Insurgent

by Veronica Roth
PRMS hardcover 525 pages
genre: YA dystopian adventure romance

This was actually kind of disappointing. It seemed meandering and almost boring between action sequences. I'm sure I would feel differently if I were a 15-year-old girl, but I don't identify well with Tris and Tobias doesn't seem like that great of a guy other than the fact that he's hot-looking and strong. They are hiding out in Amity with the rest of the war refugees (my term) and trying to figure out what's really going on. There's a lot of back-and-forth on an emotional level (each one keeping secrets from the other) and within this world (with the factionless, Candor, and Erudite taking big chunks of the plot with them). And you can't forget the Dauntless - both the traitors who allied with Erudite and the ones who are trying to figure out what to do next. And the great big secret that Abnegation wanted to share and Erudite wants to hide? You'll have to slog through . . . I mean, read . . . the book to find out. Not sure I have any desire at all to read book three.

Divergent

by Veronica Roth
PRMS paperback 487 pages
genre: YA dystopian adventure romance

I'm so glad I read this! I like it a lot better than some of the other dystopian stuff I've read lately. Tris (Beatrice) has been raised in the Abnegation faction, but doesn't feel that she belongs there. She struggles too much with serving others and being selfless. When she goes to be tested, she learns that she is Divergent and can choose her faction. But she is also warned not to let anyone know; it is very dangerous to be Divergent. She chooses Dauntless (after watching her brother Caleb choose Erudite). Amity and Candor are the other factions. Four (Tobias) is one of her trainers in Dauntless, but he becomes her friend and then her love interest as the story progresses. I'm intrigued enough to want to read the second book, Insurgent!

Also Peter, Eric (nasties), Christina, Al (friends) and the evil mastermind of Erudite. At the end of this story, our heroes are safely tucked away in Amity, but aware that the temporary refuge will not last.

added 2/24/14:
Notes that I had on a piece of paper at the lake -
Tris (Beatrice)
Four (Tobias)

5 Factions - Dauntless / Abnegation / Amity / Erudite / Candor

Peter
Eric
Christina
Al
brother - Caleb

4 stars out of 5

Interesting that the movie is out next month and this is a super popular book right now. All three of my school copies are out and I have a waiting list! I haven't yet had time to read book #2 (which is probably also checked out). Good stuff!



The audiobook was narrated by Emma Galvin. Her vocal work was fantastic! I remember really disliking book two . . . and have never read book three. After listening to this, I kind of want to watch the movie again. Not sure what it is about this story that I like so much.