The Phoenix Group: Rising is book 1 of a 4 part series. It starts out with an action packed sequence that reminded me of a scene from an Indiana Jones movie. After which, the adventure continues to be filled with pages of pure entertainment. There are mysterious artifacts, ancient ruins and various exploits that keep you on your toes and wondering just what the heck is going to happen next.
Introducing us to the archaeologist, Dr Mark Gillian and his team, which includes his nephew Pacey, Sam (Samantha), Tom and, a surprise addition to the team, Captain Reynolds, The Phoenix Group: Rising does fairly well with character development, although I would like to learn a bit more of the back story behind some of the characters. Others involved in these exploits around the world are soldiers Jack Collins, Oz and Cook, who get pulled into the adventure by Captain Reynolds to locate another of the artifacts.
The Phoenix Group: Rising takes us to various parts of the world in search of the artifacts and the mysteries behind said artifacts. Puzzles that activate columns and stairways, swarms of insects and gigantic crocodiles attempting to enjoy a snack of archaeologist and hidden passages under neath the foundation of Parliament. Collin Andrews does a wonderful job taking us on a great and detailed adventure around the world.
Keeping in mind that The Phoenix Group: Rising is book 1 of 4, I would highly recommend this book for those who enjoy tales similar to those of National Treasure and Indiana Jones with a bit of military tech and strategies added into the mix. I cannot wait to read book 2 The Phoenix Group: Ascension which is, hopefully, available soon.
Author Colin Andrews opens up his first novel like a poker dealer dishing out several hands at once. You are introduced to several characters in short order as the action gets fired up right away. It hardly slows down from that point, whisking the reader along for the ride.
In the beginning it can be a little difficult to keep track of all of the different characters but that settles down once Andrews focuses the story into two main threads, one involving Archaeologist Mark Gillian, his students and the other involving a pair of special operation soldiers, Cook and Oz. Our plucky band of adventurers span the globe racing to discover the mystery behind ancient ruins and mysterious artifacts as they uncover a plot that could change the world.
The story has a good dose of National Treasure and Indiana Jones with a dash of The A-Team thrown in for good measure. The Phoenix Group: Rising is a large story to tell for a new writer but Andrews pulls it together.
The novel was little light on character development in the beginning of the story and I found myself with some questions about the characters I wanted answered. There are some details that might have been fleshed out a bit more like the origin of the attraction between two of the principal characters and the background of the soldiers. Whether that was done to keep the story pace consistent or to save details for the next installment, we’ll have to wait for the sequel to find out. I won’t say that it felt like a distraction from the story, I really didn’t. It was just my impression and more a matter of personal taste than anything.
There were some minor issues with editing that often crop up in independent books. (One of the reasons I have not finished any my own work. I’m too busy fixing my typos and grammatical goof ups to get it done…) There were some punctuation issues and a few spots where phrases were repeated a few times but those mistakes tapered off pretty quickly. I was able to immerse myself in the story and enjoy the ride. When writing my review, I try to boil my experience down to whether or not I enjoyed the story and would read follow up work from the author.
The answer to both of those questions is an emphatic yes.
thepocketgeek’s blog
After a motorcycle accident had left him in a wheelchair for four months, the author, Colin Andrews, started writing the Phoenix Group stories nine years ago, when his wife was expecting their first son. The story was originally written for his unborn son to read and was never intended to be published. But Colin’s son, now 9 years old, has badgered his Dad to finish the story and the story has grown, as children and stories tend to do.
We owe a debt of gratitude to Colin’s son. Rising is a thrilling, edge of the seat story, from start to finish. The reader is transported from newly discovered temples in the Amazon, to the Pentagon, the Peak District, London, the Brown Mountains and places Unknown.
A puzzle must to be solved, the solution will save the world but at what cost? What are the plans of the Phoenix Group?
Rising is only the first part of this four part story and introduces us to the archaeologist, Dr Mark Gillian and his team who include his nephew Pacey, Samantha (Sam), Tom and the dashing Captain Reynolds; the mysterious Jack Collins and Oz and Cook (who are so much more than soldiers).
Great characters and fast paced action/adventure/mystery that would transfer brilliantly to the screen. Can’t wait to read Ascension, part two of the Phoenix Group stories, planned for release in 2012.
