Assault, by Brian Falkner

It is 2030 and the world is at war. This time, though, the war is different – instead of country fighting country, the battle is between human kind and alien invaders. And the aliens, it seems, have the upper hand

The other members of the team couldn’t hear the voices of the pilot (snug and safe in his cockpit somewhere above them) and their mission controller (thousands of kilometres away at the Operational Command Centre). Only Chisnall had a link to that channel. So the others did not know that five enemy jets were heading their way, and the first would be right on their tail in less than seventeen minutes.
He decided not to tell them.

It is 2030 and the world is at war. This time, though, the war is different – instead of country fighting country, the battle is between human kind and alien invaders. And the aliens, it seems, have the upper hand. Enter Recon Team Angel. For years these teenagers have been in training to take on roles suited only to them. This is their first mission.

In the deserts of Australia the teenage soldiers must infiltrate the Bzadian aliens’ base. Lead by Lieutenant Ryan Chisnall the team, disguised as Bzadians, tries to find what the secret is that the Bzadian’s have hidden in Uluru. What they find there is more shocking than they could have imagined. But surviving for long enough to get the word out might be even harder than they think.

Assault is the first title in a thrilling new series set in the not too distant future, in a world which is, however, made unfamiliar because of the presence of the alien race and their technology. The Bzadians have arrived in Australia ostensibly seeking a small area to live in, only to have rapidly sought to take over the whole world. Their goal is to destroy the human race and claim the planet for themselves. Team Angel is just a small part of mankind’s efforts to win back the earth.

Lovers of science fiction and action novels will find this an absorbing read. There is lots of action, with fight scenes, explosions and battles, but there is also character development and the teens confront issues such as their first experiences of death and killing to show that they are, deep down, fairly normal teens. There are also, of course, issues explored about humanity, courage and more.

Suitable for ages 13 and over.

Assault (Recon Team Angel)

Assault (Recon Team Angel), by Brian Falkner
Walker Books, 2011
ISBN

This book can be purchased from good bookstores or online from Fishpond. Buying through this link supports Aussiereviews.