The Caldarian Conflict [NOOK Book]

Brilliant!

What a FANTASTIC read!

Monk Mendell is asked by Father Ramsey to counsel a prisoner waiting to be hanged. The prisoner, an ex-pirate who uses information he has gained to lead active pirates to vulnerable targets, has not spoken to any of the clergy sent before Mendell. It is a common belief in this society that everyone should be given a chance to repent and/or reconcile their lives before death and as a monk whose chosen god out of several dieties is Lord Justice, he is not happy with this new directive. Afterall, justice has been done and the punishment for all pirates is death.

Although not indifferent to the prisoner, Mendell does not encourage him to repent but listens to him instead. Giving the prisoner a choice of what he wants to speak about in his last hours causes the pirate to open up.

What Mendell witnesses and hears causes him to question whether the pirate deserves death as his sentence and whether the military is using unethical practices in order to solve the crime problem.

What follows is a mixture of adventure, fantasy and mystery.

I loved the mash-up of genres in this story. Elements of a good old fashioned crime mystery mixed with an epic fantasy environment and a touch of magic. The person of Monk Mendell became one of my favorite characters of all time. An honest and strong man, compassionate and just with a likable personality that caused me to hang on his every word.

Becoming caught up in a doomed mission while trying to understand the facts, he still offers hope and healing to those around them. Giving all involved the benefit of the doubt while seeking guidance from Father Ramsey and the gods.

This is a story about a gentle hero and his quest to bring justice where justice is due as well as mercy to those who need it. While discovering himself and his mission, he realizes that all is not what it seems and the lines between good and evil are blurred.

I recommend this book to all lovers of fiction. I truly hope I will get to follow Monk Mendell on the rest of his journey.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Three Cheers For The Caldarian Conflict

Part thriller, mystery, adventure, and dark fantasy. Mike Kalmbach's debut novel begins with a big bang and fireworks when pirate Captain Shannon the Cannon O'Connor is blown out of the water. She's the first of many to fall prey in the devious plot designed by Admiral Cain of the Caldarian navy and his conniving assistant Krell.

Brother Mendell, a humble monk who serves the god of Justice, becomes entangled in Cain and Krell's evil conspiracy to rid the seas and the city of Cadmus of pirates and undesirables. The monk finds more honor among the pirates than between Cain and Krell, who are ready and willing to sacrifice countless innocents, including Brother Mendell, to accomplish their goals.

It's nonstop tension and action as Mendell works to unravel the mysteries behind all the senseless killings and destruction. This book is entertaining and well written. The ending left me satisfied and pleased to discover there's likely to be a sequel. I'm looking forward to reading it.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

A Masterful Tale of High Sea Treachery

In his debut novel, THE CALDARIAN CONFLICT, author Mike Kalmbach convincingly crafts a world of enchantment, iconic gods, and raging pirates. Brother Mendell, a humble devotee of Lord Justice, has the unenviable task of providing spiritual counsel to prisoners slated for execution. Through this involvement, Mendell begins to unravel a cat and mouse game devised by corrupt officers of the Caldarian navy to rid the Shalladian Sea of piracy. The tenacious monk's quest for justice lands him smack-dab in the middle of their next suicide mission.

A masterful tale of good versus evil, THE CALDARIAN CONFLICT spins a roguish yarn that is fast-paced, suspenseful, and thought provoking. Additionally, Mr. Kalmbach delivers Krell, the ambitious assistant to Admiral Cain. Krell is a villain of Machiavellian proportions; part Darth Vader, Terminator, and Nellie Oleson, you just LOVE to HATE this guy. And, of course, Krell has it in for Mendell.

Will altruistic Mendell outsmart the diabolical Krell?
Can Mendell rally the murderous pirates to a common cause to defeat their enemy?
Will the King of Caldaria believe Mendell's outlandish accusations against his own navy?
I'm not telling! I'll just say many will die before the sticky web of deceit is unveiled.

I award THE CALDARIAN CONFLICT 4.5/5.0 stars for its plot-twists, ribaldry and cast of colorful characters. Mr. Kalmbach, when can we expect the sequel?

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Not Your Average Pirate Novel!

Kalmbach's debut novel ,"The Caldarian Conflict," is a fun, fast-paced pirate novel. The story opens with one of the most fierce and notorious pirates in the fictional world of Caldaria, the red headed Captain Shannon "The Cannon" O'Connor. Shannon decides to seize an opportunity to take a merchant ship hostage and plunder some treasure - but quickly realizes that things are not what they seem anymore in Caldaria, and the thrill ride begins at full force for the reader.

"The Caldarian Conflict" has a lot of the features that make a great pirate novel; it's plot driven, action packed, and has a vicious and memorable villain.

But this isn't your typical pirate novel. For one, the protagonist isn't a pirate but a monk named Mendell who has dedicated his life to helping the sick and to serving a god called 'Lord Justice.' His dedication to helping others results in him getting embroiled in the middle of the ongoing tension between the pirates and government. Telling the story from the perspective of a monk gives the reader a unique viewpoint of the moral dilemmas that Mendell faces and a fresh angle on pirate novels in general.

Another thing that sets this book apart from a typical pirate novel is that it has a strong element of mystery. Character's motivations and plot twists are slowly revealed throughout the novel, always keeping the reader engaged.

The novel ends on a bit of a cliffhanger and I'll be eagerly awaiting the sequel!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

As good as James Patterson

The Caldarian Conflict is just one amazing book. It is so hard to put how much fun and enjoyment I had reading this book. I believe that this book is just as good as any books by James Patterson or Jan Burke. It captures so many things that the reader can easily relate to and you find yourself cheering for the main characters and you also find sadness when bad things happen (and you all thought I was actually going to give something away). This is an amazing book. If you like to read and it doesn¿t matter what type of books your into The Caldarian Conflict is a must read novel. I cannot wait until the author comes out with the next book in the series.

YOU WILL LOVE IT

Normlly when I see a book about pirates or fantasy I immdeiately brush it off as just another amped up Pirates of the Carribien. But when Mike Klambach allowed me to read and review his wonderful novel, The Caldarian Conflict, a fast paced cat and mouse game of good vs. evil. The world of Caldaria, from Mr. Klambaches own mind, is stunning.

We find ourselves rooting or Mendell and cringing in fear of Krell with every page turned. The words come out so vividly that this reads lke a masterful mini series. I would not be surprised to find out that one day I could be watching this on television.

Will Krell get his disturbing and dasterdly plan to work?
Can Mendell stop him?
Will anything be the same after its all said and down.

4.5 stars for you sir. This is worth the read and I believe I see a sequel in the near future. *Fingers crossed*

(free copy received for promotional purposes)

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