This is the second book in the Divergent Series by Veronica Roth. The review will definitely touch on subjects that are major plot points in the first book. So, if you are not a big fan of spoilers and think you may want to read this book, stop reading this review here. You can always read the review of Divergent and decide to read the book and then read this review later.
By the end of the first book, Tris and Tobias (Four) had shut down the Erudite's simulation they were using to control the Dauntless (at least those who weren't Divergent). They were not in time to save a great many Abnegation (including Tris' mom and dad) that were slaughtered during that invasion. This was all done with the bonus task of bringing Tobias out of a simulation that was engineered to worked on Divergents. This brings us to the point where Tris and Tobias try to rally support from all the other factions as well as the Factionless.
I really liked the first book. Maybe it was the clear and concise goals and the movement towards them that seemed to be set out for the characters. Maybe it was the rhythm of the story and the feeling of always climbing towards a greater reveal or resolution. It might have been the interesting introduction and exposition of each of the principle characters in the story. It was likely a combination of all these factors that I felt were done well in the first book yet, lacking in the second.
Character development was a bit stifled in the second book. There were a handful of new characters brought in but, none of them seemed to be brought to life quite in the same way the ones in the first book had. As far as already established characters like Tris, Tobias and Caleb were concerned, there was some continuing development and growth though not enough to keep my interest up. Some characters were so incomplete I kept confusing them with each other.
Part of my problem with the characters could have been rooted in the slow pace of the story as a whole. Where the first book climbed a spiral staircase of events and revelations to and ultimate event, the second book felt mired in trying to accomplish a single goal. Maybe that was on purpose and the author was trying to express the futility of the struggle. I really don't think that's the case. Either way, it leaves plenty of time for readers to grow bored with the progress of the protagonists and look for more exciting selections.
As a whole, Insurgent is not a bad addition to the series. It just suffers from being the slower, more deliberative sequel used to get readers ready for the more thrilling conclusion in the third of the series. It does have some very graphic violence and the interpersonal is getting a lot more personal in spots. All of which lands this one as solid PG13.
Hi! Great review. Personally I think the second book in the series was the slowest and the most 'boring' (if you can actually call it boring because it was still an important asset to the series and dramatic book, just not as dramatic and thrilling as the other two). But I'm a huge fan of the entire series (just not the ending of Allegiant) and I liked reading Insurgent.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Yasmine! The second book lag is all too often issue with trilogies. There's a lot of great exposition in this book so, we get to know these people better. I think it's just when compared to the first book, it seems to move slowly. I'm glad you enjoyed it!
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