Countdown (novel series)

Countdown is a series of young adult science fiction thriller novels written by Ben H. Winters. The series consists of three books: Countdown (2013), Shut Down (2013), and Endgame (2014).

The series is set in 1981 and follows the story of a group of middle school students who discover a secret message embedded in a vintage computer program. This message hints at a looming global catastrophe and tasks them with saving the world. The protagonists must grapple with Cold War tensions, government conspiracies, and rapidly evolving technology as they race against time to prevent the disaster.

The novels explore themes of friendship, trust, responsibility, and the impact of technology on society. They are characterized by their fast-paced plots, suspenseful atmosphere, and historical accuracy regarding the early personal computer revolution.