Review: Insurgent by Veronica Roth

Insurgent

Author: Veronica Roth

Publication Date: May 1st, 2012

Publisher: Harper Teen

Genre: YA/Dystopia/Romance

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Synopsis:

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.

My Thoughts:  First thing I am going  to say is this: If you can say no when asked if you've read this yet, then you desperately need to do something to change that answer. I'm completely serious. For anyone reading this review right now who hasn't read this series, do it! I am so mad at myself for taking so long to read it. But now that I have, I know it's one of those ones I will carry with me for a long long time.

This book ensnared me. It had me in it's clutches and refused to let go. Putting this book down was tortuous almost to the point of physical pain. I read it in a day. I just could not, nor did I want to put it down. Of course, I had to a lot, but at every single opportunity that arose my nose was in those pages. Absorbing every single word.  When night time came, and the kiddies were all tucked in, I finally sat and didn't move for hours until it was done. When it was done, I actually yelled, out loud, at the book. My husband was laughing at my immense frustration in reaching the last pages. Ohhhhh, what a cliff hanger! I couldn't believe that's where we're left to wait until the next book. Although, clever on Veronica's part. Cause I'm sure that ending will have so many people clamouring to get their hands on the next book as soon as humanly possible.


If you've read Divergent you know that Tris had to go though some incredibly scary stuff. But I would say even though her experiences in Divergent were terrifying they pale in comparison to what's in store in Insurgent.  My stomach was in knots, I cried, I felt sick, sometimes I wanted to just punch the book. My heart was broken over and over. And then there's the plot twists and surprises. These completely unpredictable events that come out of no where and just leave you stunned. And I'm thinking...did that just happen?!  Just when you think things can't get any worse, guess what? Surprise! The unimaginable just happened, take that. This book really did a number on me. And I freaking loved it. Every single sentence and paragraph, I just loved it.

Tris and Four are both so inspiring. I love them separately, I love them together, I admire them completely. They both have this inability to see themselves as others see them. Incredibly brave and strong and selfless. The are constantly faced with impossible odds but they never back down. Moments of peace and happiness are far and few between in their lives, but together they can give each other those moments. Their relationship sets my heart aflame. They see each other for everything that they are. They know each other to the finest detail and trait. They admire each other like people in love should. But their relationship isn't that easy. Having a relationship in a world like theirs isn't easy in the first place. But then there's this self confidence issue they both have. They both think the other is amazing, and they themselves are not worth their time. It's hard for them, especially Tris, to just simply accept love. To be loved and to trust someone.


I could probably rattle on about this book all freaking day without pause. But I don't want to bore you to pieces with my gushing and fawning and drooling. Suffice to say, you absolutely need to read this. It's a fact, it's a real need. These books are nothing short of amazing. Veronica Roth has written something has left be blown away and 100% enamoured.  Phenomenal. I don't own these books and I need to change that. I need to own these so I can share them with as many people as possible. Also so I can just look at them and remember everything I experienced while lost in their pages.

Review: Divergent by Veronica Roth

Divergent

Author: Veronica Roth

Publication Date: April 28th, 2011

Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books

Genre: Dystopian/YA

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Synopsis:

In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue--Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is--she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself. During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles to determine who her friends really are--and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes infuriating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers a growing conflict that threatens to unravel her seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her secret might help her save those she loves . . . or it might destroy her.

My Thoughts: I can finally say I have read this book!  I feel like everyone else in the world has read this and I hadn't. I've heard so many great things about this book, and unending amounts of praise. It did not fall short of my expectations.

Beatrice was a young woman we can all really admire. She has incredible integrity, loyalty, determination, strength, intelligence, bravery and so much more. She was a really amazing female character, and I wish there were more like her in books. As far as kick butt female characters go, she's got to be near the top of the list. If you're looking for a strong female lead, you will definitely find it here.

Although Beatrice is all those things she does have hear fears, her fears are real and scary, and something I think we can all identify with in one way or another. Which is another thing that makes this book so great. While we might not relate directly to her problems, I think we definitely can develop a correlation between our own issues and hers. Trying to discover herself, trying to find where she belongs, where she fits in, who her real friends are, how scary being in love can be. All of these are things that she, and we, have to discover on our own. No one can tell you the answers or get them for you. So reading about Beatrice experiencing this conflicts and how she handles them is definitely one of the major things that draws us in. Because we get it, we understand, and we admire her ability to handle herself, and I think a few of us are wishing we could be a lot more like her.

