Review: Task Force by Brian Falkner

Task Force by Brian Falkner. A Recon Team Angel Book.

Random House Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: September 2013
List Price: $17.99
ISBN-13: 9780449812990

Review: Imagine if you were 17 years old and the fate of the world was in your hands. In Task Force by Brian Falkner, that is exactly what happens to Lieutenant Ryan "Lucky" Chisnall and his elite squad of teenage soldiers. Together they form Recon Team Angel, and their mission is not an easy one.

In 2012, a group of aliens called Bzadians came to Earth to destroy the human race. Over the last 25 years, the Bzadians have taken over most of Europe, Asia, and Australia. Australia is now called New Bzadia and is the Bzadian's main headquarters. The Bzadians are perched in Russia waiting for the Bering Strait to freeze over so they can take over their final conquest-the Americas. If they succeed, the human race will be wiped out.

Chosen for their intellectual and physical abilities, Chisnall and his team have been surgically modified to resemble the Bzadians. With their knowledge of Bzadian language and culture, they are able to blend in behind enemy lines. The only hope for saving the human race is to invade New Bzadia and sneak in a fleet of the remaining world's military. If they are able to cut off the alien army's fuel and supplies, humanity might just have a chance.

This is book two in Brian Falkner's Recon Team Angel series. Even those who haven't read book one, The Assault, will be able to jump right into Task Force. Teenagers and young adults alike will be riveted by this military recount of their special mission. Follow the team as they evade capture, interact with the alien species, and put their lives on the line over and over again. It's hard to keep in mind that the members of Team Angel are merely children, with their innate military skills and ability to think clearly under pressure. Readers will feel the excitement of every small battle and feel the tension that mounts, as they get closer to their objective. Will the human race survive? Will our heroes survive? These questions are in your head until the very end.

Review written by Christian (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Random House for providing a copy of Task Force for this review.

Have you read Task Force? How would you rate it?