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todd_luallen's review against another edition
5.0
I've been on a thriller binge this month having read I AM PILGRIM, and ORPHAN X, and Sakey is on top of the pack. I loved this trilogy. I will say that the final book has much less use of the actual giftedness than the previous two books. And for me that was a bit of a let down, but still not enough for me to lower my rating. I did not want to stop reading, each chapter kept my attention and drove hard to the final pages. In addition, I think the series brings up some deep and thought provoking themes regarding family, politics, patriotism, and of course being different. Thank you Marcus Sakey, I look forward to your next series.
leptook's review against another edition
3.0
more like a 3.5. an enjoyable end to the series, and i think it would make a great television series
madcassier's review against another edition
4.0
**Thank you to Thomas & Mercer for providing me a digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley for the purpose of review**
Here it is: the finale to a truly fantastic science-fiction/dystopian/political thriller. For those of you who have not yet read any of the “Brilliance” trilogy, the quick version of the premise is that 30-years ago, some people contracted a virus that imbued them with extra powers, all of which were different from each other; the world named them “Brilliants.” But even better than that is the fact that “Brilliants” can pass down their powers, because susceptibility to the virus is genetic.
As a result, you have a world on the edge, not always to blatantly; this is the kind of tension that slithers beneath the surface of everyday life; it makes itself commonplace, blinding so many to the stark truth that they live in a world where they can trust no one - not their governments, not their friends or family, and not even themselves.
Mr. Sakey’s ability to create and sustain this tension across three books has been fantastic, and in “Written in Fire” he just keeps ramping it all up higher to the point that I wasn’t sure I’d be able to keep breathing. The stakes are so very high, especially when we’ve been following these characters — good, bad, shades of grey — for three books and they’re brought to moral, ethical, and emotional brinks. And the pace is non-stop with a finale that I can call nothing except explosive.
A brilliant conclusion to the story of the “Brilliants.”
Here it is: the finale to a truly fantastic science-fiction/dystopian/political thriller. For those of you who have not yet read any of the “Brilliance” trilogy, the quick version of the premise is that 30-years ago, some people contracted a virus that imbued them with extra powers, all of which were different from each other; the world named them “Brilliants.” But even better than that is the fact that “Brilliants” can pass down their powers, because susceptibility to the virus is genetic.
As a result, you have a world on the edge, not always to blatantly; this is the kind of tension that slithers beneath the surface of everyday life; it makes itself commonplace, blinding so many to the stark truth that they live in a world where they can trust no one - not their governments, not their friends or family, and not even themselves.
Mr. Sakey’s ability to create and sustain this tension across three books has been fantastic, and in “Written in Fire” he just keeps ramping it all up higher to the point that I wasn’t sure I’d be able to keep breathing. The stakes are so very high, especially when we’ve been following these characters — good, bad, shades of grey — for three books and they’re brought to moral, ethical, and emotional brinks. And the pace is non-stop with a finale that I can call nothing except explosive.
A brilliant conclusion to the story of the “Brilliants.”
katiedalton's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 - only cause it took a lot for me to get into this book though I blame that on my reading slump and not necessarily the book itself.
I found myself unsure of how the author would wrap up the series and that made me want to avoid finishing it since I had loved the books so far and often it's the ending that kills my love for them.
That epilogue was perfect. 👌👌👌
Nick Cooper has been trying to prevent war this whole time. He's that righteous character and wants to be honest and do what's right for his children. The rest of the world doesn't work like that though.
I like that there is extremist groups on both sides of the conflict as well as people on both sides who want peace as a whole. The whole series has been working up to this point where the extremists start a war, and essentially they get that.
The plot postconflict is what always gets me to hate series like this but I feel that Sakey handled it well. It didn't magically get all better, and there was still a lot of change needed on a macro scale. But the micro scale our main characters were able to sort out their issues and finally have that time to breathe for a while.
I found myself unsure of how the author would wrap up the series and that made me want to avoid finishing it since I had loved the books so far and often it's the ending that kills my love for them.
That epilogue was perfect. 👌👌👌
Nick Cooper has been trying to prevent war this whole time. He's that righteous character and wants to be honest and do what's right for his children. The rest of the world doesn't work like that though.
I like that there is extremist groups on both sides of the conflict as well as people on both sides who want peace as a whole. The whole series has been working up to this point where the extremists start a war, and essentially they get that.
The plot postconflict is what always gets me to hate series like this but I feel that Sakey handled it well. It didn't magically get all better, and there was still a lot of change needed on a macro scale. But the micro scale our main characters were able to sort out their issues and finally have that time to breathe for a while.
cdbellomy's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
laurenbachman7's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
3.0
Well, after finishing the trilogy, I can say that it got better from where it started. I still think the second book was the best one, but this third comes close. Action/thriller/battle type books aren't really my taste, so I can't say I have a strong likeness for this saga overall, but for those who do, I'd surely recommend it. I was able to follow the plot and analyze the stakes alongside the characters. I felt for them and worried about them, which I think is a sign of well-written characters.
I did not like the fact that the saga ended with a cliffhanger... how can you do that at the end of a series with no companion novels after? I understand doing this on occasion, where it may work, but in this case the cliffhanger negates everything our characters fought for. Was it all for naught? I guess readers will never know.
Overall, didn't hate it, didn't love it, but would recommend it to someone who enjoys action-adventure-dystopias.
I did not like the fact that the saga ended with a cliffhanger... how can you do that at the end of a series with no companion novels after? I understand doing this on occasion, where it may work, but in this case the cliffhanger negates everything our characters fought for. Was it all for naught? I guess readers will never know.
Overall, didn't hate it, didn't love it, but would recommend it to someone who enjoys action-adventure-dystopias.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Gore, Gun violence, Murder, and Violence
zade's review against another edition
4.0
The third novel in this series surpasses both of the previous entries. Although book one was quite good, book two was a bit disappointing. I'm very glad I didn't let that stop me reading this one. Sakey provides an energetic and thought-provoking narrative, a definite page-turner. I would very much recommend reading the series in order; the backstory is key to understanding/enjoying this novel. The ending ties up enough loose ends to be satisfying, but leaves room for a fourth book. I'll be watching for that one.
anjana's review against another edition
4.0
https://superfluousreading.wordpress.com/2017/11/30/written-in-fire-brilliance-saga-3-by-marcus-sakey/
prpltrtl946's review against another edition
5.0
Brilliance trilogy book 3
Wow! I enjoyed the layers of the characters, even the bad guys were believable. The storylines kept me on the edge of my seat and wanting to read faster so I could see what was next! I loved this series!!
Wow! I enjoyed the layers of the characters, even the bad guys were believable. The storylines kept me on the edge of my seat and wanting to read faster so I could see what was next! I loved this series!!