Another great thing about this book is the romance aspect. It wasn't full on head over heels right away. It wasn't a constant description of how hot this guy was, and how much she wanted to jump him. It was a development over time. For both the parties involved, it was about so much more than looks. It was about the person within, real reasons to love someone instead of how nice their cheek bones are or how great their butt is, haha sorry. While I do enjoy reading stuff like that from time to time, this was a nice change. Also, as their feelings progress, the sexual aspects are kept to a minimum, again Beatrice shows more reasons for admiring her when she straight out says that wants to take her time and if that is all he is interested in, he better take a hike. Go Beatrice! I really think she is just an awesome role model for girls of all ages, but especially those in their adolescent years.

So yeah, I definitely love Beatrice.  Aside from that, this was a really riveting story, very character driven, and really gripping. I would read massive chunks of this book at a time, it was really hard to put down. It kept me up at night turning the pages ceaselessly. If you liked the Hunger Games I'm pretty sure you will like this one! While they're not really the same, to me they kinda carried the same vibe.

I'm glad I finally cracked this one open, it was a really amazing read and I can't wait to read Insurgent. You can be sure I won't be waiting forever to read that one now that I know for myself just how great Divergent is.  If you just so happen to be one of those people like me who still hasn't read it. I suggest you change that, as soon as possible. I really think everyone should read this book, it's just awesome :).

Review: The Rise of Nine by Pittacus Lore

The Rise of Nine

Lorien Legacies #3

Author: Pittacus Lore

Publication Date: August 21, 2012

Publisher: HarperCollins

Genre: Science Fiction

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Synopsis:

Until the day I met John Smith, Number Four, I'd been on the run alone, hiding and fighting to stay alive.

Together, we are much more powerful. But it could only last so long before we had to separate to find the others...

I went to Spain to find Seven, and I found even more, including a tenth member of the Garde who escaped from Lorien alive. Ella is younger than the rest of us, but just as brave. Now we're looking for the others--including John.

But so are they.

They caught Number One in Malaysia.

Number Two in England.

And Number Three in Kenya.

They caught me in New York--but I escaped.

I am Number Six.

They want to finish what they started.

But they'll have to fight us first.

My Thoughts: I just want to start off by saying that I enjoy this series quite a bit. It is one of two series that my husband and I actually read together (the other one is Percy Jackson and the Olympians).  So, it is safe to say that I went into this book with fairly high expectations and anticipation.

The beginning was really slow, but that is a common theme throughout the whole series.  The first book (I am Number Four) was so slow I was wondering if I was going to make it through it - but I did.  Because, eventually, it picks up and it gets super good.  This book picked up, got a good pace, and then continued to be a little better than mediocre.  I don't know if it was my expectations or this particular novel just fell short in comparison to the previous two.

The book has three points of view (POV) - John Smith (Number Four), Six, and Marina (Number Seven).  If you follow my reviews, you'll know that I am not a huge fan of POV jumping.  Normally, I can get through it.  However, this book changes POV at the end of almost every chapter.  This makes the book super hard to get into mainly because once you are into it you are thrown into another situation - since half of the characters start in Europe and two of them are in the United States.  So, at the end of every chapter I kind of wanted to throw it.

The romance in this novel, as opposed to the previous, are pretty cut-and-dry.  It seems as though Pittacus Lore (LOVE the pen-name, by the way) shoved as much action as he could into the book and then everything else (plot, romance, etc...) fell a little to the wayside.  That and one of the characters that I love to hate returns.  I could just scream over that one.

However, this is a book in one of my beloved series and I enjoyed seeing all of the characters again (and meeting some new ones).  The plot progresses slowly, but it does progress the series at least a little bit.  Plus, the action -scenes are pretty amazing.  I liked it enough to continue.

Review: Insurgent by Veronica Roth

Insurgent
(Divergent #2)

Author: Veronica Roth

Publication Date: May 1, 2012

Publisher: HarperTeen

Genre: Dystopia

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Synopsis:

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.

My Thoughts: What? It's over?! Now I have to wait a whole year?!! Once again, Veronica Roth writes a book that is impossible to put down. I think I might like this series more than The Hunger Games. It is just so addicting and enjoyable. I can't believe how fast I can read these books. I also love the covers that they chose for this series, although I might like the UK ones a teensy bit more.  

Insurgent pretty much starts off exactly where Divergent left off. Which is really awesome because then you don't have that first part of the book dedicated to catching the reader up to where the characters are now. So I really liked that about this book. Tris' losses are fresh in her mind and you get to feel like you haven't missed anything. Insurgent is focused around what happened after the simulation was turned off and all the Dauntless found themselves as murderers. What steps are taken against the Erudite to punish them. Sides are taken and surprisingly, not all of the Dauntless are sickened over being mind controlled to kill innocent people. The Erudite are still trying to control everyone, but nobody knows why. There has to be a reason and Tris is determined to figure it out. 

