Insurgent (Divergent #2)
by Veronica Roth
Caution: Should only be read if Allegiant is at arm's length away. You will want more immediately.
Leaving off shortly where Divergent ending, this book does not shy away from doing what it takes to get the job done. Due to this, half of my reading experience was spent with me yelling at the characters. They took turns doing stuff that made me aggravated or pissed me off. Tris, Tobias, Marcus, Peter, friends, foes; you name it, I yelled at them. Despite my aggravation, I liked Insurgent. If a book can get me to speak explicitly by the surprises or turn of events, then it is doing its job.
Tris’s journey builds on the events in Divergent and reveal more about the Erudite’s whole plot that not even she could have guessed. Every event is meaningful in one sense or another. The world-building is less than Divergent but that is because their world is shifting so much that what they thought to be true days ago, would not be so anymore. However, there is still a lot that we do learn about their society. Insurgent gives more information about the factionless, who come to play a big part later on. We also do learn more about Amity. When looked at in small sections, it does not appear to give you much information as you expected. But in a way, it does, much more than you initially believe.
The character development, minor and major, therefore, has improved. There is a vulnerability to Tris that we did not see as often in Divergent that we do witness now. The circumstances are unfortunate. Not only does she grow, but so does Tobias. The events that take place have as much to do with him as it has to do with her. The settings and circumstances allow us to see a part of Tobias’s past, who he was before he became Dauntless. I grew to love him more.
On the other hand, while I still cannot relate to Tris, I do like her. Though I can understand some of her motives, and her personality, at times she feels sort of heartless or reckless. I am sure I am not the only one who thinks this. She constantly said so herself. The moments she was supposed to feel something, “she felt nothing.” She does have good motives, though, and that is enough reason for me to care about her and support her endeavors.
To anyone who has not had the opportunity to read the sequel, I recommend you do. Be warned, though, you will be yelling. Characters are going to surprise in some ways you did not even consider. You will jump off your feet and start questioning what you knew. You may even put the book aside long enough to rethink the events leading up to then. But is that not part of the adventure of books?
While I was agitated about how the book left off- cliffhanger, if you had not already guessed it- I cannot think of any other way this book could have ended. Now, I am currently trying to get my hands on Allegiant.
