Tower of Cards

Spell Thief: A Deck Building Progression Fantasy (Tower of Cards) by J. Pal follows Diya Sen as he ascends the enigmatic Gaia Tower, a rune-covered structure rising from the Indian Ocean surrounded by a city built to contain its monsters. Unlike others seeking power or wealth, Diya’s goal is to uncover the fate of his missing brother and unravel the tower’s secrets. Facing opposition from rival noble houses and limited by his ordinary status, Diya must rely on the unique abilities of a Spell Thief and a runic card-based magic system to progress. The novel blends elements of progression fantasy with strategic deck building in a setting marked by political conflict and magical challenges.

Ink Mage by J. Pal continues the Tower of Cards series with a progression fantasy set in a war-torn, quasi-Asian world shaped by runic, card-based magic. Diya races to save Alexander Boleyn, his closest friend and the ailing heir of a collapsing noble house that has bound itself to the corrupt De Lawneys, whom Diya suspects of orchestrating Alexander’s condition. As a rival heir moves to secure power by eliminating Alexander and removing Diya, political intrigue collides with monster-filled dangers and looming conflict. With only a single trusted companion at risk of enslavement and a customizable deck of magical cards as his main weapon, Diya must advance his abilities quickly enough to uncover the truth behind his brother’s disappearance and survive the shifting alliances around him.