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Metal Fury: A War's Edge Standalone Novel
Floating death…
The evolution of a thousand years of armored combat, grav-tanks are fusion-powered fortresses weighing over 120 tons and equipped with the latest in high-tech sensors, plasteel armor, and deadly weaponry. They are humanity’s ultimate war machines.
Samuel Rutger was out of options and out of luck. Broke and jobless, he turned to the only option that could provide for his wife and sick daughter. He became a mercenary. When he joined Breacher’s Berserkers, the galaxy’s most elite private military force, he was initially designated as a logistics specialist. Far from the front lines, Rutger never thought war would reach him, but when he is reassigned as a gunner on a grav-tank he finds himself at the tip of the spear in a bloody planetary civil war.
Rutger must learn to kill and do it well to survive the high stakes of mechanized warfare. Fighting on the frozen fields and congested urban streets of Scandova-4, staying alive becomes a daily battle. But the grind of intense combat is only one of his worries. He’s also waging a war on the home front, trying desperately to keep his family intact, and the only ticket home is to fight through a gauntlet of enemy forces. Haunted by the horrors of war, hoping to save his family against all odds, Rutger discovers that the toughest fight is not on the battlefield—but within.
Metal Fury is a thrilling standalone 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.
The evolution of a thousand years of armored combat, grav-tanks are fusion-powered fortresses weighing over 120 tons and equipped with the latest in high-tech sensors, plasteel armor, and deadly weaponry. They are humanity’s ultimate war machines.
Samuel Rutger was out of options and out of luck. Broke and jobless, he turned to the only option that could provide for his wife and sick daughter. He became a mercenary. When he joined Breacher’s Berserkers, the galaxy’s most elite private military force, he was initially designated as a logistics specialist. Far from the front lines, Rutger never thought war would reach him, but when he is reassigned as a gunner on a grav-tank he finds himself at the tip of the spear in a bloody planetary civil war.
Rutger must learn to kill and do it well to survive the high stakes of mechanized warfare. Fighting on the frozen fields and congested urban streets of Scandova-4, staying alive becomes a daily battle. But the grind of intense combat is only one of his worries. He’s also waging a war on the home front, trying desperately to keep his family intact, and the only ticket home is to fight through a gauntlet of enemy forces. Haunted by the horrors of war, hoping to save his family against all odds, Rutger discovers that the toughest fight is not on the battlefield—but within.
Metal Fury is a thrilling standalone 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 14, 2021
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 - 10 of 10 reviews
November 25, 2021
*PARODY*Hey there, reader! Have you heard about the War’s Edge Grow a Pair Guarantee? That’s right! Read any qualifying War’s Edge entry, and you’re guaranteed to grow a pair or your money back! Already have a pair? No problem—you’ll just add to what you already have! Two pairs? Three? Why stop? With War’s Edge the sky is the limit and manhood is well within your reach! *PARODY*
“Metal Fury” is a 2021 novel by Marine vet and military sf ace Ryan Aslesen. The novel is set within the War’s Edge universe. It is part of the standalone Berserker line of novels, and is a good entry point into the universe if you haven’t read any of the other War’s Edge books. If you have read the other books, “Metal Fury” will feel like a visit from an old friend.
Crack open “Metal Fury” and you’ll find yourself in the choked, urban setting of Scandova-4. Hired to assist one side in the latest planetary squabble are the Berserkers, the galaxy’s most elite mercenary force. The novel follows two primary characters, both members of the Berserkers. The first is named Samuel Rutger, who is a gunner on grav-tank Bounty Hunter. Reticent about joining the Berserkers, but out of options, Rutger never imagined he would find himself in the situation he now does. He just wants to keep his head down to survive long enough to see his family again, and work to heal an ailing marriage. The second character, Joseph Bukar, is an infantryman. Though ordered to Scandova-4 by the Berserkers, Bukar has his own personal mission of great import, a mission with family ties.
If you’ve read any of the other sterling outings from War’s Edge, you’ll feel right at home with “Metal Fury.” Though the plot is pretty familiar, author Aslesen gives the reader enough fresh battle scenarios and new characters to stave off a feeling of staleness. At the end of the day, the Berserker novels are more about the military mayhem and great character building than they are about some long-winded, convoluted plot. I would argue that not focusing on some giant, bloated plot is a masterstroke by the author. As a story that focuses on “boots on the ground” soldiers, we get to experience things from the perspective of people who often don’t know the larger picture or why they get sent to where they get sent. In typical Aslesian fashion, the action comes fast and fierce with nary a reprieve. Each battle scene is breathless fare that somehow manages to top the last one. Crazily well-written, the battles are so many in number and so long in duration that they start to wear on you and create a numbness that is reflective of what the characters experience as well—and I would argue this a positive trait.
I’m consistently amazed at how the quality of writing continues to improve from book to book across all the author’s works. The writing flows well, and is brimming with great description. The prose really serves the story, and never gets in the way of things. It’s all too common to get jerked out of a poignant moment by awkward turns of phrase or poor writing, but there’s none of that to be found in “Metal Fury.” Also consistently amazing is the author’s convincing rendering of warfighting technology of the future. It’s almost like the author has personally used all the equipment in the story, though none of it actually exists. It’s truly an immersive world that Aslesen has dreamt up.
Characterization continues to be reliably solid as well. I particularly enjoyed the character of Bukar, who ranks as one of my favorite characters that the author has come up with, a sort of saintly soldier. Though we get to know Rutger well, I would have liked some more development of his tankmates Faora and Aubrey. Rutger becomes a boiling cauldron of emotion over the course of the story, and his transformation is as compelling as it is heartbreaking, with a send-off that I didn’t see coming. Author Aslesen writes with a sure hand when it comes to portraying the effects of war on those who experience it, better than any other author I’ve come across. This quality really helps raise the novel above its competition.
“Metal Fury” is a love letter to fans of military sf. If you enjoy the genre, look no further. As long as the author can keep things fresh in the future, he'll most assuredly remain at the top of the heap.
“Metal Fury” is a 2021 novel by Marine vet and military sf ace Ryan Aslesen. The novel is set within the War’s Edge universe. It is part of the standalone Berserker line of novels, and is a good entry point into the universe if you haven’t read any of the other War’s Edge books. If you have read the other books, “Metal Fury” will feel like a visit from an old friend.
Crack open “Metal Fury” and you’ll find yourself in the choked, urban setting of Scandova-4. Hired to assist one side in the latest planetary squabble are the Berserkers, the galaxy’s most elite mercenary force. The novel follows two primary characters, both members of the Berserkers. The first is named Samuel Rutger, who is a gunner on grav-tank Bounty Hunter. Reticent about joining the Berserkers, but out of options, Rutger never imagined he would find himself in the situation he now does. He just wants to keep his head down to survive long enough to see his family again, and work to heal an ailing marriage. The second character, Joseph Bukar, is an infantryman. Though ordered to Scandova-4 by the Berserkers, Bukar has his own personal mission of great import, a mission with family ties.
If you’ve read any of the other sterling outings from War’s Edge, you’ll feel right at home with “Metal Fury.” Though the plot is pretty familiar, author Aslesen gives the reader enough fresh battle scenarios and new characters to stave off a feeling of staleness. At the end of the day, the Berserker novels are more about the military mayhem and great character building than they are about some long-winded, convoluted plot. I would argue that not focusing on some giant, bloated plot is a masterstroke by the author. As a story that focuses on “boots on the ground” soldiers, we get to experience things from the perspective of people who often don’t know the larger picture or why they get sent to where they get sent. In typical Aslesian fashion, the action comes fast and fierce with nary a reprieve. Each battle scene is breathless fare that somehow manages to top the last one. Crazily well-written, the battles are so many in number and so long in duration that they start to wear on you and create a numbness that is reflective of what the characters experience as well—and I would argue this a positive trait.
I’m consistently amazed at how the quality of writing continues to improve from book to book across all the author’s works. The writing flows well, and is brimming with great description. The prose really serves the story, and never gets in the way of things. It’s all too common to get jerked out of a poignant moment by awkward turns of phrase or poor writing, but there’s none of that to be found in “Metal Fury.” Also consistently amazing is the author’s convincing rendering of warfighting technology of the future. It’s almost like the author has personally used all the equipment in the story, though none of it actually exists. It’s truly an immersive world that Aslesen has dreamt up.
Characterization continues to be reliably solid as well. I particularly enjoyed the character of Bukar, who ranks as one of my favorite characters that the author has come up with, a sort of saintly soldier. Though we get to know Rutger well, I would have liked some more development of his tankmates Faora and Aubrey. Rutger becomes a boiling cauldron of emotion over the course of the story, and his transformation is as compelling as it is heartbreaking, with a send-off that I didn’t see coming. Author Aslesen writes with a sure hand when it comes to portraying the effects of war on those who experience it, better than any other author I’ve come across. This quality really helps raise the novel above its competition.
“Metal Fury” is a love letter to fans of military sf. If you enjoy the genre, look no further. As long as the author can keep things fresh in the future, he'll most assuredly remain at the top of the heap.
April 21, 2022
Fun read
Aselen, the author, apparently has military experience, and it shows, the gear and action are quite realistic. There is some nice characterization too, with the main characters a tank gunner and an infantryman. Sgt. Bukar shows the nice paradox between a devoutly religious man who is a killer, and is good at it. Of course, God is always on your side in a war. The only criticism I have for it is the tech, really this could have happened in an Era with tank capability, they just hover now and shoot 3o mm plasm bolts. How is a plasma bolt quantified like that? And he does fall into the rut of just take something like binoculars and adding "electro" in front of it instead of imagining a new technology.
Still, a very entertaining read with good action sequences, easy to get through and you want to see what happens next.
Aselen, the author, apparently has military experience, and it shows, the gear and action are quite realistic. There is some nice characterization too, with the main characters a tank gunner and an infantryman. Sgt. Bukar shows the nice paradox between a devoutly religious man who is a killer, and is good at it. Of course, God is always on your side in a war. The only criticism I have for it is the tech, really this could have happened in an Era with tank capability, they just hover now and shoot 3o mm plasm bolts. How is a plasma bolt quantified like that? And he does fall into the rut of just take something like binoculars and adding "electro" in front of it instead of imagining a new technology.
Still, a very entertaining read with good action sequences, easy to get through and you want to see what happens next.
November 11, 2023
Very dark slice-of- life novel about military in a combat zone. The two main characters are both seriously damaged by their experiences. The details of combat are quite believable, the characters ring true, and the consequences of their choices are appropriate.
The two stories are interlaced and have effects on each other, but the characters only intersect directly in a single, inconsequential and very short scene. This feels more reading alternate chapters from two novellas than like reading a coherent novel.
If you're looking for victorious heroes and happy endings, this is not the book for you. But if you're looking for something gritty, I'd recommend it.
The two stories are interlaced and have effects on each other, but the characters only intersect directly in a single, inconsequential and very short scene. This feels more reading alternate chapters from two novellas than like reading a coherent novel.
If you're looking for victorious heroes and happy endings, this is not the book for you. But if you're looking for something gritty, I'd recommend it.
April 7, 2022
Best job there is!
I read this book mainly because of the cover art. I like the area of stories with Military SciFi. And having a tank on the cover made it more attractive to me
The characters in this book at times feel full of life and at other times just one sided. We get next to nothing about the back story of anybody. It has two stories in this book. The one about the tank gunner and the one about the infantry grunt. I don't know how fast this book was written, but the aspect of how a tank crew works was pretty close to being real.
Well done
I read this book mainly because of the cover art. I like the area of stories with Military SciFi. And having a tank on the cover made it more attractive to me
The characters in this book at times feel full of life and at other times just one sided. We get next to nothing about the back story of anybody. It has two stories in this book. The one about the tank gunner and the one about the infantry grunt. I don't know how fast this book was written, but the aspect of how a tank crew works was pretty close to being real.
Well done
December 18, 2021
Its all about the details!
Written to place you in the story. With details that having you tasting the fear and smelling the death around you. The rat scene had me screeching and squirming on my couch!! Can't wait for the next one!
Written to place you in the story. With details that having you tasting the fear and smelling the death around you. The rat scene had me screeching and squirming on my couch!! Can't wait for the next one!
July 20, 2023
Sci-fire at will
This whole series is awesome. The author meshes brutal and realistic interpersonal turmoil with a back drop replete with full-scale, visceral and futuristic warfare.
This whole series is awesome. The author meshes brutal and realistic interpersonal turmoil with a back drop replete with full-scale, visceral and futuristic warfare.
May 5, 2024
Awesome
Best use of tanks in military Science Fiction since David Drake gave us hammer slammers. I think if Drake picked up any of these books, he would not be able to put it down. Semper Fi.
Best use of tanks in military Science Fiction since David Drake gave us hammer slammers. I think if Drake picked up any of these books, he would not be able to put it down. Semper Fi.
October 9, 2021
Good read
Good battle sequences and characters, hoping for Moe in the future. This author has a reality for this type of book and will continue to read his following books!
Good battle sequences and characters, hoping for Moe in the future. This author has a reality for this type of book and will continue to read his following books!
January 11, 2022
A good war book
This book reminds me of hammer slammers. You write like you served on a tank and know the feeling of how it works. Keep writing cannot wait for the next book.
This book reminds me of hammer slammers. You write like you served on a tank and know the feeling of how it works. Keep writing cannot wait for the next book.
March 3, 2023
It brings the hardships of war to the forefront and the depicted technology is spot on.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews