Catalyst audiobook

Okay so I feel obliged to tell you all that I've been stalking around GoodReads, reading reviews for almost a year now, but this series is what finally got me to create an account so I could post this.THIS SERIES IS AMAZINGI actually just got Insignia yesterday morning after seeing the GoodReads page and finished Vortex about 10 minutes ago. The only reason I ever put the book down was to eat, and even then unwillingly.But anyways, I didn't just come on here to post what an amazing series this is (though that indeed is a big part--THIS SERIES IS AMAZING), let's think about where this final book can go...When I first found out there would only be three books I was thrown. I'd just finished Insignia and I had no idea how Kincaid could wrap this whole thing up in only two more books. I was thinking something like 5 or 6. And now, after finishing Vortex, I still have no idea how she's going to do it. Okay sure things are coming to a head with...well...EVERYTHING, but I still expected to have AT LEAST another two or three more volumes to enjoy the sarcasm and book gripping plot. But then again maybe it's better if she sticks to three and doesn't have to pump out a fluff book. On the other hand though, it sounds like Kincaid signed the trilogy contract from the beginning, so what if she's going to have to squish everything into this last book? I mean, Tom only just got promoted to Upper for god's sake! I'm sure it'll still be amazing though. GOD I CAN'T FLIBBIN WAIT.Alight, let's start with Wyatt and Tom. We've been getting hints about Wyatt's feelings for Tom since the beginning:She shifted her weight and took a few deep breaths, like she was bracing herself for something. Then her dark eyes moved up to Tom's. "Do you think I should be with him?""I can't tell you that.""But you can. Do you think that he's really the one I should go out with? You bet against it. Was there a reason for that?" She was looking at him with an odd intensity. Tom stared back, bemused, and her cheeks grew pink. "I don't want to make a mistake, that's all," she mumbled, looking at the ground. "I just don't want to do the wrong thing here."And again post-Yuri: "Look," [Tom] said, "I was curious about seeing Medusa again after the incursion. We played games and she killed me a lot and stuff. Oh, and Medusa is a girl. Yeah, I found that out, too." "A girl?" Wyatt said, frowning. "Like a girlfriend girl?" Tom's cheeks flushed. "No. I mean..." He still wasn't sure what to say to that. "No!" He considered that kiss. "Well, maybe. I'm not sure." "How long has this been going on?" she mumbled. "Not so long." "You never told us." "So? Why's it such a big deal?" "It's not," Wyatt said. "I don't care."I have a weird feeling SOMETHING is going to happen with this in the final book. I was scared pretty much all the way through the two books that eventually Wyatt would tell Tom how she actually felt and then Yuri would find out one way or another and be upset with both of them. The poor big teddy bear. He'd have nowhere to go except Vik, and we all know how emotionally supportive Vik can be (oh that Spicy Indian...). Although, even though it seemed like Wyatt wasn't entirely reciprocating all of the couple stuff most of the time, at the very end of Vortex we get this just as Yuri's waking up: And then [Yuri's] lingering distress seemed to melt away when Wyatt slunk forward and settled by his side. He craned his head back so he could gaze up at her adoringly, and for the first time Tom could remember, she looked back at him the same waySo perhaps we won't have a scene with Wyatt awkwardly confessing how she feels about Tom in this last book? I hope so, for Yuri's sake.Aside from her feelings for Tom and Yuri, we have her programming, which leads us to Blackburn.Is this guy a nut job? Uh hell yes. Let's see, he accidentally blew up both his kids (though in all fairness that was before he amended his mental health), he's been stock piling information on Vengerov for the last who knows how many years, and finally he's willing to kill off children or strip their minds to further his revenge against Vengerov. And yet, this guy is one of my favorite characters? Could it be that my inner programmer is a little bias? Probably. But still, even knowing how crazy and unstable he is and how far he's willing to go to back his own plans, I really wish Tom would finally get along with him (I thought for a second that might happen after he saved Tom from the snow, but then we got the Heather incident).Anyways, if you don't think this guy is going to have a big role in this next book, boy you better go back and read those first two. My bet is he'll end up dying a martyr hero immediately after saying something endearingly fatherly and protecting Tom and the crew and Tom will finally appreciate him, but only after he's dead. On the other hand, I can also distinctly see him going head to head with Vengerov in a programming battle and getting beaten (though of course Tom would see this scenario and end up respecting him as well). Who knows, maybe I just really want to see Tom finally respect an adult other than his crazy father and Marsh? But my guess is that if any of the characters are going to die, I'm afraid Blackburn would be the first one on that list (maybe after Karl).And then we have Medusa/Yaolan.I absolutely LOVE Medusa. I was so scared this book would be another case of the shy nerdy boy somehow gets the outgoing hot blonde and they ride off into the sunset. Thank god I was wrong. Medusa is AMAZING. Not only is she the only one who can beat Tom, she kicks ass at literally everything.I'm a little bit scared for Tom though. I mean how many times has he messed this Medusa thing up? Let's count:1. "We can still meet online, can't we?" Medusa said, peering at him. "Once you're out of the Spire, it's not treason anymore if we meet." [...] "It wouldn't be a good idea," Tom said. "I see." There was something flat in her voice. "So once you're gone from the military, you can't be bothered. I get it." Tom's head wasn't in the right place for this stuff. "What? Where did you even get that?" "Maybe this was a bad idea all around."2. I see why you're called Medusa3. Tom turned back toward her. "Medusa!" He'd almost forgotten to think of her lately, with everything that had happened. "I'm so glad you're here." "I know I've been staying away," she said. "I wanted to tell you--" "Medusa, I need to ask you something." He steered through the chaos, only a sliver of his attention on the conflict. "It's important." "I need to ask you things, too. About, well, when you kissed me--" "Not now," Tom said. "I can't right now. This is a bad time. Look, have you ever been bounced out of a system while interfacing with it? I need to know." There was a thick silence. Her voice grew icy [...] She was silent a long moment as the plane shook around them. Then, so softly he almost didn't hear her, "I shouldn't have come back."4.(and the worst so far) Tom drew her into a kiss, and for a moment, there was nothing else in the world, just Medusa...Yaolan. And he never wanted to let her go. But Tom didn't like to fool himself, and he couldn't passively accept doom. He pulled back from her, dread saturating his every pore, knowing there was a way he could fix this. He could save her. There was one way. Only one. He'd been willing to walk out into the snow in Antarctica for her. He was willing to do this now, even if she never forgave him for it. "I'm sorry, Yaolan," he whispered. A shadow passed over her face. "Sorry?" Tom stared right into her eyes and thought out the trigger phrase, I'll never do this to her.(I know I'm leaving out the one where he calls her ugly and says it doesn't matter because of the avatars, but I can't seem to find it ATM)I, as the reader, understand that Tom really likes her, but I don't know how much longer she'll keep thinking that...I can't help thinking that eventually she's going to stop coming back to him (maybe we're already to that point after this last stint with Vengerov's virus). But anyways, as much as I want to see the two of them together, as in, PHYSICALLY together, I have doubts if that will ever be possible if Tom continues on the road he's on...She'll only give him so many second chances...That's pretty much all I've got right now (this took surprisingly longer than I thought). I know there's a lot I'm missing with the revolution and Elliot and the state of the world in general, but I'll be sure to update this as more information for the book comes in. Noting the pattern of the release dates for the last two books (July 10th and July 2nd respectively), I'm guessing this one will be out either early July or late June hopefully? I guess we'll see...until then I suppose we'll all just have to begin the long hard wait...

