Insurgent by Veronica Roth

Insurgent

by Veronica Roth 

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.

New York Times bestselling author Veronica Roth's much-anticipated second book of the dystopian Divergent series is another intoxicating thrill ride of a story, rich with hallmark twists, heartbreaks, romance, and powerful insights about human nature.

(summary from goodreads.com)

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Hooray! Insurgent is here! And it was fabulous. Fabulous, fabulous. The story progressed! Which doesn't seem like a huge deal, but for the 2nd book in a series of 3 it is big news! This wasn't a placeholder! It was a real book with a real story! Hooray!

This book was heartbreaking and as intense a story as the first one. Ack! Betrayal and suspense and intrigue and sacrifices for love and all sorts of everything going on. And yes, it did have a bit of the"this is the second book in a series of three so the romantic couple who finally found a bit of peace will now go through some misunderstanding that threatens to pull them apart" thing, which is a wee bit formulaic and such. But I will forgive Tris and Four their misunderstandings because they both progressed and grew and made me remember why I loved them in the first place. And as another blogger mentioned, who knew a forehead lean could be so romantic?

I appreciate books that remember their characters are real people, if that makes any sense. Okay, I know they aren't REAL people. But they are supposed to be. I like how Tris struggles with events that happened to her in the first book - it was real to me that she reacted traumatically. This is one reason I loved Mockingjay, though I know many lovers of Hunger Games didn't - Katniss was allowed to be kind of a mess, because honestly, wouldn't we all be? I think it shows a character's strength when they react strongly but still carry on and endure - much better than not reacting at all.

Read this book! And can I officially give my vote for "Emergent" being the name of the next one? 

Mom note: As a mother of readers, I also want to make a note to myself (and others if they care) why I would or would not have my children read this book, because honestly, sometimes I forget. Violence: a war is going on, so yes. Profanity: hmmm, can't remember. Should probably take this section out unless I actually notice any ... when I'm caught up in a story it has to be pretty blatant. Sex: intense kissing but not beyond