Not a fan. Its one of those books where after a while you just wonder.... why am I reading this?

The good-book-shivers were justified, the book was brilliant. I'm not surprised at all that this indie series was picked up by a major publisher. ( )

In Senlin Ascends, Josiah Bancroft has crafted a familiar yet strange world, one that's both alluring and dangerous. Bancroft does a fantastic job of world-building each time we enter a new level of the Tower. In fact, the Tower itself is an incredible character. The further Senlin ascends, the more dangerous and lavish the levels become. The world-building, setting and atmosphere are the best parts of the book.

In addition, I thought the travelogue-style format was well executed. Senlin's journey up the Tower is fraught with peril, and Bancroft does a great job of conveying both the dangers and the wonders of the Tower through Senlin's eyes.

Finally, I loved the heart of this book. Senlin is an incredibly relatable character, and I appreciated seeing his growth throughout the story. Senlin changes in some way with each person he meets, and by the end of the book, he is very different from the man who began his journey up the Tower.

While I enjoyed many things about this book, I felt the plot sometimes meandered, and the verbose writing made my eyes glaze over at times.

Although it took me much longer to read than I would have liked, I enjoyed Senlin Ascends. This book lays an excellent foundation for what promises to be an epic series full of adventure, mystery, friendship, and heartbreak. If you're looking for an adventure story with a touch of philosophy, give Senlin Ascends a try. ( )

A really amazing book following an unlikely hero through a fascinating world. Looking forward to getting my hands on the second book for sure! ( )

There are some books that are just not made for the big screen - elements won't translate on celluloid and cinematography can do little to change that. This is not that book. This one has the makings of a SF/Steampunk visual feast of vibrant colors and people and a glorious assault on the senses. This would be the quintessential Steampunk Odyssey and I'd probably be first in line to get my ticket. Hey, Dennis Villanueva if you're looking for your next big visual after Dune, come hang out in the folds of this series.

"The Earth doesn't shake the tower, the tower shakes the earth."
- Everyman's Guide to the Tower of Babel, IV. XII

Thomas Senlin never stood a chance. Poor Bugger.

Senlin is a man blindsided by cold hard reality. Lulled into a sense of security and social standing in his sleepy portside town of Isguah, the number one tourist destination in this universe was supposed to be as easy as his life had been thus far. A headmaster of great standing becomes a man lost and in denial within a day of wandering near the Tower...not even in it. He is an innocent, naïve and foolish lost soul in the Tower of Babel - the perfect prey to be swallowed whole. And yet, there is something about him that gives the reader hope despite his outright denial of the barbarity and injustices of the Tower. Senlin is a thinker, an analytical one at that. Even without realizing it at first - he asks, why? He is not yet on the verge of the answer, nor is he anywhere near the beginning of his true ascent which I can only guess takes place in further books. But we bare witness to a man's realization of his place in the world and how vast and dark and debauched his "northern light" in the Tower of Babel.

Josiah Bancroft has this ability to hoodwink the reader into a false sense of calm, control, security and hope after plunging the main character into some precarious situations. So lulled into falsehood that you begin to pity Senlin's naivety as he believes:

1. The Tower is good - it can't possibly be barbaric
2. The Baths are the ultimate in civility, decorum, respect and hospitability.
3. Marya is okay. She will find me (Senlin) or she will wait.
4. Everything will be alright.

Bancroft you sly devil. A great introduction to an ingenious premise well executed and full of nail-biting sequences that have you almost ready to shut the book in hopes of saving Senlin. ( )