From a Teen’s Perspective: My talented uncle — an author — pens new novel

A few years ago, after an extensive, successful career in tech, my uncle Mike (pictured) took a leap of faith and pursued writing full time. I was so thrilled to have a professional writer in the family. Watching him tirelessly hone his craft and materialize complex stories seemingly out of thin air encouraged me to continue my own writing.

In 2022 Mike released his first book, Bitflip, a genre-bending “corporate thriller.” Now, his second book, Burner, is coming out in less than a week, and you can pre-order it here.

I had been looking forward to Burner ever since Mike first shared his idea for the novel. Without spoiling too much, the book focuses on two young adults caught up in the dangers of a modern world driven by rapid advancements in technology, wealth inequality, and political extremism.

Shane Stoller is in prison for his alleged leadership of a populist movement that just staged a riot in San Francisco. Chloe Korbin is an Instagram influencer who was kidnapped in that riot. However, she’s also Shane’s secret girlfriend. Each partner in this star-crossed romance attempts to exonerate themselves and save the other, all while dealing with the powerful forces of industry, wealth, and government.

I read the entire book in three days, practically glued to the page as I absorbed the enthralling narrative. As a stand alone work of literature, it’s brilliant — engaging and clever, technical yet accessible, and above all, original.

But Burner’s true strength lies in its context. Many of the storylines base themselves in recent history, like the 2008 Financial Crisis and the rise of social media influencers. Momentous events in the narrative mirror those from real life, including the GameStop short squeeze and the Jan. 6 insurrection.

It’s fascinating to explore Burner’s alternate timeline where the same phenomena we see in America today — like under-regulated tech industries, growing class divides, and violent extremist groups — bubble over into apocalyptic civil unrest. The way I see it, Burner is an investigation into the history of America’s economy, industry, and government—and how we arrived at a point of extreme discord.

I am incredibly proud of Mike for writing his second book. However, I am even more impressed that he had the courage and insight to write a novel that offers more than just entertainment value. It is difficult enough to understand the current state of our nation, yet Mike captures and synthesises it into a compelling story that examines the very values and legacy of the United States.

This book does exactly what good fiction should — it shares a captivating narrative that illuminates deep truths about the real world. I recommend this book to anyone interested in economics, politics, and technology, or anyone just looking for a great read. I especially recommend this book to teenagers like me who must learn to navigate the complicated world of ever-advancing technology, political polarization, and socioeconomic tension that Burner so aptly reflects.

Got any topics you want me to cover? Email dylanclarklanier@gmail.com with your requests!

Dylan Lanier is a senior at Menlo-Atherton High School; his column appears weekly.

Author (and uncle) Mike Trigg photographed at Fremont Park by Linda Hubbard (c) 2022