I feel like Tris really grew as a character in Insurgent. She faces a lot more than initiation this time, people actually want to kill her this time, other than Peter. I think she is an extremely brave character and is very selfless. She is always willing to put herself last it seems, although she does get a bit reckless for awhile after her parents died. She eventually realizes that life is worth living and she should do her best to enjoy it. She makes some surprising allies in this book, as well as enemies. And I still can't believe the people who betray her!

 As for the romance in Insurgent, things are fairly stressful between Tris and Four. They seem to have a lot of trust issues and it really strains their relationship. Sometimes I'm just not sure it will survive it. Tris doesn't really understand why Four likes her because he doesn't seem to trust her or her judgement. Regardless, they are stronger together. Four isn't very impressed by her recklessness either and it causes trouble between them because he feels like she is just trying to find a way to off herself. 

Overall, Insurgent was an amazing read. I don't know how Veronica Roth does it, but I wish I knew. This is definitely a must read, and if you haven't even started the series yet, you have to. It's just an amazing story and is written wonderfully. Also, the ending of this one? I need more now please! I absolutely recommend it!

Review: Divergent by Veronica Roth

Divergent
(Divergent #1)

Author: Veronica Roth

Publication Date: May 3, 2011

Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books

Genre: Dystopia

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Synopsis:

In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue--Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is--she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.
During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles to determine who her friends really are--and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes infuriating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers a growing conflict that threatens to unravel her seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her secret might help her save those she loves . . . or it might destroy her.
Debut author Veronica Roth bursts onto the literary scene with the first book in the Divergent series--dystopian thrillers filled with electrifying decisions, heartbreaking betrayals, stunning consequences, and unexpected romance.

My Thoughts: I don't even know where to start on this one. This book was amazing! I started reading it and just could not put it down. It's almost 500 pages and I read it in less than 24 hours, which is pretty awesome considering I'm chasing a baby around all day. I am a little sad that it took me so long to get around to reading it, but then I'm not since Insurgent will be out soon! I can't wait now, I finally understand why everyone was raving about it. Veronica Roth is freaking amazing and I can't wait to see what else she comes up with! Seriously, if you were like me and haven't read this book yet, do it! You have to! If you are in anyway, shape or form a fan of dystopians, you HAVE to read this. If you don't know what a dystopian is, this is a great place to start! 

Alright, Divergent revolves around Beatrice (Tris) Prior as she decides which faction she will pick, ultimately picking Dauntless. Now, to be in Dauntless you have to have a lot of courage, something Tris thankfully has a lot of. She has to fight for a good rank during training, literally, she fights the other initiates as part of their training. She is smaller than all of the other initiates and has to do a lot to prove herself. The kicker, they find out AFTER chosing Dauntless that only the top 10 ranks, out of the 20 or so initiates, will become members of Dauntless, the rest will become factionless. Being factionless is not something anyone really wants. 

The story line is really good, there is a lot of action and butt kicking, with a bit of romance thrown in there too. I love the writing style of Roth and how quickly and easily the story seems to flow. It is definitely well written and I came to care deeply for Tris and Four, as well as Christina, Will and Al. There wasn't really any point in the story where I became bored and the book became an extension of my arm for the day that I was reading it. I had a really hard time putting it down! 

Tris is an awesome, kick butt character. She is fairly fearless and loves the acts of bravery that are presented before her. I don't think I have ever read a story where the protagonist changes so much. Tris starts out as a quiet, selfless Abnegation member who always put others first. She knows she doesn't really fit in and is nervous about leaving her family behind if she changes faction. Worried about hurting their feelings. Once in Dauntless, it takes awhile but she transforms into new kick butt personality. She has a lot to prove considering where she comes from, and nobody thinks she can look after herself, except Four. She is definitely a girl to keep an eye on. 

Four, our romantic intrest, is a little bit mysterious. Nobody knows a whole lot about him and he tends to keep to himself. He seems to take a lot of interest in Tris, giving her advice and saving her butt a few times. He starts out as an instructor, but could he become more to Tris? He seems to yell at her and push her harder than the other initiates,  but Tris can't help but have her heart flutter when he touches her.  

Overall, this book is just AMAZING! Seriously! I cannot rave about  it enough. I can't believe it was on my shelf for two months before I picked it up. Insurgent needs to come out now! This is definitely a book to buy to add to your collection and obviously, I'm recommending it! Go out and buy a copy! Read it!