Spell Thief

A Progression Fantasy Epic

De: J Pal

Narrado por: John Pirhalla

Stack your Deck. Climb the Gaia Tower. Defeat its Guardians.

Almost half a century has passed since prison ships en route to Australia discovered the mysterious Tower rising out of the Indian Ocean, known as Gaia. Monarchies, republics, and trading giants came together to build a city around it and contain the monsters spilling out of the rune-covered structure.

The few that dared enter and climb it learned the magic of Gaia's runic cards.

Now, most people enter the tower seeking fame, fortune, or power. Not Diya Sen. He climbs hoping to find clues about his missing brother and to solve Gaia's mysteries. However, the warring noble houses stand in his way.

His mission won't be easy. Many sources of power are outside his reach as an ordinary man. But if the direct approach doesn't help Diya achieve his goals, perhaps the talents of a Spell Thief will.

Don't miss the start of the Tower of Cards series from best seller J Pal. This is progression fantasy utilizing a runic-card-based magic system with tons of customization. Perfect for fans of All the Skills and Towers of Heaven, as well as games such as Slay the Spire, Hearthstone, and Gwent.

©2023 Aethon Books (P)2023 Aethon Audio

entertaining deck building rpg

tower climbing deck building rpg. world is neat with some cool monsters. deckbuilding mechanics are alright. good interpersonal interactions. highly stratified society a bit stereotypical but classics r still entertaining. I'll continue the series

Narrator Makes Some Odd Line Reads

I'm halfway through, but far enough to make the following observation. As another reviewer has mentioned, this narrator makes some odd choices. He sometimes puts the emphasis on the wrong word. This can give the phrase a different meaning than the context suggests. But sometimes it just makes the phrase seem discordant. A lexicographer calls this bruising the ear, which is an apt description of how these missteps strike me as a listener.

Part of what makes it particularly disappointing here is that the narrator generally does a good job. He clearly knows how to read a line and mostly does it well. If Christopher Walken was narrating, you'd get 10 wonky line reads per minute. Pirhalla's narration does not approach Walken levels of wonk. But, while Pirhalla may not be topping out the wonkiness scale, he's definitely registering levels on the scale. It's noticeable and breaks immersion frequently enough that at least two reviewers have now bothered to point it out.

With that said, I enjoyed Spell Thief and I don't regret my $7.49 (thanks KU). There is a ton of room for the story to grow and I’m looking forward to it.

A good start and Bad Ending

The Narrator of the story was not bad but felt like he was just reading a story and didn’t put any effort in the narration. At the same time story started off slow but picked up. First part is just there for a little bit of story building and how the Gaia works noble powers and how to get card and how the work Once past that just a normal run of the mill story of Diya climbing the tower. Spoilers ahead on how stupid the ending is. This will be a rant. Lol

So I must repeat The ending is kinda stupid. For one randomly giving the main bad guy a power to manipulate others to do what he wants basically mind control. Really really!!!!!! The whole book talks about nobles and the power they have and some political shenanigans going on but you decide oh the bad guy needs mind control powers. WTF were you thinking. The better ending would be that the noble brat is being manipulated by another family for more power and control but since he is the new heir to the family not much can be done and the father which being desperate because his eldest will not be able to take over and needs healing goes along with the new heir because he has no better alternatives in his mind. Which is what the book was alluding to the whole time but Then really…..really…. mind control powers is your twist. You didn’t need a twist this is book one. I repeat book one this is just suppose to be a set up for the story characters and the continuing plot but you just had go in and give the most hated character aka the heir mind control powers really because reasons. Especially mind control powers that works on higher tier climbers really really.

fun story

was pleasantly surprised. well crafted story. looking forward to book 2 and the rest of the story.

Gamelit using cards instead of points!

I actually love J Pal's work, so I gave the Spell Thief a go. I found that I enjoyed the book a lot, inspite of the very slow start as the world and character building progressed. Dia was a very thoughtful and respectful young man, even if it crossed against his own opinion.
His plan was to climb the tower to get stronger inorder to prove his brother's innocents. The goal never changed but became more immediate when his best friend's life is threatened! But first beating the tower, will be no easy task. Filled with both monsters, and greedy noble houses ready to stop him no matter the cost.
This is only the second gamelit I've read that plays around with cards instead of stats to get stronger. The first one being Jake's Magical Market and I still find it quite unique, and fun style of gamelit writing.
So yeah, grab the book and see what you think.