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Samuel Gately
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The Headlock of Destiny: An Epic Fantasy / Pro Wrestling Mash-up (Titan Wars Book 1) Kindle Edition

by Samuel Gately (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.5 out of 5 stars 76 ratings
Some say titans are descended from giants. Others say they are risen from men. But there’s never any debate about where to find them. They will be in the center of a roaring crowd, beating the hell out of each other. From contenders like the Savage and Scott Flawless to pretenders like Richard the Living Portrait and Troll-Blooded Thom, a titan’s lot in life is the same: To wrestle for dominion and glory in the squared circle.

Van, a quiet titan from the brewery town of Headwaters, wants no part in this. He’d prefer to be left alone with a beer. But destiny has him in a headlock, and it is prepared to drag him into battles that will shake the land and change his world forever.

Step into the ring with this one-of-a-kind novel, brewed special for fans of epic fantasy, fans of professional wrestling from the Golden Era and beyond, or simply fans of a good tale.
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  1. Book 1 of 4
    Titan Wars
  2. Print length
    355 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Accessibility
    Learn more
  5. Publication date
    March 5, 2020
  6. File size
    8.9 MB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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From the Publisher

Royal Rumble Meets Game of Thrones
Complete Duology
Epic Fantasy that Breaks All the Rules

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Nonstop clashes among a vibrant cast of giants animate this enjoyable romp." - Kirkus Reviews

"The world of pro-wrestling meets epic fantasy in this explosive genre mashup...Gately writes some fantastically punchable antagonists...a great job of taking an against-the-odds sports story and mixing it with the tropes and traits of high fantasy to create something thrilling and genuinely unique...Readers should pour themselves a cold beer, hold onto their seats, and prepare for the single most epic smackdown of all time." - Grimdark Magazine

"The Headlock of Destiny is unique, and clever, and fun, and enjoyable, with a lovable cast of characters that draw you into a zany concept that ends up being more epic than you expect." - Calvin Park, Fantasy Book Review

"I loved this book. Samuel Gately has an easy, fun voice that makes the text fly by at a breezy clip. The description of wrestling matches are fast-paced and exciting, with each one a spectacle of over-the-top action. But wrestling action aside, some of my favorite moments were outside the ring, like Van's quest to steal a barrel of beer, his antics at the tavern and casino between matches, or his awkward encounters with his former girlfriend. Much of the characters and interactions are refreshingly grounded and real, despite the story being set in a magical world with wrestling minotaurs and dragons used as passenger airlines. I think that's what really makes this work - a world with cartoonish wrestling action and fantasy trappings, it's really Gately's down-to-earth portrayal of Van that makes him seem real and relatable...Really great stuff." - C.D. Gallant-King, author of Hell Comes to Hogtown

"If you enjoy light-hearted humorous fantasy with a focus on action and fights, you'd really enjoy this one...excellent dialogue, sharp and very enjoyable to read, chock-full of fine characterization...who could have imagined that beer and giant, sweaty men duking it out could be so much fun?" - The Fantasy Hive

"This book is pure entertainment...Gately has created a colourful, memorable cast of characters...The Headlock of Destiny is proof that it's great to venture off the beaten path...A fabulous read for anyone looking for a fun, fast-paced read with lots of action and great characters. It doesn't matter if you know nothing about wrestling - I certainly don't - Gately pulls you into his story and world and dazzles you, and I'm looking forward to the next book." - Beneath a Thousand Skies

"Gately has married fantasy and wrestling so well it's almost baffling that no one else had figured it out sooner...this was one of the most fun books I have ever read." - FanFiAddict

"The Headlock of Destiny has the feel of a passion project and the author's excitement is palpable. This is what happens when someone writes the book they want to read, damn the naysayers, and it pays off immensely. And the ending had me buying the sequel right away." - Seanchalant's Highh Fantasy Book Reviews

"I. FREAKING. LOVED. THIS. BOOK. In fact, dear reader, please meet my new favourite book - The Headlock of Destiny...it was just good, and so good, and it got better and better and better...and it was proper FUN! Most of you fantasy freaks have read Kings of the Wyld and you all know how much fun that was...well, The Headlock of Destiny delivers, naturally a bit differently, but a totally equal amount of fun!" - Cover to Cover

"...a fabulous book...fast paced, clever, and just enjoyable...probably the most fun I've had reading a book all year." - Reddit Reading Champion Reviewer

About the Author

Samuel Gately is a writer of novels and short stories in the fantasy genre. Most have spies in them. He lives in Oak Park, just outside Chicago, with his wife, daughters, and two terrifyingly fluffy dogs. You can find updates and new release information at http://samuelgately.com.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B083VZT119
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Cylinder Publishing
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ March 5, 2020
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 8.9 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 355 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Book 1 of 4 ‏ : ‎ Titan Wars
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 out of 5 stars 76 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Samuel Gately

Samuel Gately

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Samuel Gately writes fantasy novels. His stories blend epic fantasy with his other passions, as can be seen in the popular Titan Wars series (fantasy meets pro wrestling), the Fire Eye series (crime noir in a magical city), and the Spies of Dragon and Chalk series (James Bond-style espionage among dragon riders). He lives in Chicago and can often be found slinging books at local wrestling shows.

Check out his website for updates, new releases, and mailing list sign up.

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
76 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book to be an awesome read with a gripping story that keeps them engaged from beginning to end.

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9 customers mention "Enjoyment"9 positive0 negative

Customers find the book an awesome and enjoyable read, with one customer being extremely excited for the next book in the series.

"First off, this book is just awesome. Fast paced, great story. Entertaining as hell… it doesn’t matter what kind of reading you usually do...." Read more

"...I really enjoy his writing style. Great book!" Read more

"...If you like pro wrestling and you like fantasy stories this is a great book to read...." Read more

"...It is a BLAST! Well done, Sam!" Read more

5 customers mention "Gripping story"5 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the gripping story of the book, with one mentioning it's a classic underdog tale that keeps readers engaged from beginning to end.

"First off, this book is just awesome. Fast paced, great story...." Read more

"...The story is actually pretty gripping, and the world building is pretty good...." Read more

"...Great to see it on Kindle Unlimited and gripped me from beginning to end." Read more

"The Headlock of Destiny was a delight to read. Titans. Wrestling. Beer. What's not to love?!..." Read more

Awesome read
5 out of 5 stars
Awesome read
The Headlock of Destiny was a delight to read. Titans. Wrestling. Beer. What's not to love?! Van is a lovable character who grows throughout the tale. The world building is intriguing and calls to a larger epic tale to be told. I can't wait for more!
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Adam R.
    5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely Perfect
    Reviewed in the United States on March 6, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    First off, this book is just awesome. Fast paced, great story. Entertaining as hell… it doesn’t matter what kind of reading you usually do.

    If you’re a wrestling fan, or more specifically, ever had even a passing interest in the golden era of wrestling (80s to early 90s in my book)—this books is for you. I caught several Easter Eggs, with characters inspired by Mr. Perfect, Razor Ramon and a bunch of others.

    Don’t get me wrong, the book in no way relies on that nostalgia. The fights and scenarios are all 100% unique, and the fact that it’s mashing it up with the small nuances of the era to make you smile… <chef’s kiss> woo!

    Check Goodreads reviews if you want to know more about plot, I'm writing to tell you that this isn’t your ordinary book. It creates a unique story and wraps the best of wrestling (imagine it’s all 100% real) and fantasy (sort of a Game of Thrones or Lord of the Rings World) around it.

    Absolutely perfect, if you know what I’m saying.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Lee
    5.0 out of 5 stars What a surprise!
    Reviewed in the United States on April 2, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    I picked this book up after hearing it advertised on Something to Wrestle with Bruce Prichard. I figured, what the hell? I like fantasy, and I like wrestling, so why not give it a shot? I went in with VERY low expectations. Wow. I was hooked before I finished the prologue. The characters are believable, and, to a wrestling fan, it’s easy to spot the inspiration for most of them. The story is actually pretty gripping, and the world building is pretty good. I’m heading over to Amazon to download the sequel as soon as I finish writing this review! For something that I wasn’t sure I’d like, it made me into a fan. I HAVE to know what happens next! And now I’m gonna have to look into some of the author’s other work, as well. I really enjoy his writing style. Great book!
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  • J. L. Stubblefield
    4.0 out of 5 stars Gimme a Hell Yeah! (sorry got overexcited for a moment)
    Reviewed in the United States on September 3, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    I was originally intrigued by the idea of sci-fi/fantasy and professional wrestling mashed together. I was not disappointed! Mr. Gately paints a wondrous picture of larger than life titans/wrestlers and the world around them. As a fan of both genres, this book was right up my alley. I enjoyed trying to figure out what titans were based on what wrestlers. I enjoyed the little easter eggs dropped in the story (Scott Hall LOL). By the time I finished the book, I was disappointed that the sequel wasn't out yet. If you like pro wrestling and you like fantasy stories this is a great book to read. My biggest problem with the book is that it appears by all indications that the sequel Piledriver Of Fate will be the last book in the series. I want more! Highly recommended! Great stuff, Maynard.
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  • Samuel Joseph Seitles
    5.0 out of 5 stars Review from a pro wrestler.
    Reviewed in the United States on August 27, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Pro wrestling has been a HUGE part of my life for over 30 years. I also enjoy a good brew. This booked is packed with the best of both. I don’t read too many novels nowadays, but I’m glad I read this one. It is a BLAST! Well done, Sam!
    One person found this helpful
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  • AKVANGUARD
    5.0 out of 5 stars Piledrive of Entertainment
    Reviewed in the United States on January 20, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Extremely excited for the next book. Great to see it on Kindle Unlimited and gripped me from beginning to end.
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  • A. Goswami
    5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome read
    Reviewed in the United States on March 23, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    The Headlock of Destiny was a delight to read. Titans. Wrestling. Beer. What's not to love?! Van is a lovable character who grows throughout the tale. The world building is intriguing and calls to a larger epic tale to be told. I can't wait for more!
    Customer image
    A. Goswami
    5.0 out of 5 stars
    Awesome read

    Reviewed in the United States on March 23, 2020
    The Headlock of Destiny was a delight to read. Titans. Wrestling. Beer. What's not to love?! Van is a lovable character who grows throughout the tale. The world building is intriguing and calls to a larger epic tale to be told. I can't wait for more!
    Images in this review
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  • Calvin Park
    4.0 out of 5 stars Unique, Clever, and Fun
    Reviewed in the United States on March 5, 2020
    The Headlock of Destiny is unique, and clever, and fun, and enjoyable, with a lovable cast of characters that draw you in to a zany concept that ends up being more epic than you expect. That admittedly long and winding sentence is the best way I could come up with to express my enjoyment of Samuel Gately latest. Created as a sort of mashup of pro wrestling and epic fantasy, the story begins personally, grounded in the main character, Van. But it expands rapidly without every losing that personal grounding. In the end, it’s a lot of fun.

    The Headlock of Destiny has its greatest strength in its main character. Van is a titan, the descendants of giants, titans are twice as tall as normal humans and ten times as strong. Most titans fight in matches throughout the regions, and the best of the best travel to the titular Headlock of Destiny tournament to be crowned the champion. Each nation brings a single titan to the tournament, and as such the politics of the various nations run through the tournament, wins in the ring give diplomats social capital to use in their negotiations. Through a series of mishaps, Van—who begins the book as a worker at a brewery—end up competing in the Headlock. Van is a misfit, a loveable misfit, and an underdog to boot. If you enjoy those tropes, you’re going to love this book. There is a heroic quality to Van that we get to see develop throughout the story and I appreciated his arc very much. There are elements of a coming-of-age tale here, but it’s more than that as well. The book never takes itself too seriously, with mishaps and comedy aplenty. The world building is another element that I enjoyed. Gately fleshes out a society obsessed with the Headlock and the titans who fight in it, and many of those fights offer moments where you want to pump your own fist into the air. The side characters also shine, playing important roles in Van’s development but also feeling like they have stories of their own, even if we aren’t seeing those stories fully in this book. There are also moments where you catch glimpses of the overarching, epic story and those moments are wonderful. There’s more going on here than meets the eye, and working to figure that out is a ton of fun. This is a story for people who like heroes. That’s what we’re watching Van grow into, and there are moments in this novel where Van truly steps into those shoes and acts as a hero. Those moments were so incredibly satisfying I can recommend this book on their strength alone.

    For me, the largest weakness is that eventually the ring matches begins to take on a somewhat repetitive and predictable tone. Gately goes to great lengths to keep them fresh, but even so there are moments when they did begin to feel repetitive. I also felt that the relationship of the tournament to the politics of the world was a little vague, at least in terms of specific mechanisms. But then, I’m not sure how one goes into those specific mechanisms without boring those who would be less interested. Of these two, I found the first two be the larger issue for my enjoyment. It’s still a wonderful story, and I really enjoyed it, but it would have been nice to feel like the fights played out with less of an established pattern.

    The Headlock of Destiny is such a unique tale. It’s too much to say that it’s lighthearted—there are certainly emotional beats and moments of pain and struggle. But it is an uplifting story that has it’s genesis in a zany concept. I enjoyed it and can’t wait for the sequel. It’s a fun read, add it to your TBR.

    8.3/10

    4.1/5 stars.

    5 – I loved this, couldn’t put it down, move it to the top of your TBR pile
    4 – I really enjoyed this, add it to the TBR pile
    3 – It was ok, depending on your preferences it may be worth your time
    2 – I didn’t like this book, it has significant flaws and I can’t recommend it
    1 – I loathe this book with a most loathsome loathing
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  • Richard bennett
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic!
    Reviewed in the United States on August 30, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    The only drawback that I have is that I wish I knew for a fact who each of the Titans represented in the real wrestling world. Great descriptions and I purchased these without hesitation and I encourage you to do the same. A must read!
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