Insurgent (Divergent #2)

Title: Insurgent

Author: Veronica Roth

Year of Publication: 2012

Official Synopsis: As the sequel to the 2011 bestseller Divergent, it continues the story of Tris Prior and the dystopian post-apocalyptic version of Chicago. Following the events of the previous novel, a war now looms as conflict between the factions and their ideologies grows. While trying to save the people that she loves, Tris faces questions of grief, forgiveness, identity, loyalty, politics, and love.

STEPH SAID

Rating:

Review:

I cannot believe this book has been published. It means the writer wrote it, the editor must have edited it, and the proofreader must have proofread it. And still, with more than 500 pages, this mess of a book has nothing to say. There is no reason for this book to exist; no story within it. Instead of Insurgent, it should have been called Superfluous.

This book is only a combinations of plot devices to move Tris from one place to another in an attempt to waste pages and the reader's time. During the aftermath of Divergent's events, Tris goes to Amity to hide. After an attack, she goes to Candor to hide. After another attack, she goes to Dauntless to hide. After yet another attack, she decides to surrender to Erudite because that will mean "no one else is going to die". Right... like Jeanine will stop hunting and killing Divergents just because Tris surrenders.

That brings me to the next gigantic problem this novel has: the characters. One of the things I liked and praised the most about Divergent was its round main characters. Insurgent is the total opposite, especially when it comes to Tris. She went from a smart, layered woman, to a whiney, nonsensical girl. She argues with Four over stupid things, lies to everyone, tortures herself over something easily resolved, complains about almost everything, and stalks people, quite a lot. She does nothing to save her life, yet goes out of her way to save Peter's. On top of all that, she physically hurts herself and disregards her own life.

But, if that wasn't enough, the book is so poorly written, that you get lost every few pages. Commas are not where they should be, words are missing, and most of all, sentences are incomplete. Again, this is a book that went through the whole writing process, via a very big publishing house. It it unacceptable.

All that is wrong with this book – the painfully flat characters, the no-plot, the terrible writing – can be found on the book's most maddening scene: when Tris decides to trust Marcus over Tobias. Tris' logic and thought process become highly impaired as she decides to trust the man who used to abuse her boyfriend and mistreats her. According to the entirely reliable and believable Marcus, a file exists that, when made public, will change everything. Tris knows nothing about this file. But Marcus told her it is important, so, Tris decides to risk everything – her life, her relationship with Tobias, and her place in Dauntless – to find this file. What made it even worse is her rationalization and justification of her decision. Looking at it from a reader's perspective I knew Marcus was right. However, from Tris' vantage point the story was completely different, especially since Marcus doesn't give her enough reasons to trust him. She wasn't even sure about what to do, she just took a gamble. That made it all feel like another plot device.

It is such a pity, really, that this series has sinked so low. Divergent was a really good book. Insurgent is the total opposite. I am, definitely, not looking forward to Allegiant.