Insurgent

Divergent, Book 2

By: Veronica Roth

Narrated by: Emma Galvin

Length: 11 hrs and 22 mins

Publisher's summary

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 best-selling 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.

Motion Picture Artwork TM & © 2015 Summit Entertainment, LLC. All Rights Reserved

©2012 Veronica Roth (P)2012 HarperCollinsPublishers

Dang it Tris!

I loved book 1 but halfway through book 2 I became increasingly annoyed with Tris’s behavior. Overall a good story but Tris’s near suicidal behavior for a good chunk of the book was a let down. I will still give a 4/5.

Stellar... seriously... have you read this yet?

In full disclosure, I’ll start off by saying that I love Divergent. I love Tris. I love Four. In my review of Divergent I raised some things that didn’t sit right with me—but, having listened to Insurgent all of my questions/issues were addressed. And while, I can’t change my initial reaction to Divergent---Insurgent has made me love it more and in our trilogy-centric YA world I think that’s a major feat. That being said, I am still reeling a bit by the reveal at the end and if I struggle to find the words I hope you will forgive.

The story picks up literally where we left Tris and gang---and follows them through several different areas. This really helped to flush out the world even more. I loved being able to see the inner workings of different factions. I do not want to give away anything but let’s just say (while I consider myself a truthful person) I do not want to EVER live in Candor.

Tris is much more vulnerable now... deeply affected by losing her parents and wading through the guilt of Will. This story is painful and contains twists and turns that I did not anticipate… betrayal and assistance where I didn’t expect it. And that end… I'm going to start listen to them both again and again... I know it.

Tris and Four… uh! Thank you Veronica Roth… for creating this relationship. Thank you for NOT (can you believe it) giving us a triangle. Thank you for your amazing and realistic dialogue. I… I really am at a loss for words to describe how satisfied I am. And anxious too.

I am in awe of Emma Galvin’s talent. The emotions she brings only enhance the super intense moments. I think her performance was amazingly spot-on.

This is a killer sequel. I am satisfied in a way that I haven’t been in awhile. I am SUPER stoked for the next one. I am also dreading the next one because that will mean the end…

An Interesting Sequel

Insurgent is a good follow up to Divergent that doesn't suffer from the traditional "middle-book-in-a-trilogy" blues. Grab it immediately if you listened to Divergent!

Not as good as Divergent

My recommendation: re-read the last chapters of Divergent before listening to Insurgent. I didn't, so I spent the first part of this book wondering who was who and what was going on. Insurgent expects listeners to have all the events and everyone's names fresh in mind. That did not happen with me. I don't need a complete recap, but it would have been nice to be reminded which one was the brother and which was the love interest. Those little hints to help jog the memory just aren't there.

I enjoyed Divergent, but I realized a big part of my enjoyment was the school/training aspect and learning about the world. Insurgent focuses on the war between the factions, my least favorite part of book 1. I liked learning more about Amenity and Candor, but I was expecting to discover what's beyond the wall, and that's saved for book 3.

Insurgent is a middle book in a series. You have to read it to find out what comes next, but nothing really happens. Hopefully the next book will be more interesting.

Excellent continuation!

Any additional comments?

Insurgent was as good as Divergent, picking up right where we left off and then ending with a bang--what a cliffhanger! It was action packed and full of intrigue!

I really enjoyed how Tris' character is evolving, as well as her relationship with Four. She is more focused and less tentative. They questions each others motives a lot and it seems their relationship is hanging by a thread at points, but it all comes to a head with a very satisfying outcome.

We learn a lot of about the different factions and how they operate. We also learn why Tris has aptitude for 3 factions.

Can't wait for the last book!

SO GOOD!!!!!!

The only thing that is not amazing about this series, is that the 3rd book is not out yet!!!! BUY THIS BOOK, YOU'LL THANK ME LATER!!!!!

Still not as good as Hunger Games

I still think this series is a low rent version of the Hunger Games. And the only reason I bought Book 2 was I saw the movie (based on Book 1) which made the story line more acceptable/tolerable, or just made me forget the problems I had with Book 1.
Book 2 did help a bit with the problems I had with the plausibility of the storyline. However it was replaced more with a feeling that the society created in the book was modeled more on the social structures of a American high school. Everyone eats in a big old cafeteria according to their faction and a lot of drama happens there.
The book did have its high points, however not enough to have me hunger for the next book. Maybe the next movie will get me to bother with that.

Not quite as good as the debut, but still good

I loved Divergent! I had just finished the Hunger Games and was looking for something to fill the void left by finishing the series. In my opinion, the first book was better. This book was filled with similar feats of heroics and dauntlessness, and interestingly Trice starts to explore her tendencies for the other factions. I just felt the there was a little too much "drama" between Tobias and Trice. Even now that I'm done reading the novel, I'm still confused about all the tension between those two. I loved the ending, it rocked my world! Now I just have to wait for the next book to come out...

A kid's series all can enjoy

I wouldn't have picked up this series had it not been for our 12 year old who highly recommended it. While definitely written for the 12 to 17 year old age group, it's a series which even adults will enjoy. The plot is easy to follow and engaging and held my interest. If I were to categorize it I would call it a Science Fiction Action book. Good listen for older kids and adults.

The audiobook enhances the book

Insurgent begins right where Divergent left off and the action quickly picks up. Now that they are on their own, Tris and Tobias are on a tour of all of the factions to plot their next move. I’ve been so curious about all the factions and it’s interesting to see how they line up with my expectations. With each faction visit we learn a little more about Tris, Tobias and their other crew, through simulations and other character interactions. Tris is dealing with her past actions and suffers with PTSD but she doesn’t have much time to dwell – there’s too much at stake.

The intensity and relentless heart-wrenching drama reminded me of how I felt reading Mockingjay. The pace doesn’t let up and there are betrayals, surprises and game changing reveals on this journey. There were times I missed the more focused feel of Divergent and felt a little lost amid the fast moving Insurgent. There are so many new characters introduced it is hard to keep them straight and whose sibling they are or what faction they belong to. I recommend re-reading Divergent first or having the author’s cheat sheet handy to refer to, as I did several times.

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the relationship drama in the book. Things are a little bumpy for Tris and Tobias, but kudos to Veronica Roth for not resorting to love triangles to add conflict. All of the chaos around them and tough choices tests their bond in interesting ways.

One thing that helped me keep the story straight and “read” it at a reasonable pace is by listening to the audiobook. Emma Galvin nails the tone of the book and most importantly the voice of Tris. She reads with the appropriate intensity and in fact makes the book even more exciting. She makes all of the character voices distinct, both male and female and varying ages, but the voices are not overdone or distracting. The audiobook enhances the book and provides an incredible listening experience. The only downside to listening is that it’s harder to go back and refer to different chapters if you need to, but otherwise give this audio a try.

I think I enjoyed Divergent a little more than the sequel, but still found a lot to enjoy about Insurgent. I like that it’s thought provoking and surprising and keeps opening up new doors to explore. There is character development and the plot is never boring.