Booklife Review

This of-the-moment political thriller from Trigg (author of Bit Flip) imagines a populist movement grown too big, too volatile, and its erstwhile founder, Shane Stoller, aka Burner_911, arrested on charges of inciting a riot and terrorism when his posts lead to a San Francisco uprising that’s part Occupy Wall Street and part January 6. For two years, Shane has posted manifestoes with lines like “Time to rebel against the exploitation of the Marxist deep state. Time to TAKE WHAT BELONGS TO YOU!” To his dismay, people didn’t just heed him—they rioted, and now he finds himself with a group of militants he cannot control, a lawyer who may not be serving his best interests, and a girlfriend he cannot live without. Prosecution is seeking the death penalty for the charges against him while girlfriend Chloe is kidnapped by the militants allegedly loyal to Shane's online personality.

Both Shane and Chloe must find a way back to each other so that each may save the other, while those around them grapple with the power vacuum created when Burner_911 is no longer able to lead those whom he has incited to violence. Trigg’s searing, all-too-believable novel reads like a gripping true-crime story, complete with documentary evidence (news reports, comment threads, right-wing chat shows, court transcripts). Trigg demonstrates a deep understanding of business, the stock market, trolling and social-media addiction (“Without followers, I’m neutered. My purpose is stolen. My reason for being is gone,” Shane laments early on), and the modern intersection of technology, populism, and terrorism, drawing inspiration from movements like MAGA, the GameStop short squeeze, and more.

For all the novel’s outrage and resonance, readers can expect to be pulled in quickly, as Trigg’s assured narration and brisk pacing surge through the tantalizing mystery of how Shane’s posts led to this dangerous present. Those who can’t bring themselves to indulge alt-right punditry will find it a challenge to get to know Shane, though through this complex, compelling figure Trigg suggests that calls for financial justice may be able to unite a divided people.

Takeaway: Gripping, alarming thriller of a populist facing his movement grown violent.

Comparable Titles: Evette Davis’s 48 States, Cory Doctorow.

Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A