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The Phoenix Files #4
Underground
Book 4 in the bestselling Phoenix Files series. The end is coming - and Luke is running out of hiding places. He and his friends are trapped, paralysed and lost to the outside world. And the only escape is at the hands of Calvin and his men. Meanwhile, the people of Phoenix are growing suspicious, and the Co-operative may have to take extreme measures to maintain their control. But the worst is yet to come. Deep under Phoenix, Luke is about to uncover a secret that will change everything. And the clock is still ticking. There are 49 days until the end of the world.
214 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2011
33 people are currently reading
615 people want to read
About the author
Chris Morphew
36 books152 followersChris Morphew is an author, teacher, and school chaplain living in Sydney, Australia.
He has written twelve books for the best-selling Zac Power series, as well as his own six-book young adult series, The Phoenix Files. He’s also co-written The Gateway, an eight-book series for primary school kids about a hotel for aliens, alongside Rowan McAuley and David Harding.
His latest books are Best News Ever, a 100-day guide to the Gospel of Mark, and The Big Questions, a series of short books answer tough questions about life and faith.
Chris enjoys Mario Kart, obscure board games, and superhero movies, and has been told he looks like Chris Hemsworth from the back.
He has written twelve books for the best-selling Zac Power series, as well as his own six-book young adult series, The Phoenix Files. He’s also co-written The Gateway, an eight-book series for primary school kids about a hotel for aliens, alongside Rowan McAuley and David Harding.
His latest books are Best News Ever, a 100-day guide to the Gospel of Mark, and The Big Questions, a series of short books answer tough questions about life and faith.
Chris enjoys Mario Kart, obscure board games, and superhero movies, and has been told he looks like Chris Hemsworth from the back.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
April 10, 2018
This was the best book in the series so far, except perhaps the first one. I felt like it was a bit of the same through the book though, running around and finding shelter. However, it didn't lose my interest.
November 17, 2015
‘I felt like my head was caving in. Too much insanity all at once. I mean, obviously Phoenix had never been normal but I thought we were all still obeying the laws of physics, at least.’ p 145
The Phoenix Files series has just turned from adventure/suspense thriller to outright science fiction with a touch of X-Men and time-travelling.
The first book in this series is told from Luke’s point of view. The second book is told from Peter’s point of view and reflects his character in occasional swearwords. The third book is from Jordan’s point of view and this fourth book returns to Luke’s point of view.
The six books in the Phoenix Files form one narrative. In effect, it’s one long story. None of them are complete in themselves. They countdown the 100 days until the release of the world-destroying ‘Tabitha’ virus. Book 1 covers Day 100 to Day 88. It is told as a first person narrative from Luke’s point of view. Book 2 covers from Day 87 to Day 70, Book 3 from Day 69 to Day 50 and this book from Day 49 to Day 35.
As before, a real page-turner. The cliffhanger in Book 3 is stunning but this is even more so. Characters are very believable and the change in them as each becomes more extreme in behaviour is very well-done. The storyline has turned from its initial pre-dystopian thriller which then became a mystery into some hardcore science fiction: the fallout of whatever explosion has happened in the past has caused and is causing serious mutations to occur:
• Jordan’s visions into different timelines have become transient physical moves into those times. She is increasingly of the belief that these inconvenient lurches into other times are purposeful as she acquires key knowledge of significant moments.
• Her little sister Georgia has a different ability: she knows what a lot of people are thinking.
• Her mum’s pregnancy is accelerating at such a super rate that her baby is due on August 13: Doomsday.
• At school, Amy has developed hyper speed. And Jeremy leaves ‘skin prints’ every time he touches another person. Mike becomes violent as he loses control.
• Peter has become a rampaging would-be killer who becomes completely unhinged every time anyone threatens Jordan. Only his obsession with her stands between him and a complete breakdown. He appears to be able to explode lights with his mind.
Meantime, the countdown continues.
Luke and Jordan take refuge, such as it is, with the Overseers worshipped by Mike, Tank and Cat. The Overseers - Kara and Soren - turn out to be just human beings, scientists who live in the ruined underground complex which was a research station until it exploded twenty years previously. They have been watching and cataloguing the lives of Luke, Jordan and Peter for the last fifteen years, believing that they are the ones who will release Tabitha and destroy the world. Slowly Kara and Soren begin to realise that none of the three are capable of that and that they may have misinterpreted the events of two decades previously.
They reluctantly help Luke and Jordan make contact with adults inside the town and try to rescue Georgia and her mum who have been taken captive by Calvin.
Luke’s dad arrives. So many helpful incidents occur just at the right time that even Luke comes to concede that there might be something meaningful, rather than random, driving Jordan’s visions and the chance that led to his father’s access into Phoenix.
As the teens and adults are rescuing Georgia and her mum, they are confronted with two mind-spinning events: Officer Reeve is found, hospitalised but alive, and Victoria Galton - Shackleton’s research partner - arrives to stop everything with a virtuoso display of telekinetic power. She is furious that Luke and his mother have slipped through her careful screening of genetic candidates.
Dr Montag changes sides, turns the surveillance cameras off at a crucial moment and, finally, saves Luke at the cost of his own life.
It’s thirty-five days and counting… to the end of the world.
And I’m guessing, but I’m not sure, that there will be a significant revelation in the last book of this series about shed blood (and possibly its power to reconcile). There are many weird things that happen throughout the book, some of them there I suspect to distract the reader from the fact that, when the more violent characters come into contact with the blood of Jordan or Luke, they turn immediately and strangely pacific.
The Phoenix Files series has just turned from adventure/suspense thriller to outright science fiction with a touch of X-Men and time-travelling.
The first book in this series is told from Luke’s point of view. The second book is told from Peter’s point of view and reflects his character in occasional swearwords. The third book is from Jordan’s point of view and this fourth book returns to Luke’s point of view.
The six books in the Phoenix Files form one narrative. In effect, it’s one long story. None of them are complete in themselves. They countdown the 100 days until the release of the world-destroying ‘Tabitha’ virus. Book 1 covers Day 100 to Day 88. It is told as a first person narrative from Luke’s point of view. Book 2 covers from Day 87 to Day 70, Book 3 from Day 69 to Day 50 and this book from Day 49 to Day 35.
As before, a real page-turner. The cliffhanger in Book 3 is stunning but this is even more so. Characters are very believable and the change in them as each becomes more extreme in behaviour is very well-done. The storyline has turned from its initial pre-dystopian thriller which then became a mystery into some hardcore science fiction: the fallout of whatever explosion has happened in the past has caused and is causing serious mutations to occur:
• Jordan’s visions into different timelines have become transient physical moves into those times. She is increasingly of the belief that these inconvenient lurches into other times are purposeful as she acquires key knowledge of significant moments.
• Her little sister Georgia has a different ability: she knows what a lot of people are thinking.
• Her mum’s pregnancy is accelerating at such a super rate that her baby is due on August 13: Doomsday.
• At school, Amy has developed hyper speed. And Jeremy leaves ‘skin prints’ every time he touches another person. Mike becomes violent as he loses control.
• Peter has become a rampaging would-be killer who becomes completely unhinged every time anyone threatens Jordan. Only his obsession with her stands between him and a complete breakdown. He appears to be able to explode lights with his mind.
Meantime, the countdown continues.
Luke and Jordan take refuge, such as it is, with the Overseers worshipped by Mike, Tank and Cat. The Overseers - Kara and Soren - turn out to be just human beings, scientists who live in the ruined underground complex which was a research station until it exploded twenty years previously. They have been watching and cataloguing the lives of Luke, Jordan and Peter for the last fifteen years, believing that they are the ones who will release Tabitha and destroy the world. Slowly Kara and Soren begin to realise that none of the three are capable of that and that they may have misinterpreted the events of two decades previously.
They reluctantly help Luke and Jordan make contact with adults inside the town and try to rescue Georgia and her mum who have been taken captive by Calvin.
Luke’s dad arrives. So many helpful incidents occur just at the right time that even Luke comes to concede that there might be something meaningful, rather than random, driving Jordan’s visions and the chance that led to his father’s access into Phoenix.
As the teens and adults are rescuing Georgia and her mum, they are confronted with two mind-spinning events: Officer Reeve is found, hospitalised but alive, and Victoria Galton - Shackleton’s research partner - arrives to stop everything with a virtuoso display of telekinetic power. She is furious that Luke and his mother have slipped through her careful screening of genetic candidates.
Dr Montag changes sides, turns the surveillance cameras off at a crucial moment and, finally, saves Luke at the cost of his own life.
It’s thirty-five days and counting… to the end of the world.
And I’m guessing, but I’m not sure, that there will be a significant revelation in the last book of this series about shed blood (and possibly its power to reconcile). There are many weird things that happen throughout the book, some of them there I suspect to distract the reader from the fact that, when the more violent characters come into contact with the blood of Jordan or Luke, they turn immediately and strangely pacific.
November 7, 2020
This book is really good. I love this series so much. It has brought tears and cheers, then tears again, and that's all about one character. The author is super underrated and needs more love. I highly recommend it.
June 26, 2015
When I picked up the first book, Arrival, I thought it was just another book that I would suffer through. I’ve made it through four books in four days. I can’t put them down.
