The Blue Tower

Five Towers

De: J.B. Simmons

Narrado por: Daniel Greenberg

Five towers. Five colors. Only one way out.

Cipher wakes up in the Blue Tower with no memories of his former life. He discovers he is not alone. Dozens of boys and girls must compete in a battle called the Scouring against four other towers - Red, Green, Yellow, and Black - each with its own rules and powers.

In his first Scouring, Cipher captures Emma, a girl from Yellow, whose memories from Victorian England move Cipher to uncover his own past. He must learn who he was before he can figure out why he's here...and how to get out.

©2018 J.B. Simmons (P)2018 J.B. Simmons

A allegory on regret and redemption in YA form.

If I had to describe it in comparisons, I'd say it uses a world set up like a combination of Hogwarts and Hunger Games to spin an allegory akin to what C.S. Lewis does with Narnia.

There is a faith-based leaning present in the story, but Simmons has carefully placed it in the background, at least in the first book of the series. Being as spoiler free as possible; Simmons uses what would normally feel trope-y, an amnesiac protagonist, and reveals in pieces. This is used in a way that allows the reader to focus on our protagonist's life at highlights of trauma, while he paints small strokes of the spiritual message of redemption into the background.

I'm curious to see if he keeps it up. The amnesiac route is easy to make interesting at the start, but the characters must have an identity going forward, especially in a 5 book series! Let alone how he'll balanve the faith based elements with storytelling as more is revealed.

The narrator did a fine job. My only complaint is that he was too dry. It's better than someone who 'over acts' and puts too much of their own emphasis, but there were parts, particular action heavy points, where the read was so dry it actually pulled me out in a different way.

Amazing! Gripping! Irresistible!

So good and riveting. Imaginative, beautifully written I can't wait to start the next one!!

This book is very interesting and exciting!

This book is perfect for teens and young adults,
Lots of mystery
the narrator is very good with voices.
your teenager will love this book!

Interesting from beginning to end

The book is good, engaging and appropriate for all ages (imo age 7 and up)! It's easy to get hooked right from the start. Very entertaining read.