Catalyst

By: S. J. Kincaid

Narrated by: Lincoln Hoppe

S. J. Kincaid has created a fascinating dystopian world for Insignia, her futuristic science-fiction adventure series perfect for fans of Ender’s Game. Earth is in the middle of WWIII, battling to determine which governments and corporations will control the resources of the solar system.

Teen Tom Raines grew up with nothing, some days without even a roof over his head. Then his exceptional gaming skills earned him a spot in the Intrasolar Forces, the country’s elite military training program, and his life completely changed.

Now in Catalyst, the explosive series conclusion, dangerous changes have come to the Pentagonal Spire where Tom and his friends train. When a mysterious figure starts fighting against the evil corporations’ horrifying plans, but with methods Tom finds shocking, he must decide which side he’s on.

With slim odds of success, is it even worth the fight?

Mind = blown

This book (and series) was So Awsome. With the perspective of a deep thinking futurist, Kincaid manages to ask massive questions such as: if you had access to learn anything instantly, what could you accomplish? Would you help a loved one by sacrificing self? What gives courage in times of helplessness? What is humanity capable of? There was such morbid fascinating psychological manipulation, such a run of friendship and family, such evil and valor... If you like awesome galaxy-grade adventure, this one's for you. Can I have another?

SO GOOD

This was a great ending to the INSIGNA series.
Always kept me wanting more time to listen to!

What an Ending!

Any additional comments?

Catalyst is a fitting closure to the Insignia Trilogy. Everything set up in the first two books, Insignia and Vortex, comes to a head in this book, and Kincaid reveals her hand one card at a time to unfold the master plot that harkens all the way back to book one. It's a masterful accomplishment, and the whole of this book was satisfying to me. Seeing the final growth of Tom, Vikram, Yuri, Wyatt, and the other characters is spectacular. There are still wonderful throwbacks to the beginning of Insignia, in the continued evolution of the gang's inside jokes. Even those jokes, as before, play important roles in the narrative. Kincaid has really demonstrated a deep understanding of character, plot, and storytelling in this final chapter of the trilogy.

I feel like every promise Kincaid made in the beginning has been fulfilled. There aren't any loose ends left untied for me, even ones that were left in book one that I thought were no longer important to the setting and characters. No, Kincaid has thought of everything, and it left me with a feeling of complete gratification. This is a fully complete series, a work done to perfection. Bravo!

Nice finish to a good series

Definitely a series worth reading. The ending might have been a touch saccharine, but overall it was well done.

Great read!

I listened to this whole trilogy in about a week. I loved every book, and like all of the characters and the story, I have recommended it to all of my friends. The only exception I have is this, and it's minor--very minor: it seems S.J. Kincaid is still a developing writer. Her progress is evident throughout each book. She is no doubt developing into a fabulous author. She is about 87.5% there. ...I can't wait to see what comes out next!