Origins of Darkness

The Phoenix Gene book 1

by JP Cawood

They called it a cure. They didn’t mention the genocide.

Seventeen-year-old Jackie knows the rules: if you test positive for the PX virus, you disappear. So when she fails her Wellness Check, there’s only one option.

Run.

Life Rite’s genetically engineered immortality serum cures diseases, but it also rips the multiverse wide open. Jackie is hunted down and must travel back in time to stop the serum from annihilating the poor and oppressed.

As Jackie races through a fractured universe, she unravels the mysterious roots of her twisted family tree, but choosing the wrong alliance triggers the catastrophic, deadly Redistribution Program.

Now, even if she can somehow save humanity…it’ll cost her life.

Perfect for fans of Divergent, The Hunger Games, and The Host, The Phoenix Gene: Origins of Darkness is a gripping YA dystopian adventure with high-stakes rebellion, dangerous love, and a multiverse you won’t want to leave.

5 out of 5 fairies

This book was the perfect balance of dark with a bright spark of hope nestled within its pages. If you enjoy dystopian books, you’re going to love this. The worldbuilding was top-tier, and the way time travel was handled was unique. Jackie is an amazing FMC, she’s strong, determined, and easy to like. Life Rite sounds terrifying, and the perfect villain for this. Unfortunately, with the way things have been headed in certain countries in the world today, it’s all too easy to imagine this happening if technology advances enough. Especially the AI side of things – this truly highlights how dangerous it could become, even if this is a work of fiction. The story moved along fairly smoothly overall, and the character development is excellent. If you enjoyed The Hunger Games, then you’ll most likely enjoy this! Cannot wait for book two.

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