Published by Hot Key Books in August 2012.
Amazing- this book is the best book I have read in a while! It may not be dystopian or End-Of-The-World themed like many books teens like, but still, it is brilliant.
It is world war three, but battles are no longer fought on earth- lives are no longer at risk when the fights are done on different planets of the solar system! Teenage children are made to control the ships from earth, with the help of a small computer in their heads. When Tom accepts to become a plebe, (a trainee for the fighting), he begins on an awesome thrill ride, with new friends, and a new life, much different from his old one of switching from casino to casino with his drunken dad. He has loads of adventures in his new home of the Pentagonal Spire, from using simulators to train to using viruses to fight classroom battles- I wish this could be real! However, enemies are on their way; starting with a bully of a teacher (Blackburn), then soon Tom finds himself fighting for his life at the hands of somebody who is re-programming him, turning him into another person. Can Tom escape? Can his friends help? When secrets are kept at the Pentagonal Spire, Blackburn will do anything to get to them…
Wow! This book is so great; I ended up in bed most nights awake and reading this- or just wondering what on earth will happen next. It is a fast paced thrill ride that will make you laugh and cry, a perfect book for 11-15 year olds. Personally, I really think this is set to be better than Harry Potter, especially with more instalments on the way. S.J Kincaid is definitely the next J.K Rowling and I can’t wait to read more from this awesome author!!!
Review By Georgia
Pingback: Book Review: Catalyst by S. J. Kincaid | the bibliomaniac book blog