The Hidden Tower

The Portal Wars Saga, Book 1

By: James E. Wisher

Narrated by: Joe Hempel

Length: 9 hrs and 35 mins

Publisher's summary

Otto Shenk is the youngest son of a minor baron. He's also a wizard.

Abused by his family and considered less than human by his kingdom, Otto does his best to survive. But everything changes when Otto stumbles across a tower hidden deep in a dark part of the forest near his home.

A tower that was once the home of an Arcane Lord, the immortal wizards that long ago ruled the world. Otto’s life will be changed forever. And so will the world.

©2020 James E. Wisher (P)2020 James E. Wisher

The writing is good but the story isn’t.

I really thought I was going to like this one. This author has written good things in the past, but this book was a disappointment. Let me start by saying that I read for escapism. I like to enjoy my books. This one just left me drained and sad. The main character is not bad, he has strengths and flaws, but he is likable. Everyone else tho... not so much. They treat him like dirt. Not in a character building way either. I was alright until about half way through. The adultery just kinda made me lose respect for pretty much everyone. Couldn’t continue after that. It was like the main character was the villain of the story with the way he is used by everyone. Except he is decent, and every time he is lied to, you just get sadder. I recommend that you read something else by this author instead. He must have just been in a really weird mood when he wrote this one.

Was ok at first but goes downhill pretty fast.

It starts out pretty good with its magic system and him training but then half of the book is about how his wife is cheating on him as he is trying to save the kingdom. Then how she goes through great lengths to try and convince him that the child is his when he never slept with her for several months after the marriage. Literally everyone but him knows that the child isnt his and how she lied to him when he was treating her so well and even saved her from being raped. He was going far out of his way to treat her well and she completely betrays him. He would be going out to help the prince while she was inviting her lover into his house. Stopped reading after that. There is a few more books in the series but im not supporting the author after this.

An amazing not-so-good aligned MC

MC doesnt have a problem getting their hands dirty, or righting those who wronged him. Plenty of skulduggery and intrigue, and an interesting use of magic.

Excellent

I admit I was worried about this book bc of some of the comments ***Spoilers below***
Ok so Otto was a man that everyone underestimated and also took advantage of. He obeyed orders a lot at the beginning. Married bc his father made him to a woman who didn’t want the marriage either. What bothered me about some the comments I read were how they were upset at him for what he did to his adulterous wife. Otto actually tried to be a good husband and she cheated on him and was pregnant by another man. She lied about it and seemed like she really didn’t care about Otto. He found out and got revenge. If the woman loved the other man so much she should have just ran off with him. What did she expect to happen? If I thought I was going to have a child and it turns out it wasn’t mine I would be furious. Otto did finish off the king and I don’t understand that part, but it seems he is becoming darker. I don’t mind him getting even per say but I hope he doesn’t truly lose his humanity.
Other than that this book is very well written and the magic system is interesting.

amazing

I love dark litrpg with a good antihero. this one did not disappoint and I hope the second book comes out and to audible soon!

So Bad

I made it through 3 books before I had to quit. I couldn't take it anymore! The first book sets up what could be an amazing story, but it never materializes. I wish I could point to one thing as to why I disliked this so much, but I think it's the shortcuts the writer takes in the story, the character's dialogue, and the narration all come together, and the result is bad.

great job

I know some other reviews were complaining about how the story went. I can see why I would have liked things to turn out differently as well. Never the less the stories is very well-thought-out and very well written.

Just WOW!

To be honest I did not have high expectations for this one to start. However I was amazed how good it is. This book would for sure go on my gems of 2020 list.

good book but not for me

the story was well written good caricature development and great narrator. The book as also politics and political entry and I not a fan, I personally did not like the hidden tower even though I do not like this style of books It what a good read 5 of out 5

love the book

Otto Shenk is the youngest son of a minor baron.

He's also a wizard.

Abused by his family and considered less than human by his kingdom, Otto does his best to survive.

But everything changes when Otto stumbles across a tower hidden deep in a dark part of the forest near his home.

A tower that was once the home of an Arcane Lord, the immortal wizards that long ago ruled the world.

Otto’s life will be changed forever.

And so will the world.

Narration lacked engagement

Every character have a feel of lazy snark when they talk. A soldier being rebuked by high command or even a royal, should not respond in an aloof "whatever you say" tone.
A young man finding a hidden magic tower with, to him, unimaginable power and secrets inside, should be extremely excited. Not give off the feel that he found something mildly interesting.

nearly dropped the book several times before it finally became interesting. though I feel like it would have been interesting from the beginning, if the narration had been more captivating.

pretty good

really like the story and the characters, can't wait for the second book to be uploaded. My only critique is the author does not know how to deal with logistics. There's no map I can find, but I just can't imagine a normal person going from the northern frontier province to the capital in a single day and when the distance takes a single sentence to traverse I'm left reeling.

Is he good or bad ??

The only question I have is, is he good or bad. Simple question but I am unable to decide. Here's hoping book 2 clarifies it a little but in some small corner of my mind I am quite happy with vacillating in my opinion of him.
Listen to the book to make your own determation.

Yea it’s a 5 star.

Sometimes I have issues with the narrator, especially if they are doing both male and female characters the narrator did this well.
The story is good and pulls you alone.

Great surprise

This book starts slow but what a great build up into world building. Going to follow this series to the end. You will not regret picking this up.

my first audio book and I loved it

it such an interesting story never new a audio book could be this good gonna get the next book now

Enjoyable

I enjoyed this title but the narrator was a bit off with the voices he chose for each character. Some males sounded like females!

conspirecy, drama, shifting morals...

The mc is a bit hard to pin down... hard to explain, [possible SPOILER AHED] atleast at first. the mc comes out as a bit evil, vile and verry self serving, and not for the best reasons, he has some reason but not to this degree. you get a hint of resentment in the beginning, then he eases out for a bit, and he looks to be a better man, then sudden 180 and goes darkish and not mutch later viler..ish... like i said har to explain.

[spoiler FREE AHED] The story has politics, betrayl, love, hate, greed, magic and a good deal of background, at least for sutch a short first book. i am alittle on the fenc if i like this book becouse of the mc... he is not the kind i like. i will pick up the next book and see where this goes, but not quite yet. it has a little to mutch "drama" for my part, was hoping this would be a nice waiting book series til the next cradle, battlemage farmer or defience of the fall book, among others. i will check out the next book soon, but not rigth away.

It’s ‘ok’.

The audiobook’s performance is done well and i have no complaints. The story, however, was a little drawn out. Before I continue, I would like to say that everyone prefers their own pace and story progression. I found the story somewhat lacking in the character development department. Not to mention some very annoying “relationships”. If you read this book, you will probably enjoy it at first like I did. But around 40-50% into the book, you will start to get confused with where the story is going. Then, at around 70-80% into the book you grasp what is happening and then power through the rest just to complete it. Although there are quite a few books in this series, I don’t think I’ll continue any longer. Also, after just listening to the audiobook, I can’t think of a simple ‘happy’ moment in this story.

The following can be considered a spoiler (although not a detailed one). The magic in this book is simply too powerful. Some readers will like an over powered protagonist (which is fine), but when it gets to the point where magic is this powerful, I just don’t understand how wizards are being suppressed. Sure the next books may explain this, but even so, the regular humans show no sign of being able to defend against magic at all throughout the book. If that’s the case, then the wizards should be the ones ruling.

Conclusion: I’m struggling to find books to get into. This one served me somewhat well, with a little disatisfaction. If you’re struggling to find a decent book, then keep looking. If you still can’t find a decent book after reading this, then I suggest you listen/read this book. I hope this helps.