Release date: 1st May 2012
Genre: Dystopia
Target audience: 12+
UK Publisher: HarperCollins
Insurgent is the
sequel to the Divergent. If you haven’t read the fantastic first novel, check
out my review of Divergent HERE. Do not read the Insurgent review below because
it will spoil the epic adventure you have yet to partake of. You have been
warned!
***I am Team
Erudite!***
Review:
The question on
every reader’s lips must surely be: is Insurgent as good as Divergent? I am thrilled to tell you
that it is. Insurgent will not
disappoint you. If it is possible, Insurgent
may be even better. I absolutely loved it.
We return to the
Divergent world of a future Chicago.
Tris is exactly where you left her at the end of the last book. Accompanied by
Four, Caleb, Peter and Marcus, she is on the train heading for the Amity
community. Centred upon their belief in peace, Amity will surely offer refuge
to those who have defected from their factions. Surely they are the one faction
who can help resolve the discord and destruction caused by the Erudite’s manipulation
of the Dauntless.
Tris is in a
state of grief and despair. The loss of her parents is a hole that cannot be filled.
Her guilt threatens to consume her as she hides the reason she can’t face
holding a gun from Four. But he is keeping his own secrets and a wedge is
driving between them.
The plot of this
story is focused upon finding out why Jeanine – leader of the Erudite – was trying
to exterminate (or mind-control) the Abnegation. Tris is sure it was more than
just power she was after and she is determined to find out the truth. Then
there is the other problem – just what does it mean to be divergent and why is
Jeanine hell-bent on identifying every single one of them? It’s an explosive,
full-throttle, roller-coaster ride to discover the answers.
I think this
book is an interesting exploration of the idea of peer pressure and conformity.
When we join a group, the identity of the group can usurp our own. It is easier
to let the group pull you along than consider actions and consequences and make
your own choices. We are somehow more accountable for our individual choices
than we are for ones we make collectively. Isn’t this how wars are won and
fought? We can dehumanise those outside of our group rather than think of each
person as an individual like us. It’s a fascinating concept which the author
explores and really made me stop and think.
Insurgent is a complete page turner: thrilling,
emotional and thought-provoking. At the heart of this story is human nature. We
are flawed. Society is flawed. Roth examines the question of our emotional
ties. Are our family more important than our friends? Is the truth more
important than anything? I cannot wait for the next instalment. The Divergent future is surely going to be hypnotic
and compelling!
Recommended for fans of:
- Birthmarked by Caragh O’Brien
- Exodus by Julie Bertagna
- Delirium by Lauren Oliver
- Matched by Ally Condie
- Uglies by Scott Westerfeld
1 comment:
Great review. I loved Insurgent. It was an action packed adventure, one I couldn't put down. Hurry up book 3. x
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