Brilliance

Brilliance

Marcus Sakey

In Wyoming, a little girl reads people’s darkest secrets by the way they fold their arms. In New York, a man sensing patterns in the stock market racks up $300 billion. In Chicago, a woman can go invisible by being where no one is looking. They’re called “brilliants,” and since 1980, one percent of people have been born this way. Nick Cooper is among them; a federal agent, Cooper has gifts rendering him exceptional at hunting terrorists. His latest target may be the most dangerous man alive, a brilliant drenched in blood and intent on provoking civil war. But to catch him, Cooper will have to violate everything he believes in—and betray his own kind.

From Marcus Sakey, “a modern master of suspense” (Chicago Sun-Times) and “one of our best storytellers” (Michael Connelly), comes an adventure that’s at once breakneck thriller and shrewd social commentary; a gripping tale of a world fundamentally different and yet horrifyingly similar to our own, where being born gifted can be a terrible curse(from Netgalley)

My Thoughts

Well now, wasn’t this interesting - and very thought provoking. The author took some current day, government activities - wire tapping, surveillance cameras, monitoring of phone and internet data bases - all the things that are being sold to us as safety measures and terrorist counter-measures - and really put a different spin on them. He gives of a picture of the other side - how these techniques could be used to control and manipulate.

I think I am surprised at how much I loved this story. I say this because first of all, I have never read anything by Mr. Sakey, so I had no idea what I was getting in to.. Second, and I’m just being honest here, the synopsis sounded like the story could be just a little - well ------ weird.

The first third of the story was set up - who’s who and what’s what. After that, it really picks up and turns into a heart pounding thriller. As I’m nearing the end, I’m thinking - man, I don’t want this to be over. I really like the characters and I want more. So - I turn to the last page and what do I see? End of book one.

END OF BOOK ONE? You mean there’s going to be more!?!?!?! Yippee! Hot dog! Happy dance!

My thanks to Amazon Publishing, via Netgalley, for allowing me to read this in exchange for an unbiased review.

Publish date: July 16, 2013.