Burning Midnight by Will McIntosh (review)

Abstract

Reviewed by: Burning Midnight by Will McIntosh Alaine Martaus McIntosh, Will Burning Midnight. Delacorte, 2016 [320p] Library ed. ISBN 978-0-553-53412-2 $20.99 Trade ed. ISBN 978-0-553-53410-8 $17.99 E-book ed. ISBN 978-0-553-53411-5 $10.99 Reviewed from galleys R Gr. 7-10 Ever since thousands of mysterious colored spheres suddenly appeared around the globe, the world’s economy has revolved around the dwindling supply of these seemingly magical marbles. Seventeen-year-old David “Sully” Sullivan trades these marbles at a local Yonkers flea market, and he’s intrigued when beautiful seventeen-year-old Hunter appears with a rare trade and a natural talent for finding the most well-hidden spheres. Soon the two strike up a partnership, but even as Sully starts falling for Hunter, their friendship is strained by their discovery of a never-before-seen Gold. Rather than sell the priceless sphere, they hit the road, with friends in tow and a marble-hunting billionaire on their trail. With an inventive premise, this sci-fi adventure offers a scavenger hunt story with layers both political and emotional. The detailed backstory and underlying logic are clearly conveyed without dragging down the pace, and the plot manages to twist and surprise. The real strength of the narrative rests with the relationships, though, as old and new, romantic, familial, and platonic connections face tests and betrayals. Ultimately a winning story of friendship in the face of easy money and power, this novel has much to offer the reader who’s up for something new. Copyright © 2016 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois