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melaniesw13's review
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
heathercottledillon's review
3.0
"Insignia" starts slowly, and it took me awhile to get into it. I also had trouble following some of the ideas behind the technology. By the end, though, I couldn't put the thing down. What's more fun than remote-controlled warships battling it out in outer space? I think the story would be better if the first half was shorter, but it's definitely a solid pick for fans of action with a bit of humor thrown in, too.
ranforingus's review against another edition
5.0
I am in love with this book!
At first, the premise reminded me a lot of Ender's Game (another lurve of mine) and it kinda stayed that way during the story, but it's a the-same-but-different-story if that makes any sense.
I love what the author did with the neuroprocessors and the fact that they can be exploited (which was the first thing that popped into my head when they said 'computer in your brain').
My favorite characters are Blackburn (more than slightly crazy, traumatized veteran) and Wyatt Enslow (love the fact that the author included a non-neurotypical person in the story and made her believable instead of disabled).
Elliot Ramirez came close to being third at first, but because he was actually as wholesome as everyone thought, my interest faded a bit (I have a huge weak spot for broken characters, and I'm still holding out hope that he's not as perfect in the next books, but we'll see...)
The plot kicked off very early in the book and kept going strong with just enough breathers in between to make for a fantastically enjoyable read.
There were times I cringed for the characters, got angry on their behalf, times I laughed out loud (garnering more than a few weird looks from fellow train passengers) and times where I was simply drifting on the plot, trying to guess where it would take me next and just taking it all in.
All in all, I can't wait to start Vortex :D
At first, the premise reminded me a lot of Ender's Game (another lurve of mine) and it kinda stayed that way during the story, but it's a the-same-but-different-story if that makes any sense.
I love what the author did with the neuroprocessors and the fact that they can be exploited (which was the first thing that popped into my head when they said 'computer in your brain').
My favorite characters are Blackburn (more than slightly crazy, traumatized veteran) and Wyatt Enslow (love the fact that the author included a non-neurotypical person in the story and made her believable instead of disabled).
Elliot Ramirez came close to being third at first, but because he was actually as wholesome as everyone thought, my interest faded a bit (I have a huge weak spot for broken characters, and I'm still holding out hope that he's not as perfect in the next books, but we'll see...)
The plot kicked off very early in the book and kept going strong with just enough breathers in between to make for a fantastically enjoyable read.
There were times I cringed for the characters, got angry on their behalf, times I laughed out loud (garnering more than a few weird looks from fellow train passengers) and times where I was simply drifting on the plot, trying to guess where it would take me next and just taking it all in.
All in all, I can't wait to start Vortex :D
ninjakiwi12's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
medium-paced
3.5
Fun(ny) fact(s): Fitting to finish this book on STAR WARS DAY!
Favorite quote/image: "The last thing this world needs is to shelter its fools." (Ch. 7)
Honorable mention: "All the killer instinct in the world won't get you anywhere if you're not willing to play the social game. There's not a person in history who achieved greatness without choking back some pride, without ever smiling at someone they despise, without playing along even if they hated the very idea of it." (Ch. 23)
Why: This book juggles the task of being a YA sci-fi (complete with romance and school drama) while also offering a nuanced view of the consequences of a world with computers installed in our brains and a global society governed by the privileged oligarchic few. I was impressed the first time I read Insignia 10 years ago, and I remain so today.
Favorite quote/image: "The last thing this world needs is to shelter its fools." (Ch. 7)
Honorable mention: "All the killer instinct in the world won't get you anywhere if you're not willing to play the social game. There's not a person in history who achieved greatness without choking back some pride, without ever smiling at someone they despise, without playing along even if they hated the very idea of it." (Ch. 23)
Why: This book juggles the task of being a YA sci-fi (complete with romance and school drama) while also offering a nuanced view of the consequences of a world with computers installed in our brains and a global society governed by the privileged oligarchic few. I was impressed the first time I read Insignia 10 years ago, and I remain so today.
leafblade's review
5.0
///ESPAÑOL///
No sé qué decir.
El mundo creado es buenísimo. Los personajes también. Profundos, bien escritos, con cambios de humor humanos y para nada perfectos. Nunca había leído nada del Pentágono. Medusa es un personaje excelente, y es la única cosa que me recuerda (bastante) a Ready Player One. Aunque la verdad es que creí que todo Insignia iba a ser una copia de este, pero para nada. Me lo leí en muy poco tiempo, y lo disfruté muchísimo. No puedo esperar para empezar Vortex.
///ENGLISH///
I don't know what to say.
The world where the story takes place is perfect. The characters, too. Deep, well written, with realistic mood changes, and who are not even close to perfection. I've never read anything about the Pentagon. Medusa is an excellent character, and it's the only thing that reminds me (a little bit too much) to Ready Player One. Although the truth is that I though that Insignia as a whole was going to be a copy of RPO, but it wasn't. I read it so fast, and I enjoyed it a lot. I can't wait to start reading Vortex.
No sé qué decir.
El mundo creado es buenísimo. Los personajes también. Profundos, bien escritos, con cambios de humor humanos y para nada perfectos. Nunca había leído nada del Pentágono. Medusa es un personaje excelente, y es la única cosa que me recuerda (bastante) a Ready Player One. Aunque la verdad es que creí que todo Insignia iba a ser una copia de este, pero para nada. Me lo leí en muy poco tiempo, y lo disfruté muchísimo. No puedo esperar para empezar Vortex.
///ENGLISH///
I don't know what to say.
The world where the story takes place is perfect. The characters, too. Deep, well written, with realistic mood changes, and who are not even close to perfection. I've never read anything about the Pentagon. Medusa is an excellent character, and it's the only thing that reminds me (a little bit too much) to Ready Player One. Although the truth is that I though that Insignia as a whole was going to be a copy of RPO, but it wasn't. I read it so fast, and I enjoyed it a lot. I can't wait to start reading Vortex.
katykelly's review
4.0
Very good. Fantastic idea, lots of laugh-out-loud moments, good character development. Hope this gets a wide teenage audience.
tequila_'s review
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
thebrainlair's review
3.0
Some books you shouldn't analyze. Just read and move on. Im giving this a 3 because the premise is a good one. I just couldn't get behind the execution. Too many hoops to jump through to get from point A to point B. Too many implausible scenarios. Too much telling instead of showing meaning I never had to engage. I may have liked it more if it wasn't a Batty About Books pick. I may re-visit at a later date and read nonstop and see if that changes things.