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Brillimous
The very thing that threatens their existence holds the key to their survival.
Earth is underwater. Those who were lucky enough to survive The Sinking now live on the islands that remain. But only the naive believe they’re safe.
Alexander Lumana and the council decide to raise a generation with one goal in survive. Each year, infants are selected to attend Brillimous School of Enlightenment, where, alongside flight training and diplomacy courses, the students are treated with light therapy that rewires their minds and bodies to operate at a level above the rest. The Remaining World regards them as heroes. They consider themselves lucky, chosen. The council views them as little more than pawns.
Now, several years later, Alexander’s daughter Evelyn has stepped into power, and the time has come to put their plan to the test. As Earth begins to crumble, the fate of the human population rests in the hands of Senna Osindile and her nineteen other Brillimous core members. But this is what Senna was made for. Despite long-untold family secrets coming to light, friendship breakdowns, and falling in love, Senna will do whatever it takes to ensure everyone makes it out alive.
Told from the perspective of six unique, relatable, and authentic characters, Brillimous is a story of hope under pressure, life after loss, and the families we find along the way.
The cover image shows a large wave nearly crashing over the school Brillimous. The school is situated on a green, hilly landscape. A cluster of birds soars above the school. In the distance, a large planet glows. Light rays arc across the whole scene, making it feel hopeful despite the ominous wave.
Earth is underwater. Those who were lucky enough to survive The Sinking now live on the islands that remain. But only the naive believe they’re safe.
Alexander Lumana and the council decide to raise a generation with one goal in survive. Each year, infants are selected to attend Brillimous School of Enlightenment, where, alongside flight training and diplomacy courses, the students are treated with light therapy that rewires their minds and bodies to operate at a level above the rest. The Remaining World regards them as heroes. They consider themselves lucky, chosen. The council views them as little more than pawns.
Now, several years later, Alexander’s daughter Evelyn has stepped into power, and the time has come to put their plan to the test. As Earth begins to crumble, the fate of the human population rests in the hands of Senna Osindile and her nineteen other Brillimous core members. But this is what Senna was made for. Despite long-untold family secrets coming to light, friendship breakdowns, and falling in love, Senna will do whatever it takes to ensure everyone makes it out alive.
Told from the perspective of six unique, relatable, and authentic characters, Brillimous is a story of hope under pressure, life after loss, and the families we find along the way.
The cover image shows a large wave nearly crashing over the school Brillimous. The school is situated on a green, hilly landscape. A cluster of birds soars above the school. In the distance, a large planet glows. Light rays arc across the whole scene, making it feel hopeful despite the ominous wave.
466 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 8, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
February 24, 2026
This book was awesome!! I really enjoyed this dystopian and the twists and turns that came with it. love, heartbreak, betrayal and everything else. i cannot wait to read the sequel to see what will happen next!
November 30, 2025
I was lucky enough to receive an early copy of Brillimous, and believe me—you’re going to want to read this one. I’m an avid fantasy/dystopian reader (think Fourth Wing, The Hunger Games, Harry Potter), and this has quickly become one of my new favorites.
The characters are lovable and instantly engaging, but what truly sets this book apart is the writing. Her descriptions are so vivid and beautifully crafted that you feel like you’re living inside the story—seeing every detail, breathing the same air, and feeling the characters’ highs and lows right alongside them. The world-building is stunning, and the pacing kept me hooked from start to finish.
I’ll be anxiously counting down the days until the next book!!
The characters are lovable and instantly engaging, but what truly sets this book apart is the writing. Her descriptions are so vivid and beautifully crafted that you feel like you’re living inside the story—seeing every detail, breathing the same air, and feeling the characters’ highs and lows right alongside them. The world-building is stunning, and the pacing kept me hooked from start to finish.
I’ll be anxiously counting down the days until the next book!!
November 18, 2025
My favorite dystopian books are futuristic and unsettling, but still believable and eerily relatable... and that's exactly what Brillimous is. It invites readers into an exciting adventure to save Earth (or so they think) and introduces you to several characters that you can't help but root for (even long after they're gone...). Brillimous is the perfect blend of Hunger Games meets Harry Potter, and I'm already excited to read the sequel!
November 21, 2025
Brillimous pulls you in from the very first chapter. With compelling characters, unexpected twists (was not prepared to bawl my eyes out!!!), and creative and vivid world-building; I couldn’t put it down.
Dystopian fiction isn’t my most read genre, yet I found myself picking up Brillimous every chance I got. The characters are written so you really get to know them and become invested in their lives and their world - I felt like my real life slipped away as I was pulled into the world of Brillimous.
It’s 5 stars for me and I’m anxiously awaiting the next book!
Dystopian fiction isn’t my most read genre, yet I found myself picking up Brillimous every chance I got. The characters are written so you really get to know them and become invested in their lives and their world - I felt like my real life slipped away as I was pulled into the world of Brillimous.
It’s 5 stars for me and I’m anxiously awaiting the next book!
July 22, 2026
Absolutely phenomenal. I knew nothing about this book before beginning it and wasn’t sure what to expect. From the very first chapter I was hooked. This book gives quite the ride and the POV being from several characters really added to the story. This is a top contender for one of my fav books this year so far. I was so relieved to see there’s a sequel coming (it can’t come soon enough!)
August 5, 2026
Ok, this was one of the best books I've read in a long time! It was really fun, had elements of many familiar books such as the Hunger Games, Divergent and the 100, but was so unique that I couldn't help but be drawn in.
Brillimous is designed to train the people of the Remaining World to survive and help others survive what's to come after Earth inevitably continues to be consumed by the ocean. Here, they're treated with different light waves in order to maximize their health and levelheadedness, while preparing them for anything to happen to them or their teams. We follow a host of characters involved in the structural design of both Brillimous and Kotana, the new planet that they're planning to colonize. But as they progress, they find that secrets are paramount, and sometimes what's meant to help them become heros will turn them into monsters instead.
Brillimous is designed to train the people of the Remaining World to survive and help others survive what's to come after Earth inevitably continues to be consumed by the ocean. Here, they're treated with different light waves in order to maximize their health and levelheadedness, while preparing them for anything to happen to them or their teams. We follow a host of characters involved in the structural design of both Brillimous and Kotana, the new planet that they're planning to colonize. But as they progress, they find that secrets are paramount, and sometimes what's meant to help them become heros will turn them into monsters instead.
December 12, 2025
You’re going to wish the next book was already out!
Brillimous tells the story of a futuristic world in ruin—earth is sinking, people are dying, and the world is in desperate need of hope. Enter Brillimous, a school dedicated to preparing the next generation for the trials they’re going to face by molding their minds and bodies with light therapy. Author Jade Havenaar weaves twists and turns into this boldly inventive story with deft skill, leaving readers laughing, crying (yes, crying!), and turning the page for more. For dystopian, science-fiction, adventure, or YA fans, this book is the perfect fit. I couldn’t put it down.
Brillimous tells the story of a futuristic world in ruin—earth is sinking, people are dying, and the world is in desperate need of hope. Enter Brillimous, a school dedicated to preparing the next generation for the trials they’re going to face by molding their minds and bodies with light therapy. Author Jade Havenaar weaves twists and turns into this boldly inventive story with deft skill, leaving readers laughing, crying (yes, crying!), and turning the page for more. For dystopian, science-fiction, adventure, or YA fans, this book is the perfect fit. I couldn’t put it down.
December 31, 2025
The writing is truly brilliant, with every word perfectly placed to create a vivid and beautiful world that exists both on the pages and in your imagination. The creativity of the story is incredible, with a plot that has it all. The story blends romance, friendship, action, adventure, imagination, and heartbreak in a genuine and moving way. Brillimous drew me in gradually at first, but the deeper I read, the more I found myself rooting for each character in a different way. If you’re looking for a wholesome, immersive book that lets you escape into a world filled with characters you can’t help but love, Brillimous is a perfect choice.
December 16, 2025
Brillimous pulled me in way faster than I expected! The world is super interesting (a sinking planet + a school training kids to save humanity? yes please), but what really kept me reading was the characters and their relationships.
It has action, tension, and some surprisingly emotional moments, and I liked that it asks big questions without feeling preachy. Definitely one of those books that makes you want to talk about it after, tbh the perfect for a book club read!
It has action, tension, and some surprisingly emotional moments, and I liked that it asks big questions without feeling preachy. Definitely one of those books that makes you want to talk about it after, tbh the perfect for a book club read!
December 12, 2025
Brillimous had me hooked from the beginning! Such an interesting concept and all the characters fully captured my heart. It takes the reader on quite the adventure and I couldn’t wait to keep seeing where it would take me next. Unexpected twists and turns that had my jaw on the floor. A fun and exciting read that pulled on my heart strings!
January 9, 2026
LOVED THIS dystopian fiction!! Beautiful writing and character development that left you rooting for reach characters success and not wanting the story to end. Loved the unique perspectives of the 6 characters as it allowed you to clearly see their thought process and get emotionally invested into their lives. Can’t wait for book 2!
August 21, 2026
A Brilliantly Written Engaging Must-Read!
A gripping page-turner that will captivate you from start to finish, leaving you exhilarated and eagerly anticipating its sequel! Fall in love with Senna and all the vibrant characters in this remarkable dystopian adventure as you journey alongside them through personal and planetary struggles!
A gripping page-turner that will captivate you from start to finish, leaving you exhilarated and eagerly anticipating its sequel! Fall in love with Senna and all the vibrant characters in this remarkable dystopian adventure as you journey alongside them through personal and planetary struggles!
January 21, 2026
A captivating storyline and so beautifully written!
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews