
The other thing that's hard? This book is looonnng. Readers who haven't read the first book in the series, Insignia - or even those who haven't done a recent refresher - may have a hard time remembering all the important plot points from the first book when reading VORTEX. Kincaid has created here very complete and the characters convincingly complicated. There's a lot to track, but if readers take their time, they will find the world S.J. Teens will be encouraged to think about the best way to fight for justice, technology's impact on privacy, and more. There is an anti-corporate message throughout, as Tom grows increasingly successful in shutting down the conglomerates that run the world. There's also some smooching between teen lovebirds, as well as rather benign references to "boobs" and a nude swimming pool. And that's just the, um, tip of the iceberg. In real life, a teen girl is murdered when she is sucked down a tunnel and Tom almost freezes to death when he is intentionally locked out of a building in Antarctica. In simulation video games, they often die in terrible ways (including being eaten by sharks, beaten by cavemen, etc.).

Kincaid's Insignia trilogy about teens recruited by a powerful coalition government to fight in World War III battles they all have computer implants in their brains making them super smart - and super valuable.

Parents need to know that Vortex is the second book in S.J.