update OK IM GOING TO START READING IT RIGHT NOWNOOOOOO! I FINISHED IT, I DIDN'T WANT TO. I WANTED TO KEEP ON READING FOREVER sorry for the shouty lettersSince I started this series I said THIS IS MY FAVORITE SCIENCE FICTION BOOK EVER and still is. This trilogy has everything, I laughed hysterically, cried, screamed, sighed, etc, It has inspired so many feelings that other books have not. Why is that? the characters, each one of them are so fantastically written. Throughout the series you can see how they grow and change but the incredible friendship between them remains constant until the end. Tom is one of my favorite characters of all time, some people have a love-hate relationship with him, but mine was only love, sometimes he infuriated me, yes, however his stubbornness and other imperfections are what makes him unique and real, as well as his courage, strength, perseverance and loyalty.I would like to talk about each characters; Vik, Wyatt, Yuri, Yaolan, Blackburn...but that would make a testament haha. So I'll just say that I wish we all had the opportunity to meet people like these.Chuck and Stark Trek have been influential in Kincaid to write these books but the construction of this world as well as its plot and extraordinary dialogues makes them incomparable to these and other books like HP or Ender's Game.I will miss reading new follies of The Doctors of Doom, The Evil Wench and the handsome android, but I'll settle for rereading the books and wait for the movie (hope it does it justice). Kincaid thanks for such a great adventure, I can not wait to read more of your wonderful imagination.P.S I FREAKING LOVED THE ACKNOWLEDGMENTS "You can say it’s naive or say it’s foolish. But please never say it’s impossible"

"There's no meaning in life once you're a monster." This book is spectacular. It is honestly one of the best series conclusions I've ever read. If you're at all inclined to pick up the first book, I say go for it. One of my favorite series.Original Review 2016Insignia and Vortex, the first two books in this trilogy, were excellent. Some of my favorite reads this year. This, however, was in an entire league of its own. I was honestly wondering, going into this, how things could possibly be wrapped up in ~400 pages. I did not need to worry. These pages were packed with non-stop action, insane twists that surprised and delighted me, heartbreaking events, and a beautiful story. This is one of the best series conclusions I believe I have ever read. And now that I have read all of S J Kincaid's published novels, I really need her to get another one out. Everyone needs to go read this book right now. Well, start at the beginning. Full review will be coming on my blog.

SU P*TA MADRE QUÉ FUE ESTE LIBRO, TODO EL TIEMPO ESTUVE TENSA, LLORANDO, PREOCUPADA SIN PODER SOLTARLO PORQUE PASABAN TANTAS COSAS, REALMENTE NO PUEDO CREER QUE TARDE 6 AÑOS EN TERMINAR ESTA TRILOGÍA ES UN FINAL TAN BUENO Y DOLOROSO, TODO ME ENCANTA. y la verdad no veo su versión del futuro (al final) muy lejana ehAMO LA TROPE DE FOUND FAMILY, WYATT Y TOM BESTIES FOREVERDespués de pensar un poco más creo que no hay forma de describir este libro sin spoilers, mis pensamientos siguen siendo exactamente los mismos de arriba, creo que puedo agregar el crecimiento que tuvo Tom conforme a confiar en sí mismo y en otros, como entenderse un poco más y ver realmente a sus seres queridos como personas que lo aceptaran sin importar qué. Siempre me conflictuo que incluso cuando Tom consideraba a Wyatt, Vik y Yuri sus mejores amigos, no lograba abrirse del todo con ellos, tenía muchos miedos sobre cómo lo verían si mostraba ciertas partes de sí, todo lleno de miedo al abandonó y el rechazo, los quería tanto que temía perderlos por ser completamente él, y en este libro se da cuenta que cuando la gente te quiere en verdad tu pasado y problemas no importan, y es algo que me puso muy soft, incluso cuando tuvo que pasar por cosas horribles y enfrentar sus más temidos demonios Tom aprendió que la gente lo quería de verdad, y eso no cambiaría. Also, uno desde el inicio sabe los grandes problemas psicológicos de Tom, y que al fin empiece a tomar terapia como parte de querer ser mejor fue precioso, y lo mejor fue que cuando tomó el valor de decirlo sus amigos estaban como "todos vamos bro, es la cosa más normal del mundo, pero que bien que te este funcionando".SPOILER.Siempre supe que para Blackburn Wyatt era como una hija, pero cuando noté que también se sentía así por Tom... me llegó, lloré con su muerte, dejo de lado su venganza, lo único que lo motivó a seguir luchando por 15 años para salvar a sus hijos :CCC

A solid conclusion to a solid series.Insignia was one of those books you blow through in a day. Sure, it may have been a bit derivative, but the strength of the plot and the characters was enough to keep me up all night. The second book, Vortex was less engaging. I forgive it, sophomore slump is not uncommon. But I finished it still interested in Tom Raines, still anticipating where the plot would go next.I take that all back for Catalyst. It's the best of the series, for me -- an accomplishment considering how much I've hated some of the conclusions of other YA trilogies (case in point: Divergent. Oh, Divergent). Breakneck pacing all the way through, more plot twists than you could ever see coming. Just when you think the stakes can't get any higher, Kincaid finds even more depraved and jaw-dropping ways to torture her characters. I loved it.And most of all, I love that it doesn't end on some semi-resolved cliffhanger. The ends are neatly tied up. The arcs of all the main characters is resolved. Every question I had about so-and-so's background, what happened to some minor character in book two -- resolved. Hallelujah. And no flash-forward where all the relationships she's constructed turn into cliche nuclear families where everything is perfect and nobody hurts (sorry, Rowling, but the epilogue was cringy).I was so dedicated to finishing this that I read it in the car on the way back from a roadtrip. Yes, in the car, braving inevitable car sickness. There's staying up until 4am reading dedication, and then there's I might vomit for this dedication. Thanks (I think), Kincaid.Oh, and I don't hate the main relationship. Halt the presses, I don't find the romance in a YA book tacked on, derivative, and one of the romantic interests cliche and boring. The love story actually has relevance to plot and character growth.Super satisfying end to a super satisfying series. This is one I'll probably read again, all three books in a row.

I was always intrigued by the INSIGNIA series, especially when I heard that it was pitched as "Hogwarts in Space" on a recent Goodreads description. I hadn't picked up the series until HarperCollins sent me this final book for review. I picked it up...and flew through them all.I have always love SciFi, but for some reason, I'm reluctant to pick up some titles, because I'm afraid they will disappoint. Now I wish I'd picked up INSIGNIA long ago, so that I could be a part of the fandom's excitement all the way through!These books are SO well done. I love the concept, the characters, the writing, the entire world. I'm often afraid that when a series comes to an end, that it'll be disappointed. There have been a few YA series that have left me wanting more when it was all over, and not in a good way.Luckily, CATALYST delivered. At times, it was confusing, but that didn't matter after a few pages. And by the time I finished it (at 2am, as I always seem to finish books I love), I was so happy to see it ended the way I wanted it to end, which doesn't always happen! I'm hoping SJ Kincaid will have a new series in the future---I'm dying for more from this author!!

So, I've finished this entire series in 3 days. A book each day, and i don't regret it.This had to be one of the most rewarding stories I've ever read. Loads of people write dystopian/sci-fi without doing any research into science fiction or even science for that matter. This author most certainly did.I don't like bittersweet endings. This series makes you suffer through a lot of painful experiences, but I can assure you that there's a good end, and its a completely justified one.This book brought me to tears, made my laugh my ass of and left me reading non-stop.Its funny, crazy, romantic, well thought out and frankly a well written novel. I'd recommend this to anyone.

I love this series. World War III played out in space by teenagers with computers in their heads. Evil corporations and men that control the food, the water, and the war. The teens experience typical teen angst, in addition to the intrigue and dangers of being pawns in a war. This final book in the series takes a bit of a turn, but I loved it! Read this series or encourage your 5th graders and up to read it!!

Una forma sencillamente ingeniosa de cerrar esta trilogía. Es más, creo que esta trilogía pudo haberse extendido a una saga de 100 libros!.Quedo contento, satisfecho, esta trilogía cumplió con mis expectativas en su totalidad.Sencillamente genial. No encontré ningún defecto. Perfectos!!.

Let me get something out of the way. My younger brother is twelve years old. He loves playing video games and building things. I am a sixteen year old girl. I wear makeup and dresses and like shopping. We both love, love, love this series. This series is not for a particular group of people. It is for everyone because it is genius. Please do not be turned away because it is a science fiction series. It is genuinely a wonderful set of books. First off, it is funny. I have laughed out loud in all three books. My sides actually hurt from laughing alone in my room. (I have also heard my brother doing this very same thing). It is rife with hilarity. This last book takes a much darker turn than I expected compared to the other two, but it was also filled with light moments and brilliant dialogue. Why is it so funny? The characters of course! They are diverse, witty, and constantly teasing each other. They complement each other perfectly. There is our reckless protagonist, Tom. His best friend, Tiny Spicy Vikram. The Android (Yuri). And the brilliant, Man Hands (Wyatt). Their friendship gives me life, and I love the way they grow throughout the series. This last book showed me exactly how far they've come since starting out as naive little plebes. Secondly, the plot. Everything twists around in this last book. It darkens to a point I did not ever consider this series would go. It deals with questions of identity, justice, sacrifice and humanity. Again, the difference from book one is astonishing in how much the characters need to deal with. Kincaid does not hesitate to develop real threats in this novel. Joseph Vengerov's twisted mind games frightened even me. He certainly ranks high on the evil-o-meter with his villainy and disregard for human life. The romance. These books are pretty light on romance, but the relationships that grow certainly impact the book greatly. Tom and Medusa (not her real name obviously) have come a long way since beating each other up in simulations, and I loved how they didn't rush together. It was gradual and subtle throughout the series. It never overpowered the other friendships or the plot. Also, Wyatt and Yuri continue resolving their relationship which I loved. And finally, the ending. I'm sure people will complain about the "neat" ending. We all know the world is far from perfect. But the beauty of science fiction is that, we can imagine the world to become a utopia. The science fiction elements are just plain exciting! It is the stuff of dreams: computers in brains, nanomachines, simulations, space warships. I'm tired of post apocalyptic societies that suffer rebellions and utterly collapse. Why not a rebellion that ends in the reconstruction of a world? Old movie science fiction is back, and there are finally flying cars. Why not, after all?

4.5/5Gosh, I love this series. I don't finish a lot of series, but boy am I glad to have finished this one. It's a bit slow to start, and it takes some time to get used to the characters, storyline, and terminology again... but it didn't take too long to get up and running again. I LOVED the way Kincaid has evolved her young, exciting action series into something more mature, thought-provoking, darker, and ominous. She went DARK, man, I didn't expect it but I really appreciated it anyway. She managed to up the stakes and deal WONDERFULLY with character development. Although we saw less of Wyatt, there were a few significant moments that I thought were just perfect. She's always been an underdog favourite of mine, and I love her character arc. Blackburn was always a wild-card (though I'll admit, I have forgotten a lot about his role in the earlier books) but I loved that he's a really complex, ambiguous character that I couldn't pinpoint. Vik and Yuri's dialogue was once again pitch perfect; they were unique and so entirely them. And of course, Tom. Tom Raines, I can't say enough good things about you, you wonderful character. Infinite hugs for you. His storyline was just beautifully done, which is kind of difficult when you feel caught up in a Transformers-movie-esque action scene, but still. Harrowing and heartbreaking at times, his progression in this entire series is marvellous. Kincaid gave us a sympathetic character who had to grow into his own, and undoubtedly succeeded. I liked the plot, although the ending was a bit too tidy for my liking, but the ride was so worth it. I had no idea how they'd get out of this mess, and the resolution was wholeheartedly satisfying. I liked how we ventured a lot further from the Spire and into the 'real world', away from pranks and into murders, villains, and the struggle for humanity. It's an imaginative series with broad appeal that has great characters, writing, pacing, and heart. As a picky reader, I'm not easily impressed... I'll be sitting here urging you to pick this series up.Thank you, SJ Kincaid.

Let me start this Review by saying:"The World does not come to an End on Page 171, it will be okay."In my opinion catalyst starts off a little slow, with no clear cut path. Really Kincaid spends a lot of time in the first half of the book setting up for the climax. And setting up with what will happen in the latter half. Which she does a good job doing. The first half of the book is a four star, but the second half is a five star. Finally for those readers who are wondering... Blackburn and Raines make a truce of not to kill eachother. This might be considered a spoiler, but in my opinion it was obvious and predictable. But I didn't tell you how???? (That u have to read to find out)I did find not to be big surprise ending, but en emotional ending where everything Tom and his crew of Yuri, Wyatt, and The spicy Indian go through to be entertaining, satisfying and emotional. Most books try to wow you with a huge emotional ending. This book did have a good ending, but not because of one last big scene. But because it all just comes to together emotionally for everyone at the end.

the end of this series was a bit of a let down don't get me wrong i enjoyed it put i feel as if there is so much still missing from the story so because of that only four stars