Existential: The Mission: To Survive (Crucible Book 1) by Ryan W. Aslesen

Combining sci-fi, horror and military-grade action in the same book – and doing it well – is a tall an order for many authors, but Ryan W. Aslesen delivers an undeniable knock-out with Existential, the first installment of his Crucible series.

When an alien craft buries itself in the Alaskan wilderness, a buzzing city of researchers and secretive government forces emerge around the greatest discovery in human history. However, the craft is anything but empty, and once the alien horror erupts to wreak havoc, Max Ahlgren and a veteran team of warriors are called in. With thrilling action sequences and agonizing moments of suspense, Aslesen knows precisely how to keep readers on the edge of their seats.

Aslesen drags readers into this frozen hellscape where survival seems all but impossible with his brand of uniquely visceral descriptions and a vocabulary for gore that would make John Carpenter proud. Alghren is a perfect protagonist for this kind of ultra-secret mission, while Aslesen’s personal experience as a Marine ensures that the writing feels authentic and accessible. Despite the obvious fictional nature of the story, the background knowledge and research that goes into the narrative is apparent, making this an immersive and gripping read.

With one gut-shot moment after another, Existential is a thrilling start to a bold and brutal new series.

Book Links