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Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Book Review: Insurgent (Divergent #2) by Veronica Roth


My Rating: 
Book: Insurgent (Divergent #2)
Author: Veronica Roth
Publication date: May 1st, 2012

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 Review:

My expectations for this book were extremely high, which on one hand could be considered positive as Veronica Roth (author) has set a very high standard and created a great kick off to her Divergent trilogy; however, on the other hand, it may also be considered negative, or let's say more risky, because if the expectations are not met, it can result to disappointment for the readers. I would say that I personally categorized myself right in between the two. I was overall quite thrilled, shocked and excited about the events happening in the book, however I was not as ecstatic about it as I was with Divergent.

When I read Divergent, I found the characters great. I really loved them and wished they were almost real! However, in Insurgent, I was a little disappointed. First of all, I want to commend Ms. Roth for how she strongly continued to portray the relationship between Tris and Four. In Divergent, I enjoyed the development of their love for each other, their first kiss and affection, and I was very much looking forward to the continuity of this in Insurgent. Through thick and thin, truth, lies, and deceptiveness, they stuck together like two peas in a pod. I found it realistic and dramatic how devoted they remained, no matter how fast the world and people around them they first thought they knew and trusted was falling apart.

Unfortunately, as realistic the love was between Tris and Four, how unrealistic some characteristics of specific characters were, that developed throughout. For example, I found the level of courage and luck that possessed Tris too artificial and exaggerated: how she was willing to put her life consistently on the line for everyone and everything and how she continuously managed to get away from the most impossible situations. It seemed as if she (though she) was a super hero with supernatural powers and she always thought that solely she could save her society and the people important to her… but most of the times she was a very hopeless and 'incapable' character that continuously found herself in deep trouble and was multiple times saved by others or by pure luck.

Ms. Roth introduced many new characters in the book who, as soon as they were introduced, were dropping like flies to be never mentioned again. Personally for me this was done too quick and too much, as I hardly had the time to connect and understand the characters before they were killed off…
The plot and the characters’ characteristics may have been unbelievable at times, however this did not take away the fact that it often did create an exciting and bone thrilling story line, which now and again made the book quite a page turner.

The twists in this book were definitely shocking and unforeseen! I do not wish to reveal what these twists specifically were, but I will give a hint that one character definitely has been posing as someone they’re truly not. This changed many things for Tris and I am extremely curious as to how she will deal with this in the third book!

Overall, I would like to give Insurgent a 4/5 stars. It definitely did have it’s exciting moments, but I found it a slower read and sometimes a little confusing to follow due to the excessive gain and loss of characters. The twists definitely made me read on and I must honestly say that if it weren't for the MAJOR twist which was revealed at the end of the book, I would not be as excited to read the third and last book of the Divergent trilogy.


3 comments:

  1. I have to agree with you about the BIG TWIST at the end. That was totally unforeseen, but it didn't really make me want to read the third book. Though, I will anyways because I hate leaving off a trilogy like that.

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    Replies
    1. True that! I think I will fall for buying the last book, I mean I've made it this far right ;)

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  2. Great review, buddy. :) I just posted my Insurgent review on my blog. Had the same problem with Tris. Though, I'll still read the last book, because I have no choice but to see where the story ends.

    Kaykay @ The Creative Forum

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