Reviews
Lots of planning and intrigue ~ Anonymous ~ Barnes & Noble
This is a speculative fiction thriller set 300 years in the future. Lots of planning and intrigue. The story moves quickly and it keeps the reader wondering what could happen next. Lots of strong characters. This book has nothing to do with space exploration -- it's a futurist thriller with a bright university professor who gets into the 'thick of things.'
Long over-due ~ Joel Andre ~ Author of "A Death at the North Pole" ~ Amazon
I purchased this book a year ago, and have read it twice. To be honest, the first time I read the book, I simply read it on an entertainment level. Not to say it was a mindless read, rather I was looking for something to entertain me, and this was a very good thriller to do so.
There are some lows and highs to the book as is typical with mainstream fiction. When I first read the book, the references to actual events in history made it seem like he was trying to add realism to the book in a way to offset the world he had created. However, the second time reading it, I realized that there was more of a focus on how these events shaped the world he created. It is very brilliantly done.
If you are going to read The Scoloderus Conspiracy don't do it in the same vein that I did. Read it and actually understand what you are reading. While it provides a great read to scan over and enjoy the story. What is behind it is a brilliant concept that shouldn't be ignored. Very exceptional work.
Great read! ~ Benjamin Blue ~ Author of Storm Killer ~ Amazon
The Scoloderus Conspiracy has, what at first appears to be, one plot that slowly evolves to multiple plot within plots.
Just when you think you have it all figured out, the author throws you a curve and makes you want to read more just to figure what the real objective of the "bad guys" plan is. The ending twists your view as to who the really "bad guys" are.
My hat is off to David Blankinship for a well written, well-paced literary effort. I look forward to more from this author.
I couldn't put it down ~ Murl T. Bringle ~ Amazon
If a book doesn't hold my attention I simply won't finish it. I read this book over a weekend! I couldn't put it down, and when I just had to I found myself hurrying to return to it. It absolutely captures your attention. You'll be amazed at the stunning nuances unfolding and unfolding.
TeensReadToo.com review ~ Candace Cunard ~ TeensReadToo
It’s been more than three-hundred years since a series of natural disasters destroyed the Earth we know and plunged the world into chaos, but despite the efforts of many to rebuild civilization, peace and stability are slow in coming.
In the Northern Hemisphere, the major power of the United Americas Trade Federation (UATF) has consolidated information from the time before the cataclysm and used these rediscovered pieces of Earth’s history to attempt to create order out of chaos. Their plan is unification, but they’re opposed by a group known as the Libre Voyageurs, known colloquially as the LV, and a war breaks out between the two camps over who will control North America.
The story kicks off when Colonel Hammond, leader of a team of UATF Shadow Warriors deployed in combat against the LV, is kidnapped in a surprise attack upon his camp that wounds many of his soldiers and leaves Captain Marcus as the officer in charge. Now, Marcus must handle the investigation into the reason for Hammond’s disappearance, before he can be made to reveal important military secrets to the Libre Voyageurs that could compromise the UATF’s precarious position in the war.
Although many of the primary characters in this novel are soldiers, the focus of the delicately-constructed, ever-twisting plot is upon the strategic games that the UATF and the LV are playing. Rather than being solely about the physical battlefield, the conflict operates simultaneously on the levels of traditional warfare and conspiratorial mind-games. It’s this balance that gives the book its drive.
Although the large cast of characters and number of intersecting storylines may lead the reader to some confusion at the beginning, the story that does establish itself is one that will keep you on your toes until the very end.
Couldn't wait to keep reading ~ J. Elliott ~ Amazon
The Scoloderus Conspiracy is a twisting turning story I couldn't wait to keep reading. References throughout to "historical" events build a world of the future with the depth of the past. You find yourself wound up in the lives of the people who are struggling to keep hold of their world in the face of attack.
Ellen M. George ~ Amazon Top Reviewer ~ Authors Den Reviewer ~ Amazon
I do not usually enjoy books or movies about war. When I was reading The Scoloderus Conspiracy, I realized, the conflict described in this book is Universal. War is war, hate is hate. No matter 300 years in the future or current day.
Universal.
Dave Blankinship has written an intriguing story with poignant overtones for everyone...even those of us who don't like to think of it. You see, we screwed up the world. (again) Three hundred years after that cataclysmic event, the world is being fought over again. In what was North America, the ruling force is The United Americas Trade Federation. In direct conflict with the Federation is the Libre Voyaguers, guerilla type warriors who want to overthrow the Federation.
Colonel Anthony Hammond of the Federation, was one of the brains of a particularly nasty weapons project, code named The Spider Project (or in Latin, the Scoloderus Project). His unit is attacked by the Libre Voyaguers and although there are many casualties, the colonel is simply missing. He is part of an elaborate plan to have him tell the Libre elite the final pieces of the puzzle of this great weapon, and they have stopped at nothing to make that work.
The Federation taps a brilliant professor, a civilian, Taylor, who is a whiz at analyzing and assessing to help in the search for the colonel. The events to unravel the conspiracy and see what war and conflicts breed, is absolutely riveting. It is like Spy vs Spy vs Spy... you don't know who is in the right, who is telling the truth.
Kind of like real war.
There are frightening references to the distant past, where characters marvel at things from the old (pre-Federation era) that show how the world has lost so much because of never ending conflict.
Mr. Blankinship writes crisply and delivers a book that only encompasses the events of three days, but shows what few actions can truly change the war. An excellent read.
I found it hard to put down ~ linsleo ~ LibraryThing
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and it has found a place on my favorites shelf. It's filled with one conspiracy after another and will keep the reader thinking throughout the book. I found it hard to put down. Blankinship engages the reader in such a way that you can envision the possibilities of the events. What a compliment to this writer. The characters are strong and intelligent. Since the story is grounded in the actions of the military, there is a strong sense of leadership, chains of command and putting one's life on the line for family and country. Even enlisting the help of a member of the academia in the story added that extra touch of intelligentsia.
An entertaining read, and begs for a sequel ~ Jeremy O’Kelly ~ LibraryThing
Though this book could be classified as sci-fi, speculative, or post-apocalyptic fiction, readers who are not fans of these genres should NOT avoid this book! The story takes place in North America some 300 years following a cataclysm, but the society portrayed is very similar to our own - and requires little suspension of disbelief for the non-sci-fi reader.
The characters are engaging, and the pace is compelling. I read few books in one sitting, but didn't put this down until the last page was turned. The foreshadowing tips the author’s hand on a few points, but the story has enough twists to keep any reader guessing. The conclusion is no exception, and leaves the reader plenty to consider once the book is done.
An entertaining read, and begs for a sequel.
Difficult to lay down ~ Cheri Peine ~ Amazon
Even though this is not the type of book I typically read, I found this book difficult to lay down. I could not wait to get back to it and follow the characters described in the story. The plot just drew you in and held your attention from beginning to end. A sequel to this book would definitely be a must read for me.
A book for everyone ~ Ruger Gal ~ Amazon
I accidentally enjoyed this book! My husband, a sci-fi enthusiast, kept after me to read this book. As a rule, I avoid science fiction/futurist books and I only enjoy a good thriller when I care about the characters. So this book was a very pleasant surprise. Even now, I wonder what became of the characters after the end of the book. I do not believe that any one of the "tags" associated with this book can do it justice. However, I guess that does sort of show that this is a book for all types of people. There are multiple levels at which you can understand the book, its characters, and what it says about society and government. This story is an excellent choice for book discussion clubs. The story can lead to very spirited discussions for any group - novice to deep, deep thinkers!
It’s a keeper! ~ Serial Bus ~ Amazon
The Scoloderus Conspiracy occurs a few hundred years in earth’s future. It is a time when a single mega-government — led by a very savvy grandmother — runs everything and people either become good citizens or fight the system.
The story begins with a military unit at night. The “shadow warriors” have been fighting rebel soldiers for weeks and you get the clear message that the colonel running the show is suspicious about what’s been happening. Without giving away too much of the story, all hell breaks loose and utter chaos ensues. The author must have served in the military, he nails the bureaucratic gibberish that leaves a newbie captain struggling with what to do and when to do it (and I speak with years of experience on that point).
There are more than two dozen characters in this story: soldiers, civilians, politicians, a professor, and of course the really bad guys. The plot unfolds continuously and every chapter introduces a new twist to the story or starts to make you doubt your own assumptions about where it is all heading. The ending surprised me completely; no one will see it coming, yet it makes perfect sense.
One reviewer wrote that the professor in the story reminded him of Sherlock Holmes, I think that’s a great description.
Perhaps the most curious thing about this book is the language. When you get to the end, you realize here is a book about the military, a story about ruthless and often despicable people, and there wasn’t even one curse word. [All right, I didn’t notice that by myself, I read it in the author’s interview on Author’s Den.] This book would be great for any junior or senior high student, and it raises some very interesting issues that we should all consider.
It’s a keeper.
...an intriguing thriller with a mind-bending plot ~ Chris Slavens ~ LibraryThing
Welcome to the 24th century. More than three hundred years have passed since civilization was destroyed by a week-long global cataclysm, and the United Americas Trade Federation (UATF) has emerged from the wreckage as the most powerful force in North America, armed with superior knowledge and technology recovered from archival vaults. The dominant culture is largely unaltered, and the post-apocalyptic society governed by the UATF is remarkably similar to the one that preceded it. But not all are content.
The Libre Voyageurs do not recognize UATF authority, and are waging a war against those they believe to be tyrants. Passion and ingenuity more than make up for what they lack in numbers and technology.
When Colonel Anthony Hammond, commanding officer of the UATF 7th Shadow Warrior Battalion, mysteriously disappears from camp during a nighttime battle, and his wife and daughter go missing in Icaria, no one knows what the Libre Voyageurs are up to. Will interrogate Hammond? Torture him and his family? Kill them? Only the brilliant Professor Allen Taylor can unravel the layers of deception in a daring conspiracy being carried out after years of careful planning. Readers won't know who to trust as he and UATF officers rely on deductive reasoning to track down LV infiltrators and find their way to the center of a web of deceit that is more complex than they first imagine.
The Scoloderus Conspiracy is an intriguing thriller with a mind-bending plot, believable characters, and plenty of action. Once ensnared by the mystery, readers won't want to put this book down.
3 of 27 people reported this review is helpful
General Missing ~ Daniel Chisholm (Mesa, AZ) ~ LibraryThing (erase this)
Military base attacked mysteriously in the night. General missing, possibly dead. Rebels leaving cryptic messages while the military, a genius professor, and the leader of the country try to figure out what to do.
Good military style book with multiple twists and turns. However, much of the minor foreshadowing was either predictable or made mention of by the characters. Didn't see the final twist until it happened, so I was pleasantly surprised.
Publisher's Comment on Daniel Chisholm's Review
Barred Owl Publishing gave Daniel Chisholm a free copy of Scoloderus though the LibraryThing Giveaway Program. We would like to point out the following:
The nighttime attack was on the 7th Shadow Warrior’s camp, the Army’s base is in Icaria (re: “Military base attacked mysteriously in the night”).
The book has two generals: General Leland and Brigadier General Garcia. Neither of these men are ever missing in the story (re: “General missing, possibly dead”). The Colonel who was abducted, the principal character in the book, is mentioned -- by name -- 510 times in the 352 pages of the book.
Reader's comments reflect the opinions of individuals and do not represent the position or policy of D. A. Blankinship, Barred Owl Publishing, or Ten Par Inc.
Reader's Comments
How can someone read a book, pretend he understood it and then not know who the main character is? Doesn't LibraryThing have standards?
LibraryThing is not a reviewing website. It is a book cataloguing site for personal libraries. LibraryThing would not censor freedom of speech and Chisholm's review is his own opinion and that's what an author must accept if she or he gives away books. I dare you to post this on your website!
Publisher's Note: Barred Owl Publishing values freedom of speech and we only censor language that is not appropriate for all ages.
2 of 38 people reported this review is helpful
Less-than-thrilling thriller ~ Jacob P. Silvia (Houston, TX) ~ LibraryThing (erase this)
In this futuristic less-than-thrilling thriller, we meet the UATF, and their mortal enemies, the so-called terrorists, the Libre Voyageurs. The plot, wrapped around a conspiracy or two, one of which is the eponymous one.
I found the pseudo-futuristic setting unnecessary, as the events could have conceivably happened in any contemporary or not-too-distant-future thriller. I also found the way certain characters act at times to be only for the purpose of furthering the suspense. That is, when they're not discussing the plot to make sure that the slow reader can follow along with what's happened so far, or, even worse, to explain the mystery through dialogue, instead of revealing it through events. Quite a let down for all the built up suspense.
The Scoloderus Conspiracy could have been a good book. It had the right physiology to be one. However, some literary mutation happened along the way to prevent it from living up to its true potential. I'd say that this book could be improved upon by replacing most of the chatter with more action. Just my opinion, though.
Reader's comments reflect the opinions of individuals and do not represent the position or policy of Barred Owl Publishing or Ten Par Inc.
Reader's Comments
He didn't get it; why didn't he stop reading and save us all the bother of reading his arrogant review?
What a dumb ****. This is a good example of how the education system is not working. Kids graduate with attitude and no aptitude.
Scoloderus is not for everyone. Silvia should stick to comic books for the action and adventure he is craving.
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