Book Review: The Phalanx Code by A.J. Tata

Garrett Sinclair seems to always suffer for doing the right thing. After saving the world, he and his team are imprisoned. He’s ready to accept his discharge from the Army when one of his operatives, Jake Mahegan, breaks him out of solitary confinement. He meets up with his fellow teammates, and they are all free, thanks to Mitch Drewson, a billionaire tech wizard. The world of security and privacy is about to collide.

Drewson wants Sinclair and his team to protect Project Optimus, a software designed to help everyone with their personal data. The threat is from a rival tech company and its pathological owner, Aurelius Blanc, whose program monitors everyone’s activity on any device. Sinclair doesn’t have time to consider options when the mission hits close to home, and what seemed straightforward becomes lopsided. Who can he and his team trust?

After the initial setup, Tata delivers a fast-paced thrill ride that does not stop for a second. The surprises and intensity add to the fun. The story’s timeliness and terrific writing make this arguably Tata’s best thriller to date. He provides enough backstory to make this an excellent spot for newcomers to dive in without slowing things down for his diehard fans. The next book cannot come fast enough.