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. -- Publishers Weekly
Devil's Pocket is the best kind of sequel, one that doesn't just repeat the original, but boldly strikes out for exciting new territory-and conquers it! This makes The Hunger Games look like Chutes & Ladders. -- Peter Clines, bestselling author of The Fold and Ex-Heroes
This action-packed novel (with YA crossover appeal) combines adventure with extreme violence and concerns a young boxer sent to a very special youth boot camp.... When things come to a head, Carl finds that all of his suspicions about the island prove even worse than he thought in this crisply written and imaginative effort. Dixon's page-turner will keep readers of all ages enthralled. A fast-paced, exciting novel with the promise of future installments. * Kirkus on Phoenix Island *
100% great! * Cemetery Dance Magazine on Phoenix Island *
An unusual premise makes Dixon's thriller debut a welcome series kickoff... the pacing and smooth prose will have suspense fans waiting for the next book, as well as the upcoming CBS adaptation, Intelligence. * Publishers Weekly on Phoenix Island *
Filled with both menace and heart, Phoenix Island stands out in all the right ways. -- New York Times bestselling author Melissa Marr
Lord of the Flies meets Wolverine and Cool Hand Luke. A tribute to the indomitable human spirit that challenges the mob and chooses values over expediency. -- F. Paul Wilson, New York Times bestselling creator of Repairman Jack
[Phoenix Island is] fast-paced and thoroughly engrossing - I could not put it down!
-- Lissa Price, international bestselling author of Starters
Mesmerizing and intense... [Dixon] bring[s] this story right off the pages and make[s] it a visual sensation that touches readers' imaginations. All fans can hope for next is that these books will be added to a movie screen very, very soon. * Suspense Magazine *
