Catalyst: Review

Synopsis:

The explosive conclusion to the series reviewers have likened to Ender’s Game and “Hogwarts-in-Space”
This exhilarating, explosive, and heartrending conclusion to the Insignia trilogy brings Tom and his intelligent, passionate, and brave young friends stunning tests and dangerous confrontations and through to an impossible future they could never have predicted.

Tom Raines and his friends are eager to return to the Pentagonal Spire to continue training for the elite Intrasolar Forces, but they soon discover troubling changes: strict new regulations and the revelation that the Spire is under new military control. What begins as an irritating adjustment soon reveals a dangerous shift in reality. Those now in control are aligned with corporate sponsors and their ruthless agendas. And when the military academy begins welcoming new cadets with suspicious neural processors, the first step in a plan with horrifying worldwide ramifications, Tom is desperate to stop it, even if that means keeping secrets from his closest allies.

Then a mysterious figure, the other ghost in the machine, begins fighting against the corporations, but with methods even Tom finds shocking. And when the enemy comes for Tom, how much can Tom endure in the battle to save himself? He must decide if he can still fight when the odds of success seem to be sliding from his grip.

***

Catalyst puts the "last" to "last stand". I like both Insignia and Vortex, but I'm not in love with it. Catalyst is simply brilliant and impressive. A masterpiece indicating vast improvement from the previous two books. I'm not sure how Kincaid can improve from Vortex, but apparently I should think more highly of this trilogy. The ending is perfect. And totally well-earned.

Things are already tense when Catalyst begins. Tom is under watch - more so than ever. Someone is out there trying to use him for his own nefarious ends. Stakes build up when Tom and his friends discovers their terrifying plans. The odds are stacking against him. I love when this book is not all action and fighting. There are a lot of them, sure. And I'm really thrilled. But what's truly amazing in this book are mind battles. Tom is fighting himself. The struggles are intense and nerve-wrecking. I mean, I've lost all time sense when that part begins. That's how messed-up (in an exhilarating way) these mind wars are. This book is not just about wits and street-smartness anymore. It's willpower in a pure form.

A lot of things have changed in this book. More so than I could ever imagine, when the book starts a short time after the events in Vortex. It's full of twists and turns. And I'm truly impressed. I'm not impressed easily, in my own perspective. I always like to find plot holes or flaws. But I can find none in Catalyst. It's a fine and satisfactory last installment of a trilogy. I don't know why this trilogy doesn't get more recognition and attention. It's totally underrated.

I love every single second of me reading this book. This is a nice ride with the sci-fi trilogy.

Rating: 9/10

Cover Reveal: Catalyst by S.J. Kincaid

Oh my god it's actually here! The cover for Catalyst! And the summary as well. It's almost too good to be true.

Synopsis:

The explosive conclusion to the series reviewers have likened to Ender’s Game and “Hogwarts-in-Space”

This exhilarating, explosive, and heartrending conclusion to the Insignia trilogy brings Tom and his intelligent, passionate, and brave young friends stunning tests and dangerous confrontations and through to an impossible future they could never have predicted.

Tom Raines and his friends are eager to return to the Pentagonal Spire to continue training for the elite Intrasolar Forces, but they soon discover troubling changes: strict new regulations and the revelation that the Spire is under new military control. What begins as an irritating adjustment soon reveals a dangerous shift in reality. Those now in control are aligned with corporate sponsors and their ruthless agendas. And when the military academy begins welcoming new cadets with suspicious neural processors, the first step in a plan with horrifying worldwide ramifications, Tom is desperate to stop it, even if that means keeping secrets from his closest allies.

Then a mysterious figure, the other ghost in the machine, begins fighting against the corporations, but with methods even Tom finds shocking. And when the enemy comes for Tom, how much can Tom endure in the battle to save himself? He must decide if he can still fight when the odds of success seem to be sliding from his grip.

***

Expected Publication: October 28, 2014 (WHAT? That's too far away!!!)

Vortex: Review

Synopsis:

The impossible was just the beginning. Now in their second year as superhuman government weapons-in-training at the Pentagonal Spire, Tom Raines and his friends are mid-level 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.

***

Overall this book is just as good as Insignia. But the first few chapters of Vortex makes me feel a tad detached from the storyline, while the chapters after that is like the most addicting thing in the world.

In this book, Tom is trained as a Middle, anticipating someone to sponsor him and pave his way to being a Combatant at CamCo. Unfortunately not only his promotion to the Upper Company looks grim, there are tons of people who don't want him to be promoted. After a sequence of events that are life-changing, Tom and his friends are facing the impossible, ready to outwit an enemy that is nearly impossible to be beaten.

There's a lot of action in this book and I love most of them. Like some of the outerspace scenes in various parts of the book. Tension is built much higher than in Insignia, especially when someone with so much power and money is out there trying to control you or put you into endless misery. The sidekicks are really nice and they can surely add more fuel to our anticipation. There are also some very beautifully-written scenes like Tom seeing the Earth from the outerspace.

The best part of the book is the characters. They have strong personalities and each of them has their own flaws. They don't hide their imperfections and they have a view of their own. Of all the characters, I like Wyatt and Tom most. Wyatt, because she's smart and funny in her own way. Tom, because even with his obvious imperfections, he's still loyal to his friends and Medusa. Both of them are lively characters and most importantly, they are honest and they don't bother to hide their flaws.

Insignia is one of those books that when you read them, you might not spot anything remarkable. But when you finish the whole thing and think all the way back, you will realize the brilliance of the story and the background.

Rating: 7.5/10

Allies: Review

Synopsis:

In S. J. Kincaid’s fast-paced and humorous sci-fi Insignia trilogy, the earth is in the middle of World War III when teen gamer Tom Raines is recruited to train with other young cadets as a pivotal member of the elite combat corps, the Intrasolar Forces. At the Pentagonal Spire’s training academy, he makes the best friends of his life—fellow government weapons-in-training Wyatt Enslow, Vik Ashwan, and Yuri Sysevich.

In this 47-page prequel novella to the series, budding genius Wyatt Enslow—intensely loyal and hyperintelligent if occasionally, hilariously, socially awkward—takes center stage as S. J. Kincaid reveals Wyatt’s life before she found her place, and her own inner strength, among her devoted band of friends at the Spire.

Praise for Insignia: "The characters are real, funny, and memorable. You won’t be able to put this book down."—Veronica Roth, New York Times bestselling author of Divergent

***

Allies features Wyatt Enslow, the socially-awkward girl we know in Insignia. In this short novella, we get to know more about the Wyatt before being recruited and her life at the Spire. We also get to know how she was treated before and in the Spire and how she become friends with Wik and Yuri. 

Besides the social-weirdness and straight-forward honesty, Wyatt remains a mystery to me... until Allies. She's one of my favorite characters in Insignia, and getting to know more about this female character is rather interesting. We also get to know more about the dark sides of the Spire and the salvation for Wyatt, which is Vik and Yuri. There are also some scenes between Wyatt and Tom that you read in Insignia in Wyatt's point of view. I can't help but smile at those scenes because reading those scenes in Wyatt's perspective is refreshing. 

Allies may not be a must-read novella, but it sure is fun to read.

Rating: 7/10

Insiginia: Review

Synopsis:

“Insignia expertly combines humor with a disarming and highly realistic view of the future. The characters are real, funny, and memorable. You won’t be able to put this book down.”— Veronica Roth, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Divergent and Insurgent

The earth is in the middle of WWIII in Insignia, the first entry in S.J. Kincaid’s fast-paced sci-fi adventure trilogy. The planet’s natural resources are almost gone, and the war is being fought to control the assets of the solar system. The enemy is winning.

The salvation may be Tom Raines. Tom doesn’t seem like a hero. He’s a short fourteen-year-old with bad skin. But he has the virtual-reality gaming skills that make him a phenom behind the controls of the battle drones.

As a new member of the Intrasolar Forces, Tom’s life completely changes. Suddenly, he’s someone important. He has new opportunities, friends, and a shot at having a girlfriend. But there’s a price to pay...

***

Just about time. Today is the release day of Vortex, the sequel of Insignia.

Insignia is astonishingly good. After a couple of serious let-down, I don't expect much from Insignia. But this book... it's insane. I'm not an expert of sci-fi novels, but this one is mad cool. When the book first introduced neural processors, I was like "Wow, I didn't see that coming. Can I have one right now?". And all the tech stuff just blows me away. That is completely brilliant and I love this part of the story.

The second part is the humor. There were times where I busted out laughing so hard I got a lot of weird gazes at me. Well, people, you haven't experienced what I just read because the words are crazy clever and witty. Insignia has very strong characters. Rebellious, sharp, smart, funny, endearing... all kinds of characters and all are very real. I love the world that Kincaid created and the characters that I really like.

The only flaw about the book is the slightly slow start. The training part bugs me a little because sometimes I have to read twice in order to catch up (basically that's my problem, not the book's). But then, when things starts to get clear, I cannot put the book down. I'm struck awed by this book. I can't wait to read Vortex and I hope it will be just as clever and well-plotted as Insignia.

Rating: 7.5/10

Gonna Read: July 2013

Yeah! Summer is finally here! Here are the new releases that I wanna read in July. But actually, my summer reads list is far longer than that :D

1. Vortex (Insignia #2) by S.J. Kincaid

Synopsis:

The impossible was just the beginning. Now in their second year as superhuman government weapons-in-training at the Pentagonal Spire, Tom Raines and his friends are mid-level 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.


Expected Publication: July 2, 2013

***

2. The Midnight Heir (The Bane Chronicles Part 4) by Cassandra Clare and Sarah Rees Brennan

Synopsis:

In Edwardian London, Magnus Bane discovers old friends and new enemies—including the son of his former comrade Will Herondale. One of ten adventures in The Bane Chronicles.

Magnus thought he would never return to London, but he is lured by a handsome offer from Tatiana Blackthorn, whose plans—involving her beautiful young ward—are far more sinister than Magnus even suspects. In London at the turn of the century, Magnus finds old friends, and meets a very surprising young man . . . the sixteen-year-old James Herondale.

This standalone e-only short story illuminates the life of the enigmatic Magnus Bane, whose alluring personality populates the pages of the #1 New York Times bestselling series, The Mortal Instruments and The Infernal Devices series. This story in The Bane Chronicles is written by Sarah Rees Brennan and Cassandra Clare.

Expected Publication: July 16, 2013

***

3.  Unwanted by Alivia Anders

 Synopsis:

She would be his freedom.
He would be her price.

In a world overrun with people and narrowing resources, the basis of life has turned to do or die. No longer does the balance of wealth and power apply. A strict split between the rich and poor has made the lines clear- the more money you have, the more power you control.

For seventeen year old Emily Beucant, life is an equal gift and curse. Having grown up pre- Unwanted society, she can still remember the days it was okay to play with children from the other side of the concrete wall, back when her father was still alive, and back when the Unwanted program was used to Mark and hunt criminals, not sign away the lives of ungrateful children or spouses with high insurance collections over their heads.

But since her father's creation of the program, the government has taken control and made it into a lucrative monster. And as Emily is days away from her eighteenth birthday, and handsome inheritance, she will soon see just how badly it is to be Marked.

When her soulless aunt places Emily up to be Marked an Unwanted, she is forced to go on the run from all she has ever known. No where is safe for her, and no one will protect her, least they wish to have the same fate as her. It isn't until she forms a tense, explosive alliance with a former doctor, Ben, that it looks like the tables may turn in her favor. Together they race against those searching for her, desperate to find a way to free her from an early death. But is it too late?

No one is safe.
No one is free.

Expected Publication: July 30, 2013

***

4. Frigid (Frigid #1) by J. Lynn

Synopsis:

For twenty-one-year-old Sydney, being in love with Kyler isn't anything new. They'd been best friends ever since he pushed her down on the playground and she made him eat a mud pie. Somewhere over the years, she fell for him and fell hard. The big problem with that? Kyler puts the 'man' in man-whore. He's never stayed with a girl longer than a few nights, and with it being their last year in college, Syd doesn't want to risk their friendship by declaring her love.

Kyler has always put Syd on a pedestal that was too high for him to reach. To him, she's perfect and she's everything. But the feelings he has for her, he's always hidden away or focused on any other female. After all, Kyler will always be the poor boy from the wrong side of tracks, and Syd will always be the one girl he can never have.

But when they're stranded together at a posh ski resort due to a massive Nor'easter, there's nothing stopping their red-hot feelings for each other from coming to the surface. Can their friendship survive the attraction? Better yet, can they survive at all? Because as the snow falls, someone is stalking them, and this ski trip may be a life-changer in more ways than one.

Expected Publication: July 30, 2013

***

5. Midnight Frost (Mythos Academy #5) by Jennifer Estep

Synopsis:

Here we go again …

Just when it seems life at Mythos Academy can’t get any more dangerous, the Reapers of Chaos manage to prove me wrong. It was just a typical night at the Library of Antiquities — until a Reaper tried to poison me. The good news is I’m still alive and kicking. The bad news is the Reaper poisoned someone else instead.

As Nike’s Champion, everyone expects me to lead the charge against the Reapers, even though I’m still hurting over what happened with Spartan warrior Logan Quinn. I’ve got to get my hands on the antidote fast — otherwise, an innocent person will die. But the only known cure is hidden in some creepy ruins — and the Reapers are sure to be waiting for me there …

Expected Publication: July 30, 2013

Check out my review of Midnight Frost here:  http://smoking-hot-books.blogspot.com/2013/06/midnight-frost-review.html