Insurgent

Insurgent (Divergent #2) by Veronica Roth

Insurgent, how had I longed for this copy to land in my hand! It was so exciting when my friend Natalie lent her copy of Insurgent to me (I couldn't wait for the library copies, they were just too slow to arrive XD). I was actually quite scared to read this book because of how much I lovedDivergent. I was afraid that this sequel might not live up to my expectations.

I had a hard time imagining what this book would be about. Since the revolution/rebellion which finished Divergent, I didn't know what would come next which wouldn't make Insurgent boring. I came up with nothing. When dystopian books turn more to the political side of things, that's when they become a bit of a pain. That was sort of how I felt about Insurgent. I saw it coming yet I wanted something different, maybe. 

As much as I hated to say this, Insurgent did disappoint me. The first part of the book was a bit slow and boring, I couldn't really get into it until much later. Compare to the beginning of Divergent there was a big gap in excitement and fluidity of writing. But I thought to myself that it would get better. And it did. But not until about more than half-way through the book. Then it started to become a bit more exciting, more real action (or I should say "needed-action", action that was there for a good reason). The plot there had a sudden turn and the pace of the book picked up. It was really from there on that had tipped my rating from a 3 star to a 4 star (maybe some 3.5 in many parts). I can't really say much more as to why without giving away parts of the book, so I will stop here about the overall effect of the book. But from here on, both the writing and plot did improve a lot, and prompted me into "reading mode" -- made me want to continue reading.

I didn't really enjoy the twist the author gave this book (especially at the beginning), but I liked how she finished it off. The ending was quite satisfying for me, though many people didn't like the ending, and the cliffhanger made me really want to read the next book! Come on Veronica, the third book doesn't even have a name yet! XD 

To me, the main character Tris became weaker in this book, in contrary to what I expected or wanted: for her to be stronger. A lot of her thoughts dominated the book and that kind of annoyed me a bit, as they weren't happy thoughts or thoughts of change. It was more of thoughts of guilt and grief, dooming herself. But I did see where it was all coming from, and understood why she felt what she did. The twists and turns of relationships in the book also had reasons and was very understandable. Nothing ever runs smoothly all the way, and I liked how realistic it was, even though I'm a hopeless romantic and didn't really want to see any barriers. XP There were a lot of sadness in this book, and it wasn't very often you get a spark of total happiness or joy. When you did, you felt along with it and enjoyed the moment as much as the character(s) themselves, and I liked how the author managed to do that. Although the overall writing was a drop in standards comparing to Divergent. I really liked the writing then, and that too, kind of disappointed me when I was reading Insurgent.

Some of the action in the book seemed unnecessary and dragged on, unlike how everything was perfect and there for a reason in Divergent. But I liked how we got to see and know more of all the factions as we read on. I know it's quite hard to write a brillant first book, and then have to write a sequel that satisfy every reader. So I would say that I absolutely loved Divergent but only liked Insurgent.

I am very looking forward to reading the next and final book in the trilogy, mostly due to the latter part of the book and the cliffhanger. It is still an alright sequal to the first book, but I'm hoping that it's more because of having to be transition betweent the first and the third book that it seemed a bit under the standard; and that the third book will be a lot better, as good as Divergent, if not better :) Can't wait to see how this all ends :D 

Rating: 3.5 Stars

Summary from Goodreads: 

 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.