Welcome To The Feast (Phoenix Force)

Phoenix Force #17, WELCOME TO THE FEAST, was written by William Fieldhouse under the house name 'Gar Wilson'. Concerning Phoenix Force books Mr. Fieldhouse has written a total of 33 books in a series which ran for a total of 51. William Fieldhouse must have abiding interest in the martial arts as this story contains much information of methodology and weapons. In detail it may be too much for some readers, however, taking it in and going with the flow can be instructive. Mr. Fieldhouse has also worked many action scenes into this Phoenix Force book, while introducting a secondary character by name of John Trent into the Phoenix Force saga. Mr. Trent has an extensive background as a Ninja and employs that background during his time in this book. See Phoenix Force books #26, Hostaged Vatican, for more of John Trent. The plot for this book involves an organization named TRIO doing battle with MERGE units in San Francisco for control of that cities drugs and underworld activities. The Mafia is pretty weak and these two groups will fight it out to fill the vacuum. TRIO is comprised of a trio of predators: Japanese, Chinese, and Mongolian. The Japanese Black Serpent Society and the Chinese Snake Clan, bringing with them the Yakuza and Tong elements with the Mongol element being eliminated early on, so that TRIO soon becomes mainly conprised of both Chinese and Japanese criminal elements. It is with these two societies, Black Serpent and Snake Clan, that the Phoenix Force will do battle. As usual the 5 members of the Phoenix Force anti-terrorist group are more than up to the task, especially with the added member, John Trent. The plot is believable, and the writing is both stylish and informative. At one point Mr. Fieldhouse gives a historical thumbnail recounting of both Tong and Yakuza activities in the U.S. Many action scenes fill out the narrative as well. For anyone following the GOLD EAGLE books from Worldwide Publishing this will be old hat, but for a new reader this action adventure series will be a real treat. If you are anything like me you will want to check out this line of books that over the last 20 plus years has put hundreds on my reading shelves. As Mack Bolan would say: LIVE LARGE. Semper Fi.