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The Five Towers #5
The Black Tower
Five towers. Five colors. One way out.
After four towers and four scars, the final stage of Cipher's journey takes him into the depths of darkness. The Black Tower stabs like a spear into the sky. Its girls summon smoke. Its boys fight hard as iron. And within its walls lie the gravest dangers yet.
Cipher begins alone, thrown into a battle for his life. His past torments him, his powers fail him, and the colorless enemy will do anything to stop him. All of history and time have led to this. There is only one way out. Cipher must unite the Five Towers to find it.
After four towers and four scars, the final stage of Cipher's journey takes him into the depths of darkness. The Black Tower stabs like a spear into the sky. Its girls summon smoke. Its boys fight hard as iron. And within its walls lie the gravest dangers yet.
Cipher begins alone, thrown into a battle for his life. His past torments him, his powers fail him, and the colorless enemy will do anything to stop him. All of history and time have led to this. There is only one way out. Cipher must unite the Five Towers to find it.
350 pages, Paperback
Published August 1, 2020
62 people are currently reading
151 people want to read
About the author
J.B. Simmons
17 books118 followersJ.B. Simmons is the bestselling author of twelve books that bring hope to dystopia. Readers can't put them down.
The Five Towers series takes you to a world you'll never forget. Cipher wakes up in a mysterious tower with no memories of his former life. He must learn who he was before he can figure out why he's here...and how to get out.
The Unbound trilogy tells the story of a teen from Manhattan with nightmares of a dragon and the world ending in 2066. It has been acclaimed as "The Da Vinci Code meets Hunger Games meets Left Behind... An imagining epic." (Hugh Hewitt)
J.B. lives and writes in a tree house outside Washington, D.C. You can visit him at www.jbsimmons.com.
The Five Towers series takes you to a world you'll never forget. Cipher wakes up in a mysterious tower with no memories of his former life. He must learn who he was before he can figure out why he's here...and how to get out.
The Unbound trilogy tells the story of a teen from Manhattan with nightmares of a dragon and the world ending in 2066. It has been acclaimed as "The Da Vinci Code meets Hunger Games meets Left Behind... An imagining epic." (Hugh Hewitt)
J.B. lives and writes in a tree house outside Washington, D.C. You can visit him at www.jbsimmons.com.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
August 14, 2020
Yet another absolutely masterful and wild ride put on by J.B. He makes thoughtful decisions throughout the store and weaves multiple story lines together perfectly. We finally get to see into the lives of Cipher and his friends, or, how he proudly goes by in this story, Paul and his friends Helena, Kiyo, Emma, and Baron. I think them seeing exactly how their lives were and remembering what they did really brought them together and made them feel like a family. I love how they try to decipher how their stories fit together and how they can use this to defeat "The Colorless One".
And that is what this final story focuses on. "The Colorless One". How he corrupts and how he tries to make you think of things that never really happened. How he gets you to stray off the path that you have set for yourself in your life. Each character was inflicted with darkness, "The Colorless One" found ways to make them doubt themselves and their capabilities but even more than that, make you believe that you alone have all the power. The towers face a battle of what seems to be an unfathomable foe. Someone that cannot be defeated. But once again, this is "The Colorless One" and his evil ways getting into the depths of the characters souls and attempting to undermine them so that they don't try to defeat him.
"We all have the choice to allow the light inside, if only we get out of our own way."
I really thought that this quote was monumental for the book and, at it's whole, the entire series. This whole series has been about being scoured. Being rid of all of your wrongdoings while on Earth so you can be as pure as you possibly can for when you move on to the after life. Each tower had it's own darkness that wasn't even necessarily about "The Colorless One". It was about the characters getting in their own way and doubting themselves that they couldn't do it BUT once they let the light in of each individual tower or the tower they needed scoured from, they were able to move on and they were able to grow from their past decisions and life.
There is no doubt in my mind that this entire series is now one of my absolutely favorites. Start to finish the author never leaves us without wanting more. The pacing is excellent and there are very few times I found myself wishing a scene would finish. To be able to combine fantasy, history, and faith into one series is an amazing feat. Congrats on a series well finished J.B.!
And for all of you out there reading this.... Always remember, "Giving, sets you free."
And that is what this final story focuses on. "The Colorless One". How he corrupts and how he tries to make you think of things that never really happened. How he gets you to stray off the path that you have set for yourself in your life. Each character was inflicted with darkness, "The Colorless One" found ways to make them doubt themselves and their capabilities but even more than that, make you believe that you alone have all the power. The towers face a battle of what seems to be an unfathomable foe. Someone that cannot be defeated. But once again, this is "The Colorless One" and his evil ways getting into the depths of the characters souls and attempting to undermine them so that they don't try to defeat him.
