The Crucible: Lost Star Chronicles Book 1

By Joseph Horacki

Six years ago, Alex Racer lost everything when his daughter Madilynn vanished without a trace. His marriage crumbled, his career as a fugitive recovery officer ended, and he found solace only at the bottom of a whiskey bottle.
Now, desperate and broken, Alex accepts a dangerous mission that could either kill him or earn him three million dollars: infiltrate the prison transport ship The Crucible where a thousand violent convicts have escaped stasis and taken control. But when Alex learns his ex-wife Kate is among the hostages, what starts as a job for money becomes a desperate rescue mission.
Trapped aboard a ship hurtling toward disaster, Alex must navigate deadly corridors filled with escaped killers while confronting Wallace Walker, the riot's ruthless leader.
As The Crucible spirals toward a catastrophic crash, Alex must fight not just for survival, but for the chance to save the woman he once loved. In a universe where hope is a luxury he can't afford, redemption may come at the ultimate price.
Some prisons are meant to be broken. Others break you first.

Fans of Andy Weir's technical precision, Blake Crouch's adrenaline-fueled pacing, and the character dynamics of "The Expanse" series will find themselves right at home with "The Crucible." It's perfect for readers who appreciate:

High-tension action with real consequencesFlawed, complex protagonists seeking redemptionSci-fi that feels grounded despite its futuristic settingStories that blend personal drama with larger threatsSharp dialogue and dark humour in dire situations

"The Crucible" delivers a self-contained, satisfying story while setting up tantalizing threads for the next instalments in the Lost Star Chronicles. It's a thrilling ride that leaves you breathless yet eager for more.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1069687707
• ISBN13: 9781069687708
• Release Date: August 2025
• Publisher: Joseph Horacki
• Length: 230 Pages
• Weight: 0.51 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.0" x 8.0"