Taken

"Taken," the novel that was based on the original Sci-Fi Channel epic mini-series of the same title, was written by Thomas Cook. "Taken," created by Leslie Bohem, is the story of fifty years in the lives of three families, three different generations.

The novel tells an epic story that is set against the 'backdrop of historical events' starts out with the abduction of downed WWII fighter Russell Keys (who in the Sci-Fi Channel mini-series was portrayed by "General Hospital" heartthrob Steve Burton) and his squadron. Russell is critically injured by enemy fire and his plane begins to spin out of control downward into enemy territory.

Suddenly a blue light stops his plane's decent towards the ground and a little bit later he and his men end up safe and sound on the ground, completely healed but with no memory of what happened to them or how they ended up on the ground.

Years later, after the deaths of the other members of his squadron, Russell begins to search for answers to what happened to him and his men as his experiences begin to be remembered. All the while beginning to understand how deeply his life was touched by his first encounter with a UFO. He also begins to realize that he's powerless to stop the aliens from abducting his son and future generations.

"Taken" also delves into the lives and families of Sally Clarke (who in the Sci-Fi Channel mini-series was portrayed by Catherine Dent), a lonely woman who meets a strange man 'hiding in her barn,' and Owen Crawford (who in the Sci-Fi Channel mini-series was portrayed by Joel Gretsch), who was 'drawn to a bizarre' crash site in the desert near Roswell, New Mexico and winds up smack dab in the middle of a government conspiracy.

The three families are forever entwined in destiny as the search for UFOs binds them with an intriguing sequence of what could be random mysterious events. Russell is badly hurt, his plane nearly crashes and he and his squadron end up abducted by aliens. Years later he begins his search for answers.