Secret society stuff – kinda nightmarish

Let me just start out by saying that this is book 1 of a trilogy.  However, the other two books aren’t released yet, so hold your horses.  The minute I was done with this book, I searched for the rest of its friends.  I was happy to learn that there were more books coming.  I was sad to learn that I’d have to wait for them!!!  This is the first book I’ve read by PJ Manney.  I don’t think it’ll be the last.

Right away, you’re thrown into the story about some teens who are possibly unwittingly part of a terrorist plot.  Thousands of people die in an explosion, and pretty quickly a scapegoat is found in Peter Bernhardt.  He’s the founder of his company which tries to create new technological and engineering advances to reduce diseases.  He has to flee after it’s discovered that his technology is responsible for the terrorism.

An encounter with an old friend fills him in on a secret society called the Phoenix Club.  He uses some elaborate disguises (including surgery) to mask his old identity, and create a new one.  He attempts to join the club, and figure out what’s going on.  He’s not sure if they’ll help him or if they’re behind the terrorism.

I liked all of the characters, and how they felt like real people.  The science was exciting, speculative, and scary.  You’re never quite sure who’s on Peter’s side, and who is trying to manipulate him.  This book kept me reading at a feverish pace.