Destiny's Crucible
(6 book series)
Kindle Edition
From Book 1: Reviews for books in the Destiny’s Crucible series.
“Overall a real treat for SF fans of world building, military SF, alien first contact and lots of others.” “ . . . the world building is a thing of wonder.” James Tepper, Amazon Vine Voice (Amazon invited pre-release review)
“I could not put this down, written with honesty and verve, solid character development, with a well thought out plot” John Bell, Amazon TOP 500 REVIEWER Five stars.
“This series is badass. I was oblivious to the world, immersed as I was in this author's storytelling. The guy can write. He can write well enough that readers end up losing sleep because they're compelled to keep turning pages.” H. Bala, Amazon TOP 500 REVIEWER Five stars
What if you were thrown into a foreign society, never to see home again? What would you do and could you survive?
A story science fiction in premise, adventure in execution. A cross-genre adventure with elements of science fiction, history, hard science, epic fantasy, time travel, romance, alien contact, and space colonization.
Joe Colsco boarded a flight from San Francisco to Chicago to attend a national chemistry meeting. He would never set foot on Earth again.
On planet Anyar, Joe is found unconscious on a beach of a large island inhabited by humans where the level of technology is similar to Earth circa 1700. He awakes amidst strangers speaking an unintelligible language and struggles to accept losing his previous life and finding a place in a society with different customs, needing a way to support himself, and not knowing a single soul. His worry about finding a place is assuaged when he finds ways to apply his knowledge of chemistry—as long as he is circumspect in introducing new knowledge not too far in advance of the planet’s technology and being labelled a demon.
As he adjusts, Joe finds that he has be dropped into a developing clash between the people who cared for him, and for whom he develops an affinity, and a military power from elsewhere on the planet, a power with designs on conquest.
Unaware, Joseph Colsco has been poured into a crucible, where time and trials will transform him in ways he could never have imagined.
More Reviews of Destiny’s Crucible
“What an enjoyable read!” A C Bennett, Amazon TOP 1000 REVIEWER Five stars.
“Another wonder” Amazon Customer, Amazon TOP 500 REVIEWER Five stars.
“Mixture of SF, time travel, and alternative history.” “Knowledge is power” M.W. Broscheit, Amazon TOP 1000 REVIEWER Five stars.
“Any lover of action adventures, war drama, political intrigue, or science fiction should do themselves a favor and check out the Destiny's Crucible Series.” Clabe Polk, Midwest Book Review.
Amazon customers (series average rating 4.56 stars)
“Science fiction, history, and romance are woven to create an intricate story.”
“Outrageous story line made believable, fast moving action, superb character development.”
“ . . . a character that is all too believable. His situation is only a device but we are drawn in to the narrative with a deft touch.”
“I didn't really expect to like this story. Since getting the book 6 days ago I have read it twice.”
“Engrossing” “A book to get lost in.” “Wow” “Great Book You Will Remember Always” “Couldn't put it down once I started”
“My favorite book of all time is Mark Twain A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court.
“Overall a real treat for SF fans of world building, military SF, alien first contact and lots of others.” “ . . . the world building is a thing of wonder.” James Tepper, Amazon Vine Voice (Amazon invited pre-release review)
“I could not put this down, written with honesty and verve, solid character development, with a well thought out plot” John Bell, Amazon TOP 500 REVIEWER Five stars.
“This series is badass. I was oblivious to the world, immersed as I was in this author's storytelling. The guy can write. He can write well enough that readers end up losing sleep because they're compelled to keep turning pages.” H. Bala, Amazon TOP 500 REVIEWER Five stars
What if you were thrown into a foreign society, never to see home again? What would you do and could you survive?
A story science fiction in premise, adventure in execution. A cross-genre adventure with elements of science fiction, history, hard science, epic fantasy, time travel, romance, alien contact, and space colonization.
Joe Colsco boarded a flight from San Francisco to Chicago to attend a national chemistry meeting. He would never set foot on Earth again.
On planet Anyar, Joe is found unconscious on a beach of a large island inhabited by humans where the level of technology is similar to Earth circa 1700. He awakes amidst strangers speaking an unintelligible language and struggles to accept losing his previous life and finding a place in a society with different customs, needing a way to support himself, and not knowing a single soul. His worry about finding a place is assuaged when he finds ways to apply his knowledge of chemistry—as long as he is circumspect in introducing new knowledge not too far in advance of the planet’s technology and being labelled a demon.
As he adjusts, Joe finds that he has be dropped into a developing clash between the people who cared for him, and for whom he develops an affinity, and a military power from elsewhere on the planet, a power with designs on conquest.
Unaware, Joseph Colsco has been poured into a crucible, where time and trials will transform him in ways he could never have imagined.
More Reviews of Destiny’s Crucible
“What an enjoyable read!” A C Bennett, Amazon TOP 1000 REVIEWER Five stars.
“Another wonder” Amazon Customer, Amazon TOP 500 REVIEWER Five stars.
“Mixture of SF, time travel, and alternative history.” “Knowledge is power” M.W. Broscheit, Amazon TOP 1000 REVIEWER Five stars.
“Any lover of action adventures, war drama, political intrigue, or science fiction should do themselves a favor and check out the Destiny's Crucible Series.” Clabe Polk, Midwest Book Review.
Amazon customers (series average rating 4.56 stars)
“Science fiction, history, and romance are woven to create an intricate story.”
“Outrageous story line made believable, fast moving action, superb character development.”
“ . . . a character that is all too believable. His situation is only a device but we are drawn in to the narrative with a deft touch.”
“I didn't really expect to like this story. Since getting the book 6 days ago I have read it twice.”
“Engrossing” “A book to get lost in.” “Wow” “Great Book You Will Remember Always” “Couldn't put it down once I started”
“My favorite book of all time is Mark Twain A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court.
Price:
$22.95
for 5 item(s)
Sold by:
Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
Items included:
1 - 5
1
$3.99
Reviews for books in the Destiny’s Crucible series.
“Overall a real treat for SF fans of world building, military SF, alien first contact and lots of others.” “ . . . the world building is a thing of wonder.” James Tepper, Amazon Vine Voice (Amazon invited pre-release review)
“I could not put this down, written with honesty and verve, solid character development, with a well thought out plot” John Bell, Amazon TOP 500 REVIEWER Five stars.
“This series is badass. I was oblivious to the world, immersed as I was in this author's storytelling. The guy can write. He can write well enough that readers end up losing sleep because they're compelled to keep turning pages.” H. Bala, Amazon TOP 500 REVIEWER Five stars
What if you were thrown into a foreign society, never to see home again? What would you do and could you survive?
A story science fiction in premise, adventure in execution. A cross-genre adventure with elements of science fiction, history, hard science, epic fantasy, time travel, romance, alien contact, and space colonization.
Joe Colsco boarded a flight from San Francisco to Chicago to attend a national chemistry meeting. He would never set foot on Earth again.
On planet Anyar, Joe is found unconscious on a beach of a large island inhabited by humans where the level of technology is similar to Earth circa 1700. He awakes amidst strangers speaking an unintelligible language and struggles to accept losing his previous life and finding a place in a society with different customs, needing a way to support himself, and not knowing a single soul. His worry about finding a place is assuaged when he finds ways to apply his knowledge of chemistry—as long as he is circumspect in introducing new knowledge not too far in advance of the planet’s technology and being labelled a demon.
As he adjusts, Joe finds that he has be dropped into a developing clash between the people who cared for him, and for whom he develops an affinity, and a military power from elsewhere on the planet, a power with designs on conquest.
Unaware, Joseph Colsco has been poured into a crucible, where time and trials will transform him in ways he could never have imagined.
More Reviews of Destiny’s Crucible
“What an enjoyable read!” A C Bennett, Amazon TOP 1000 REVIEWER Five stars.
“Another wonder” Amazon Customer, Amazon TOP 500 REVIEWER Five stars.
“Mixture of SF, time travel, and alternative history.” “Knowledge is power” M.W. Broscheit, Amazon TOP 1000 REVIEWER Five stars.
“Any lover of action adventures, war drama, political intrigue, or science fiction should do themselves a favor and check out the Destiny's Crucible Series.” Clabe Polk, Midwest Book Review.
Amazon customers (series average rating 4.56 stars)
“Science fiction, history, and romance are woven to create an intricate story.”
“Outrageous story line made believable, fast moving action, superb character development.”
“ . . . a character that is all too believable. His situation is only a device but we are drawn in to the narrative with a deft touch.”
“I didn't really expect to like this story. Since getting the book 6 days ago I have read it twice.”
“Engrossing” “A book to get lost in.” “Wow” “Great Book You Will Remember Always” “Couldn't put it down once I started”
“My favorite book of all time is Mark Twain A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court. Cast Under an Alien Sun is the first book I've ever found to so completely modernize this story and yet keep completely to all the quirks, traits and storylines that also make the story great, all the while remaining a unique work on its own.”
“Character development at its finest!” “Compelling and thought-provoking!”
“Elements of hard science fiction, soft science fiction, adventure, and fantasy. There's a whole new world to explore; its name is Anyar.”
“Great fantasy of how one person can change history”
“An immersive adventure rich in detail and focused on a conclusion.”
“Overall a real treat for SF fans of world building, military SF, alien first contact and lots of others.” “ . . . the world building is a thing of wonder.” James Tepper, Amazon Vine Voice (Amazon invited pre-release review)
“I could not put this down, written with honesty and verve, solid character development, with a well thought out plot” John Bell, Amazon TOP 500 REVIEWER Five stars.
“This series is badass. I was oblivious to the world, immersed as I was in this author's storytelling. The guy can write. He can write well enough that readers end up losing sleep because they're compelled to keep turning pages.” H. Bala, Amazon TOP 500 REVIEWER Five stars
What if you were thrown into a foreign society, never to see home again? What would you do and could you survive?
A story science fiction in premise, adventure in execution. A cross-genre adventure with elements of science fiction, history, hard science, epic fantasy, time travel, romance, alien contact, and space colonization.
Joe Colsco boarded a flight from San Francisco to Chicago to attend a national chemistry meeting. He would never set foot on Earth again.
On planet Anyar, Joe is found unconscious on a beach of a large island inhabited by humans where the level of technology is similar to Earth circa 1700. He awakes amidst strangers speaking an unintelligible language and struggles to accept losing his previous life and finding a place in a society with different customs, needing a way to support himself, and not knowing a single soul. His worry about finding a place is assuaged when he finds ways to apply his knowledge of chemistry—as long as he is circumspect in introducing new knowledge not too far in advance of the planet’s technology and being labelled a demon.
As he adjusts, Joe finds that he has be dropped into a developing clash between the people who cared for him, and for whom he develops an affinity, and a military power from elsewhere on the planet, a power with designs on conquest.
Unaware, Joseph Colsco has been poured into a crucible, where time and trials will transform him in ways he could never have imagined.
More Reviews of Destiny’s Crucible
“What an enjoyable read!” A C Bennett, Amazon TOP 1000 REVIEWER Five stars.
“Another wonder” Amazon Customer, Amazon TOP 500 REVIEWER Five stars.
“Mixture of SF, time travel, and alternative history.” “Knowledge is power” M.W. Broscheit, Amazon TOP 1000 REVIEWER Five stars.
“Any lover of action adventures, war drama, political intrigue, or science fiction should do themselves a favor and check out the Destiny's Crucible Series.” Clabe Polk, Midwest Book Review.
Amazon customers (series average rating 4.56 stars)
“Science fiction, history, and romance are woven to create an intricate story.”
“Outrageous story line made believable, fast moving action, superb character development.”
“ . . . a character that is all too believable. His situation is only a device but we are drawn in to the narrative with a deft touch.”
“I didn't really expect to like this story. Since getting the book 6 days ago I have read it twice.”
“Engrossing” “A book to get lost in.” “Wow” “Great Book You Will Remember Always” “Couldn't put it down once I started”
“My favorite book of all time is Mark Twain A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court. Cast Under an Alien Sun is the first book I've ever found to so completely modernize this story and yet keep completely to all the quirks, traits and storylines that also make the story great, all the while remaining a unique work on its own.”
“Character development at its finest!” “Compelling and thought-provoking!”
“Elements of hard science fiction, soft science fiction, adventure, and fantasy. There's a whole new world to explore; its name is Anyar.”
“Great fantasy of how one person can change history”
“An immersive adventure rich in detail and focused on a conclusion.”
2
$3.99
Destiny’s Crucible:
Joe Colsco boarded a flight from San Francisco to Chicago to attend a national chemistry meeting. Through a freak accident, he never sets foot on Earth again. He is unaware he has been poured into a crucible, where time and trials will transform him in ways unimagined, and that will send him and his descendants to a destiny beyond one planet.
Book I: Cast Under an Alien Sun
On planet Anyar, Joe was found unconscious on a beach of a large island (Caedellium) inhabited by humans where the level of technology is similar to Earth circa 1700. He awoke amidst strangers speaking an unintelligible language, and despaired losing his previous life. He used knowledge of chemistry to introduce new knowledge—but not too advanced of the planet’s technology to avoid being labelled a demon. He found a place in the society and developed new friendships, male and female.
But all was not idyllic. Joe was dropped into a clash between the people who cared for him, and a military power from elsewhere on the planet, a power with designs on conquest. Joe survived his first experience in deadly conflict but knows it was only a foretaste of what was coming.
Book II: Pen and the Sword
The Narthani, a militant realm who believe their manifest destiny is to rule the entire planet, Anyar, plan to absorb Caedellium into their empire and crush any resistance. Yozef Kolsko (aka Joe Colsco) works to find ways to increase the chances of his, and the society which has accepted him, ability to resist the Narthani’s planned conquest.
Complicating his life is attraction to a brilliant daughter of an island leader, and his uncertainty of his own mind, hers, or intricacies of Caedellium customs.
Despite his desire to devote himself to introducing new knowledge Yozef is drawn more and more into developing weapons and giving tactical and strategic advice—things he knows he’s unqualified to give. The enemy is coming. The odds seem overwhelming, and it will take all Yozef can do, the courage of his new people, and luck, to survive.
Joe Colsco boarded a flight from San Francisco to Chicago to attend a national chemistry meeting. Through a freak accident, he never sets foot on Earth again. He is unaware he has been poured into a crucible, where time and trials will transform him in ways unimagined, and that will send him and his descendants to a destiny beyond one planet.
Book I: Cast Under an Alien Sun
On planet Anyar, Joe was found unconscious on a beach of a large island (Caedellium) inhabited by humans where the level of technology is similar to Earth circa 1700. He awoke amidst strangers speaking an unintelligible language, and despaired losing his previous life. He used knowledge of chemistry to introduce new knowledge—but not too advanced of the planet’s technology to avoid being labelled a demon. He found a place in the society and developed new friendships, male and female.
But all was not idyllic. Joe was dropped into a clash between the people who cared for him, and a military power from elsewhere on the planet, a power with designs on conquest. Joe survived his first experience in deadly conflict but knows it was only a foretaste of what was coming.
Book II: Pen and the Sword
The Narthani, a militant realm who believe their manifest destiny is to rule the entire planet, Anyar, plan to absorb Caedellium into their empire and crush any resistance. Yozef Kolsko (aka Joe Colsco) works to find ways to increase the chances of his, and the society which has accepted him, ability to resist the Narthani’s planned conquest.
Complicating his life is attraction to a brilliant daughter of an island leader, and his uncertainty of his own mind, hers, or intricacies of Caedellium customs.
Despite his desire to devote himself to introducing new knowledge Yozef is drawn more and more into developing weapons and giving tactical and strategic advice—things he knows he’s unqualified to give. The enemy is coming. The odds seem overwhelming, and it will take all Yozef can do, the courage of his new people, and luck, to survive.
3
$4.99
Beware of creating your worst enemy.
All Joe Colsco wanted out of life was a reasonably interesting job supporting a quiet, comfortable suburban lifestyle, eventually a small family, and time to pursue hobbies. Instead, a freak accident casts him naked onto a beach of another planet inhabited by humans with technology circa 1700. In time, Joe, now known as Yozef Kolsko, makes the difficult acceptance of a new life, has a respectable position in his new society, and is married with a child on the way. But all is not rosy. He has become embroiled in a struggle beyond any dream he could have had—or any nightmare.
The Narthani are a militant society intent on subjugating the Caedelli, the people he’s come to identify with. Despite Yozef’s hope to focus his life on transferring scientific knowledge and support a quiet life, he finds his life’s direction moving beyond his control. As his actions and ideas become more important in resisting the Narthani, he reluctantly finds himself dragged into leadership roles he doesn’t believe himself qualified—including efforts to unite the Caedelli clans.
The transformation of Joseph Colsco to Yozef Kolsko is about to take another step. Unwittingly, the Narthani themselves are creating an opponent unlike any they have ever faced, an enemy beyond their conceptions.
All Joe Colsco wanted out of life was a reasonably interesting job supporting a quiet, comfortable suburban lifestyle, eventually a small family, and time to pursue hobbies. Instead, a freak accident casts him naked onto a beach of another planet inhabited by humans with technology circa 1700. In time, Joe, now known as Yozef Kolsko, makes the difficult acceptance of a new life, has a respectable position in his new society, and is married with a child on the way. But all is not rosy. He has become embroiled in a struggle beyond any dream he could have had—or any nightmare.
The Narthani are a militant society intent on subjugating the Caedelli, the people he’s come to identify with. Despite Yozef’s hope to focus his life on transferring scientific knowledge and support a quiet life, he finds his life’s direction moving beyond his control. As his actions and ideas become more important in resisting the Narthani, he reluctantly finds himself dragged into leadership roles he doesn’t believe himself qualified—including efforts to unite the Caedelli clans.
The transformation of Joseph Colsco to Yozef Kolsko is about to take another step. Unwittingly, the Narthani themselves are creating an opponent unlike any they have ever faced, an enemy beyond their conceptions.
4
$5.99
To forge: “Make or shape an object by heating in a fire or furnace and hammering.” —Oxford Dictionary
Joseph Colsco has survived what many would not have—cast naked on an alien planet amidst humans speaking an unknown language and with a different culture and history. Now, known to the people of Caedellium as Yozef Kolsko, he has risen out of despair to prominence and finds himself a central figure in the culmination of a struggle against an imperialist power bent on subjugation.
The clans of the Island of Caedellium must gird themselves for what is to come. If they can’t unite to a degree previously unimaginable, they will fall into the bottomless abyss of lost history. Their strengths are their determination, bravery, potentially new allies, and a single man with a mysterious history. The options are simple: victory, death, enslavement.
Yozef Kolsko may have transformed from who he had been on Earth, but did the trials he has undergone produced a savior some of his adopted people see him as or is he an illusion? The crucible of fate is about to yield a final product, but is the result enough against a formidable enemy?
Joseph Colsco has survived what many would not have—cast naked on an alien planet amidst humans speaking an unknown language and with a different culture and history. Now, known to the people of Caedellium as Yozef Kolsko, he has risen out of despair to prominence and finds himself a central figure in the culmination of a struggle against an imperialist power bent on subjugation.
The clans of the Island of Caedellium must gird themselves for what is to come. If they can’t unite to a degree previously unimaginable, they will fall into the bottomless abyss of lost history. Their strengths are their determination, bravery, potentially new allies, and a single man with a mysterious history. The options are simple: victory, death, enslavement.
Yozef Kolsko may have transformed from who he had been on Earth, but did the trials he has undergone produced a savior some of his adopted people see him as or is he an illusion? The crucible of fate is about to yield a final product, but is the result enough against a formidable enemy?
5
$3.99
The Destiny’s Crucible series chronicles the incredible adventure of Joseph Colsco, a college student of no particular importance, who is thrust into an unimaginable fate by an accident that couldn’t happen—but did. Cast naked on the planet Anyar, he forges a new life for himself and rises to prominence and responsibilities he would otherwise never have imagined. However, much is left undone and uncertain. For readers who finished the first four books, many questions were left unanswered, and many stories left untold. This collection of short stories and novellas addresses some of the questions, expands previous books, and points to future directions. The anthology begins not on the planet Anyar but on Earth, with the aftermath of the improbable accident that starts Joseph Colsco on his new life.
6
$4.99
For Mark Caldwell, an unsatisfying life was about to take a turn both terrifying and exhilarating as his fate took an unimaginable turn.
When Mark took his aisle seat aboard United flight 4382, he was ignorant of three facts. The fellow passenger in the window seat was named Joseph Colsco. Neither of them would ever set foot on Earth again. They both would be cast naked on an alien planet.
Adapt or die. Those were the choices. Determined to grasp the chance at a second life, Mark plunges into an adventure he couldn’t anticipate and leading to a future he can’t predict.
When Mark took his aisle seat aboard United flight 4382, he was ignorant of three facts. The fellow passenger in the window seat was named Joseph Colsco. Neither of them would ever set foot on Earth again. They both would be cast naked on an alien planet.
Adapt or die. Those were the choices. Determined to grasp the chance at a second life, Mark plunges into an adventure he couldn’t anticipate and leading to a future he can’t predict.
There's a problem loading this menu right now.
Get fast, free delivery with Amazon Prime
Prime members enjoy FREE Two-Day Delivery and exclusive access to music, movies, TV shows, original audio series, and Kindle books.
Customer reviews
4.8 out of 5 stars
6 customer ratings
Review this product
Share your thoughts with other customers
6 customer reviews
Top Reviews
There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.
March 27, 2017
Comment
Report abuse
I have read all three of the Destiny's Crucible books so far and thoroughly enjoyed them. They are the best self published books I have read. They are well written, well edited and very readable. The world building was well thought out and need for suspension of disbelief is kept to a minimum (considering it's science fiction). These books are in one of my favorite sub-genres so that helps. Joseph Colsco, a chemist by profession, finds himself transported to a distant planet seeded with humans in the distant past by an unknown alien race. The planet's civilizations are at approximately a 17th century level. There he becomes Yozef Kolsko and helps the society who took him in resist invasion by a tyrannical human empire. I can't wait for the next book!
4 people found this helpful
Helpful
January 11, 2018
This was my favorite science fiction series in 2017. Great story. Great character development (if you're into that). Uncanny insight into warfare and leadership. Also, reminded me of the "The Martian" in the way Joe Colsko used his 21st century science background to solve problems in a 17th century environment. But in spite of how much I liked the story there were a lot of threads left hanging. I would love to see a new series, starring Joe Colsko, to wrap up these loose threads.
June 30, 2017
Having read the three books so far I only wish for the next to be available soon.
Well written and very intriguing.
Well written and very intriguing.
February 19, 2018
Olan Thorensen's Destiny's Crucible Series is an absolutely outstanding must read for military science fiction fans! I am keeping my fingers crossed that there are more books in the very very near future!!!! PLEASE!!!!!
February 12, 2017
This is a great series, each book better than the next.
January 30, 2017
Looks like another one coming
More About the Author
Biography
Olan is a long-time science fiction fan who has jumped into independent publication with all its pitfalls and unknowns. He thinks all colors go together: clash, what clash? A fan of Dilbert, Non Sequitur, Peanuts (even if old strips), and still think the end of The Far Side was a tragedy. In his youth, served in the US Special Forces (one year in Vietnam; SOG). Has a Phd in Genetics, around 200 science publications as author and co-author, and is a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). Lives in the Blue Ridge country of Virginia. Thinks it's totally cool someone can read his stories and enjoy them. Loves fireflies, thunderstorms, is eclectic in music, and thinks four seasons are better than one. His web page is olanthorensen.com, which has maps to help orient readers to the planet Anyar, and he can be emailed at olanthorensen@gmail.com. Readers can request to be on a mailing list for news and releases.