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Magnificent Bastards: A War's Edge Standalone Novel (Berserkers)
A kick-ass mercenary creature-feature romp, Magnificent Bastards may be the bug book to end all bug books. Aslesen masterfully blends the conflicting elements of fast paced plotting and powerful suspense into steel hard “you are there" prose. -Nate Timberlake, Captain USAF
Desol…
Most Berserkers have never heard of the tiny planetoid, a barren and inhospitable wasteland on the edge of the outer rim. The platoon of tankers stationed there wished they’d never seen the place. Hostile miners resent the Berserker presence, and the bored troopers have nothing to do but drink and fight.
Corporal Jake Murray is one of the best gravtank commanders in the Berserkers, but he’s also an undisciplined, unrepentant troublemaker. Banished to Desol for insubordination, Murray finds himself surrounded by a host of similar malcontents and burnouts counting down the final days of their contract. Desperate for action, Corporal Murray just wants to get in his tank and kill something, only there’s nothing to shoot.
That all changes when workers at a remote drill site fail to report in. Sent to investigate, Murray and his comrades find themselves pitted against a horrific enemy the likes none of them have ever encountered. Facing a gigantic swarm of alien creatures that threaten to annihilate the entire settlement, the mercenaries find themselves fighting for more than just credits.
Part of the Berserkers series, Magnificent Bastards is a thrilling stand-alone novel set in the gritty War's Edge universe.
This book contains graphic violence, profanity, and sexual content. It is intended for a mature audience. Reader discretion is advised.
Desol…
Most Berserkers have never heard of the tiny planetoid, a barren and inhospitable wasteland on the edge of the outer rim. The platoon of tankers stationed there wished they’d never seen the place. Hostile miners resent the Berserker presence, and the bored troopers have nothing to do but drink and fight.
Corporal Jake Murray is one of the best gravtank commanders in the Berserkers, but he’s also an undisciplined, unrepentant troublemaker. Banished to Desol for insubordination, Murray finds himself surrounded by a host of similar malcontents and burnouts counting down the final days of their contract. Desperate for action, Corporal Murray just wants to get in his tank and kill something, only there’s nothing to shoot.
That all changes when workers at a remote drill site fail to report in. Sent to investigate, Murray and his comrades find themselves pitted against a horrific enemy the likes none of them have ever encountered. Facing a gigantic swarm of alien creatures that threaten to annihilate the entire settlement, the mercenaries find themselves fighting for more than just credits.
Part of the Berserkers series, Magnificent Bastards is a thrilling stand-alone novel set in the gritty War's Edge universe.
This book contains graphic violence, profanity, and sexual content. It is intended for a mature audience. Reader discretion is advised.
280 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 3, 2023
About the author
Ryan W. Aslesen
42 books75 followersRyan Aslesen is a bestselling author based out of Las Vegas, Nevada. He is a former Marine officer, veteran of the War on Terror, and a graduate of Presentation College and American Military University. His military and work experience have made him one of the premier writers of military science fiction and fantasy. His bestselling Crucible and War's Edge series are highly regarded for their authenticity, explosive action, and military realism. When not writing or out protecting the world, you will find him spending quality time with his family.
Get a free ebook and sign up to receive exclusive content and updates at: www.ryanaslesen.com
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
February 6, 2025
A PMC soldier with, let’s call them “authority issues” is sent to a backwater world and joins a unit that seems not to have much important to do. I’m hesitant to say much about the plot, but as might be expected, things become more complicated. The resolution of that plot was not what I expected, but it worked well given the circumstances.
The characters were not the usual sort in a military fiction piece, but they rang true to my experiences with junior enlisted personnel. The antagonist characters were rather cliched – not incompetent military commanders, the other cliché.
The setting was drawn fairly well, though it wasn’t fascinatingly weird, being pretty much an inhospitable, cold ball of rock with very limited atmosphere. From our limited understanding of the types of planets to be found in the universe, that’s entirely reasonable.
I didn’t love this book, but I respect what the author did with it. If you’re looking for something out of the ordinary in military SF, this might be a good choice.
The characters were not the usual sort in a military fiction piece, but they rang true to my experiences with junior enlisted personnel. The antagonist characters were rather cliched – not incompetent military commanders, the other cliché.
The setting was drawn fairly well, though it wasn’t fascinatingly weird, being pretty much an inhospitable, cold ball of rock with very limited atmosphere. From our limited understanding of the types of planets to be found in the universe, that’s entirely reasonable.
I didn’t love this book, but I respect what the author did with it. If you’re looking for something out of the ordinary in military SF, this might be a good choice.
November 18, 2023
The Birkenhead Drill
A tale of redemption and punishment. It is interesting how similar they appear from the outside. It is also funny how the gifted must learn how to properly apply their skills.
A tale of redemption and punishment. It is interesting how similar they appear from the outside. It is also funny how the gifted must learn how to properly apply their skills.
November 27, 2023
What an ending!
Magnificent Bastards indeed! If you want a story that puts you in the middle of the action...this is the story for you. I'll never look at Ant Hill the same way again!!
Magnificent Bastards indeed! If you want a story that puts you in the middle of the action...this is the story for you. I'll never look at Ant Hill the same way again!!
January 17, 2024
I had doubts about the book
But it didn't resort to the last hero would get out or the least deserving would. A real life type ending.
But it didn't resort to the last hero would get out or the least deserving would. A real life type ending.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews