Scan barcode
martinqepd's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
jmcrockett78's review against another edition
5.0
I loved the first book, and this fulfilled my expectations for the next! Highly recommend.
usandalgona's review against another edition
5.0
Once again excellent and with plot twists I didn't see coming. I wish YA like this was still being written - so glad I decided to reread this series. It's a pretty emotional experience observing Tom changing and acknowledging certain things about himself (i.e., before-Spire and after-Spire) that were hinted at in the first book. Especially because we know he's great at compartmentalizing. Too much.
And the character I appreciated reading the most is by far Medusa. Everything about them is deliberate, and every action they take is really fitting. It doesn't stray unnecessarily from their character for the sake of plot, etc. Even when it could be frustrating, since we're in Tom's limited perspective, it makes complete sense from their point of view. It's nice to read a character who isn't just supposed to be a sitting duck. How boring is that. And how prevalent is that nowadays, when the protagonist is a straight guy. (Not saying that there aren't queer stories in which the other character in the relationship does end up a sitting duck, but they're harder to find.)
It is, however, irritating seeing a certain character's hair being described as "silken," most likely due to their ethnicity. And people of certain ethnicities are described with prescribed phrases like "almond-shaped eyes," which never fails to make me feel uncomfortable. I want to say this was the case with YA back then, but to be honest, this probably still happens now because no one is really checking over phrasing to make it feel like it's natural to have a non-white character in the primary cast. It feels like an exception when their ethnicity is over-described, like it's fascinating. Most of publishing is white after all, and the beginning of having more non-white characters in books will always have a few slip-ups. Hopefully writers will be a little more conscious of how they describe people's appearances. I wince when I see "oriental" still used when describing people.
The book itself is spectacular.
I do have to acknowledge that the description of ethnicities was what it was ten years ago, and it was even more prevalent back then.
Regardless of that point, I'm in awe and also just a bit disappointed that I'll probably never see a creative premise like this in YA again. I'll definitely be rereading in a few years. This series should honestly have a comeback, not in terms of a continuation (please, not another Percy Jackson spin-off of a spin-off, unless there's a legit reason to), but just more attention drawn to the series. There isn't going to be another rendition of this kind of video-game, sci-fi like set-up.
And the character I appreciated reading the most is by far Medusa. Everything about them is deliberate, and every action they take is really fitting. It doesn't stray unnecessarily from their character for the sake of plot, etc. Even when it could be frustrating, since we're in Tom's limited perspective, it makes complete sense from their point of view. It's nice to read a character who isn't just supposed to be a sitting duck. How boring is that. And how prevalent is that nowadays, when the protagonist is a straight guy. (Not saying that there aren't queer stories in which the other character in the relationship does end up a sitting duck, but they're harder to find.)
It is, however, irritating seeing a certain character's hair being described as "silken," most likely due to their ethnicity. And people of certain ethnicities are described with prescribed phrases like "almond-shaped eyes," which never fails to make me feel uncomfortable. I want to say this was the case with YA back then, but to be honest, this probably still happens now because no one is really checking over phrasing to make it feel like it's natural to have a non-white character in the primary cast. It feels like an exception when their ethnicity is over-described, like it's fascinating. Most of publishing is white after all, and the beginning of having more non-white characters in books will always have a few slip-ups. Hopefully writers will be a little more conscious of how they describe people's appearances. I wince when I see "oriental" still used when describing people.
The book itself is spectacular.
I do have to acknowledge that the description of ethnicities was what it was ten years ago, and it was even more prevalent back then.
Regardless of that point, I'm in awe and also just a bit disappointed that I'll probably never see a creative premise like this in YA again. I'll definitely be rereading in a few years. This series should honestly have a comeback, not in terms of a continuation (please, not another Percy Jackson spin-off of a spin-off, unless there's a legit reason to), but just more attention drawn to the series. There isn't going to be another rendition of this kind of video-game, sci-fi like set-up.
sersi's review against another edition
4.0
Insignia was a huge, welcome surprise when I read it earlier this year and while Vortex proved a somewhat uneven reading experience, I was ultimately more than satisfied. This reading experience was born largely out of frustrations with Tom and his characterization. For a lot of the book, Tom felt eerily similar to the infamous CAPLOCKS!Harry of Order of the Phoenix. In particular, his complete and utter inability to act strategically or even restrain his anger was so frustrating that I found myself desperately hoping that there was a virus/behavior program/etc. at play.
Things didn't quite play out that way, but as the book moved into the final sections, I found myself dragged into enthusiasm and excitement anyways. While Tom’s earlier behavior still seemed over the top, his growth during the final push, and especially in the very last scene helped to at least mitigate my frustrations. This final scene, which was by far one of my favorite book endings in a long while, was perfect. It set the stage for some really interesting conflicts, felt incredibly cinematic, and suggested that Tom has finally and truly begun to see the conflict on a larger, less explicitly personal scale.
In short, Vortex wasn't perfect and were I to re-read it, I don’t know that I wouldn't still find a good deal of it frustrating. However, despite its flaws, it was a fun, exciting read graced with an ending that left me desperate for the third book.
Things didn't quite play out that way, but as the book moved into the final sections, I found myself dragged into enthusiasm and excitement anyways. While Tom’s earlier behavior still seemed over the top, his growth during the final push, and especially in the very last scene helped to at least mitigate my frustrations. This final scene, which was by far one of my favorite book endings in a long while, was perfect. It set the stage for some really interesting conflicts, felt incredibly cinematic, and suggested that Tom has finally and truly begun to see the conflict on a larger, less explicitly personal scale.
In short, Vortex wasn't perfect and were I to re-read it, I don’t know that I wouldn't still find a good deal of it frustrating. However, despite its flaws, it was a fun, exciting read graced with an ending that left me desperate for the third book.
__kell__'s review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
djinnia's review against another edition
5.0
I received this ARC book for free through Goodreads First Reads.
OMG! The book was fantastic! A lot of the time the sequel isn't quite as good as the original, but this is the exception that breaks the rule!
The intrigue gets deeper and the stakes get higher in this amazing sequel. Tom has to face the executives of the sponsoring companies to get backing to become CAMCO.
The danger lines blur as Tom faces greater threats than ever before.
I loved it! It was by far one of the best sequels i've read. It holds itself against stagnation of characters and plot line. It continues from the first with not much time between. Characters grow and change as the plot line darkens and becomes even more complex.
I can't say enough of how good it was.
As it was an uncorrected proof, my friend (who read them before me and made me even more excited to read them) found a couple of typos, but I figure that most of them will be caught.
I can't wait for the next book. Need the next book now! Thank you, Ms. Kincaid, for an fabulous series. (But I am upset at what happened to the MC.)
OMG! The book was fantastic! A lot of the time the sequel isn't quite as good as the original, but this is the exception that breaks the rule!
The intrigue gets deeper and the stakes get higher in this amazing sequel. Tom has to face the executives of the sponsoring companies to get backing to become CAMCO.
The danger lines blur as Tom faces greater threats than ever before.
I loved it! It was by far one of the best sequels i've read. It holds itself against stagnation of characters and plot line. It continues from the first with not much time between. Characters grow and change as the plot line darkens and becomes even more complex.
I can't say enough of how good it was.
As it was an uncorrected proof, my friend (who read them before me and made me even more excited to read them) found a couple of typos, but I figure that most of them will be caught.
I can't wait for the next book. Need the next book now! Thank you, Ms. Kincaid, for an fabulous series. (But I am upset at what happened to the MC.)
marielinsky_'s review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
informative
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
4.25
ahoke1990's review against another edition
2.0
Beyond the impossible.
So we pick up with Tom on a break from training and he's 15 now. This kid has some issues. He is into himself now and is quick to anger and hold a grudge....sounds like stuck up teenager. Tom as a character is not developing in a good. He just dosent quit with not listening to authority. His lack of having a solid figure in his life is the problem. I wouldn't call his Dad or Mom a presence.
Well the first book was good but I don't feel like finishing.
So we pick up with Tom on a break from training and he's 15 now. This kid has some issues. He is into himself now and is quick to anger and hold a grudge....sounds like stuck up teenager. Tom as a character is not developing in a good. He just dosent quit with not listening to authority. His lack of having a solid figure in his life is the problem. I wouldn't call his Dad or Mom a presence.
Well the first book was good but I don't feel like finishing.
lw42's review against another edition
5.0
This was an amazing second instalment of the series. i loved it thoroughly!