Insurgent by Veronica Roth

Published: May 1^st, 2012

Publisher: HarperTeen

Pages: 525

Rating: 5/5

Goodreads: Insurgent

One choice can transform you--or it can destroy you. But every choice has consequences, and as unrest surges in the factions all around her, Tris Prior must continue trying to save those she loves--and herself--while grappling with haunting questions of grief and forgiveness, identity and loyalty, politics and love.

Tris's initiation day should have been marked by celebration and victory with her chosen faction; instead, the day ended with unspeakable horrors. War now looms as conflict between the factions and their ideologies grows. And in times of war, sides must be chosen, secrets will emerge, and choices will become even more irrevocable--and even more powerful. Transformed by her own decisions but also by haunting grief and guilt, radical new discoveries, and shifting relationships, Tris must fully embrace her Divergence, even if she does not know what she may lose by doing so.

"New York Times" bestselling author Veronica Roth's much-anticipated second book of the dystopian "Divergent" series is another intoxicating thrill ride of a story, rich with hallmark twists, heartbreaks, romance, and powerful insights about human nature. [Description from Goodreads]

Review:

I literally just finished reading Insurgent not even ten minutes ago. Maybe this isn’t the right time to be writing a review, because honestly, I’m still in shock. I don’t know what to say. I just keep thinking, “It’s just so freakin’ brilliant.” So. Brilliant.

I was so geared up to read this book. I had it on hold at the library for three months. I kid you not- THREE WHOLE MONTHS. I was hesitant to buy it because I don’t own Divergent, and nothing irritates me more than owning an incomplete series. So you can guess that I was all over it when I finally got it from the library (why yes, I did sleep with it under my pillow). The first part was a little slow. It felt more like filler content or support for the latter half more than anything else. It wasn’t boring; it just wasn’t as chock-full of the plot twists and non-stop action that Roth likes to fill her books with.

The second half was…gosh. It was marvelous. Intense. Mind-blowing. You never know what Roth will pull out of the bag, and it’s always what you least expect. It’ll always shock you, thrill you, and excite you. Especially when she places the scene that’ll have you on the edge of your seat at THE VERY END OF THE BOOK. Oh yes, don’t deny you didn’t see it coming- Insurgent has that infuriating Roth trademark. The cliffhanger. All I can say is prepare for it. It’s going to kill you just like it killed me.

I know you’ve been wondering, so I’ll just go ahead and satisfy your curiosity: Tobias is still hot and dark and strong and vulnerable and every girl’s dream completely and utterly amazing. Same as ever. Tris is the same stubborn, kick-butt girl we encountered in Divergent- except this time, I feel like we get to see more of her vulnerable, sensitive side. She’s less…gun-happy, for lack of a better word. And if you read Divergent, I’m sure you know why.

In conclusion, I’d like to say that Insurgent was brilliant. There’s no other word to describe it. I might have even liked it better than Divergent. Now I can join to ranks of fans that are waiting eagerly, hungrily to read book three (“Detergent”…or whatever). I can honestly say that this is one of the best book series I’ve ever read. It’s not one you want to miss.

Quick Content Review: *may contain spoilers*

Language: Mild (two or three words, as far I remember)

Violence: Heavy (Pretty much the same amount as there was in Divergent, except I felt like the violence in Insurgent was darker or more intense or something. Like I said in my review of Divergent, Roth doesn’t sugar-coat it; it’s raw. I don’t recommend this book if you can’t stomach heavy violence.

Sexual: Mild- Moderate (Tobias and Tris kiss, sometimes passionately.)