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Burning Midnight
Seventeen-year-old David Sullivan’s life is about to change—all because of one tiny, priceless item found in the murky bottom of a Brooklyn water tower.
Sully is a sphere dealer at a flea market. It doesn’t pay much—Alex Holliday’s stores have muscled out most of the independent sellers—but it helps him and his mom make rent.
No one knows where the brilliant-colored spheres came from. One day they were just there, hidden all over the earth like huge gemstones. Burn a pair and they make you a little better: an inch taller, skilled at math, better-looking. The rarer the sphere, the more expensive—and the greater the improvement.
When Sully meets Hunter, a girl with a natural talent for finding spheres, the two start searching together. One day they find a Gold—a color no one has ever seen. And when Alex Holliday learns what they have, he will go to any lengths, will use all of his wealth and power, to take it from them.
There’s no question the Gold is worth millions, but what does it actually do? None of them is aware of it yet, but the fate of the world rests on this little golden orb. Because all the world fights over the spheres, but no one knows where they come from, what their powers are, or why they’re here.
Sully is a sphere dealer at a flea market. It doesn’t pay much—Alex Holliday’s stores have muscled out most of the independent sellers—but it helps him and his mom make rent.
No one knows where the brilliant-colored spheres came from. One day they were just there, hidden all over the earth like huge gemstones. Burn a pair and they make you a little better: an inch taller, skilled at math, better-looking. The rarer the sphere, the more expensive—and the greater the improvement.
When Sully meets Hunter, a girl with a natural talent for finding spheres, the two start searching together. One day they find a Gold—a color no one has ever seen. And when Alex Holliday learns what they have, he will go to any lengths, will use all of his wealth and power, to take it from them.
There’s no question the Gold is worth millions, but what does it actually do? None of them is aware of it yet, but the fate of the world rests on this little golden orb. Because all the world fights over the spheres, but no one knows where they come from, what their powers are, or why they’re here.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published February 2, 2016
About the author
Will McIntosh
79 books441 followersWill McIntosh is a Hugo Award-winning science fiction author, and a winner or finalist of many other awards. His alien invasion novel Defenders, is currently optioned for a feature film, while his Middle Grades novel The Classmate has been optioned for a TV series by Disney/ABC.
Along with ten novels that have been translated into nine different languages, Will has published over sixty short stories in magazines such as Asimov's Science Fiction, Clarkesworld, and Lightspeed.
Will was a psychology professor before turning to writing full time. He lives in Williamsburg, Virginia, and is the father of twins. You can follow him on Twitter @willmcintoshSF.
Along with ten novels that have been translated into nine different languages, Will has published over sixty short stories in magazines such as Asimov's Science Fiction, Clarkesworld, and Lightspeed.
Will was a psychology professor before turning to writing full time. He lives in Williamsburg, Virginia, and is the father of twins. You can follow him on Twitter @willmcintoshSF.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 396 reviews
February 17, 2016
3.5 stars A really terrific high-concept scifi novel--except it kinda lost me once, well, midnight is burned. It's the same problem I had with THE FOLD--great premise, engrossing plot, decent characterization, engaging narrative voice, and then the direction the story went/the reveal felt rather silly.
I liked it tremendously up until that point, however, so I'm rounding up in star ratings, even though the resolution and ending felt underdeveloped and a bit rushed. (Surprising, considering how carefully and methodically the pieces were assembled in the first two thirds of the book.)
I hope the author writes more YA in the future, though. I'd definitely check that out.
A bit more of a review to come.
I liked it tremendously up until that point, however, so I'm rounding up in star ratings, even though the resolution and ending felt underdeveloped and a bit rushed. (Surprising, considering how carefully and methodically the pieces were assembled in the first two thirds of the book.)
I hope the author writes more YA in the future, though. I'd definitely check that out.
A bit more of a review to come.
February 8, 2016
Reviewed by: Rabid Reads
David Sullivan lives in a version of our world where ability enhancing spheres just appeared out of the blue one day. Canary Yellow for perfect memory, Aquamarine for fast healing, Cranberry to become more attractive, etc.
As far as anyone can tell, once "burned" the gifts granted by the spheres last forever.
The problem is that not enough time has elapsed since their discovery to know for sure.
The other problem is that no one knows where they came from. God? Satan? Aliens? Magic? The theories are myriad, but there's no evidence to back up any one claim.
Regardless of their origin, spheres have become more than a fad, but with the same kind of frenzied desperation to find them (they're hidden), either to use or sell them, and when Sully discovered a brand new sphere, Cherry Red, he thought he'd found the answer to all his and his mother's financial problems.
He sold it for 2.5 million dollars to Joe Holliday, regional kingpin of the sphere trade, but when the sphere didn't do what Holliday expected, he voided payment, using the fine print to crush Sully's dream under his heeled boot (b/c still short despite the several inches he gained from burning Lemon Yellow spheres), and making Sully famous for an entirely different, less enviable reason.
It's easy to spot the Good Guy and the Bad Guy.
But was it easy b/c stereotypical characters or b/c startling similarities between Sully and Holliday and Ready Player One 's Wade Watts and Sorrento?
Impoverished high school student who hunts spheres in all spare moments gets cheated by evil corporate stick figure who uses his resources to nefarious ends in his attempts to get ALL THE _______?
But without the cool gaming elements.
Later on, the story starts to diversify, but by that point it didn't matter b/c bored. Maybe a little bit irritated, too . . .
You: Why irritated?
Me: B/c sooooooo YA.
You: Umm . . . it is YA.
Me: Yes, I know. But there's YA, then there's YA. This was YA.
You: WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?!
It means a couple of seventeen year olds swapping "I love you"s after a few weeks, a few months, tops. It means angst for angst sake. Like when Sully's bff decides to nurse a snit b/c he doesn't get his way, even though if things had played out differently, they'd've ended up with NOTHING. Then when not-his-way works to his advantage, it's instantly all good, b/c MONEY.
Then there are the heartfelt declarations:
*pukes rainbows*
But, really, this is the only example you need:
In case you were still wondering, that is 100% pure YA, right there. Shit like that just doesn't happen in books for grownups.
SO. This one goes in the Emma pile. (Sixteen-year-old) Baby Sister will LOVE it. If you have a teenager who likes to read, they'll probably love it, too. But for those of you (like me) who have long since left high school behind, I'd skip it. Recommend with qualifications.
David Sullivan lives in a version of our world where ability enhancing spheres just appeared out of the blue one day. Canary Yellow for perfect memory, Aquamarine for fast healing, Cranberry to become more attractive, etc.
As far as anyone can tell, once "burned" the gifts granted by the spheres last forever.
The problem is that not enough time has elapsed since their discovery to know for sure.
The other problem is that no one knows where they came from. God? Satan? Aliens? Magic? The theories are myriad, but there's no evidence to back up any one claim.
Regardless of their origin, spheres have become more than a fad, but with the same kind of frenzied desperation to find them (they're hidden), either to use or sell them, and when Sully discovered a brand new sphere, Cherry Red, he thought he'd found the answer to all his and his mother's financial problems.
He sold it for 2.5 million dollars to Joe Holliday, regional kingpin of the sphere trade, but when the sphere didn't do what Holliday expected, he voided payment, using the fine print to crush Sully's dream under his heeled boot (b/c still short despite the several inches he gained from burning Lemon Yellow spheres), and making Sully famous for an entirely different, less enviable reason.
It's easy to spot the Good Guy and the Bad Guy.
But was it easy b/c stereotypical characters or b/c startling similarities between Sully and Holliday and Ready Player One 's Wade Watts and Sorrento?
Impoverished high school student who hunts spheres in all spare moments gets cheated by evil corporate stick figure who uses his resources to nefarious ends in his attempts to get ALL THE _______?
But without the cool gaming elements.
Later on, the story starts to diversify, but by that point it didn't matter b/c bored. Maybe a little bit irritated, too . . .
You: Why irritated?
Me: B/c sooooooo YA.
You: Umm . . . it is YA.
Me: Yes, I know. But there's YA, then there's YA. This was YA.
You: WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?!
It means a couple of seventeen year olds swapping "I love you"s after a few weeks, a few months, tops. It means angst for angst sake. Like when Sully's bff decides to nurse a snit b/c he doesn't get his way, even though if things had played out differently, they'd've ended up with NOTHING. Then when not-his-way works to his advantage, it's instantly all good, b/c MONEY.
Then there are the heartfelt declarations:
“I thought the marbles were the best thing. It turns out you’re the best thing.”
*pukes rainbows*
But, really, this is the only example you need:
They’d left Mandy lying in the back of the Volvo with a broken leg, or hip, or something. God, Sully hoped she’d be all right.
In case you were still wondering, that is 100% pure YA, right there. Shit like that just doesn't happen in books for grownups.
SO. This one goes in the Emma pile. (Sixteen-year-old) Baby Sister will LOVE it. If you have a teenager who likes to read, they'll probably love it, too. But for those of you (like me) who have long since left high school behind, I'd skip it. Recommend with qualifications.
January 31, 2016
4 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum http://bibliosanctum.com/2016/01/31/y...
Burning Midnight is Will McIntosh’s first Young Adult novel, and even though it didn’t hit me emotionally as hard as his adult books Defenders or Love Minus Eighty (which is one of my favorite books ever!) I nonetheless found it incredibly entertaining and addictive. It even disrupted my nightly ritual of reading to calm my mind before bed, because all this book did was make me even more wide awake with my blood pumped up and heart pounding.
I also loved the unique concept behind Midnight Burning. Imagine going to sleep one day and waking up the next to find that everything has changed, thanks to the sudden appearance of strange, colorful marble-sized spheres all over the world. You can find them anywhere there is human activity, but they are always hidden well–inside storm drains, fountains, crawlspaces, discarded bottles, etc. And when you put a matched set of the same color to your temples (in a process called “burning” the spheres) they can permanently enhance your features and abilities. Burning a pair of Chocolate browns can make you stronger, for example, and Cranberries can make you better looking. Aquamarines will grant you quick healing, Vermillions allow you to sleep less (that’s one I could TOTALLY use), and Ruby reds give you perfect teeth…basically, there are dozens upon dozens of sphere colors and their effects.
Of course, some colors are rarer than others, and there’s a lot more demand for the desirable traits. As a result, a whole industry has sprung up around the spheres. Some businessmen made a fortune dealing in spheres, like the shady industry mogul Alex Holliday, but also on the other side of the spectrum are those like our protagonist David “Sully” Sullivan, a high school student who buys and sells them out of a modest little stall at the local flea market on weekends. Desperate for money after his mom loses his job, Sully decides to join forces with Hunter, a girl with a natural talent for finding spheres. Together, they hope to strike it rich soon with one big find, and then one day, they get lucky—really lucky. Sully and Hunter find a Gold, a color that no one has ever seen before, so it’s a mystery what a pair of them will even do. But it doesn’t matter, because it’s possibly the rarest sphere in the world, and when Holliday catches wind of it, Sully knows the evil billionaire will do anything in his power to possess it.
In the acknowledgements, I found out Burning Midnight was actually expanded from a short story by Will McIntosh called “Midnight Blue”, and it would be really interesting to see how that might have influenced the structure of the plot, since I noticed a distinct shift between the first half of the novel and its second half. The pivotal point, of course, was when Sully and Hunter find the Gold—which happens almost exactly halfway through the book. Before this, the story was definitely slower, focusing more on the world building and developing the characters and their relationships. On the other hand, the second half was where all the action was! In truth, this turned out really well, with the more gradual pacing in the beginning acting as a nice long fuse to work up to the explosive ending. I was practically burning with anticipation (sorry, pun unavoidable) to find out the mystery behind the spheres and how everything would play out.
I have to say, the answers were surprising. I won’t spoil the end, but it’s safe to say I didn’t see the twist coming at all. Throughout the entire book is this disconcerting feeling that the spheres are too good to be true, and McIntosh even encourages the suspicion by including a character who wisely suggests that there’s “no free lunch”. Things in the book did wrap up a little too quickly and neatly for my tastes, but my mind is still blown by the revelations which I can only describe as pretty unexpected and far out there.
Ultimately, it was really refreshing to get away from magic and dive into something strange, weird and mysterious like the spheres. One has to wonder if the story was in any way inspired by collectible card games or other hobbies that involve hunting for rare items (assigning a value to spheres based on its rarity, listing/buying spheres on eBay, hitting up sphere dealers for the best price to complete a set, etc.…all these activities inevitably reminded me of my days of scouring hobby store displays to find those rare cards I needed to build my Magic deck.) Whichever way you look at it though, the story was tons of fun and the originality alone makes this book worth checking out.
Overall, Midnight Burning was a very quick and enjoyable read, with one of the coolest concepts I’ve ever seen. I devoured it in about two sittings, after I finally gave up on trying to go to sleep and admitted to myself I’d so much rather be reading this book. Will McIntosh is one of my favorite authors and I’ll read any book he writes, and I am thrilled that he made such a great debut into YA fiction.
Burning Midnight is Will McIntosh’s first Young Adult novel, and even though it didn’t hit me emotionally as hard as his adult books Defenders or Love Minus Eighty (which is one of my favorite books ever!) I nonetheless found it incredibly entertaining and addictive. It even disrupted my nightly ritual of reading to calm my mind before bed, because all this book did was make me even more wide awake with my blood pumped up and heart pounding.
I also loved the unique concept behind Midnight Burning. Imagine going to sleep one day and waking up the next to find that everything has changed, thanks to the sudden appearance of strange, colorful marble-sized spheres all over the world. You can find them anywhere there is human activity, but they are always hidden well–inside storm drains, fountains, crawlspaces, discarded bottles, etc. And when you put a matched set of the same color to your temples (in a process called “burning” the spheres) they can permanently enhance your features and abilities. Burning a pair of Chocolate browns can make you stronger, for example, and Cranberries can make you better looking. Aquamarines will grant you quick healing, Vermillions allow you to sleep less (that’s one I could TOTALLY use), and Ruby reds give you perfect teeth…basically, there are dozens upon dozens of sphere colors and their effects.
Of course, some colors are rarer than others, and there’s a lot more demand for the desirable traits. As a result, a whole industry has sprung up around the spheres. Some businessmen made a fortune dealing in spheres, like the shady industry mogul Alex Holliday, but also on the other side of the spectrum are those like our protagonist David “Sully” Sullivan, a high school student who buys and sells them out of a modest little stall at the local flea market on weekends. Desperate for money after his mom loses his job, Sully decides to join forces with Hunter, a girl with a natural talent for finding spheres. Together, they hope to strike it rich soon with one big find, and then one day, they get lucky—really lucky. Sully and Hunter find a Gold, a color that no one has ever seen before, so it’s a mystery what a pair of them will even do. But it doesn’t matter, because it’s possibly the rarest sphere in the world, and when Holliday catches wind of it, Sully knows the evil billionaire will do anything in his power to possess it.
In the acknowledgements, I found out Burning Midnight was actually expanded from a short story by Will McIntosh called “Midnight Blue”, and it would be really interesting to see how that might have influenced the structure of the plot, since I noticed a distinct shift between the first half of the novel and its second half. The pivotal point, of course, was when Sully and Hunter find the Gold—which happens almost exactly halfway through the book. Before this, the story was definitely slower, focusing more on the world building and developing the characters and their relationships. On the other hand, the second half was where all the action was! In truth, this turned out really well, with the more gradual pacing in the beginning acting as a nice long fuse to work up to the explosive ending. I was practically burning with anticipation (sorry, pun unavoidable) to find out the mystery behind the spheres and how everything would play out.
I have to say, the answers were surprising. I won’t spoil the end, but it’s safe to say I didn’t see the twist coming at all. Throughout the entire book is this disconcerting feeling that the spheres are too good to be true, and McIntosh even encourages the suspicion by including a character who wisely suggests that there’s “no free lunch”. Things in the book did wrap up a little too quickly and neatly for my tastes, but my mind is still blown by the revelations which I can only describe as pretty unexpected and far out there.
Ultimately, it was really refreshing to get away from magic and dive into something strange, weird and mysterious like the spheres. One has to wonder if the story was in any way inspired by collectible card games or other hobbies that involve hunting for rare items (assigning a value to spheres based on its rarity, listing/buying spheres on eBay, hitting up sphere dealers for the best price to complete a set, etc.…all these activities inevitably reminded me of my days of scouring hobby store displays to find those rare cards I needed to build my Magic deck.) Whichever way you look at it though, the story was tons of fun and the originality alone makes this book worth checking out.
Overall, Midnight Burning was a very quick and enjoyable read, with one of the coolest concepts I’ve ever seen. I devoured it in about two sittings, after I finally gave up on trying to go to sleep and admitted to myself I’d so much rather be reading this book. Will McIntosh is one of my favorite authors and I’ll read any book he writes, and I am thrilled that he made such a great debut into YA fiction.
May 12, 2016
This might be a real surprise hit that everyone is going to be talking about for a long time. Or perhaps it simply should be. :) I'm not generally a YA fan, but even so, I keep running into real gems lately. Or spheres. Lots and lots of ability-granting spheres for appreciating really good stories with fascinating characters and plots that are literally impossible to put down.
I read this and skipped dinner, for heaven's sake, even forgoing a potty break because this was just that good.
I was hooked from page one and I loved thinking about all the ramifications, the pure and unadulterated wish-factor, the treasure-hunting aspect of the adventure, and the twinge of revenge and hate for being screwed over so horribly. Not that this was about getting revenge. Nor was it really about romance, although there was a small bit of that, too. (And no, there weren't any love triangles and the only conflicts between Hunter and David were purely interpersonal and not coming from the outside at all. Let me tell you, that was a delight. :)
Adventure! Treasure Hunt! SF wish fulfillment! And there was even a really cool twist! I mean, come on, what wish comes without a monkey's paw, right? And my horror sensibilities were laughing out loud when the moment came, so beware, all you unsuspecting chumps of readers. You thought you'd get off easy? Muahahahaha...
Seriously though, the tension never lets up. I worried about so many different things, the novel never once felt monotonous. The pacing was excellent. And can I see this as one hell of a great movie? Oh yeah. There's even a gratuitous wish-fulfillment plug from the author for just that outcome right in the story. It was so blatant and funny and the whole story is just that good that I can do nothing but wish him all the luck in the world! :) I don't say that very often. I do mean it, here. :)
What a fun ride!
I read this and skipped dinner, for heaven's sake, even forgoing a potty break because this was just that good.
I was hooked from page one and I loved thinking about all the ramifications, the pure and unadulterated wish-factor, the treasure-hunting aspect of the adventure, and the twinge of revenge and hate for being screwed over so horribly. Not that this was about getting revenge. Nor was it really about romance, although there was a small bit of that, too. (And no, there weren't any love triangles and the only conflicts between Hunter and David were purely interpersonal and not coming from the outside at all. Let me tell you, that was a delight. :)
Adventure! Treasure Hunt! SF wish fulfillment! And there was even a really cool twist! I mean, come on, what wish comes without a monkey's paw, right? And my horror sensibilities were laughing out loud when the moment came, so beware, all you unsuspecting chumps of readers. You thought you'd get off easy? Muahahahaha...
Seriously though, the tension never lets up. I worried about so many different things, the novel never once felt monotonous. The pacing was excellent. And can I see this as one hell of a great movie? Oh yeah. There's even a gratuitous wish-fulfillment plug from the author for just that outcome right in the story. It was so blatant and funny and the whole story is just that good that I can do nothing but wish him all the luck in the world! :) I don't say that very often. I do mean it, here. :)
What a fun ride!
Read
February 18, 2016Fun, page-turning story about a diverse Scooby Gang of underdogs out to stop an evil billionaire and save the world. The book's premise is that colored spheres start showing up all over the world, and people soon realize that by "burning" these spheres (holding them to their temples) they can absorb the powers within (better eyesight, singing talent, etc.) The spheres are different colors and categorized according to rarity like diamonds or ...Pokémon cards. Rare spheres can go for millions and the rich burn them with abandon as they try to make themselves better looking, smarter, etc. The aforementioned evil billionaire, being a typical greedy capitalist, wants to corner the market on spheres and, as the story opens, has cheated the main narrator, Sully, out of money he owed him for a sphere.
Sully soon meets Hunter, a mysterious girl who hunts spheres to make extra money, and the two of them build a tentative partnership/alliance/flirtation. The gang is rounded out by Mandy and Sully's friend Dom.
What I Liked:
1. The writing, though it definitely felt on the young end of the YA spectrum to me, was smooth and flowed well. This book is a quick and easy read -- and a standalone!
2. Sully was an engaging character, as were all the members of the foursome.
3. The sphere concept was fun - simple enough to be easily grasped, and gave the book a nice "quest" vibe.
4. The characters were diverse and had different philosophical reactions to the whole sphere thing, which was interesting.
What I Thought Could Have Been Better
1. In the afterword, the author says that this book was developed from a short story, and that makes sense. The plot was pretty basic - the first two-thirds felt a little repetitious with Then there was a road trip (which really reminded me of the road trip in Paper Towns,) an action sequence, and a rather rushed conclusion.
2. I wished the characters had just a little more development. Each was given one defining "thing." Sully: poor kid cheated by the billionaire. Dom: uncle with notorious past. Hunter: tragic secret. Mandy: It also seemed like the book was trying to throw in romance, but not in a very convincing way. I would have preferred this as a friendship book.
3. The ending felt quite abrupt and a bit rushed.
Overall, I enjoyed this, but I'd say it reads more like an upper middle grade with YA crossover appeal, like a Rick Riordan book. I'd definitely recommend it to those who are looking for something for a tween or reluctant reader of either gender, or anyone who just wants a quick, fun read.
Read more of my reviews on YA Romantics or follow me on Bloglovin
Thanks to the publisher for providing a free advance copy of this book for me to review.
Sully soon meets Hunter, a mysterious girl who hunts spheres to make extra money, and the two of them build a tentative partnership/alliance/flirtation. The gang is rounded out by Mandy and Sully's friend Dom.
What I Liked:
1. The writing, though it definitely felt on the young end of the YA spectrum to me, was smooth and flowed well. This book is a quick and easy read -- and a standalone!
2. Sully was an engaging character, as were all the members of the foursome.
3. The sphere concept was fun - simple enough to be easily grasped, and gave the book a nice "quest" vibe.
4. The characters were diverse and had different philosophical reactions to the whole sphere thing, which was interesting.
What I Thought Could Have Been Better
1. In the afterword, the author says that this book was developed from a short story, and that makes sense. The plot was pretty basic - the first two-thirds felt a little repetitious with Then there was a road trip (which really reminded me of the road trip in Paper Towns,) an action sequence, and a rather rushed conclusion.
2. I wished the characters had just a little more development. Each was given one defining "thing." Sully: poor kid cheated by the billionaire. Dom: uncle with notorious past. Hunter: tragic secret. Mandy: It also seemed like the book was trying to throw in romance, but not in a very convincing way. I would have preferred this as a friendship book.
3. The ending felt quite abrupt and a bit rushed.
Overall, I enjoyed this, but I'd say it reads more like an upper middle grade with YA crossover appeal, like a Rick Riordan book. I'd definitely recommend it to those who are looking for something for a tween or reluctant reader of either gender, or anyone who just wants a quick, fun read.
Read more of my reviews on YA Romantics or follow me on Bloglovin
Thanks to the publisher for providing a free advance copy of this book for me to review.
May 14, 2016
3 stars!
Imagine waking up one day, and there are different colored, marble sized spheres all over the world. Some are out in plain sight, some are hidden. It is somehow realized that by "burning" two of the same colored spheres (meaning you touch a matched pair to your forehead) your body can absorb the unique gifts that these spheres have to give.
Mustard for high intelligence, Burnt Orange for speed reading, Canary Yellow for perfect memory, Cranberry to make you more attractive, Chocolate Brown for strength, etc.
Every color you can possibly imagine, all with their own unique gifts and as far as anyone knows, the gifts last forever.
That's the world presented in Burning Midnight. To me, it all seemed just a little too good to be true. I'm not sure I would be one of the one's dying to get a pair of spheres to burn to enhance myself.
A very lucrative business has been set up around selling these spheres, some of which go for as much as $2,500,000 per sphere...and remember, you need two.
But there are a lot of people who are skeptical about these spheres as well. Where did they come from? God? Satan? Somewhere else entirely? Some are downright suspicious.
"Sully had known the explanation for the spheres' appearance had to be something unbelievable, something that would change the world, but not knowing what it was kept the strangeness from getting too overwhelming.
When the spheres first appeared, it sent shock waves around the world. On TV, experts and pundits had debated where they came from all day. As the years went by, though, and no solid answers to the mystery materialized, everyone starting taking the spheres' existence for granted."
Our MC, David "Sully" Sullivan is a sphere dealer at a local flea market, trying to help his mom have the rent paid, especially since she just lost her job. He's always on the lookout for the big payout, for a really rare sphere that'll pay enough so that they don't have to worry about money anymore. Then Sully meets Hunter, a girl who seems to have a natural talent for sphere hunting. After a couple of business transactions, they start to go hunting together, agreeing to split the profits if they find a rare sphere to sell.
Sully has a bit of experience of his own when it comes to finding spheres. When he was 13, he discovered a new color: Cherry Red. He sold it to the head honcho of the sphere corporation, Alex Holliday, for a tidy sum of 2.5 million. But when Holliday brought two Cherry Reds together to burn, it didn't have any effect, not on him anyway. So he voided payment. Now all Sully has left is his infamous name and built up anger at Holliday for ripping him off.
While hunting, Sully and Hunter find a Gold sphere...a color nobody's ever seen before and it's a slightly bigger size than the rest. They think they are set for life. But when Holliday realizes what they have, he will go to any lengths to take it from them, even though he, like Sully, Hunter and everyone else, has no idea what it'll do. With the help of Sully's best friend Dom and their new outspoken friend Mandy, they embark on an adventure to search for the match to the Gold. But what will happen when they find it?
This book has a intriguing storyline, great build up...but the ending was a bit of a let down for me. It just seemed like after everything else that happened, the end was just wrapped up too neatly and quickly for my liking. I also wasn't too overly fond of any of the characters...if I had to pick a favorite, I'd say Mandy was the winner...she was outspoken and (in my opinion) the most intelligent of the group, as far as common sense goes. I wish that the ending would have been a bit more fleshed out, but I'm also glad it was a standalone and I don't have to anxiously wait to see how everything's resolved.
And actually, this reminded me slightly (emphasis on the word slightly) of Ready Player One by Ernest Cline. Just because of the fact that people were hunting spheres in this book, much like they were hunting virtually for Halliday's hidden eggs...and how Wade Watts (The Sully of RPO) was pitted against hired professionals, employed by Sorrento (the Alex Holliday of RPO) and of course he falls for the girl that's got a natural talent for the hunt.
That being said, I much preferred Ready Player One over this. This was Will McIntosh's first YA novel, so I may check out one of his adult one's in the future, just to see how it compares. I was fairly impressed with his efforts, until the last 20 pages or so. I also had a theory early one about the spheres and was pleased that I was fairly close to guessing the mystery. If anything, it did entertain me for a few days.
Imagine waking up one day, and there are different colored, marble sized spheres all over the world. Some are out in plain sight, some are hidden. It is somehow realized that by "burning" two of the same colored spheres (meaning you touch a matched pair to your forehead) your body can absorb the unique gifts that these spheres have to give.
Mustard for high intelligence, Burnt Orange for speed reading, Canary Yellow for perfect memory, Cranberry to make you more attractive, Chocolate Brown for strength, etc.
Every color you can possibly imagine, all with their own unique gifts and as far as anyone knows, the gifts last forever.
That's the world presented in Burning Midnight. To me, it all seemed just a little too good to be true. I'm not sure I would be one of the one's dying to get a pair of spheres to burn to enhance myself.
A very lucrative business has been set up around selling these spheres, some of which go for as much as $2,500,000 per sphere...and remember, you need two.
But there are a lot of people who are skeptical about these spheres as well. Where did they come from? God? Satan? Somewhere else entirely? Some are downright suspicious.
"Sully had known the explanation for the spheres' appearance had to be something unbelievable, something that would change the world, but not knowing what it was kept the strangeness from getting too overwhelming.
When the spheres first appeared, it sent shock waves around the world. On TV, experts and pundits had debated where they came from all day. As the years went by, though, and no solid answers to the mystery materialized, everyone starting taking the spheres' existence for granted."
Our MC, David "Sully" Sullivan is a sphere dealer at a local flea market, trying to help his mom have the rent paid, especially since she just lost her job. He's always on the lookout for the big payout, for a really rare sphere that'll pay enough so that they don't have to worry about money anymore. Then Sully meets Hunter, a girl who seems to have a natural talent for sphere hunting. After a couple of business transactions, they start to go hunting together, agreeing to split the profits if they find a rare sphere to sell.
Sully has a bit of experience of his own when it comes to finding spheres. When he was 13, he discovered a new color: Cherry Red. He sold it to the head honcho of the sphere corporation, Alex Holliday, for a tidy sum of 2.5 million. But when Holliday brought two Cherry Reds together to burn, it didn't have any effect, not on him anyway. So he voided payment. Now all Sully has left is his infamous name and built up anger at Holliday for ripping him off.
While hunting, Sully and Hunter find a Gold sphere...a color nobody's ever seen before and it's a slightly bigger size than the rest. They think they are set for life. But when Holliday realizes what they have, he will go to any lengths to take it from them, even though he, like Sully, Hunter and everyone else, has no idea what it'll do. With the help of Sully's best friend Dom and their new outspoken friend Mandy, they embark on an adventure to search for the match to the Gold. But what will happen when they find it?
This book has a intriguing storyline, great build up...but the ending was a bit of a let down for me. It just seemed like after everything else that happened, the end was just wrapped up too neatly and quickly for my liking. I also wasn't too overly fond of any of the characters...if I had to pick a favorite, I'd say Mandy was the winner...she was outspoken and (in my opinion) the most intelligent of the group, as far as common sense goes. I wish that the ending would have been a bit more fleshed out, but I'm also glad it was a standalone and I don't have to anxiously wait to see how everything's resolved.
And actually, this reminded me slightly (emphasis on the word slightly) of Ready Player One by Ernest Cline. Just because of the fact that people were hunting spheres in this book, much like they were hunting virtually for Halliday's hidden eggs...and how Wade Watts (The Sully of RPO) was pitted against hired professionals, employed by Sorrento (the Alex Holliday of RPO) and of course he falls for the girl that's got a natural talent for the hunt.
That being said, I much preferred Ready Player One over this. This was Will McIntosh's first YA novel, so I may check out one of his adult one's in the future, just to see how it compares. I was fairly impressed with his efforts, until the last 20 pages or so. I also had a theory early one about the spheres and was pleased that I was fairly close to guessing the mystery. If anything, it did entertain me for a few days.
May 16, 2016
2.5 stars
Writer Madeleine L'Engle once said "[y]ou have to write the book that wants to be written. And if the book will be too difficult for grown-ups, then you write it for children."
L'Engle's statement goes to the heart of my difficulty with Burning Midnight. Here we have a great premise, spheres appear from nowhere and are able to imbue people with enhanced abilities, but the author tells it as if he is a smarter grown-up telling a story he thinks might be a tad too complicated for most young people to really understand. In other words, he goes exactly against L'Engle's advice, and assumes that he needs to strip away any sublety to the story for the benefit of his young adult audience. The characters were like the story, lots of potential but only moderately developed and the story ultimately fell apart, particularly in the last quarter of the book.
Now I say this as someone who reads a huge amount of YA fiction in the SF and fantasy genre. There are definitely other books out there that are worse than this, but I think the thing that bothered me so much here was the wasted potential I could sense lurking underneath. Burning Midnight could have been great, but instead it came off a bit like a two-dimensional Rick Riordan factory cut-out story, but without the humour.
From the reviews I've read it seems I might be somewhat in the minority in my assessment here, but I do notice that many of the reviewers who really enjoyed this book do not necessarily read a lot of YA in this genre like I do. Honestly, if you read a lot of YA books in this genre, there are much more satisfying books out there. Looking for a place to start? Try Archivist Wasp by Nicole Kornher-Stace, Bone Gap by Laura Ruby, or Cuckoo Song by Frances Hardinge.
Writer Madeleine L'Engle once said "[y]ou have to write the book that wants to be written. And if the book will be too difficult for grown-ups, then you write it for children."
L'Engle's statement goes to the heart of my difficulty with Burning Midnight. Here we have a great premise, spheres appear from nowhere and are able to imbue people with enhanced abilities, but the author tells it as if he is a smarter grown-up telling a story he thinks might be a tad too complicated for most young people to really understand. In other words, he goes exactly against L'Engle's advice, and assumes that he needs to strip away any sublety to the story for the benefit of his young adult audience. The characters were like the story, lots of potential but only moderately developed and the story ultimately fell apart, particularly in the last quarter of the book.
Now I say this as someone who reads a huge amount of YA fiction in the SF and fantasy genre. There are definitely other books out there that are worse than this, but I think the thing that bothered me so much here was the wasted potential I could sense lurking underneath. Burning Midnight could have been great, but instead it came off a bit like a two-dimensional Rick Riordan factory cut-out story, but without the humour.
From the reviews I've read it seems I might be somewhat in the minority in my assessment here, but I do notice that many of the reviewers who really enjoyed this book do not necessarily read a lot of YA in this genre like I do. Honestly, if you read a lot of YA books in this genre, there are much more satisfying books out there. Looking for a place to start? Try Archivist Wasp by Nicole Kornher-Stace, Bone Gap by Laura Ruby, or Cuckoo Song by Frances Hardinge.
February 5, 2016
Initial Thoughts: This was fun at the start, then it started to get more and more ridiculous to the point where I just tuned out. The sphere hunting for abilities was an interesting part of the book and I liked Hunter and Sully, but when they start making stupid decisions, I got pretty frustrated. Everything tied up a bit too perfectly and easily.
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This review appears on Happy Indulgence! Check it out for more reviews.
Burning Midnight gave me fond memories of Pokemon, with people trying to find the rarest spheres and collecting them. The coloured spheres have different abilities that get progressively cooler depending on how rare they are. Want to become better looking, improve your hearing, get a higher IQ or my favourite – read faster? There’s a sphere for everything. The spheres are hidden in random places across the world, in the wilderness, in structural buildings, in rivers and ponds and no one knows how they appeared. This concept was actually pretty cool and I enjoyed learning what each sphere was used for.
Sully is a sphere hunter who makes a living by selling them at the flea market. At the start I really felt for Sully’s character, as someone who had lost his father and was just trying to feed himself and his mum. But as someone who’s gotten scammed once before by the big sphere collector Holliday, he seems to trust Hunter and the other people at the market quickly and easily.
He progressively continues to make these mistakes throughout the book, by listening to Hunter’s whims instead of trusting his own instinct. After he was specifically told – you can’t trust anyone when it comes to million dollar rare spheres, he invites all of his friends along to find the rarest sphere. I could just see it all backfiring before my very eyes – and I was right.
While I liked how fiesty and resourceful Hunter was, and how useful she was at hunting down spheres, some of her decisions went against logic – just like Sully. Why would you decide NOT to put a million dollar sphere into a safety deposit box, and instead hug it to your chest at night? I’m pretty sure anyone could have stolen it from under your nose. And why would you take it around with you when you KNOW that Holliday can take it from you with force? Seeing these kids make stupid decisions time and time again just annoyed and frustrated me.
The ending was quite rushed and completely takes you by surprise, taking a strange turn to explain the origin of the spheres and where they came from. It’s completely unexpected, and it gets really, really weird especially what happens with Hunter.
This isn’t a story about retribution against someone who cheated you, or about bettering them. Burning Midnight was surprisingly philosophical, sharing a cautionary tale of greed and of opening Pandora’s box. It’s about learning to realise and appreciate what you have in front of you instead of pursuing more riches – to what end will you stop? Will you keep it to yourself or share it with others? What starts off as an innocent adventure can quickly turn into greed, and it doesn’t have it’s consequences.
Although I struggled with some of the character decisions and the strange ending, I enjoyed Burning Midnight’s unique, action-packed adventure with an interesting and philosophical premise. It’s also a standalone, so it’s satisfying to have everything resolved in one book.
I received a review copy in exchange for an honest review.
---
This review appears on Happy Indulgence! Check it out for more reviews.
Burning Midnight gave me fond memories of Pokemon, with people trying to find the rarest spheres and collecting them. The coloured spheres have different abilities that get progressively cooler depending on how rare they are. Want to become better looking, improve your hearing, get a higher IQ or my favourite – read faster? There’s a sphere for everything. The spheres are hidden in random places across the world, in the wilderness, in structural buildings, in rivers and ponds and no one knows how they appeared. This concept was actually pretty cool and I enjoyed learning what each sphere was used for.
Sully is a sphere hunter who makes a living by selling them at the flea market. At the start I really felt for Sully’s character, as someone who had lost his father and was just trying to feed himself and his mum. But as someone who’s gotten scammed once before by the big sphere collector Holliday, he seems to trust Hunter and the other people at the market quickly and easily.
He progressively continues to make these mistakes throughout the book, by listening to Hunter’s whims instead of trusting his own instinct. After he was specifically told – you can’t trust anyone when it comes to million dollar rare spheres, he invites all of his friends along to find the rarest sphere. I could just see it all backfiring before my very eyes – and I was right.
While I liked how fiesty and resourceful Hunter was, and how useful she was at hunting down spheres, some of her decisions went against logic – just like Sully. Why would you decide NOT to put a million dollar sphere into a safety deposit box, and instead hug it to your chest at night? I’m pretty sure anyone could have stolen it from under your nose. And why would you take it around with you when you KNOW that Holliday can take it from you with force? Seeing these kids make stupid decisions time and time again just annoyed and frustrated me.
The ending was quite rushed and completely takes you by surprise, taking a strange turn to explain the origin of the spheres and where they came from. It’s completely unexpected, and it gets really, really weird especially what happens with Hunter.
This isn’t a story about retribution against someone who cheated you, or about bettering them. Burning Midnight was surprisingly philosophical, sharing a cautionary tale of greed and of opening Pandora’s box. It’s about learning to realise and appreciate what you have in front of you instead of pursuing more riches – to what end will you stop? Will you keep it to yourself or share it with others? What starts off as an innocent adventure can quickly turn into greed, and it doesn’t have it’s consequences.
Although I struggled with some of the character decisions and the strange ending, I enjoyed Burning Midnight’s unique, action-packed adventure with an interesting and philosophical premise. It’s also a standalone, so it’s satisfying to have everything resolved in one book.
I received a review copy in exchange for an honest review.
February 18, 2017
When the spheres had first appeared, it sent shock waves around the world. On TV, experts and pundits had debated where they came from all day. As the years went by, though, and no solid answers to the mystery materialized, everyone started taking the spheres’ existence for granted.
No one knows where they came from. One day they were just there, hidden all over the earth like huge gemstones. Burn a pair of Mustard Yellows to boost your IQ, some Lemon Yellows to grow a little taller, a couple of Plums can help you forget terrible memories, and Olives can dull any pain. The rarer the spheres, the more you can sell them for, starting at around $100 for a pair of rarity ones, through to millions of dollars when dealing with anything upwards of a rarity seven.
Sully’s been working weekends at the flea market for the past four years selling spheres. Things are tight at the moment, and he needs a big score or he and his mother are going to be evicted, with his uncle’s basement their last refuge. And then Hunter enters his life, with a rarity three to sell and a chance for Sully to go sphere hunting with her.
Throw into the mix a famous sphere-dealing billionaire who cheated Sully out of $2.5 million when he was thirteen, a rarity five sphere, and something far more rare than any of them could have dared dream, and they’re about to find out the real story behind the spheres. What they are, why they’re here, where they came from…
The rest of this review can be found HERE!
No one knows where they came from. One day they were just there, hidden all over the earth like huge gemstones. Burn a pair of Mustard Yellows to boost your IQ, some Lemon Yellows to grow a little taller, a couple of Plums can help you forget terrible memories, and Olives can dull any pain. The rarer the spheres, the more you can sell them for, starting at around $100 for a pair of rarity ones, through to millions of dollars when dealing with anything upwards of a rarity seven.
Sully’s been working weekends at the flea market for the past four years selling spheres. Things are tight at the moment, and he needs a big score or he and his mother are going to be evicted, with his uncle’s basement their last refuge. And then Hunter enters his life, with a rarity three to sell and a chance for Sully to go sphere hunting with her.
Throw into the mix a famous sphere-dealing billionaire who cheated Sully out of $2.5 million when he was thirteen, a rarity five sphere, and something far more rare than any of them could have dared dream, and they’re about to find out the real story behind the spheres. What they are, why they’re here, where they came from…
The rest of this review can be found HERE!
January 8, 2016
It is so much fun to not only get a guy's point of view in the young adult genre but to get something completely refreshing and original as well.
This book ended up being so much fun in a very unexpected way.
Science fiction reading has never been my strong suit. Stick me in front of a movie or tv show and I devour them, but put a book in front of me and I slug through it and more often than not, just like it, or could care less about it by the time I finish it. This however kept me interested, focused, and more of all, engaged.
The idea of the spheres as well and Sully's honest, no nonsense attitude and maturity really drew me into the story and held my interest,
This turned out to be a fun and very unexpected read that was hard to put down.
*ACR was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
This book ended up being so much fun in a very unexpected way.
Science fiction reading has never been my strong suit. Stick me in front of a movie or tv show and I devour them, but put a book in front of me and I slug through it and more often than not, just like it, or could care less about it by the time I finish it. This however kept me interested, focused, and more of all, engaged.
The idea of the spheres as well and Sully's honest, no nonsense attitude and maturity really drew me into the story and held my interest,
This turned out to be a fun and very unexpected read that was hard to put down.
*ACR was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
August 25, 2017
Actual rating 3.5 stars
This review was originally posted at https://freadomlibrary.wordpress.com/
I received an e-ARC of this book from Delacorte Press and Random House Children’s via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Critically
Plot – 3 out of 5 stars
First off I have to say that this book was definitely not what I imagined it was going to be. There was some action and it was generally kind of creepy, especially toward the end. There was mystery and traveling. There were parts that were boring and it kind of dragged but overall it was enjoyable.
Writing – 3 out of 5 stars
It was simple and very descriptive. It took some time for it to absorb me and really catch my attention but that may have been the combination with the plot as well. It was very slow paced which I don’t usually mind but in this book it was a bit annoying. Because of it, the writing felt dull and it kind of lacked that extra umph to suck you into the story.
Characters – 3 out of 5 stars
Unfortunately this was one of those books where I would’ve rather had a different narrator than there was. The main character, Sully, is a boy who was cheated by a big time millionaire and is kind of obsessed with the fact and all the bad things that happened to him afterward. He’s desperate to make money and while sweet and helpful to the general plot, he was kind of dull. He fell flat to me. I never really connected with him and his motivations. It was more like alright kid, let’s see where you go. He was super easy going and chill most of the time which is a contrast to his story. Hunter, the female protagonist, was so amazing! I would’ve loved to have seen this story from her point of view. She’s stubborn and determined. She is such a survivor in life and so so strong. She’s just as desperate as Sully but because of her personality it comes off in a different way. I probably would’ve loved this book if she would’ve been the one to tell the story.
Emotionally
This review was originally posted at https://freadomlibrary.wordpress.com/
I received an e-ARC of this book from Delacorte Press and Random House Children’s via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Critically
Plot – 3 out of 5 stars
First off I have to say that this book was definitely not what I imagined it was going to be. There was some action and it was generally kind of creepy, especially toward the end. There was mystery and traveling. There were parts that were boring and it kind of dragged but overall it was enjoyable.
Writing – 3 out of 5 stars
It was simple and very descriptive. It took some time for it to absorb me and really catch my attention but that may have been the combination with the plot as well. It was very slow paced which I don’t usually mind but in this book it was a bit annoying. Because of it, the writing felt dull and it kind of lacked that extra umph to suck you into the story.
Characters – 3 out of 5 stars
Unfortunately this was one of those books where I would’ve rather had a different narrator than there was. The main character, Sully, is a boy who was cheated by a big time millionaire and is kind of obsessed with the fact and all the bad things that happened to him afterward. He’s desperate to make money and while sweet and helpful to the general plot, he was kind of dull. He fell flat to me. I never really connected with him and his motivations. It was more like alright kid, let’s see where you go. He was super easy going and chill most of the time which is a contrast to his story. Hunter, the female protagonist, was so amazing! I would’ve loved to have seen this story from her point of view. She’s stubborn and determined. She is such a survivor in life and so so strong. She’s just as desperate as Sully but because of her personality it comes off in a different way. I probably would’ve loved this book if she would’ve been the one to tell the story.
Emotionally
April 2, 2018
Colored spheres appeared all over the world nine years ago. When you burn two of the same color they make you better, taller, smarter, better looking. The rarer the sphere the more they do and the more they are worth.
Four years ago Sully found the rarest sphere in the world, and one of the richest guys around ripped him off for millions of dollars.
Recently, his mom lost her job, and they might soon lose their apartment. Sully works at a flea market selling spheres to make money. When he meets a young marble hunter named Hunter, they decide to team up to search for spheres.
My Review:
This was a strange, strange book. The author certainly has an imagination. This book was nothing like I expected and while it was far from perfect I still enjoyed it.
The good:
The characters are all easily likable. Even though they all had rather tragic pasts, this wasn't a depressing read! Hunter's my favorite! She's so tough and smart! Sully, our main character is rather average, but a good narrator. His best friend Dom was funny and nice, and last but certainly not least, Mandy is a smart girl who distrusts spheres, but wants in on the adventure! Holiday is an excellent villain! I hated him almost as much as Umbridge!
World
Everything is exactly like our world, except several years ago these spheres appeared. The author really thought about how magical spheres would impact the world. I liked that the spheres only did things that were possible for a human being, it made them more realistic. (As cool as super powers are.) I always need answers, so I appreciated that the spheres weren't kept a mystery.
Pace
Some people complained that it was too slow in the beginning, but I appreciated the author slowly introducing us to his world rather than telling us about it in an info dump. I think the main issue is the blurb teases us about this rare gold sphere, which doesn't come in until halfway through.
The Bad:
For some reason I found this book easy to put down. It didn't call to me to read it when I was doing other things. Perhaps it was because although plenty happens, it's rather slow paced in stretches.
The end is exciting and weird and I wasn't sure I liked it, but in the end I was happy.
Would I read another by this author? Maybe. I did enjoy it, but it was just so strange!
Point of View: Third Person (Sully)
Series: Standalone?
Predictability: 2 out of 5 (Where 1 is totally unpredictable and 5 is I knew what was going to happen way ahead of time.)
Source: NetGalley
Four years ago Sully found the rarest sphere in the world, and one of the richest guys around ripped him off for millions of dollars.
Recently, his mom lost her job, and they might soon lose their apartment. Sully works at a flea market selling spheres to make money. When he meets a young marble hunter named Hunter, they decide to team up to search for spheres.
My Review:
This was a strange, strange book. The author certainly has an imagination. This book was nothing like I expected and while it was far from perfect I still enjoyed it.
The good:
The characters are all easily likable. Even though they all had rather tragic pasts, this wasn't a depressing read! Hunter's my favorite! She's so tough and smart! Sully, our main character is rather average, but a good narrator. His best friend Dom was funny and nice, and last but certainly not least, Mandy is a smart girl who distrusts spheres, but wants in on the adventure! Holiday is an excellent villain! I hated him almost as much as Umbridge!
World
Everything is exactly like our world, except several years ago these spheres appeared. The author really thought about how magical spheres would impact the world. I liked that the spheres only did things that were possible for a human being, it made them more realistic. (As cool as super powers are.) I always need answers, so I appreciated that the spheres weren't kept a mystery.
Pace
Some people complained that it was too slow in the beginning, but I appreciated the author slowly introducing us to his world rather than telling us about it in an info dump. I think the main issue is the blurb teases us about this rare gold sphere, which doesn't come in until halfway through.
The Bad:
For some reason I found this book easy to put down. It didn't call to me to read it when I was doing other things. Perhaps it was because although plenty happens, it's rather slow paced in stretches.
The end is exciting and weird and I wasn't sure I liked it, but in the end I was happy.
Would I read another by this author? Maybe. I did enjoy it, but it was just so strange!
Point of View: Third Person (Sully)
Series: Standalone?
Predictability: 2 out of 5 (Where 1 is totally unpredictable and 5 is I knew what was going to happen way ahead of time.)
Source: NetGalley
May 31, 2016
I really liked the conceit of the book (one day, seemingly magical spheres show up all over the world, and if you have two of the same colour, you gain heightened abilities of some kind - a better singing voice, an inch in height, etc) and the characters. I had some quibbles with the plot, mostly of the spoiler-ish variety.
January 21, 2016
For almost a decade people have been finding magical spheres hidden all around the planet. When two are used together they give the person different improvements to themselves such as a better singing voice, whiter teeth, run faster, better hearing etc. The better the improvement the more rare and expensive each sphere with every different color giving a different outcome.
