Insignia by S.J. Kincaid

Name: Insignia (Insignia #1) by S.J. Kincaid.
Pages: 444.
Publication: 10th July 2012/Katherine Tegen Books.
Rating: ✮✮✮✩✩
Buy It: Amazon | Kennys


"More than anything, Tom Raines wants to be important, though his shadowy life is anything but that. For years, Tom’s drifted from casino to casino with his unlucky gambler of a dad, gaming for their survival. Keeping a roof over their heads depends on a careful combination of skill, luck, con artistry, and staying invisible.

Then one day, Tom stops being invisible. Someone’s been watching his virtual-reality prowess, and he’s offered the incredible—a place at the Pentagonal Spire, an elite military academy. There, Tom’s instincts for combat will be put to the test, and if he passes, he’ll become a member of the Intrasolar Forces, helping to lead his country to victory in World War Three. Finally, he’ll be someone important: a superhuman war machine with the tech skills that every virtual-reality warrior dreams of. Life at the Spire holds everything that Tom’s always wanted—friends, the possibility of a girlfriend, and a life where his every action matters—but what will it cost him?"

Review.

Insignia revolves around Tom. He is a gamer and a con with a gambler for a father. Blending in is what Tom does until he gains the attention of the military, something he could only dream. However, it is not as easy as he may think, he has to make big decisions which will affect him for the rest of his life.  

Insignia is a book that you can have no expectations of the story. I had no idea what I was going to read, all I knew was, that I was excited to read it. Did it live up to my excitement? I am not really sure. I enjoyed it. It was well written, with well developed characters but if Kincaid had a more detailed premise explaining the story, would I have read it? I honestly do not know.

Kincaid is one of few writers who has mastered subtly building a story full of details. He has written characters with different personality quirks and distinct personalities but brought together create great conversation, especially between Tom and Vik.

However, the book was nothing what I had expected. Insignia appeals to both male and females. Since Tom is fourteen in the book, it also appeals to the younger masses. However, I felt that Tom is written as being a bit older and I wish he was, maybe sixteen years old instead of fourteen.

Final Thought.

Insignia has what young people want in a science fiction book; futuristic gadgets, humour and action, anguish and a sprinkle of romance.