I received an Advance Reading Copy of The Taker by Alma Katsu. It landed in my TBR pile because I was behind in my reading. Before I could get to it, my daughter needed an emergency supply of books to keep her from dying of boredom in the middle of the Kuwaiti desert. I grabbed up all the ARCs and paperbacks that I could (sand and soldiers tend to be rough on books) and sent them her way. Her bunk mate and she decided that their favorite was The Taker by Alma Katsu. So, although I haven’t read it myself, I feel comfortable in recommending it to older teens and young adults. Hopefully, the book will return with my daughter, and I will have the opportunity to read it. But, if not, at least I will know it was enjoyed by several young soldiers while they struggled to cope with the monotony of the desert. The second in the trilogy is now out, and if you visit the author’s website, you can preview the third.

Update: I’ve since read the book myself and feel I must warn readers of certain triggers, particularly a brutal sexual assault and other violence.