What do you think?
Rate this book
The Tales of Caledonia #1
The Protector
A man sold into slavery.A woman born into power.Will the two be able to work together to battle the Ghoule Overlord?Bryen spent ten years fighting for his life on the white sand of the Pit. But now he faces a new challenge deadlier even than constant combat against man and beast in the Colosseum. Forced into a new form of servitude, Bryen is compelled to become a Protector and charged with guarding the Lady of the Southern Marches from both steel and magic. For she holds the key to power in Caledonia. Gain her and you gain the Kingdom.Some threats are known and obvious while others lurk in the shadows. No matter the danger, Bryen is coerced by magic to do all that he can to keep the Lady alive.At the same time, the Ghoule Overlord is preparing to send his Legions to complete his conquest of Caledonia.Will Bryen -- the only one who can prevent the Overlord from releasing his Ghoules on the land – stand and fight? Or will Bryen find a way to break free of his bond and walk away from Aislinn and the Kingdom that enslaved him?The first book in this action-packed fantasy transports you to a new world. Find out why fans call Amazon best-selling author Peter Wacht’s stories “fun, diabolical, exciting and a pleasure to read!”Don’t wait - Click the BUY button now!
491 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 18, 2021
722 people are currently reading
310 people want to read
About the author
Peter Wacht
41 books141 followersGrowing up in New York when I was a kid, I used to haunt the science fiction and fantasy bookstore in Yonkers, searching for the epic fantasy stories that I loved to read. When I exhausted all my options, I started writing my own stories, never realizing that one day I would publish them.
As you read my stories, you’ll notice certain themes and I like to carry them over from one book to the next. I always include adventure, humor, a few twists, a bunch of fights (magic and steel), and a little romance, along with a few good monsters. But for me it always starts with engaging characters. Because without characters who grow and change as they seek to overcome the challenges placed before them, as they seek to move forward, the story can’t move forward.
In particular, I like to focus on the reluctant hero, a man or a woman not seeking glory, but rather seeking to help others and challenge the evil plaguing the world – a world that I’ve created, The Realms of the Talent and the Curse. They need to learn how to believe in themselves before they can do what’s demanded of them. A personal journey that all of us experience, often more than once in our lifetimes, from lack of belief to belief in the self.
To learn more, check out the Amazon series pages for my current epic fantasy series -- The Sylvan Chronicles, The Tales of Caledonia, and The Tales of the Territories -- and my first foray into urban fantasy, The Fallen Knight Series. (Many of the books in these series have been or are Amazon #1 Bestsellers in various categories as well as #1 New Releases.)
And to download a free story, or join my newsletter for the latest news and releases, visit https://peterwachtbooks.com
As you read my stories, you’ll notice certain themes and I like to carry them over from one book to the next. I always include adventure, humor, a few twists, a bunch of fights (magic and steel), and a little romance, along with a few good monsters. But for me it always starts with engaging characters. Because without characters who grow and change as they seek to overcome the challenges placed before them, as they seek to move forward, the story can’t move forward.
In particular, I like to focus on the reluctant hero, a man or a woman not seeking glory, but rather seeking to help others and challenge the evil plaguing the world – a world that I’ve created, The Realms of the Talent and the Curse. They need to learn how to believe in themselves before they can do what’s demanded of them. A personal journey that all of us experience, often more than once in our lifetimes, from lack of belief to belief in the self.
To learn more, check out the Amazon series pages for my current epic fantasy series -- The Sylvan Chronicles, The Tales of Caledonia, and The Tales of the Territories -- and my first foray into urban fantasy, The Fallen Knight Series. (Many of the books in these series have been or are Amazon #1 Bestsellers in various categories as well as #1 New Releases.)
And to download a free story, or join my newsletter for the latest news and releases, visit https://peterwachtbooks.com
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
April 30, 2024
What a nice surprise. I tried this because I enjoyed the Sylvan Chronicles by Wacht. This has lots of action, some very interesting characters with secret’s around them. It has a slightly different magic system. Very enjoyable, fairly easy read
March 7, 2022
This wasn’t for me unfortunately. I totally thought the MC was a grown man but obviously the man on the cover mislead me. While not a bad story, it was just so predictable and wasn’t what I wanted.
July 6, 2022
Not bad, not good
Ok, I for the most part liked the book. What kept eating at me the whole time was the "the ends justified the means" when it came to slavery and everyone gave each other a pass because "what done is done".
Ok, I for the most part liked the book. What kept eating at me the whole time was the "the ends justified the means" when it came to slavery and everyone gave each other a pass because "what done is done".
March 30, 2024
A young hero with a tragic past; a young duchess struggling to avoid an arranged marriage with a corrupt king, interested only in taking over her birthright; an evil race of mutants attacking with blade, tooth, claw and dark magic, an elderly mage who may be more than he seems; and a father willing to go to any lengths to protect is daughter--the scene is set for The Protector (Tales of Caledonia, Book 1. The Protector hooked me with the first chapter and kept me hooked. Warning--it ends in a cliffhanger--not to be read as a standalone. Bryen, the MC is a slave fighting to stay alive for the amusement of the public. Duke Kevan purchases him and through a silver collar infused with magic, permanently binds Bryen to Kevan's daughter, compelling him to protect her at any cost. Bryen has dreamed of life beyond the pits, but not like this. Wacht does a great job of developing Bryen as an interesting, likeable character, and that characterization raises The Protector above the ususal sword and sorcery tales. Not a romance. There's no hot sex, but a friendship struggling to develop between two young people in a terrible situation forced to work together. I'm ordering the next book as soon as I finish this review.
January 15, 2023
My first DNF of the year!
I gave this book a good go, stuck with it for about 2 weeks hoping for it to catch my attention.
I have several issues with this book. One of the biggest is that this book has a strange narrative structure that makes it difficult to tell who’s telling which part of the story. Leading to confusion.
Way too much head hopping to the point that you do not know who is narrating a scene at a given time. It can be 3+ characters in a scene and the scene is told from ALL of their perspectives at the same exact time, leading to confusion on who is thinking what at a given time.
To add to that, this book has a ton of telling going on with it. The narrative straight up tells us what the characters’ mannerisms are. The characters themselves do shine from time to time, but we’re told almost everything about them the moment we meet them, taking away any agency we may have had with them.
These two points are what ultimate made my decision to abandon the book after about 100 pages. Not sure if I would get back to it.
I gave this book a good go, stuck with it for about 2 weeks hoping for it to catch my attention.
I have several issues with this book. One of the biggest is that this book has a strange narrative structure that makes it difficult to tell who’s telling which part of the story. Leading to confusion.
Way too much head hopping to the point that you do not know who is narrating a scene at a given time. It can be 3+ characters in a scene and the scene is told from ALL of their perspectives at the same exact time, leading to confusion on who is thinking what at a given time.
To add to that, this book has a ton of telling going on with it. The narrative straight up tells us what the characters’ mannerisms are. The characters themselves do shine from time to time, but we’re told almost everything about them the moment we meet them, taking away any agency we may have had with them.
These two points are what ultimate made my decision to abandon the book after about 100 pages. Not sure if I would get back to it.
February 5, 2024
confused by other reviews
The overall story line was mostly interesting. That’s about all I can. This is one of those books where I am just so confused by the ratings.
The author beats you over the head with the narration. He regularly gives away future plot points, leaving just a flat predictable line to follow. Having the narration jump from inner monologues of different characters in each paragraph is just confusing and never allows the reader to immerse themselves in the story.
The characters are all pretty 1-dimensional as well. Just repeating the same things without any real build up. Repetitive is another flaw: fight scenes, dialog, narration, Etc.. it is all just reused.
I am really confused about the ratings. I dislike being negative, and also don’t want other readers to feel like this is a must read.
The overall story line was mostly interesting. That’s about all I can. This is one of those books where I am just so confused by the ratings.
The author beats you over the head with the narration. He regularly gives away future plot points, leaving just a flat predictable line to follow. Having the narration jump from inner monologues of different characters in each paragraph is just confusing and never allows the reader to immerse themselves in the story.
The characters are all pretty 1-dimensional as well. Just repeating the same things without any real build up. Repetitive is another flaw: fight scenes, dialog, narration, Etc.. it is all just reused.
I am really confused about the ratings. I dislike being negative, and also don’t want other readers to feel like this is a must read.
October 30, 2025
Engaging, and enthralling. Very hard to put down.
Wacht does a fantastic job of making the reader connect with each character. I has some difficulty in the first few chapters deciding it I wanted to read about a slave was the Prime character. What hope did the have? Did I want to continually read what the has to say and think about being a slave? Wacht did a great job of avoiding this from happening over and over again. It's mentioned, but not to the point of being annoying. The one thing missing is a map. Many times, fantasy fiction writers create a map to give the reader the visual reference. It would be nice. In ready to continue with the next book, immediately.
Wacht does a fantastic job of making the reader connect with each character. I has some difficulty in the first few chapters deciding it I wanted to read about a slave was the Prime character. What hope did the have? Did I want to continually read what the has to say and think about being a slave? Wacht did a great job of avoiding this from happening over and over again. It's mentioned, but not to the point of being annoying. The one thing missing is a map. Many times, fantasy fiction writers create a map to give the reader the visual reference. It would be nice. In ready to continue with the next book, immediately.
March 18, 2023
I really liked this book. I got strong and silent hero from Bryen. I really liked his character and the way he handled things. The characters were 9/10. The battle scenes were cool and well written. The book hooked me early on. The ghoules were interesting and the descriptions were great. The magic in the book is cool and I was interested in it. The way different people perceive magic is always interesting to read about. I recommend for ages 13+. It can be a gory but not very much.
October 19, 2023
3.75 stars – I really like the idea behind this book, it was interesting and fairly well fleshed out. The writing style was a little different to what I’m used to – multiple POVs in a paragraph is sometimes a little hard to follow, and it makes the flow of the story seem less natural. Still going to read the next book and since this is a prequel to another series, currently planning to read that too. Interested to see where it goes!
September 13, 2024
Fan of magic-★
Fan of good vs evil-★
Fan of interesting characters-★
Fan of a great story-★
Fan of a well written book-★
First time reading Peter Wacht. I enjoyed the first book The Protector immensely. It was a quick read.
Those readers who wondered why the charcter looks older with gray hair...I wonder did you read the book🤷🏼♀️.
It you love fantasy books, magic, good vs evil...read it. You won't be disappointed!
Fan of good vs evil-★
Fan of interesting characters-★
Fan of a great story-★
Fan of a well written book-★
First time reading Peter Wacht. I enjoyed the first book The Protector immensely. It was a quick read.
Those readers who wondered why the charcter looks older with gray hair...I wonder did you read the book🤷🏼♀️.
It you love fantasy books, magic, good vs evil...read it. You won't be disappointed!
November 27, 2022
It could have been so good. The magic had been well thought out, the characters seemed fully formed and the pace of the story was decent. The biggest weakness however is the repetition. Ideas and phrases are repeated not only every chapter but often two or three times in the chapter. It left me skim reading hoping for better.
December 6, 2021
great introduction for a new series
I’ve recently completed the Sylvan chronicles from Peter Wacht. This first book is more polished than that series. Engaging characters, good read!
I’ve recently completed the Sylvan chronicles from Peter Wacht. This first book is more polished than that series. Engaging characters, good read!
December 13, 2021
Slave but protector, can the gladiator over come the control of evil?
With the talent and the Seventh Stone within him, our hero must decide their path forward for himself, the princess, and the world of man. Read on for his decision.
With the talent and the Seventh Stone within him, our hero must decide their path forward for himself, the princess, and the world of man. Read on for his decision.
December 30, 2021
Wonderfully written
This series is a must. A prequel series to the Sylvan Chronicles, this tells how it all began. Good writing, well developed characters, great story. I am anxiously waiting for book two to see how this story plays out.
This series is a must. A prequel series to the Sylvan Chronicles, this tells how it all began. Good writing, well developed characters, great story. I am anxiously waiting for book two to see how this story plays out.
February 9, 2022
Great
I really enjoyed this. Can't wait for the next book, already reserved it I spend a lot of time reading because of being disabled and books like this one help the time to pass.
I really enjoyed this. Can't wait for the next book, already reserved it I spend a lot of time reading because of being disabled and books like this one help the time to pass.
June 1, 2022
Hmmmm so far pretty good
Starting out I wasn't sure I was going to enjoy this book but now that I've finished it I am intrigued. I'll start reading the second book of the series and see how it goes. But so far its worth reading.
Starting out I wasn't sure I was going to enjoy this book but now that I've finished it I am intrigued. I'll start reading the second book of the series and see how it goes. But so far its worth reading.
January 12, 2024
4 stars. Pretty good book introducing an MC who is an ex-slave/ex-gladiator/forced "protector" of the daughter of a noble lord in political conflict with the king while war with a demon-like horde is brewing.
January 15, 2022
Wow
Once again my favorite author does not disappoint, a great book well written and a pleasure to read. Exciting and fast moving I enjoyed every aspect of this book.
Once again my favorite author does not disappoint, a great book well written and a pleasure to read. Exciting and fast moving I enjoyed every aspect of this book.
March 5, 2022
Very good story
A great mix of magic, danger, combat, good and evil, philosophy and morality, it is a story that mirrors our reality. I’m looking forward to the next books.
A great mix of magic, danger, combat, good and evil, philosophy and morality, it is a story that mirrors our reality. I’m looking forward to the next books.
March 22, 2022
Good book
I have read the series about the highlands and found it quite entertaining. Th next series Tales of Caledonia put perspective on that series.
I have read the series about the highlands and found it quite entertaining. Th next series Tales of Caledonia put perspective on that series.
March 27, 2022
Great
I like how you find out more of the main character in the last chapter! Just leaves you in suspence! Lots of action!!!
I like how you find out more of the main character in the last chapter! Just leaves you in suspence! Lots of action!!!
March 28, 2022
Very good book
Really good book kept me wanting to know what's going to happen next.sorry but anxious to find the next one.need to start reading again.thanks for a great book..
Really good book kept me wanting to know what's going to happen next.sorry but anxious to find the next one.need to start reading again.thanks for a great book..
April 18, 2022
Sorry this just moves to slow and is a bit boring for me.
September 18, 2022
The slave not only accepts his own enslavement, he actively supports his slaver by training his guards, etc...
January 24, 2023
Great book
Great book I can't wait to read the next book in the series I would recommend this author to anyone
Great book I can't wait to read the next book in the series I would recommend this author to anyone
February 5, 2023
Childish but quite a fun read.
July 27, 2023
4.25 / 5
January 24, 2024
Great for people who are really into fantasy.
November 24, 2025
Good characters and character building. Needs more world building.
February 5, 2022
fun read
Buen comienzo, acotado número de protagonistas que espero aumente con el desarrollo de la historia.
La pareja principal es muy interesante, aún muy escasas interacciones entre ellos, espero que esto también se desarrolle con El Progreso de la trama
Buen comienzo, acotado número de protagonistas que espero aumente con el desarrollo de la historia.
La pareja principal es muy interesante, aún muy escasas interacciones entre ellos, espero que esto también se desarrolle con El Progreso de la trama
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews