This book was just greatness. So great in fact I'm not sure where to start. I guess I should start by saying that at first, when I read the description, I didn't think this book was for me. I'm not one to read and love books about aliens and alien abduction. But a fellow reading junkie was reading it and talking it up. Since I had a copy I decided to go for it. And in a word, fan-freaking-tastic! I loved loved loved this book and it has became my first 5 star read of 2014(I've had many since. HEHE). Because even with the alien plot story, this book was more than a sci-fi book that doesn't seem possible. It was also a love story and a hint of dystopian all in one. 
 The Taking is the story of Kyra, a normal teenage girl living a normal life. She's the star of her high school softball team, has a boyfriend, Austin, who she thinks is amazing and has known her whole life and has loving parents. After a softball game and a fight with her dad over college and Austin, Kyra gets out of the car intending to walk off her anger. But before she can do anything there is a blinding flash and she's gone. And as quickly as she disappeared she returns. However it isn't as quick as she thinks. What seems to be overnight to her has actually been 5 long years. The life she once knew is gone. Austin is off in college now dating her best friend, her parents have their own problems and everyone has seemed to age unlike her. This includes Austin's brother Tyler who is now a 17 year old hottie that Kyra can't seem to stop thinking about. As Tyler and Kyra get closer questions about her disappearance become harder and harder to ignore. And as the truth starts to show, Kyra is in for the biggest fight of her life just to keep the ones she loves safe. 
 Did I mention how amazing this book was? I'm not sure if I have clearly stated it so just in case, it's so flipping good! The story, the characters, the pacing. It was all pretty awesome. I think what made me like this book despite the skeptical feelings I have on aliens, was the way that Kimberly Derting didn't shove the alien stuff in your face from the start. It was there lingering in the background with mentions popping up, but what sucked me in was the human aspect of it first with the heart pounding sci-fi part after. Derting let me, as a reader, get to know and love the characters of Kyra and Tyler. I got to root for them and want to hear their story before everything went haywire and the truth about Kyra's missing time came to fruition. For a book like this I think that course of action was perfect because I fell in love with the characters and therefore was invested in what happened to them regardless of the underlining circumstances. 
 And man did I love Kyra and Tyler. Tyler might just be one of the top 10 book boyfriends around. He made me swoon almost immediately. So much in fact that I wasn't the least bit bothered by the somewhat instalove that happened. Instead I was happy it happened because there was something there between him and Kyra from the first time they 'met'. The two of them were the perfect counterparts and I was invested. And even when all the alien chatter really hit its stride, it didn't really seem to matter. I just wanted to know what would happen to these characters I had fallen in love with. 
 Without giving anything away just know the story is filled with a lot of twists and interesting revelations that I didn't see coming and an end that will knock your socks off leaving you pining for more. The book is a total fast pace read that will have you on the end of your seat and swooning at the same time. I don't know what Ms. Derting has in store for us next in this series, but I'm officially in for the ride!