Terrence Zavecz · Crucible Universe

Crucible of a Species

Book I — The Crucible Series · Legacy edition

Description

Our first step to the stars lay in our past.

In Terry Zavecz's breathtaking debut thriller, CRUCIBLE OF A SPECIES, humanity finds itself confronted by an unexpected future and a path that diverts through Earth's most violent past. And yet the author sees the human-dinosaur interaction through a new perspective — one that keeps the reader turning pages.

Steve Alten — NY Times best-selling author of MEG & VOSTOK

The Fermi Paradox exposes a burning question regarding humanity's isolation in the universe. Physicist Enrico Fermi calculated that for each grain of sand in our world, there exist a hundred Earth-like planets in our universe. Yet, we find no trace of any civilization beyond our own. So, where are the extraterrestrials — why are we alone? … and why is the answer so closely tied to ancient creatures we call dinosaurs?

Our first interstellar expedition should have been easy — after all, we had help.

In the year 2032 when a mysterious extraterrestrial intelligence, the Asteri, began transferring technology to our planet, resolving most energy and social issues. Their final gift was the design for an interstellar ship, the Argos, but with it came a warning, a strict timetable and a demand. They required humanity construct the Argos and its first voyage must be to the home world of the Asteri.

Colonel Daniel Drake defies growing political pressures and the Argos launches. The ship responds flawlessly until a terrorist's bomb detonates. The damaged Argos limps back to Earth — only to discover everything has changed. The Argos and its crew are 99 million years in the past; Earth dominated by dinosaurs and even greater problems lie ahead for the Asteri are not the kind to forgive favors spurned.

Book details

Series Crucible Universe — Book I
Publisher Independently published
Page count 308
Publication date 2016
Format eBook · paperback · audiobook
Audiobook Amazon
Shared universe Crucible Universe lore
ISBN-13 978-1519348890
ASIN B01FOC3N2U

Praise

Reader comments

In 2032, the first attempt at an interstellar voyage went awry and the starship Argos was forced to return to Earth for repairs — only to find Earth ninety-nine million years in the past. I loved the whole science, the adventure and the time-travel. Plenty of action, vivid descriptions, and diverse characters (loved Martel!) on a fascinating new world. A Great story — one I did not want to see an end to.

M. — 5.0 out of 5 stars (Fascinating), Amazon review, August 21, 2016

I very much enjoyed reading this book. The double or triple fold in the story line was very well executed. Character development was quite good with a nice mix of main, secondary and filler roles.

Richard W — 5.0 out of 5 stars (Great story), Amazon review, August 4, 2016

On the way to meet the Asteri, an unknown alien species, the crew falls through a wormhole and lands on the Earth some 99 million years in the past. Star Trek meets Jurassic Park — a great read and I am looking forward to the next installment in this new series.

M. Bruch — 5.0 out of 5 stars, Amazon review, April 18, 2016

Crucible of a Species is very different from the normal sci-fi venture of reading. It not only gets the reader into distant space and time, it does so in a manner that is totally believable. The many action sequences immerse the reader with bold displays of heroism. Once you pick it up, you won't be able to put it down.

Anton Dotschkal — 5.0 out of 5 stars, Amazon review, February 2, 2016

This is a highly readable book with an engaging ship's crew of politically divergent characters on a peaceful mission of discovery. Think of Sagan's Contact, rampaging dinosaurs a la Crichton, and worm holes predicted by Einstein — well done!

Richard T. Duncan — 4.0 out of 5 stars, Amazon review, September 2, 2017

This book was really worth reading. Dinosaurs and time travel. Lots of excitement and not a lot of bad language. The story is about an expedition to another planet that goes sideways really fast. The ending will really blow you away.

Strawberries — 4.0 out of 5 stars, Amazon review, November 12, 2016

Outstanding level of detail, particularly in describing the dinosaurs and prehistoric environment. Plenty of plot twists and turns to keep the reader engaged.

Bibi Reads, A LOT — 4.0 out of 5 stars, Amazon review, February 23, 2017

Crucible Universe

Complete Series