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Tower of Somnus #3
Starfall
Conspiratorial conflicts boiling over. Allies pushed into the mix. The stars are spilling war onto Earth.
Kat revealed the Stallesp plot: the aliens never meant to abide by rules laid down by the Galactic Consensus, instead choosing to ask forgiveness rather than permission for interfering with Earth and its corporations. Now she is fighting a lonely war against the invasion as she tries to buy enough time for help to arrive.
Her allies are gone or preoccupied, forcing her and the few friends she’s made to try and root out the invaders without formal support. As her investigation heats up, revealing a situation worse than Kat ever could have expected, she needs to confront an unpleasant fact: not all of humanity's enemies are aliens.
Now Kat is racing against time, both in and out of the tower. Despite her skills, magic, and allies, her best may not be enough.
Kat revealed the Stallesp plot: the aliens never meant to abide by rules laid down by the Galactic Consensus, instead choosing to ask forgiveness rather than permission for interfering with Earth and its corporations. Now she is fighting a lonely war against the invasion as she tries to buy enough time for help to arrive.
Her allies are gone or preoccupied, forcing her and the few friends she’s made to try and root out the invaders without formal support. As her investigation heats up, revealing a situation worse than Kat ever could have expected, she needs to confront an unpleasant fact: not all of humanity's enemies are aliens.
Now Kat is racing against time, both in and out of the tower. Despite her skills, magic, and allies, her best may not be enough.
478 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 11, 2022
171 people are currently reading
88 people want to read
About the author
Cale Plamann
25 books111 followersA lifelong fan of Fantasy and Science Fiction, I usually spent my nerdy energy creating overly elaborate homebrew RPG campaigns. As it became harder and harder to juggle schedules for a half dozen players, I eventually made the logical choice and just cut them out of the picture entirely.
Now I write novels. They whine a lot less about critical failures.
Now I write novels. They whine a lot less about critical failures.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
February 15, 2023
The tower became really boring, like nothing much happened the entire book until the very end, and even then Ididnt really care all that much about a SINGLE battle on a super low level floor.
The cyberpunk side has some really weird issues. We're suppose to believe all these cutthroat stockholders and execs just buried their heads in the sand and ignored an alien invasion? Then, a team of 3 is able to do what entire corps couldn't and figure out the entire thing? I get they had some tower-based help on decoding, but even then, no one else could have done anything?
Tbh the main things this has going for it at this point is a very cool premise and a really well done avalanche towards the end of each book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 6, 2023
A decent, if flawed, entry to the series.
The Tower is interesting, but the premise is such that they simply can't die in it or all the progress is lost and the team is disbanded.
Meanwhile, Kat, who did everything for her mother and sister, and is fabulously wealth and living in an all expenses paid situation, barely thinks about them after the first part of the book. Even after she gets all she could wish for.
Swearing keeps ramping up with each book, keeping pace with the violence and gore.
And, of course, there needed to be some more token teen angst love between the leading, if dwindling, characters.
After reading the first three books non-stop, I will read the next entry. However other books have now taken priority.
The Tower is interesting, but the premise is such that they simply can't die in it or all the progress is lost and the team is disbanded.
Meanwhile, Kat, who did everything for her mother and sister, and is fabulously wealth and living in an all expenses paid situation, barely thinks about them after the first part of the book. Even after she gets all she could wish for.
Swearing keeps ramping up with each book, keeping pace with the violence and gore.
And, of course, there needed to be some more token teen angst love between the leading, if dwindling, characters.
After reading the first three books non-stop, I will read the next entry. However other books have now taken priority.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 21, 2023
The evil -- stunningly stupid - plot is revealed.
Risking a galaxy wide all out war for some standard ressources in one solar system (which they could mine in secret as well) is just moronic. Even more so given the fact that these aliens seem to be able to travel hundreds of light years fast.
The teenie heroine saves the day in both realities again - yay!
I´m finally done with the series and author.
Risking a galaxy wide all out war for some standard ressources in one solar system (which they could mine in secret as well) is just moronic. Even more so given the fact that these aliens seem to be able to travel hundreds of light years fast.
The teenie heroine saves the day in both realities again - yay!
I´m finally done with the series and author.
November 17, 2022
Given where book two ended, this was just boring.
You could cut out eighty five percent and all you would lose is a bunch of exposition from people twiddling their thumbs. The combat has become repetitious. I expected the next chapter in a saga and instead got a very routine set up.
You could cut out eighty five percent and all you would lose is a bunch of exposition from people twiddling their thumbs. The combat has become repetitious. I expected the next chapter in a saga and instead got a very routine set up.
December 1, 2022
Erinyes has won the first battle, and at least in her own area the moles have more or less been defeated. It quickly becomes clear though that most of the enemy has simply gone underground and that not all megacorporations have been as successful as GroCorp. The neighbouring one controlling among others Las Vegas has clearly lost the battle, so Kat and her human friends decide to investigate while her alien friends in the Tower have to deal with their own trouble with the moles.
For me the third volume of the series was a joy to read. The story is entertaining, and it left less questions about the start of events. The alien's security kind of sucks (cells know a little bit too much about other cells), but otherwise you would not have much of a story. Some solid progress in as far as the plot goes. I like the parts about the tower, but they do include dungeon forays that have little direct impact on the plot and don't show the character sheet very often which might not be to everybody's liking but should not come as a surprise this far into the series.
All in all, a good read, one I enjoyed more than volume 2 and I am looking forward to Kat's continued adventures.
For me the third volume of the series was a joy to read. The story is entertaining, and it left less questions about the start of events. The alien's security kind of sucks (cells know a little bit too much about other cells), but otherwise you would not have much of a story. Some solid progress in as far as the plot goes. I like the parts about the tower, but they do include dungeon forays that have little direct impact on the plot and don't show the character sheet very often which might not be to everybody's liking but should not come as a surprise this far into the series.
All in all, a good read, one I enjoyed more than volume 2 and I am looking forward to Kat's continued adventures.
December 25, 2022
This was great
This book is really good!
I was a little uncomfortable with the amount of blood and gore, but I appreciate how grounded and realistic the author makes everything.
By realistic, I mean that the author makes magic feel real. The author does a good job at describing how difficult it would be to use speed enhancement to Dodge incoming weapons fire. Then use a knife with a penetration spell to get through somebody's body armor. But you can't get through the thick parts of the armor. So you have to hit a weak point on an extremity causing them to curl over in pain or loose balance, then you can go for the neck or face.
It's a brutal fight where skill and magic help beat enemy numbers and technology. And it feels real unlike just describing magic as a bolt that can take out each enemy instantly.
Each ability sounds weak and underpowered by itself, but when used by someone skilled, the abilities are woven together to create devastating combos that can wear down most opponents.
There is so much thought put into the fights and it is described so well that I can visualize things happening as if it's a movie or anime.
This book is really good!
I was a little uncomfortable with the amount of blood and gore, but I appreciate how grounded and realistic the author makes everything.
By realistic, I mean that the author makes magic feel real. The author does a good job at describing how difficult it would be to use speed enhancement to Dodge incoming weapons fire. Then use a knife with a penetration spell to get through somebody's body armor. But you can't get through the thick parts of the armor. So you have to hit a weak point on an extremity causing them to curl over in pain or loose balance, then you can go for the neck or face.
It's a brutal fight where skill and magic help beat enemy numbers and technology. And it feels real unlike just describing magic as a bolt that can take out each enemy instantly.
Each ability sounds weak and underpowered by itself, but when used by someone skilled, the abilities are woven together to create devastating combos that can wear down most opponents.
There is so much thought put into the fights and it is described so well that I can visualize things happening as if it's a movie or anime.
April 12, 2024
I really enjoyed this and thought it was another great entry to the series!
I appreciated the change in status quo, what with Kat and co recovering an actual (broken) alien starship and its resultant advanced technologies, and parlaying that to an actual spot as a stakeholder. I'm looking forward to how that changes how she sees herself - though she will almost certainly still be an outsider among the other stakeholders, it will presumably be difficult to see herself as someone working outside of the law given that she is now, effectively, part of the law.
I also enjoyed how it kind of tied the dream/video game world to real life - the ship was downed to the actions of her alien friends in real life, and they got to communicate and impact each other outside of the game! The stakes keep escalating in an intriguing way, with the stallesp pretty much now at war with some of the other alien species, and how that impacts the game and real life. It also seems like this war has been building up for many years, and earth/Kat are kind of incidental to the whole thing and are just getting kind of swept up in it and trying to be as proactive as they can be in the space they control - it makes the universe seem larger that it isn't centered on earth, that was just kind of a flashpoint.
The time skips I thought were pretty effective overall - I have no real desire to see every single dungeon cleared/skill earned, it's sufficient to just show the relevant ones - but I did think it was kind of odd how their relationship with Emma went from 'she's a friend, and I should think about telling her that I'm part of the game at some point' straight to 'she is now clued in and discussing it with us openly' without actually seeing the reveal or how she reacted to it. Once I adjusted, though, I did appreciate the new dynamic between Emma, Iris, the other dude whose name I forgot, and the hacker girlfriend as they adjusted to working with each other on missions.
Looking forward to the next one!
I appreciated the change in status quo, what with Kat and co recovering an actual (broken) alien starship and its resultant advanced technologies, and parlaying that to an actual spot as a stakeholder. I'm looking forward to how that changes how she sees herself - though she will almost certainly still be an outsider among the other stakeholders, it will presumably be difficult to see herself as someone working outside of the law given that she is now, effectively, part of the law.
I also enjoyed how it kind of tied the dream/video game world to real life - the ship was downed to the actions of her alien friends in real life, and they got to communicate and impact each other outside of the game! The stakes keep escalating in an intriguing way, with the stallesp pretty much now at war with some of the other alien species, and how that impacts the game and real life. It also seems like this war has been building up for many years, and earth/Kat are kind of incidental to the whole thing and are just getting kind of swept up in it and trying to be as proactive as they can be in the space they control - it makes the universe seem larger that it isn't centered on earth, that was just kind of a flashpoint.
The time skips I thought were pretty effective overall - I have no real desire to see every single dungeon cleared/skill earned, it's sufficient to just show the relevant ones - but I did think it was kind of odd how their relationship with Emma went from 'she's a friend, and I should think about telling her that I'm part of the game at some point' straight to 'she is now clued in and discussing it with us openly' without actually seeing the reveal or how she reacted to it. Once I adjusted, though, I did appreciate the new dynamic between Emma, Iris, the other dude whose name I forgot, and the hacker girlfriend as they adjusted to working with each other on missions.
Looking forward to the next one!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 3, 2024
So juvenile
In Books 1 & 2 the storyline was decent enough. In book 3, the author introduced Emma who is very immature. Emma has conversations during a battle about the dumbest things. (Imagine being in a gun fight where you could be killed at anytime. The person next to you asks about your haircut. You explain how great your barber is. It’s kinda like that, but worse. Kat and Whippoorwill somehow develop feeling for each other out of the blue. Don’t really care about gay characters for the most part, but I feel like the author brute forced this. Kat kinda like a guy in book 1 & 2. At no time did Kat & Whippoorwill display or act like they had feelings for each other. Than Emma shows up and she tells Kat - Can’t you see Whippoorwill like you. Booom. They’re in love and dating. Such hog wash.
This is where I quit this series. The author did such a horrible job with this book. It was like a 12 yrs old girl wrote it. I would having given this book a negative 5 stars if I could. If this is the best this author has, I will avoid him like the plague.
In Books 1 & 2 the storyline was decent enough. In book 3, the author introduced Emma who is very immature. Emma has conversations during a battle about the dumbest things. (Imagine being in a gun fight where you could be killed at anytime. The person next to you asks about your haircut. You explain how great your barber is. It’s kinda like that, but worse. Kat and Whippoorwill somehow develop feeling for each other out of the blue. Don’t really care about gay characters for the most part, but I feel like the author brute forced this. Kat kinda like a guy in book 1 & 2. At no time did Kat & Whippoorwill display or act like they had feelings for each other. Than Emma shows up and she tells Kat - Can’t you see Whippoorwill like you. Booom. They’re in love and dating. Such hog wash.
This is where I quit this series. The author did such a horrible job with this book. It was like a 12 yrs old girl wrote it. I would having given this book a negative 5 stars if I could. If this is the best this author has, I will avoid him like the plague.
July 23, 2023
I had this book for so many months. I just hope me putting it off for so long doesn't turn prophetic.
I didn't enjoy this much. Too many people have been added to the "crew" that don't add anything. Then the pace of the protagonist progressing is too damn slow. I don't have the patience to go through more of this crap. I thought with how book two ended, the protagonist would have been steadily building power, but that isn't the case.
Unless something changes in the last twenty percent of this book, I'm dropping the series. It has become a joke. Going on a serious mission? Carry people who are a liability with you.
I really don't want to read the sequel, as I can see where the series is going. Hopefully I won't be ruled by impulse to grab it, then remember I promised not to continue (has happened far too many times).
2.5/5 Stars
I didn't enjoy this much. Too many people have been added to the "crew" that don't add anything. Then the pace of the protagonist progressing is too damn slow. I don't have the patience to go through more of this crap. I thought with how book two ended, the protagonist would have been steadily building power, but that isn't the case.
Unless something changes in the last twenty percent of this book, I'm dropping the series. It has become a joke. Going on a serious mission? Carry people who are a liability with you.
I really don't want to read the sequel, as I can see where the series is going. Hopefully I won't be ruled by impulse to grab it, then remember I promised not to continue (has happened far too many times).
2.5/5 Stars
November 29, 2022
This is one of the most unique litRPG I've read. It's a Scifi first-contact situation and unless you're familiar with Somnus the player's game, where you would have already met and fought with the mole like race! While the situation outta game worsens, the dungeon diving in Somnus gets even harder. As Kat's magical skills continue grow! She has already found that her skills carry over strengthening her abilities outta game too. So during the day Kat and her team fight for the planet. And at night while sleeping she fights to beat the dungeon boss. Doubling the action!!!
And you better believe Andrea Parsneau pulls off another Stellar 11 ⭐ performance!
Remember you can't play Somus without grabbing the books first!
And you better believe Andrea Parsneau pulls off another Stellar 11 ⭐ performance!
Remember you can't play Somus without grabbing the books first!
December 3, 2022
Bravo
My compliments to Mr Plamann for writing such an enjoyable set of books. I found this series from a referral from another author whose books I am addicted to. Glad I listened. This is the first series I've read from this author and I have thoroughly enjoyed it. From the first book through my the third I was enthralled. I spent two and a half days devouring these books. I wrote in my first review I am NOT a fan dystopian books, however this one intrigued me, (plus the recommendation), was enough for me to give it a try. So very glad I did. I have yet to try any of his other book however I would definitely LOVE to jump back into this world/ story. Go get them all and see for yourself what a wonderful storyline this is .
My compliments to Mr Plamann for writing such an enjoyable set of books. I found this series from a referral from another author whose books I am addicted to. Glad I listened. This is the first series I've read from this author and I have thoroughly enjoyed it. From the first book through my the third I was enthralled. I spent two and a half days devouring these books. I wrote in my first review I am NOT a fan dystopian books, however this one intrigued me, (plus the recommendation), was enough for me to give it a try. So very glad I did. I have yet to try any of his other book however I would definitely LOVE to jump back into this world/ story. Go get them all and see for yourself what a wonderful storyline this is .
November 21, 2022
great third installment
I’ve enjoyed the fast-paced adventure of the previous two books, and this one does not fail to deliver. The characters remain fun and interesting to follow. Mostly we see development of old players. Of course, they all are dark and vicious, but that seems fitting for this dystopian world.
This book continues to progress Kat. I like the interesting array of powers. They are a creative and limited enough that That’s a pretty great job of jumping between “game” and reality. It brings in neat sci-fi elements.
It wraps up nicely and sets up the next major arc. Can’t wait for the next book.
I’ve enjoyed the fast-paced adventure of the previous two books, and this one does not fail to deliver. The characters remain fun and interesting to follow. Mostly we see development of old players. Of course, they all are dark and vicious, but that seems fitting for this dystopian world.
This book continues to progress Kat. I like the interesting array of powers. They are a creative and limited enough that That’s a pretty great job of jumping between “game” and reality. It brings in neat sci-fi elements.
It wraps up nicely and sets up the next major arc. Can’t wait for the next book.
November 16, 2022
This review isn't gonna be as long as the ones before it.
I honestly loved this new sequel, it was action packed and so entertaining. Cale does so good in all of his series. I want to read book 4 as soon as possible.
Andrea does so good narrating this series, Ii give her 5 stars In her performance always. She's such a good fit for this book.
Everything else in this book was honestly better. I felt a better connection with the Mc and the other characters, the plot drew me in.
I recommend this sequel 100%
I honestly loved this new sequel, it was action packed and so entertaining. Cale does so good in all of his series. I want to read book 4 as soon as possible.
Andrea does so good narrating this series, Ii give her 5 stars In her performance always. She's such a good fit for this book.
Everything else in this book was honestly better. I felt a better connection with the Mc and the other characters, the plot drew me in.
I recommend this sequel 100%
April 12, 2023
Still great, maybe a little rushed?
Still love this series, good character development and plot progression. Decent character foils in a giant 4-handed lizard and a ferret. That being said, there were a couple major typos and the ending seemed a bit forced. Additionally, the potential MC relationship also seemed a bit forced, with potential emotions really budding from almost nothing. In the end, I'm still extremely vested in this entertaining series, and def can't wait for the next one!
Still love this series, good character development and plot progression. Decent character foils in a giant 4-handed lizard and a ferret. That being said, there were a couple major typos and the ending seemed a bit forced. Additionally, the potential MC relationship also seemed a bit forced, with potential emotions really budding from almost nothing. In the end, I'm still extremely vested in this entertaining series, and def can't wait for the next one!
April 29, 2024
Starfall
Galactic pressure is getting more intense and it appears that war is looming. Meanwhile, Kat’s network has collapsed. She has all of her skills, but no one to set up the next operation. It’s time to fix that.
This has been a great way to mix LitRPG elements into a semi scifi setting. The changes of setting between the waking world and the dreamscape are very well done. You do not seem to linger in one too long. Andrea Parsneau does an amazing job with the narration.
Content Warning: language
Galactic pressure is getting more intense and it appears that war is looming. Meanwhile, Kat’s network has collapsed. She has all of her skills, but no one to set up the next operation. It’s time to fix that.
This has been a great way to mix LitRPG elements into a semi scifi setting. The changes of setting between the waking world and the dreamscape are very well done. You do not seem to linger in one too long. Andrea Parsneau does an amazing job with the narration.
Content Warning: language
April 26, 2023
Love it!
This is such a fun story! Plot and characters are interesting and different from current popular books. Great world building and fun plot twist. You can really feel the characters.
Ok, there are a few errors. The author can get rid of these errors using some good beta readers prior to publishing and going back and republishing books 1 through 3. The errors don't pull from the story. I totally recommend this series and I am ready for the next book!
This is such a fun story! Plot and characters are interesting and different from current popular books. Great world building and fun plot twist. You can really feel the characters.
