Insignia
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?
Corporatocracy’s Brave New World
S.J. Kincaid’s Insignia inhabits a frighteningly real future where corporations not nations run the world. In this world, anyone who wants to eat food or drink water, needs to give a cut to this or that company. It is in this milieu that WWIII is not just fought but sold to the citizens of the world. A bloodless war fought in space by remote controlled machines, powered by golden boys and mysterious girls with the aura of sports heroes and rock stars combined provides the only entertainment and rallying point that the huddled, impoverished masses have.
Enter the Outsider
So in this sad world of 1 percenters and those who aspire to be them, it’s rare to find anyone who’s lived off the grid long enough not to have bought into the system. Rare…but not impossible. For Tom Raines’ father, an itinerant gambler, has kept his son isolated in all night vid lounges and in and out of cheesy Vegas clubs. In all that time, Tom’s honed his skills as a gamer and a hustler and it’s these skills that finally that brings him to the attention of the military.
While Tom is good at gaming, he’s tired of the rootless lifestyle of his father. So when he’s offered a prestigious spot at the Pentagonal Spire, he’s interested. Fortunately for him, he has enough skepticism and smarts in him to keep him a player in the new game he finds himself in.
Face-paced, high-energy excitement
Bewitched Rating
Bottom Line
Get your own Audiobook at audible: Title (unabridged, 15hrs 18min)
I loved the audio version of this book! Lincoln Hoppe, the narrator, does a fabulous job with the varied characters, from blonde, genius vixen to Indian Dr. of Doom! With just the right pacing and inflection, the audiobook is a fantastic way to enjoy this superb book!
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I agree that unputdownable is a work. I use it often. I don’t know if I’d like this book, mostly because I’m not a fan of sci fi or dystopia, but from an objective standpoint, it sounds great!
Alison (AlisonCanRead) recently posted..Waiting on Wednesday: Level 2 by Lenore Appelhans
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Alison, no love for Sci fi or dystopian? Have you been disappointed in the past? I feel bad that you’re missing out on two amazing genres!! 🙁
Pushy recently posted..Bewitched Kids Corner {5} Kylie’s Special Treat by Letizia Barbetta
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I think I’d love this one. And I think as an audiobook, as long as I didn’t get lost with who was talking this one would work really well for me. Do you think I’d get lost with voices and who is talking? If not, I’d really like to try this one. I think it sounds incredible. Once again, awesomely fantastic review!
Heather
hrose2931 recently posted..I Can’t Wait For These Books!!! WOW
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Definitely check this audio out, hon!! You won’t get lost in the voices at all! The help make the story more real, like different actors in a movie. I think you’ll love this!
Pushy recently posted..Bewitched Kids Corner {5} Kylie’s Special Treat by Letizia Barbetta
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This book was so far outside of my comfort zone, but I loved it so much! The audio sounds great.
Lori recently posted..Review: Just One Day by Gayle Forman
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Lori, I actually saw that comment from you on Goodreads & I’m so glad you loved this book!! I think it goes to show you can blend genres you’re less comfortable with and those you are comfortable with and get surprising results!
Pushy recently posted..Bewitched Kids Corner {5} Kylie’s Special Treat by Letizia Barbetta
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Oh, I really enjoyed this book! An odd world, so focused on the “war” of-planet and the teens who battle it out every day but I enjoyed the intrigue and the manipulations of the companies sponsoring the war. A fabulous recommendation to any gamers, guys or people who like a great story!
Mary @ BookSwarm recently posted..Speed Date with dragons: SERAPHINA by Rachel Hartman
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Absolutely true, Mary my dear!! Glad you loved it too!!!!
Pushy recently posted..Bewitched Kids Corner {5} Kylie’s Special Treat by Letizia Barbetta
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I have been trying to get this from my library. Ugh!!! Wonderful review. I really want this…
Jenea @ Books Live Forever recently posted..Cover Reveal & Giveaway for Oxford Whispers (The Oxford Trilogy, # 1) by Marion Croslydon
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Ooh! Get on their waiting list of they have one! This is too good to miss!
Pushy recently posted..Bewitched Kids Corner {5} Kylie’s Special Treat by Letizia Barbetta
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So glad you enjoyed this! I was impressed – I wasn’t expecting to like it quite so much! I really feel like any age could read it and enjoy!
Brittany @ The Book Addict’s Guide recently posted..The Sea of Tranquility – Katja Millay
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Agreed! Any gender, any age; this is just a good book!
Pushy recently posted..Bewitched Kids Corner {5} Kylie’s Special Treat by Letizia Barbetta
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Great review Pushy! I LOVED Insignia so freaking much!! I’m delighted that you did too! I was also a bit worried about the ending.. but it pleasantly surprised me! S.J. Kincaid really rocked it!
Ashley recently posted..Falling Kingdoms by Morgan Rhodes
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Me too!!! And I liked how I was surprised by how she wrapped things up while leaving room for Vortex!
Pushy recently posted..Bewitched Kids Corner {5} Kylie’s Special Treat by Letizia Barbetta
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Unputdownable is most definitely a word (or, at least, it should be by now!). 😉 I’m glad to hear you enjoyed this Pushy. I liked it to and look forward to the next book. Great review!
Sam @ Realm of Fiction recently posted..Review + Giveaway: Falling Kingdoms by Morgan Rhodes
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Thanks, Sam!!!
Pushy recently posted..Bewitched Kids Corner {5} Kylie’s Special Treat by Letizia Barbetta
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I borrowed this one from Lori actually and still need to pick it up. Your review has definitely renewed my interest in it though and I hope to read it really soon!
Candace recently posted..Review: Trapped by Kevin Hearne
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Candace!! Definitely read this!! Lori’s never wrong! 🙂
Pushy recently posted..Bewitched Kids Corner {5} Kylie’s Special Treat by Letizia Barbetta
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O.o I want this, it sounds dark and I love dystopian..thanks for sharing this one Pushy.
Danny, I know you love the new adult genre and I just read a novella called Christmas Kisses that was read hot! I think it’s like .99 cents on B&N and Amazon and I consumed it in a single evening.
kimbacaffeinate recently posted..Fate’s Mirror by M.H. Mead ~review
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My pleasure, k!
Pushy recently posted..Bewitched Kids Corner {5} Kylie’s Special Treat by Letizia Barbetta
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Wow. I mean, I’ve had this on my TBR list for the longest time, and don’t think I could want this more, but I think you’ve just changed my mind. I WANT IT SO MUCH. Insignia, you are now on my NEVER WANTED MORE list.
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Lol!! Glad to help fuel the book love, Grace!!! 😉
Pushy recently posted..Bewitched Kids Corner {5} Kylie’s Special Treat by Letizia Barbetta
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