Review: Titan Base by Eric Nylund

Titan Base by Eric Nylund. Book 3 of The Resisters Series.

Yearling
Publication Date: January 2013
List Price: $6.99
ISBN-13: 9780307978547

Review: There are probably many children who believe their parents are really aliens or at least controlled by aliens because of the things they make them do, but in the new book Titan Base it happens to be true. Author Eric Nylund has continued The Resisters series with the book Titan Base. Pre-teen Ethan Blackwood and his squadron of children once again must save humanity from the dastardly doings of the alien Ch'zar. What is interesting is how this book separates itself from the rest of the superhero and science fiction series out there with unique star characters, tools, and enemy tactics. This book is sure to keep the readers engaged in the story.

Titan Base continues the story of the post World War IV planet earth, where the adults are under mind control of the alien Ch'zar that resides in large carrier ships above the earth's atmosphere. Children are raised in towns that appear normal, but when they reach puberty they are sent to High School where they fall under the Ch'zar's mind power. Some adults, who have broken free and have to live under the earth's surface and help a small group of children in a fight against the Ch'zar. One of the newer members is Ethan Blackwood who is a Lieutenant on a special mission to find a home for the Resistance before the Ch'zar discovers their home base. Titan Base focuses on Ethan's accepting and understanding his job as a leader and all the various battles with the Ch'zar. Ethan's group encounters a robot run community, they find their hometown in turmoil, and they need to find medicine for one of their crew before she dies. Ethan and his sister, Emma, have unusual mental abilities that begin to surface, and they continue to cope with missing their parents while uncovering more information about them. All of this results in an extraordinary final battle.

Although this is the third in the book series, don't worry; the reader does not need to read the previous books to enjoy this one. One of the good things this author does is start a new story, provide background of the characters, their history, and keep it all interesting at the same time. There is no boring first chapter of review, like in some series books. This author (Eric Nylund) also keeps the reader engaged by providing a current action storyline while weaving throughout the action more details of the past and clues about what the future has in store. Also this book is not all action, the story gets into personal relationships between siblings, boys and girls affections, and self esteem. The cool ships that each person pilots are great. Each one is made like a different insect, such as a dragonfly, bee, ladybug, or wasp and each one has different abilities and weapons.

The best part of this book is the journey taken with Ethan Blackwood from doubting his ability to be a leader to defining the qualities that make him a good leader. Also that change is inevitable, and how one reacts to change will define his/her character. (Spoiler Alert!) When Ethan is put in a position where he has to choose between rescuing some children from his hometown or leaving them to fight the Ch'zar, the reader is there with him. "His duty to the Resistance was more importantÉ As a Lieutenant in chargeÉ He had people counting on him to save their lives, and he couldn't save them all. Authority. Responsibility. Accountability." Titan Base

Review written by David (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Random House for providing a copy of Titan Base for this review.

Have you read Titan Base? How would you rate it?