The Tower of Beggars: Stormfell Academy Book One Review

The Tower of Beggars, the first book in Torsten Weitze's Stormfell Academy series, offers a fresh take on the fantasy genre. While readers may expect a Harry Potter-style story, this book presents a unique narrative centered around a beggar's perspective. The protagonist, Niri, is a 16-year-old girl of mixed heritage - her father was an Aeldae (a godly figure) and her mother a human. This background makes her despised by followers of the Crimson God, who view Aeldae with disdain.

Niri's life becomes even more challenging as both her parents are dead, and she is forced to work as a coal girl for her uncle, Vasdram, who has a gambling problem. The story initially moves at a slow pace, setting up Niri's origins as a beggar and introducing the larger lore around the primary god, Malkar, who establishes the rules of the land. However, the true excitement begins when Niri is forced to leave home and utilizes Vasdram's Beggar Coin, a currency that grants her entry into the Tower of Beggars.

Niri is portrayed as a likable protagonist, characterized by her intelligence, courage, and willingness to make selfless choices. In contrast to the world around her, which values selfishness and strength, Niri stands out as the opposite. However, her weak nature and fear-induced "Sinking" often put her in peril. But the introduction of Grabbasnack, a pocket dragon who exclusively eats gold, adds a delightful twist to the narrative.

This tiny dragon, freed by Niri, becomes her steadfast companion, providing a much-needed counterbalance to the serious and potentially stale tone that could have otherwise developed in the story.

While the magical school aspect of the story feels relatively light in the first book, Niri attends Stormfell Academy. However, she quickly realizes that the Tower of Beggars is not a traditional learning institution. Her Beggar Coin allows her only a few classes, which are primarily designed to prepare lower-class citizens for war. Despite the free admission to the academy, most residents of the Tower are preoccupied with finding riches or merely surviving in the monster-filled crater outside the academy.

The balance between survival and acquiring knowledge is a significant aspect of the story, highlighting the challenges Niri faces in her environment. Niri possesses a fiery spirit and is ultimately weak, but she is constantly fighting against a world that works against her. Even though she manages to enter the tower, her status as a beggar does not grant her equality.

The prejudices she faced outside the gates of Stormfell are amplified within the cutthroat environment of the Tower of Beggars. The Crimson God himself promotes strength above all else, and Niri must constantly struggle to make decisions that keep her alive without compromising her compassionate heart.