Collide by Melissa West – a Review

Collide
The Taking series – Book #3
by Melissa West
Release Date: February 9, 2015

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Description:
Military legacy Ari Alexander has survived alien spies, WWIV, and a changing world order. But when the new leader of Earth uses Jackson—the only boy she’s ever let herself care about—to get to her, Ari has no choice but to surrender.

To free Jackson, she agrees to travel to the national bases to train others to fight. What she discovers is a land riddled with dying people. Ari has the power to heal by turning the fighters into aliens—half-breeds like her. If she succeeds, together, they have a chance at overthrowing the alien leader, Zeus. But if she fails, everyone she holds dear will be wiped away forever.

Once again, everything Ari’s come to believe is thrown into question. In a world of uncertainty, loyalties are tested, lies are uncovered, and no one can be trusted. If Ari and Jackson have any hope at survival and at preserving a life for the future, they must fight the final war with their eyes wide open.

Review:

Collide by Melissa West is the 3^rd and final book in her The Taking trilogy. I have been with this series from the start, and have loved every moment of it. Ari and Jackson are our heroes all throughout the series, and they were great together. This was an exciting book from start to finish, and as I neared the end, I started worrying that the ending will leave me dissatisfied.   I am happy to say I didn’t need to worry, as it was an awesome end to this fabulous trilogy.

When we last left off in Hover, Ari, and the humans/ancients who were trying to escape the planet Loge and Zeus to go to Earth. There was a cliffhanger when they arrived. In Collide we start with Ari waking up from a drug induced sleep, to see her mother, father and her friends, Gretchen and Vill. In a short time she learns that not all is well on Earth, as Kelvin is now the President and he wants Ari to reveal the secrets of Zeus and the plan to destroy earth. Only Ari doesn’t know, since Zeus an evil madman who reveals nothing, but Kelvin doesn’t believe her, and much to her shock, he has Jackson as his prisoner and is willing to torture him to get what he wants.

After much anguish, Ari is able to convince Kelvin, whom she does not trust, to allow them to visit the surrounding territories and teach them how to fight, in preparation for the upcoming war against Zeus. This allows Jackson to be freed, and Vill, Gretchen, her father travel with her to help other humans train for the upcoming war. What follows is an exciting story, with many twists, and betrayals that make their attempt to win this war almost impossible. Zeus is too strong, but neither Ari nor Jackson will give up.

Things are not what they expected when they arrive at the different compounds, with human distrust of Ari, Jackson and Vill (ancients or half ancients). They were able to turn some of the Ops to half ancients to give them more power and strength to fight, but at each stop the losses increase and by the time they reach the last stop, they know that they have been set up. By the time they get back to the main compound, the war has already begun.

Ari must be able to rise her powers or everyone will die. She and Jackson will have to find a way to meet Zeus face to face to try to kill him, or all will be lost. The last half of the book was non- stop action, with heartbreaking moments. Will Ari and Jackson’s love for one another be enough for them to defeat Zeus? Will either of them survive?

Melissa West has done a wonderful job completing this story, and allowing us to follow Ari and Jackson all the way through. They made a great couple, strong and determined, but most of all, a beautiful love between them. Thank you Melissa for giving us a fascinating ending to this trilogy. For those of you have not read The Taking series, you should start with Gravity and enjoy the ride.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher