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Destiny's Crucible
An Ancient Enemy
The novella An Ancient Enemy is set in the universe of Olan Thorensen’s “Destiny’s Crucible” series. When an alien spacecraft accidently destroys United Flight 4382, Twenty-seven passengers and crew were saved, but not to return to their previous lives. Five survivors found themselves on the planet Anyar, including Joseph Colsco, Mark Caldwell, and Heather Chen, but others had different destinations.
Cast away on a planet with bizarre physical features unlike anything on Earth, Dan and Liza Oglethorpe would never again set foot on Earth. They would never again talk with family and friends. They would never again see an ocean. They were thrust into a fantastical fate that eventually led them, six years later, after dangers overcome and a measure of peace achieved, to a morning in a dry valley on an alien planet and the uncertainty of living through a battle to see evening.
Cast away on a planet with bizarre physical features unlike anything on Earth, Dan and Liza Oglethorpe would never again set foot on Earth. They would never again talk with family and friends. They would never again see an ocean. They were thrust into a fantastical fate that eventually led them, six years later, after dangers overcome and a measure of peace achieved, to a morning in a dry valley on an alien planet and the uncertainty of living through a battle to see evening.
70 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 6, 2020
128 people are currently reading
93 people want to read
About the author
Olan Thorensen
16 books521 followersOlan is a long-time science fiction fan who has jumped into independent publication with all its pitfalls and unknowns. He thinks all colors go together: clash, what clash? A fan of Dilbert, Non Sequitur, Peanuts (even if old strips), and still think the end of The Far Side was a tragedy. Loves fireflies, rain, thunderstorms, is eclectic in music (classical, western, oldies, smattering of all other), and thinks four seasons are better than one. Gardens, plays piano poorly, used to jog until broke hip, now walks (to be honest, his jog was about as fast as his quick walk).
A sampling of favorite movies include Avatar, Master and Commander, The Last Mimsy, Six Days and Seven Nights, Aliens, Jumanji, The Big Short, Trading Places, World War Z, and A Miracle on 34th Street (original). If you can figure out a common theme, let Olan know. :>)
Born in Louisiana, but mainly grew up in a less populated part of Northern California. Played football in high school but did minimum studying so as not to interfere with his reading novels. Ironic is that he studiously avoided learning things like details of grammar and good writing. He knows how ironic that is now.
Worked as a forest firefighter several summers. In his youth, served in the US Special Forces (one year in Vietnam; SOG, running recon patrols in Laos and the DMZ). Attended university before and after the Army. Has a Phd in Genetics, with around 200 science publications as author and co-author on genetics, molecular biology, and bioinformatics, and is a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). Worked with people with all the education and no common sense and knows people with little education and a world of smarts.
Retired now in the Blue Ridge country of Virginia and has time to pursue his avocation of writing books – mainly science fiction plus one police/action/character book writing as Kelsey Robicheaux. Thinks it's totally cool someone can read his stories and enjoy them. Loves hearing from readers from all parts of the US and international (his favorite of the latter was from Nepal).
His web page is olanthorensen.com, which has news updates, an occasion blog posting, and downloadable maps (by clicking on them) to help orient readers to the planet Anyar (highly recommended). He’s on Facebook, which also has maps, reader/listener comments, and his responses. He can be emailed at olanthorensen@gmail.com. He reads all emails, though he may not be able to respond to them all. Readers can request to be on a mailing list for news of releases. Advantages of the mail list also include Christmas short stories, new maps, and a coming novella not otherwise available elsewhere.
A sampling of favorite movies include Avatar, Master and Commander, The Last Mimsy, Six Days and Seven Nights, Aliens, Jumanji, The Big Short, Trading Places, World War Z, and A Miracle on 34th Street (original). If you can figure out a common theme, let Olan know. :>)
Born in Louisiana, but mainly grew up in a less populated part of Northern California. Played football in high school but did minimum studying so as not to interfere with his reading novels. Ironic is that he studiously avoided learning things like details of grammar and good writing. He knows how ironic that is now.
