What do you think?
Rate this book
The Stork Tower #6
Contest
NOTE: The content of 'CONTEST' is approximately 200,000 words.
A simple error leaves Leah with a unique Neural Enhancement Chip and a rapidly evolving AI implanted in her brain. In ‘Nascent’, she evaded kidnapping by virtual slavers and helped shut down some operations of the virtual crime syndicate that uses mind-controlled players as slaves. In ‘Odyssey’, she not only found a way to escape, but she also uncovered deeper plots being carried out in both the virtual multi-universe and reality. In ‘Change’, Leah began learning how to use the additional connections her chip has made throughout her body. The Pod facility she opened expanded as she helped others from her neighbourhood. Leah discovered that the crime syndicate has an even greater presence in the virtual multiverse than she’d imagined. As she begins to unravel some of their secrets, they tarnish her reputation and kidnap.
In ‘Rescue’ Leah hacked the secure Vault where an AI friend of hers had been archived. She not only managed to retrieve her friend but uncovered a deeper conspiracy. Leah also managed to rescue her mother from the crime syndicate but not before her mother had an AI chip inserted in her brain. She discovers that her boyfriend’s family controls their own crime syndicate and he is being controlled. In ‘Ipseity’ Leah discovers that the syndicate inserted a dangerous explosive AI chip in her mother. Leah’s neural architecture change allowing her greater awareness of what is happening around her as well as giving her an ability to multitask. She rescues her boyfriend as she moves closer on three virtual worlds to finishing significant quests. All the while Leah works to win freedom and a future for her Personal AI who is self-aware in a system that demands she be archived or deleted.
In ‘Contest’ Leah makes headway in all three quests as well as competing in the first Merkize Contest. Each of the quests is a contest of sorts, and she faces stronger adversaries than she has previously. Through all this, Leah struggles with her injuries and the threat of arrest overshadowing everything she does.
A simple error leaves Leah with a unique Neural Enhancement Chip and a rapidly evolving AI implanted in her brain. In ‘Nascent’, she evaded kidnapping by virtual slavers and helped shut down some operations of the virtual crime syndicate that uses mind-controlled players as slaves. In ‘Odyssey’, she not only found a way to escape, but she also uncovered deeper plots being carried out in both the virtual multi-universe and reality. In ‘Change’, Leah began learning how to use the additional connections her chip has made throughout her body. The Pod facility she opened expanded as she helped others from her neighbourhood. Leah discovered that the crime syndicate has an even greater presence in the virtual multiverse than she’d imagined. As she begins to unravel some of their secrets, they tarnish her reputation and kidnap.
In ‘Rescue’ Leah hacked the secure Vault where an AI friend of hers had been archived. She not only managed to retrieve her friend but uncovered a deeper conspiracy. Leah also managed to rescue her mother from the crime syndicate but not before her mother had an AI chip inserted in her brain. She discovers that her boyfriend’s family controls their own crime syndicate and he is being controlled. In ‘Ipseity’ Leah discovers that the syndicate inserted a dangerous explosive AI chip in her mother. Leah’s neural architecture change allowing her greater awareness of what is happening around her as well as giving her an ability to multitask. She rescues her boyfriend as she moves closer on three virtual worlds to finishing significant quests. All the while Leah works to win freedom and a future for her Personal AI who is self-aware in a system that demands she be archived or deleted.
In ‘Contest’ Leah makes headway in all three quests as well as competing in the first Merkize Contest. Each of the quests is a contest of sorts, and she faces stronger adversaries than she has previously. Through all this, Leah struggles with her injuries and the threat of arrest overshadowing everything she does.
804 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 25, 2019
210 people are currently reading
61 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
July 29, 2019
The plot thickens
This series continues to entertain and delight and while this time around we are exposed to more and more of the worlds, which in the past caused a bit of dissonance, the author has done a great job of not only focusing on the important parts, but developing and intertwining the story to captivate the reader.
With a beast of a book, clocking in at 200K words, there's a lot of captivating to go around.
Really enjoyable.
This series continues to entertain and delight and while this time around we are exposed to more and more of the worlds, which in the past caused a bit of dissonance, the author has done a great job of not only focusing on the important parts, but developing and intertwining the story to captivate the reader.
With a beast of a book, clocking in at 200K words, there's a lot of captivating to go around.
Really enjoyable.
October 5, 2022
[2022]:- Atherleah's so badass! Still loving the series!
[2019]:- I don't have the patience to wait for the 7th book 'cause this was farken awesome!
This was so good, I love the lead up to freeing Atherleah's mum and Atherleah's strategic and crazy ideas. I've always thought, how would we be as a society if AI's and machines were a predominant feature in our every day lives... much like Atherleah's treatment of Geng, I believe I'd treat my own PAI with the same courtesy and respect regardless of being the 'owner'.
I can't get over how truly evil these rich and corrupt people are. It's insane how far they're going to target a 16 year old girl and I can't wait until Atherleah truly kicks their arse.
[2019]:- I don't have the patience to wait for the 7th book 'cause this was farken awesome!
This was so good, I love the lead up to freeing Atherleah's mum and Atherleah's strategic and crazy ideas. I've always thought, how would we be as a society if AI's and machines were a predominant feature in our every day lives... much like Atherleah's treatment of Geng, I believe I'd treat my own PAI with the same courtesy and respect regardless of being the 'owner'.
I can't get over how truly evil these rich and corrupt people are. It's insane how far they're going to target a 16 year old girl and I can't wait until Atherleah truly kicks their arse.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 27, 2019
Very very good. Hell of a cliffhanger. Waiting for the next book. Sigh
September 22, 2019
Too fragmented
I have been too lost in this story now. Too many worlds and games and story lines. I skipped most of the games because the real world story was more interesting and they just get in the way. I am disappointed as there is lots to love here but the presentation is over complicated.
I have been too lost in this story now. Too many worlds and games and story lines. I skipped most of the games because the real world story was more interesting and they just get in the way. I am disappointed as there is lots to love here but the presentation is over complicated.
February 25, 2020
Longest book by far but that doesn’t really mean much. I didn’t write a review for the last book because it was honestly more of the same. This one is still mostly the same stuff but much more of it.
There are so many pieces happening in this book that the main plot doesn’t really go anywhere, the whole thing takes place in about 2 days. Ridiculous. It’s named “Contest” but that was maybe 15-20% of the book? And it happened in an afternoon. This contest is supposed to go on for a year still and each book is taking 2-3 days... Things need to speed up.
There were some things that really irked me about this one, mostly evolving around her wounds and the POD and how idiotic it seemed. And of course there is still her genius which seems unfounded.
Oh well, another book done. 7/10
There are so many pieces happening in this book that the main plot doesn’t really go anywhere, the whole thing takes place in about 2 days. Ridiculous. It’s named “Contest” but that was maybe 15-20% of the book? And it happened in an afternoon. This contest is supposed to go on for a year still and each book is taking 2-3 days... Things need to speed up.
There were some things that really irked me about this one, mostly evolving around her wounds and the POD and how idiotic it seemed. And of course there is still her genius which seems unfounded.
Oh well, another book done. 7/10
August 14, 2019
Great book until the peek of the next book.
I would have given this 4 or 5 stars. Until I read the peek at the next book.
It's like authority doesn't exist just power and power can do pure evil. Just gets old... Worth reading... I guess. Just don't read the peek at the next book.
I would have given this 4 or 5 stars. Until I read the peek at the next book.
It's like authority doesn't exist just power and power can do pure evil. Just gets old... Worth reading... I guess. Just don't read the peek at the next book.
January 10, 2020
Very enjoyable
I look forward to the next book, that cliffhanger wow. Great character development, a little A to B to C in the first half but there is so much going on that, that wasn't a bad thing.
I look forward to the next book, that cliffhanger wow. Great character development, a little A to B to C in the first half but there is so much going on that, that wasn't a bad thing.
February 26, 2020
Alert
I hate trying to write reviews because there are really only pass/fail results for me. Did I make it all the way through? Yes? 5 stars. No? There would be nothing here to read. In all fairness, if an author holds my attention from page one to the end, they’ve done their job. Anything less than 5 stars is petty criticism from someone incapable of even doing the job let alone doing a better one.
So in respect for the author and their work, I am going to start pasting this along with a generic review I found somewhere. “This was a fun book. I am glad that I read it. You should try it too.”
Now, since I have to keep explaining myself to people who don't like my reviews, I guess some clarification is in order.
1. I am 100% against criticism for works of art. Art is subjective, meaning reviews are irrelevant. The observer's opinion is only relevant to the observer. It is my belief that regardless of what others might say, I have to experience the art for myself.
2. I read upwards of 20 books a month. The $10/month I spend on K U, feels like I am cheating the authors. But since I can't afford 20 books a month if I were to purchase them directly, all I can offer is a positive review. That leads us to the final point.
3. If I get to the end of a book, then it was worth my time. I give those books 5 stars because it helps the author get exposure. That is the only reason I write reviews at all.
I understand that people are people and they are going to do what they do regardless of my stance. I know the way that I review books upsets some people. I am sorry they feel that way but as many have said, they will just ignore my review going forward. In fact, if you made it this far through my review, you should definitely read the book and completely ignore all of the reviews here. You are a much better judge of what you will like than anyone here.
Cheers
I hate trying to write reviews because there are really only pass/fail results for me. Did I make it all the way through? Yes? 5 stars. No? There would be nothing here to read. In all fairness, if an author holds my attention from page one to the end, they’ve done their job. Anything less than 5 stars is petty criticism from someone incapable of even doing the job let alone doing a better one.
So in respect for the author and their work, I am going to start pasting this along with a generic review I found somewhere. “This was a fun book. I am glad that I read it. You should try it too.”
Now, since I have to keep explaining myself to people who don't like my reviews, I guess some clarification is in order.
1. I am 100% against criticism for works of art. Art is subjective, meaning reviews are irrelevant. The observer's opinion is only relevant to the observer. It is my belief that regardless of what others might say, I have to experience the art for myself.
2. I read upwards of 20 books a month. The $10/month I spend on K U, feels like I am cheating the authors. But since I can't afford 20 books a month if I were to purchase them directly, all I can offer is a positive review. That leads us to the final point.
3. If I get to the end of a book, then it was worth my time. I give those books 5 stars because it helps the author get exposure. That is the only reason I write reviews at all.
I understand that people are people and they are going to do what they do regardless of my stance. I know the way that I review books upsets some people. I am sorry they feel that way but as many have said, they will just ignore my review going forward. In fact, if you made it this far through my review, you should definitely read the book and completely ignore all of the reviews here. You are a much better judge of what you will like than anyone here.
Cheers
December 15, 2023
The flaws that existed in the first books are obviously still present.
Dazzling rise, incredible money, empire, everyone respects her, she's uncovered a global problem, her enemies are rich and powerful...
I still have the same problem with the economic system: the GAME that gives cash equivalents for achievements. Why not for the first 3... but for the first 1000++, 3 platiniums per player? Lol.
The Mary-Sue effect is stronger than ever.
Although I'm not a psychologist/psychiatrist/whatever, I have this deep feeling that it's the author who wants to give us his life lessons, and let us benefit from his infinite wisdom and views on society and the behavior of the government, the little people and the rich... far beyond the environment of his book.
Because of this, I found this precise book particularly irritating and condescending.
I finished it saying to myself that I wasn't going to continue, because the further into the story I got, the more irritated I became. I expect more failures, more consequences, and even when they happen she gets away with more than she bargained for.
Dazzling rise, incredible money, empire, everyone respects her, she's uncovered a global problem, her enemies are rich and powerful...
I still have the same problem with the economic system: the GAME that gives cash equivalents for achievements. Why not for the first 3... but for the first 1000++, 3 platiniums per player? Lol.
The Mary-Sue effect is stronger than ever.
Although I'm not a psychologist/psychiatrist/whatever, I have this deep feeling that it's the author who wants to give us his life lessons, and let us benefit from his infinite wisdom and views on society and the behavior of the government, the little people and the rich... far beyond the environment of his book.
Because of this, I found this precise book particularly irritating and condescending.
I finished it saying to myself that I wasn't going to continue, because the further into the story I got, the more irritated I became. I expect more failures, more consequences, and even when they happen she gets away with more than she bargained for.
April 13, 2023
Excellent work on giving a summary at the beginning to get the reader back into the story. Watching Leah through the story is like watching someone juggling 16 balls at once in the air.
While i like that the author makes use of several worlds I also have to admit that i dont like all the worlds the same. Pneumatica loses appeal to me and i hope survival is not visited again in the next installments.
But overall the series is so much better than the average stuff. I really like that there are logic riddles the reader can try to solve himself.
While i like that the author makes use of several worlds I also have to admit that i dont like all the worlds the same. Pneumatica loses appeal to me and i hope survival is not visited again in the next installments.
But overall the series is so much better than the average stuff. I really like that there are logic riddles the reader can try to solve himself.
October 26, 2021
Getting more complex as the story progresses
It's enjoyable. The virtual world stories are interesting but not necessarily the main event anymore, they are just a means to an ends
Leah's endeavors have resulted in an even larger conglomerate. Fantasy and Space now vying for the top slot.
Real world is getting more complicated by the chapter, not sure where's it's leading to, but it is interesting and entertaining
It's enjoyable. The virtual world stories are interesting but not necessarily the main event anymore, they are just a means to an ends
Leah's endeavors have resulted in an even larger conglomerate. Fantasy and Space now vying for the top slot.
Real world is getting more complicated by the chapter, not sure where's it's leading to, but it is interesting and entertaining
May 2, 2020
Wow, amazing addition
An amazing addition to the series, packed solid with highly technical, magical, and emotional interactions, seamlessly blending topics which would cause most authors to struggle and fail... well done sir! Keep up the amazing storytelling, I'm sad heading into book 7, hopefully this isn't the end.
An amazing addition to the series, packed solid with highly technical, magical, and emotional interactions, seamlessly blending topics which would cause most authors to struggle and fail... well done sir! Keep up the amazing storytelling, I'm sad heading into book 7, hopefully this isn't the end.
October 4, 2022
I'm actually nearing the end of this book but I'm so bored and frustrated with all the worlds that have been added. It no longer can hold my attention like it used to, and I don't feel like I need nor want to know what happens next.
I wish the author stuck to one or two games tops in this book, imo it would've been more interesting.
I wish the author stuck to one or two games tops in this book, imo it would've been more interesting.
May 22, 2022
Love your stories
I love your stories, but you tend to use words to big for my mundane brain😊 at times. I need to check your bio but you're either very well educated or even a scientist.
I love your stories, but you tend to use words to big for my mundane brain😊 at times. I need to check your bio but you're either very well educated or even a scientist.
January 7, 2023
Most of the book was really fun. But it was the first book I started feeling like there is too much real world going on. The ending is really disappointing. I don't think the next book will be to my liking but we will see I guess.
May 4, 2024
Captivating
This is one of the most thrilling and addictive I have ever read. It riles up all of your emotions, your hopes and fears, your anger and joy. It just makes you crave more.
This is one of the most thrilling and addictive I have ever read. It riles up all of your emotions, your hopes and fears, your anger and joy. It just makes you crave more.
July 1, 2023
Good book
I don't know what to say this series is one big roller-coaster it is constantly throwing you in loops and twists. I will be looking forward to the next book
I don't know what to say this series is one big roller-coaster it is constantly throwing you in loops and twists. I will be looking forward to the next book
July 27, 2024
I skipped a lot of this book since fights, for fighting's sake, don't do anything for me. The series takes a very dark turn at the end and those triggered by torture should take care.
February 20, 2020
Thread weaving at its finest!
This book begins to slowly weave all of the interconnecting story threads from each book into one fine piece of writing. There is more of all of the stuff that made each book great, alongside some fantastic sub stories and plots.
This book begins to slowly weave all of the interconnecting story threads from each book into one fine piece of writing. There is more of all of the stuff that made each book great, alongside some fantastic sub stories and plots.
August 2, 2019
Still loving the series, but it is getting a bit overwhelming. I mean, this book crammed in sooooooooooooooooo much content and only took place during about 2 days of the main character's life. It's insane. With all of the concurrent storylines, there could be at least 3 or 4 series all being written instead of just this one. If I hadn't been sucked in from book one, this book would have been an information overload and I would have quit reading. I'm starting to feel like I need my own PAI chip just to keep it all straight. That said, I still loved the story and I am looking forward to the next one.
Cliffhanger ending alert. Definitely don't read the sneak preview if you don't like cliffhangers. But the author tells you that just before the preview, so if you don't listen to him there is definitely no reason to listen to anyone else. lol
Cliffhanger ending alert. Definitely don't read the sneak preview if you don't like cliffhangers. But the author tells you that just before the preview, so if you don't listen to him there is definitely no reason to listen to anyone else. lol
August 20, 2019
Awesome book. Love this series.
The book is long but well paced. The action is frantic and constant as the MC is in constant danger and stress. My only reservation is the cliff hanger. Considering the authors writing speed this will cause me to forget the intensity of the situation.... And is annoying. The author has thought out so many aspects of the book and it looks to be well researched. I especially like the nod to Remax. This series continues to be one of my favorite and am eagerly awaiting the next book. Hopefully the wait will be shorter.
On another note I totally applaud the authors synopsis of the prior books at the beginning. This is a necessity in this age as most or many like me read 30 to 40 books in between each of this series books, so an update is appreciated.
The book is long but well paced. The action is frantic and constant as the MC is in constant danger and stress. My only reservation is the cliff hanger. Considering the authors writing speed this will cause me to forget the intensity of the situation.... And is annoying. The author has thought out so many aspects of the book and it looks to be well researched. I especially like the nod to Remax. This series continues to be one of my favorite and am eagerly awaiting the next book. Hopefully the wait will be shorter.
On another note I totally applaud the authors synopsis of the prior books at the beginning. This is a necessity in this age as most or many like me read 30 to 40 books in between each of this series books, so an update is appreciated.
August 19, 2019
This series is just too good!
I think that what makes me like this series so much is just how impressed I am with how much time and effort, that I can feel, had to go into each one of these books. Even the beginning had a summery of each book up till now, with a character reference/jog memory area that was sorted out perfectly, to refamiliarize me, without overloading me with one giant list of people. If I go actually into the book though, I feel that it'd lead to spoilers, but will say there's lots of fighting, some lvling, some puzzles, and a good push forward in each of the worlds Leah is prominent in. 9/10, not 10/10, because the end came too soon and now my mind is going crazy to figure out what's coming next!
I think that what makes me like this series so much is just how impressed I am with how much time and effort, that I can feel, had to go into each one of these books. Even the beginning had a summery of each book up till now, with a character reference/jog memory area that was sorted out perfectly, to refamiliarize me, without overloading me with one giant list of people. If I go actually into the book though, I feel that it'd lead to spoilers, but will say there's lots of fighting, some lvling, some puzzles, and a good push forward in each of the worlds Leah is prominent in. 9/10, not 10/10, because the end came too soon and now my mind is going crazy to figure out what's coming next!
July 13, 2020
Loved it!!
Only negative things I can say is the ending sounds hard to believe how she got in that situation. I mean with all the people involved in her life, from family to lawyers, security, press etc..., how did nobody track her. Hopefully it gets a good explanation in the next book.
Also, there was about a 10 page span of the author beating a dead horse about a subject. Like the author is an assaulter of deceased equine. If say the point of that conversation was an airplane trying to land then it ran out of fuel and crashed because it kept circling the airfield and refused to land. (Kind of like what I just wrote)
Anyways, good job Tony looking forward to another adventure!
Only negative things I can say is the ending sounds hard to believe how she got in that situation. I mean with all the people involved in her life, from family to lawyers, security, press etc..., how did nobody track her. Hopefully it gets a good explanation in the next book.
Also, there was about a 10 page span of the author beating a dead horse about a subject. Like the author is an assaulter of deceased equine. If say the point of that conversation was an airplane trying to land then it ran out of fuel and crashed because it kept circling the airfield and refused to land. (Kind of like what I just wrote)
Anyways, good job Tony looking forward to another adventure!
September 4, 2019
At last there is some, however small, progress with the main story. Without this I think the endless fights and the inconsistencies in the logic behind some of the incidents would have finally finished me with Leah.
I really enjoy most of the interactions between the characters and I have developed a method of skip reading through the fights, so now the books are going somewhere I am looking forward to the next one in the series.
I really enjoy most of the interactions between the characters and I have developed a method of skip reading through the fights, so now the books are going somewhere I am looking forward to the next one in the series.
January 13, 2020
I am in a dilemma here, I love the books and hope the next one will be available soon. On the other hand I know that if it will be released in the next 3 weeks I WILL NOT pass my exams in college :D guess I will leave it to fate :D
July 30, 2019
Awesome Sequel!!!!!!!
I can’t express how much I adore this series and this book continued that trend magnificently. Great action, tense drama, romance, and a genuine MC who pulls at the heart strings and challenges the mind. Amazing, wonderful, mind-boggling and just plane entertaining and all the best ways!!!!!
I can’t express how much I adore this series and this book continued that trend magnificently. Great action, tense drama, romance, and a genuine MC who pulls at the heart strings and challenges the mind. Amazing, wonderful, mind-boggling and just plane entertaining and all the best ways!!!!!
August 6, 2019
Amazing story and characters
Well worth the wait. This was very dramatic and exciting. There was a lot going on and I couldn't sleep until I finished. You did great job resolving some issues but we've got more to go. I really hope wait not too long do the tension doesn't do me in. Your stories make me think, wonder And occasionally scream a bit. Waiting impatiently.
Well worth the wait. This was very dramatic and exciting. There was a lot going on and I couldn't sleep until I finished. You did great job resolving some issues but we've got more to go. I really hope wait not too long do the tension doesn't do me in. Your stories make me think, wonder And occasionally scream a bit. Waiting impatiently.
July 30, 2019
Tony you have Done it again what an amazing book
Another amazing addition to the series i cannot wait for the next book to see where the story goes and to see how Atherleah gets thought her latest bind
Another amazing addition to the series i cannot wait for the next book to see where the story goes and to see how Atherleah gets thought her latest bind
August 1, 2019
I honestly cannot get enough of this series. It has quickly become one of my most favourite LitRPG stories of all time. My only regret is finishing the book as now I have to wait until the next instalment to find out what happens and its going to eat at me every day from now until it comes out.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews