Vortex (Insignia Trilogy) - Softcover

S J Kincaid

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1471400425 ISBN 13: 9781471400421

Publisher: BBC AUDIO, 2013

Synopsis

Tom is back for more action-packed adventure!Now in his second year as a superhuman cadet-in-training, Tom's been promoted to a mid-level member of the elite training corps known as Camelot Company, or CamCo. As training intensifies and the moment arrives to impress the multinational corporations who will make or break the cadets' careers, Tom finds himself drawn into a power struggle that's more dramatic - and with far higher stakes - than anything he ever imagined. There are nefarious new enemies to outwit, old friendships that take on new faces, a romance that Tom is encouraged to betray, and an increasing desire on Tom's behalf to demand nothing less than 'justice for all' - even if he sabotages his own future in the process. But what will his idealism cost? Filled with camaraderie, wit, action and intelligence, the second book in S. J. Kincaid's futuristic trilogy continues to explore fascinating and timely questions about power, politics, technology, loyalty and friendship.

About this title

About the Author

US author S. J. Kincaid originally wanted to be an astronaut, but she decided to become a full-time writer after spending a year studying in Edinburgh and living next to a haunted graveyard. However, after writing many novels and having had no sucess in finding a publisher for any of them, S. J. decided she would write one more, then give up for good. That last book turned out to be the phenomenally popular INSIGNIA, and she hasn't looked back since. Follow S. J. Kincaid at www.sjkincaid.com or on Twitter: @SJKincaidBooks

From the Back Cover

The impossible was just the beginning. Now in their second year as superhuman government weapons-in-training at the Pentagonal Spire, Tom and his friends are midlevel cadets in the elite combat corps known as the Intrasolar Forces. But as training intensifies and a moment arrives that could make or break his entire career, Tom's loyalties are again put to the test.

Encouraged to betray his ideals and friendships for the sake of his country, Tom is convinced there must be another way. And the more aware he becomes of the corruption surrounding him, the more determined he becomes to fight it, even if he sabotages his own future in the process.

Drawn into a power struggle more dramatic than he has ever faced before, Tom stays a hyperintelligent step ahead of everyone, like the exceptional gamer he is—or so he believes. But when he learns that he and his friends have unwittingly made the most grievous error imaginable, Tom must find a way to outwit an enemy so nefarious that victory seems hopeless. Will his idealism and bravado cost him everything—and everyone—that matters to him?

Filled with action and intelligence, camaraderie and humor, the second book in S. J. Kincaid's futuristic World War III Insignia trilogy continues to explore fascinating and timely questions about power, politics, technology, loyalty, and friendship.

Reviews

Gr 8 Up-In this sequel to Insignia (HarperCollins, 2012), Tom Raines still has many lessons to learn about politics in the Intrasolar Forces. Back at the Pentagonal Spire, he and his friends continue their training as superhuman government-weapons-in-training. Even though he has been promoted from Plebe to Middle, Tom knows he will need one of the multinational corporations to sponsor him if he ever wants to advance to Combatant. Unfortunately, after a series of disastrous meet and greets with the corporate VIPs, Tom alienates them all, severely damaging his prospects. The teen persists in furthering his friendship with the lead enemy fighter, Medusa. He's offered a chance to redeem himself and gain sponsorship through Obsidian Corp., but at Medusa's expense. And he's starting to suspect that when he and his friends unscrambled a fellow classmate's neural processor, they made a very bad choice. This action-packed novel delivers intrigue right out of the gate. Tom and his friends' interactions and dialogue are more natural and believable than in the first book, making these characters more memorable. There are still moments of forced dialogue, and some characters are over-the-top. However, readers who endured the length of the first entry will enjoy the action of this installment and will eagerly anticipate the next.-Kelly Jo Lasher, Middle Township High School, Cape May Court House, NJα(c) Copyright 2013. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Elite teen-soldier Tom Raines is back in Kincaid’s popular Insignia sci-fi series, still battling the bad guys (aka his corporate bosses). Trained as superhuman war machines, Tom and his fellow cadets at the Pentagonal Spire are now in their second year of waging technobattle for WWIII as part of the Intrasolar Forces. Recruited for their smarts and hacking skills, the cadets maneuver through academic life, social standings, gamer-like battle skills, and the often changing rules of how to not only get ahead but, sometimes, stay alive in a world now divided through financial lines demarcated by the giant corporations that run things. A slow start may hamper some fans, though most will push through until the action again rises and the pace becomes more breathless. Tom is more self-confident in this follow-up—to the point of an arrogance that may turn off some readers—but his costly mistakes turn into lessons that may redeem him. Vortex is ultimately a technological, high-concept boarding-school tale and a mostly strong contribution to the trilogy. HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: Insignia (2012), the debut novel in this trilogy, has already been optioned by 20th Century Fox. A huge marketing campaign is planned for this one. Grades 8-12. --Julie Trevelyan

Edition details

• Publisher: BBC AUDIO
• Publication date: 2013
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1471400425
• ISBN 13: 9781471400421
• Binding: Paperback