Crucible of a Species
-- Book I of the 'Crucible Series' --
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-- Our first step to the stars lay in our past --
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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?
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Our first interstellar expedition
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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.
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"…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.
Buy Crucible of a Species
Reviews
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--Steve Alten, NY Times best-selling author of MEG & VOSTOK. July 25, 2015 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. |
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| 1. |
Amazing Book!!!!
February 25, 2018
Excellent story and excellent author! The book is very fascinating and leaves you on the edge of your seat! Definitely a worthwhile read.
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| 2. |
2 of 2 people found the following helpful
Great series, I hope to read more soon. However....
February 26, 2017
Too many errors. Have someone proof it. I look forward to the next book in the series. Lots of possibilities.
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| 3. |
Dino-rific
February 22, 2017
Outstanding level of detail, particularly in describing the dinosaurs and prehistoric environment. Also, plenty of plot twists and turns to keep the reader engaged in guessing . My only complaint is that this would have benefited from editing. Parts could be definitely tightened up , and there were a scattering of typographical and minor grammatical errors.
- Read via Kindle Unlimited |
| 4. |
2 of 2 people found the following helpful
Star Trek meets Jurassic Park.
April 18, 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. The Earth is a pristine world filled with predators that quickly learn to consider humans a tasty delicacy. These dinosaurs are fast, smart, problem solvers, and can easily scent their prey. A few lucky humans do survive the feast.
As a Trekkie, I felt at home with Star Trek...Read More |
| 5. | 5.0 out of 5 stars - Fascinating
-- By M. on August 21, 2016 Format: Kindle Edition|Verified Purchase In 2032, the first attempt to an interstellar voyage to the distant galaxy of Tau Ceti went awry and the starship Argos was forced to return to Earth for repairs. The space explorers were in for a surprise, though — the Earth they knew was no longer; or, more accurately, was yet to be. They’d been thrown 99 million years into the past. I loved the whole science, the adventure and that there was time-travel involved. It had plenty of action. There was danger at every turn, whether from human or animal sources. Vivid descriptions that brought it all alive. Diverse characters (loved Martel!) on a fascinating “new” world they needed to explore, or at least, survive. Suspending disbelief was easy. No, I was not surprised by the end. Yet it was a Great story. A total stand alone, but one I did Not want to see an end to. |
| 6. | -- ByRichard Won August 3, 2016 Format: Kindle Edition|Verified Purchase 5.0 out of 5 stars - Great story I very much enjoyed reading this book. The double or triple fold in the story line was very well executed by the author. Yes, it wasn't hard to figure out the ending two thirds the way to the end but the journey there was worth it. Character development was quite good with a nice mix of main, secondary and filler rolls. The authors descriptions used through out the book were very good as well. I think this is only the second or third five star rating I have awarded...I read at least five books a month, sometimes up to fifteen, just so you have a feel for my justification. |
| 7. |
2 of 2 people found the following helpful
Crucible of a Species grabs your attention and doesn't let go.
February 2, 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 author gives the reader just the right amount of scientific and technical definition that has you thinking "Well of course that's how it should work". The seamless transition from within the chapters on earth to the distant galaxies...Read More
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| 8. |
This is a highly readable book with an engaging ship's ...
September 2, 2017
Crucible of a Species (The Crucible Series) (Volume 1) This is a highly readable book with an engaging ship's crew of politically divergent characters on a peaceful mission of discovery. Well-crafted plot with the inevitable conflict that comes when you mix a crew of soldiers, scientists and civilians under the autocratic command of the military. Think of Sagan's "Contact" (one of my favorites), where benevolent aliens provide the technology to enable interstellar travel. Mix in rampaging dinosaurs a la Crichton with elements of Herman Wouk's 1954 classic "The Caine Mutiny". Mix these elements with a mission through space and time using worm holes predicted by Einstein and with the latest concepts of quantum mechanics and string theory.
Well done! |
| 9. |
Book 1
November 11, 2016
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 and that is about all I can say. This one is worth reading.
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| 10. |
2 of 2 people found the following helpful
Fascinating
August 21, 2016
In 2032, the first attempt to an interstellar voyage to the distant galaxy of Tau Ceti went awry and the starship Argos was forced to return to Earth for repairs. The space explorers were in for a surprise, though — the Earth they knew was no longer; or, more accurately, was yet to be. They’d been thrown 99 million years into the past.
I loved the whole science, the adventure and that there was time-travel involved....Read More |
| 11. |
3 of 3 people found the following helpful
Great story
August 3, 2016
I very much enjoyed reading this book. The double or triple fold in the story line was very well executed by the author. Yes, it wasn't hard to figure out the ending two thirds the way to the end but the journey there was worth it.
Character development was quite good with a nice mix of main, secondary and filler rolls. The authors descriptions used through out the book were very good as well. I think this is...Read More |
End Excerpt