Worked as a forest firefighter several summers. In his youth, served in the US Special Forces (one year in Vietnam; SOG, running recon patrols in Laos and the DMZ). Attended university before and after the Army. Has a Phd in Genetics, with around 200 science publications as author and co-author on genetics, molecular biology, and bioinformatics, and is a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). Worked with people with all the education and no common sense and knows people with little education and a world of smarts.
Retired now in the Blue Ridge country of Virginia and has time to pursue his avocation of writing books – mainly science fiction plus one police/action/character book writing as Kelsey Robicheaux. Thinks it's totally cool someone can read his stories and enjoy them. Loves hearing from readers from all parts of the US and international (his favorite of the latter was from Nepal).
His web page is olanthorensen.com, which has news updates, an occasion blog posting, and downloadable maps (by clicking on them) to help orient readers to the planet Anyar (highly recommended). He’s on Facebook, which also has maps, reader/listener comments, and his responses. He can be emailed at olanthorensen@gmail.com. He reads all emails, though he may not be able to respond to them all. Readers can request to be on a mailing list for news of releases. Advantages of the mail list also include Christmas short stories, new maps, and a coming novella not otherwise available elsewhere.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
October 2, 2020
A novella linked with the author's Destiny Crucible series but set on a different (and much weirder than Earth) planet where a couple, survivors of the flight destroyed inadvertently by aliens are transplanted; the hints about the planet were intriguing and the prose flowed nicely, but the rest was mediocre and most characters lacked any personality, especially the main leads who were just banal
Overall I would just recommend the awesome first four books in the series, with this one just for completists as of now (if the author revisits the planet which has a lot of potential, and the characters then who knows...)
Overall I would just recommend the awesome first four books in the series, with this one just for completists as of now (if the author revisits the planet which has a lot of potential, and the characters then who knows...)
October 1, 2020
I Love Olan Thorensen! The Destiny's Crucible is outstanding!
I love him so much I buy all his books in Kindle as well as Audible!. Saying that, I deducted one star from my review because I felt that this should have been an entire book. Eighty pages of battle. No storyline at all. No characterization or build up of any reason why they are fighting!.
Sorry, sorry, I'm just cranky because I thought the newest book was coming out. Still waiting for the stranded Americans to finally meet.
I love him so much I buy all his books in Kindle as well as Audible!. Saying that, I deducted one star from my review because I felt that this should have been an entire book. Eighty pages of battle. No storyline at all. No characterization or build up of any reason why they are fighting!.
Sorry, sorry, I'm just cranky because I thought the newest book was coming out. Still waiting for the stranded Americans to finally meet.
September 15, 2020
Newbie author Olan Thorensen is something of a mystery to me. Writing under the Thorensen nom de plume, he is a self-described ex-Special Forces guy who spent one year in Vietnam before becoming a Genetics Ph.D. with 200 scientific publications and is a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). Both of these are pretty impressive credentials.
About 4 years ago, Thorensen published the first novel in what is now called the DESTINY'S CRUCIBLE Universe. The whole thing starts when a commercial airliner is accidentally destroyed oil a mild-air collision with a highly advanced alien spaceship. In CAST UNDER AN ALIEN SUN, Joseph Colsco awakens in a (presumed) spaceship attended by an AI who has used nanotech to repair him before dumping him naked and alone on the beach of an earth like planet, Anyar, apparently previously seeded with plants, animals and humans from earth millennia earlier. The first several novels in the series chronicle Yozef (as he is named by the natives) as he learns the language and uses his science and other background knowledge to become a leader who helps the people on the island where he lands defeat a far superior invading force from another continent.
These first novels are very interesting on many levels, and are a mix of applied science way beyond the current capacity of the Anyar natives and long scenes planning and executing the fight to drive the invaders away. I found the former, along with descriptions of the planet and certain anomalies that Yozef discovers considerably more interesting than the battle scenes. There was also a considerable amount of time spent on the culture and lifestyles, the geography, and certain oddities that certainly are the work of the aliens that have yet to be explained. I really enjoyed all of these book.
AN ANCIENT ENEMY is a very short novella (about 80 pages) concerning a husband and wife team of retired military officers who are similarly rescued from the crash and placed on another planet that like Anyar, was seeded with terrestrial flora, fauna and early humans millennia ago. Unfortunately (at least for me), essentially the entire novella concerns a yet another battle between the earthlings and their tribe and another invading force that periodically invades our protagonists lands, every 20 years or so, and then disappears. There is very little about the planet, the cultures, or any of the outstanding world-building that characterized the first 6 novels in this universe.
I wish I could be more enthusiastic but, meh. 2 stars and that's being generous.
JM Tepper
About 4 years ago, Thorensen published the first novel in what is now called the DESTINY'S CRUCIBLE Universe. The whole thing starts when a commercial airliner is accidentally destroyed oil a mild-air collision with a highly advanced alien spaceship. In CAST UNDER AN ALIEN SUN, Joseph Colsco awakens in a (presumed) spaceship attended by an AI who has used nanotech to repair him before dumping him naked and alone on the beach of an earth like planet, Anyar, apparently previously seeded with plants, animals and humans from earth millennia earlier. The first several novels in the series chronicle Yozef (as he is named by the natives) as he learns the language and uses his science and other background knowledge to become a leader who helps the people on the island where he lands defeat a far superior invading force from another continent.
These first novels are very interesting on many levels, and are a mix of applied science way beyond the current capacity of the Anyar natives and long scenes planning and executing the fight to drive the invaders away. I found the former, along with descriptions of the planet and certain anomalies that Yozef discovers considerably more interesting than the battle scenes. There was also a considerable amount of time spent on the culture and lifestyles, the geography, and certain oddities that certainly are the work of the aliens that have yet to be explained. I really enjoyed all of these book.
AN ANCIENT ENEMY is a very short novella (about 80 pages) concerning a husband and wife team of retired military officers who are similarly rescued from the crash and placed on another planet that like Anyar, was seeded with terrestrial flora, fauna and early humans millennia ago. Unfortunately (at least for me), essentially the entire novella concerns a yet another battle between the earthlings and their tribe and another invading force that periodically invades our protagonists lands, every 20 years or so, and then disappears. There is very little about the planet, the cultures, or any of the outstanding world-building that characterized the first 6 novels in this universe.
I wish I could be more enthusiastic but, meh. 2 stars and that's being generous.
JM Tepper
October 18, 2023
2.5 Stars 🌟
I feel a bit inadequate in rating and reviewing this because apparently it is a part of an existing series. This has not really been a problem in the past when it comes to novellas, but for this story, I was totally lost. And I do mean lost.
This entire short story revolves around one battle. A fight between two warring factions on a planet that is not Earth. I think if there were more of an actual plot, that would be one thing. Unfortunately, the entire story arc is only specific battle facts, "we moved here and they did this...." kind of details. It truly held no interest for me.
There is a couple (man and wife) who are the main protagonists in the story, They were supposedly taken from Earth and "dropped?" onto this new planet. That, I guess, is the basis of the other series. I think if you were up to speed on this series that possibly this battle sequence would be interesting. Unfortunately, to me, it wasn't.
I feel a bit inadequate in rating and reviewing this because apparently it is a part of an existing series. This has not really been a problem in the past when it comes to novellas, but for this story, I was totally lost. And I do mean lost.
This entire short story revolves around one battle. A fight between two warring factions on a planet that is not Earth. I think if there were more of an actual plot, that would be one thing. Unfortunately, the entire story arc is only specific battle facts, "we moved here and they did this...." kind of details. It truly held no interest for me.
There is a couple (man and wife) who are the main protagonists in the story, They were supposedly taken from Earth and "dropped?" onto this new planet. That, I guess, is the basis of the other series. I think if you were up to speed on this series that possibly this battle sequence would be interesting. Unfortunately, to me, it wasn't.
September 6, 2021
Kinda incomplete
This is Olan Thorensen at his best. He has likeable characters and good backstories. We learn about the situation and we care about these people straight off the bat. The action as always is top notch. My only complaint is that this story ends abruptly; almost midsentence. Even a short story needs a conclusion. He did alot with a few words but I wish he had added just a few more. It's a worthy chapter in the ADC universe, but I hope later stories finish up this plot line.
This is Olan Thorensen at his best. He has likeable characters and good backstories. We learn about the situation and we care about these people straight off the bat. The action as always is top notch. My only complaint is that this story ends abruptly; almost midsentence. Even a short story needs a conclusion. He did alot with a few words but I wish he had added just a few more. It's a worthy chapter in the ADC universe, but I hope later stories finish up this plot line.
August 16, 2024
Absolutely horseshit. Why the fuck is this even 6.5?
Authors should stop fucking wasting their readers time and stick to the fucking plots and arcs. Not God damn waste our time with bloody nonsense characters and arcs that don't go nowhere.
There are only 5 Earthings from that doomed planet. Only fucking 5. So why do we need to read about 2 characters that aren't even on this planet or even remotely in the main arcs? He did the same shit by introducing a doctor in 4.5 and yet the ai keeps saying 5 were transoprted ....
Authors should stop fucking wasting their readers time and stick to the fucking plots and arcs. Not God damn waste our time with bloody nonsense characters and arcs that don't go nowhere.
There are only 5 Earthings from that doomed planet. Only fucking 5. So why do we need to read about 2 characters that aren't even on this planet or even remotely in the main arcs? He did the same shit by introducing a doctor in 4.5 and yet the ai keeps saying 5 were transoprted ....
October 6, 2022
Intriguing and interesting novella about a battle with a moral twist at the end
Interesting novella about a battle between armies at war in the Destinys Crucible universe. Well written military sci-fi as an adaption of Roman tactics and modern improvements to medieval armies, including the politics of people resisting change although their previous strategies were not working. The ending contained a very interesting curve ball foreshadowed by the title.
Interesting novella about a battle between armies at war in the Destinys Crucible universe. Well written military sci-fi as an adaption of Roman tactics and modern improvements to medieval armies, including the politics of people resisting change although their previous strategies were not working. The ending contained a very interesting curve ball foreshadowed by the title.
July 29, 2021
I truly love this series. I love the concept of an alien species observing Earth undetected and imagining what could happen if something went wrong. The idea that humans could be transplanted to other planets that were already seeded with humans is intriguing also. It has made for some entertaining reading.
However, I was not as invested in this book like I was in the prior ones. I felt that it should either have been a short story or made into a full length novel. The novella was too long to only cover one battle scene even though part of that time was spent telling the backstory of the main characters. Once I was done reading, I found myself wishing for a longer version of this one.
I am still a huge fan. Love Thorsensen’s prose and did enjoy this book. I am looking forward to reading the next installment set in this world.
However, I was not as invested in this book like I was in the prior ones. I felt that it should either have been a short story or made into a full length novel. The novella was too long to only cover one battle scene even though part of that time was spent telling the backstory of the main characters. Once I was done reading, I found myself wishing for a longer version of this one.
I am still a huge fan. Love Thorsensen’s prose and did enjoy this book. I am looking forward to reading the next installment set in this world.
September 7, 2020
Technological innovation and combat
I'm not a fan of battle stories still there was enough character interaction and technological innovation to make the story interesting. The ending leaves open interesting possibilities for future stories.
I'm not a fan of battle stories still there was enough character interaction and technological innovation to make the story interesting. The ending leaves open interesting possibilities for future stories.
September 7, 2020
Wow
I'm a big fan of mr thorensen and this story did not disappoint. I was enjoying this as I do all his books but then the ending really blew me away. After reading this I really hope we get to see some more of this story.
I'm a big fan of mr thorensen and this story did not disappoint. I was enjoying this as I do all his books but then the ending really blew me away. After reading this I really hope we get to see some more of this story.
September 8, 2020
Exiting, quick read. Read it in one setting. Olan gets the military details right, based on his study of history and his attention to detail. If you are a fan of Destiny's Crucible, and Olan Thorensen, you should like this one too. Plus, the bizarre world this takes place on is mind blowing.
December 18, 2020
Decent but not fulfilling
I say this in all sincerity, "Please give us another complete book!!!!!" This is a diversion in my humble opinion. I'm waiting for a meeting of two wayward Americans on a world not there own. Nuff said!!!
I say this in all sincerity, "Please give us another complete book!!!!!" This is a diversion in my humble opinion. I'm waiting for a meeting of two wayward Americans on a world not there own. Nuff said!!!
January 24, 2021
Great read, need more
Destiny Crucible’s Universe has gotten bigger. I hope Thorensen and myself live long enough to enjoy the many places the readers can be taken. This short book is such a tease. Can’t wait for more.
Destiny Crucible’s Universe has gotten bigger. I hope Thorensen and myself live long enough to enjoy the many places the readers can be taken. This short book is such a tease. Can’t wait for more.
August 4, 2021
Otros pasajeros del avión estrellado, pero esta vez son insertados en un planeta mucho más agestre. Y se convierten en los asesores de un país que está siendo invadido. Planeta interesante, aunque personajes demasiado banales. Para completistas de la serie. C+
September 28, 2021
This did nothing for me. Love the Destiny’s Crucible series, but this is new characters and a new world with none of the world building. If We got a new full new book based on what happened to other survivors that would be one thing, and I’d probably be excited to read that. But this wasn’t it.
April 21, 2024
fun short story on another planet
Man I wish this story line went on, it was impactful fun and immersive. I’ve so far enjoyed all the works by this author so far. Hope you like it as all.
Man I wish this story line went on, it was impactful fun and immersive. I’ve so far enjoyed all the works by this author so far. Hope you like it as all.
September 9, 2020
Great Story!
Hope this is a preview of another series in the works! Action packed, thought provoking story that stands on its own but hints at more to come. Highly recommended!
Hope this is a preview of another series in the works! Action packed, thought provoking story that stands on its own but hints at more to come. Highly recommended!
October 2, 2020
Great entry.
We need a trilogy.
I liked most of it.
I recommended to anybody who wants a new spin on alternative history.
We need a trilogy.
I liked most of it.
I recommended to anybody who wants a new spin on alternative history.
October 4, 2020
Excellent!
Such a good and complete story! Yes it could be the start of an excellent series, and it is an excellent read, exciting and well balanced. Definitely very good and well worth a read!
Such a good and complete story! Yes it could be the start of an excellent series, and it is an excellent read, exciting and well balanced. Definitely very good and well worth a read!
April 18, 2021
This may be a trial entry into a new world, with two new protagonists. There's not a lot of story here... more of a story excerpt. That's not to say I wouldn't read more if it was on offer.
May 2, 2021
Short but good
Enjoyed the original four novels. Great universe building. Would love to have had more of Dan and Liz. Nice though anyway
Enjoyed the original four novels. Great universe building. Would love to have had more of Dan and Liz. Nice though anyway
July 5, 2021
Nice Twist!
Good story and excellent use of military tactics.
I’m a bit biased toward pikes, but a Roman style shield wall with pilas is an amazing killing machine.
Good story and excellent use of military tactics.
I’m a bit biased toward pikes, but a Roman style shield wall with pilas is an amazing killing machine.
August 21, 2021
Meh, lacks the world building that makes the other books great. A novella with those characters would have been fine, but these are new and I wasn't as interested
April 14, 2022
Guilty pleasure satisfied
April 30, 2023
Not as great as other parts of Destiny's Crucible, but worth it! And I've learned a lot again!
May 8, 2023
Novella’s to an existing book series with zero actual attachment to that series should not be written.
August 4, 2023
Good books get read fast; great novellas get read in a day !
November 19, 2024
Great short story- I always want more though
Want to read
December 17, 2025h/t Hanka
April 8, 2021
Awesome short story from the Destiny’s Crucible Universe!
Learning more about each of the surviving passengers’ lives and stories makes you want to keep pulling on the threads of knowledge.
This has become one of my favorite series. I really hope to see more from Dan and Liza.
Learning more about each of the surviving passengers’ lives and stories makes you want to keep pulling on the threads of knowledge.
This has become one of my favorite series. I really hope to see more from Dan and Liza.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews