by John Dixon
Publishers Weekly In Stoker-winner Dixon's adrenaline-infused sequel to 2014's Phoenix Island, 16-year-old Carl Freeman, now a highly trained fighter implanted with body-enhancing microchips, is part of a three-man team representing Phoenix Island, which is ruled by the tyrannical Stark, in the Funeral Games, "an annual underground tournament held at an undisclosed location and hosted by the Few, a small group of enormously wealthy elitists who happen to love blood sport." Each participant will fight four bouts in four days. The winner of each weight class will receive $10 million. The games turn out to be on an island called Devil's Pocket, where Carl, who's posing as a loyal Stark supporter, is startled to encounter Margarita Carbajal, whom he knew as Octavia, his love interest, in the previous book. Octavia and Carl join forces in a desperate attempt to destroy Stark and the Few. A former Golden Gloves boxer, Dixon combines futuristic technical advances with graphic fight scenes for a satisfying adventure thriller. Agent: Christina Hogrebe, Jane Rotrosen Agency. (Aug.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved. (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved School Library Journal Gr 9 Up-Still trapped as part of the Phoenix Force, orphan-turned-super soldier Carl Freeman is sent to compete in grueling combat on the volcanic island known as Devil's Pocket. When he encounters former flame Octavia on the island, escape becomes more than just a hopeless dream in this sequel to Phoenix Island (Gallery, 2014). A strong selection for fans of gritty dystopian combat novels. © Copyright 2015. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. (c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. |
