Just like Tower Climber, the sequel is anime as all get out. After surviving the coup attempt at the Exam Tournament, Max and Casey are fully fledged Tower Climbers. Now they just have to start their climb, while dealing with gangs, bureaucracy, and a missing princess.

I thought this book was a lot more focused than the last one and that’s not a bad thing. While I did like tower climber it definitely felt oddly episodic in parts. Things just kind of kept cropping up and happening and, while it all came together at the end of the book, I personally like books where the protagonists are aiming for a definitive goal. Which was what we got here. Max had to get to the 10^th floor of the tower and everything that happened to him was in pursuit of that goal.

Usually I hate books with Main Character Syndrome, where the main character is super powerful and everyone is in awe of him, but this one strikes a rare balance where it actually doesn’t bother me. Sure, Max is way too powerful and is usually able to fight or think his way through everything. But the world doesn’t treat him that way. In fact most people going up against him underestimate him, only to get their asses kicked, usually with a last thought of ‘Who is this guy?’ It also helps that it’s not just him being overpowered. Casey also gets really powerful quite quickly and busts out some interesting techniques and abilities. Finally I guess it helps that he is always shown to be training and planning on ways he can be better. He puts in the effort, usually in quite entertaining ways, and all that together does seem to make all the difference.

The world isn’t that deep but it does have enough changes of scenery to keep it interesting. The plot is likewise a little basic but it’s well done and enjoyable. The powers of everyone are getting a little ridiculous and, as I’ve said, very anime but in a very enjoyable way. All in all this book was a great follow up to the first.