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.)

Divergent by Veronica Roth

Published: May 3, 2011

Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books

Pages: 487

Rating: 5/5

In a future Chicago, 16-year-old Beatrice Prior must choose among five predetermined factions to define her identity for the rest of her life, a decision made more difficult when she discovers that she is an anomaly who does not fit into any one group, and that the society she lives in is not perfect after all. [Book Description from Goodreads]

Review:

I know this review is coming out kind of late, since most people are getting ready to read Insurgent, the second book in the Divergent Trilogy, if they haven’t already. But honestly, I put Divergent on hold 4 MONTHS AGO and I just got it from the library recently. That’s how popular this book is, and now I know why.

When it takes four freakin’ months to get a book from the library, you know it’s going to be good. And Divergent didn’t disappoint in the least. I was enamored from the start- the action was incredible and left your breathless, the subtle yet skillfully woven plot was fantastic, and the romance was amazing. Roth did a surprisingly awesome job with the romance. You’d be shocked at how difficult it is to add romance to dystopians (depression and depravity don’t make for a good romance factor). I felt like Roth had everything well-thought out; every little detail was convincing, and that’s one of the biggest things an author must do: convince the readers. Despite the hugeness of the book, the plot sweeps you along so swiftly that the 487 pages don’t feel daunting at all (for those of you who’ve read the book- see what I did there? Daunting? Ok, I’ve reached my allotted number of lame jokes for this review; no worries).

I found myself gluing Divergent to my side- I seriously took it EVERYWHERE. To my brother’s football games, to the dentist, to church (and no, I didn’t read it during the church service). Divergent has been my drug for the past week- I was sad to finish it. With the release of the second book, Insurgent, comes a tide of rippling excitement among the bookworm crowd-me included! If you haven’t read Divergent yet, do so now. Then go buy the next book. Then wait in anticipation with the rest of us until the ingenious writer Roth completes this thrilling trilogy!

Quick Content Review: *contains spoilers*

Violence: Heavy (Dauntless trains their initiates by toughening them up, i.e. making them fight one another, among other less-violent activities. While training, several initiates bully the others. Mention (and a bit of description) of a boy getting stabbed in the eye; also mention of a suicide. Several different mentions of people getting shot. I cannot list all the instances of the violent content in this book, as they are too numerous, but just take my word for it- nothing is sugar coated.)

Language- Mild (a couple h-words)

Sexual- Mild (Two characters talk non-descriptively about having sex; they aren’t ready, so nothing happens. A few kisses and caresses.)

*Side Note: A lot of people have told me that Divergent’s “twin” is The Hunger Games. Wrong, at least in my opinion. This book did not in any way remind me of The Hunger Games. I did feel, at moments, that certain aspects were similar to other dystopians I’ve read, but no idea is truly a brand new one, right? Just wanted to clear that up, in case any of you were wondering or have heard that it’s similar, too.*