The Death You Deserve

by Jonathan Techlin

Several millennia have passed since the world was destroyed by cataclysm. Life remains a precarious thing, but there is hope. A prophecy states that years after the world was broken it would be mended again by the appearance of a little boy called the Blessed Soul. That time has come. The boy’s destiny awaits. But where is he?

A young squire named Theel is sent by his king to search for the Blessed Soul. Once Theel completes his quest, he will be granted knighthood, but there is a problem. He doesn’t wish to serve in the king’s army, or to become a knight at all. Instead, he yearns for the freedom to choose his own path.

Theel’s homeland is engulfed in war as nations send armies of soldiers, spies and assassins to fight for control of the Blessed Soul’s future. Theel sets out on his quest reluctantly, but soon finds himself joining the battle, for he realizes he cannot control his own destiny unless the boy of the prophecies fulfills his first.

Genres: Fantasy

668 pages, Paperback

First published December 27, 2014

About the author

Jonathan Techlin lives in Kaukauna, Wisconsin with his wife and two daughters. He enjoys reading, traveling, and following the Green Bay Packers. He is currently at work completing future chapters in the Warrior Baptism series.

Reviews

[Zane Stillings · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have you ever seen John Ford's "The Searchers," starring John Wayne? In the 1950s, in a movie genre - the Western - that was considered past its heyday, Ford and Wayne constructed a film that transcended almost all accepted parameters of the contemporary Western, and made a film that leapt beyond easy categorization - it was complex, challenging, controversial, and unforgettable. Jonathan Techlin's novel, "The Death You Deserve," delivers a similar impact on the Fantasy genre. Like "The Searchers," the story cuts sharply between scenes of deep, tense drama and those of levity and comedy with equal skill. It tells a story that feels at once archetypal and ancient, but in a way you haven't seen it told before. It delivers laughs, tears, tension and action in great, descriptive prose. It gives you characters to love, to root for, to ruminate on. Most of all, it envelops you in a world all its own, and makes you feel immersed in that world completely. Seriously, this book would be a bargain at five times its price. Buying it should be a no-brainer, but reading it will definitely put your brain to good use. Can't recommend this strongly enough.

[Terry Pearson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won Jonathan Techlin's book, The Death You Deserve, in a Goodread's giveaway.

I suck at reviews so let me just say I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

It is not a genre I read very often and certainly perhaps not a genre someone my age reads either. However, when I do read a book such as this, I want it to be a darn good one and worth my while. I found this one to be just that.

The length of this book might deter a few from reading it but that would be their loss.

Well worth the money.

[Eric · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book through a Goodreads giveaway. Overall, the writing is well done. The characters are developed and the world-building is decent. The story line does get fairly predictable towards the end. Also, there is fair amount of trope usage. Still, it was engaging and a good story.

[whitney porter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Get this book now!

Amazing new fantasy series, this is nothing like any of the other series you've read before. You will not regret it.

[Jeremy Yarrington]

Please anyone that sees this, READ THIS BOOK! I have only read a few fantasy books and this is by far one of my favorites. I told Mr. Techlin that he would be favorite but for those of you who have read Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series, its really hard to surpass. He agreed after saying that he grew up on the same thing. This book for me did start just a little slow, but omg as soon as it picks up (which isn't very long) it's like someone hit the never ending nitris button. It is very descriptive and exciting. The main character is definitely different. You will love to hate him,then love him, then hate him... The book jumps back and forth to give you the perspective of multiple characters in different points in time and places. Each character that is introduced is incredibly interesting. There is magic, hatred, love, drugs, humans, creatures, spirits, the list goes on. I know it sounds hard to throw all of this into one book without being cluttered but he did it and did it well. I was constantly kept on my toes and even found myself talking out loud to the characters while reading. (yes i am sane...kind of). If i had to say anything bad about this book it would be that when i would sit down to read it I really could not put it down and ended up late for alot of things. Not a joke. I also have to add that Mr. Techlin has kept in contact with me ever since I won his giveaway and is actually a real nice guy, especially for someone who has such a very sick mind. Again, if you get the chance, definitely read this. But read it slow, if you can, because my most recent disappointment lately has been that this book ended with the second part only still being written.

[Glen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won this book in a goodreads drawing.

A perfectly good fantasy book, if a bit overlong.

After the death of his father, the finest knight in the world, a aquire is sent on a quest to find The Blessed Soul, the one who will bring the usual prophecy to fruition.

The kid is angry and bitter and doesn't want to go, but eventually finds himself on the road with a hootchmaker and his wannabe wizard kid.

Meanwhile, 20 years earlier, some real knights are on a quest to take The Blessed Soul to safety. They are pursued by a legion of assassins. One assassin, who can talk to the spirits of the people she kills, follows them at a distance.

This is the first book of a series. It has most of the usual fantasy tropes. The Orc like beings are called zoths, and seem to resemble gnolls more than anything else in my Monster Manual. There are also underground dwellers than seem to resemble Minotaurs physically. There is also a faceless empire destroying everything in its path.

Not bad. I could have done without the endless daddy issues of the main protagonist. To be honest, it seems out of place in a Middle/Dark Ages sort of setting.

[Ian Yarington · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a huge fan of inventive fantasy that doesn't follow a script, although those can be great books as well. I won this book as a giveaway and I'm glad because I felt like the cover and the title weren't really telling as to what the book was about. I thought it was going to be a non fiction about right to die or something haha. But I would recommend this book because it's always nice to see new fresh fantasy takes with inventive worlds and cool new characters.

[Roxanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a Goodreads win review. This is a fantasy book about the world being destroyed and a prophecy says after the world was done it would be okay again by by a little boy savior. The King sends out Theel to look for the boy so he can become a knight. But Theel wants to do what he wants instead. But that does work for him because he cannot be fine unless he finds the savior first. This book is very good but it is super long and it is only Part 1.

[Wayne · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was a goodreads.comfree well written good story line Several millennia have passed since the world was destroyed by cataclysm. Life remains a precarious thing, but there is hope. A prophecy states that years after the world was broken it would be mended again by the appearance of a little boy called the Blessed Soul. That time has come. The boy’s destiny awaits. But where is he?