The Phoenix Variant: The Fifth Column 3 Paperback – 9 October 2014

I did enjoy this book as much as the other two. Lots of action, lots of suspense, a dash of drama and a tiny twist at the end. I am not sure that the story is fully resolved. Farrugia left a crack at the end just big enough for a Fifth Column 4. I have never been a big fan of stories that leave things a little in the air. Nevertheless, it was a cracking good yarn.

I really enjoyed this third installment of the 5th Column series. To me it didn't seem as fast paced as its predecessors (although don't get me wrong there is still action aplenty!) and I felt I got to know the character far better as there were sections of the book that provided more background than there has been in the past.I was excited to see that the series will not end here and there is sure to be another book in the pipeline. Congratulations Nathan on writing another fantastic novel.

The third and much looked forward to book in a great series by Nathan M Farrugia follows the adventure of Sophia, genetically enhanced operative gone rogue and her friends trying to bring down The Fifth Column, the group who run the worlds governments therefore controlling the masses. Reading this third instalment was like riding a familiar roller-coaster for the third time and finding that the sharp bends and loops have been twisted around since your last ride. The story is fast paced yet clear with good descriptive and the characters are individuals we soon grow to love they are so well written, even the "bad guy" Denton, I found myself not wanting him to be killed off because I would miss the psychopath. Sophia and her team are re-united once again, this time in New York with a hurricane fast approaching and a meteor fragment containing a virus they must destroy or at least keep out of the hands of the fifth column, not an easy thing as they are being tracked step by step and hunted by operatives with their own unique gene enhancements. I particularly enjoy the relationships between the characters in the fifth column series of books and they are developing really well three stories down the line,my favourite being Jay whose light hearted ways in the bleakest of moments always make me laugh. It was also good to spot the reference to another good writer Matthew Reilly. I look forward to more from Mr Farrugia in the future.

The third instalment of a great series and there is certainly no letting up on the action. Sophia and her gang are back, in a fast-paced game of wits and skill over and under the streets of New York City. With a hurricane, The Fifth Column, Denton AND the Crazy Jamaican Woman to contend with, they need all the help they can get and it seems like there is a life threatening cliff-hanger at the end of almost every chapter. It's enough to make you dizzy.As we learn more about The Fifth Column and the various gene enhancing viruses, this series just gets better and better. I have one small point I would like to raise about The Phoenix Variant though. I don't know if a resident of New York City would be able to follow the geography of this episode, but I was completely lost. In this, I would have found the odd diagram or map, a la Matthew Reilly, to be a helpful addition in following where everyone was in relation to each other.That said, it didn't stop me really enjoying this book and I look forward to the next one.

Another great adventure with the team. Having not been able to catch breathe in the first installment and introduction to the characters as the action was non stop page after page. The second and third installments have slowed allowing more time to know the characters. There is still lots of action and suspense to keep everything moving smoothly. I look forward to number 4.