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A promise made in fire and ice. A promise kept in death and stone. A truth in three, arise the trinity.

Home to Gidhera. Here Ascara must prove herself through combat and the strength of her heart and soul. These tests of fire are nothing when compared to the danger she has yet to face.

Ancient foes, asleep for generations, rise up from the sea and swarm across the land like a blight of fang and claw. These dark creatures are different now. They have evolved into something bigger, stronger, and more resilient. They bring with them magic of their own. These new powers could render the whole of Gidhera defenseless.

Guns and cannons are no match for these dark powers of the deep. To save her people, the clan and her home, Ascara needs a tower and the full power of fire, and three. Without them will bring the destruction of her clan, and all that she holds dear.

Join Magda, Lucinda, and Ascara as they face their biggest and most deadly challenges yet.

522 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 1, 2022

6 people are currently reading
49 people want to read

About the author

Nita Round

28 books87 followers
Nita Round is a British author who creates vibrant and unique new worlds as quirky as she is. She takes inspiration from her studies of history and blends together ‘what was’ and creates fantastical worlds, ‘what could be’.

Monsters, heroines, magic, and the strange are all woven into tales of hope and courage. Where women battle evil, something with nothing more than a stout heart, and no matter the odds, ultimately prevail.

If you want to know more about new books, then subscribe to Nita's reader's list. Free short story Dark Mission available via website, and exclusive to newsletter.
https://www.nitaround.com

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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
Profile Image for Lex Kent.
1,683 reviews9,875 followers
March 21, 2022
4.50 Stars. Always a fun ride. This is book five of the Towers of Earth series (not including two prequel novels) and I just love it to pieces. I’ve been reading it for years now and I can’t imagine not waiting for a new book to come out. I love the whole world Nita has created and when I read her Towers series, it makes me want to read her Evie Chester series (that takes place in the same world) because I can’t get enough of it all. I would highly recommend reading the Towers series in order. If you picked this book up on its own, I think it would be confusing with so many storylines continuing from the previous books. For new readers, I would suggest starting with the two prequel novellas and actually there is a Towers of the Earth Box Set 1: A Steampunk fantasy adventure series, that has the two prequels and the first book all together, at a reduced price (or free on Kindle Unlimited) which would be a good way to see if this great steampunk/fantasy series is for you.

While I am always impatiently waiting for these books to come out, this book especially I was really looking forward to. There are three main characters in this series and finally this was going to be Ascara’s book. While I love all the characters, Ascara is easily my favorite and I could not wait to see where she came from and to finally get some answers about her past. Actually, I love Ascara so much that I would probably put her in my 10 favorite female character list.

This book does start a bit on the slower side, and while I say slower, I don’t mean boring. We are in a new land and meeting new tribes and learning histories and how they connect to our main characters. The geek in me loves all this world building so I ate this part up. And honestly after the last book, the characters needed a little cool-off time. Not everything can be death defying so the slower pace made sense. However, that is not to say that our mains didn’t find themselves in danger eventually which lead to some fun excitement.

I was very, very happy because finally there is some real movement with the sapphic romance in this book. There has long been a love triangle going on and finally the characters face it. I won’t tell you who, or what happened, but I want to say thank you to Nita for finally!! moving the romance forward, I’m a happy camper.

TLDR: If you are a steampunk and or fantasy fan, these books are a must. This series is excellent and Nita’s imagination just takes these books to a whole different level. These books must be read in order as there are too many storylines that crisscross the whole series, but I would not want readers to miss any of the books anyway. This was Ascara’s book and it was a lot of fun to finally read her story and I can’t wait to see what Nita has in store for us next. These books are free on Kindle Unlimited.

A copy was given to me for a review.
Profile Image for Della B.
656 reviews186 followers
May 30, 2022

Book five is an exciting adventure when Ascara is called home. Round is excellent at world building as we are exposed to other cultures. This story just keeps getting better.
Profile Image for J H.
528 reviews12 followers
March 7, 2022
Ascara's part of the Trinity revealed, and there's another tower

SAPPHIC BOOK BINGO: butch character, unusual job, established threesome, not a romance, out of your comfort zone, non-US/UK setting, full-time writer; UNICORN: 400+ pages, second generation

I have loved this series since I first read it, and Towers 5 did not disappoint! There was much more fantasy here, as opposed to the greater amount of steampunk in Towers 4 (Magda's Trinity story), but the blending of the two genres is part of why I enjoy The Towers of Earth so much.

Ascara's family and people from her homeland in Gidhera played a significant part in book 5. New enemies had been approaching to attack while the trio completed a mission given to Ascara (while she was on Mar Kasha) in Book 4. So much of Ascara's backstory was unfolded, as well as her people's history and beliefs. Magda and Lucinda got more insight into her, and they participated in her coming into her own powers and strengths. There were other developments that added to the intrigue, and I felt like I had more questions that need be answered in future books. (Who am I kidding?! I want the answers now!!)

Looking forward to book six!
Profile Image for Marianne.
57 reviews2 followers
April 11, 2022
I was beyond excited when I saw that the next book in the series had been released. I discovered these books a year ago and binged them all. I realized that there were a lot of details that I had completely forgotten about. As I progressed in the book, I was able to remember some of the details but I think I'll want to re-read everything again at some point.

This book was significantly slower than the rest of the series, but that was not a bad thing. While there wasn't quite as much action, it was in no way boring. In fact, if my life wasn't as hectic as it is, I would have finished this in one sitting if I had the option.

