Unique and interesting concept, funny and curious characters, unpredictable and twisty plotline. Not exactly what I expected, and Senlin is a bit of a wet blanket as a main character, but I'm interested to see what happens next.

Another book I should have read years ago! Fantastic novel and only the first part of the story. Unique setting, plenty of adventure and action and some tender moments. Characters are flawed and interesting. Senlin is a everyman hero. Highly recommended.

I had the option of downloading all of this series last fall. I decided to go with just the first book to see if I liked it. I am so glad I did that. I do feel bad that it took me this long to read, but it was a struggle to get into. I'm not sure if the writing style was for me.

The best thing this book has going for it is the characters. There are a lot of grey characters and you just don't know who you can trust. Senlin, our main character, has an insane amount of character development in this book. To see where he starts and where he ends up is pretty amazing. I do agree, kindness and making friends, are always the way to go. We've got a good cast of side characters that he picks up along the way. I loved Edith and her spunk.

The concept of this world is very interesting. It did take a while to have it all click because it's not what I was expecting, at all. Once things start to fall in place, things did start to pick up for me. I think there are a lot of elements that were a bit overwhelming and had me struggling to keep up.

I can honestly say that I haven't read anything like this before. It was strange, cool, and original. I do think it doesn't quite hit the fantasy genre as much as I wanted. I'm unsure if I want to continue the series but the ending was really promising and I kind of want to know what happens next!

Senlin Ascends hold a special in my heart. It has such classy vibes in terms of writing style which is so out of my element but I called the Tower home easily when I read it many years ago.
Full review on my YouTube channel.

★ 2.5 stars ★

Firstly, I have to admit I anticipated more of a linguistic element based on the series title (I mean, y'know, the Tower of Babel? Come on), though I can see the argument that a successfully-built Tower of Babel wouldn't necessarily have the same linguistic outcome, so it does make sense.

Initial impression aside, the setting and worldbuilding are fascinating on an intellectual level - though I had some trouble really getting into it until perhaps the Westworld-esque Parlor scenes. The prose is a bit dramatic and the pacing irregular; the plot and setting somewhat overshadowed the protagonist and his character arc, which I also found disappointing. Still, the sequel hook is effective and I will be picking up the second book, though I'm not sure yet if I'll finish the series.

3.5 Stars rounded up

I had received this story YEARS ago via Netgalley and by the time it came up on my list to read next? Well, I wasn’t really into the blurb anymore and wasn’t ready to engage in a series that seemed so fantasy based. However, after being years behind on my ARCs, I decided it was finally time to get it read so I could get it off my Kindle and move on.

I was more than surprised by how much I enjoyed it! At first, I really didn’t like being in Senlin’s head. He was whiny and judgey and I just didn’t care for him. However, once he was inside The Tower, and more specifically in New Babel, I felt like his adventure really got started and I got really invested. I was fascinated by The Tower, its people, and the various customs and cultures of the different ringdoms. I lost interest in the fact that he was searching for his wife early on, but the descriptions of The Tower itself really kept me going and I was always interested to find out what next adventure/horror awaited him at the next stop. Plus, the introduction of Groll, Iren, Voleta and Adam in New Babel made this much more interesting for me.

I was so worried this was going to be some high fantasy nonsense (sorry, it’s just not my genre), but I was pleasantly surprised to find this to be more of a steampunk sci-fi story. By the time I finished reading this I was more than ecstatic that I had received this plus the 2nd book of the series from Netgalley so that I could move right on to the next.

ARC received via Netgalley

Bancroft makes of the Tower of Babel a rising, stacked mass of capitalism, oppression, thievery, masquerading, authoritarianism, manipulation, and much more. He examines the two-sided coin of relationships, survival, and determination.

I enjoyed the changing experiences as Tom ascended the tower, each level bringing it's own difficulties and pushing our characters past their usual limits, encouraging them to adapt to every new experience and difficulty.

The tower is not what is advertised and the longer you stay the more you change. I enjoyed the portrayal of Marya, Tom's lost wife, who shows a wit and survivalism that most authors would not write when the main character is the husband and the main plotline his journey to find her.

