Doomsday by Chris Morphew

Phoenix Files Book 6, Hardie Grant Egmont, 2013. ISBN 9781921502446.
(Age: 12+) Recommended. Doomsday picks up with less than twenty-four hours until the end of civilisation as we know it. With Luke and Jordan desperately fighting to rescue humanity from the dire plans of the Shackleton corporation, it seems they have more enemies than ever before, with even Peter being out of control and seemingly about to destroy them. As war rages, they battle against the clock to put an end to the plans of their enemies. Who or what is Tobias and will he have the power to put things to rights?
This is one series which seems to appeal to girls and boys alike, despite its violence, bloodshed and the traumas faced by the population of Phoenix. Initially, it is only the children who are aware that something is seriously amiss within the confines of the town but slowly the adults come to realise that things are not as they should be. From book one in which the town reminded me of a children's version of The Stepford Wives to the final resolution, the action and excitement keep one on the edge of one's seat. The appeal of having a different narrator for each of the earlier books adds to the gender balance, helping to make the books accessible to all readers. Changing the narrator chapter by chapter in the final title gives one a multitude of different perspectives throughout Doomsday, thereby keeping the reader informed as to how each group of characters is feeling and how they are being occupied.
Personally, I felt reasonably satisfied by this final instalment, despite having had to suspend disbelief totally. Most of the loose ends were tied up sufficiently and I continued to be intrigued by the characters that underwent major changes toward the end of the series. I found the ultimate battle between good and evil to be powerful and engaging. Not a read for the fainthearted, however!
Jo Schenkel