Insignia: Volume 1

S. J. Kincaid

July 2012 · Harper Collins

About this eBook

In this science fiction adventure trilogy debut, a teen’s gift for games could help his country win a global war—and also seal his fate.

“You won’t be able to put this book down.” —Veronica Roth, #1 New York Times–bestselling author of the Divergent series

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.

“Hip, high-tech, and hilarious, Insignia made my heart soar and left me with impossible-to-shake questions about technology, reality, and war.” —Rae Carson, author of The Girl of Fire and Thorns

Ratings and reviews

I really didn't think it'd like it. Some of the long WWIII history lessons seemed to be never ending. But I was curious to see how Tom was going to get out of his predicaments. I think Wyatt was my favorite character.

I'm love this book. It gets the job done of making u love some characters and hate some. I haven't actually read it 100 times..YET!

Loved it. It reminds me of Ender's games but better. So futuristic and the main character isn't pretty like most books lol. He is an amazing author and would love to read more of his books

About the author

S. J. Kincaid was born in Alabama, grew up in California, and attended high school in New Hampshire. She also interned for a politician in Washington, DC, and received degrees from universities in Illinois and Ohio, but it was while living beside a haunted graveyard in Edinburgh, Scotland, that she realized she wanted to be a writer. Several years, several manuscripts, and several jobs later, Ms. Kincaid now lives in California, and Catalyst is the conclusion to the Insignia trilogy.