The writing is engaging, the characters interesting, and the world-building is well done and the intricacies of the power structure and hierarchy familiar and complex.

Review: 5 Stars


When I had first heard about Senlin Ascends it didn't really sound like my type of fantasy read. Recently I was looking for upcoming fantasy books and I saw that many of my trusted blogger friends were really excited for the fourth book in this series, so I decided to take a second look at Senlin Ascends. I started to look through the Goodreads reviews and they made this book sound so incredible. So when I was offered the opportunity to get review copies of the entire series from Orbit so that I can review the fourth book when it comes out this fall I leaped at the opportunity. I was really excited to read Senlin Ascends, so clearly my expectations were pretty high, but I'm thrilled to share that I loved every minute of this book.


I have a really hard time with slow beginnings, but luckily Senlin Ascends took off right away. I was quickly sucked in and found that the plot kept me reading. Senlin loses his wife on their honeymoon to the Tower of Babel and his quest to find her is the driving force behind the plot. He quickly learns that the tower has a very dark side to it and his many missteps kept me captivated. We follow Senlin on one adventure after another as he tries to navigate his way up the ringdoms of the tower to find his wife.


While Senlin's brains and determination make for an excellent main character, I really loved all of the side characters as well. Senlin meets many different people on his journey and they are each incredibly well developed and they each add a lot to the story. Each character is full of personality and life, it is rare to see great character development in more than just the main character, but all of the side characters as well. Senlin Ascends has a decent pace and is full of adventure, but Josiah Bancroft doesn't skimp on the character development. We get the back stories of many side characters and learn how they all have suffered because of the tower.


While in the beginning of the story it feels like no one can be trusted as Senlin is robbed, back-stabbed and betrayed many times. But the incredible part of this story is that despite all of that Senlin manages to forge friendships with others who have been taken advantage of at the tower and because of those friendships he is able to succeed. These relationships are one of my favorite aspects of the story as I became emotionally invested in the plight of each side character. There were some moments that truly broke my heart as I watched characters suffer, and many more moments where I was so excited rooting for them.


I can't write this review without mentioning the world building. Everything is so vividly described that I felt as if I was watching a movie. Each level of the tower is so different and filled with both horrors and wonders. The whole story and world felt unique and unlike anything I could have expected. The writing is well paced and never got bogged down with unnecessary descriptions. The plot moved at a great pace, just when I felt like the story was starting to hit a lull it would pick up again.


I am so grateful that I gave this book a second look and trusted the incredible reviews. Senlin Ascends is filled with unforgettable characters who are down on their luck and willing to do anything for those that they love. I loved all the friendships Senlin forged along the way in a place where it is so hard to trust anyone. I was truly amazed with how all of the plot lines came together at the end and while the book didn't end on a cliffhanger I can't wait to pick up the next book in the series. If you are looking for a really unique fantasy read filled with adventure you really should pick this book up.


Thank you Orbit for sending me a review copy.

Link to review: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/blog/sci-fi-fantasy/senlin-ascends-towering-achievement-weird-fantasy/

Link to author interview: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/blog/sci-fi-fantasy/josiah-bancroft-towering-year-expect-rest-books-babel/

This book was so much fun. Following a normally shy teacher who ascends a mysterious and mythic tower in search of his missing wife, Senlin Ascends brings both the intrigue and the magic to the table.

Senlin Ascends follows schoolmaster Thomas Senlin as he looks for his wife, lost on a vacation to the Tower. As he attempts to look for her up the first six levels of the tower, he meets a large array of strange characters… and perhaps learns a little courage and determination, along the way.

This book loves the unexpected, and the random, and the dark and weird. This world is excellently crafted, with each level holding a different story.

My favorite thing about this book, I think, was the fantastic cast of distinguished and compelling side characters. (view spoiler)

I really feel like all of these female characters feel very realized for a book written in 2013 by a man, and am hoping that trend continues on to later books. I also enjoyed how this works as a takeoff of the dead-wife-motivator trope: while Marya does not appear within much of the actual book, we get a good sense that she is not only brave, but very clever. While Senlin’s motivation is certainly to find his wife, she is not only a motivator.

