{Book Review} Insurgent (Divergent #2)

Author: Veronica Roth

Genre: YA science-fiction, fantasy
Published: May 1st 2012
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pages: 525
Source: Purchased Hardback
Available at: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Goodreads Summary:

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 Rating of this Book – 4 out of 5 Stars

My Review:

Compared to Divergent, which I loved, Insurgent seemed disappointing. It’s still a thrilling tale to read, full of suspense and heart-stopping action. I like the quick thinking of the character, Tris, and how well she is developed. But I was frustrated with Tobias (one of my favorite characters from Divergent). Tris and Tobias’s relationship always seemed strong in the first novel; strong enough to even fight off a mind controlling simulation. But in Insurgent, it suddenly becomes this fragile thing where one wrong word could shatter it like crystal; the pressure point being Tobias’s lack of trust. And by the end, I was completely tired of his character.

Also, the villain, Jeanine, seemed to have some issues in this book concerning her behavior. She diverted a lot from her society’s typical norms. I mean, this is like a whole community designed for Spock and Sherlock Homes: Logic first, emotion second. But in Insurgent, Jeanine didn’t really have that mentality. Under the slightest pressure, her emotions would just snap. Talk about the scientific method of ‘trail, error, and cry.’

Finally, I was really dissatisfied by the ending, and disappointed in the whole ‘big secret.’ And I’m not even sure where the next book will lead with the event that took place. It almost felt like it was the end of the actual series.

So, all in all, I would love to say that I’m excited for Divergent #3 to come out, but I’m not really sure I can make that statement at this point. I guess I’ll have to wait and see what the summary says.