Insurgent by Veronica Roth

Title: Insurgent
Series: Divergent #2
Author: Veronica Roth
Published: May 1, 2012 by Harper Teen
Rating:                                  
                                                                                                                                             
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.

My Review

All I can really say is, Wow, this book has literally just blew every distopian away. If Divergent was just the beginning, and the middle was this incredible, then I'm dying to see where this series ends because this story has just gotten started. 

Insurgent brings readers face to face with a whole new load of obstacles. The impending war between Euridite and Dauntless raises the stakes in this book, forcing the remaining factions and factionless to decided where their allegiance lies. The action has intensified with grittier violence, heart wrenching sacrifices and cruel betrayals that will leave you shocked out of your mind! The fighting sequences are so well choreographed and scripted that you honestly feel like you're watching a movie inside your mind!

I loved that we get to travel into the headquarters of the other factions- Candor, Amity, and even the factionless warehouses - it widened the scope of this series and introduced a lot of new and amazing characters to these books. We also got to learn more about the customs of each faction which I found fascinating. One scene in particular, where Candor (the 'truthful' faction) interrogates Tris, literally gave me goosebumps. 

The dystopian bar has definitely been raised with Insurgent. The level of intensity and desperation amongst the characters is magnetized and so clearly felt by the reader. There are countless scenes that just leap off the pages with adrenaline. This is not only true for the more dangerous encounters but also for the romance between Tris and Four. Their relationship has developed into a much more complex and deeper love that has been built beautifully. If it is even possible, Four has become even more swoon worthy!

My only advice going into this book: if you read Divergent awhile ago, to do a quick review. Starting Insurgent, I didn't realize that Roth does not do any summarizing or back tracking. Therefore, if you're like me and read Divergent when it first came out some of the parts are a bit hazy coming into its sequel. You don't need an extensive recap, just something to freshen the details.

It is hard to describe my love for this series. This is a story that transcends two books perfectly with a plot line that continues to mold and develop with some of the wildest twists and turns. With incredibly shocking revelations (OMG THAT ENDING!) you will be left with your heart pounding and jaw hanging open. I can only urge you all to go and pick up this series. You will be sucked in and you will fall in love!