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!