This is the third book in the Taking Series. I have not read books one and two. Melissa West provides enough context in this book that the reader can discern the major events of books one and two.The story centers on preparations for an invasion by alien civilization call the Ancients who are endowed with with healing and mind control powers. Being healed by an Ancient gives the the sick person similar super human abilities and the title of half breed. Ari Alexander an enhanced human and the heroine of the story is in love with Jackson and Ancient and the grandson of the stories villain Zeus leader of the Ancients. This book becomes is story of how their love binds them together and how they battle Zeus. I was not really impressed with this story. While action and combat sequences are understandable. The motives of the characters are not examined. Apparently old friends switch sides with no explanation givens. Ari suffers loss after loss of personal friends and family with little or no emotional response. Jackson fights his grandfather with no elaboration as to why. Ari is supposed to be an example of a strong female character but her primary motivation is obsessive concern for her boyfriend and lover Jackson. This not an example of a strong independent woman, Yet this book is supposedly aimed at female science fiction readers. ( )

This is one trilogy I DID NOT WANT TO END!!! The Taking books have given me emotional journeys, and I love all of the characters. Even Zeus, but only because of how awful he can truly be.

Ari shows just how strong she can be, both emotionally and physically. She gets thrown into circumstances that she has no way to prepare for. I love that she always does what she thinks is best and doesn’t second guess herself or ask questions. And Jackson, well, he’s just plain swoony. He supports Ari, and that’s one of the things I’ve always loved about his character.

There are a few action scenes, but the most intense ones include Zeus. That guy know no bounds when it comes to screwing with Ari. He’s constantly trying to break her. He’s the perfect villain. At times you kind of understand his motivation, but basically he’s just bad.

As sad as I am to say goodbye to these characters, I’m beyond happy with how it ended. ( )