the go, you get the felling the main character is trying things that no one else has tried, coming up with ideas, mixing magics and tactics to overcome his trials. A good Litrpg book in my mind worth reading again.
May 29, 2024
I wish the previous part had more pages to fkesg out the world a lot more because especially in the beginning of this part there is so much tell rather than show. It is quite sad.
However, the tournament itself and Morgan's fight with his new abilities was great. I enjoyed that part a lot.
However, the tournament itself and Morgan's fight with his new abilities was great. I enjoyed that part a lot.
October 3, 2024
Story is getting better and loved how we finally got the interaction between Morgan and his "arch" enemy. This brought about an interesting amount of character development I was happy to see. The world and power system continue to expand, and it keeps getting better.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 29, 2019
Very Good
This was a very interesting fascinating fast paced action packed entertaining story that I really enjoyed reading. Can’t wait for the next book.
This was a very interesting fascinating fast paced action packed entertaining story that I really enjoyed reading. Can’t wait for the next book.
March 30, 2020
This is fun... got such an anime feel from it for some reason.
April 4, 2020
Great story. Worth the read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews