Saving Kaldor

Deep Space Endeavor #1

by Ron Francis

Endeavor is the only ship of its kind. Owned by Commander Jesse Marcos, former Special Forces soldier and one-time hero of Earth. The Endeavor leaves Earth with Marcos and a small crew of friends aboard to explore space past Earth’s outer colonies. As they drop out of light space near the planet Polisia, they come upon some of earth’s forces under attack from an Enemy. They give aid to Earth’s forces but during the battle an enemy ship explodes while entering light space. The explosion pulls the Endeavor in and deposits them in an unknown galaxy. As the crew begins repairs to the damaged ship, they are attacked by space pirates. After barely surviving the first encounter, the crew comes across the planet Kaldor. Kaldor’s main continent is a wealthy, technologically advanced civilization. There are also twenty seven outposts on three sub-continents that send resources to the main continent. To make matters worse, Kaldor is plagued by the same space pirates Endeavor has already encountered.

While at an outpost on Kaldor, the crew of Endeavor has another run in with the pirates. While turning the pirates away, saving Outpost Twenty Three and picking up a couple unexpected new crew members. The crew hears rumors of a vast ancient treasure on a distant planet. The crew is approached by the beautiful Cassyanna Reed, Captain of the Catamaran. Her ship has been stolen by the pirates with her cousin aboard. They decide to work together to find the treasure, save Cassyanna’s ship and her cousin. They search for the treasure only to be attacked by the pirates once again. While battling the pirates, Commander Marcos uncovers a pirate plot to invade all of Kaldor. Now, Commander Marcos must race against the pirates, while evading corrupt elements of the Kaldorian government. He has to find the treasure and save both the Catamaran and Kaldor. All while trying to find a way home.

Genres: Science Fiction, Amazon

328 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 28, 2013

Reviews

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like science fiction in all its forms and always have. This seemed like a good fit for me just based on the title because I tend to like things even more that have stepped into the future feel to them. The story goes between the present events of the ship and her crew and the past events which give context to who they are and why they relate to each other the way they do. The characters can be seen to be almost too good to be true, a captain who never makes mistakes, a crew who is very virtuous and beyond helpful. Even with this little hiccup, you can still enjoy the story.

Deep in the Polisian system, a natural phenomenon occurs when the planets align. Every 136 years a matter conduit opens into another galaxy. Colonel Jesse Marcos takes his new ship, the Endeavor, and a small crew to explore that new galaxy. Endeavor gets damaged by an explosion just as they enter the conduit and leave those left behind to wonder if they survived. They are attacked by alien pirates as they start to make repairs and have to run in order to survive. They barely survive the encounter and land on Kaldor to complete repairs. this is where they find out what is happening in a place they are stranded for a very long time.

I did really like this but I feel the ending could have been a little better. Nothing major, just a little something to go into the next book. I say enjoy for what it is.

[R. James · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one, to me, was just a bit too long. And sadly, that could have easily been avoided by removing a bunch of the narrative that occurs after main plot points.

Right in line with that issue is the fact that this book needs a good editor. Many instances of typos and grammatical errors, as well as numerous tense issues. While I understood what the author was trying to convey, there was a bit too much 'tell' in this one, and at times it felt like I was reading a newspaper account of Jesse and his crew. Ok for a newspaper, not so much for a book.

Overall, because I sorta liked the premise, I will give this a weak 3 stars.

[Ed Tinkertoy · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book reminded me of read the script for a video game. It started out in one direction and then went in several others. The space ship went through some type space anomaly and I thought the book was going to be about discovering what that anomaly was and it turned into a treasure hunt. Then add to that confusion the various times when the book did a flashback to times in the past. Then it had some love stories mixed in with the ship's captain trying to decide who liked him and who he liked. And other crew members thinking someone liked them when in reality they were only being used. I was just glad when I finished the book; now gotta try to read book two.

[BobA707 · Rating 1 out of 5]

Summary: Like a fairy story in space, the good guys are good, the bad guys are bad, treasure to be found. Basically a book with no depth at all. Probably good for kids. Could be turned into a comic.

Plotline: Really simple plot sequences

Premise: Although set mostly in a different galaxy it might as well have been here as no cultural or language (or anything else) differences

Writing: Poor characterisations, nothing seemed real.

Ending: Guess what the good guys won

Pace: Never a dull moment

[Steve Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I thought the character were well developed and the plot was good. It was fast paced and fun. There were some grammar issues and the book could do with a little less tell and a little more show, but I really liked the story. The good guys were good and the bad guys were bad. Sometimes I just like it that way. Good read for all ages. This series by first-time author; Ron Francis gets better as it goes

[Laurie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this story. Good guys who make you believe in heroes again. Great technology and action. Battle scenes and adventure that put you right there with the characters. A good first book, but I have to say, the next two books of the series totally outshine this one. Ron Francis is getting better and better. I can't wait for book four.

[Jim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining novel.

[Tony Rumens · Rating 4 out of 5]

NEW FRONTIERS


Great start to a new intergalactic journey through disruption s and distortion s new enemy's and new friends let the journey home begin