Review ~ Insignia ~ S.J. Kincaid

 

Title: Insignia
Author: S.J. Kincaid
Released: July 2012
Published by: Hot Key Books
Series: Insignia #1
Source: Publisher

My rating: 4 stars

goodreads says:

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 III. 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?

Gripping and provocative, S. J. Kincaid's futuristic thrill ride of a debut crackles with memorable characters, tremendous wit, and a vision of the future that asks startling, timely questions about the melding of humanity and technology.

Opening line: New town, new casino-same old plan.

Closing line: And he'd definitely never expected to ever have to tell someone, "All right, no killing and eating me, okay? I'm ready to go."

In a nutshell I think the best way to sum up this book is by saying if you loved, and understood, The Matrix then you'll love this book! It's also perfect for any gamers out there, I know my boyfriend would love it!

I wasn't sure what to expect from Insignia because even though I like a good sci-fi film I don't tend to read them but I really enjoyed this story. First off I loved that it comes from a guys point of view, Tom, and secondly he's a really likable character. He's not perfect by any means but you just can't help love him. I found myself feeling sorry for him at the star of the story and could only hope things would get better for him!

There are so many elements to this story and I loved them all. Even though there were hints of possible relationships nothing along those lines happens and it was rather refreshing! I was really intrigued by how the implant showed people information about others and loved that there was a possible spy in the mist. But not everyone is as they seem!!

Kincaid has done an excellent job in creating this high tech world and a world war 3 like you couldn't imagine. The attention to detail is amazing and I really believed in the characters, their stories and what what happening within this story. I know other people had thought this was going to be a one off book but I knew that was going to be more, you could see the story building all the time and I feel like there are still questions to be answered.

I rather like the world which Kincaid has created and I look forward to returning to it with the release of Vortex later in the year.