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Crucible #0.5
Crucible
The War on Terror provides the backdrop for the thriller that introduces the roots of ultimate antihero, Max Ahlgren.
Captain Max Ahlgren is proud to be one of the first team commanders in the Marine Corps' nascent MARSOC detachment. Finally, the Corps' elite warriors are working alongside those of other branches, battling insurgents, not on the front lines but behind them.
After his first mission, however, Max learns he will be replaced as team commander. The new commander, Major Whitbeck, comes from 8th and Marine Barracks, Washington DC. His late father, a revered general, died in a terrorist car bombing. The commander is in Afghanistan for vengeance - and redemption. When the team infiltrates the ancient desert fortress of Kazindrak, hunting an elusive Al-Qaeda terrorist, Whitbeck reveals his ineptitude in combat.
Max's fury grows as the body count rises. When the actual nature of the mission is revealed, Max gets a good look at the sordid underbelly of the War on Terror and sees firsthand what monsters men can become. If he is to survive, however, he may have no choice but to become one. Sometimes the greatest enemy is within.
Crucible is the prequel book in the gripping Crucible military thriller series. If you like hardcore action, unflinching heroes, and dark twists, then you'll love this riveting page-turner.
Pick up your copy and get in the fight today!
This book contains graphic violence, profanity, and sexual content. It is intended for a mature audience.
Captain Max Ahlgren is proud to be one of the first team commanders in the Marine Corps' nascent MARSOC detachment. Finally, the Corps' elite warriors are working alongside those of other branches, battling insurgents, not on the front lines but behind them.
After his first mission, however, Max learns he will be replaced as team commander. The new commander, Major Whitbeck, comes from 8th and Marine Barracks, Washington DC. His late father, a revered general, died in a terrorist car bombing. The commander is in Afghanistan for vengeance - and redemption. When the team infiltrates the ancient desert fortress of Kazindrak, hunting an elusive Al-Qaeda terrorist, Whitbeck reveals his ineptitude in combat.
Max's fury grows as the body count rises. When the actual nature of the mission is revealed, Max gets a good look at the sordid underbelly of the War on Terror and sees firsthand what monsters men can become. If he is to survive, however, he may have no choice but to become one. Sometimes the greatest enemy is within.
Crucible is the prequel book in the gripping Crucible military thriller series. If you like hardcore action, unflinching heroes, and dark twists, then you'll love this riveting page-turner.
Pick up your copy and get in the fight today!
This book contains graphic violence, profanity, and sexual content. It is intended for a mature audience.
85 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 15, 2018
About the author
Ryan W. Aslesen
42 books74 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 - 20 of 20 reviews
November 27, 2021
I’m A Lover Of Violence!
What else can I say? Might as well admit it. The pleasure that I got from reading this book, which is filled with violence, should make me ashamed of myself. But it doesn’t. Umm umm. Nope.
Max Ahlgren and his team are sent on a secret mission. A black ops, I think we call it. He is definitely competent, but the loser put in charge isn’t.
Their bumbling leader causes a major SNAFU. Of an eight man operation, half are killed, two are injured and Captain Loser (one of the survivors), is eager to file assault charges.
Could things get worse for Ahlgren? Yep!
What else can I say? Might as well admit it. The pleasure that I got from reading this book, which is filled with violence, should make me ashamed of myself. But it doesn’t. Umm umm. Nope.
Max Ahlgren and his team are sent on a secret mission. A black ops, I think we call it. He is definitely competent, but the loser put in charge isn’t.
Their bumbling leader causes a major SNAFU. Of an eight man operation, half are killed, two are injured and Captain Loser (one of the survivors), is eager to file assault charges.
Could things get worse for Ahlgren? Yep!
March 29, 2022
Pretty sick short book but entertaining.
July 19, 2021
"Crucible: A Max Ahlgren Story" is a 2018 novella prequel to "Existential." It relates an important episode from earlier in Max's career, when he is still in the U.S. military. I would wait to read "Crucible" until after you have read "Existential."
In the book "Existential," we are introduced to a very complex protaganist, Max Ahlgren, who has many past experiences that have left him jaded and having to deal with a multiplicity of inner demons. "Existential" hints a little bit at Max's past, but leaves you wondering at where all he has been and what he's seen. "Crucible" will give you a short but poignant look at an experience that becomes a turning point for Max, an experience that is rather depressing, disheartening, and gruesome. Author Ryan Aslesen--himself a vet--crafts a short tale that comes across as very realistic but also incredibly jaded. Frankly, it does not make the military look good and is a tough story to get through, but it is worth it to read if you are interested in getting some backstory on a most interesting fictional character, or have some interest in an inside (though cynical) account of the War on Terror.
I give the story 5 stars not because it's a fun read, but because it is well-crafted, riveting, and doesn't sugar coat an important era of the U.S. military. It also serves as a clarion call to action, one that indicates that the system needs help.
In the book "Existential," we are introduced to a very complex protaganist, Max Ahlgren, who has many past experiences that have left him jaded and having to deal with a multiplicity of inner demons. "Existential" hints a little bit at Max's past, but leaves you wondering at where all he has been and what he's seen. "Crucible" will give you a short but poignant look at an experience that becomes a turning point for Max, an experience that is rather depressing, disheartening, and gruesome. Author Ryan Aslesen--himself a vet--crafts a short tale that comes across as very realistic but also incredibly jaded. Frankly, it does not make the military look good and is a tough story to get through, but it is worth it to read if you are interested in getting some backstory on a most interesting fictional character, or have some interest in an inside (though cynical) account of the War on Terror.
I give the story 5 stars not because it's a fun read, but because it is well-crafted, riveting, and doesn't sugar coat an important era of the U.S. military. It also serves as a clarion call to action, one that indicates that the system needs help.
June 22, 2018
Sorry
There are 2 good possiblities here. This is the work of a man who experienced too much combat and gone off the edge. Or a man how has seen none and wishes he did because he believes it to be glorious. If you're a combat veteran this will leave you discussed. If you're an immature, delusional fool you may enjoy it. God help you if you do.
There are 2 good possiblities here. This is the work of a man who experienced too much combat and gone off the edge. Or a man how has seen none and wishes he did because he believes it to be glorious. If you're a combat veteran this will leave you discussed. If you're an immature, delusional fool you may enjoy it. God help you if you do.
March 26, 2021
This turned out much better than I thought and right off the top I do highly recommend this author and narrator. The story is well written and told you are brought into the story from the beginning to the end and in the end you find to are rooting for the main character then you have a major surprise that make you want to learn more.
Being ex military and even in normal life you meet or work for your boss who thinks that they are better than you and will do whatever they want to achieve their goal and the worst of this kind of incident is when you are in the military and overseas. This series so far starts overseas and you follow a major who is liked very much by his commander and the men under him. He finds he being replaced by a wet behind the ears major who has a bad attitude, thinks he above everyone and he knows all just because he a son of a general. His goal is not to work up to the point like his father but try and get it free just because of his name no matter what it cost. Before now his father had covered up his involvement in a complete platoon being wiped out in Iran by demoting him and moving to warehouse duty shortly after that his father killed it said by terrorists but as you listen you find out that may not be true. Now to the present after arriving he giving a quad of men to kill the person who was suppose to have killed his father but instead he gets most of the quad killed by his actions in a black ops mission.
To see what happens after I hope will check the series out and enjoy it as much as me.
Being ex military and even in normal life you meet or work for your boss who thinks that they are better than you and will do whatever they want to achieve their goal and the worst of this kind of incident is when you are in the military and overseas. This series so far starts overseas and you follow a major who is liked very much by his commander and the men under him. He finds he being replaced by a wet behind the ears major who has a bad attitude, thinks he above everyone and he knows all just because he a son of a general. His goal is not to work up to the point like his father but try and get it free just because of his name no matter what it cost. Before now his father had covered up his involvement in a complete platoon being wiped out in Iran by demoting him and moving to warehouse duty shortly after that his father killed it said by terrorists but as you listen you find out that may not be true. Now to the present after arriving he giving a quad of men to kill the person who was suppose to have killed his father but instead he gets most of the quad killed by his actions in a black ops mission.
To see what happens after I hope will check the series out and enjoy it as much as me.
August 5, 2021
This was a quick novella introducing us to our main character (Max Ahlgren) and how a top secret black ops mission changes his life. I listened to this on Audible with narration by Jeffrey Kafer who was good in reading this book. The story was short with minimal side character development is minimal but is not nonexistent which is nice in a short novella. The main protagonist is well defined and the antagonist is fleshed out to a point where the reader is ready to kill him just like the other characters in the book. While this may not be a true picture of special forces, warfare, and/or the consequences of mistakes it was well written and enjoyable. The character of Major Ahlgren is intriguing enough that I will proceed with the next book in the series before making a final decision on whether to continue this series.
May 15, 2021
Captain Max Ahlgren is relieved to second in command of his elite Marine MARSOC team when Major Whitbeck, an egotistic nepotism recipient from his Marine General father, and not having any combat experience, is flown in from Washington with a Top Secret mission. Tensions run high as none of Max’s team trust this impostor and fear he may get them all killed on this dangerous mission. As the mission progresses their fears are well-founded. Surprisingly, after the mission, the situation goes from bad to worse. Max finds himself in a desperate position with no apparent way out or any help forthcoming. What to do?
November 26, 2019
Action plus
I really enjoyed the characters, in all their guts,glory and flaws. The description of the war zone made you feel like you understand a little more about the men and the things they are called on to do. I so wanted to smack one of the chaps into the next crossfire battle it wasn't funny. A great read that finished way, way too soon.
I really enjoyed the characters, in all their guts,glory and flaws. The description of the war zone made you feel like you understand a little more about the men and the things they are called on to do. I so wanted to smack one of the chaps into the next crossfire battle it wasn't funny. A great read that finished way, way too soon.
March 12, 2018
I just finished "Existential" and "Crucible" and oh my gosh, what a great ride! They were both fast paced and very exciting.
I certainly hope there is another one. I can't bear to think I wouldn't get find out more about Max.
WOW!!
Highly recommend!
I certainly hope there is another one. I can't bear to think I wouldn't get find out more about Max.
WOW!!
Highly recommend!
May 12, 2019
THE BEGINNING OF MAX ALGHREN
This book is short but told us who Max Alghreen was and why his past got in the middle. Is more revealing but a good example that life isn't always what we saw or heard
This book is short but told us who Max Alghreen was and why his past got in the middle. Is more revealing but a good example that life isn't always what we saw or heard
October 17, 2018
Average read
Only gave it a three was an average read
The storyline was average
I need to read the fist book to see what the storyline is like
Only gave it a three was an average read
The storyline was average
I need to read the fist book to see what the storyline is like
January 31, 2021
short read but a good story.
March 2, 2021
Novella, interesting start to a series
Good enough to get me to pony up the money for the first book of the series, hope the author keeps it lively
Good enough to get me to pony up the money for the first book of the series, hope the author keeps it lively
November 18, 2021
Really good start to an awesome series.
October 29, 2023
Great quick read s an intro to a series. I am stoked for the rest of it.
August 16, 2022
This is not my typical genre of book but was recommended to me by a friend. All I can say is WOW!! I can’t wait to read the next book. The characters had such great depth and the the twists were awesome.
May 8, 2020
Muy interesante el pasado de Max y explica muchas cosas de lo que he leído hasta ahora.
October 6, 2022
Not bad
Not great.. somewhere in the middle. It was a very generic military tale but the ending was good. The characters were flat and one note.
Not great.. somewhere in the middle. It was a very generic military tale but the ending was good. The characters were flat and one note.
June 11, 2023
Crucible is a short story (maybe novella) set-up for Aslesen's Max Ahlgren series. It bears Aslesen's signature fast-paced and brutal action.
May 5, 2018
This is a good start to Max Ahlgren's story
CRUCIBLE is a story that is the start of Max Ahlgren's saga, told in detail in the novel EXISTENTIAL, which I will be reading next.
Captain Max Ahlgren is proud to be one of the first team commanders in the Marine Corps’ MARSOC (Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command) detachment.
It is 2006 in Afghanistan and an inexperienced Commander, Major Whitbeck, is brought in to lead a Black Ops Top Secret Mission.
Captain Ahlgren had heard rumors about the Major and none of them were good. So he wasn't surprised when the mission went south - TARFUN.
Great believable military action sequences and larger than life characters made this an exciting read.
CRUCIBLE is a story that is the start of Max Ahlgren's saga, told in detail in the novel EXISTENTIAL, which I will be reading next.
Captain Max Ahlgren is proud to be one of the first team commanders in the Marine Corps’ MARSOC (Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command) detachment.
It is 2006 in Afghanistan and an inexperienced Commander, Major Whitbeck, is brought in to lead a Black Ops Top Secret Mission.
Captain Ahlgren had heard rumors about the Major and none of them were good. So he wasn't surprised when the mission went south - TARFUN.
Great believable military action sequences and larger than life characters made this an exciting read.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews