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Wednesday, June 13, 2012

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

Author Links:

23 comments :

  1. I'm so jealous you knew about Veronica Roth's Catch Up Guide when you started the book. Ahhh! Had I been spared the confusion, I would have been a happy girl. I liked your point about the pace of the action necessitating no rehash of previous events.

    I do think Roth does action and pacing really well. One of her strengths.

    And like you, I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THE FACTIONS. I would also read mundane details about each one!

    I still think the reveal at the end was lame, but I seem to be in the minority in that opinion.

    And I def like your idea for a title: Convergent. Totally agree!

    Great review! Thanks for the mention :)

    Lauren @ Hughes Reviews

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    1. Yeah, I was so grateful for it! If I didn't have it, I probably would've at least wanted to reread the last 50 pages of Divergent or so. Yeah, I'm not sure I really understood the importance of the ending reveal.

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  2. I'm so excited for Book #3 - I think it'll be Convergent too :) Roth is a very talented author.

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  3. YESSS!!!! I just love that you loved this one as much as I did! It's such a fantastic series, isn't it? I didn't think it could keep getting better :)

    Great review!

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

    You make me giggle Aylee:) I'm so excited to read this one, my copy has been taunting me from my TBR stack for weeks now and I'm hoping I can put myself out of my misery soon. I've heard Tris and Tobias are a bit frustrating in this one, but I'm glad to see that didn't detract from your overall enjoyment:)

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    1. Still haven't read it?! Wow, how much restraint you show! I have faith that Tris and Tobias have gotten over their problems and will stay solid for book 3.

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  5. I didn't like Insurgent as much as Divergent either but I think it was enjoyable?! Haha, I'm still trying to work out how I feel about this book. I wonder if the third title will be Convergent too. I know Veronica Roth jokes it's Detergent!

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    1. I get you, it was hard to decide. Detergent would be hilarious!

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  6. I haven't been able to write my review for Insurgent yet because I continue to be CAPSLOCK and exclamation points mode for it. But...I did love it! I actually wasn't too bothered by Tris and Four's drama because I thought Veronica Roth executed it well. That said, I hope they're past that now, haha. I can't wait to see what she has up her sleeve in book three. I don't have a guess for the title, but my brother think it will be Resurgent. Hopefully we'll find out soon!

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    1. I know, this review was difficult for me. I think they're done with the drama at this point too and will stay solid for book 3. I really don't know where book 3 will go! Resurgent is a cool name!

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  7. I'm jealous that you've managed to beat me to reading this one :) I got a copy as soon as it came out but I'm so far behind with my review pile - the minute I get any free time I waste it by watching TV - the books that are meant for fun just aren't being read either.

    I've heard Tris and Four do get a little annoying in this one but it's nice that everything else makes up for it. I'm really excited about learning more about the different factions.

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    1. Aw, too bad. But hopefully you'll get to it soon! And have fun reading it. It was an interesting read, I thought!

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  8. Great review!! But this series haunts me, I swear, lol, it's like it keeps tempting me to read it. and the fact the second book is so solid just adds to it :(

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    1. You should give it a try! I'm not convinced it'll be your thing though, Alex.

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  9. Great review! Triss and Four definitely got on my nerves too but I found it was great, realistic characters growth after what happened in book 1. They're coping the best they can. I didn,t like it as much as Divergent either but very close and that ending is SOO insane!!

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    1. That's true. I commend Veronica Roth for the realism.

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  10. All I saw was your star rating because I still haven't read Divergent. I really need to. Most people also love Insurgent or say that it's even better.

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    1. I've seen a few disappointed reviews, which is too bad.

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  11. Ha! How did you know that another Insurgent review was just what I needed?!

    I have yet to read this series, but only because I had read so many reviews for Divergent, I kind of felt I already knew the story. Clearly, I'm still missing out. I really like it when an author doesn't waste time rehashing everything. I just read a book that did that and it annoyed the heck out of me.

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    1. Aw, that's the problem with overexposure, I guess. I don't know, hopefully you will still try it someday. And maybe read them back-to-back so you don't need a refresher in between!

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  12. Yeah, it's just such an awesome concept! Roth is brilliant.

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