Phantom Wheel: A Hackers Novel

Description

Believing they have been recruited by the CIA, six teen hackers arrive in LA for a hacking aptitude test with the promise of a college scholarship and a job with the CIA after graduation. But one of the teens, Owen, walks out, refusing to participate. The other five decide to stay and complete the tests. When they finish, they leave feeling equally accomplished and unnerved. Then silence-until they receive a text from Owen: You've been played. He's uncovered evidence that the hackers created "Phantom Wheel," the most devastating virus ever made. Jacento, the corporation behind it all, plans to use this virus to gain unprecedented access to personal data. And that's just the beginning of the devastation. Can the teen hackers stop Phantom Wheel-and protect their own secrets from being revealed-before it's too late? 2018 by Hachette Book Group, Inc.

Tracy Deebs has written numerous young adult novels, including Doomed, which was a YALSA finalist and has been on numerous state reading lists. She's also the author of the Tempest mermaid series, and is the co-author the award-winning series, The Hero Agenda. She is also the author of three New York Times bestsellers from the Ethan Frost adult series.

*Deebs pulls no punches in this high-octane yet character-driven plot...Japanese-American, Colombian-American, and mixed-race identities as well as on-the-page asexual representation all effortlessly feature among this black-hat group. A must-read for every aspiring hacktivist.--Kirkus Reviews (starred review) A propulsive blockbuster of a book...Cinematic in scope and delivery, this offers an exciting ride with a heavy geek vibe.--Booklist The premise itself is well-worn, but Deebs's fast-paced plot, cinematic action, and racially diverse, gender-equal cast makes this an entertaining adventure.--Publishers Weekly The story is timely, the characters are engaging, and the action is fun in this suspenseful novel.--SLC