Mon, April 2, 2012
Spoiler-Free Review of Insurgent by Veronica Roth
Insurgent
By Veronica Roth
Publication date: May 1, 2012
HarperTeen, 525 pages
Source: Publisher (I LOVE YOU, HARPERTEEN!)
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.
— Goodreads.com description
My Totally Spoiler-Free List of the 5 Things You Should Know About Insurgent by Veronica Roth:
1. Four (err, Tobias) is still as swoon-worthy as ever.
If you know me at all, you shouldn’t be surprised that I’m listing this first. Four. Oh, Four. That man is the master of the forehead lean. Kisses are hot, but the way he leans his forehead on Tris’ and closes his eyes and just breathes in the moment is just…gahhh.
2. There’s a LOT of character growth.
More time with minor characters and some MAJOR dilemmas facing our main characters means tons of character growth, which is essential in a good sequel. By the end of Insurgent, Tris is nothing like the girl we met in the first chapter of Divergent, or the girl we knew by the end of that book. And as much as I loved Tris before, I think that’s a really good thing.
3. To expand on that: Those you think you know…you don’t. At all.
Everyone has their secrets, and Insurgent is full of lies and truths, and at a certain point it’s very unclear what is right and what is wrong, who to trust and who to fight. There’s betrayal, there’s shocking turns of events, and you’ll never QUITE know whose side you’re on. That goes for EVERY character, from Tris on down.
4. When you finish Insurgent, you’ll feel like it ended at precisely the right spot.
I don’t mean Veronica Roth isn’t going to BLOW YOUR MIND. Because, oh boy, your mind will be BLOWN. And it’s totally cliffie and you’ll be like “WHAT!? NO! I WANT MORE!” I mean, c’mon, you saw that one coming. But, I feel like Insurgent — and Divergent too — ends right where it needs to. The characters are looking toward the future, the plot arcs are tidied up, and it’s clear that the entire story is ready to move on to the next stage. You guys, that’s pretty masterful in a book filled with so much complexity and action.
5. I’ve always been Team Dauntless. (And I’ll be fighting for that faction all month.) But in reality? At the end of this book, I don’t think I’m on any team at all.
I’ll leave it at that!
To wrap it up, let’s just say I cried, I smiled, I was touched and, throughout it all, my heart was racing. Now that, my friends, makes for a GREAT book.
PS: Please click here to support Team Dauntless!
If you click the link above, you can enter for a chance to win a Nook AND an e-book copy of Insurgent, courtesy of Team Dauntless. How RIDICULOUSLY GREAT is that!?
23 Comments
Leave a comment
About Me
I read. A lot. Mostly whatever YA novels the library has on hold for me that week. Sometimes grown-up books if my book club makes me.
Currently Reading
Jessica Darling's It List #1: The (Totally Not) Guaranteed Guide to Popularity, Prettiness & PerfectionBy Megan McCafferty
OMGGGGGG!!!!!!!!!!!!
Julia @ That Hapa CHick said:
OH MY GOSH WHY WOULD YOU TORTURE ME WITH SUCH A WONDERFUL REVIEW?!?!?! Seriously though I am DYING for this book. The way you described Four doing that whole forehead lean thing? Gahhh yes. Love it. And I’m a HUGE sucker for character development so I am so excited this book has it in spades. Can it be May already?
[Reply]
Posted on: Mon, April 2, 2012
Anne Bennett said:
What a wonderful idea of a spoiler-free review. I am looking forward to this book.
Anne Bennett recently posted..Prequel to Maze Runner Coming Soon
[Reply]
Posted on: Mon, April 2, 2012
Nicole said:
AHH, YOU GOT AN ARC OF INSURGENT!
But anyway, great review! You have only heightened my longing and expectations for Insurgent though!
[Reply]
Posted on: Mon, April 2, 2012
Ginger @ GReads! said:
Oh holy hell! I have a feeling I’ll read this one straight through when I get a copy. It sounds way intense.
Ginger @ GReads! recently posted..Rewind & Review: April Edition
[Reply]
Posted on: Mon, April 2, 2012
Tara said:
Eeeekkkkkk!!!! No words can describe my excitement for this book.
[Reply]
Posted on: Mon, April 2, 2012
Jac @ For Love and Books said:
This is definitely one of those books I will be sitting down to read the second I get it in my hands!! I’m glad that Four is Swoonworthy as ever! (Although I didn’t really have any doubt!!)
Jac @ For Love and Books recently posted..Review: Cinnamon Roll Murder by Joanne Fluke
[Reply]
Posted on: Mon, April 2, 2012
Magan @ Rather Be Reading said:
I. CANNOT. WAIT.
That is all.
Magan @ Rather Be Reading recently posted..Estelle: In My Mailbox (4/1/2012)
[Reply]
Posted on: Mon, April 2, 2012
Kristilyn (Reading in Winter) said:
Great review! I’m really looking forward to this one … glad to see that Four is still swoonworthy — naturally, that was one of my main concerns!
And it sounds like there are major twists and turns going on! I can’t wait to read this! Thanks for the review!
Kristilyn (Reading in Winter) recently posted..BOOK REVIEW: Dash & Lily’s Book of Dares, by Rachel Cohn & David Levithan
[Reply]
Posted on: Mon, April 2, 2012
Hannah @ so obsessed with said:
I still haven’t read Divergent yet, even though it’s been on my Kindle for at least a month! I guess I better get on that
Hannah @ so obsessed with recently posted..March Recap
[Reply]
Posted on: Mon, April 2, 2012
annette said:
Awesome review! I can’t wait!
[Reply]
Posted on: Mon, April 2, 2012
Tina said:
LOL- I feel so old having a crush on Four, but oh well I still do….:D
Cant wait to read this one, thanks for sharing!!!
[Reply]
Posted on: Mon, April 2, 2012
Sash from Sash and Em said:
Dauntless? I’m sad. Clearly, I’m Team Amity. It’s so..ME. Us Libras are very non-confrontational.
xo
[Reply]
Posted on: Mon, April 2, 2012
VeganYANerds said:
Thanks for writing a spoiler-free review, Anna! I am SO, SO, SO looking forward to Insurgent
VeganYANerds recently posted..I’ll Tell You Mine by Pip Harry
[Reply]
Posted on: Mon, April 2, 2012
Lena said:
WOOT, TEAM DAUNTLESS 4-EVA!!!!!
So glad you loved the book, Anna. I look forward to the smiling and the crying. And I’m also glad that while its cliffhangery, it’s not frustrating.
[Reply]
Posted on: Mon, April 2, 2012
Andie Z said:
I totally need to get my butt in gear and read Divergent. Insurgent sounds awesome and I’m not even there plotwise, haha! Thanks for being spoiler free for those of us who are waaaaaaay behind.
Andie
Andie Z recently posted..Review: Stolen Away by Alyxandra Harvey
[Reply]
Posted on: Mon, April 2, 2012
sonia said:
sdfkjsdfhdkjsfhskdjfhkjdsfhkjsdfhskdjfh
One month. One month. One. Month. Be strong.
Awesome list! (: You have totally perfected the art of being non-spoilery but still making me bounce with anticipation. Wooo, can’t wait!!
sonia recently posted..Amy & Roger’s Epic Detour by Morgan Matson
[Reply]
Posted on: Mon, April 2, 2012
Ravenousreader said:
Spot on review, I am half way finished and cannot wait to discuss. GO TEAM DAUNTLESS!!!
[Reply]
Posted on: Mon, April 2, 2012
Lisa said:
Chills, I have!
[Reply]
Posted on: Mon, April 2, 2012
Jasmine Rose said:
This is cruel and you’re making me jealous
I’m glad to hear it lives up to and even surpasses expectations, though :]
Jasmine Rose recently posted..Top Ten Tuesday {15} Quick Reads
[Reply]
Posted on: Mon, April 2, 2012
ONCE UPON A TWILIGHT said:
WHAT A GREAT REVIEW. Im working on writing mines now, and it won’t be easy because of how Aewsome Insurgent is.
ONCE UPON A TWILIGHT recently posted..#TeamDauntless: Dauntless Street Team Sign Ups!
[Reply]
Posted on: Mon, April 2, 2012
Mrs. Heise said:
OK, so I waited until I finished reading it, and wrote up my review, before I read yours, but you are so spot on! I think you said everything I felt, just a little more eloquently than I did. I was so overwhelmed by trying to breathe after the last page that I’m not sure my review will do it justice, so I’m glad I have yours to point to!
Mrs. Heise recently posted..In My Mailbox #48
[Reply]
Posted on: Mon, April 2, 2012
Insurgent Veronica Roth Book Review said:
[...] Anna Reads [...]
Posted on: Mon, April 2, 2012
Book Review for Insurgent by Veronica Roth said:
[...] Anna Reads Cuddlebuggery Book Blog Steph Likes Books [...]
Posted on: Mon, April 2, 2012