Review of "Written in Fire: Book Three of the Brilliance Trilogy" by Marcus Sakey

This is the third book in the 'Brilliance' trilogy. As the story opens, the United States is on the brink of a civil war between average people and 'brilliants' or 'abnorms' (humans who have superior abilities). The war has been engineered in large part by a government official who wants a good future for his grandchildren....and he'll do almost anything to achieve this goal, including things that are WAY out of his area of responsibility. 😒



In fact almost all the main characters in this series are MUCH MORE concerned with their families and/or significant others than the good of mankind in general. This trope is common in fiction, but it's selfish and short-sighted (IMO), and - in real life - would probably result in the extinction of the human race. But of course this is fiction. 🙂

The books in the series should be read in order (Brilliance, A Better World, Written in Fire) for maximum comprehension and enjoyment.

*****

As the series unfolds, 'regular' humans in the U.S. have become increasingly hostile to abnorms because the government's attempts to control the brilliants have led to severe retribution....with massive death and destruction. Now a well-armed militia of vengeful people is descending on Wyoming's 'New Canaan Holdfast' where abnorms live in a technologically advanced settlement.



Nick Cooper is a brilliant who has been trying to establish a rapprochement between regular people and abnorms, but things have gotten completely out of control and the situation looks hopeless.



Still, Nick has some strategies to pursue, and one of them involves a very dangerous terrorist named John Smith - who has a diabolical plan that's been in the works for years.



Nick's situation is complicated by the fact that he's involved with two women. One is Natalie - Nick's ex-wife and the mother of his two children.







The other woman in Nick's life is Shannon, a fellow abnorm who partners with him on important missions. 



Both females are on Nick's mind as he tries to rescue mankind from its own worst instincts.

Meanwhile, the militia and the New Canaan Holdfast are gearing up for an all out war, which could have severe consequences for both sides. This plotline revs up the suspense, but once the battles start the fighting scenes get repetitive.....and I could have done with a bit less of this.







I don't want to give away spoilers so I'll just say - considering the huge build-up - the climax of the story is a yawner. 

The epilog plays out as I expected and leaves an opening for a new direction or a spinoff  IF Sakey wants to keep going with this storyline. Thus, I'd say this 'trilogy' - which ends on a cliffhanger - may not be finished.

Rating: 3 stars