Ok, there are a few errors. The author can get rid of these errors using some good beta readers prior to publishing and going back and republishing books 1 through 3. The errors don't pull from the story. I totally recommend this series and I am ready for the next book!
November 20, 2022
Excellent
Enjoyed the book and enjoying the series. Hope this is not the last in the series and we have more books to look forward to. Wonderful world and characters with depth and understandable motivations make this a fun series.
Enjoyed the book and enjoying the series. Hope this is not the last in the series and we have more books to look forward to. Wonderful world and characters with depth and understandable motivations make this a fun series.
November 21, 2022
Continues to Deliver
Continues to deliver on the promise of the earlier books in this series. First part of the book is not as action packed as the last half, but still keeps the reader enthralled.
Continues to deliver on the promise of the earlier books in this series. First part of the book is not as action packed as the last half, but still keeps the reader enthralled.
December 31, 2022
Tower of Somnus ( books 1, 2 & 3 )
An absolutely wonderful rollercoaster of a story ..... enjoyed the characters ..... their interactions ..... Looking forward for more ...A+A+A+A+A+
An absolutely wonderful rollercoaster of a story ..... enjoyed the characters ..... their interactions ..... Looking forward for more ...A+A+A+A+A+
January 15, 2023
The last 100 pages were great but the 200 before those were very hit and miss and a slog to get through for me. I still love Kat and seeing her grow in power both in the real world and in the tower is awesome. 7.5/10
April 18, 2023
Excellent
When I started the book, it didn't look like it will be as good as previous ones, but I was very wrong: it is excellent.
Story is great and characters develop further, with Kat getting stronger physicaly and in influence, and even showing traces of romance.
When I started the book, it didn't look like it will be as good as previous ones, but I was very wrong: it is excellent.
Story is great and characters develop further, with Kat getting stronger physicaly and in influence, and even showing traces of romance.
February 28, 2024
Best of the series so far
Oh my God, that was freaking epic!! Seriously, this book was so much fun, bringing so many of the characters and plot lines together too. You've gotta read this.
Oh my God, that was freaking epic!! Seriously, this book was so much fun, bringing so many of the characters and plot lines together too. You've gotta read this.
November 26, 2025
The quality really fell off with this one. The pointless forcing of a relationship between the main and a sidekick made it worse. This will be where I get off the tower train. It was a good three book ride.
November 18, 2022
Great story
Love the story so far. Can't wait for more. Cat is one of the best main characters I've read in a while and it is nice to see a badass good girl.
Love the story so far. Can't wait for more. Cat is one of the best main characters I've read in a while and it is nice to see a badass good girl.
November 21, 2022
Oh yeah
Lots and lots of action happening in the story. Very exciting stuff all throughout the book. I hope there's more after this but could see it being the end.
Lots and lots of action happening in the story. Very exciting stuff all throughout the book. I hope there's more after this but could see it being the end.
November 23, 2022
tremendous
The series has gotten better with each book, with this one being wonderfully written. Eagerly looking forward to book 4!
The series has gotten better with each book, with this one being wonderfully written. Eagerly looking forward to book 4!
November 29, 2022
Good book
Another good book with lots of action and development. I like that we're getting more info on the larger universe.
Another good book with lots of action and development. I like that we're getting more info on the larger universe.
December 19, 2022
Do recommend
Another book where Cale does a solid job of blending the real world with more fantasy-esk aspects. Pacing never lets up and enjoyed reading it
Another book where Cale does a solid job of blending the real world with more fantasy-esk aspects. Pacing never lets up and enjoyed reading it
January 26, 2023
love baker
Love all the characters in this universe. But I especially love the representation. Baker is a great addition and I look forward to book 4
Love all the characters in this universe. But I especially love the representation. Baker is a great addition and I look forward to book 4
February 2, 2023
Great book
Really like this book and series. I cannot wait to read the next one. Honestly like how the world outside the game and the world in the game blend together.
Really like this book and series. I cannot wait to read the next one. Honestly like how the world outside the game and the world in the game blend together.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews