Title: Insurgent
Author: Veronica Roth
Series: 2nd book in the Divergent series
Publisher: HarperTeen
Publication Date: May 1, 2012
Source: purchased
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.
Insurgent was probably one of THE most highly anticipated novels of 2012, especially for me. I list its precursor among my top five reads of 2011, and I read 130 books last year, so that’s saying a lot. However, I have noticed that my taste has changed a bit over the course of a year, and I don’t find myself immediately loving every book I pick up. That’s either due to the fact that I’m reading everything as if I’m going to write a full review of it and therefore deconstructing the story as I read, or it’s due to the fact that I’m relying more on recommendations from Goodreads friends and blogger buddies. And let me tell you, we do not always agree. I’m afraid we won’t agree whole-heartedly on Insurgent either.
Divergent grabbed me from the very first chapter, and I stayed up through the wee hours of the night to finish reading it. Insurgent was released on my birthday this year, and so my bestest blogging buddy Michele over at
A Belle’s Tales suggested we stay up and do an all-night read-a-thon since
Divergent was what brought us together in the first place. (Okay, it was really our love of Four, but don’t tell our husbands!) With
Insurgent, I never really felt like I was fully back in that factioned world. The pull from the story wasn’t nearly as strong as it was with
Divergent. Whereas I
was Tris in
Divergent, I felt like an outsider in Insurgent, watching from the sidelines as Tris made one poor decision after another.
I loved
Insurgent. I did. It’s full of non-stop action. And Tris. And FOUR. I just felt disconnected from the story in a way that I didn’t with
Divergent, and even though I’d been waiting a year for this sequel, it still felt like I was waiting…or rather like something was missing. If I had to put my finger on just why that is, my best guess is that it’s because the characters themselves did not feel connected. In the first book, there was a sense of camaraderie as the initiates trained together and even when they competed against one another. They were united in a common goal, at least. In this second installment, though, there is no one left. Not really.
Still, that missing piece, that loss, really set the tone of the novel, and even though I felt apart from it, the novel’s underlying theme paralleled my own feelings about the story. Be prepared. There is no light-heartedness or carefree and fun attitude in this book like there was at times in
Divergent. Instead, the book serves as more of a cautionary tale revolving around loss and picking up the pieces and of human nature in general.
Another thing that bothered me? The dialogue. It seemed quite a bit immature and inappropriate at times considering the dire circumstances and dangerous situations the characters found themselves in. Or maybe Tris and Four just seemed more mature in
Divergent? I love sarcasm and snark as much as the next girl, but it is not a good color on Four. You be the judge:
“Got that gun?” Peter says to Tobias.
“No,” says Tobias, “I figured I would shoot bullets out of my nostrils, so I left it upstairs.”
Regardless, I still want to say a big thank you to Veronica Roth for not giving me a chapter or two simply summarizing the events of
Divergent. And thank you for throwing me right back onto that train and continuing the story from there. (Note: If you do need a refresher, though, the author has put together just such a
post, but beware that it will be spoilery if you haven’t read the first book yet.)
In summation: Do I think Insurgent was better than the first book?
No. Did Insurgent at least live up to my expectations?
Almost…probably. Could there have been more Four?
Definitely. (BTW, did you read the
Free Four short from his POV? Yummy.) Am I still excited for book three?
YES, especially after that ending!
Rating: 
Book-A-Likes: Legend by Marie Lu, the
Matched series by Ally Condie
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Teaser Tuesday #29: Rebel Heart by Moira Young
• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (Make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
This week's teaser comes from the following book:
Author: Moira Young
Series: Dust Lands, Book #2
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry
Publication Date: October 30, 2012
Source: ARC from publisher
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
It seemed so simple: Defeat the Tonton, rescue her kidnapped brother, Lugh, and then order would be restored to Saba’s world. Simplicity, however, has proved to be elusive. Now, Saba and her family travel west, headed for a better life and a longed-for reunion with Jack. But the fight for Lugh’s freedom has unleashed a new power in the dust lands, and a formidable new enemy is on the rise.
What is the truth about Jack? And how far will Saba go to get what she wants? In this much-anticipated follow-up to the riveting Blood Red Road, a fierce heroine finds herself at the crossroads of danger and destiny, betrayal and passion.
My teaser:
Huh...wonder what that's all about!?! :P So excited to be back in the crazy world of the Dust Lands. I've missed Saba and Jack and Emmi but most especially Nero. :D Saba is just as fierce and stubborn as ever and I loooooove it. =)
Friday, June 1, 2012
Review: Dreamless by Josephine Angelini
Author: Josephine Angelini
Series: 2nd book in the Starcrossed series
Publisher: HarperTeen
Publication Date: May 29, 2012
Source: egalley from publisher
As the only Scion who can descend into the Underworld, Helen Hamilton has been given a nearly impossible task. By night she wanders through Hades, trying to stop the endless cycle of revenge that has cursed her family. By day she struggles to overcome the fatigue that is rapidly eroding her sanity. Without Lucas by her side, Helen is not sure she has the strength to go on.
Just as Helen is pushed to her breaking point, a mysterious new Scion comes to her rescue. Funny and brave, Orion shields her from the dangers of the Underworld. But time is running out—a ruthless foe plots against them, and the Furies’ cry for blood is growing louder.
As the ancient Greek world collides with the mortal one, Helen’s sheltered life on Nantucket descends into chaos. But the hardest task of all will be forgetting Lucas Delos.
Josephine Angelini’s compelling saga becomes ever more intricate and spellbinding as an unforgettable love triangle emerges and the eternal cycle of revenge intensifies. Eagerly awaited, this sequel to the internationally bestselling STARCROSSED delivers a gritty, action-packed love story that exceeds expectation.
Rating:
Book-A-Likes: Falling Under by Gwen Hayes, The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter, Solstice by PJ Hoover
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Waiting on Wednesday: Prodigy by Marie Lu
"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.
This week's WoW selection is...
Why I'm waiting: Did you read Legend?!? Did you not see how June and Day contrasted and complemented each other? Did you not see that beautiful new cover, sans girl in pretty dress?!? That's what I thought. You missed out when Legend was released at the end of last year, and now you need to catch up just so you can hurry and wait with the rest of us until 2013. Yes. You read that right. 2013. Oy vey. Luckily, there is no shortage of awesome books between now and then, so I should be able to occupy myself while I endure that mind-boggling wait. Okay...easier said than done, but I'll manage somehow...
What book has your feathers in a ruffle this week? :P
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Teaser Tuesday #5
• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (Make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
This week's teaser comes from the following book:
Author: Josephine Angelini
Series: 2nd book in the Starcrossed series
Publisher: Harper Teen
Publication Date: May 29, 2012
Source: ARC provided by publisher
As the only scion who can descend into the Underworld, Helen Hamilton has been given a nearly impossible task. By night she wanders through Hades, trying to stop the endless cycle of revenge that has cursed her family. By day she struggles to overcome the fatigue that is rapidly eroding her sanity. Without Lucas by her side, Helen is not sure she has the strength to go on.
Just as Helen is pushed to her breaking point, a mysterious new Scion comes to her rescue. Funny and brave, Orion shields her from the dangers of the Underworld. But time is running out—a ruthless foe plots against them, and the Furies' cry for blood is growing louder.
As the ancient Greek world collides with the mortal one, Helen's sheltered life on Nantucket descends into chaos. But the hardest task of all will be forgetting Lucas Delos.
Josephine Angelini's compelling saga becomes ever more intricate and spellbinding as an unforgettable love triangle emerges and the eternal cycle of revenge intensifies. Eagerly awaited, this sequel to the internationally bestselling Starcrossed delivers a gritty, action-packed love story that exceeds all expectations.
My teaser:
"Well, Orion whatever-your-last-name-is," she said to her empty room as she stepped inside, shut the door, and slipped her feet into a pair of rubber boots. "I hope you were serious about wanting to help me because I've never needed help more than I do right now." -- p. 71 of ARC
Hmmm...I smell a love-triangle on the horizon. o.O It's been a year since I read Starcrossed, but I love books with a mythological-spin, so I'm willing to give this one a chance, despite the potential for one of my least-favorite plot devices.
What tantalizing teaser are you sharing today? Leave your link in the comments so I can visit!
Monday, May 7, 2012
Review: Insurgent by Veronica Roth
Author: Veronica Roth
Series: 2nd book in the Divergent series
Publisher: HarperTeen
Publication Date: May 1, 2012
Source: purchased
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.
Divergent grabbed me from the very first chapter, and I stayed up through the wee hours of the night to finish reading it. Insurgent was released on my birthday this year, and so my bestest blogging buddy Michele over at A Belle’s Tales suggested we stay up and do an all-night read-a-thon since Divergent was what brought us together in the first place. (Okay, it was really our love of Four, but don’t tell our husbands!) With Insurgent, I never really felt like I was fully back in that factioned world. The pull from the story wasn’t nearly as strong as it was with Divergent. Whereas I was Tris in Divergent, I felt like an outsider in Insurgent, watching from the sidelines as Tris made one poor decision after another.
I loved Insurgent. I did. It’s full of non-stop action. And Tris. And FOUR. I just felt disconnected from the story in a way that I didn’t with Divergent, and even though I’d been waiting a year for this sequel, it still felt like I was waiting…or rather like something was missing. If I had to put my finger on just why that is, my best guess is that it’s because the characters themselves did not feel connected. In the first book, there was a sense of camaraderie as the initiates trained together and even when they competed against one another. They were united in a common goal, at least. In this second installment, though, there is no one left. Not really.
Still, that missing piece, that loss, really set the tone of the novel, and even though I felt apart from it, the novel’s underlying theme paralleled my own feelings about the story. Be prepared. There is no light-heartedness or carefree and fun attitude in this book like there was at times in Divergent. Instead, the book serves as more of a cautionary tale revolving around loss and picking up the pieces and of human nature in general.
Another thing that bothered me? The dialogue. It seemed quite a bit immature and inappropriate at times considering the dire circumstances and dangerous situations the characters found themselves in. Or maybe Tris and Four just seemed more mature in Divergent? I love sarcasm and snark as much as the next girl, but it is not a good color on Four. You be the judge:
Regardless, I still want to say a big thank you to Veronica Roth for not giving me a chapter or two simply summarizing the events of Divergent. And thank you for throwing me right back onto that train and continuing the story from there. (Note: If you do need a refresher, though, the author has put together just such a post, but beware that it will be spoilery if you haven’t read the first book yet.)
In summation: Do I think Insurgent was better than the first book? No. Did Insurgent at least live up to my expectations? Almost…probably. Could there have been more Four? Definitely. (BTW, did you read the Free Four short from his POV? Yummy.) Am I still excited for book three? YES, especially after that ending!
Rating:
Book-A-Likes: Legend by Marie Lu, the Matched series by Ally Condie
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Waiting on Wednesday - Outpost by Ann Aguirre
"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.
This week's WoW selection is...
Once she’s free from school for the year, Deuce pursues a chance to serve in the summer patrols–those responsible for making sure the growers and planters can work the fields without danger of Freak attack. It should have been routine, little fighting, but things have been changing on surface, just as they did below ground. The Freaks are smarter. They’re watching. Waiting. Planning. The monsters don’t intend to let Salvation survive, and it will take a girl like Deuce to turn the tide.
Why I'm waiting: I loved the audiobook for Enclave, the first book in this series. I can't wait to see what happens now that Duece and Fade are living in the outside world. And have you seen that creepy cover?!? Nothing calls to me more than a well-done cover.
So, what are you waiting on this week? Share in the comments so I can add it to my TBR...if it's not already there! :P
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Teaser Tuesday #4
• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (Make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
This week's teaser comes from the following book:
Author: Amy Plum
Series: 2nd book in the Revenants series
Publisher: Harper Teen
Publication Date: May 8, 2012
Source: ARC provided by publisher
As their romance deepens there’s one question they can’t ignore: How are they supposed to be together if Vincent can’t resist sacrificing himself to save others? Although Vincent promises that he’ll do whatever it takes to lead a normal life with Kate, will that mean letting innocent people die? When a new and surprising enemy reveals itself, Kate realizes that even more may be at stake—and that Vincent’s immortality is in jeopardy.
In Die for Me, Amy Plum created a captivating paranormal mythology with immortal revenants and a lush Paris setting. Until I Die is poised to thrill readers with more heart-pounding suspense, spellbinding romance, and a cliff-hanger ending that will leave them desperate for the third and final novel in the series.
My teaser:
"The curtains came up, but we didn't move. We spent the rest of the performance kissing and laughing and peeking out at the ballet and then kissing some more." -- p. 121 of ARC
Eeek! Well, at least we know things are still going well enough that they're making out in public places, right?!? Okay, back to reading!
Share your teaser in the comments!
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Review: Spellcaster by Cara Lynn Shultz
So, as per my recent promise to myself, I didn’t read the synopsis of Spellcaster, though having read the first novel, Spellbound, when it came out last year, I had a general idea what it was about. I liked Spellbound well enough that I wanted to continue the series…or at least I thought I did.
I found Shultz’s sophomore novel to be rather tedious and terribly predictable. I had planned to have it finished before the release date, but other books called to me in the interim in a way that this novel simply didn’t. When considering the premise of Spellcaster, and the series as a whole, it should make for an entertaining story, but I was never drawn into it. I thought there would be witchcraft aplenty and we’d follow Emma and Angelique as they studied spells together and put them to use. Instead, it was almost a repeat of the first novel, with the bad guy trying to rip Emma and Brendan apart again, partly because of jealousy and partly due to a homicidal rage not often found in your average prep school teenager.
The second half of the book was better than the first as the characters delved a little further into practicing witchcraft as they tried to figure out who was trying to harm Emma and how they could stop this nefarious person. But between the obvious plotline and the odd switch in POV – from Emma to Angelique for two chapters out of 19 – the second half simply couldn’t redeem the novel.
Monday, March 19, 2012
Review: Goddess Interrupted by Aimee Carter
Author: Aimee Carter
Series: Goddess Test
Publisher: HarlequinTeen
Publication Date: March 27, 2012
Source: Netgalley
But if she wants a life in the Underworld with Henry, she’ll have to fight for it.
Becoming immortal wasn’t supposed to be the easy part. Though Kate is about to be crowned Queen of the Underworld, she’s as isolated as ever. And despite her growing love for Henry, ruler of the Underworld, he’s becoming ever more distant and secretive. Then, in the midst of Kate’s coronation, Henry is abducted by the only being powerful enough to kill him: the King of the Titans.
As the other gods prepare for a war that could end them all, it is up to Kate to save Henry from the depths of Tartarus. But in order to navigate the endless caverns of the Underworld, Kate must enlist the help of the one person who is the greatest threat to her future.
Henry’s first wife, Persephone.
Speaking of betrayal, I’m not usually an advocate for love triangles, but I really like how Aimee Carter handled not one but two potential love triangles in this book: the Kate – Henry – Persephone triangle and the Henry – Kate – James triangle. Yes, Kate has earned immortality and is now married to Henry. But if you’ve read the synopsis, you already know that Persephone will make an appearance in Goddess Interrupted, and if you read The Goddess Test, you already know that Henry will probably always carry a torch for her. He may have married Kate, but it’s hard to let go of your first love. And then we have James. Clever, funny, too-caring James. I think it was pretty obvious in The Goddess Test that he had fallen for Kate. Well, after a summer together, it’s even more obvious that he’s in love with her. And no matter how much he would like for her not to return to Henry at summer’s end, Kate has already made her choice…hasn’t she?
I admire the fact that the author included her heroine’s love interest as the focal point of one of the love triangles. Usually it’s our protagonist who has to deal with two suitors, and true, that is the case in this novel, but the issue at the heart of the main triangle is whether Henry’s newfound love for Kate can ever overcome what he once felt for Persephone.
The characters definitely kept things interesting, as did the bad guys. What does it mean when an author can write such an awesome nemesis that he can become just as enchanting as the love interest? It must mean that Carter writes excellent characters because at times, I found myself liking not only Persephone (gasp!) but also Cronus, the King of the Titans and enemy to the gods of Olympus. I love how developed the characters are in this series, but I do have to admit that this second installment was lacking a little on the mythology-side. We got a heavy dose of it in The Goddess Test, but it was less prevalent in this book, much to my disappointment. The mythology was one of the elements I loved best in the first book.
I really enjoyed Goddess Interrupted, just not as much as The Goddess Test. Of course I missed the mythology aspect, but I also felt that Kate was too trusting and showed less strength of character than she did in the first novel. And the occasional sweet moments between Kate and Henry seemed almost non-existent, as well. I’m sure that will all change after the cliffhanger we’re left with at the end of the novel, though. The last third of the book really picked up and set the pace for the next book, inevitably leaving me wanting more. (And, yes, the irony of coveting the next book in the series when the one being reviewed hasn’t even been released yet is not entirely lost on me.)
So, to summarize: action? Check. Romance? Check. Cliffhanger and story that will leave you wishing for the next book? BIG FAT CHECK. I’d definitely recommend this book – and the series – to anyone who loves a well-written story with a little romance and a side of mythology.
Rating:
Also, don't forget to check out The Goddess Hunt, the novella set during the summer between The Goddess Test and Goddess Interrupted. You can get it from your ebook retailer for $1.29: Amazon | Barnes & Noble.
I couldn't find a trailer for Goddess Interrupted, but while I was searching, I ran across my friend April's (of Sim~Sational~Books) Sims trailer for the first book. Behold the awesomeness:
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
2012 Sophomore Reading Challenge
- Rebel Heart by Moira Young
- The Evolution of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin
- Timepiece by Myra McEntire
- Fever by Lauren DeStefano
- Girl of Nightmares by Kendare Blake
- The Torn Wing by Kiki Hamilton
- Outpost by Ann Aguirre
- Dearly, Beloved by Lia Habel
- Thumped by Megan McCafferty
- The Blood Keeper by Tessa Gratton
- Envy by Elizabeth Miles
- the as of yet untitled 2nd book in the Shatter Me series by Tahereh Mafi
- Arise by Tara Hudson
- Crown of Embers by Rae Carson
So, yeah, that's twice as many as the challenge calls for. Another challenge that's totally doable because these books were already on my TBR. :0)Insurgentby Veronica Roth - finished 5/1/12A Million Sunsby Beth Revis- finished 1/26/12Spellcasterby Cara Lynn Shultz - finished 3/27/12Goddess Interruptedby Aimee Carter- finished 2/29/12Dreamlessby Josephine Angelini- finished 5/14/12Until I Dieby Amy Plum- finished 5/11/12Hallowedby Cynthia Hand--> read in 2011Pandemoniumby Lauren Oliver- finished 2/25/12Are you participating in this challenge? Any sophomore novels I overlooked?
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starryeyedjen
- I work with numbers by day, and I'm a mommy and avid reader by night. I'm a self-proclaimed Spreadsheet Queen, and I'll read anything you put in front of me. I seriously love all the books! And I adore audiobooks, too!
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