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“What Do You Want?”
Choice follows the Archbishop Gerhard and other key characters as they navigate issues of war, leadership, betrayal, and the ethical conflicts that arise when faith and power intersect. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
Well there really isn’t any specific inspiration. You could definitely say a song of ice and fire and the age of madness but the one comparison that surprised me the most was when one of my critique partners said it reminded him of blood meridian.
I find the world you created in this novel brimming with possibilities. Where did the inspiration for the setting come from and how did it change as you were writing?
It was partly historical, a bit of reverse African colonialism, but it never really changed—it just expanded as I was writing. I thought, if they came from a distant land, wouldn’t they bring their animals? And if they hated the locals and thought of them as simple-minded savages, why? It all just kind of built from there.
I find that, while writing, you sometimes ask questions and have the characters answer them. Do you find that to be true? What questions did you ask yourself while writing this story?
Yeah, I do that. The one big question I always ask the character is, ‘What do you want, and how far are you willing to go to get it?’ To me, that’s what makes the story.
When will book two be available? Can you give us an idea of where that book will take readers?
My goal is to have the first draft of book 2 finished by summer of 2025 and, hopefully, have my editor done with it by fall. The events of book two will take place in Brevina, north east of Ustrabela, and revolve around the order’s defense from the savage invasion in the north.
In a world where magical powers are only attained through a grim practice—child sacrifice—lies the high kingdom of Ustrabela. Amidst a decade-long interregnum, the realm teeters on the brink of chaos. Yet, a new peril looms as northern savage warlocks muster for invasion. The defense of the realm hangs in the balance, entrusted to the Order of God’s Hand. However, their mission faces a dire setback as a cunning warlock named Odo absconds with crucial contracts essential for funding the campaign against the encroaching northern menace.
Enter Gerhard, a corrupt and lascivious archbishop. He offers to reveal the location of the knights who massacred Odo’s family in exchange for the stolen contracts. Desperate to recover these documents, the Order dispatches three knights—Heinrich, Dietmar, and Gutwin—on a mission to track down Odo and retrieve the contracts before the Order’s funds are exhausted.
Failure is not an option. If Heinrich, Dietmar, and Gutwin do not succeed, Ustrabela and the southern realms will be left defenseless against the savage warlocks of the North. As the knights pursue Odo, they must navigate the treacherous political waters stirred by Archbishop Gerhard. Will they recover the contracts in time, or will they become ensnared in the archbishop’s schemes, leaving their homeland vulnerable to destruction?
Choice (Desperate Echoes book 1)
Choice by Lucius Tarquinius takes readers through a complex and morally ambiguous world set in a medieval-like era filled with power struggles, political maneuvering, and personal dilemmas. The narrative centers around the Archbishop Gerhard and other key characters as they navigate issues of war, leadership, betrayal, and the ethical conflicts that arise when faith and power intersect. With a plot that shifts between deep philosophical conversations and intense, sometimes violent, confrontations, this book dives deep into the nature of free will, authority, and the consequences of our decisions.
One thing that stands out in this book is the intricate world-building. The lore is rich and full of historical references to events like the “departure of the Gone God,” creating a unique backdrop for the characters’ actions. The author also does a great job of using dialogue to reveal the moral complexities the characters face. Archbishop Gerhard’s conversation with the order knight is both cunning and morally perplexing. You can’t help but get sucked into the twisted, almost manipulative reasoning characters use to justify their actions. It’s fascinating to watch characters like Gerhard skillfully navigate these tense moments, even if his choices often left me unsettled. Tarquinius has a tendency to jump between formal language and colloquialisms that sometimes feel out of place in this historical setting. These abrupt changes in tone distracted me from fully immersing in the world at times. However, I also found these quirks amusing, giving the characters a weird relatability in an otherwise dark and distant world. Emotionally, the book isn’t afraid to make you uncomfortable. One of the hardest scenes to read was when Lina, a young girl, is poisoned as part of a grim necessity in a power play. The chilling rationale behind the act—choosing the “least bad” option—sticks with you long after you’ve put the book down. It’s not a comfortable read, and often, the characters’ decisions are morally gray at best. This complexity makes the book stand out from more traditional fantasy novels where good and evil are clearly defined.
Choice by Lucius Tarquinius is a gripping and thought-provoking exploration of power, morality, and the consequences of our decisions. The vivid world-building, complex characters, and the moral dilemmas they face create an immersive reading experience that kept me hooked from beginning to end. While the writing style can sometimes be unconventional, it adds a unique charm that makes the characters feel relatable, even in such a dark and fantastical setting. If you’re a fan of rich, morally complex stories that challenge you to think deeply about human nature, this book is a must-read. I’d highly recommend it to readers who love dark fantasy with layers of philosophical intrigue.
Pages: 413 | ASIN : B0D62GB532
LITERARY TITAN 