Starred Review for Kirkus Reviews (Mon Feb 06 00:00:00 CST 2023)

Six teen hackers must race to bring down the nefarious program they unwittingly helped create in Deebs' (Relentless, 2016, etc.) latest cyberthriller.When strangers and expert hackers Issa, Owen, Ezra, Alika, Seth, and Harper are invited to a hacking competition for a CIA college scholarship with a guaranteed job waiting, it's as if all their dreams have fallen into their laps. A few weeks later, Owen, who refused to participate, uncovers the truth: The people who brought the teens together worked not for the CIA but a tech conglomerate called Jacento. The competition and "simulated" hacks were a ruse to create a supervirus dubbed Phantom Wheel, which, when delivered via Jacento's nationwide charging stations, will grant the company virtually unlimited access to every keystroke of users' personal data, thus infecting every company whose apps they use. Deebs pulls no punches in this high-octane yet character-driven plot as big data manipulation and corporate greed (the too-familiar horsemen of every cyberapocalypse) are juxtaposed with the teens' past traumas and fear for their lives as they fight to bring down Jacento's plan. Japanese-American, Colombian-American, and mixed-race identities as well as on-the-page asexual representation all effortlessly feature among this black-hat group. Despite lacking synonyms for "hacker," Deebs does an admirable job making the digital world and its battle tactics accessible as readers cheer on the endearingly sardonic and diverse cast.A must-read for every aspiring hacktivist. (Thriller. 14-18)

Horn Book (Thu Aug 01 00:00:00 CDT 2019)

After six prodigious high-school hackers are tricked into creating an apocalyptic computer virus, they must set aside their disparate backgrounds to hack into a giant company and undo the damage they caused. At times the reliance on tropes makes the characters and plot feel a bit shallow, but the breakneck pace and enjoyable banter ensure an entertaining ride throughout.

Kirkus Reviews (Fri Oct 04 00:00:00 CDT 2024)

Six teen hackers must race to bring down the nefarious program they unwittingly helped create in Deebs' (Relentless, 2016, etc.) latest cyberthriller.When strangers and expert hackers Issa, Owen, Ezra, Alika, Seth, and Harper are invited to a hacking competition for a CIA college scholarship with a guaranteed job waiting, it's as if all their dreams have fallen into their laps. A few weeks later, Owen, who refused to participate, uncovers the truth: The people who brought the teens together worked not for the CIA but a tech conglomerate called Jacento. The competition and "simulated" hacks were a ruse to create a supervirus dubbed Phantom Wheel, which, when delivered via Jacento's nationwide charging stations, will grant the company virtually unlimited access to every keystroke of users' personal data, thus infecting every company whose apps they use. Deebs pulls no punches in this high-octane yet character-driven plot as big data manipulation and corporate greed (the too-familiar horsemen of every cyberapocalypse) are juxtaposed with the teens' past traumas and fear for their lives as they fight to bring down Jacento's plan. Japanese-American, Colombian-American, and mixed-race identities as well as on-the-page asexual representation all effortlessly feature among this black-hat group. Despite lacking synonyms for "hacker," Deebs does an admirable job making the digital world and its battle tactics accessible as readers cheer on the endearingly sardonic and diverse cast.A must-read for every aspiring hacktivist. (Thriller. 14-18)

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

In this technothriller by Deebs (Powerless), after six teen hackers are duped into collaborating on an insidious project designed to steal the private data of everyday consumers, they go to war against one of the most powerful corporations in the world. For Issa, Owen, Harper, Alika, Ezra, and Seth, the opportunity to win a college scholarship and a job with the CIA seems like a dream come true-until they discover that they have been duped by Jacento, a smartphone manufacturer with unlimited resources and no scruples. Now they must find a way to defeat the very program that they helped to create, all while surviving Jacento-s attempts to discredit or kill them. The heroes perform audacious feats of computer wizardry, such as hacking other vehicles during a high-speed car chase, even as they drop pop culture one-liners, fall for one another, and narrowly escape death. 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. Ages 14-up. (Oct.)

School Library Journal (Wed Aug 01 00:00:00 CDT 2018)

Gr 9 Up-Six of the country's elite teen hackers are invited to compete for a college scholarship and a guaranteed job with the CIA. A few weeks after their hacking "simulations," Owen sends the five other hackers a message: "YOU'VE BEEN PLAYED." It wasn't a CIA competition, but an elaborate ruse by tech giant Jacento using the hackers to create a virus capable of creating a "digital apocalypse." The teens try to destroy the virus Phantom Wheel, planning a major heist and putting themselves into very real danger. This breakneck thriller reads like a techy teen Mission Impossible , complete with comedic banter, budding romance, and saucy language. Deebs does not neglect character development in the name of action: three of the six teens narrate, and all have a backstory lending purpose to their hacking. They are diverse in terms of race, wealth, hometown, and family structure, and each faces a major personal challenge, such as the death of a family member, abuse, and the foster system. The fast pace and well-drawn characters may appeal to reluctant readers, though technological jargon and the number of protagonists and plots to follow may add confusion. While the ending and certain elements stretch plausibility, most readers will overlook those issues and enjoy the ride. VERDICT A general purchase, recommend this tech-savvy heist thriller to fans of Ally Carter and Anthony Horowitz. Elizabeth Lovsin, Deerfield Public Library, IL