Sully is a teenager that makes a part time income buying and selling spheres at the local flea market. A few years before Sully had become famous for finding a new cherry red color of sphere but had been cheated out of his promised fee from the corrupt businessman Alex Holliday.
Sully meets Hunter, a teenage girl that spends all of her timing hunting out rare spheres to make a living from selling them. Hunter isn't quick to trust anyone but Sully soon convinces her to team up with him to go hunting and the duo soon start finding spheres together but after a big find they find themselves back to dealing with Alex Holliday.
Reading the book synopsis it had said for fans of The Maze Runner and The Fifth Wave, I have read the Maze Runner and didn't see much similarity to that other than the male lead but I haven't read The Fifth Wave yet to make any comparison there. However, what this definitely reminded me of yet again was Ready Player One by Earnest Cline.
There isn't a virtual element to the story this time but what we have are the two teenagers working to find these spheres before the evil corporate head Holliday can find them first or do anything he can to stop them. Even the name Holliday is similar to the name of the game creator Halliday in Ready Player One.
That being said though this story has a complete life of it's own taking place in what seems like our world but with these mysterious spheres. Enjoyed the creative improvements that each could do and the debate on whether people should even be messing with something they didn't understand. The ending really worked well in my opinion explaining everything I had been questioning in an exciting conclusion.
Great read, fast paced and engaging, would definitely recommend checking out this one.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.wordpress....
Sully is a teenager that makes a part time income buying and selling spheres at the local flea market. A few years before Sully had become famous for finding a new cherry red color of sphere but had been cheated out of his promised fee from the corrupt businessman Alex Holliday.
Sully meets Hunter, a teenage girl that spends all of her timing hunting out rare spheres to make a living from selling them. Hunter isn't quick to trust anyone but Sully soon convinces her to team up with him to go hunting and the duo soon start finding spheres together but after a big find they find themselves back to dealing with Alex Holliday.
Reading the book synopsis it had said for fans of The Maze Runner and The Fifth Wave, I have read the Maze Runner and didn't see much similarity to that other than the male lead but I haven't read The Fifth Wave yet to make any comparison there. However, what this definitely reminded me of yet again was Ready Player One by Earnest Cline.
There isn't a virtual element to the story this time but what we have are the two teenagers working to find these spheres before the evil corporate head Holliday can find them first or do anything he can to stop them. Even the name Holliday is similar to the name of the game creator Halliday in Ready Player One.
That being said though this story has a complete life of it's own taking place in what seems like our world but with these mysterious spheres. Enjoyed the creative improvements that each could do and the debate on whether people should even be messing with something they didn't understand. The ending really worked well in my opinion explaining everything I had been questioning in an exciting conclusion.
Great read, fast paced and engaging, would definitely recommend checking out this one.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.wordpress....
January 27, 2016
I want to thank Delacorte Press for providing me with a copy of this book to read and give an honest review. Receiving this book for free has in no way altered or changed my opinion or review.
I'm actually not sure where to star with this read. It was interesting for sure. And totally different than what I had imagined it would be. And, in all honesty, it read more like a middle grade book for me.
The fun things about this book was the gang of underdogs who fight to be the winner. I really liked this. I love when the underdog is able to conquer and come out on top. Especially when they work hard for it. Nothing comes easy to these kids and they meet so many road blocks along the way.
Sully knows one thing, selling spheres. It's how he keeps his and his mother's heads above ground. But he's running out of those spheres he has. If the money doesn't come, he and his mom will have to move away from what he's always known as home. I liked Sully. He was a bit rough around the edges, and definitely mentally older than his 17 years. I suppose having hardly any money and having to help out your mom in order to live might do that to you! And he's quick to jump to conclusions without having evidence to support his accusations. I do wish there was more depth to him.
Alex Holiday is your typical villain. He's self-centered and self-preserving. He's cheated Sully before and he's not one to back down. He goes after what he wants, in whatever way possible, and takes what he thinks is his. I pretty much wanted him out of the picture throughout the whole book, even when it seemed like he might actually have a bit of a good side to him.
Sully's friends were a good compliment to him. I do wish they had been a little more developed. Other than Hunter, we really don't get much from Sully's best friend, Dom, or their unlikely companion, Mandy. It seemed like the author just scratched the surface with them. I honestly never connected with any of the characters in this book.
The writing is easy to follow though the first part of the book is a little slow paced. And I felt like these kids were never going to catch a break. That did make for a more realistic story, since the good guys don't always win right away.
Something that really bugged me in this story was lack background about the spheres. I just didn't feel like I understood how they came to be in the world. I mean, I understand they had some mystery behind them, that was essential to the story line. But I wanted to know exactly how things progressed once they were found. How did people realize they would enhance things and how to use them? Who figured it out, etc. The story was severely lacking in the world building in this area.
Also, the romance felt a bit forced and unlikely. It was kind of an instal-like, in my opinion. Sully goes from seeing this girl and spending limited time with her to all of a sudden being in love with her, when he barely knows about her. It just didn't seem complete to me.
Overall, I liked the story but I didn't love it. It's a book I might suggest for my 12 year old to read as opposed to an older teen. Definitely in the sci-fi genre, especially towards the end, this book would probably entertain anyone who has a love of anything alien to our earth.
I'm actually not sure where to star with this read. It was interesting for sure. And totally different than what I had imagined it would be. And, in all honesty, it read more like a middle grade book for me.
The fun things about this book was the gang of underdogs who fight to be the winner. I really liked this. I love when the underdog is able to conquer and come out on top. Especially when they work hard for it. Nothing comes easy to these kids and they meet so many road blocks along the way.
Sully knows one thing, selling spheres. It's how he keeps his and his mother's heads above ground. But he's running out of those spheres he has. If the money doesn't come, he and his mom will have to move away from what he's always known as home. I liked Sully. He was a bit rough around the edges, and definitely mentally older than his 17 years. I suppose having hardly any money and having to help out your mom in order to live might do that to you! And he's quick to jump to conclusions without having evidence to support his accusations. I do wish there was more depth to him.
Alex Holiday is your typical villain. He's self-centered and self-preserving. He's cheated Sully before and he's not one to back down. He goes after what he wants, in whatever way possible, and takes what he thinks is his. I pretty much wanted him out of the picture throughout the whole book, even when it seemed like he might actually have a bit of a good side to him.
Sully's friends were a good compliment to him. I do wish they had been a little more developed. Other than Hunter, we really don't get much from Sully's best friend, Dom, or their unlikely companion, Mandy. It seemed like the author just scratched the surface with them. I honestly never connected with any of the characters in this book.
The writing is easy to follow though the first part of the book is a little slow paced. And I felt like these kids were never going to catch a break. That did make for a more realistic story, since the good guys don't always win right away.
Something that really bugged me in this story was lack background about the spheres. I just didn't feel like I understood how they came to be in the world. I mean, I understand they had some mystery behind them, that was essential to the story line. But I wanted to know exactly how things progressed once they were found. How did people realize they would enhance things and how to use them? Who figured it out, etc. The story was severely lacking in the world building in this area.
Also, the romance felt a bit forced and unlikely. It was kind of an instal-like, in my opinion. Sully goes from seeing this girl and spending limited time with her to all of a sudden being in love with her, when he barely knows about her. It just didn't seem complete to me.
Overall, I liked the story but I didn't love it. It's a book I might suggest for my 12 year old to read as opposed to an older teen. Definitely in the sci-fi genre, especially towards the end, this book would probably entertain anyone who has a love of anything alien to our earth.
December 8, 2017
4/5stars
Alrighty, let’s do this. I accidentally read this entire book in a few hours and it was SUCH a fun ride! The premise of this novel was incredibly unique - a world mostly similar to ours except there are these spheres that you “burn” and they enhance some part of you (like your looks or your knowledge etc etc) - the characters were very fun and surprisingly fleshed out and I just had such a fun time because EXO (anyone who doesn’t get what that means should look up the “Power” music video on YouTube 👌🏻). I swear this book had like three climaxes and I was screaming at the end cause there were like 4 pages left and thINGS WERE STILL HAPPENING!!! It had me on my toes the whole time. Though I predicted a few aspects of it, mostly it was just insanity (which I love). Also the diversity! We have a gay character, a black character, people on all different places in the economic spectrum - it was pretty good on that mark.
As an entertaining factor this is probs a 4.5 or 5 stars just cause I enjoyed it SO MUCH. But unfortunately there were a few things that put it back. (I debated putting it at 3.5 stars just cause the list is a handful of items, but I think 4 Star is simply a better statement of how much I still liked this book.)
Firstly was the writing. The writing was just okay - there were certain scenes/paragraphs that just totally took me out and had the editor in me going “wtf was that??”. Secondly was the handful of pretty problematic discussions - the first being about “girliegirls” and how none of the girls in this book are “like other girls” and that bullshit that I hate. And the second thing was this discussion of “you’re not poor, you don’t understand hardships because I’VE had it WAY WORSE than you.” This just reeeaaallllyyyy rubbed me the wrong way cause I talk about IRL how toxic it is to make things like mental health and situation into a competition because it makes people feel like they can’t talk about their problems or feelings. Soooo that was a bit pretty shitty thing that got discussed. And the last thing that brought this book down was the VERY end - it was simply too rushed for my liking. While I lovvveddd how action packed and fast paced this was, the a ending happened in like 5 pages.
Even with its flaws tho I HIGHLY recommend this if you’re looking for just a really fun, fast YA sci-fi with little to no romance and a hugely unique premise!
Alrighty, let’s do this. I accidentally read this entire book in a few hours and it was SUCH a fun ride! The premise of this novel was incredibly unique - a world mostly similar to ours except there are these spheres that you “burn” and they enhance some part of you (like your looks or your knowledge etc etc) - the characters were very fun and surprisingly fleshed out and I just had such a fun time because EXO (anyone who doesn’t get what that means should look up the “Power” music video on YouTube 👌🏻). I swear this book had like three climaxes and I was screaming at the end cause there were like 4 pages left and thINGS WERE STILL HAPPENING!!! It had me on my toes the whole time. Though I predicted a few aspects of it, mostly it was just insanity (which I love). Also the diversity! We have a gay character, a black character, people on all different places in the economic spectrum - it was pretty good on that mark.
As an entertaining factor this is probs a 4.5 or 5 stars just cause I enjoyed it SO MUCH. But unfortunately there were a few things that put it back. (I debated putting it at 3.5 stars just cause the list is a handful of items, but I think 4 Star is simply a better statement of how much I still liked this book.)
Firstly was the writing. The writing was just okay - there were certain scenes/paragraphs that just totally took me out and had the editor in me going “wtf was that??”. Secondly was the handful of pretty problematic discussions - the first being about “girliegirls” and how none of the girls in this book are “like other girls” and that bullshit that I hate. And the second thing was this discussion of “you’re not poor, you don’t understand hardships because I’VE had it WAY WORSE than you.” This just reeeaaallllyyyy rubbed me the wrong way cause I talk about IRL how toxic it is to make things like mental health and situation into a competition because it makes people feel like they can’t talk about their problems or feelings. Soooo that was a bit pretty shitty thing that got discussed. And the last thing that brought this book down was the VERY end - it was simply too rushed for my liking. While I lovvveddd how action packed and fast paced this was, the a ending happened in like 5 pages.
Even with its flaws tho I HIGHLY recommend this if you’re looking for just a really fun, fast YA sci-fi with little to no romance and a hugely unique premise!
January 19, 2016
Four stars: An exciting fast paced adventure that will keep you on your seat until the shocking finale.
Sully broods as he sits at his flea market stall. The spheres are drying up again, and he and his mother are in danger of being evicted from their apartment. People are collecting are burning through the spheres faster than ever, and the rare ones are harder and harder to come by. If only Sully could score another cherry red find. If only, he hadn't been cheated out of millions of dollars by the man who is now controlling the spheres. If only, he could find a way to score a big find. Then everything changes when Hunter appears at his booth with a forest green sphere. Soon a friendship and a daring plan follow that could change everything. Will Sully and Hunter find a rare sphere?
What I Liked:
*In the YA genre you don't get as many books written by males that feature a male protagonist. I loved that Burning Midnight did both, and that this fast paced adventure kept me entertained until the end. Definitely worth reading if you like male main characters, thrilling story lines and originality.
*I liked the whole concept of the spheres even though I had many questions. Imagine one day waking up and finding colorful spheres hidden all over the world like Easter eggs, and then discovering that when paired with another, the small round balls deliver special talents. Would you be willing to burn a sphere not knowing the long term consequences in exchange for beauty, strength, improved memory, eyesight or hearing to name a few? I enjoyed exploring the whole idea of the spheres, and I loved the way it all played out.
*I loved the fast pace of the story. Once it gets going, it doesn't let up. There are so many exciting twists and turns, all leading up to a stunning climax and a thrilling finale that I didn't see coming. I loved it.
*The story centers around Sully and Hunter, two teenagers who are down on their luck, looking to find a way to make ends meet. I liked how determined and fierce they were, and how they remained loyal to their friends despite the conflict. Yes, the make some mistakes and they have their flaws, but I found them to be likable. Joining them are Sully's long time loyal best friend Dom, and Mandy, a smart girl who questions the spheres. I liked the diversity of the characters, and how they worked together.
*As the pages dwindled and the action and danger notched up, the pace of the book moves into lightning fast speed. I was fully expecting a cliffhanger as so much happens in those final chapters, and I didn't think there was any way the author could tie off all the story lines, but surprisingly, he does. The books ends without a cliffhanger, and the story for the most part is complete. There is certainly wiggle room to continue the story arc, and I am not sure if this is intended to be a series or if this is a stand alone. Either way, I was thrilled that I wasn't left hanging.
And The Not So Much:
*The one aspect that drove me crazy about the story was the lack of detail regarding the spheres. I kept expecting there would be a point in the story where the back story on the spheres was laid out, but it doesn't really happen. Basically, you are given a simple backstory: the mysterious spheres one day appeared, no one knows from where or why, and when they are burned, they grant special talents or abilities. I was so curious to know so much more. I especially wanted the history. Who figured out how to burn them? What kind of tests were done, etc. etc. I am a detail reader, and I wasn't ready to accept that the spheres were just there. I wanted all the fine details. I guess the lack of detail is perhaps because this book is geared toward a younger audience who don't care as much about the how and why.
*Once the shocking truth is revealed about the spheres, I couldn't put it down. Even though it was mostly resolved in the end, I still had lingering questions about the why, how, where and so forth regarding the spheres.
*There is a bit of romance in the story, but it doesn't really work, and I felt like it was more of a distraction. It could have been left out. Don't read this for the romance that's for sure.
*I have to admit, I was a bit irritated with some of Sully's decisions. I was especially frustrated that he insisted on telling so many people about his big find, that can only lead to trouble. He is far too trusting, especially considering what happened in the past. Furthermore, I didn't like that he didn't pursue those who stole from him.
*The villain felt to cartoonish and he lacked development.
*I was left at the end wanting to know if there was more to the story. Yes, the loose ends are tied off, and the story could stop here, but I think there is more to tell. I need to know if there will be a sequel.
Burning Midnight was a book that I couldn't put down. This one delivers an exciting scifi tale with plenty of action, danger and a thrilling finale that you won't see coming. I loved the concept and the story, but I was a bit disappointed in the lack of depth and detail regarding the spheres. Still this was an original story, and one that I enjoyed. I would recommend checking this out if you want something fast paced and different. I hope that a sequel is in the works.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own, and I was not compensated for this review.
Posted@Rainy Day Ramblings.
Sully broods as he sits at his flea market stall. The spheres are drying up again, and he and his mother are in danger of being evicted from their apartment. People are collecting are burning through the spheres faster than ever, and the rare ones are harder and harder to come by. If only Sully could score another cherry red find. If only, he hadn't been cheated out of millions of dollars by the man who is now controlling the spheres. If only, he could find a way to score a big find. Then everything changes when Hunter appears at his booth with a forest green sphere. Soon a friendship and a daring plan follow that could change everything. Will Sully and Hunter find a rare sphere?
What I Liked:
*In the YA genre you don't get as many books written by males that feature a male protagonist. I loved that Burning Midnight did both, and that this fast paced adventure kept me entertained until the end. Definitely worth reading if you like male main characters, thrilling story lines and originality.
*I liked the whole concept of the spheres even though I had many questions. Imagine one day waking up and finding colorful spheres hidden all over the world like Easter eggs, and then discovering that when paired with another, the small round balls deliver special talents. Would you be willing to burn a sphere not knowing the long term consequences in exchange for beauty, strength, improved memory, eyesight or hearing to name a few? I enjoyed exploring the whole idea of the spheres, and I loved the way it all played out.
*I loved the fast pace of the story. Once it gets going, it doesn't let up. There are so many exciting twists and turns, all leading up to a stunning climax and a thrilling finale that I didn't see coming. I loved it.
*The story centers around Sully and Hunter, two teenagers who are down on their luck, looking to find a way to make ends meet. I liked how determined and fierce they were, and how they remained loyal to their friends despite the conflict. Yes, the make some mistakes and they have their flaws, but I found them to be likable. Joining them are Sully's long time loyal best friend Dom, and Mandy, a smart girl who questions the spheres. I liked the diversity of the characters, and how they worked together.
*As the pages dwindled and the action and danger notched up, the pace of the book moves into lightning fast speed. I was fully expecting a cliffhanger as so much happens in those final chapters, and I didn't think there was any way the author could tie off all the story lines, but surprisingly, he does. The books ends without a cliffhanger, and the story for the most part is complete. There is certainly wiggle room to continue the story arc, and I am not sure if this is intended to be a series or if this is a stand alone. Either way, I was thrilled that I wasn't left hanging.
And The Not So Much:
*The one aspect that drove me crazy about the story was the lack of detail regarding the spheres. I kept expecting there would be a point in the story where the back story on the spheres was laid out, but it doesn't really happen. Basically, you are given a simple backstory: the mysterious spheres one day appeared, no one knows from where or why, and when they are burned, they grant special talents or abilities. I was so curious to know so much more. I especially wanted the history. Who figured out how to burn them? What kind of tests were done, etc. etc. I am a detail reader, and I wasn't ready to accept that the spheres were just there. I wanted all the fine details. I guess the lack of detail is perhaps because this book is geared toward a younger audience who don't care as much about the how and why.
*Once the shocking truth is revealed about the spheres, I couldn't put it down. Even though it was mostly resolved in the end, I still had lingering questions about the why, how, where and so forth regarding the spheres.
*There is a bit of romance in the story, but it doesn't really work, and I felt like it was more of a distraction. It could have been left out. Don't read this for the romance that's for sure.
*I have to admit, I was a bit irritated with some of Sully's decisions. I was especially frustrated that he insisted on telling so many people about his big find, that can only lead to trouble. He is far too trusting, especially considering what happened in the past. Furthermore, I didn't like that he didn't pursue those who stole from him.
*The villain felt to cartoonish and he lacked development.
*I was left at the end wanting to know if there was more to the story. Yes, the loose ends are tied off, and the story could stop here, but I think there is more to tell. I need to know if there will be a sequel.
Burning Midnight was a book that I couldn't put down. This one delivers an exciting scifi tale with plenty of action, danger and a thrilling finale that you won't see coming. I loved the concept and the story, but I was a bit disappointed in the lack of depth and detail regarding the spheres. Still this was an original story, and one that I enjoyed. I would recommend checking this out if you want something fast paced and different. I hope that a sequel is in the works.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own, and I was not compensated for this review.
Posted@Rainy Day Ramblings.
October 31, 2019
4/5 stars
Sully works by selling spheres, colourful balls that can grant a person superpowers such as resistance to illnesses, night vision, new talents and abilities. When a mysterious girl with a tragic past shows up and offers him the chance to hunt the rarest spheres with her, he follows her in a trip that picks up around the world, and teaches them both that the world, and spheres, are absolutely not what they were thought to be. Against a greedy millionaire who uses the spheres to make himself invincible, they must ultimately fight for the greater good. Are things the way the look, though, or is something far more sinister lurking in what they knew of the world?
This was such a weird, wild, adventurous and surprisingly enjoyable story! When my brother read it in the span of two days and refused to tell me how he felt about it, I knew I had to pick it up out of curiosity, and found myself pleasantly surprised. The world that was set up was an alternative version of our own, a utopian story turned dystopian, with heart-stopping action and a really intense mystery that kept me at the edge of my seat.
I really enjoyed the characters, and I didn't expect the diversity I got! I found Sully's, Dom's, Hunter's and Maddie's friendship absolutely incredible, and it crossed my mind many times how much I would want to be a part of their team. They were hilarious and had such a unique bonding ♥ The plot was extremely fast paced, and the book can definitely be considered a page-turner. The story took a really unexpected turn at some point, that was extremely weird and eyebrow-raising, but I will be a liar if I claim I didn't enjoy it.
The world building was unique, and I loved how every sphere had its own purpose. I also really enjoyed the trip to Mexico, and the plot twist with the Angel of Independence. The writing was nothing special, but it didn't bothered me and it helped with the flow, so that was enough ♥ The mystery and the entire set up of the book made me extremely surprised, and very eager to check more of the author's novels.
Overall, it was a very enjoyable experience, and I definitely believe this should become a video game or a cartoon ♥ It would be a delight ♥ Until the next review, enjoy the last day of spooky season ♥ HAPPY HALLOWEEN, WITCHES ♥
~Mary ♥
Sully works by selling spheres, colourful balls that can grant a person superpowers such as resistance to illnesses, night vision, new talents and abilities. When a mysterious girl with a tragic past shows up and offers him the chance to hunt the rarest spheres with her, he follows her in a trip that picks up around the world, and teaches them both that the world, and spheres, are absolutely not what they were thought to be. Against a greedy millionaire who uses the spheres to make himself invincible, they must ultimately fight for the greater good. Are things the way the look, though, or is something far more sinister lurking in what they knew of the world?
This was such a weird, wild, adventurous and surprisingly enjoyable story! When my brother read it in the span of two days and refused to tell me how he felt about it, I knew I had to pick it up out of curiosity, and found myself pleasantly surprised. The world that was set up was an alternative version of our own, a utopian story turned dystopian, with heart-stopping action and a really intense mystery that kept me at the edge of my seat.
I really enjoyed the characters, and I didn't expect the diversity I got! I found Sully's, Dom's, Hunter's and Maddie's friendship absolutely incredible, and it crossed my mind many times how much I would want to be a part of their team. They were hilarious and had such a unique bonding ♥ The plot was extremely fast paced, and the book can definitely be considered a page-turner. The story took a really unexpected turn at some point, that was extremely weird and eyebrow-raising, but I will be a liar if I claim I didn't enjoy it.
The world building was unique, and I loved how every sphere had its own purpose. I also really enjoyed the trip to Mexico, and the plot twist with the Angel of Independence. The writing was nothing special, but it didn't bothered me and it helped with the flow, so that was enough ♥ The mystery and the entire set up of the book made me extremely surprised, and very eager to check more of the author's novels.
Overall, it was a very enjoyable experience, and I definitely believe this should become a video game or a cartoon ♥ It would be a delight ♥ Until the next review, enjoy the last day of spooky season ♥ HAPPY HALLOWEEN, WITCHES ♥
~Mary ♥
February 11, 2016
3-3.5 stars
Burning Midnight is the first book I have read by Will McIntosh and I will definitely be checking out his books in the future. There were some things I liked and some things that didn’t necessarily click for me. With that said, I thought this was a solid story and I absolutely love the cover for this book.
One of the pieces of this story that I enjoyed was the fact that it was a male narrator. David Sullivan is a sphere dealer and things aren’t easy for him and his mom. In this world that McIntosh has created, spheres are what make people more than what they were born as. Spheres mysteriously appeared on Earth and people realized they gave them certain abilities. Different colors meant different abilities and the rarer the sphere, the greater the value…and cost.
David has been selling spheres at the local flea market but because he is competing with the big box stores…namely Alex Holiday’s stores, business and money isn’t steady. When he meets Hunter, a girl who makes a living searching for spheres, they make a deal to hunt together and that is when things begin to get interesting.
Let’s talk characters for a minute. I really liked Sully (David) and thought he was developed well. He is a great mix of caring, driven, and smart…when he actually does what he thinks they should do instead of listening to Hunter. I found Hunter frustrating. She was so distrustful and refused to listen to reason which really annoyed me. I think this is why I didn’t believe the romance between Sully and Hunter…at all.
The secondary characters in this story are well done and I wish we would have had more of them with Sully. I loved the friendship between Sully and Dom and the brief glimpses we had were well done. Alex Holiday is the bad guy. He burned Sully in the past and now that Sully and Hunter have found something he wants, he is willing to do anything to get it. He clearly doesn’t care about anyone but himself and what he wants. I was glad that Sully didn’t fall for his tricks and stood up to him. Eventually he got what was coming to him and I wasn’t sorry about how things ended up for him.
Going back to the spheres…things come to a head and we finally find out where the spheres came from and why. I found it interesting although slightly rushed at the end and what happened with Hunter was a bit odd but overall what I liked most about this story was that it is different. Don’t get me wrong, there is plenty of action, an interesting premise, and a solid male point of view. If you are looking for a YA in the science fiction genre that gives you a story that is different than other books out there, consider checking this one out.
Thank you to the Publisher for the review copy!
Burning Midnight is the first book I have read by Will McIntosh and I will definitely be checking out his books in the future. There were some things I liked and some things that didn’t necessarily click for me. With that said, I thought this was a solid story and I absolutely love the cover for this book.
One of the pieces of this story that I enjoyed was the fact that it was a male narrator. David Sullivan is a sphere dealer and things aren’t easy for him and his mom. In this world that McIntosh has created, spheres are what make people more than what they were born as. Spheres mysteriously appeared on Earth and people realized they gave them certain abilities. Different colors meant different abilities and the rarer the sphere, the greater the value…and cost.
David has been selling spheres at the local flea market but because he is competing with the big box stores…namely Alex Holiday’s stores, business and money isn’t steady. When he meets Hunter, a girl who makes a living searching for spheres, they make a deal to hunt together and that is when things begin to get interesting.
Let’s talk characters for a minute. I really liked Sully (David) and thought he was developed well. He is a great mix of caring, driven, and smart…when he actually does what he thinks they should do instead of listening to Hunter. I found Hunter frustrating. She was so distrustful and refused to listen to reason which really annoyed me. I think this is why I didn’t believe the romance between Sully and Hunter…at all.
The secondary characters in this story are well done and I wish we would have had more of them with Sully. I loved the friendship between Sully and Dom and the brief glimpses we had were well done. Alex Holiday is the bad guy. He burned Sully in the past and now that Sully and Hunter have found something he wants, he is willing to do anything to get it. He clearly doesn’t care about anyone but himself and what he wants. I was glad that Sully didn’t fall for his tricks and stood up to him. Eventually he got what was coming to him and I wasn’t sorry about how things ended up for him.
Going back to the spheres…things come to a head and we finally find out where the spheres came from and why. I found it interesting although slightly rushed at the end and what happened with Hunter was a bit odd but overall what I liked most about this story was that it is different. Don’t get me wrong, there is plenty of action, an interesting premise, and a solid male point of view. If you are looking for a YA in the science fiction genre that gives you a story that is different than other books out there, consider checking this one out.
Thank you to the Publisher for the review copy!
October 10, 2017
I don't know how many of you have discovered Will McIntosh. At this point I jump to read whenever he releases something new. His books are consistently inventive and interesting and good and not like each other much at all. This one is kind of a more normal one, and a ya at that. Set in a recognizable world of today with the minor different of spheres that when you find two and put them to your ears give you permanent enhancements. It's definitely ya and kind of predictable at times and then it turns into something else. Not high art, but a quick fun read.
February 5, 2016
The nitty-gritty: A fast-paced sci-fi adventure, with one of the coolest concepts I’ve ever run across, and a twist that you won’t see coming.
I’ve heard so many wonderful things about Will McIntosh’s adult novels (Love Minus Eighty and Defenders) but this is the first book of his I've read. In his YA debut, McIntosh has come up with a truly awesome idea and built an exciting and engaging story around it, with well-drawn and sympathetic characters. Much of the story revolves around the mystery of the marble-sized spheres that suddenly appeared all over the world, hidden in nooks and crannies, and when the author finally reveals their purpose, well, get ready to have your mind blown! I think the word “outrageous” would not be out-of-place when describing this story, and I mean outrageous in the best possible way.
The story takes place five years after the spheres appeared, and in that time a booming economy has grown around them. Different colored spheres will give the lucky owner special abilities when they “burn” two of the same color by holding them up to their temples. For example, Rose gives you the ability to hold your breath, while Lemon Yellow will make you grow an inch. There are literally dozens of colors and special abilities, and you can either find spheres “in the wild” (spheres that haven’t yet been discovered) or purchase them for ridiculous prices from dealers and on Ebay.
Sully runs a booth at the local flea market buying and selling spheres, and even though he’s made a name for himself with the local dealers, what he’s really famous for is being cheated out of millions of dollars by billionaire Alex Holliday after finding a Cherry Red. When a girl name Hunter comes to his booth one day and proposes that they work together and split the profits, Sully agrees (and it doesn’t hurt that he’s attracted to her). But one thing they never expected to find was a new color, and that’s exactly what happens when Hunter unearths a Gold in a rooftop water tower. Their incredible find sets off a chain of events that could make them rich—or change the world forever.
I have to say that the “treasure hunt” story is one I don’t run into too often, and I thoroughly enjoyed the suspense and excitement as the characters maniacally search for the colored spheres. And of course, when they find one it’s even more thrilling! I simply loved this idea, and although some of the world-building elements were hard to swallow, and as an adult reader I had so many questions about the nature of the spheres, this story is perfect for anyone with a sense of adventure. This book has a page-turnability of eleven, and I gobbled it up in only two days (which is saying something, because I’m not a very fast reader!). The first half of the book does a great job of introducing the characters and the world of the colored spheres, but the real action begins when Sully and Hunter discover the Gold, and from that point on Burning Midnight reads like a runaway roller-coaster. My only complaint about the pacing of the story is near the end when it feels like McIntosh is trying to pack too much into his tale, and some of the time jumps were a bit on the awkward side. But by that point most readers will be too engrossed in the action to worry about things like that. You’ll simply want to keep reading to find out what the hell is going on!
The story involves three main characters—Sully, whose life revolves around the spheres (OK, I guess everyone’s life revolves around the spheres!), and who desperately wants to make a big sale so that he and his mom can stop worrying about where their next rent payment is coming from; Hunter, a canny but distrustful girl who’s been homeless her whole life and fights for every dollar she makes hunting spheres; and the evil Alex Holliday, a ruthless and slimy man who has built up his sphere empire by cheating and preying on the weak. McIntosh did all the right things with his characters: I loved the heroes and hated the villain. And his side characters are extremely well-developed, in particular Sully’s friend Mandy, who is the voice of reason in the story (I mean, what are the spheres really here for??). Mandy is an “organic,” someone who never has and never will burn spheres herself.
I mentioned before that some of the world-building was a little on the sketchy side. For example, who was the first person to discover what the spheres do? It seems odd that someone would have randomly stumbled upon that detail. And yet, without it, this story wouldn’t exist. Asking questions like these generally happens when I read a book for younger readers, which leads me to my other issue with Burning Midnight, which is that this book felt much more middle grade to me than young adult. Despite the characters’ ages—most of the teens are around seventeen—everything felt too squeaky clean, and I was never really worried about anything bad happening. Even when the purpose of the spheres is revealed, and the book suddenly turns on a dime and becomes more of a horror story, it never felt as if the characters were in any danger. Some violent stuff happens at the end, but it was almost comically violent, which is one reason I’m using the middle grade comparison. You can definitely hand this over to a ten or eleven-year-old and they’d enjoy it just fine.
And the big reveal? Well, you won’t get any more about that in this review. All I can say is Will McIntosh has the best imagination ever! Unpredictable endings are few and far between, and so I revel in each one I come across.
I guess in the end I have to say Burning Midnight is a book for anyone, no matter what your age, who enjoys adventure, treasure hunts, intrigue, evil corporations, true friendships and especially crazy story-lines. I simply cannot wait to read more from this author!
Big thanks to the publisher for supplying a review copy. This review originally appeared on Books, Bones & Buffy
March 31, 2021
This story was so much fun. I love the concept and the delivery on this. The world building and imagination in this story was pretty addictive. Plus, a male protagonist was such a nice change of pace.
This story starts off with Sully, our protagonist, selling spheres at his flea market booth. A girl named Hunter shows up and tries to sell him a rare forest green sphere. From there we learn about how Sully once found a really rare ruby red and how he got stiffed for it. The spheres just showed up all over the planet. This is the second wave of spheres and people are hoping there will be another wave. Somehow people realized that by placing them to their temple they could absorb the power within. Each color sphere represents a different sort of power. Things like memory, ability to go without much sleep, speed, photographic memory, beauty and many more skills lie within the spheres. Many people have become rich by selling spheres, and even more people have burned them to absorb their powers. Sully and Hunter quickly join forces to hunt the few remaining spheres, hoping to find a rare color in order to get rich quick. Along the way they will find trouble and learn more about the spheres then anyone else.
This is another book I find hard to describe. I found myself really wrapped up in the mystery of the spheres and the greed to make money off of them. The spheres have opened up a market to people who had nothing, and given them a chance to gain an advantage and/or get rich quick. The world they live in is just like ours but the spheres have changed everything about it. There are people who don’t trust the spheres. Sully has a friend, Mandy, who questions the safety of burning the spheres and basically throws out questions the reader might have about them. Can the spheres be trusted?
Sully and Hunter are living very different lives. Sully, although poor, lives like a typical teenager. His goes to school and lives with his single mother who really loves him. He really wants to make things better for them both. Hunter was abandoned at a young age. Her loyalty is to herself and getting out of poverty. I rooted for both of these kids so hard. They are good people and deserved a break. I really enjoyed getting to know these characters and how the spheres have changed their lives.
This story starts out without a clear explanation of what the sphere are. At first, I assumed it was a gamer type of product, but the fact that everyone is in on it cleared that up quickly. The first half of this book is really character building and setting the scene. Once Hunter and Sully find a rare sphere, around 50% in the book, things really start to take off. After the 50% mark, the action is quick and the story moves at a great pace.
I think the author did a fantastic job telling this story. It is a bit of a far out concept. The slower pace in the beginning helped me to catch up and really understand the opportunity the spheres represent, both good and bad. This story explores the way the world might exploit the market of the spheres and answers every questions a reader might have about consequences of burning them.
I read this book at a furious pace and I really enjoyed reading this. I think it was really original and very well written. All of the characters had redeeming qualities that are hard not to love. My only issue was at my own confusion at the beginning. This is a great YA Sci-fi that I know readers will enjoy. I will definitely be reading more from this author.
February 12, 2016
It would be 2.5 stars on my blog. The premise of this story was super fresh and interesting and I was rooting for it to be a five star read after a meh, a DNF, and an ugh read. At 25% I let myself read the synopsis and some of the non-spoilery reviews. Many of the reviews said it was great and then tanked in the backhalf. I was hoping that I would not think likewise. After I passed the 50% mark and was still loving it I breathed a sigh of relief, but my contentment was short lived.
Somewhere between 60% and 65% it got really ridiculous. Things happened with no real explaination and one subplot was dropped completely unresolved. Plus, one of my pet peeves, something happened in the real-world workings of the story that really was not plausible. However, the ending was okay.
At the end things became interesting again, but in wrapping the up story when I thought somethings would be explained, they were not, and one of the supporting characters deserved to be fleshed out more. There was a HUGE lack of backstory, like it was not a standalone, but it is a standalone. If this was a debut author I would say that I would try the next book they release, but he is not, so no, I am not interested in reading anything else from this writer.
I was approved for an eARC, via Netgalley, in return for an honest review. I will not be reviewing this title on my blog because it is less than four stars.
Somewhere between 60% and 65% it got really ridiculous. Things happened with no real explaination and one subplot was dropped completely unresolved. Plus, one of my pet peeves, something happened in the real-world workings of the story that really was not plausible. However, the ending was okay.
At the end things became interesting again, but in wrapping the up story when I thought somethings would be explained, they were not, and one of the supporting characters deserved to be fleshed out more. There was a HUGE lack of backstory, like it was not a standalone, but it is a standalone. If this was a debut author I would say that I would try the next book they release, but he is not, so no, I am not interested in reading anything else from this writer.
I was approved for an eARC, via Netgalley, in return for an honest review. I will not be reviewing this title on my blog because it is less than four stars.
May 19, 2016
2.5 that I'm rounding up. This started out a 3 briefly went to a 4 and then quickly deteriorated to a 1. Very frustrating book with a ton of potential that never, at least for me, panned out. It was entertaining in parts but there is much much better YA out there.
February 27, 2016
An easy and simplistic read that is much more suited to the middle grade audience who enjoy action / adventure. Quick and entertaining.
January 3, 2018
Very entertaining with a great premise! I think younger teens in particular will love it. 3.5 stars
May 30, 2016
Very near ideas that could be much fun - unfortunately, weak couple of protagonists with cringe-inducing interactions.
June 10, 2016
2.5
It started off good but it went nowhere.
It started off good but it went nowhere.
March 28, 2016
Initial Impressions 2/23/16: 3.5 - 3.75 stars | Well, I will agree that was a "crazy and surprising climax"! Was it what I wanted it to be? No. Not at all. But it wrapped up the book with plenty of fast-paced action.
This is a weird rating for me because I actually really enjoyed the book the whole time. (Or until the ending?) I LOVED the idea of the spheres, the different colors, and the abilities they gave people. Anything with colors and/or powers and very specific rules and I am there. I was really curious the whole time why they were there and I liked that it was held until the end of the book.
I was actually disappointed in the ending though. I was really kind of hoping it wouldn't go there because it was kind of cheesy an obvious sort of twist. It was really one of my only guesses and I was hoping it was going to be something more obscure and science-based.
It was a fun read and I don't want to rate it less than four stars because I really did enjoy reading it but I'd be hard pressed to recommend it based on my disappointment in the ending.
Full review as originally posted HERE on The Book Addict's Guide 2/26/16: Young adult sci-fi? Crazy ending? A world full of colorful sphere that enhance people’s abilities? Yep, I was totally hooked by the pitch for BURNING MIDNIGHT! I’m such a sucker for all of these things and I’m always interested to see where sci-fi will head next, especially since I’m still discovering so many different types of science-fiction. I will definitely agree that BURNING MIDNIGHT was a fun read and had a crazy ending but it was also a bit of a mixed bag for me.
I actually had a really great time reading this book. It was easy to read and the concept of the spheres/marbles/whatever you want to call them was really neat! They’re hidden all over the world in hundreds of different colors. Find two of the same color and you can “burn” the pair to enhance an ability, from a better singing voice or ability to fall asleep easier to better memory or enhanced speed. Each color endows a different gift and now that the spheres have been around for a while, there’s a whole market based off of the value of each color and how valuable that trait is. I love concepts like this. Specific rules, special abilities, and a specific way to identify them all have me hooked so I really enjoyed the whole first half of BURNING MIDNIGHT! I loved learning what each color did and the hunt for the different colors was exciting!
The characters made for a fun cast as well. I liked Sully (David Sullivan) and his friends a lot and they always seemed really down-to-earth and realistic. The friendship dynamic was a lot of fun and I especially loved Dom, who has been Sully’s best friend for a long time, and new-comer to the group Mandy. They had a great working dynamic and it was a great balance of serious and fun. Sully also ends up working with and falling for mysterious girl Hunter (who hunts spheres) and although I did enjoy their relationship, I think I would have enjoyed it more if it had been more platonic than romantic.
I was really enjoying the book right up until the end and then things started to get… weird. I was hooked by the concept of a crazy, twisty ending so naturally I was hypothesizing what the spheres could possible be and where they came from and this is in fact revealed in the end. Did I like the answer? Frankly, no. The answer to the twist was one of my only real guesses and I was just hoping the book really wasn’t going to to there. It seemed like an easy and obvious twist and also made the book that much more unrealistic instead of having some possible technological, political, or other science-fiction answer. I was fairly disappointed and it really sort of cheapened the book for me. I was just hoping for so much more.
BURNING MIDNIGHT was an exciting and fun read but unfortunately the ending wasn’t a hit for me. I had a really good time reading it but my experience with the ending makes me wary to recommend it to others. If you’re ready for just about anything, I say take a chance but if you’re picky with your sci-fi, maybe peek at some reviews before you pick this one up!
This is a weird rating for me because I actually really enjoyed the book the whole time. (Or until the ending?) I LOVED the idea of the spheres, the different colors, and the abilities they gave people. Anything with colors and/or powers and very specific rules and I am there. I was really curious the whole time why they were there and I liked that it was held until the end of the book.
I was actually disappointed in the ending though. I was really kind of hoping it wouldn't go there because it was kind of cheesy an obvious sort of twist. It was really one of my only guesses and I was hoping it was going to be something more obscure and science-based.
It was a fun read and I don't want to rate it less than four stars because I really did enjoy reading it but I'd be hard pressed to recommend it based on my disappointment in the ending.
Full review as originally posted HERE on The Book Addict's Guide 2/26/16: Young adult sci-fi? Crazy ending? A world full of colorful sphere that enhance people’s abilities? Yep, I was totally hooked by the pitch for BURNING MIDNIGHT! I’m such a sucker for all of these things and I’m always interested to see where sci-fi will head next, especially since I’m still discovering so many different types of science-fiction. I will definitely agree that BURNING MIDNIGHT was a fun read and had a crazy ending but it was also a bit of a mixed bag for me.
I actually had a really great time reading this book. It was easy to read and the concept of the spheres/marbles/whatever you want to call them was really neat! They’re hidden all over the world in hundreds of different colors. Find two of the same color and you can “burn” the pair to enhance an ability, from a better singing voice or ability to fall asleep easier to better memory or enhanced speed. Each color endows a different gift and now that the spheres have been around for a while, there’s a whole market based off of the value of each color and how valuable that trait is. I love concepts like this. Specific rules, special abilities, and a specific way to identify them all have me hooked so I really enjoyed the whole first half of BURNING MIDNIGHT! I loved learning what each color did and the hunt for the different colors was exciting!
The characters made for a fun cast as well. I liked Sully (David Sullivan) and his friends a lot and they always seemed really down-to-earth and realistic. The friendship dynamic was a lot of fun and I especially loved Dom, who has been Sully’s best friend for a long time, and new-comer to the group Mandy. They had a great working dynamic and it was a great balance of serious and fun. Sully also ends up working with and falling for mysterious girl Hunter (who hunts spheres) and although I did enjoy their relationship, I think I would have enjoyed it more if it had been more platonic than romantic.
I was really enjoying the book right up until the end and then things started to get… weird. I was hooked by the concept of a crazy, twisty ending so naturally I was hypothesizing what the spheres could possible be and where they came from and this is in fact revealed in the end. Did I like the answer? Frankly, no. The answer to the twist was one of my only real guesses and I was just hoping the book really wasn’t going to to there. It seemed like an easy and obvious twist and also made the book that much more unrealistic instead of having some possible technological, political, or other science-fiction answer. I was fairly disappointed and it really sort of cheapened the book for me. I was just hoping for so much more.
BURNING MIDNIGHT was an exciting and fun read but unfortunately the ending wasn’t a hit for me. I had a really good time reading it but my experience with the ending makes me wary to recommend it to others. If you’re ready for just about anything, I say take a chance but if you’re picky with your sci-fi, maybe peek at some reviews before you pick this one up!
June 7, 2018
SUMMARY
Overnight they appeared – spheres that granted enhanced properties like straight teeth, intelligence, and strength when a pair were ‘burned’. Some were rarer than others, and so a business grew around hunting these spheres. And that’s how Sully and Hunter met. But no one know if these mysterious spheres are a gift from God or something far worse – after all, they used to say cigarettes were good for you, right?
PLOT
Sully is known as the kid who lost the Cherry Reds – when he sold them to an insidious collector, they didn’t grant powers but simply reseeded the Earth with more spheres. Sully’s $2.5 million vanished and now he’s back to collecting and selling at the flea market. He teams up with a hunter named Hunter who’s figured out likely places people haven’t looked yet. Together they find the rarest of all, a Gold sphere, and its twin, but they’re faced with being murdered for the Golds or burning them with no idea what will happen.
CHARACTERS
Sully seemed like a regular kid who just lucked out on the deal of a lifetime. He’s trying to make money buying and selling spheres because he lives alone with his mother who has a crappy job and they might have to move away if they can’t afford rent. Although he’s largely driven by financial motivations, the relationships he develops with Hunter and Mandy, who he met during the novel, and his ongoing relationship with Dom, was really lovely to watch.
Hunter was your typical badass YA female character, ninja-like and almost super-powered, even though she hadn’t burned any spheres. She couldn’t afford to. She was one of those ‘I’m capable and I don’t need a man’ types, which is why I liked it when she fell in love with Sully. Oops. Is that a spoiler? Anyway, it showed her gentle side, but it also re-established that her selfish nature and how when she felt something was for the best she wouldn’t listen to the other characters at all, even though she was supposed to love them. I think this self-reliance was due to her being homeless for a few years and never having anyone to count on.
I loved Dom and Mandy. Dom seemed like a great big brother character and it was cool to see lots of diversity in Mandy, a gay Asian girl who kept her friendship with Sully and Dom despite her distrust of burning spheres. They really were the perfect supporting character, arguing against Sully and Hunter’s more selfish ideas in a realistic way.
WRITING
I had no idea this was going to lead to where it led and so I was pleasantly surprised with the massive plot twist. It really came out of nowhere and seemed really imaginative. I liked the writing fair enough, I didn’t really see anything wrong with it.
PACING
I did feel like the novel was slow to get going because for a long time we didn’t know if the spheres were bad or good or really what they were or even how they were used. Everything was eventually revealed but it took its sweet time and sometimes I was flipping through the pages for the next part and sometimes I was glad to put the book down at the end of the chapter. I will say I did have a big battle of willpower not to check the final pages to see who survived and what the outcome was, boy that was hard to fight but I’m glad I fought it because all was revealed in time.
OVERALL
This novel was just so unexpected. I thought it was going to be about superheroes, not making money looking for the spheres to sell to people for enhanced attributes. I certainly was not expecting where it eventually took us!
I received a copy of this book from Pan Macmillan in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Overnight they appeared – spheres that granted enhanced properties like straight teeth, intelligence, and strength when a pair were ‘burned’. Some were rarer than others, and so a business grew around hunting these spheres. And that’s how Sully and Hunter met. But no one know if these mysterious spheres are a gift from God or something far worse – after all, they used to say cigarettes were good for you, right?
PLOT
Sully is known as the kid who lost the Cherry Reds – when he sold them to an insidious collector, they didn’t grant powers but simply reseeded the Earth with more spheres. Sully’s $2.5 million vanished and now he’s back to collecting and selling at the flea market. He teams up with a hunter named Hunter who’s figured out likely places people haven’t looked yet. Together they find the rarest of all, a Gold sphere, and its twin, but they’re faced with being murdered for the Golds or burning them with no idea what will happen.
CHARACTERS
Sully seemed like a regular kid who just lucked out on the deal of a lifetime. He’s trying to make money buying and selling spheres because he lives alone with his mother who has a crappy job and they might have to move away if they can’t afford rent. Although he’s largely driven by financial motivations, the relationships he develops with Hunter and Mandy, who he met during the novel, and his ongoing relationship with Dom, was really lovely to watch.
Hunter was your typical badass YA female character, ninja-like and almost super-powered, even though she hadn’t burned any spheres. She couldn’t afford to. She was one of those ‘I’m capable and I don’t need a man’ types, which is why I liked it when she fell in love with Sully. Oops. Is that a spoiler? Anyway, it showed her gentle side, but it also re-established that her selfish nature and how when she felt something was for the best she wouldn’t listen to the other characters at all, even though she was supposed to love them. I think this self-reliance was due to her being homeless for a few years and never having anyone to count on.
I loved Dom and Mandy. Dom seemed like a great big brother character and it was cool to see lots of diversity in Mandy, a gay Asian girl who kept her friendship with Sully and Dom despite her distrust of burning spheres. They really were the perfect supporting character, arguing against Sully and Hunter’s more selfish ideas in a realistic way.
WRITING
I had no idea this was going to lead to where it led and so I was pleasantly surprised with the massive plot twist. It really came out of nowhere and seemed really imaginative. I liked the writing fair enough, I didn’t really see anything wrong with it.
PACING
I did feel like the novel was slow to get going because for a long time we didn’t know if the spheres were bad or good or really what they were or even how they were used. Everything was eventually revealed but it took its sweet time and sometimes I was flipping through the pages for the next part and sometimes I was glad to put the book down at the end of the chapter. I will say I did have a big battle of willpower not to check the final pages to see who survived and what the outcome was, boy that was hard to fight but I’m glad I fought it because all was revealed in time.
OVERALL
This novel was just so unexpected. I thought it was going to be about superheroes, not making money looking for the spheres to sell to people for enhanced attributes. I certainly was not expecting where it eventually took us!
I received a copy of this book from Pan Macmillan in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
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