Titan Base

Gr 5–7—Ethan Blackwood is leading the young members of Sterling Squadron to find a new base for Earth's fight against the occupying alien Ch'zar. The responsibility of his promotion to lieutenant weighs heavily on the 12-year-old, and his struggle to develop the qualities of a good leader is a central theme of the book. Action drives the rest of the narrative, moving at a breakneck pace from battle to battle, slowing only to describe futuristic gadgets and weaponry. Nylund provides brief backstory and just enough information about supporting characters to be able to tell them apart; Ethan is the only one who stands out. References to events from The Resisters (2011) and Sterling Squadron (2012, both Random) will leave new readers at a disadvantage. The stage is set for the next entry in the series as Ethan uncovers a mystery about his parents and the team searches for another resistance moment. Order where the previous titles are popular; give to middle school gamers and readers too young for Nylund's adult adaptations of Halo, including The Fall of Reach (Del Rey, 2001).—M. Kozikowski, Sachem Public Library, Holbrook, NY