Insurgent (Divergent #2) by Veronica Roth

I have been trying to finish this book all summer!  I love the Playaways that our local library has and I started this book on the Playaway and got about eight chapters in before my only headphones ceased to work.  (A Playaway is a little audio book device that you put a battery in and plug your headphones into and go.  I use them a lot while cooking, canning, baking, gardening, crafting and especially while picking berries at my in-laws' farm.)  So I took it back to the library and ordered a new pair of comfy headphones.  Once they came in I had to wait for the Playaway to be returned to the library.  I finally finished this book a few weeks ago and I am so glad that I stuck with it!  Here's the cover and Goodreads blurb:

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.

First off, I love the cover.  The tree is so pretty.  The book was interesting to listen to as opposed to reading it because of the changes in voices that really brought the story to life.  I thought that this book really was all about choices.  The choices that each person makes and how they affect those around them.  Tobias makes the choice whether or not to trust his father and whether or not to trust Tris.  Tris makes the choice to trust her brother.  Every choice has consequences and repercussions.  It was interesting to see Tris continually weighing the options with logic and thought to come to a conclusion.  It is part of what makes her Divergent.  The idea of Divergence is revisited many times in this book.  Having many different facets to our personality is something that just makes sense to you and me but it doesn't work that way for the people in Tris' world.  They believe so strongly that the natural way to be is to have one main aptitude.  As the story goes on, we find out that more and more people are Divergent.  This story is not just an action and adventure story or a love story or even a philosophical story- it is all those things at once.  It is just an amazing thought provoking read.

You can find out more about Veronica Roth and her work on her website, blog, Facebook Fanpage, and Twitter.  Click here to add the Divergent Series to your Goodreads.  You can also click here for a preview of the final book in the series that is due out in October.  Divergent is currently being made into a movie as well, click here for that page.  I give Insurgent 5 Fairies for a great read that was an absolute joy as an audio book.

Divergent by Veronica Roth

I'd been hearing amazing things about this book for ages before I finally got my hands on a copy.  I have to say, every awesome thing you've heard about this book is true.  Really.  I've even heard that some of my book loving friends like it better than the Hunger Games.  Here's the Goodreads blurb for you:

Beatrice "Tris" Prior has reached the fateful age of sixteen, the stage at which teenagers in Veronica Roth's dystopian Chicago must select which of five factions to join for life. Each faction represents a virtue: Candor, Abnegation, Dauntless, Amity, and Erudite. To the surprise of herself and her selfless Abnegation family, she chooses Dauntless, the path of courage. Her choice exposes her to the demanding, violent initiation rites of this group, but it also threatens to expose a personal secret that could place in mortal danger. Veronica Roth's young adult Divergent trilogy launches with a captivating adventure about love and loyalty playing out under most extreme circumstances.

I loved this book. Loved it. I could barely stand to put it down to take my kids school shopping. This is one of those books that just grabs you and drags you in. The characters are wonderful and the premise is interesting. I really liked that Veronica decided to set her story in Chicago. I have never been to Chicago but the location made the story that much more interesting. Their closed society is in the middle of the US so there may be other groups in other locations. Chicago doesn't feel as isolated as New York City might. Beatrice is a great lead character. You really get to slip inside her head and see why she's so conflicted about choosing to leave her faction. It is painful to watch Tris make her choice and then be put through all kinds of grueling training. She is no Katniss Everdeen. She is not good at things right off the bat. It takes her a few tries to learn the new skills. Four is absolutely awesome. He is like an M&M. Hard on the outside and soft on the inside. As they get closer, Four lets Tris inside his hardened exterior to see him for who he really is. He's not just their hard nosed instructor. Their relationship is so unlike the others that Tris has had. She doesn't have to be someone else for Four. They can be themselves when they are together and they're extremely loyal to one another. There is romance and action. This book is just epic. I would suggest this one for readers 14 and up.

You can find out more about Veronica Roth and her books on her website. You can also follow her on Twitter.

Divergent gets 5 Fairies for the sexy Four and for general awesomeness.

W...W...W... Wednesdays!

W... W... W... Wednesdays is a weekly feature at Should Be Reading. To play along you just have to answer three simple questions:

1. What Are You Currently Reading?
2. What Did You Recently Finish?
3. What Do You Think You'll Read Next?

1. What Am I Currently Reading?  Enthralled- Paranormal Diversions (A PNR YA Anthology!)  

2. What Did I Recently Finish?  Divergent by Veronica Roth (SOOO Good!)  

3.  What Do I Think I'll Read Next?  Twisted by Gena Showalter