Insurgent by Veronica Roth

Brief 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.

Positive Content:

Tris realizes what mistakes she has made in the previous book, and has to come to terms with some of her choices.  For example, she finds it difficult to hold a gun and shoot.  She doesn't kill with ease, as some of the other characters do.  She finds it genuinely difficult - she isn't a person inclined to violence.

Possible Objectionable Content:

Characters fight throughout the story; they are shot, punched, stabbed, and knocked unconscious.  There are mild descriptions of blood. Two characters repeatedly kiss and even share a bed at times.  However, their relationship doesn't go any farther than passionate kissing. There are a few mild profanities.

Conclusion:

This book was really slow at the start.  It took a long time to get to anything of real interest, but once it got going, I couldn't put it down.  The middle-to-end was absolutely riveting, with a lot of unexpected twists and turns.  And the ending was extremely unexpected.  A terrible cliffhanger, and a bit confusing, but it was excellent.

This book gets a little deeper into some issues than the first one did.  Also, it attempts to show the good sides of every faction.  It doesn't villainize a factor and say what they believe is wrong.  It shows that there are good people in every group; innocent, loving people who just want to better the world.  The Erudite aren't "wrong" for pursuing knowledge; the Candor aren't "wrong" for being honest.  In the same way, it attempts to show us that one faction trait isn't better than another.  We should strive to have all the traits, and not to look down on the people who are different.Also, this book gets a little deeper into some issues than the first one did.  For example, it attempts to show the good sides of every faction.  It doesn't villainize a factor and say what they believe is wrong.  It shows that there are good people in every group; innocent, loving people who just want to better the world.  The Erudite aren't "wrong" for pursuing knowledge; the Candor aren't "wrong" for being honest.  In the same way, it attempts to show us that one faction trait isn't better than another.  We should strive to have all the traits, and not to look down on the people who are different.

Rating: 9/10

Recommended age: 13+
Genre: Dystopian/Romance

Part of a series?: Divergent series, book two