Crucible: A Max Ahlgren Story

Crucible, Book 0

By: Ryan W. Aslesen

Narrated by: Jeffrey Kafer

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 I: 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.

©2018 Ryan W. Aslesen (P)2021 Podium Audio

Crucible novella whetted my appetite for more!

Down & dirty stuff. Cowardly officer, hero is victimized, I want more- anxious to see where it is going

wow what an amazing story

I've got to say I didn't know where this story was going which is a good thing but the ending was so satisfying that it almost scared myself and how much pleasure I took in it I can't wait to see where this gentleman goes apparently Alaska

Depressing

I wasn't prepared for the graphic violence and the depressing story. I am not new to this genre but normally authors mix some light with the dark so that the reader or listening doesn't feel the depression, the abys ... Kafer did a good job reading but I need the good guys to at least break even, this was just too depressing, I won't be listening to any more.

watch the language

No book needs this much foul language no matter the story. Most foul language comes from those who don't know how to express themselves. Clean up the language in favor of a good story

Excellent

Nice backstory. Really enjoyed. Yada yada yada, more words to fill up space. Thank you

Thrilling read!

Thrilling read! full of drama, action,danger, and loss. you want to definitely check this out. Do yourself a favor

Mostly accurate

The write has either been downrange or has had some good advisors. It’s was well done.

total reality

killing the child terrible to contemplate..civilians aren't to be. targets but good read looking for more.

Ok as a former person in this field

I don’t know what I was expecting from this novel when I first got it, as a free download included with my membership from audible. But the ride I was on while listening was way more than I expected. I found myself being able to visualize certain parts of this book completely having been at these locations in real life. Some of the tactics and some of them things written about in here very true to life for me and I’ll probably end up reading the rest of the series now that I’ve gotten a hold of this prequel. Do you the whole story I felt the anguish the main character went through having gone through similar things in my career. The only criticism I have with anything in this book is for the producers to learn how to pronounce names of locations. I was constantly verbally correcting the narrator as he mispronounce things thru his narration but I would still rate than the narrator 10/10. The story I will give 10/10. And the production studios a 8/10 for failure to do their homework on the story, the real life mirror and send them to speech therapy classes to understand how words are pronounced.

loved it

It's definitely a teaser but it did it's job because I do want to hear more of these books.