Australian author Chris Morphew has maintained a high level of suspense as he reaches the halfway mark in The Phoenix Files series. With the recent release by series publisher Hardie Grant Egmont of The Phoenix Files #3: Mutation following the release of The Phoenix Files #2: Contact earlier this year, Morphew continues the adrenalin-charged 100-day countdown to the end of the world.
The Phoenix Files
Beginning with The Phoenix Files #1: Arrival (Hardie Grant Egmont, 2009), this thrilling conspiracy theory series for teens pits three daring teenagers against the might of the Shackleton Corporation, an organisation seeking to destroy humanity except for a group of hand-picked individuals they have relocated to the remote Australian town of Phoenix.
Unknown to the residents, Phoenix is totally cut off from contact with the outside world with the Shackleton Corporation controlling all products and information that come into the town.
Teenagers Luke, Jordan and Peter are aware of Shackleton’s plans including the 100 day deadline counting down to the destruction of everyone living outside the boundaries of Phoenix. Together they risk their own lives to try to find a way to expose those involved before it is too late.
Conspiracy Theory in the Australian Outback
Once the initial premise of the story is accepted, that there is an isolated town existing in the Australian outback controlled by an organisation with the ability to infect the entire population with a super-disease, the remainder of this thrilling story is chillingly realistic.
The remote Australian settling lends an air of plausibility to the isolation premise of the story and the frustration of Luke in particular, who is unable to contact his father living in Sydney, adds to the feeling of desperation as the trio continually attempt to re-establish contact with someone outside the Phoenix town limits.
The threats to the safety of Jordan, Luke and Peter and their families by the leader of the Shackleton Corporation and his henchmen seem chillingly real and Morphew manages to convey a real sense of menace from these characters.
Arrival is narrated by newcomer to Phoenix Luke and maintains a fast, page-turning pace. In the second book, Contact, the pace slowed a little with more information revealed about Shackleton and the influence the Corporation has on all aspects of life in Phoenix. Narrated by Peter, this book brings a more chilling sense of menace to the story.
The recently released third book in the series, Mutation, adds a further twist as different characters start to display unusual traits and mannerisms. Narrated by Jordan, this book picks up the momentum of the story once again with readers drawn into the teens’ sense of urgency to protect their families and halt Shackleton’s plans before time runs out.
Australian Author Chris Morphew
Chris Morphew is one of the authors behind the successful children’s undercover spy adventure series Zac Power. Morphew lives in Sydney, Australia. Learn more about Chris Morphew at his website/blog, follow him on Twitter (@ChrisMorphew) or visit The Phoenix Files site for latest news including release dates for the remaining books in the series and other updates.
Parents aware of Morphew’s connection with the Zac Power books should note that The Phoenix Files are not intended for the same audience and the series does feature scenes of mild violence and menace that are not suitable for younger readers.
The Phoenix Files Countdown Continues
With a three books still to come, there are no doubt a variety of plot twists and turns still ahead for readers of The Phoenix Files. The books are promoted as YA/youth fiction titles, however this series will appeal to both teen and adults readers.
With a thrilling, fast-paced plot, well developed characters and story, and many questions still to be answered, The Phoenix Files is maintaining a suspense-filled hold on readers who will no doubt be waiting eagerly for further developments as the series progresses.
Review copy details:
The Phoenix Files #2: Contact (ISBN: 978-1-92150-240-8, 309 pages)
The Phoenix Files #3: Mutation (ISBN: 978-1-92150-241-5, 311 pages)
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