I wanted more space battles and a chance for Tom to be extraordinary more often - to prove his critics wrong, to fry Carl with his 'gift.' Instead he spends most of the story defying authority and being subjected to humiliation' bullying and even torture by both students and teachers alike. But no, nearly 75% of the book passed before some real action and intrigue started. I expected all of the lead up, character development and 'getting to know you' segments to last maybe a 1/3 of the book. There are also mean spirited instructors and rival classmates who will stop at nothing to make Harry, I mean Tom's life as miserable as possible. The Harry Potter connection is in the friendships made, mischief and rule breaking, special powers, and how they protect each other from harm. It had new classmates, bullies, class work, training simulations and dialog that is common with teenagers. Much of Insignia started out very much like Enders.

I have read Enders's Gamer by Orson Scott Card three times and still consider it one of the best young adult level scifi books of all time. Harry Potter meets Ender's Game - but falls short 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. 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? Finally, he'll be someone important: a superhuman war machine with the tech skills that every virtual-reality warrior dreams of. 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. Someone's been watching his virtual-reality prowess, and he's offered the incredible - a place at the Pentagonal Spire, an elite military academy. Keeping a roof over their heads depends on a careful combination of skill, luck, con artistry, and staying invisible. For years, Tom's drifted from casino to casino with his unlucky gambler of a dad, gaming for their survival. More than anything, Tom Raines wants to be important, though his shadowy life is anything but that.

Insignia by sj kincaid