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Insurgent by Veronica Roth | Book Review-ish/Discussion

December 16, 2018 by Jamie 8 Comments

If you haven’t read this series, I must warn you to stop reading. I went more the “discussion” route as opposed to a normal review. It’s been out a while and the movie is coming out, so I figure it’s safe. Plus there’s many things I need to discuss. So without further ado…

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.

BLOGinsurgent-veronica-roth

I need to get this off my chest before I continue: I don’t really like Tris. I’m trying to, but it’s hard.

Have you read the Divergent series? Here’s some thoughts on the second #Insurgent!

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Things that bugged me:

  • Tris’ inability to communicate with the man she’s supposedly in love with.
  • The constant bickering in the first half of the novel between Tris and Tobias. Drama for your Mama.
  • Why can’t the girl ever listen? I get going off once because you think you’re helping, but like every other day? That’s not noble, it’s selfish and annoying. Plus that’s not how you treat someone you claim to love.
  • Turning herself into Erudite headquarters? Lame. She completely doesn’t believe in the people around her. Did she really believe she would save more people that way? Geez.
  • Why the hay would you trust Marcus so easily! Seriously.
  • This didn’t bug me, but did anyone else think of President Coin with Tobias’ mother?

I honestly don’t remember the last time a character kept doing things that I wanted to yell “HOMEGIRL, GET YOUR STUFF TOGETHER.”

It got a bit better towards the last section of the book. There was more action and not just Tris not listening. Plus there were some surprises I didn’t see coming. Roth’s writing ability isn’t the issue, just the one character ;).

Will I read the last book? Yes, not only because I try to finish series (I mean, I finished the Twilight Saga Internet), but how this ended was enough for me to be intrigued and want to know how it concludes. I have to confess, before I started reading this series, I had fun plans to write a comparison post between this series and The Hunger Games, but after reading this one, there’s no point. HG is by far better.

Have you read this series? What are some of your thoughts? If you haven’t what’s a popular series you were disappointed in? (You can say Hunger Games ;), promise I won’t get mad).

Where to Buy: Amazon |

Filed Under: Book Review Tagged With: 2012 Release, Divergent, dystopia, fiction, Insurgent, Katherine Tegen Books, review, Veronica Roth, YA

  • Wesley

    She does have a listening problem, I will give you that for sure! What made me kind of meh about this book was that I was really intrigued by how like the society in the city was all set up and I wanted to know more about that but then it was like, JK on a train to the country here’s this whole new thing.

    • Jamie

      I can’t handle someone who doesn’t listen that much, unless the main character is like 5, it’s unacceptable at that age (especially since lives depend on your decisions). I’m really interested in how the final is going to pan out. From what I’ve heard it didn’t meet expectations, but hopefully I’ll sneak it in soon to find out!

  • emilycarlton

    2nd book was a disappointment. It was slow, Tris annoyed me to no end, the lying was ridiculous, and I kept thinking “all of the problems the people are having with each other would be solved if they would just talk and be honest. Why is no one doing that?” I have to remember the author is my age. She’s 26. She wrote these when she herself probably doesn’t know how to be a functioning adult yet, so why should her characters? I like the story plot, but it got to be too dramatic. I hated how the series ended.

    • Jamie

      On twitter a fellow reader said this book reminded her the difference between Adult YA readers and Teen YA readers. Being twice the age of Tris, I want to knock some sense into her, but I have twice as much experience. BUT STILL. I guess since I compare it to HG (and I like Katniss), it’s hard for me to like Tris. Since everyone I’ve talked to doesn’t like how it ended, I’m ready to see what it’s all about!

  • Monica Kelley

    I’ve seen Divergent about 10 times, but have yet to read the book. I started and stopped more than I’ve seen the movie. It just hasn’t hooked me right away. If these are the general feelings about Insurgent, then it’s likely I will have a problem with it as well. I still plan to complete this series before the second movie. I have to admit that Hunger Games set an unusually high bar with me in this particular genre.

    • Jamie

      I agree – Hunger Game really set the bar high for YA dystopian. If a YA series can attract and impress adult readers, you know it’s a good book!

  • Lis K

    I liked Divergent the best and then I liked each successive book less and less. I think I was more confused in Insurgent. They always seemed to be going here and there and I started to forget where they were going and why. Tris is not an easy character but I’m hoping the movie will change that. I was disappointed with the last books in the Hunger Games series and Delirium series. I’d highly recommend the Legend series, though.

    • Jamie

      Insurgent was definitely a slower pace, up until the final few chapters, so that didn’t really help. I’m curious how they’re going to portray her in the movie too – will they tone her lies down or put it all up there? We’ll shall see!

      I’ve heard a lot about Delirium and the Legend series as well. I have them on my list to read, so hopefully I can get to them soon!

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Hola! I'm Jamie. A Photographer. A Dessert Specialist. A Reader. Del Taco's #1 fan. A Wannabe Inkling. An INSPYs Advisory Board Member. A fan of Sports (Internet high fives for the Lakers, FC Barcelona, and the Saints). A Traveler & I heart Jesus a whole lot. Read more here.

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