The Death of the Son

by Doug Brooks

Benjamin Chriton has been traveling to other worlds in secret, on his own, for years, through a wormhole technology that he created called the 'space-stream'. Through the aid of an 'exo-suit', an advanced piece of armor technology that he has upgraded with alien technology, Benjamin is able to travel, and adaptively survive regardless of the alien environment on the other side.
Now, for the first time, his son, Derek Chriton will aid him in his travels, after years of training, and go on his own solo mission. His father warns him not to fight anybody else's war, but when Derek is confronted by a powerful enemy, his promise, training, and survival are put to the test.

208 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 29, 2016

Reviews

[♥︎ · Rating 4 out of 5]

(i gave it three stars originally but upped it to four. i listened to it as an audiobook via my library and the audiobook reader kept making mistakes and pulling me out of the immersion 😭😭)

For the first time, Derek can see the true nature of his father’s exploration. “I just want you to know, Father, I admire your work, and…” he pauses. “I am proud to be your son.”

♡

the story is about a father and son. the beginning of the book is a little bit confusing with our main characters being called “the stranger”, “dr. chriton”, and “the son” all for derek, and “the father”, and “the man” for benjamin chriton. however i believe after chapter 5 (or so) they are both called just by their names.

derek and benjamin have a very sweet father son relationship. derek’s mother (benjamin’s wife) died when he was very young, so for many years it has been just those two.

father-son relationships always remind me of paul and leto (who i love very much ♡). derek is a bit older (as they mention him having a PhD), but still his father’s son.

however in dune, paul says, “now i can mourn you father.” which is basically the complete opposite of “the death of the son” 😭😭

i almost dnf because of the “chosen one” trope. like… the first planet derek goes it? and klu moss is calling him the chosen one bcs of some prophecy.. okaaay.. and i think it was mainly bcs i was already relating derek to paul, so klu moss calling derek “pandengi” (sorry if i spelled it wrong, i listened to the audiobook 😭) reminded me of the fremen calling paul “lisan al gaib”.

however, we find out the klu moss was right in some way even if you don’t believe in prophecy or “chosen ones”.

still!! i was an enjoyable book, and i’ll probably buy physically. if you want to read an action filled, father-son, alien planet war, chosen one prophecy, heartbreaking book with a CRAZY boss fight at the end, then i definitely recommend “the death of the son”! ♡

so.. when’s the sequel book, mr. brooks? 🥺🫶