Underground returns to Luke’s point of view. Where Mutation left off, this one comes back to Luke and Jordan underground in the Vattel complex. They are being questioned by Kara and Soren, a mysterious pair who have been watching them for their whole lives. Despite their common goal of taking down Tabitha, they don’t trust each other, even though Kara removes their suppressors. When recovered, Luke and Jordan are asked the location of Tobias, the anti-Tabitha. Not surprisingly, nobody knows where Tobias is. After the interrogation, they find Peter strapped to a laboratory table. Mike, Cat, and Tank also find their ways down to the complex and are finally told that their “overseers” are just a couple of people who were using them. People are finally becoming suspicious of the Co-operative’s actions, whispering rumors of people leaving town. We later learn that these people are just the most recent ones to be locked in the medical center. To strengthen this theory, the Co-operative inputs a new security system. This makes it much harder for anyone to leave, enter, or just walk around town. Luke, Jordan, and Peter finally tell their parents about Tabitha. Jordan and Peter’s parents believe them, but Lukes mom is biased from her love to Dr. Montag, another one of the conspirators. Kara and Soren may have found a cause for Peter’s condition. The forest around Phoenix was not there the 200-ish years it suggests. When they hear this, they think others might be suffering from the same cause. They go to the medical center while Shackleton holds a mandatory meeting and escape with Reeve, Amy, and Jordan’s mom and sister. Sadly, Dr. Montag is shot dead for helping them. The next day, it is revealed that the meeting was to make sure everyone in town was gathered in the Shackleton building and turned into a concentration camp. Luke and Jordan also find out that, 20 years ago, this entire story already happened again.
There are 35 days until the end of the world.
Luke Hunter is the whole reason the countdown to Tabitha began. He and his mother are not supposed to be in Phoenix. He has a noticeable crush on Jordan. She is Luke’s second friend and Peter’s love interest, even though she does not love him back. Peter is Luke’s first friend. Because of Luke’s interest in Jordan, he gets progressively more crazy, going to insane lengths to try and separate them. We are finally introduced to Luke’s dad, Jack Hunter. We first hear about him in Contact, but he finally made it into Phoenix after many troubles. He is a very kind and understanding character, willing to listen and believe right away that everyone is about to die. The man at the top of the Tabitha plan, Noah Shackleton, is one of the worst types of people you could come across. Luke and Jordan have met him a couple times. Both times, when he should have been extremely upset, he was constantly smiling in a “grandfatherly way.” Kara and Soren are the only survivors of the collapse of the Vattel complex 20 years earlier. After first taking Luke, Jordan, and Peter prisoner, they eventually have a bit of trust for each other.
As previously mentioned, the story has taken place a few times over many years. The books actually tell us the countdown starts on May 5 and doomsday is on August 13. The small town of Phoenix is located in the middle of a desert in Australia. Expertly hidden so that nobody knows where it is.
I would recommend this series to everyone, all ages and genders. Teens would especially find a connection with characters because the main characters are just that, a group of teens. Morphew also does a great job of putting many events into words and leaving us wondering what is going to happen next.
Underground returns to Luke’s point of view. Where Mutation left off, this one comes back to Luke and Jordan underground in the Vattel complex. They are being questioned by Kara and Soren, a mysterious pair who have been watching them for their whole lives. Despite their common goal of taking down Tabitha, they don’t trust each other, even though Kara removes their suppressors. When recovered, Luke and Jordan are asked the location of Tobias, the anti-Tabitha. Not surprisingly, nobody knows where Tobias is. After the interrogation, they find Peter strapped to a laboratory table. Mike, Cat, and Tank also find their ways down to the complex and are finally told that their “overseers” are just a couple of people who were using them. People are finally becoming suspicious of the Co-operative’s actions, whispering rumors of people leaving town. We later learn that these people are just the most recent ones to be locked in the medical center. To strengthen this theory, the Co-operative inputs a new security system. This makes it much harder for anyone to leave, enter, or just walk around town. Luke, Jordan, and Peter finally tell their parents about Tabitha. Jordan and Peter’s parents believe them, but Lukes mom is biased from her love to Dr. Montag, another one of the conspirators. Kara and Soren may have found a cause for Peter’s condition. The forest around Phoenix was not there the 200-ish years it suggests. When they hear this, they think others might be suffering from the same cause. They go to the medical center while Shackleton holds a mandatory meeting and escape with Reeve, Amy, and Jordan’s mom and sister. Sadly, Dr. Montag is shot dead for helping them. The next day, it is revealed that the meeting was to make sure everyone in town was gathered in the Shackleton building and turned into a concentration camp. Luke and Jordan also find out that, 20 years ago, this entire story already happened again.
There are 35 days until the end of the world.
Luke Hunter is the whole reason the countdown to Tabitha began. He and his mother are not supposed to be in Phoenix. He has a noticeable crush on Jordan. She is Luke’s second friend and Peter’s love interest, even though she does not love him back. Peter is Luke’s first friend. Because of Luke’s interest in Jordan, he gets progressively more crazy, going to insane lengths to try and separate them. We are finally introduced to Luke’s dad, Jack Hunter. We first hear about him in Contact, but he finally made it into Phoenix after many troubles. He is a very kind and understanding character, willing to listen and believe right away that everyone is about to die. The man at the top of the Tabitha plan, Noah Shackleton, is one of the worst types of people you could come across. Luke and Jordan have met him a couple times. Both times, when he should have been extremely upset, he was constantly smiling in a “grandfatherly way.” Kara and Soren are the only survivors of the collapse of the Vattel complex 20 years earlier. After first taking Luke, Jordan, and Peter prisoner, they eventually have a bit of trust for each other.
As previously mentioned, the story has taken place a few times over many years. The books actually tell us the countdown starts on May 5 and doomsday is on August 13. The small town of Phoenix is located in the middle of a desert in Australia. Expertly hidden so that nobody knows where it is.
I would recommend this series to everyone, all ages and genders. Teens would especially find a connection with characters because the main characters are just that, a group of teens. Morphew also does a great job of putting many events into words and leaving us wondering what is going to happen next.
October 28, 2016
The Phoenix Files Underground certainly steps up a notch or ten in excitement and suspense! I really enjoyed reading this book, again because of its vivid, easy-to-imagine events and scenes, because of the further development of the characters, and also because it just gets more and more exciting! The children are finally no longer alone in what they know about Phoenix, and without giving too much away, I’ll just say that due to this, this story is vastly different from the previous ones. There are several huge surprises in this story, and the last few chapters – as we are pulled along through the climax by the wrist – was so exciting I couldn’t stop reading until I had finished! And what an ultimate surprise at the end, which forms the cliff-hanger for the next installment! I can’t wait to get my hands on the next couple of books!
September 8, 2014
All the books in this series are constant action. Never boring. There's not a lot of character development, so I didn't really get sucked in emotionally, but I never wanted to put the books down because I just had to know what happened next.
March 31, 2022
3.75 stars.. Lots happened in this book. It feels like the series is rolling to the conclusion and picking up speed. I like Luke's POV, I liked that the kids were less impulsive and acted with more planning, and it was nice to have the wisdom or support of adults. Peter is truly concerning and the final shocking revelation was very disturbing.
I noticed the cover art in the series at Book #3 and I am very impressed with the seemingly innocuous covers, that foreshadow the relationships between the gang.
Day 49 - 86
Likes:
* Covers are telling a subtle story
* All parents are still married, only Luke's mom is divorced and alone
Dislikes:
* Town named Phoenix keeps bringing Phoenix, AZ to mind
* Peter's jealousy and anger
* Jordan's impetuous behavior, especially in dangerous situations was better in this book
* Awkward unreciprocated teenage crush
* Sworn to secrecy
* No answers, just unexplainable findings
* Another cliffhanger ending, still like parts of a continuous story, not individual books
* No cell phones, cars, internet or leaving
* Intra-city cell phone for select people
* Shackleton's original Elite 8: Principal Pryor, Noah Shackleton, Security Chief Bruce Calvin, Victoria Galton (manager of office complex), Louisa Hawking (Cathryn's mother), Aaron Ketterly (residential liason), Dr. Robert Montag, Benjamin More, Arthur van Pelt (manager of Phoenix Mall) & Brian Weir (Peter's father)
With-reservations:
violence, murder, torture, threats, bullying, end of world/apocalypse, mental illness, kidnapping
~ The Gang ~
Luke:
Peter:
Jordan:
- Others -
Crazy Bill:
Tank:
Mike:
Cathryn:
Jeremy:
Discoveries:
* No phones, Internet or cars (1)
* No leaving
* Roads lead to nowhere with armed guarded gates (1)
* Warehouse with magazines and supplies to stock stores, including magazines with future dates (1)
* 3 story tall and 2 meter thick wall surrounding Phoenix (1)
* 45 minute bike ride from airport into town (1)
* Bad thing happening on August 13, Day 0
* Officer Reeve killed after helping kids break into Shackleton Building through secret tunnels (2)
* Secret passageways behind plain doors (2)
* Luke calls his father from hidden Communications room, but interrupted (2)
* Intra-city cell phone for select people, Elite 8 (2)
* Horrific videos of Tabitha trials showing gruesome, painful deaths (2)
* Tabitha is a lethal virus (2)
* Explosion (3)
* Secret overseer cave (3)
* Tank, Mike and Cathryn obeying mysterious overseers (3)
* Tank, Mike and Cathryn have tattoo of overseer mark (3)
* Shackleton injecting Jordan, Luke and Peter with tracking and punishment "suppressor" device (3)
* Peter hanging out with old pals Tank, Mike and Cathryn for information (3)
* Peter abducted after being zapped by Shackleton (3)
* Peter not trackable after his abduction (3)
* Activate suppressor...deactivate option? (3)
* Another underground bunker ~ overseer hideout (3)
* Peter, Luke & Jordan are captured by Overseers ~ Kara and Soren (4)
* Kara and Soren are digging out the underground bunker (4)
* Mike, Tank and Cathryn still brainwashed and obeying Kara's orders (4)
* Kara is Dr. Remi Vatel's daughter (4)
* Jordan see-through and non-solid during visions (4)
* New Phoenix surveillance system goes on-line (4)
* Capturing Phoenix citizens who are showing abilities (4)
* Abilities might be caused by Fallout (4)
* Dr. Galton telekinetic and evil scientist (4)
* Shackleton changing the rules at the town meeting (4)
* Rescued unconscious Crazy Bill and crazy fast girl, Amy
I noticed the cover art in the series at Book #3 and I am very impressed with the seemingly innocuous covers, that foreshadow the relationships between the gang.
Day 49 - 86
Likes:
* Covers are telling a subtle story
* All parents are still married, only Luke's mom is divorced and alone
Dislikes:
* Town named Phoenix keeps bringing Phoenix, AZ to mind
* Peter's jealousy and anger
* Jordan's impetuous behavior, especially in dangerous situations was better in this book
* Awkward unreciprocated teenage crush
* Sworn to secrecy
* No answers, just unexplainable findings
* Another cliffhanger ending, still like parts of a continuous story, not individual books
* No cell phones, cars, internet or leaving
* Intra-city cell phone for select people
* Shackleton's original Elite 8: Principal Pryor, Noah Shackleton, Security Chief Bruce Calvin, Victoria Galton (manager of office complex), Louisa Hawking (Cathryn's mother), Aaron Ketterly (residential liason), Dr. Robert Montag, Benjamin More, Arthur van Pelt (manager of Phoenix Mall) & Brian Weir (Peter's father)
With-reservations:
violence, murder, torture, threats, bullying, end of world/apocalypse, mental illness, kidnapping
~ The Gang ~
Luke:
Peter:
Jordan:
- Others -
Crazy Bill:
Tank:
Mike:
Cathryn:
Jeremy:
Discoveries:
* No phones, Internet or cars (1)
* No leaving
* Roads lead to nowhere with armed guarded gates (1)
* Warehouse with magazines and supplies to stock stores, including magazines with future dates (1)
* 3 story tall and 2 meter thick wall surrounding Phoenix (1)
* 45 minute bike ride from airport into town (1)
* Bad thing happening on August 13, Day 0
* Officer Reeve killed after helping kids break into Shackleton Building through secret tunnels (2)
* Secret passageways behind plain doors (2)
* Luke calls his father from hidden Communications room, but interrupted (2)
* Intra-city cell phone for select people, Elite 8 (2)
* Horrific videos of Tabitha trials showing gruesome, painful deaths (2)
* Tabitha is a lethal virus (2)
* Explosion (3)
* Secret overseer cave (3)
* Tank, Mike and Cathryn obeying mysterious overseers (3)
* Tank, Mike and Cathryn have tattoo of overseer mark (3)
* Shackleton injecting Jordan, Luke and Peter with tracking and punishment "suppressor" device (3)
* Peter hanging out with old pals Tank, Mike and Cathryn for information (3)
* Peter abducted after being zapped by Shackleton (3)
* Peter not trackable after his abduction (3)
* Activate suppressor...deactivate option? (3)
* Another underground bunker ~ overseer hideout (3)
* Peter, Luke & Jordan are captured by Overseers ~ Kara and Soren (4)
* Kara and Soren are digging out the underground bunker (4)
* Mike, Tank and Cathryn still brainwashed and obeying Kara's orders (4)
* Kara is Dr. Remi Vatel's daughter (4)
* Jordan see-through and non-solid during visions (4)
* New Phoenix surveillance system goes on-line (4)
* Capturing Phoenix citizens who are showing abilities (4)
* Abilities might be caused by Fallout (4)
* Dr. Galton telekinetic and evil scientist (4)
* Shackleton changing the rules at the town meeting (4)
* Rescued unconscious Crazy Bill and crazy fast girl, Amy
April 26, 2020
I read books 3 and 4 of the Phoenix Files in a combines book, called "Blood in the Ashes".
Wow.
Just wow. This series is pretty dang dark, for being a young adult series.
The story line is absolutely thrilling and action packed, with quite a lot of twists and turns, that I am pleasantly surprised to say, I didn't see coming.
I highly recommend this series at this point, and I sincerely hope the series finishes with a "bang", as it were.
Because holy crap.
- CJ
Wow.
Just wow. This series is pretty dang dark, for being a young adult series.
The story line is absolutely thrilling and action packed, with quite a lot of twists and turns, that I am pleasantly surprised to say, I didn't see coming.
I highly recommend this series at this point, and I sincerely hope the series finishes with a "bang", as it were.
Because holy crap.
- CJ
August 23, 2017
Difficult to put the book down. Filled with almost nonstop action!
November 16, 2017
Took me awhile as I only read occasionally but was an okay read. Now onto the next one 😀
July 28, 2018
This one was really super good but u didn't find it as good as the last, I really really loved it though, and because I've so far into to the series I really feel like I know the characters
November 3, 2018
I sort of felt like this was the same old and we didn’t really move the plot forward much. It was still suspenseful but more like a bridge to whatever happens next.
November 5, 2018
ready for number 5 hope to see the movie if there is one
October 16, 2021
This is so poorly edited lol
April 7, 2022
Amazing and exciting read.
March 28, 2024
literally screaming
October 27, 2016
Good book
October 1, 2022
Amazing read! Looking forward to reading Fallout!
March 12, 2018
it was so good! I need to start the next one!!!
November 29, 2015
Underground is told from the point of view of Luke. Finally, we are back to Luke telling this story through his eyes. After all, in my mind, he is the main character in this story. I did not like seeing this series through Peter's and Jordan's eyes. It was confusing to me switching the main character away from Luke. Sure, I understand that I was able to know what these other characters were thinking and feeling, but it only causes confusion.
Oh my, things are really happening under the town of Phoenix. Luke, Jordan, and Peter are all underground in a hidden research bunker that is run by Kara and her temperamental son, Soren. And, to top it off, for some reason, they have been waiting for Luke for many, many years. How could this be? How could they know Luke would come to them? Why do they want him to appear? What are their plans for him?
Poor Peter. His anger, jealousy, and super strength are all getting the better of him. To keep him safe, Luke and Jordan are forced to lock him up in a room in the bunker. Meanwhile, Jordan and Luke start to have feelings for one another. Oh, if Peter finds out, will he be able to stop himself from killing Luke? Maybe, but probably not. Peter is pretty out of control.
Chris Morphew does another bang-up job with this book, the fourth in the The Phoenix Files series. His main characters are all pretty cool, well, except for Peter. I can't stand him, which is probably what the author wanted. Shackelton finally becomes a person of interest and steps out from behind the curtain to fulfill the role of the head bad guy. And then there are Kara and Soren. Where do they fit into in this giant mess? Are they good guys or more bad guys? You will have to read this book to find out the answer to these questions.
Overall, Underground is another great story that I highly enjoyed. The Phoenix Files series is quite an intriguing story and one that I think about all the time while I am not reading it. I believe that the author has come up with something quite special here and all of these books are on my must-read list. They should be on your list too. So, if you are looking for a really exciting, possible end of the world thriller, then you need to pick up these books today. Boy, oy boy, I am psyched to find out what happens next in Fallout.
I rated this book an 8 out of 10.
Oh my, things are really happening under the town of Phoenix. Luke, Jordan, and Peter are all underground in a hidden research bunker that is run by Kara and her temperamental son, Soren. And, to top it off, for some reason, they have been waiting for Luke for many, many years. How could this be? How could they know Luke would come to them? Why do they want him to appear? What are their plans for him?
Poor Peter. His anger, jealousy, and super strength are all getting the better of him. To keep him safe, Luke and Jordan are forced to lock him up in a room in the bunker. Meanwhile, Jordan and Luke start to have feelings for one another. Oh, if Peter finds out, will he be able to stop himself from killing Luke? Maybe, but probably not. Peter is pretty out of control.
Chris Morphew does another bang-up job with this book, the fourth in the The Phoenix Files series. His main characters are all pretty cool, well, except for Peter. I can't stand him, which is probably what the author wanted. Shackelton finally becomes a person of interest and steps out from behind the curtain to fulfill the role of the head bad guy. And then there are Kara and Soren. Where do they fit into in this giant mess? Are they good guys or more bad guys? You will have to read this book to find out the answer to these questions.
Overall, Underground is another great story that I highly enjoyed. The Phoenix Files series is quite an intriguing story and one that I think about all the time while I am not reading it. I believe that the author has come up with something quite special here and all of these books are on my must-read list. They should be on your list too. So, if you are looking for a really exciting, possible end of the world thriller, then you need to pick up these books today. Boy, oy boy, I am psyched to find out what happens next in Fallout.
I rated this book an 8 out of 10.
November 29, 2017
Underground returns to Luke's point of view. He and Jordan are interrogated by the two people they confronted at the end of Mutation. They believe Luke, Peter and Jordan are working for the Cooperative and demand to know the location of Tobias, whom they have never heard of. The interrogators' names are revealed to be Kara, whose mother established the complex they are living in and Soren, who is Kara's son. They are working to end Tabitha as Luke, Jordan and Peter are, but they still do not give each other their complete trust, despite that they deactivate their suppressors. Peter is being held by their custody as he is too dangerous to be near. Kara and Soren are soon revealed to be Cat, Mike and Tank's overseers. They are angered by the reveal and Luke's dad finally arrives in Phoenix. The people of Phoenix have been growing suspicious and reports of citizens leaving the town have gone around, although they have actually become the latest People to go under the medical center for research. A new security camera network is set up in Phoenix making it harder for the group to enter the town. Luke, Peter and Jordan tell their parents about Tabitha and reactions are mixed. Luke's mum does not believe him, whilst Jordan's and Peter's do. Jordan's mum and sister are arrested and her dad and Peter's parents join forces. Kara and Soren perform the same suppressor deactivation procedure on Peter's dad as they did with Luke, Jordan and Peter. After extensive research, a possible cause for Peter's condition has been discovered. The dense forest surrounding Phoenix was not there 25 years before and the cause of the growth of the forest could be affecting Peter. The group go to the Medical Centre as the town is sent to a mandatory meeting in the Shackleton Building and rescue Jordan's mum and Georgia, Jordan's sister. Much to Emily's dismay, Dr Montag is shot. The day after the rescue mission, it is revealed that the Shackleton Building has become a concentration camp for Phoenix's citizens and Peter's parents and Jordan's dad were caught. Luke and Jordan watch a video of themselves from decades ago where Peter stabs Luke. They are bemused and horrified to know that even if Tabitha is to be overthrown, Luke will die.
March 11, 2013
Hiding underground, Luke, Jordan and Peter are forced to watch the town from the sidelines. That is until someone arrives in Phoenix. Someone new. Someone who isn’t meant to be there. And this may just tip the scales. But even underground it’s dangerous. Waking up strapped to metal beds by some people called the ‘Overseers’, discovering the Peter has become even more unstable, and watching as Jordan’s family is kept under eye 24/7, Jordan becomes desperate. But town is starting to wake up, people are going missing, children are disappearing, and suddenly everyone is in danger.
Oh Luke. Luke, Luke, Luke. While seeing you from the eyes of your friends I desperately wanted to punch you. Hard.
Really hard.
But reading this through Luke’s eyes I was reminded of something.
He is a child. Just a young teenager desperate to save his father who lives on the outside of town.
He isn’t athletic like Jordan, he isn’t smart like Peter, the only thing he can do is try to do his best to help his friends in this life or death mission.
For the first three books I begun to dislike Luke a lot due to his ‘I’m the only one with family on the outside. It’s all about me, me, me, me’ ness that was shown through his friends eyes. But now the reader can see how greatly determined he is to not only protect his father, but to protect everyone
This may, or may not, be due to the amazing event that happened,
But this book has to have been the best one by far. I cannot wait for the next.
Oh Luke. Luke, Luke, Luke. While seeing you from the eyes of your friends I desperately wanted to punch you. Hard.
Really hard.
But reading this through Luke’s eyes I was reminded of something.
He is a child. Just a young teenager desperate to save his father who lives on the outside of town.
He isn’t athletic like Jordan, he isn’t smart like Peter, the only thing he can do is try to do his best to help his friends in this life or death mission.
For the first three books I begun to dislike Luke a lot due to his ‘I’m the only one with family on the outside. It’s all about me, me, me, me’ ness that was shown through his friends eyes. But now the reader can see how greatly determined he is to not only protect his father, but to protect everyone
This may, or may not, be due to the amazing event that happened,
But this book has to have been the best one by far. I cannot wait for the next.
December 18, 2012
WOW THAT WAS SO AWESOME!
I CHANGE MY MIND ABOUT THIS SERIES. I LOVE IT. well...at least i love this book. Specifically
The only issues I really had with this book is the character himself, luke, he just kinda pisses me off sometimes. Thats it.
And is it just me or wow, how quickly did that relationship between peter and luke change? I mean, at the start of the series, it sounded like one of those typical young adult books where you read about these two people who've only just met each other and by the end you know they finally understand each other and la di da da. But wow that is totally not what happened here! People started randomly developing superpowers or some shit like that and suddenly the typical boyish competition/dislike/disputes turn feral and dangerous! And NOT to mention a whole of a hell lot more serious! I mean, suddenly this series just went from typical adult fiction action/thriller mixed with a tiny little bit of romance to full on sci-fi action/thriller with a tiny bit of romance fiction!
And just letting you guys know, I TOTALLY LOVE THE ENDING!!!!!!!!! chris morphew just twisted the whole storyline upside-down and I LOVE IT!!!!!
yeah...okay...breathe...breathe....I am calm now
so yeah, my point is, this series is actually becoming more and more my style...
even if the relationships between some characters are kinda creeping me out and just a tiny little bit disturbing.
:)
I CHANGE MY MIND ABOUT THIS SERIES. I LOVE IT. well...at least i love this book. Specifically
The only issues I really had with this book is the character himself, luke, he just kinda pisses me off sometimes. Thats it.
And is it just me or wow, how quickly did that relationship between peter and luke change? I mean, at the start of the series, it sounded like one of those typical young adult books where you read about these two people who've only just met each other and by the end you know they finally understand each other and la di da da. But wow that is totally not what happened here! People started randomly developing superpowers or some shit like that and suddenly the typical boyish competition/dislike/disputes turn feral and dangerous! And NOT to mention a whole of a hell lot more serious! I mean, suddenly this series just went from typical adult fiction action/thriller mixed with a tiny little bit of romance to full on sci-fi action/thriller with a tiny bit of romance fiction!
And just letting you guys know, I TOTALLY LOVE THE ENDING!!!!!!!!! chris morphew just twisted the whole storyline upside-down and I LOVE IT!!!!!
yeah...okay...breathe...breathe....I am calm now
so yeah, my point is, this series is actually becoming more and more my style...
even if the relationships between some characters are kinda creeping me out and just a tiny little bit disturbing.
:)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 16, 2016
A review of all Books - Arrival - Contact - Mutation - Underground - Fallout - Doomsday
I Love YA and when I stumbled upon this series it was likened to Michael Grant's Gone series so I was definitely inclined to love it.
But I was initially disappointed... the first few books dragged and only because I love a series I continued.
I am thoroughly glad I did. Some of the "off" moments that I didn't understand in the early books came together. Not NEATLY mind you... there were some moments when I wondered "How did HE get there?" but ultimately it was an interesting, convoluted but intriguing way to conclude the final books. It made me realise why only writers get away with this. This stuff is pretty one off in the imagination stakes.
I applaud it and encourage people to stay in there for the conclusion of the series.
I Love YA and when I stumbled upon this series it was likened to Michael Grant's Gone series so I was definitely inclined to love it.
But I was initially disappointed... the first few books dragged and only because I love a series I continued.
I am thoroughly glad I did. Some of the "off" moments that I didn't understand in the early books came together. Not NEATLY mind you... there were some moments when I wondered "How did HE get there?" but ultimately it was an interesting, convoluted but intriguing way to conclude the final books. It made me realise why only writers get away with this. This stuff is pretty one off in the imagination stakes.
I applaud it and encourage people to stay in there for the conclusion of the series.
January 2, 2012
Thank you, Chris Morphew, for bringing such an AMAZING series into the world. Underground is the fourth book in the Phoenix Files series, and all the other books so far have been fantastic, gripping, and full of twists and turns. In this book, you truly have to expect the unexpected. I am very pleased to say that Underground easily lived up to my expectations.
One thing I love about these books is how they end on a cliffhanger, normally at a major turning point in the plot. Especially in Underground, I felt that the climax was also the resolution. With so much suspense building up, you just have to read the next book. I wish that Fallout and Doomsday (books 5 and 6) would come out faster!
Oh, and now, there are only 35 days left 'till the end of the world.
One thing I love about these books is how they end on a cliffhanger, normally at a major turning point in the plot. Especially in Underground, I felt that the climax was also the resolution. With so much suspense building up, you just have to read the next book. I wish that Fallout and Doomsday (books 5 and 6) would come out faster!
Oh, and now, there are only 35 days left 'till the end of the world.
April 2, 2012
Boy, I love these books. Jordan and Luke and Peter are awesome although Peter is a little creepy at times.
I loved reading from Luke's perspective again. Luke has a lot going on with his dad being on the outside and his mums relationship with Phoenix's head doctor but somehow keeps hanging on.
The book starts with Jordan and Luke finding an underground facility that has information on their entire lives. They find Peter down there and his kidnappers, Kara and Soren but they won't let Jordan and Luke take him.
This series just keep getting better and better. Good Job Chris Morphew! Counting the days until Fallout comes out. Can't wait, hurry up May!
I loved reading from Luke's perspective again. Luke has a lot going on with his dad being on the outside and his mums relationship with Phoenix's head doctor but somehow keeps hanging on.
The book starts with Jordan and Luke finding an underground facility that has information on their entire lives. They find Peter down there and his kidnappers, Kara and Soren but they won't let Jordan and Luke take him.
This series just keep getting better and better. Good Job Chris Morphew! Counting the days until Fallout comes out. Can't wait, hurry up May!
November 11, 2013
The phoenix files underground By:Chris Morphew.
Luke Hunter thought that he knew who his enemies were.But then Luke wakes up strap in a metal chair in a underground lab.There are more enemies and they been waiting his whole life to track him down.Meanwhile up on the surface, the people of phoenix are starting to disappear.The clock is still ticking there are 49days in till the end of the world.
Luke Hunter thought that he knew who his enemies were.But then Luke wakes up strap in a metal chair in a underground lab.There are more enemies and they been waiting his whole life to track him down.Meanwhile up on the surface, the people of phoenix are starting to disappear.The clock is still ticking there are 49days in till the end of the world.
December 20, 2013
The fourth book and probably my favourite of the series. Nothing to do with my love of the number 4 of course... the events in this book really outshine its predecessors. Read... i DO recommend this series.
Although, this book was interesting as there are even bigger twists in the plot that really are rather intriguing to me.
Although, this book was interesting as there are even bigger twists in the plot that really are rather intriguing to me.
April 30, 2015
This Book was amazing. Brutal but a great series as this book is almost unpredictable and really easy to get entertained by. When you start reading this book you can not put it down. There is a lot of twist and make this book unbelievable. I would highly recommend this book it is well written and enjoyable to read.
October 28, 2013
I finished Reading this book. In this book Luke finds out why he is down under the ground. He uncovers even more mysteries and starts to sovle them with Jordan. there are 49 days until the end of the world.
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