"We all have the choice to allow the light inside, if only we get out of our own way."
I really thought that this quote was monumental for the book and, at it's whole, the entire series. This whole series has been about being scoured. Being rid of all of your wrongdoings while on Earth so you can be as pure as you possibly can for when you move on to the after life. Each tower had it's own darkness that wasn't even necessarily about "The Colorless One". It was about the characters getting in their own way and doubting themselves that they couldn't do it BUT once they let the light in of each individual tower or the tower they needed scoured from, they were able to move on and they were able to grow from their past decisions and life.
There is no doubt in my mind that this entire series is now one of my absolutely favorites. Start to finish the author never leaves us without wanting more. The pacing is excellent and there are very few times I found myself wishing a scene would finish. To be able to combine fantasy, history, and faith into one series is an amazing feat. Congrats on a series well finished J.B.!
And for all of you out there reading this.... Always remember, "Giving, sets you free."
July 1, 2021
J.B. Simmons wraps up his five tower series with the ultimate showdown between good and evil. Cipher finds his way to the black tower to find the tower's leaders and put right was has been tainted by the Colorless One. As he goes through one battle after another, he faces his own shortcomings to rise above the failures that brought him on this strange journey. As everything is put right, Cipher and his friends find the Black Tower was once the Purple Tower. Now the marked ones must battle against the Colorless One to fight for not only their souls but those of the other 720 that are caught within the Towers.
This series has been a very insightful journey. As Cipher and his friends face their struggles, you find yourself thinking about the choices that are made every day. These choices do have eternal ramifications, and the cost is very dear. If you want a book series that will cause you to think as well as be entertained, this one is worth the time.
This series has been a very insightful journey. As Cipher and his friends face their struggles, you find yourself thinking about the choices that are made every day. These choices do have eternal ramifications, and the cost is very dear. If you want a book series that will cause you to think as well as be entertained, this one is worth the time.
November 15, 2020
Masterful and Thought Provoking
J.B. Simmons created a story that grips from the start of the first tower and compels the reader to anxiously explore the battles our souls rage against the sin we are born with and the grace, mercy and justice of our creator. Each book, each tower, builds on the next with creative references to historical heroes and villains that draw out the best and worst of humanity, all while pointing the way to victory through unity, mercy and grace. Highly recommended reading. Would be an amazing movie series.
J.B. Simmons created a story that grips from the start of the first tower and compels the reader to anxiously explore the battles our souls rage against the sin we are born with and the grace, mercy and justice of our creator. Each book, each tower, builds on the next with creative references to historical heroes and villains that draw out the best and worst of humanity, all while pointing the way to victory through unity, mercy and grace. Highly recommended reading. Would be an amazing movie series.
March 22, 2022
The whole series is amazing!
I absolutely loved this entire series of books. I would recommend them to anyone probably ages 12 and up. There really wasn't anything bad in them, but I think a lot of it would go over the heads of younger children and there are some scary parts. I read this series as an adult. I
loved the mysterious parts about learning about the towers and the characters'
memories getting progressively revealed. I loved the faith aspect as well. Many
books do not have that and it made this book truly shine with hope.
I absolutely loved this entire series of books. I would recommend them to anyone probably ages 12 and up. There really wasn't anything bad in them, but I think a lot of it would go over the heads of younger children and there are some scary parts. I read this series as an adult. I
loved the mysterious parts about learning about the towers and the characters'
memories getting progressively revealed. I loved the faith aspect as well. Many
books do not have that and it made this book truly shine with hope.
May 24, 2024
Fantasy pure fantasy
First of all, it seems based on Roman Catholic doctrine, not Biblical. There's not enough presence of the Savior and Lord Jesus Christ in this as showing God's real Word, character dwelling within or among the characters. Too much emphasis on human efforts and "working together gets them to the light" concept. I really don't feel comfortable with recommending these books to anyone who is not grounded in sound Biblical doctrine. Faith in a Personal God is not strongly brought out enough.
First of all, it seems based on Roman Catholic doctrine, not Biblical. There's not enough presence of the Savior and Lord Jesus Christ in this as showing God's real Word, character dwelling within or among the characters. Too much emphasis on human efforts and "working together gets them to the light" concept. I really don't feel comfortable with recommending these books to anyone who is not grounded in sound Biblical doctrine. Faith in a Personal God is not strongly brought out enough.
June 2, 2021
Ok no spoilers. I applaud your take on the Important story. Very interesting. My only problem with this series is the repeat, repeat, repeat of each book. I believe this could have been structured better. It did get the idea across though. I finally tumbled to the real story at the Spear. Why it took me that long, I know not🤔😏
May 4, 2022
And now what to read?
I started this series over spring break and loved taking time each night over lent to read into JB's world and reflect on the things in my life that need scouring. I look forward to my daughters picking these up as they get older. A great intro to an examination of conscience.
I started this series over spring break and loved taking time each night over lent to read into JB's world and reflect on the things in my life that need scouring. I look forward to my daughters picking these up as they get older. A great intro to an examination of conscience.
April 16, 2024
This was a good ending to the series. The final battle and the overall action was good. It felt like it was a bit too long as the main character kept going between towers and that felt a little repetitive. But overall I enjoyed reading this book and the whole series. Would recommend reading this if you’re interested in faith based fantasy novels and historical fiction.
November 18, 2020
An epic conclusion
This was a great series and an excellent ending to the series. I highly recommend it both for the story and characters but also the history which is intermingled throughout
This was a great series and an excellent ending to the series. I highly recommend it both for the story and characters but also the history which is intermingled throughout
December 5, 2023
Wonderful series!
This is a well written, provocative series. Engaging characters, interesting story line.
If you enjoyed books like Ender's Game, or the Maze Runner, you would like this series.
This is a well written, provocative series. Engaging characters, interesting story line.
If you enjoyed books like Ender's Game, or the Maze Runner, you would like this series.
August 17, 2024
OUTSTANDING!!!
I have yet to read a series that is SO intense and provocative I found myself reading the entire series before opening another book!! It is a faith filled journey that will leave anyone craving to know what comes next.
I have yet to read a series that is SO intense and provocative I found myself reading the entire series before opening another book!! It is a faith filled journey that will leave anyone craving to know what comes next.
October 5, 2024
Thoroughly enjoyed!
I loved all the very real normal everyday characters in this book… well all 5books.
The good versus evil plays out well. As a retired middle school teacher I highly recommend this series to young and old alike!
I loved all the very real normal everyday characters in this book… well all 5books.
The good versus evil plays out well. As a retired middle school teacher I highly recommend this series to young and old alike!
November 21, 2024
great resolution
It was really weird to me to read a book with like zero romance in a six part series but the Christian themes, action, twist and turns and character development really made up for it! Such great world building and a really satisfying resolution
It was really weird to me to read a book with like zero romance in a six part series but the Christian themes, action, twist and turns and character development really made up for it! Such great world building and a really satisfying resolution
July 19, 2020
This is the last book in the Five Towers series and an excellent thought provoking read. I would highly recommend this series. And all of his books.
July 19, 2020
Black tower is the last in the Five Towers series and by far the past JB is a masterful story tower weaving together all the towers. I highly recommend this series.
October 12, 2020
I enjoyed them all.
A different way to experience an adventure with historical figured. The characters are likeable, realistic and it's a good way to think of judging a life.
A different way to experience an adventure with historical figured. The characters are likeable, realistic and it's a good way to think of judging a life.
February 27, 2021
Trial by fire
This story is a great youthful way of looking at the final judgement. We must all do our best on Earth. Seeking out our savior and the white light or face the trials.
This story is a great youthful way of looking at the final judgement. We must all do our best on Earth. Seeking out our savior and the white light or face the trials.
November 11, 2023
Great finish for a very good read. Highly recommend for anyone who wants a good read
December 17, 2023
Really interesting story. Original and entertaining. I will keep this series in mind to share. I thoroughly enjoyed the perspective of the After.
March 20, 2024
I really enjoyed this series
I love the faith elements added into the mix. Loved the characters and their development. Very well written. Loved the ending!
I love the faith elements added into the mix. Loved the characters and their development. Very well written. Loved the ending!
November 27, 2024
The last of the Five Towers book series didn't land as impactful as the other books. It is a nice conclusion while bringing in all the missing pieces.
June 21, 2025
excellent
I absolutely loved this series. The mix of fantasy, history, and faith was completely captivating. It was a great read.
I absolutely loved this series. The mix of fantasy, history, and faith was completely captivating. It was a great read.
July 28, 2024
I don't even care that this series is YA and I'm a 40 yr old mom! I enjoyed every book in this series and I think this final book is a very good way to end it. Gripping story-telling with a lot of depth and imagination.
July 20, 2024
Great ending to this series! The final battle was a teeny tiny bit anticlimactic, but overall loved it. Still too YA for me.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews