What do you think?
Rate this book
Lost Starship #18
The Lost Task Force
Task Force 3 is Star Watch’s elite deployment unit against any surprise threats to the Commonwealth.
A mysterious enemy appears 40.7 light years from Earth. Task Force 3 deploys but fails to defend a populated planet against a massive alien Annihilator. Then the task force is sucked through a rip in the space-time continuum, disappearing with the enemy.
This is a nightmare situation. How do you defend against an evil that can appear anywhere and uses technologies beyond our comprehension?
The crew of Victory is ordered to find the answers, and if possible rescue the lost task force.
Captain Maddox, Valerie and Galyan face their most horrific and mind-numbing challenge yet, crossing boundaries they didn’t know existed.
THE LOST TASK FORCE is book 18 in the Lost Starship series, a multiverse-spanning saga of deadly space war and planetary struggles as told by millions-bestselling author Vaughn Heppner.
A mysterious enemy appears 40.7 light years from Earth. Task Force 3 deploys but fails to defend a populated planet against a massive alien Annihilator. Then the task force is sucked through a rip in the space-time continuum, disappearing with the enemy.
This is a nightmare situation. How do you defend against an evil that can appear anywhere and uses technologies beyond our comprehension?
The crew of Victory is ordered to find the answers, and if possible rescue the lost task force.
Captain Maddox, Valerie and Galyan face their most horrific and mind-numbing challenge yet, crossing boundaries they didn’t know existed.
THE LOST TASK FORCE is book 18 in the Lost Starship series, a multiverse-spanning saga of deadly space war and planetary struggles as told by millions-bestselling author Vaughn Heppner.
- GenresAudiobookScience Fiction
423 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 31, 2023
204 people are currently reading
37 people want to read
About the author
Vaughn Heppner
146 books567 followersYou can visit Vaughn at www.vaughnheppner.com
I was born in Canada and remember as a small boy crawling in my snow-fort. I closed my eyes, and when I tried to open them, they were frozen shut. I didn't panic, but wiped away the ice crystals, unglued my eyes and kept on building my tunnel. Those were great days! I moved to Central California before seventh grade and couldn't believe I lived in a land where oranges grew on trees and you could pick grapes from the vine.
I used to wonder what I wanted to do with my life, what kind of work specifically. I was miserable not knowing and bordering on desperate. Then one day a friend gave me his typewriter. I began working on a novel. A different person told me it was much easier on a computer, so I bought one and began getting up at 4:30 A.M. each morning before work, writing for three hours. My eyes were unglued once again as the pang of misery left my gut. I knew exactly what I wanted to do: write. So now that's what I do, I write, and write, and write, and I love it.
I was born in Canada and remember as a small boy crawling in my snow-fort. I closed my eyes, and when I tried to open them, they were frozen shut. I didn't panic, but wiped away the ice crystals, unglued my eyes and kept on building my tunnel. Those were great days! I moved to Central California before seventh grade and couldn't believe I lived in a land where oranges grew on trees and you could pick grapes from the vine.
I used to wonder what I wanted to do with my life, what kind of work specifically. I was miserable not knowing and bordering on desperate. Then one day a friend gave me his typewriter. I began working on a novel. A different person told me it was much easier on a computer, so I bought one and began getting up at 4:30 A.M. each morning before work, writing for three hours. My eyes were unglued once again as the pang of misery left my gut. I knew exactly what I wanted to do: write. So now that's what I do, I write, and write, and write, and I love it.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
August 16, 2023
With "The Lost Task Force," the 18th in the Lost Starship series, writer Vaughn Heppner sends Captain Maddox and his merry band of Earth's greatest defenders into perhaps the most diabolical situation he's dreamed up. From the beginning with the destruction of an entire planet and solar system far from Earth's orbit, the situation hardly appears anything but formidable. Then it gets worse. Starships sent to deduce the cause disappear. Enter Maddox. Yet, the captain is human. He's a little faster, smarter and self-assured than most, but he can't work miracles. His enemy is unknown and in possession of a weapon or weapons and technology that boggles the human mind. He hardly has the capability required. Or so it seems. Maddox's super power is knowing how to use the resources around him to succeed. This time he does it again. The danger is intense and the stakes astronomical. One false move could eliminate Maddox from the literary gene pool. I read this almost nonstop during downtime on a trip to Australia. I remember reading about cross dimensional travel while imagining what it would be like to drive in bumper to bumper traffic and having to remember to keep left. Not the same. But that's where I was. Loved this novel. And I'm kind of tripping that Heppner's written 18 in this series.
July 22, 2024
love the series
Love the characters. One surprise, I thought we’d have old Riker til the end of the series.
I do feel like this book was drawn out a bit. I found myself skipping, scanning through words which never happens with this series. I’m not sure why and it mostly occurred with the incessant wording during battles, especially at the red planet. Nothing tricky or any active, spontaneous thinking outside the box like we see with Maddox. Which is a little disheartening, as I’m hopeful Valerie will become a Captain of her own ship and be a very needed asset to the Victory crew. I like seeing her succeed but I’d like to see more. It’s a hard dilemma because we want her to grow and be successful, like others on the crew but also, it would be a tragedy to lose her. And with Victory, especially, the known crew is the “trusted” crew and “THAT” means everything for: the rest of the crew, the success of missions, the future of Star Watch, the Common Wealth and Earth.
Looking forward to the next.
Love the characters. One surprise, I thought we’d have old Riker til the end of the series.
I do feel like this book was drawn out a bit. I found myself skipping, scanning through words which never happens with this series. I’m not sure why and it mostly occurred with the incessant wording during battles, especially at the red planet. Nothing tricky or any active, spontaneous thinking outside the box like we see with Maddox. Which is a little disheartening, as I’m hopeful Valerie will become a Captain of her own ship and be a very needed asset to the Victory crew. I like seeing her succeed but I’d like to see more. It’s a hard dilemma because we want her to grow and be successful, like others on the crew but also, it would be a tragedy to lose her. And with Victory, especially, the known crew is the “trusted” crew and “THAT” means everything for: the rest of the crew, the success of missions, the future of Star Watch, the Common Wealth and Earth.
Looking forward to the next.
August 2, 2023
A Phenomenal Story!
Another Dimension, what head turner. With everything going on in our universe to travel and fight alien forces in another dimension is quite apart from the usual battles Captain Maddox normally faces. Of course nothing is ever normal with Captain Maddox and his companions. Curiously though what with the Arius computer. Plus I would love to know what happened to Dr. Dana Rich. She been missing and unaccounted for in a few issues now. So hopefully this will be addressed in some future issues. All and all great reading, great adventure!
Another Dimension, what head turner. With everything going on in our universe to travel and fight alien forces in another dimension is quite apart from the usual battles Captain Maddox normally faces. Of course nothing is ever normal with Captain Maddox and his companions. Curiously though what with the Arius computer. Plus I would love to know what happened to Dr. Dana Rich. She been missing and unaccounted for in a few issues now. So hopefully this will be addressed in some future issues. All and all great reading, great adventure!
September 27, 2023
Continues to get worse
I didn’t like much, I liked that it ended. The authors characters become increasingly simple. The story along with them. The religious tones are poorly grafted to the story and incredibly unappealing. This author has gone from one of my favourites to where I will only read the next book if I need to waist time out of a morbid curiosity to see if it can get worse. The story devices are so one dimensional I have started to wonder if it’s written by a chat bot or A I but my understanding is that if it were I should expect a better story
I didn’t like much, I liked that it ended. The authors characters become increasingly simple. The story along with them. The religious tones are poorly grafted to the story and incredibly unappealing. This author has gone from one of my favourites to where I will only read the next book if I need to waist time out of a morbid curiosity to see if it can get worse. The story devices are so one dimensional I have started to wonder if it’s written by a chat bot or A I but my understanding is that if it were I should expect a better story
April 8, 2023
As always,exceptional
Mr. Heppner is a very talented writer. I have read I believe all of his books and series. This is one of my all time favorites but honestly I devour every book he has written. The biblical and fantasy, the war stories. It is mind blowing all the different characters he is able to create. This man is a giant among us in his brilliance!!!!!
Mr. Heppner is a very talented writer. I have read I believe all of his books and series. This is one of my all time favorites but honestly I devour every book he has written. The biblical and fantasy, the war stories. It is mind blowing all the different characters he is able to create. This man is a giant among us in his brilliance!!!!!
Read
May 5, 2023Also well that ends well in this dimension
VH has an amazing imagination in developing this saga, whonce again wealth and power threaten our heros, but I suspect that they will triumph in the end! But will be an interesting story. I'm looking forward to more adventures of Rikker, Maddox and the crew of Victory. 🎭
VH has an amazing imagination in developing this saga, whonce again wealth and power threaten our heros, but I suspect that they will triumph in the end! But will be an interesting story. I'm looking forward to more adventures of Rikker, Maddox and the crew of Victory. 🎭
June 24, 2023
Great stories but getting long in the tooth
This is a fantastic series with wonderful characters and story lines. Unfortunately it has been dragged out long enough. I realize that there is still much that Captain Maddox and the Victory can do but it is starting to get repetitive. I think that the author should consider closing the series down.
This is a fantastic series with wonderful characters and story lines. Unfortunately it has been dragged out long enough. I realize that there is still much that Captain Maddox and the Victory can do but it is starting to get repetitive. I think that the author should consider closing the series down.
September 22, 2023
wonderful story line throughout. l am now going to read book 19 (last in series)
I have enjoyed all 18 books which has taken me a few years from the start. I have always waited for the release of the next with anticipation. What will follow in the footsteps of Captain Maddox and friends.
I have enjoyed all 18 books which has taken me a few years from the start. I have always waited for the release of the next with anticipation. What will follow in the footsteps of Captain Maddox and friends.
October 27, 2023
Vaughn Heppner
As I started reading 'The lost Task Force' I thought what, could Vaughn Heppner possibly do different in this series. But once again I was drawn into
an absolutely brilliant story. This entire series is the best I have read and I have read many. I highly recommend for anyone who likes a very well written adventure. 2 thumbs up. Well done yet again.
As I started reading 'The lost Task Force' I thought what, could Vaughn Heppner possibly do different in this series. But once again I was drawn into
an absolutely brilliant story. This entire series is the best I have read and I have read many. I highly recommend for anyone who likes a very well written adventure. 2 thumbs up. Well done yet again.
April 9, 2023
Best book in the 18 book series
I’ve read all 18 books in this series, this is certainly the best. My only criticism, is the same as I’ve made in all my reviews. I would prefer less religion in my science fiction.
That said, this was a real page burner. Thank you, Mr. Heppner.
I’ve read all 18 books in this series, this is certainly the best. My only criticism, is the same as I’ve made in all my reviews. I would prefer less religion in my science fiction.
That said, this was a real page burner. Thank you, Mr. Heppner.
May 10, 2023
Good Read
Maddox and friends always seem to get sucked into bazaar missions. This one will boggle your grey matter! Makes me wonder if the author was having flashbacks for youthful indiscretions…. Buckle up for a fantastic ride!
Maddox and friends always seem to get sucked into bazaar missions. This one will boggle your grey matter! Makes me wonder if the author was having flashbacks for youthful indiscretions…. Buckle up for a fantastic ride!
May 16, 2023
This Series Keeps Getting Better
It's hard to believe this was book 18 in this series. I have read every one of them and they never fail to keep you turning the page. Great new adventure of The Starship Victory, can't wait for the next one .
It's hard to believe this was book 18 in this series. I have read every one of them and they never fail to keep you turning the page. Great new adventure of The Starship Victory, can't wait for the next one .
June 12, 2023
4th dimension plus!
I am amazed that the author has such a fertile imagination in this continuing Lost Starship series! This particular book was a page turner, and very enjoyable. I look forward to future books of this caliber.
I am amazed that the author has such a fertile imagination in this continuing Lost Starship series! This particular book was a page turner, and very enjoyable. I look forward to future books of this caliber.
September 7, 2023
Wonderfully fantastic story
Though very good, the series was becoming somewhat ordinary in the last few books. Fortunately, this one is a return to form for Heppner. Greatly recommended for fun and good feel!
Though very good, the series was becoming somewhat ordinary in the last few books. Fortunately, this one is a return to form for Heppner. Greatly recommended for fun and good feel!
April 5, 2023
Greatest sci-fi series ever
Captain Maddox and his crew lead us through the greatest adventures ever, every book gets consistently better. Please keep up the series.
Captain Maddox and his crew lead us through the greatest adventures ever, every book gets consistently better. Please keep up the series.
April 8, 2023
The Captain Maddox Saga Continued
The Lost Starship series has been an excellent read. Without giving any spoilers, I can see the series continuing. Btavo!
The Lost Starship series has been an excellent read. Without giving any spoilers, I can see the series continuing. Btavo!
April 9, 2023
Entire series
I have read the entire series and thoroughly enjoyed them. Great sci-fi! Can’t wait for the next chapter in the series.
I have read the entire series and thoroughly enjoyed them. Great sci-fi! Can’t wait for the next chapter in the series.
April 26, 2023
Excellent
Love that your stories have stores with in the story*. The good guy wins , usually at some cost . You give a lot of detail and back ground to each player.
Love that your stories have stores with in the story*. The good guy wins , usually at some cost . You give a lot of detail and back ground to each player.
May 1, 2023
I agree with others this is my favorite and the best book of the series. I have read all of them, and in order. Looking forward to the next book. Thanks Vaughn.
May 11, 2023
please continue
I have enjoyed your stories with the lost Starship. I will be happy to read more of the adventures you come up with. Thank you
I have enjoyed your stories with the lost Starship. I will be happy to read more of the adventures you come up with. Thank you
May 21, 2023
Fast paced, action packed story with lots of imagination and plot twists :-)
June 21, 2023
Excellent
The entire series is well written and easy to read. I recommend any sciences fiction person read the entire series that said thin book was distinctly different.
The entire series is well written and easy to read. I recommend any sciences fiction person read the entire series that said thin book was distinctly different.
June 21, 2023
Fantastic again
I like the fact that the lead characters are well known to me and feel like family. I have a need to read more to hear about what ever confronts them next
I like the fact that the lead characters are well known to me and feel like family. I have a need to read more to hear about what ever confronts them next
June 22, 2023
By far, the best book to date!
This book is a nonstop read. I am not going to spoil anything, but you will get sucked into the many realities of the story!
This book is a nonstop read. I am not going to spoil anything, but you will get sucked into the many realities of the story!
July 16, 2023
This series of books makes no sense. Each new book escalates the story to the detriment of all the previous books. The only saving grace of book 18 is the introduction of new characters.
July 29, 2023
Another one
Another perfect mission in the books. Can't wait for the next mission. I have the next mission on my wait list.
Another perfect mission in the books. Can't wait for the next mission. I have the next mission on my wait list.
August 22, 2023
same goofy stuff as the first 18 books. entertaining, but end at 20??
September 15, 2023
Another great story
Outstanding story and a credit to the series
Vaughn has managed to do it again. I hope he keeps going with this series
Outstanding story and a credit to the series
Vaughn has managed to do it again. I hope he keeps going with this series
February 27, 2024
Great read
As always Mr Heppner comes through with another great piece of work. Well thought out and very entertaining, keep them coming!
As always Mr Heppner comes through with another great piece of work. Well thought out and very entertaining, keep them coming!
September 3, 2024
I always enjoy this series and look forward to each entry.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews