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Proven Valor: A War's Edge Standalone Novel (Berserkers)
How far would you go to save a friend?
After spearheading the charge to end a bloody civil war on Boreas-4, the Berserkers of Anvil Company expect some rest. Their battle-scarred commander, Captain Ron Axel, knows better. Hard experience has taught him that victory only brings more battles. His instincts are confirmed when, Lieutenant Colonel Tory Jamison, a ghost from his past, orders Anvil to the sharp end once more, tasked with delivering the final blow to the Karakan Defense Forces.
Thrust into the unexpected role of regimental commander, Jamison shoulders the weight of the campaign’s success. She places her hopes on their sluggish ally, the United Federated States, to step up and ensure a decisive victory. Instead, when the final offensive begins, her Berserkers are falling while the UFS forces are MIA.
Trapped in a decimated urban hellscape, Anvil Company is barely holding against relentless waves of enemy grunts and armor. To save his men from certain annihilation, Axel must lead them on their most perilous mission yet. As the bodies pile up on the front lines, Jamison wages her own battle in the command center against their dubious ally—ready to escalate a war of words into something far more dangerous. Confronted with overwhelming odds and treacherous alliances, the bonds of duty and friendship are pushed to their breaking point.
From USA Today Bestseller Ryan W. Aslesen comes an epic military sci-fi story that plunges readers into the chaos and intensity of futuristic warfare, where every decision could mean life or death.
Proven Valor is not just a tale of survival; it's a story of sacrifice, loyalty, and the true cost of war. Part of the critically acclaimed Berserkers series, Proven Valor is a thrilling standalone novel set in the gritty War's Edge universe. If you're a fan of Hammer's Slammers, Old Man's War, or Starship Troopers, this is the book for you.
This book contains graphic violence, profanity, and sexual content. It is intended for a mature audience. Reader discretion is advised.
After spearheading the charge to end a bloody civil war on Boreas-4, the Berserkers of Anvil Company expect some rest. Their battle-scarred commander, Captain Ron Axel, knows better. Hard experience has taught him that victory only brings more battles. His instincts are confirmed when, Lieutenant Colonel Tory Jamison, a ghost from his past, orders Anvil to the sharp end once more, tasked with delivering the final blow to the Karakan Defense Forces.
Thrust into the unexpected role of regimental commander, Jamison shoulders the weight of the campaign’s success. She places her hopes on their sluggish ally, the United Federated States, to step up and ensure a decisive victory. Instead, when the final offensive begins, her Berserkers are falling while the UFS forces are MIA.
Trapped in a decimated urban hellscape, Anvil Company is barely holding against relentless waves of enemy grunts and armor. To save his men from certain annihilation, Axel must lead them on their most perilous mission yet. As the bodies pile up on the front lines, Jamison wages her own battle in the command center against their dubious ally—ready to escalate a war of words into something far more dangerous. Confronted with overwhelming odds and treacherous alliances, the bonds of duty and friendship are pushed to their breaking point.
From USA Today Bestseller Ryan W. Aslesen comes an epic military sci-fi story that plunges readers into the chaos and intensity of futuristic warfare, where every decision could mean life or death.
Proven Valor is not just a tale of survival; it's a story of sacrifice, loyalty, and the true cost of war. Part of the critically acclaimed Berserkers series, Proven Valor is a thrilling standalone novel set in the gritty War's Edge universe. If you're a fan of Hammer's Slammers, Old Man's War, or Starship Troopers, this is the book for you.
This book contains graphic violence, profanity, and sexual content. It is intended for a mature audience. Reader discretion is advised.
447 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 3, 2024
35 people are currently reading
2 people want to read
About the author
Ryan W. Aslesen
36 books71 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 - 2 of 2 reviews
January 3, 2026
This book bills itself as a "Standalone Novel". And it can definitely be read that way. But when you keep writing "standalone" books about the same people that reference events in previous books, at some point, I think you have to call it a series.
The series is very much in the mold of Drake's "Hammer's Slammers" series, following the exploits of a mercenary company on a series of contracts. And as with the Slammers, Anvil company seems to run into nothing but untrustworthy contracting entities. (I would definitely begin to question the competency of whoever is signing the contracts for the Berserkers.)
The action here is nonstop and its written by someone who does military fiction very well. My only complaint on the plot and pacing side is that an occasional break might make the action more impactful.
Of the protagonists, only the company commander and battalion commander are really fleshed out. That said, the views we get of the other supporting characters are varied and believable. The antagonists are mostly faceless evil, which is reasonable for a view from one side of a battlefield.
The book offers a particularly grim view of future warfare, at least for a mercenary unit, but if you can handle the ugliness and don't mind nonstop combat, this is done very well. Recommended.
The series is very much in the mold of Drake's "Hammer's Slammers" series, following the exploits of a mercenary company on a series of contracts. And as with the Slammers, Anvil company seems to run into nothing but untrustworthy contracting entities. (I would definitely begin to question the competency of whoever is signing the contracts for the Berserkers.)
The action here is nonstop and its written by someone who does military fiction very well. My only complaint on the plot and pacing side is that an occasional break might make the action more impactful.
Of the protagonists, only the company commander and battalion commander are really fleshed out. That said, the views we get of the other supporting characters are varied and believable. The antagonists are mostly faceless evil, which is reasonable for a view from one side of a battlefield.
The book offers a particularly grim view of future warfare, at least for a mercenary unit, but if you can handle the ugliness and don't mind nonstop combat, this is done very well. Recommended.
January 22, 2025
High energyy,soul draining non-stop action. Reading just one book let alone the series gives you a glimpse behind that 1000 yard stare you sometimes see in any Vet that’s been there and done that.
The faces will always be there.All one can do is stand shoulder to shoulder with your brother and do your damndest to keep from adding to the faces. Another great quill pusher that knows how to take you there.
Thanks, and keep on keeping on.
The faces will always be there.All one can do is stand shoulder to shoulder with your brother and do your damndest to keep from adding to the faces. Another great quill pusher that knows how to take you there.
Thanks, and keep on keeping on.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews