While Burner is a solid commentary on how easily insecure young men in our society can be radicalized into the alt-right movement through social media, it unfortunately just wasn't for me.

Had the book description mentioned the political leaning of the story, I probably wouldn't have picked it up at all. Considering the poor light in which the characters are portrayed, I don't believe the author endorses these hateful philosophies and commend him for his ability to address such difficult subjects. Burner is definitely timely and culturally relevant, but it was tough for me to stomach, given how rampant this rhetoric already is in our society.

It took me far longer than it should have to get through this one, probably because there wasn't a single character I could root for. The main character both thinks and speaks like a high school boy who just got rejected by a girl for the very first time. If I wanted to read the thoughts of egotistical, conservative pseudo-intellectuals, I could have just logged into Reddit or checked Jordan Peterson's Twitter page real quick and saved myself a few hours. I genuinely loathed Shane, but my hope for his eventual demise kept me reading.

I really enjoyed the formatting—Burner oscillates between rotating narrators, case documents, and court transcripts with ease. This style of structuring can often lead to confusion, but Trigg executed it flawlessly.

All in all, this one may not have been my favorite, but I give Trigg credit for how well he researched the locations and subject matter. I honestly think it was perhaps just a bit too real for me, considering my ever-present dread about how quickly alt-right ideology is spreading in the US. At the same time, the fact that the book heightened my anxiety around the subject is clearly a testament to how effectively Trigg executed the story. I'd call it a job well done!

Thanks to NetGalley & SparkPress for the ARC!

This book started really good but then it got repetitive. It was hard to read with all the different scenarios. There were letters, real conversations, emails, online communication…so the format got a little confused. I did like how it showed how one persons online opinion can change a whole political movement.

Loved this book! I posted my review to IG and GRs already. And sent to the publisher via email. Great story. Anxiety inducing. Loved the characters

This book was definitely not for me but I gave my copy to my dad and he adored it! He keeps trying to get me to reread it now!

Thank you Mike Trigg and TLC Book Tours for an advance reader copy, and NetGalley for the widget. All views are mine.

I enjoyed this book - particularly the different style some chapters were in (such as articles, documents and POV’s). Fast paced with great character development.

This book was innovative and sparks conversations about politics, religion and the environment.
However I did find it very slow paced and it felt as though it was dragging.
I can see what the author intended, but for me, it didn't quite flow.

Imagine if your addiction to social media put the person you love at risk.

This gripping fictional read feels like a true crime story, especially with its use of mixed media elements like court transcripts, text messages, and letters. The contemporary thriller delves into themes of political misinformation, toxic online communities, and the impact of technology - almost giving off cult-like vibes, which feel incredibly relevant in today's society.

The book excels in character development, providing deep insights into each character's background. With multiple points of view that cleverly intertwine, the narrative is engaging and cohesive.

Featuring short, compelling chapters and immersive mixed media elements, I found myself unable to put this book down. Its well-crafted, unique style makes it a standout read that I highly recommend exploring.

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for the ARC!

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book held so much potential, however while the premise seemed exciting, the writing was not.

A Political thriller with a focus on the use of technology and social media should be a quick attention grab full of twists and turns but instead we are met with lacklustre writing, a plot full of cliches and characters that are impossible to root for.

Unfortunately I didn't finish this read. The point of view and the back and forth were difficult to follow. Additionally, it never really grabbed my attention to what the storyline was trying to get to. It was extremely hard to get into, so I shelved this one after many attempts.

Thank you SparkPress and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book. I really enjoyed this book and definitely recommend it. Love how it's has multiple people telling this story.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

In the heart of Silicon Valley's digital battleground, Mike Trigg's "Burner" emerges as a contemporary thriller that encapsulates the essence of our technology-driven zeitgeist. The novel is a labyrinthine journey through the consequences of our online obsessions, where the lines between reality and virtual personas blur, leading to a crisis of identity, trust, and truth.

The story unfolds with Shane Stoller, the alleged mastermind behind the infamous online profile Burner_911, arrested for domestic terrorism. His secret lover, Chloe Corbin, daughter of a tech mogul, finds herself abducted amidst a chaotic uprising spurred by Burner_911's followers. What ensues is a harrowing tale of love, regret, and the desperate quest for redemption.

Trigg's narrative is a masterclass in tension and pace, weaving a tragic love story into a psychological thriller that delves deep into the politically charged disinformation and toxic internet subcultures. The author's background in Silicon Valley lends authenticity to the depiction of a society grappling with the ramifications of distorted online identities.

The characters are meticulously crafted, with their development unfolding in a manner that is both believable and compelling. Shane's transformation from a voice of populist dissent to a figure of regret is particularly striking, as is Chloe's evolution from a victim to a conspirator. Their relationship, a microcosm of the novel's broader themes, is a poignant commentary on the search for belonging and purpose in an age where online interactions often replace genuine human connections.

"Burner" is not just a thriller; it's a mirror held up to our current world, reflecting the dark underbelly of the digital age. It's a cautionary tale that questions the very fabric of our society, where movements can be born and die in the span of a tweet, and where love and truth become casualties in the war for clicks and likes.

In conclusion, "Burner" is a gripping read that offers more than just edge-of-your-seat suspense—it provides a thought-provoking examination of the personal and societal costs of our digital lives. Mike Trigg has penned a novel that is both timely and timeless, a must-read for anyone who has ever questioned the impact of their online footprint on the world around them.

Thank you Netgalley and Sparkpress for the ARC!

Synopsis: Shane Stoller is arrested under the accusation of being burner_911, the social media account leading a populist movement that has gone too far. When the person he loves is kidnapped, he is forced to see the consequences of his social media addiction.

My thoughts: I wasn’t sure what to expect with this book but I knew I wanted to read it when I saw it was about a technology-obsessed culture. Content-wise, it was very different for me, being my first political thriller. Some of the concepts about finance and the stock market were pretty foreign to me but I was still able to follow the story pretty easily. I always love when a book is told in unique formatting and Trigg delivered with court transcripts, media stories, text messages, and social media posts. The ending was a complete shock and oh so clever!! It was like a gut-punch but it just made sense👏🏻 I think this will be a win for those who enjoy political thrillers!

Ripped from the headlines or ripped from the cliches? I went back and forth on this one but I just didn't find myself really going along with this ride.

Some part of me loves political thrillers, though I am not overly political by nature. Maybe it's a bit of an alter ego thing for me, but Burner by Mike Trigg was just the book I needed to feed this portion of my soul!

This plot is an extremely well executed game of cat and mouse; it is Aladdin and Robin Hood for a digital age. As Trigg says in his acknowledgements, this was a Rubik's Cube for him to write, and it unfolds so perfectly with each move towards the solution for the reader.

Shortly after receiving my physical copy, I flipped through the book, saw the pages in different fonts and formats, and instantly thought: "oh, this is going to be fun!" This story is pieced together as a magpie collection of three different first-person accounts, newspaper articles, transcripts and social media posts. As the story was well explained, the plot never once became too big, and never provided redundant information; kudos to Trigg for this accomplishment! (Stylistically I loved how the right-hand page always had a heading to show whose perspective or article was being voiced, creating absolutely no confusion while reading.)

Now, do I love the outcome? That moment when I gasped and my heart plummeted to the floor, I lost part of the mounting hope I had. But does this outcome make sense? Yes, absolutely! And in retrospect there is no other feasible ending for these characters. So, it’s a brilliant outcome!

Other highlights:
-vigilante justice
-"other"
-on trend
-freedom of speech, freedom to believe what one wants, and not be told by those in power what is wrong or right
-American Dream
-digital fingerprint

If you enjoyed the Millennium trilogy by Stieg Larsson, absolutely give this one a try!

Five huge stars to Trigg and his second thriller, Burner!

Thank you NetGalley, Book Sparks and SparkPress for the complimentary copies to read and review.

Full disclosure: if I had read the summary of this book before choosing to read it....I probably wouldn't have picked it up. But let me just say....I am really glad I went in blind!

Shane's one goal really resonates throughout the entire book. He wants economic fairness, a redistribution of wealth. There are multiple times that support characters try to force his beliefs to one side or the other, and Shane is adamant that his cause and his plan are NOT political. Conservative or Liberal, everyone can believe in his plan. Chloe believes in his plan.

Shane is arrested for (among other things) inciting an alt-right violent protest that threatened public safety and caused unreal economic upset. When a cell among his followers attempt to take matters in their own hands, Shane's secret girlfriend (and billionaire's daughter) Chloe is kidnapped. Shane needs to make sure he is safe, but he is cut off from technology and his online platform. Chaos ensues.

There is a lot of technological jargon in here, be warned. That being said, Mike Trigg makes it very easy to understand via context clues. Also, there are multiple medias explored....from court transcripts and press releases to blog posts and text threads. Again, very easy to follow so don't let that scare you away!

Thank you SparkPress, Mike Trigg, and Netgalley for the advanced copy!

This book is definitely a type of thriller I wouldn’t have reached for originally, but I enjoyed it. I loved the setup, including courtroom transcripts, and back and forth conversations. It was a good commentary on social media and how it influences the influencer and how it can get out of control. Definitely recommend!

So, unless Mr. S.A Cosby decides to drop a surprise book that I don’t know about this year and happens to be amazing, Burner by Mike Brigg might be my favorite action thriller of the year. From the first page, I was sucked in. I needed answers and I needed them right there. The stakes were HIGH! The subject matter is chef kisses because we are closer to that type of environment than we think. The multiple media used in this book was necessary and insightful on the different stakeholders when it comes to things like that. Especially on the year 2024 where this mass corporations are being exposed and how everyday social media censors us more everyday. How sometimes we might be so hyper fixated with a cause without knowing how our actions and words might be taken to an extreme. This book is relevant to our times. A MUST READ

Thank you NetGalley and SparksPress for this copy. I really enjoyed this book! I was a little hesitant at first but was surprised at how into it I got. This book reminds me a lot of Jan 6 insurrection, has major cult vibes, talks a lot about political issues, and world views. If you have any knowledge of the stock market or are entertained by it I think you will really enjoy this book. I loved the setting, mainly because I am also from the San Francisco Bay Area and know the Central Valley area really well so it was cool to feel like I knew where everything was. There are some plot twists that you don’t expect which makes the story something you don’t want to put down. I loved how this book was written, like a true crime documentary but book style. It was tricky to read over kindle so I recommend picking up a book copy for sure! The text was fun as it was like court transcripts, emails, letters, interviews, news articles, etc. The characters are really interesting and I like how in depth Trigg went with their background so you really understood them and their viewpoints which was important for the story. Overall a great read!

Brilliant! This story blew my mind. It was so well written, and so relevant to the times, but also just a unique version of things. I love the perspective this comes from, and the court transcripts just made it that much better! I love the unexpected ending! The whole book kind of had a modern Romeo And Juliet twist to it. Just amazing! I will be thinking about this one for a long time! I can't wait to see what else this amazing author comes up with.
"That is all you need is BELIEF."
-Anonymous

Thank you to Netgalley, Mike Trigg, and Spar Press for an early release of this book.

Not my usual genre of book but I really enjoyed this one!! Full of twists and turns and an unexpected ending. Kept you guessing throughout what was going to happen, not a predictable storyline at all