What I really liked about this story was that it contained so many incredible plot reveals. It is a very particular talent to turn seemingly random details into an interesting plot reveal. I figured out a few plot twists, but that’s okay: there were always more to impress me. It’s also just very satisfying seeing all the pieces come together into a fantastic reveal. Worldbuilding this detailed is hard to make noteworthy to a plot.

Saying anything else about this would start giving way to spoilers, so here we are: any fans of fantasy that’s more full of mystery and intrigue than epic will really enjoy this. I’m excited to see what book two holds in store!

“What if?” questions make for the most interesting stories. What if you could attend a school that could teach you the mysterious art of magic? What if dragons were real? What if we’re not alone in the universe? What if swords could talk, and their sass could not be contained? Or, in the case of this book, what if God never destroyed the Tower of Babel and it because the center of civilization?

Bancroft did a wonderful job weaving his tale of Thomas Senlin, a school Headmaster venturing to the Tower for his honeymoon with his lovely, plucky wife, Marya. Within minutes of leaving their train, the newlyweds are separated in the sea of humanity cresting around the foot of the Tower. Senlin Ascends is the story of Thomas Senlin’s mad search for his wife as he enters the Tower and progresses further up and further in. Each “ringdom” presents new challenges for Senlin and new philosophical conjectures to be mused upon by the reader. And each new leg of Senlin’s journey exposes a new, darker, and more disturbing view of the Tower lauded as the center of civilization.

What determines a person’s worth? Their wealth? Their name? Their relationships? Their position? What is the meaning of life? Is it to live rough and drink much and just endure until the end comes? Is it to become someone else, to fill a role until you can’t tell where it ends and the “real” you begins? Is it to frolic and mingle and bask in your station while gloating over and pitying those less fortunate? When you live a world about the rest of the population, can you continue seeing them as equals, or do they become something less than human in your eyes? All of these questions and more filter through the mind of the reader as they follow Senlin’s ascension through the Tower.

Besides the philosophical bent of the book, my favorite aspect of Bancroft’s story was his main character, Thomas Senlin. When we first meet Senlin, he is self-conscious, nervous, absentminded, naïve, snooty, and quite honestly helpless. But when faced with the loss of his wife, Senlin adapts. He more than changes; he metamorphoses. We watch Senlin endure hardships beyond his imagining and, slowly but surely, become an entirely new creature. But unlike many of those changed but the Tower, Senlin doesn’t putrefy; he flourishes. Senlin becomes driven, focused, clever, and confident, all while maintaining a stunning optimism completely opposed to life in the Tower. He manages to make friends when none are meant to be found. His growth is some of the greatest character development I’ve read in any book. Side characters, such as Adamos, Edith, Tarrou, Oglier, Iren, and even Finn Goll are all well fleshed out and grow throughout the story. Though she is missing for a larger portion of the novel, Marya is a lovely character whose many facets are revealed nicely through flashbacks. As the story progresses, her relationship with Senlin makes more and more sense, and the love he has for her becomes more real and poignant as he fights his way through the Tower in search of her. I’m hopeful that Marya will be a greater presence in the second volume of the trilogy, because I loved everything I read about her.

I enjoyed the book immensely, though I do feel it was a bit overhyped. The character development, as stated previously, was beyond reproach. The Tower itself was a wonderful setting, new and interesting and nuanced. But the pacing of the story left something to be desired, stretching the plot too thin in places. I also felt frustrated at the lack of an ending, though I know this is the first in a trilogy and can see where Bancroft did attempt to provide some sort of resolution. But besides the poor pacing, Senlin Ascends was a fantastic read, and felt truly unique. I will most definitely be reading the rest of Bancroft’s work.

TERRIFIC. This book really blew me away. The world building is like nothing I have ever read before and the man at the heart of the story is a deeply flawed and sympathetic character. I can't wait to pick up the next one in the series. This is sure to be a hit!

I'm not sure what to make of Senlin Ascends. It seems to take place in an Earth where some of the ancient civilizations didn't get replaced. Ur is mentioned, for instance. And we have this Tower of Babel that doesn't seem to have been destroyed by God. Combine that with some more modern contraptions that exist here, and we're led to believe that it's just an different parallel timeline.

Anyway, Senlin is a teacher who comes to the Great Tower on his honeymoon but his bride disappears, and he's left to ascend the tower in search of her. Unfortunately, other than one out-of-place sequence where we follow his wife for a very short time, she's nothing more than a bauble here.

The formula is one where, starting with the ground level, we encounter an interesting new level with its own personality and rules, and then we stay too long there and it gets boring. Then we jump to the next level and start all over.

I don't think it's a spoiler to reveal that we only get through a few of the Tower's levels. And while things did pick up at the end, and 3 stars is a fine rating, I wouldn't say I'm anxious to continue the climb. It appears this series will be three books, but I wonder how much better it would have been at two books--or even one larger one. As it is, there's some bloat that keeps the next book from climbing very high on my To Read list--though it is there.

The world-building in this novel is fantastic. Bancroft carefully sets up the chaos outside of The Tower and the brutality inside of it, while also developing characters who are forced to change with their surroundings. I have a few issues with the whole "damsel-in-distress" trope that the author leans on a bit too heavily, but he almost makes up for it with a couple badass female characters. My favorite part of this novel, though, is the fact that you absolutely cannot trust any of the characters, with the exception (maybe) of the narrator.

It's a rare occurrence to discover a novel that is so startlingly unique, so brilliantly written, so imaginative and wondrous that it pushes the boundaries of what can be considered speculative fiction. Josiah Bancroft's "Senlin Ascends" transcends the genre label and lands squarely in the realm of literary fiction, and should be considered a all-time classic in the making.

Thomas Senlin is a mild-mannered schoolteacher: soft, green, and mostly inexperienced from the ways of the world. He has just married his former student Marya and decides to bring her to the Tower of Babel for their honeymoon. The Tower is a monstrosity of a structure: larger than a mountain, with each floor's "ringdom" acting as a separate society, each with its own set of norms and government, and architectural wonders. It is said that no one knows quite how high the Tower looms, but Thomas' is determined to discover its secrets and wonders and share them with his new love. Unfortunately, Thomas and Marya become separated immediately upon arriving at the Tower, and Thomas must find the strength and determination within himself to find her somewhere inside.

Senlin's journey inside the Tower is paralleled by his journey within himself as he faces challenge after challenge in his quest to find Marya. Senlin's evolution as a character is a wonderfully rich vein to mine, as his code of ethics and sense of morality drive his decisions through a lively cast of unforgettable characters and strangely beautiful (and sometimes horrific) encounters.

To say anymore about the plot is a disservice to Bancroft's skill at slowly revealing the mysteries and secrets of the Tower. Bancroft's prose is insightful and poetic, melodic and deep -- a true pleasure to read, keeping me rapt from the opening pages to the startling and thrilling conclusion. "The Books of Babel" is aiming to be a four-volume series, and future entries to this series are my most-anticipated releases of 2018.

This is a true gem of a novel, and one worth re-reading over time. Buy this book and share it with your family, friends, and loved ones. They will thank you for it.

What a brilliant book! Senlin Ascends is action-packed with a surprise on each page, and I had a really hard time putting this one down.

In the acknowledgements sections, Bancroft states that "If you know anything about my books, chances are you have Mark Lawrence to thank for it," and, well, pretty much! I first heard about this book from Mark Lawrence in 2016 (?) during his SPFBO contest and added it to my 'to-read'list because of how great it sounded and, well, it's sort of languished there every since. Orbit is now publishing it this month and the hype around this book has grown so much. After seeing Mark Lawrence continuously praise it and encourage everyone to read it, Orbit sent me over a copy and I picked it up right away--and it was amazing!

This book is so cleverly and carefully created. This is the story of Thomas Senlin, a headmaster in the small town of Ur, as he and his wife journey to the magnificent Tower of Babel to spend their honeymoon there together. Unfortunately, Senlin inadvertently loses his wife in the outskirts of the Tower, and must begin his own journey up the Tower on his own to find her and bring her home. The craziest--and coolest--part of this book, obviously, is the Tower of Babel itself, an extremely tall building of sorts with various 'ringdoms' making up each tier of the tower. Each 'ringdom' is entirely different from the last and filled with any number unknown variables; it is entirely unpredictable, despite a handy book guide that Senlin has used to study the Tower for years that has turned out to be, well, not so handy.

Senlin himself is a truly delightful, compelling protagonist that undergoes so much growth in this book in so many ways. He learns that you can't necessarily trust everyone, but that you have to trust some people. He learns that you can't always believe everything you read and hear. Senlin is a quick-witted, somewhat conservative figure that wants to experience many exciting things in his life, but he always cares about people and strives to be a good person.

I love imaginative books like this that make up something so incredibly bizarre and use it in an inventive and entertaining manner. This book was filled with quirky, unique, and rather clever characters along the way, all of which brought something very useful and important to the story. I really liked that Bancroft not only included many details and characters, but that each and every aspect of his story was purposeful. There was nothing added in just to add length to the pages or expand unnecessarily. His world-building is really well-done and I loved cracking open this book to get whisked away into the wild world of the Tower. The only minor issue I had with this book was that the end felt a bit... jumbled and crazy and I felt a bit confused at times, but I'm not sure if that's just my fault for getting easily confused, so I don't really blame Bancroft for that. Rest assured, Senlin Ascends will not once bore you!

From start to finish, Bancroft employs a simple yet also intricate method of storytelling that will completely draw you in and make you constantly yearn to know more about Senlin an the Tower of Babel itself. If you're looking for something unique, adventurous, witty, and imaginative--look no further, because you have arrived at your destination here at the Tower.

Overall, I've given Senlin Ascends four-and-a-half stars!

Good first book of the series but with a couple of weaknesses
I enjoyed this book. It had the feel of steampunk but in a novel setting. The character development is good as is the action. I found the story well paced and an overall pleasant read and it was at times, hard to put the book down. On the other hand, I felt that the book had two weaknesses. At times the book descended onto melodrama, only relieved through changing the scene. The other is that the world-building seemed overly contrived. Nonetheless, I recommend this book for fans of the genre.
Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book via Netgalley for reviewe purposes.

So, Senlin Ascends (The Books of Babel, #1) was released by Orbit publishing today (01/16/2018 in the US) after spending almost five (5) years as an indie. The unfortunate bit is that is took being recognized in Mark Lawrence's SPFBO to get the fame is rightly deserves. Bancroft has written a brilliant novel here, one that will captivate any reader of modern fantasy and will never let you leave.

Thomas Senlin and his new bride, Marya, are on their way to what was supposed to be the perfect honeymoon getaway: The Tower of Babel. Comprised of several large and fascinating "ringdoms", the tower stands more magnificent than any other in the world. Every ringdom houses unique cities, each with their own quirks and attractions; a perfect adventure for a lovely couple with guidebook in hand. But what hides behind those wonderful facades is something Senlin did not account for. When he and his beloved are separated shortly after getting off of the train, Senlin must look deep inside himself, and inside the tower, to find her. Through a slum, complete with a beer-go-round, a theater where all newcomers are given a role, and a ballroom full of friend and foe alike, he must find a way to survive in order to make it to the top.

While listening to Senlin Ascends via audiobook (narrated by the wonderful John Banks, and courtesy of Hachette Audio), I couldn't help but think about the video game Bioshock Infinite; but you can nix the vigors. The worldbuilding of Babel felt sort of like the cloud city of Columbia, where everyone seems friendly until you start poking about and airships are the norm on the outskirts. I would also compare it to Kingdom Hearts (if I can use another video game reference) as each new "level" had a completely unique experience for Senlin. But enough about that... Bancroft's craft for character building is the real reason you should read this book. You will be rooting for Thomas throughout this entire novel, in both the ups and downs of his situations, and you will feel the need to lend him a hand at times. In such a situation you would never wish upon your worst enemy, Thomas must venture through an entirely new (and don't forget HUGE) place with nothing other than a guidebook, and what you can barely consider, acquaintances.

Whether or not you are a fan of steampunk fantasy, I suggest giving Senlin Ascends a go. This is truly a unique work of fiction and one that I think will come to the big screen one day. It is a ton of fun and, honestly, it has EVERYTHING you could ever want in a book. Now, on to the sequel!

Thomas Senlin, the headmaster of a small town school, and his new wife, Marya, are honeymooning at the Tower of Babel. Unfortunately, they get separated from one another in the crush of fellow tourists and citizens. Senlin is determined to find his wife, but first he'll have to survive the city and the Tower if he doesn't want to be chewed up and spit back out. One thing is for sure, if he ever wants to see Marya again he's going to have to do much more than just survive - he'll have to endure everything from theaters, madhouses, flying airships, and assassination attempts.

I'm so lucky to have had the chance to read this brilliantly imaginative and unique series opener. Bancroft's novel caught and hooked me right from the start. The novel really delivers with only a few minor issues from me. First things first, the world building of Senlin Ascends is stunning. The world of the Tower is so vivid that it practically jumps off the page. As far as I'm concerned the Tower is its own character. I loved getting to know it and it's unknown number of ringdoms filled with geniuses, tyrants, and people just trying to scrape by. By the way, a ringdom is a kingdom of each level of the Tower - think of the stacked layers of a cake.

Secondly, in regards to the characters of the novel, I really appreciated Senlin's journey. He goes from being a fairly grating yet intriguing, to possibly one of my favorite characters of recent memory. He's really put through the wringer and I'd say that he comes out a much better person on the other side. I found myself easily able to connect with him. I can't really say the same for Marya though, except for the few chapters we get from her perspective because there she started to feel like more of a fully formed character as she comes into her own.

Finally, I want to mention the pacing of the novel. The story is pushing 450 pages. Fair warning, but I thought could be trimmed down a little bit. As much as I was engrossed in the beginning while learning so much about the world and the ending, there were a few points in the middle that started to drag and I caught myself nearly zoning out, especially in regards to later Parlor scenes.

Overall, I highly recommend Senlin Ascends by Josiah Bancroft. It's a fantastic debut fantasy series opener that is incredibly unique, and also brutal. I couldn't resist this brand of alternate history fantasy. If you like High-Rise by J.G. Ballard or The Great Library series by Rachel Caine, I have a feeling that you'll be hooked on Senlin Ascends. I can't wait to continue this series with Arm of the Sphinx.

This is an adventure story, quest and wonderfully inventive fantasy written in a very charming style. I loved the world the author created. It is the first in a series (maybe it's a trilogy but I don't know for sure) that was originally self published but has been picked up by Orbit.

Thomas Senlin is a headmaster from the small fishing village of Isaugh who takes his new wife Marya to visit the Tower of Babel in the nation of Ur. The Tower is an immense structure and tourist destination. It is the lighthouse of civilization built on many different levels, each of which has its own characteristics, attractions, rules and dangers. Each chapter of the book starts with a cheerful quote from a guidebook to the Tower until Tom loses the book. Then each chapter begins with a quote from Tom's own book "Every Man's Tower, One Man's Travails". Tom had a great many travails. Sometimes it even felt like travail overload. "First, [the Tower] turned luxury into necessity, and then the Tower conspired to revoke all claims to happiness, dignity, and liberty."

Before visiting the Tower, Tom and Marya had to pass through a congested and colorful marketplace. "A little troop of red-breasted soldiers slouched by on palominos, parting a family in checkered headscarves on camelback. The trumpet of elephants sounded over the clack of the train, and here and there in the hot winds high above them, airships lazed, drifting inexorably toward the Tower of Babel." Unfortunately, Tom and Marya become separated there and Tom is robbed of almost all of their possessions. For the rest of the book Tom is desperately trying to find his missing wife. He has to become a lot more brave, creative and fierce than he ever was as a headmaster. During his quest he encounters a lot of residents of the Tower including Adam (the one eyed thief who is intensely loyal to his sister Voleta who has been forced to entertain at a brothel until she can be sold to a prospective husband), Edith (the pirate with a mechanical arm and possibly a dangerous secret) and Iren (the illiterate amazon). There are a lot more characters and I encourage you to meet them yourself. At the end of this book, Tom was still working his way up the levels of the Tower, so this definitely isn't a complete story. This book was amusing, engaging and very imaginative. I can't wait to start book 2.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.