What if playing computer games could save the world...and the Government's secret weapon was you?

Tom Raines is suddenly recruited into the US Army to train as a virtual reality Combatant to see if he is good enough to help fight World War Three. Equipped with a new computer chip in his brain, it looks as if Tom might actually become somebody. But what happens when you start to question the rules?

In this first part of a fast-paced, futuristic trilogy, S. J. Kincaid asks significant questions concerning the use of technology and the value of life. 20th Century Fox have pre-emptively bought the film rights for the first book in the series.

What if playing computer games could save the world...and the Government's secret weapon was you?

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. Her favourite place to write is her apartment, and she has reverted back to being a lover of print books after a brief flirtation with (and expensive destruction of) an e-reader. Follow S. J. Kincaid at www.sjkincaid.com or on Twitter: @SJKincaidBooks

Reviews
With its mixture of school intrigue and space battles, Insignia reads like a mash-up between The Last Starfighter and Harry Potter. It's exciting ... a good cyber-adventure for teens -- Will Salmon * SFX Magazine *
Alex Rider meets Hogwarts in space in this futuristic action adventure debut! In the first book in this fast-paced and futuristic trilogy, S J Kincaid asks significant questions concerning the use of technology, the value of human life and if games really can save the world -- Julia Eccleshare * Lovereading4kids *
Blending hi-tech science fiction with all the familiar dilemmas of school life, Insignia is an original and entertaining debut novel. SJ Kinkaid rises to the challenge of writing about gaming in an engaging way, asking plenty of timely and thought-provoking questions about the role technology plays in our lives. However, this is ultimately a funny and very readable story about friendship which will particularly appeal to boys: the rebellious but good-hearted outsider Tom makes for an appealing hero * Booktrust's 'books we like for August' *
Insignia is Harry Potter for gamers, with a six-pack of Top Gun thrown in for good measure, and reading it was like playing an incredibly addictive video game - once I started I just couldn't put it down... * Book Zone 4 Boys *
Insignia is definitely going on my top ten favourite books of 2012 * The Book to my Heart *
Insignia completely took my breath away! Guys and girls, geeks and technophobes - everyone is going to love this book! It's absolutely amazing, and one of my favourite books of the year! You must read this book! * Once Upon a Bookcase *
Insignia takes 'boarding school story' to another level; a highlight of its genre. The highly technical World War III set in space, and the remarkable band of young teenagers put at the forefront of the battle, will blow your socks off! * The Pretty Books *
This pacy, thrilling book is the first in a trilogy, but the reader need not worry about cliff-hangers. Every major plot point is satisfactorily resolved, the baddies have been put in their place and Tom is free to look forward to a future which may be precarious but is nonetheless exciting and full of promise. * Bookbag *



Book Information
ISBN 9781471400001
Author S. J. Kincaid
Format Paperback
Page Count 464
Imprint Hot Key Books
Publisher Hot Key Books
Weight(grams) 337g
Dimensions(mm) 198mm * 129mm * 26mm