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Divergent

Books Reviews

Review – Insurgent, yipee!

Insurgent book front
Wow I’ve just realised this post was still in draft format, I finished this book last summer and wrote the review on the 22nd of August! So publishing now, I can only assume I started to feel sick and gave up.

It took me a little longer than I thought it would to finish this book, which is not a reflection on the book at all but merely my own ability to focus! Insurgent is the second instalment of the Divergent trilogy by Veronica Roth. It’s another young adult science fiction meets dystopia and personally I love that the book follows on from the first book Divergent pretty much seamlessly.

As always I won’t spoil the book by revealing the plot line for you, however I’ll give you a general overview and my thoughts on the book. Insurgent is easy reading, it’s written in a format which I think makes it viable for all kinds of adults (not just the young ones!). The book has plenty of good structure, keeping the main story line running along nicely. The main characters Beatrice (Tris) and Tobias (Four) along with the dystopia society of factions. Veronica has done a good job in terms of character development ready for the third instalment, as the story progresses you get a much better understanding of who they are. In fact I think even the characters learn who they are and who are are not for the first time. After all they have just been through a major societal shake up, lots of new relationships are formed and a deeper understanding of all the factions is seen.

Fighting for survival in a shattered world… the truth is her only hope.

The thrillingly dark sequel to No. 1 New York Times bestseller, DIVERGENT.

I have done bad things. I can’t take them back, and they are part of who I am.

Tris has survived a brutal attack on her former home and family. But she has paid a terrible price. Wracked by grief and guilt, she becomes ever more reckless as she struggles to accept her new future.

Yet if Tris wants to uncover the truth about her world, she must be stronger than ever… because more shocking choices and sacrifices lie ahead.

Insurgent keeps you on edge, it’s cleverly written and leaves you with a longing to start reading the next and final book (which I may or may not have just ordered). Divergent was a great book, not all sequels live up to their second book but I can firmly say that Insurgent does indeed match Divergent. I’m actually quite surprised that this series has not had quite the same publicity as  The Hunger Games or Twilight because it’s on par.

As I mentioned above the second book follows pretty much immediately after the first, I am so glad the Veronica did not included the recapping most authors do. It was refreshing not to have to be bored by repeated content for readers who had not read the first book. The story line is actually quite complex, personally I did not find anything too weird or strange but then I enjoy sci-fi in general so perhaps that’s why.

I would highly recommend the book, go and read it now!

Books Reviews

Review – Divergent, oh man oh man

Divergent book image

I managed to read this book in two days, maybe not even that. I know this is going to be one of those books that some people love and others hate. I loved it, but then I enjoyed Twilight and The Hunger Games so go figure right?

The book is part one of three books written by Veronica Roth, the book was written during Veronica’s creative writing degree at Northwestern University but was quickly published by HarperCollins.

 

 

 

For sixteen-year-old Tris, the world changes in a heartbeat when she is forced to make a terrible choice. Turning her back on her family, Tris ventures out, alone, determined to find out where she truly belongs.

Shocked by the brutality of her new life, Tris can trust no one. And yet she is drawn to a boy who seems to both threaten and protect her. The hardest choices may yet lie ahead….

I honestly can not wait for the next book (Insurgent) to arrive! If you enjoyed reading Twilight and The Hunger Games books then go buy this now! I’ve always liked reading young adult books, even though I’m really not a young adult anymore but I think that any adult could enjoy this if you still like that style of writting.

It’s written in the typical young adult fiction style, typical storyline (string female and strong male characters, usual love attraction) but it’s really good. I love the environment and setting as it’s really quite unique like The Hunger Games was. I much prefer this trilogy so far compared to The Hunger Games and that’s quite a big statement, although I have seen others who prefer the latter. In this book the population are split by factions Amity (The Peaceful), Dauntless (The Brave), Abnegation (The Selfless), Erudite (The Intelligent) and Candour (The Honest), it makes for a really interesting read as you question which faction you might yourself be in.

The book is easy to read, possibly more aimed at girls unless you enjoy that type of book and it’s just great. I’m really looking forward to watching the film as I missed it when it was in the cinema.

The only thing I wish is that the book was a little longer, there is also a part which I think progresses too quickly. I won’t give away the storyline but things go from relativity calm to straight panic. I feel there could and should have been a little more build up. One thing that is really great is that the author really doesn’t mind killing of characters, you have no idea who is next because everyone’s a possibility.

All in, I think if you enjoy young adult books and you like things like Harry Potter, THG, Twilight then you will enjoy this book so let’s hope the other two are just as good!