What do you think?
Rate this book
Death Mage #1
Death Mage's Ascent
As one of the few remaining death mages, Jaxom has spent his life ridiculed and feared by people and mages alike. With a new darkness rising in the kingdoms, he must now use his power to avert the subjugation of all mankind and protect the people he cares about. With the ability to control death itself, the magic of his school was once used to avert the destruction of life, and it is up to him to do it again. Gathering skilled people to his side, he seeks out the source of this evil before it’s too late.
320 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 6, 2015
42 people are currently reading
572 people want to read
About the author
Jonathan Bender
4 books54 followers Hello Goodreaders, here are some basics on me.
I was born in Guam before moving to the States around thirteen. After Graduating High School I got a job working for Wal-Mart (don't judge me) in one of their warehouses working three, twelve hours days. All in all not a bad job, but I was young and didn't appreciate it at the time. Anyway, joined the Army at twenty-one as a Combat Medic and deployed twice while I served.
Okay that's my past, here are the current events.
I am out of the Army and attending College for a degree in Writing with a minor in Advertisement. The degree is not so important to me as bettering my ability to write. I also pick advertisement for a minor, but after two weeks of classes. I am no longer sure I have any interest in that area.
Now for the recent information.
I completed an item on my bucket-list by finishing my first book Death Mage's Ascent, then took it a step further and completed the second Death Mage's Fury. I have been told that Fury is better written than the first, and I hope that the third now named Curse is better than the second. Now I have a new item on the list, to complete the Death Mage series. Since I was in my early teens I have wanted to be an author, and I am now working towards that goal. There has been a bit of a slow down on progress of third as as my college work intensifies, but I continue to make progress on Curse with 13 chapters behind me.
Well, that's me in a nutshell, and I hope you have either enjoyed or about to enjoy Ascent and Fury. Thank you for taking the time to learn a little about me. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask here on goodreads.
I was born in Guam before moving to the States around thirteen. After Graduating High School I got a job working for Wal-Mart (don't judge me) in one of their warehouses working three, twelve hours days. All in all not a bad job, but I was young and didn't appreciate it at the time. Anyway, joined the Army at twenty-one as a Combat Medic and deployed twice while I served.
Okay that's my past, here are the current events.
I am out of the Army and attending College for a degree in Writing with a minor in Advertisement. The degree is not so important to me as bettering my ability to write. I also pick advertisement for a minor, but after two weeks of classes. I am no longer sure I have any interest in that area.
Now for the recent information.
I completed an item on my bucket-list by finishing my first book Death Mage's Ascent, then took it a step further and completed the second Death Mage's Fury. I have been told that Fury is better written than the first, and I hope that the third now named Curse is better than the second. Now I have a new item on the list, to complete the Death Mage series. Since I was in my early teens I have wanted to be an author, and I am now working towards that goal. There has been a bit of a slow down on progress of third as as my college work intensifies, but I continue to make progress on Curse with 13 chapters behind me.
Well, that's me in a nutshell, and I hope you have either enjoyed or about to enjoy Ascent and Fury. Thank you for taking the time to learn a little about me. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask here on goodreads.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
May 27, 2015
This is entertaining high fantasy. The main character is in his mid-twenties, and already a skilled mage, although due to the rarity of his talent, largely self-taught. Most of the characters are predictable, but likable. The fantasy kingdom is in increasing peril from magic and intrigue, and the main character plays a role in defending it, along with his friends. The major conflict of this novel is resolved, but a longer struggle is just beginning.
The book suffers from several mistakes, wrong words and awkward phrases, but the action is fast enough that the meaning is clear. There rarely surprises in the rather conventional fantasy, but the combination of magical and physical combat is pretty exciting. For the most part, the titular Death Mage is the viewpoint character, but several chapters show other viewpoints, which allows a broader look at the struggle at the cost of loss of momentum. There is a romance subplot, but it's a minor element, and barely adds complexity to the plot.
On the whole, I will be reading the second book when and if it shows up.
The book suffers from several mistakes, wrong words and awkward phrases, but the action is fast enough that the meaning is clear. There rarely surprises in the rather conventional fantasy, but the combination of magical and physical combat is pretty exciting. For the most part, the titular Death Mage is the viewpoint character, but several chapters show other viewpoints, which allows a broader look at the struggle at the cost of loss of momentum. There is a romance subplot, but it's a minor element, and barely adds complexity to the plot.
On the whole, I will be reading the second book when and if it shows up.
July 11, 2017
Fun, but a little shallow
I did enjoy the book, but there were some glaring flaws.
The primary romantic interest is less than two dimensional, she has a history but no personality. The protagonist wants to learn more, but stops for seemingly no reason. The explanation for a certain spell relies on their being human remains always nearby, which is pretty rediculous as really even bones decay when left to the elements..
I did enjoy the book, but there were some glaring flaws.
The primary romantic interest is less than two dimensional, she has a history but no personality. The protagonist wants to learn more, but stops for seemingly no reason. The explanation for a certain spell relies on their being human remains always nearby, which is pretty rediculous as really even bones decay when left to the elements..
September 28, 2017
This book had the most unrealistic romance ever and was overall not a good read.
March 6, 2022
Great book
Great book I can't wait to read the next book in the series I would recommend this author to anyone
Great book I can't wait to read the next book in the series I would recommend this author to anyone
October 3, 2015
This story was really amazing! It had plenty of action while still keeping me engrossed in the story. The author gave this story so much potential that I can't wait to see what happens next.
Things to note (spoilers):
Adriana - I really liked Adriana's character, however, her relationship with Jaxom seemed really rushed to me so I was kind of turned off by it, but only a little bit. I am kind of holding out hope that Jaxom will somehow end up with Celia. On the other hand, if the author was trying to keep any love triangles from interfering with the story and ends up keeping Jaxom and Adriana together, I am totally okay with that as well.
Jaxom's abilities - I was so enthralled in the story whenever Jaxom figured out a new ability in his magic that my mind couldn't help but wander and imagine different ways his magic could be used. For example: Jaxom's sword has the ability to absorb magic and throw it back at an enemy. Well, Jaxom always had someone else's magic be absorbed into the sword. Rather than having someone else do it, he could gradually seep the power of the blight into the sword as to not weaken himself any and be able to send forth a giant blight attack. Then, after throwing the massive blight into the enemy, Jaxom could guide the blight throughout the enemy to finish them off quickly. (He could also merge the power of the blight in his sword along with another form of magic to have a combined attack.)
The forgotten city - The dead corpses that were controlled by Alimar to bring Jaxom and his friends into the city were all supposed to be dead death mages (and the risen are supposed to retain their magic abilities), but when Jaxom's group fought back none of them used the power of death to defend themselves. Obviously they wouldn't want to attack with magic because Alimar wanted them alive, but they could have defended themselves with magic at least. (This is just a minor detail I remembered, it really has no baring on the actual story.)
All in all, this was an amazing story and I am super excited to read the second book.
Things to note (spoilers):
Adriana - I really liked Adriana's character, however, her relationship with Jaxom seemed really rushed to me so I was kind of turned off by it, but only a little bit. I am kind of holding out hope that Jaxom will somehow end up with Celia. On the other hand, if the author was trying to keep any love triangles from interfering with the story and ends up keeping Jaxom and Adriana together, I am totally okay with that as well.
Jaxom's abilities - I was so enthralled in the story whenever Jaxom figured out a new ability in his magic that my mind couldn't help but wander and imagine different ways his magic could be used. For example: Jaxom's sword has the ability to absorb magic and throw it back at an enemy. Well, Jaxom always had someone else's magic be absorbed into the sword. Rather than having someone else do it, he could gradually seep the power of the blight into the sword as to not weaken himself any and be able to send forth a giant blight attack. Then, after throwing the massive blight into the enemy, Jaxom could guide the blight throughout the enemy to finish them off quickly. (He could also merge the power of the blight in his sword along with another form of magic to have a combined attack.)
The forgotten city - The dead corpses that were controlled by Alimar to bring Jaxom and his friends into the city were all supposed to be dead death mages (and the risen are supposed to retain their magic abilities), but when Jaxom's group fought back none of them used the power of death to defend themselves. Obviously they wouldn't want to attack with magic because Alimar wanted them alive, but they could have defended themselves with magic at least. (This is just a minor detail I remembered, it really has no baring on the actual story.)
All in all, this was an amazing story and I am super excited to read the second book.
September 5, 2015
Great book. Really liked the magic system used by the protagonist, which isn't used in most magic fantasies.I had to wait for it for a while, while the errors and typos were fixed, but its back up on Amazon now. Can't wait for the sequel as the first book has given the series a lot of content to explore.The protagonist was likable without being OP, or the very personification of gallantry or modesty, unlike some other fantasies. The other viewpoints were actually interesting instead of the boring bit in between the fun stuff the main character was doing.
Has other magic in the book which are explored, but could be explained more further on as while the death mage needs death, for the most part, the others, in particular fire, can kind of just go for as long as they want. That's the only real query i had, and even that was more of a nitpick. It could also be longer, but this was the authors first book so surprisingly good for a first book.
Has other magic in the book which are explored, but could be explained more further on as while the death mage needs death, for the most part, the others, in particular fire, can kind of just go for as long as they want. That's the only real query i had, and even that was more of a nitpick. It could also be longer, but this was the authors first book so surprisingly good for a first book.
June 26, 2015
This was a fairly simple story of sword and sorcery that I felt still needed a lot of work by the author. Most of the characters had a one dimensional feel to them and the society the story took place in only vaguely described. As a result the characters actions did not really seem to take place within in a cultural context that more experienced authors manage to invoke without necessarily have to spell it out in large explanation paragraphs.
Unfortunately, by the end of the book I didn't have any real attachment to the characters and don't feel any real urgency to get book 2 when it is published. Also the book has a number of errors with missing words etc so if this bothers you then you've been warned.
Unfortunately, by the end of the book I didn't have any real attachment to the characters and don't feel any real urgency to get book 2 when it is published. Also the book has a number of errors with missing words etc so if this bothers you then you've been warned.
May 21, 2015
Death Mage, What is that you ask.
Fantasy is one of my favourite type of read, I was reading it way before it became so popular. I tried this one because I've never read about a death mage. I am so glad I did. Enjoyed the book and the characters. Our mage is one of the good guys. Looking forward to the next book. I recommend you read this and enjoy a new adventure.
Fantasy is one of my favourite type of read, I was reading it way before it became so popular. I tried this one because I've never read about a death mage. I am so glad I did. Enjoyed the book and the characters. Our mage is one of the good guys. Looking forward to the next book. I recommend you read this and enjoy a new adventure.
June 27, 2015
I loved this book. It was excellent. The system of magic was what is frequently seen in books these days, but the back story and writing were very to my liking.
I could identify with the main character, as he is someone who is out of the norm, but still has good friends.
All in all, a great read. I am waiting for the next book.
I could identify with the main character, as he is someone who is out of the norm, but still has good friends.
All in all, a great read. I am waiting for the next book.
January 10, 2016
Eager to see where the story goes.
A good beginning. Good story. Interesting characters. The death magic was new and interesting. Looking forward to the next chapter.
A good beginning. Good story. Interesting characters. The death magic was new and interesting. Looking forward to the next chapter.
May 22, 2015
Loved it!
March 14, 2016
Cool story and a magic system that seems to be thought out. So many typos though! I know this is a self-publish, but Mr. Bender, get more people to read it before hand.
Read
March 22, 2016I liked it.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews