Taken

The Young Trib Force #1

by Jerry B. Jenkins, Tim LaHaye

The first four books featuring the young Trib Force, now available in a value-priced hardcover for collectors and for readers who want a longer read. Best for ages 10-14 but loved by all ages.

Book #1: Taken contains the first four books and features background plots from Left Behind.

Genres: Christian, Christian Fiction, Fiction, Young Adult, Ebooks, Childrens, Middle Grade

416 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2003

About the author

Jerry Bruce Jenkins is an American novelist and biographer. He is best known as the writer of the Left Behind series of books for Tim LaHaye and The Chosen novels to accompany his son Dallas's TV series. Jenkins has written more than 200 books, including mysteries, historical fiction, biblical fiction, cop thrillers, international spy thrillers, and children's adventures, as well as nonfiction. His works usually feature Christians as protagonists. In 2005, Jenkins and LaHaye ranked 9th in Amazon.com's 10th Anniversary list of Hall of Fame authors based on books sold at Amazon.com during its first 10 years. Jenkins now teaches writers to become authors here at his website. He and his wife Dianna have three sons and eight grandchildren.

Reviews

[Kirsten · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked the "Left Behind" series and I was thrilled to find this compilation available. What an engaging story about 4 young adults and how the rapture changed their lives, not just on earth but how it will affect them, through the eternities as they press forward to share the gospel of Christ with others. These young people are determined to stick together, to strengthen one another as try work toward salvation as a "family" and bring its sweet message to every one they can. Make no mistake, this book isn't all preaching... There are plenty of page turning trials for these young people! Enough that I found myself wishing these teens could just get one lazy Saturday to recover!
And most of all, I love that when I read these fictional books, it inspires me to go back and study my own bible again and research what is found there regarding the last days.

[Randy Tramp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Millions of people have been raptured. Those left behind must choose to accept or reject Jesus as Savior. The Young Trip Force moves forward as the world falls apart.

I loved the Left Behind series, and I love this series as well. It causes me to make sure I'm ready. With all that's happened in 2020, I can sense with clearer images of how the world will react after the rapture. I believe we're nearing that day at a fast pace.

[Celestria · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE SEARCH FOR TRUTH

" Trouble ma'am?" Buck said.

"It's my Harold," She said.

"Does he need something?" Buck asked, stretching.

"He's gone!"

"I'm sorry?"

"He's disappeared!"

"Well," Buck said, "I'm sure he slipped off to the washroom while you were sleeping."

"Would you mind checking for me? And take a blanket."

"Ma'am?"

"I'm afraid he's gone off naked. He's a religious person and he'll be terribly embarrassed."

~~~~~

Okay so admittedly, it's a little weird that the born-again Christians get raptured right out of all their clothes. It goes even farther than that though—they also leave behind things such as dental fillings, which is a little much in my opinion. It's supposed to be this horrific and sobering moment: someone looks down and all that's left of the person that was once sitting beside them is the suit and tie they were wearing, glasses, dental fillings, and a toupee...I mean, it's kinda funny really!

But I truly love this series and you get used to the fact everyone is called up to heaven without their clothes, lol.

The Kids Left Behind (or Young Trib Force) series follows the lives of four kids—14 year old Vicki Byrne, 12 year old Ryan Daley, 13 y/o Lionel Washington, and 16 y/o Judd Thompson, (aka the Quad God Squad [you will only understand that if you've listened to the audio dramas😂]) who end up banding together after being left behind in the Rapture.

Thanks to Pastor Bruce Barnes, they realize the next 7 years are going to be the worst the world has ever seen, filled with plagues, earthquakes, and the Antichrist. They're hoping to not only make it through the Tribulation alive, but to bring as many people to Christ as they can before it's too late.

Every time I read Judd's story, I just feel like I can really relate to the way he was feeling before the rapture. I don't feel that way anymore of course, but I did go through a phase. Despite Judd's relatable-ness, my favorite character of the original four has always been Ryan and that hasn't changed, no matter how old I get. He and I were the same age when I first read this series, so naturally I liked him best.

I love that the kids series parallels the adult Left Behind books, so we have Bruce Barnes as a main character and we see and hear about the others, Chloe, Rayford, Buck, etc.

I absolutely recommend this series to everyone!

[Syd · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good-gr8 4 kids whose parents aren't ready 4 them 2 read the real Left Behind series

Recommended ages 12 & up.

[Hilary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Books 1-3 were okay. I found the concept a little repetitive, as the teens come together and make their own progress, but mostly it worked reasonably well up until book 4. At that point the plot elements with the policemen just seemed completely unbelievable. I couldn't believe they'd let them plan a sting, be present at the takedown, go to the hospital when one was shot, introduce them to their families... It just seemed unreal, even for that universe. So I would give books 1-3 three stars and book 4 just two stars.

If you've read the main Left Behind books you may also find the constant tie-in rather annoying, particularly as the scenes were almost identical. I would rather have had new, different stories from the rapture rather than the same ones reiterated for a younger audience. But that could just be me.

[Luciana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this book because they turn their life around.

[Christy Moore]

KingP177@

This is a great book!! My brother read all 12 books and told me about them. At first, I thought I wouldn't like it, but I see now how I was wrong. Great job!

[Jazmín Rojas ✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.7 🌟
El viernes reseña 🙈

RESEÑA:
Tardé en hacer la reseña de este libro porque estoy leyendo los otros libros de la saga 😂, pero aun así quería compartir una breve opinión de estos primeros cuatro volúmenes que componen Taken. Primero que nada quería comentar que en este mundo literario (Left Behind/Dejados Atrás), existen dos sagas: Comando Tripulación y Joven Comando Tribulación. Yo estoy leyendo la última (que es más new adult/young adult).
En fin, empecemos. Taken acompaña la vida de cuatro adolescentes: Judd o Julio, Vicky, Leonel y Ryan. Los cuatro tienen familia cristiana o conocidos que les han predicado, pero no tomaron la decisión de seguir a Dios genuinamente. Su rebeldía les va a costar más de lo que alguna vez pensaron porque cuando misteriosamente desaparecen millones de personas a lo largo del mundo, solo dejando sus ropas y confusión a su paso, ellos saben que se debe a la venida de Cristo, que inevitablemente se perdieron. Así, en esta ficción cristiana, acompañamos a estos personajes en un mundo lleno de caos y miedo.
Estos cuatro volúmenes que componen el primer libro son para mi una relectura, así que nada fue una sorpresa y por eso mismo tampoco me puedo extender mucho. Mi principal conexión con la historia fueron los personajes, ya en su día me sentía muy identificada y abrazada por sus experiencias. Otra cosa que me gusta de esta historia es la narración, que en realidad es bastante sencilla, pero creo que eso ayuda a la comprensión del texto bíblico también, a pesar de que la edición en español deje que desear (en términos de traducción).
Creo yo que el haberlos leído después de tanto tiempo facilitó el encontrar fallas también. Sé que no son los mejores libros y que hay aspectos que podrían mejorar, pero aún así recomiendo mucho esta saga. Incluso si no son de leer ficción cristiana (que es un genero más bien poco explorado por la comunidad de bookstagram), los personajes y esa vibe del fin del mundo propia de la ciencia ficción y fantasía te va a conquistar. Espero que le des una oportunidad a esta historia porque es realmente enriquecedora.
3.7 🌟

[Kaden Claunch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Left Behind: Taken is a compilation of the first four books in The Young Trib Force series. The book takes place right before the rapture (or the second coming). Four kids, Judd, Vicki, Lionel, and Ryan, are some of the many non-believers left behind. After being left alone they all have a decision to make: Accept Chirst or blame him for abandoning them.

I personally enjoyed this book, however if you're not a Christian or religious you might not find this book interesting or enjoyable. This version of the Left Behind series is the more kid-friendly than the adult series. However death, alcohol, smoking, and drug use are recurring themes.

For a more kids orientated book, I found the characters to have depth and substance. With a first person point of view, we were allowed to see inside the characters mind which admittedly seemed to be of a sterotypical teenager. However, even in this first book the mindsets to everyone changed dramatically to a more mature person.

The only major issue I had with this book was the process of the rapture they used, there are many interpretations of the second coming in the Bible. The main problem is the timeline which can be completely different in every interpretation. If the authors could have made this more universal it would've been better. However this really doesn't take away from the source book at all.

All in all this was a very enjoyable book to me. Aside from the fact that this book probably won't appeal to many audiences. I believe it's worth a read.

[Brooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Taken Left Behind: the Kids is a wonderful story about four amazing kids who are all very different, but all have one special thing in common. They were all left behind. The kids are Judd who was the spoiled rich kid, Vicki who was just trailer trash, Lionel who was dark colored and lived in a Christian home, and Ryan who was an only child and the family baby. This book is themed around the rapture which is when God will come down from heaven and bring all of his believers up to heaven leaving thousands behind for seven years until he will come again. These for kids never actually knew each other until the rapture when there family was either raptured or killed. Through this book you definitely grow with the characters even though I did not think that was even possible.

Taken Left Behind: The Kids was written by Jerry B. Jenkins and Tim LaHaye. This is part of a 12 part book series. I definitely recommend this book to ages 11-15 who believe in Christ. For those who read this you will definitely learn more about Christianity and more about your own faith. I would give this book a whole five stars. You will have to read this jaw dropping series of books to find out what people believe will happen when the rapture does come along.

[Katie F · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've read the original adult version of these books, and thought my kids would like the kid's version when we do our family read-alouds. In hindsight, as my kids are 10 and up, I should have just stuck with the original. First of all, Taken moves verrrry slowly. I can't imagine how they thought making a book more slow and boring would draw kids in. And because there originally were four separate books made into one, the amount of repetition makes you want to beat your head against a wall. Seems to me the editing could have been a lot better. Lastly, it makes references to scenes that took place in the adult series, but then gives none of the details and my kids just ended up confused as to what was happening. Overall, I'm passing on the rest of the kids series and we'll just read aloud the adult Left Behind series.

[Hope Marissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

These have been my favorite books since I was 12! Now I still love going back and reading them! Left behind: The Kids are even more in depth going into the plagues/judgments than the adult series! I have recommended these to many people through the years! Honestly, I have different views on the rapture/tribulation than when I first read this, but they are still one of the best series I’ve ever read!

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book as it had so many intresting things in the book. I hadn't read a book like this before but now that I have I know that I enjoy reading them. You see in the book what the Rapture is going to like during and after it which is super intresting. I also really enjoyed how the much was set up.

[Danita Montgomery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good Read

This is the first book in a series of forty in the Left Behind The Kids Collection. Having read the adult Left Behind series, I was ready to read the kids installments. The first book in this series lays the foundation of Biblical truth in a fictional setting. This book was well written, and very well thought out. Can’t wait to read the rest in the collection!!

[Dini Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

God in Christ Amen

Love love love the Kids of Tribulation force Book One. Intense and fast pace. I’m glad that that I’m a Christian. I pray all who reads this will turn to the True God and savior and give their lives to him Before the actual Rapture take place. To God be the glory!!!!

[Judy Tarver · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the original series and although the young adult/teen series is good, it isn’t as good or as believable as the original series. I do like that the author is trying to reach teens in this series so they can learn what might happen if events end up happening similar to what these books predict although it is a fiction format of how the events of the end times will play out.

[Haley~ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read these books when I was a kid and I remember flying through them and my dad yelling at me for reading too fast cause he was going to have to take me back to the library to get the next ones 😂 reread for funsies, not sure if I’ll keep rereading the rest of the series yet

[Ashli · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Emery · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was okay. It was really slow and the action parts went by real fast.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like judd

[Jennifer Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Read

You don't have to be under 20 to enjoy this facet of the Left Behind story. Can't wait to get into book two.

[Shana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Haven’t read these books since I was a kid. There’s some parts that make me roll my eyes now as an adult, but I gotta say I’m enjoying the trip down memory lane.

[Jose Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Left Behind Book 1

Absolutely riveting. I have always loved reading this series and I'm happy for the update version. It is definitely a must read

[Samuel F · Rating 5 out of 5]

AMAZING BOOK SERIES! I love this series so much! Highly recommend! 😊📚

[Bradford Combs · Rating 3 out of 5]

This collection of the first four kids books of the Left Behind series takes place during the events of the first Left Behind novel. While a lot of it feels like set up and some retred, there are enough unique plots (specifically in relation to Lionel's story) to make it interesting. And I love how this expands Bruce Barnes as a character. It's a good start that honestly feels just as grown up as the adult series. I liked it.

[Crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this book and I’m definitely going to read the rest of the series. I chose to read the book Taken because I always have been interested in the end of the world. I also really enjoy suspenseful books and this ends at a pretty suspenseful part. This book has so much more going on in it though. There are so many plot twists and unexpected things happening and I love it! I really liked how there are 4 different stories (Judd, Vicki, Lionel, and Ryan) that join into one. My favorite character though is Lionel. He is proof that there really are fake Christians out there. It’s really cool how him and his uncle are the center of most of the drama that is going on. I could also understand how pressured it can feel being in a Christian family, there are always higher expectations that could cause people like Lionel to not want to live like that anymore.
I really loved this book but the thing I don’t like is how it is told in 3rd person. It makes the book less interesting to read when it feels like you are reading lines from a movie scene and not even seeing it. I personally would have also told more about Judd, Vicki, Lionel, and Ryan’s personal lives before the rapture.
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone. It isn’t just about the Rapture, so much more happens in it. I can’t really say much because just one little thing could give something away, so just take my word, it is such an amazing book!

[Tahlia · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was interesting to read this book based on future events that will occur soon in real life.
I am not sure whether I would actually recommend the book- it is an interesting take on the end times but obviously some of the things written in it might not be very factual because there are some things the Bible doesn't actually explain much. The Antichrist in this book is the leader of the United Nations. There are lots of different views on who people think will be the Antichrist so I guess there's not much to be said about that.
There are other things in the book too, including the assumption that every Christian is taken- like when all the soccer players on the field except one are taken as well as many in the audience. A good Bible verse is "not everyone who says to me "lord, lord" will enter the kingdom of heaven but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in Heaven." From this you could tell that many "Christians" will be left behind. Those who have the Holy spirit living in their hearts will be taken in the rapture because they are truly Christian. Those who profess faith in Christ but do not possess his spirit will be left behind.
Many will be mislead by false teachers and false prophets and the website below is a good one to look at
http://www.gotquestions.org/false-tea...

[Fallon Prinzivalli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Growing up in a semi-Christian home and being so involved in church to the point where I wouldn't get home from our Christmas pageant rehearsals until midnight (at 6 years old), my mother gifted me with the first books in the Left Behind series one Christmas. I hated reading. So, for a few years they sat untouched on my bookshelf. Then, when I was in the 5th grade, a boy who I was painfully attracted to named David began reading them. I decided to jump on the bandwagon so I could start a conversation...and I was hooked. I really loved the story. At 10 years old, I was fascinated by the author's ability to mix Biblical fact with current fiction so I could get somewhat of a grasp of how the end times might look. And mostly I just wanted Vicki and Judd to fall in love. I read each book in a few hours and made my parents take me to our not-so-local Christian bookstore as soon as the new books hit the shelves. I know some Christians snub their nose at this series, but for a Christian kid they're quite enjoyable. And they were the books that got me hooked on reading, so I'm very thankful.

[Brian White · Rating 5 out of 5]

The adult series left me a little cold and I stopped around the third or fourth book. THIS one, however, kept me through all forty parts! Though I found the style of the narrative a little less in the mind of these characters in the first four parts (describing their sins more like preachers would than troubled teens), the struggle itself remained solid throughout the series in a way that kept me wanting more. I fell well into the difficulties of the survival and youth ministry in a time of utter chaos in a harsh anti-Christian world during these seven years of Tribulation. Jenkins and LaHaye told a great story full of thrills, tears, and smiles, and I highly recommend reading whether you read the adult series or not.

[G H · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked the biblical perspective and truth but over all I thought it a bit boring. The Uncle Andre part lasted such a long time that I got really bored. I loved the first book because it had lots of action and was really into the different characters personalities and problems, but then, like I said before, the Uncle Andre part lasted way too long. I wish that the author could have put more action and in it. I do think he did better longer into the series but then went down hill again. I sometimes wish it that some other really good author had written it so I could read it and enjoy it!