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The Stork Tower #8
Skirmish
A simple error leaves Leah with a unique Neural Enhancement Chip and a rapidly evolving AI implanted in her brain. In ‘Nascent’, she evaded kidnapping by virtual slavers and helped shut down some operations of the virtual crime syndicate that uses mind-controlled players as slaves.
In ‘Odyssey’, she not only found a way to escape, but she also uncovered deeper plots being carried out in both the virtual multi-universe and reality.
In ‘Change’, Leah began learning how to use the additional connections her chip has made throughout her body. The Pod facility she opened expanded as she helped others from her neighbourhood. Leah discovered that the crime syndicate has an even greater presence in the virtual multiverse than she’d imagined. As she begins to unravel some of their secrets, they tarnish her reputation and kidnap her mother.
In ‘Rescue’, Leah hacked the secure Vault where an AI friend of hers had been archived. She not only managed to retrieve her friend but uncovered a deeper conspiracy. Leah also managed to rescue her mother from the crime syndicate but not before her mother had an AI chip inserted in her brain. She discovers that her boyfriend’s family controls their own crime syndicate, and he was also being controlled.
In ‘Ipseity’, Leah discovers that the syndicate inserted a dangerous explosive AI chip in her mother. Leah’s neural architecture continues to change, allowing her greater awareness of what is happening around her and giving her the ability to multitask. She rescues her boyfriend as she moves closer on three virtual worlds to finishing significant quests. All the while, Leah works to win freedom and a future for her Personal AI, who is self-aware in a system that demands she be archived or deleted.
In ‘Contest’, Leah makes headway in all three quests as well as competing in the first Merkize Contest. Each quest is a contest of sorts, and she faces stronger adversaries than she has previously. Through all this, Leah struggles with her injuries and the threat of arrest overshadowing everything she does. In the end, she manages to rescue her mother but is arrested on suspicion of murder. She and her father, Michael, are abducted on the way to the police station.
In ‘Resurrection’, Leah’s chip is destroyed using a taser. The heat not only destroys the chip but leaves her blind, deaf, and dumb. She manages to escape those who kidnapped her and finds her way to a safe house by touch alone. Using her increased tactile sense and modified neural architecture, Leah constructs a way to see the world around her by imprinting the data on her body. After breaking into the hospital, she has two new, more advanced chips implanted. Now, with three AI in her head, Leah re-enters the multiverse looking for justice. In each world, she discovers that her role is expanding, and the smaller conflicts are threatening to explode in all-out war. In Dunyanin, she is the catalyst for the War of the Gods scenario. In Pneumatica, she has opened up a new world filled with Zombie-like creatures. She helps the resistance infiltrated one of the strongholds.
In ‘Skirmish’, the conflicts continue to grow, not only in the multiverse but also in the real world.
In ‘Odyssey’, she not only found a way to escape, but she also uncovered deeper plots being carried out in both the virtual multi-universe and reality.
In ‘Change’, Leah began learning how to use the additional connections her chip has made throughout her body. The Pod facility she opened expanded as she helped others from her neighbourhood. Leah discovered that the crime syndicate has an even greater presence in the virtual multiverse than she’d imagined. As she begins to unravel some of their secrets, they tarnish her reputation and kidnap her mother.
In ‘Rescue’, Leah hacked the secure Vault where an AI friend of hers had been archived. She not only managed to retrieve her friend but uncovered a deeper conspiracy. Leah also managed to rescue her mother from the crime syndicate but not before her mother had an AI chip inserted in her brain. She discovers that her boyfriend’s family controls their own crime syndicate, and he was also being controlled.
In ‘Ipseity’, Leah discovers that the syndicate inserted a dangerous explosive AI chip in her mother. Leah’s neural architecture continues to change, allowing her greater awareness of what is happening around her and giving her the ability to multitask. She rescues her boyfriend as she moves closer on three virtual worlds to finishing significant quests. All the while, Leah works to win freedom and a future for her Personal AI, who is self-aware in a system that demands she be archived or deleted.
In ‘Contest’, Leah makes headway in all three quests as well as competing in the first Merkize Contest. Each quest is a contest of sorts, and she faces stronger adversaries than she has previously. Through all this, Leah struggles with her injuries and the threat of arrest overshadowing everything she does. In the end, she manages to rescue her mother but is arrested on suspicion of murder. She and her father, Michael, are abducted on the way to the police station.
In ‘Resurrection’, Leah’s chip is destroyed using a taser. The heat not only destroys the chip but leaves her blind, deaf, and dumb. She manages to escape those who kidnapped her and finds her way to a safe house by touch alone. Using her increased tactile sense and modified neural architecture, Leah constructs a way to see the world around her by imprinting the data on her body. After breaking into the hospital, she has two new, more advanced chips implanted. Now, with three AI in her head, Leah re-enters the multiverse looking for justice. In each world, she discovers that her role is expanding, and the smaller conflicts are threatening to explode in all-out war. In Dunyanin, she is the catalyst for the War of the Gods scenario. In Pneumatica, she has opened up a new world filled with Zombie-like creatures. She helps the resistance infiltrated one of the strongholds.
In ‘Skirmish’, the conflicts continue to grow, not only in the multiverse but also in the real world.
- GenresScience FictionFantasy
552 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 18, 2021
71 people are currently reading
52 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
October 7, 2022
[2022]:- I hope you're not lactose intolerant because this was legen-wait for it-dairy! I think my reaction to reading this a second time is much better because I read the books straight after the other, there was no waiting in between. In saying that, I now have to wait for book 9. Bugger!
I'm so worried for Atherleah and her people in her real world, but I'm also concerned about what happened to her team when she suddenly disappeared while they were all flying to their destination. Scary!
[2021]:- Much like my feelings on Resurrection, it seemed like there was so much happening in Leah's life both virtual and real life yet, nothing was happening at all. There was a lot of training and information overload on some of the new games she got into. I loved the adventures and challenges she was facing in Dunyanin and Pneumatica, there seemed to be progress in those games. I guess I'm just impatient. I'd love to see Leah rain down justice on this mofo's doing her and the negative-tax class so wrong.
I zoomed through this book and now I gotta wait for the next book to come out. Oh, bugger!
I'm so worried for Atherleah and her people in her real world, but I'm also concerned about what happened to her team when she suddenly disappeared while they were all flying to their destination. Scary!
[2021]:- Much like my feelings on Resurrection, it seemed like there was so much happening in Leah's life both virtual and real life yet, nothing was happening at all. There was a lot of training and information overload on some of the new games she got into. I loved the adventures and challenges she was facing in Dunyanin and Pneumatica, there seemed to be progress in those games. I guess I'm just impatient. I'd love to see Leah rain down justice on this mofo's doing her and the negative-tax class so wrong.
I zoomed through this book and now I gotta wait for the next book to come out. Oh, bugger!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 22, 2021
Just Gets More Exciting
I really enjoy this story and its characters. There is as much intelligence as battle craft and the core beliefs are spot on. The bad part is waiting for next one, and what a cliffhanger this one is. Looking forward to more of the story soon.
I really enjoy this story and its characters. There is as much intelligence as battle craft and the core beliefs are spot on. The bad part is waiting for next one, and what a cliffhanger this one is. Looking forward to more of the story soon.
February 14, 2022
The story is getting lost in the grandness of the scope.
We saw this in the last book, but it was exacerbated by the fact that everything is bigger. I think we go through a day and a half in this book.
Also, she's a Paladin of Plot Armor.
We saw this in the last book, but it was exacerbated by the fact that everything is bigger. I think we go through a day and a half in this book.
Also, she's a Paladin of Plot Armor.
August 11, 2021
At least 90% of the book is filler content. Too much time is spent in the virtual worlds. It's a complete disappointment considering how good the previous book was.
October 30, 2021
It's taking a long time to get nowhere
The story is progressing, but very slowly, it's almost as if the author is spreading the whole concept too thinly
Leah is still managing to keep a head of the bad guys and at times manipulating them to do what is best for her, but it's just taking too long
All of the separate storylines are starting to come to a head but with so many of them I questi if the end result will actually make any sense
The story is progressing, but very slowly, it's almost as if the author is spreading the whole concept too thinly
Leah is still managing to keep a head of the bad guys and at times manipulating them to do what is best for her, but it's just taking too long
All of the separate storylines are starting to come to a head but with so many of them I questi if the end result will actually make any sense
July 25, 2021
Everything is getting worse and the MC says that she has a plan that will be put into action at a specific time. Until then she just has to keep playing in the worlds and hitting Meredith (the baddie) where she can. So we spend that entire week watching as the world is set on fire but "oh we just have to wait for this big plan". Except it never happens. I just read a story that promised a huge payoff only for it to then say "Nah, just kidding wait until the next book". I am annoyed that I enjoy this series.
Even with being annoyed at the main 'bad guys' not getting their comeuppance I still love adventuring in the worlds and the SciFi cybernetic enhancements that the MC gets. Hopefully, the MC gets her hearing returned so we can stop reading the dialogue in such a weird way.
Even with being annoyed at the main 'bad guys' not getting their comeuppance I still love adventuring in the worlds and the SciFi cybernetic enhancements that the MC gets. Hopefully, the MC gets her hearing returned so we can stop reading the dialogue in such a weird way.
August 13, 2021
Still good, but the some things are getting to be a pain.
I'm not giving up on this series, yet with such a large cast having the fact the MC is disabled constantly hammered at us is annoying.
(Yes we get it she only have her sense of touch, but she's brilliant would reading a few extra characters for the person name have a noticeable impact on conversation? Say that it is so at least for our brilliant MC which could memorize a shortcut for every person she meets, why expect the readers to do it.)
This was especially noticeable at the start of the book, when we got some info dumps, later on it became more tolerable with less people in each conversation and references worked in.
(Still what was a quirk in the previous book that some complained heavily about is still here and becoming quite a burden.)
Here's hoping things get better in the next one.
I'm not giving up on this series, yet with such a large cast having the fact the MC is disabled constantly hammered at us is annoying.
(Yes we get it she only have her sense of touch, but she's brilliant would reading a few extra characters for the person name have a noticeable impact on conversation? Say that it is so at least for our brilliant MC which could memorize a shortcut for every person she meets, why expect the readers to do it.)
This was especially noticeable at the start of the book, when we got some info dumps, later on it became more tolerable with less people in each conversation and references worked in.
(Still what was a quirk in the previous book that some complained heavily about is still here and becoming quite a burden.)
Here's hoping things get better in the next one.
January 9, 2022
Still amazing
After a long break, this book did no let up for a second on the frantic and epic pacing of before.
After a long break, this book did no let up for a second on the frantic and epic pacing of before.
September 24, 2021
Good book but cliffhangers suck
I love this book and love the series but really hate the authors predilection for cliffhangers. Rather annoying.It's not like I'm not gonna read the next book. Why punish me in the meantime. That said the author has 1 redeeming factor that they always do a synopsis at the beginning and attempt to Bring the reader up to speed since there's a lot of time between books. That said this book was a little different. Not nearly as detailed as Leah does her battle more of her being a general in doing her thing. Unlike many the other books there are no major puzzles for you to figure out it was all just go go go Keeping the schedule full. I enjoyed the book but the pace was different as well as the details and granularity. Still looking forward to the next book should wait to read until the next book after is out to Mitigate the cliffhanger annoyance.
I love this book and love the series but really hate the authors predilection for cliffhangers. Rather annoying.It's not like I'm not gonna read the next book. Why punish me in the meantime. That said the author has 1 redeeming factor that they always do a synopsis at the beginning and attempt to Bring the reader up to speed since there's a lot of time between books. That said this book was a little different. Not nearly as detailed as Leah does her battle more of her being a general in doing her thing. Unlike many the other books there are no major puzzles for you to figure out it was all just go go go Keeping the schedule full. I enjoyed the book but the pace was different as well as the details and granularity. Still looking forward to the next book should wait to read until the next book after is out to Mitigate the cliffhanger annoyance.
September 11, 2021
solid edition as part of the story
I was not as fond of this story as previously. The main character had as part of the arc becomes disabled, that was fine but then editorially that meant that when the characters were talking to her then there were grammatical tweaks that I found distracting and perhaps unnecessary. This story felt more of a holding place than an advancement. Still good though.
I was not as fond of this story as previously. The main character had as part of the arc becomes disabled, that was fine but then editorially that meant that when the characters were talking to her then there were grammatical tweaks that I found distracting and perhaps unnecessary. This story felt more of a holding place than an advancement. Still good though.
August 3, 2021
Good will always triumph over evil
I can finish a book within a day, yet the author spends ,months writing, editing, reviewing and finally releasing the book. Stork tower was my introduction to LitRPG and it is still one of the best I have read, this instalment continues to build the story and as usual I cant wait for the next one.
I can finish a book within a day, yet the author spends ,months writing, editing, reviewing and finally releasing the book. Stork tower was my introduction to LitRPG and it is still one of the best I have read, this instalment continues to build the story and as usual I cant wait for the next one.
August 17, 2021
Great story. Want more
This series has had me riveted. I have enjoyed the wide range of virtual worlds and how Leah adapts her mannerisms to fit in with each. I love the puzzles, the science, and the philosophy. I look forward to the last book that will finally (hopefully) free those captured, bring justice to the enemy, and revolutionize the Australian government.
This series has had me riveted. I have enjoyed the wide range of virtual worlds and how Leah adapts her mannerisms to fit in with each. I love the puzzles, the science, and the philosophy. I look forward to the last book that will finally (hopefully) free those captured, bring justice to the enemy, and revolutionize the Australian government.
Read
October 30, 2021Great LitRPG series / engaging storyline.
This series it's one of the best recent LitRPG series that includes VR worlds. The ethical questions and abuses by those in positions of authority ring true to how this type of world would likely operate. The MC is OP, but how she gets that way come off as believable. Very worth a read.
This series it's one of the best recent LitRPG series that includes VR worlds. The ethical questions and abuses by those in positions of authority ring true to how this type of world would likely operate. The MC is OP, but how she gets that way come off as believable. Very worth a read.
April 19, 2022
meh
If the author didn’t make terrible choices, the story would be good. When you have your supposedly highly intelligent MC make a completely out of character and moronic choice that results in “tragic” disabilities, thus making all future characters’ interactions annoying and forced… ya, you just ruin what would otherwise be a good book.
If the author didn’t make terrible choices, the story would be good. When you have your supposedly highly intelligent MC make a completely out of character and moronic choice that results in “tragic” disabilities, thus making all future characters’ interactions annoying and forced… ya, you just ruin what would otherwise be a good book.
July 25, 2021
I love this series!
Like the title for this comment says, I absolutely love this series. Tony you are a brilliant author, that captures your readers full concentration and make our imagination run wild! And thanks for having a strong female mc.
I hope the next book comes out soon!
Like the title for this comment says, I absolutely love this series. Tony you are a brilliant author, that captures your readers full concentration and make our imagination run wild! And thanks for having a strong female mc.
I hope the next book comes out soon!
August 5, 2021
Great read
I enjoyed reading this book very much and I recommend it to anyone who likes LitRPG and progression type of books. I read the previous book of the series before starting this book.
I enjoyed reading this book very much and I recommend it to anyone who likes LitRPG and progression type of books. I read the previous book of the series before starting this book.
August 6, 2021
Absolutely Awesome
The ending of this book was the power and internet being cut off by the Government. So upset with the cliffhanger but impressed. This story of a genius blind and deaf girl playing multiple games and beginning to trend world wide is Super Fan-tasic.
The ending of this book was the power and internet being cut off by the Government. So upset with the cliffhanger but impressed. This story of a genius blind and deaf girl playing multiple games and beginning to trend world wide is Super Fan-tasic.
August 18, 2021
Excellent as usual
Only two criticisms: had to wait too long for it.
And it was not as intense as earlier volumes.- clearly the calm before the storm. Very eager to see where it all leads.
Only two criticisms: had to wait too long for it.
And it was not as intense as earlier volumes.- clearly the calm before the storm. Very eager to see where it all leads.
May 5, 2022
Amazing series!!
This was in amazing series! The virtual reality World's were incredible. I wish we had virtual reality like that. Great fun and highly recommended! Looking forward to the next novel in the series.
This was in amazing series! The virtual reality World's were incredible. I wish we had virtual reality like that. Great fun and highly recommended! Looking forward to the next novel in the series.
March 25, 2023
Excellent progression of ideas and characters
I'm thoroughly enjoying my travels in Tony cordens mind. He's got a valid worldview that he doesn't seem married to and even as the story pushes one way he counterbalances his own arguments... Really really enjoying this series
I'm thoroughly enjoying my travels in Tony cordens mind. He's got a valid worldview that he doesn't seem married to and even as the story pushes one way he counterbalances his own arguments... Really really enjoying this series
December 12, 2024
Thrilling view of Possible Futures
An exciting view of how government and corporations running amok could interact with new technologies. It's also an insightful look at how transhumanism and technology will change the way we live.
An exciting view of how government and corporations running amok could interact with new technologies. It's also an insightful look at how transhumanism and technology will change the way we live.
July 21, 2021
Great continuation ... worst things: I already finished it, and it ends with a cliffhanger
July 23, 2021
Good book
I had been eagerly awaiting this book and it did not disappoint. It leaves the reader ready for the next book in the series War.
I had been eagerly awaiting this book and it did not disappoint. It leaves the reader ready for the next book in the series War.
July 25, 2021
Want next book nooooooow
Thanks for another gray chapter in the story of Leah. Glad this wasn’t the end and there’s another coming. Right? Please?
Thanks for another gray chapter in the story of Leah. Glad this wasn’t the end and there’s another coming. Right? Please?
July 28, 2021
Very good book
It was a long wait but worth it ,it's a wild ride just like the other books . Can't wait for the next book to come out
It was a long wait but worth it ,it's a wild ride just like the other books . Can't wait for the next book to come out
July 30, 2021
Very good story, one that everybody will want to read. Just cant wait until War comes out, the next in the good story.
July 30, 2021
Good and complicated
Brilliant and complicated story, well constructed and delivered. A good and surprising end leaves me begging for more.
Phew! Can’t wait!
Brilliant and complicated story, well constructed and delivered. A good and surprising end leaves me begging for more.
Phew! Can’t wait!
August 2, 2021
Just a really good read in a really good series.
November 1, 2021
Sublime story arc
Stonking good read, this series just gets better and better.
My plaudits to the author for the sublime skull sweat!
Stonking good read, this series just gets better and better.
My plaudits to the author for the sublime skull sweat!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews