The Crucible: Lost Star Chronicles Book 1

The CrucibleBook One of the Lost Star ChroniclesSix years ago, Alex Racer lost everything when his daughter, Madilynn, vanished without a trace. His marriage fell apart. His career as a top fugitive recovery officer disintegrated. What remained of his life drowned in the haze of whiskey and regret.Now, a desperate Alex takes one last, high-stakes job — a mission that could either kill him or earn him three million credits. His target: The Crucible, a massive space prison transport where a thousand violent convicts have escaped stasis and seized control. But when Alex learns that his ex-wife, Kate, is among the hostages, what began as a suicide mission for profit turns into a personal war for redemption.Aboard the derelict ship hurtling through the galaxy, Alex must survive deadly corridors filled with escaped killers and face off against Wallace Walker, the ruthless leader of the uprising. As The Crucible spirals toward destruction, Alex races against time to save the woman he still loves—and maybe, in the process, save himself.In this sci fi space adventure filled with raw emotion, brutal combat, and impossible odds, The Crucible delivers a gripping blend of space opera spectacle and thrillers & suspense intensity. It’s a story where survival means sacrifice, and redemption has a price no man can afford to pay.Some prisons are meant to be broken. Others break you first.Fans of Andy Weir’s technical realism, Blake Crouch’s relentless pacing, and the rich character dynamics of The Expanse will feel right at home. Perfect for readers who crave:Heart-pounding science fiction adventures with emotional depthA gritty space dystopian setting grounded in realismComplex, flawed heroes seeking redemption across the starsSharp dialogue, dark humor, and explosive tensionA self-contained story that lays the foundation for future interstellar epicsWith its mix of adventure, intensity, and cinematic storytelling, The Crucible stands out as a must-read for science fiction young adult and adult readers alike. It’s a pulse-pounding journey through chaos, courage, and the thin line between survival and salvation — the first unforgettable chapter in the Lost Star Chronicles.