Book Review: Civil War (The Phoenix Elite, 2)

Reviewed by Chelsey Tucker

A spectacular collision of historical people, present problems, and futuristic technology

For the seven Phoenix Elite members who recently saved the world, adjusting back to normal life has been difficult. 

Saving the world really fried Adam’s nerves; his “hurricane-force anxiety keeps him up late” with his Einstein brain constantly in overdrive. As for Hala and Guowei, they took on parenting roles and battled unseen illnesses. While the clones of Queen Hatshepsut and Genghis Khan are affronted by tablet tantrums, Jacki is facing threats and accusations of her being a terrorist. 

Meanwhile, Carlos isn’t helping matters for Joan of Arc, posting radical proclamations on social media as he traverses South America offering medical services to anyone and everyone he comes across. Carlos never shied away from his “Che” tendencies whereas Nigel is only now embracing his Mandela way of life, even if it costs him the entire board of his company. 

Lastly, there is Brandon who seemed to return to his normal life at MIT, but normal is never in the cards for the Bird Buddies. Another Kebe calls them back into action, and this time it’s even messier.

Even though the Phoenix Elite took down the threat of Bricker, his son Zed is still out there trying to cause chaos. The Lincoln look-alike ironically aims for global civil war. After a deep fake video and doxxing the entire Phoenix Elite team, Zed is successfully causing the whole world to see them as villains instead of heroes. 

Henrietta Kebe has taken over for her late father in orchestrating the only team capable of destroying Zed. With the enormous and dire task facing them all, she holds onto her daddy’s words of wisdom, “‘Know where you come from, be who you are, and find the strength to move the world.’”

For a sequel, C.T. Clark does an excellent job of reintroducing characters while weaving in a recap of the first book and the new story. Instead of overwhelming us with too much at once, Clark utilizes multiple chapters to refresh us and move us forward.

Civil War immerses readers in the full weight of war, capturing its tragedy, pain, and the resilience of those caught in its wake. The emotions of the main characters are powerfully conveyed, making their struggles feel raw and real. For example, Adam’s PTSD is shown through his thoughts and actions rather than being explicitly stated: “Is an ARK terrorist waiting to pounce? Will a mysterious van speed at him? Is there a sniper lining him up? He has taught the graduate school’s advanced probability course, so he knows that these alleys are empty, but the heart skips a beat all the same.” Moments like these, along with the destruction, violence, and lingering hopelessness create an impactful story that’s going to stay with me.

The best part about this novel is how it blends modern technology, historical events, and recent political developments with futuristic yet entirely plausible advancements. The weaponry and technology used by the Phoenix Elite, while fictional, seem like a logical progression of what the public already believes to be part of military stockpiles.

While the novel maintains a fast-paced, action-packed rhythm, it also gives room for deep character development. The heavier, slower relationship-building moments are well-balanced with the high-stakes, world-saving thrills.

Both a good fit for Young Adult and Adult readers, this series will be a true gem for anyone with a passion for history, sci-fi politics, and action. The historical references and the striking parallels to today’s political landscape add depth and intrigue to the building conflict, and it’s all told with a quick wit and enough acts of sacrifice to leave you speechless.

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