I am just in love with the trinity and while I'm generally not a huge fan of poly relationships, I could not see this going any other direction. Magda, Lucinda, and Ascara have the most beautiful bond and I wouldn't want to see it any other way.

I loved seeing Ascara as the focus here. It was her time to shine and she was amazing. I can't wait to see where this series takes us next.
Profile Image for Carolyn Elizabeth.
Author 9 books168 followers
April 18, 2022
Anyone who has read this far into the series likely does so for the still developing relationships between the Raven, Fire and Ice. And they will not be disappointed by this installment of the story.
Focusing on Ascara for the first time we get a deep dive into her history as she comes into her own as a full member of the Trinity.
Lots of detail and backstory with the action taking place at the end. Another satisfying story about my favorite throuple.
Profile Image for Susan Welch.
379 reviews6 followers
March 18, 2022
Another wonderful installment in the towers series. This time Ascara takes center stage, as the three make their way to her homeland to do a bunch of rituals and engage in an epic battle. There is a lot of description and culture and ritual in this one, and most of the action is confined to the final chapters. Also please note that chapter five is titled "kissing started" (FINALLY).

Once again I find myself waiting for the next. I hope Nita Round is a fast writer.
Profile Image for Riley.
970 reviews65 followers
December 29, 2022
The fifth book in the Towers of the Earth series takes our three heroines, Lucinda, Magda and Ascara, to Ascara’s home – Gidhera.

Beyond the story of the monster’s rising up from the sea (see the book blurb), this is the story of the continually growing relationship between the three main characters as well as the ongoing development of their prophesied role in the fate of the world.

Since the beginning, Lucinda, Ascara, and Magda have been committed to each other from a friendship/professional standpoint, always having each other’s backs no matter what the situation. The long-awaited romantic commitment is finally upon us and I was pleased to see it happen! It just strengthens their trinity, which is a good thing because they tend to get into increasingly dangerous situations.

In A Touch of Fire, the trio must contend with Lucinda’s near death (see A Touch of Ice), returning a sacred skull to its home, facing down clan elders, priestesses and priests, dreamers and pretty much all things mystical. Only then can they face the dreadful skitterlings – the creatures from the ocean that periodically rise up to spawn, and in so doing, try to destroy every person in their path.

A minor part of the story, but one of the things I really liked, is how the three women treat the priestesses, priests and dreamers. Ascara, especially, rejects the mysticism. That is, while Lucinda, Magda and Ascara respect the roles of these people, they believe that their secrets should not be withheld. What good does it do the people of Gidhera, and the world, if they don’t know what they are facing. That the ‘mystics’ come to realize this is all we can hope for – for all the people of the world.

A Touch of Fire is non-stop danger, action, mysticism and magic. Told through the story of the three committed, resourceful, intelligent, strong women, book 5 in the series is probably going to be a must-read for anyone who has enjoyed books 1-4. Read the series in order to get the most out of this epic adventure.

Many thanks to the author who provided a copy of her book in exchange for my honest review.
Profile Image for Karen.
887 reviews10 followers
March 2, 2022
This is the long awaited (by me, anyway) next book in the series about Raven, Fire and Ice. The trinity travel to Ascara's homeland, , Gidhera. It’s a very tourist-like visit as Ascara shows off all the amenities, scenery, people, customs, and so on. I thought to myself, well, this book will be a nice break from the action. We’ll see the women grow closer and develop their bond even more while getting Ascara’s backstory.

After I was lulled into believing this was going to be a quiet installment, things started to happen. I don’t want to give anything else away, but it’s not so tranquil any more. During their adventures, they met a new group of people with power of a sort who were pretty isolated. From there, the three moved on and the adventure and derring-do really started. There are new people, new creatures, new societies, and change. And thrilling new adventures, of course.

It’s a good thing I had a week off work, because this novel kept me enthralled.
Profile Image for Toni.
113 reviews3 followers
September 24, 2024
I said before, I absolutely love this series. Everything about it is quality. That being said this is my least fav so far. It has nothing to do with the writing, the MC's where still awesome etc. My slight issue here was there was so much going on, new things being introduced and pieces to the puzzle added that at times I kinda felt lost and just had to go with the flow. There was a twinge of dissapointment, i had massive hopes for this installments as I think Ascara has become my fav MC. It has no way taken anything away from my enjoyment of this book or the series. Just maybe needs a reread before book 6 to get a few things straighten out so to speak lol. Its still 1 of the beat series around and Nita continues to produce stellar work.
Profile Image for Lynn Curtis.
89 reviews1 follower
April 17, 2023
Ready for answers and action?

As always, Nita Round delivers more action and mystery and answers as we follow the beloved Trinity of women thru their seperate and also united challenges against the Evil that is trying to take away the world as they know it and alk they love. If you haven't been following the series, I highly recommend you do and catch up on all you have missed.
Profile Image for Rochelle Paul.
12 reviews
November 25, 2023
Always satisfyingly exciting

This series just keeps getting better! The twists and turns kept me churning pages well into the night. I love watching the characters grow and develop into strong leaders uniting and strengthening the Trinity. Fantastical creatures and events are delightfully ghoulish and garish. So glad I found this series.
8 reviews
March 7, 2022
The Story Continues

In a fantasy world war rages. Mindless animals make war on humanity. In the real would Russians make an equally mindless war on their neighbors. I hope this book foretells the Russians end.
Profile Image for charles clayson.
1,341 reviews6 followers
April 13, 2022
This is an amazing series. It has been very well edited. I've experienced no typos throughout the series. And I await the next installment!
Nita has done a splendid job of navigating through the blending of references of past events from other books in the series.
One of my favorite series!!!
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews

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