Review: Insurgent (Divergent #2) by Veronica Roth

Publisher: HarperCollins

Published: May 1, 2012

Pages: 525

Source: Bought

Rating: 5 Stars

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.

In short: Insurgent by Veronica Roth is a solid and enthralling sequel to its predecessor.

Hmm, what's that? You've been dying to read yet another Insurgent review? Oh good. I was hoping you'd say that.

Insurgent picks up right where Divergent leaves off, leaving no time for exposition and rehashing of the events that took place at the end of Divergent. I would have been completely lost if it had not been for Veronica Roth's Catch-Up Guide, which I read just prior to starting Insurgent. As it was, I actually quite liked that Veronica Roth didn't waste any time going over all the details of the previous book as it would have slowed the pace down considerably and Insurgent is the kind of book that you want to devour as fast as possible. And devour I did, even though Insurgent is over 500 pages long.

I am just endlessly fascinated with the world building of the Divergent trilogy, specifically the Faction System, that is so expertly developed by Veronica Roth. I swear I could read about even the most mundane aspects of the Factions and still be interested. Lucky for me, Insurgent was the perfect book when it came to finding out more about the specific processes, cultures, and backgrounds of the Factions - Tris and Tobias visit all five Faction Headquarters over the course of Insurgent. And I am dying to learn even more secrets about the workings and history of the Faction System, especially with how Insurgent left off.

Though I didn't like Insurgent quite as much as Divergent and though it wasn't without its faults - Tris and Tobias got on my nerves a few times, for example - there is no way I could not give it 5 Stars considering how much I enjoyed myself while reading it. Everything else in Insurgent - the pacing, the action, the world and character building - more than made up for any minor pet peeves that I had. Insurgent is truly a solid and thrilling follow-up to what has become one of my favourite series of all time. I can't believe we still have to wait a year for the as yet untitled Book 3 - though does anyone else suspect it will be named Convergent?

Previously, my review for Divergent.

Other Reviews:
Hughes Review
Once Upon A Quote
Xpresso Reads

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