Part sci-fi, part mystery and all parts thrilling, Chicago author Marcus Sakey’s Brilliance tells the story of a future where 1% of the population are “brilliants” due to some unique ability and/or intelligence. A small percentage of these brilliants—also known as “abnorms”—present a threat. One particular brilliant shook up the stock market and destabilized the global economy. How does the majority of society and the government respond to these talented few? With fear and control. A government agency, the Department of Analysis and Response (DAR), is set up to study and acclimate these children in government run academies. Nick Cooper, a brilliant who can read people’s movement before they move (an obvious advantage in combat), is part of the Equitable Response Unit of the DAR and is charge of capturing rogue “abnorms” who pose a threat to society. That is until the other side gets a hold of him and his own daughter is about to be sent to one of the government academies for “brilliants.”