Book Review & Talk: Insurgent by Veronica Roth

Written by Veronica Roth
Pages: 525
Published: May 2012
Genres: Young Adult, Dystopian, Fantasy, Romance

Second book in the Divergent Series.

Goodreads Synopsis...
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.

My Review...
Where to begin with this book. Well I guess we can start by talking about how amazing this book was. It was so much fun to read, and just as fast-paced as divergent. The writing style was again very good, and easy to follow. And things just kept on happening, all the time.

Something that surprised me was the darkness that seeped into these covers. Because of certain events that occurred in the first book, Tris the main character was a very different person. She was still strong, but she allowed herself to be affected by the things that happened. I really enjoyed this, it helped to not only grow her as a character. But to also make her less of a robot and more of a real and likeable human.

There were also moments that made me laugh out loud. Maybe they weren't exactly funny. But there was definitely some awkward and very good sarcasm.

However this book was not ALL good. The answers I was looking for in the first book, were not given here. None at all! Nothing new was revealed, and I have to say that two books is too long to string me along. Also although I liked the enclosed environment that was present in the first book, as it helped to focus on the story. I would have liked to see a greater exploration of the setting, which didn't really happen. 

The ending was also a little bit annoying because although it offers that cliff-hanger, that makes me want the next book SO bad. It was not a surprising ending, and was a tad anti-climactic.  

I really enjoyed this dark, action-packed book and definitely recommend you read it. I cant wait for the next book in the series, which had better provide some answers.

I give this book a 5 out of 5! 
 
If you have read this book and want to discuss it with me, then watch the video below and head to my YouTube page: bookswithdylan

Book Review & Talk: Every Day by David Levithan

Written by David Levithan
Pages: 336
Published: August 2012
Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Goodreads Synopsis...
In his New York Times bestselling novel, David Levithan introduces readers to what Entertainment Weekly calls a "wise, wildly unique" love story about A, a teen who wakes up every morning in a different body, living a different life.

Every day a different body. Every day a different life. Every day in love with the same girl.

There’s never any warning about where it will be or who it will be. A has made peace with that, even established guidelines by which to live: Never get too attached. Avoid being noticed. Do not interfere.

It’s all fine until the morning that A wakes up in the body of Justin and meets Justin’s girlfriend, Rhiannon. From that moment, the rules by which A has been living no longer apply. Because finally A has found someone he wants to be with—day in, day out, day after day.



My Review...
I bet after reading that synopsis, your thinking that you have to read this book. That it sounds so interesting and unique and different! And thats the same reaction I had when I heard about it. Now I really like this book, but I want to cut through the hype, and not get you too overexcited about 'Ever Day'. Trust me its for your own good. 

The things I liked most about this book was the plot. I mean come on! Its so cool, and something Ive never read before. The way the story is laid out, also allows some very interesting and VERY different messages to be shown. Messages I have again never encountered before. The book over all was captivating, and because each chapter was 'A' in a different body and life, it was hard to get bored.

With all the good, came some bad as well. This is primarily a romance book. For some reason I started reading it, thinking it would be more sci-fi, and more action. There is little to none in that department. What this is, is a very, VERY complicated love story. I think it could have been so much more if it had gone in a different direction. But eh, what are ya gonna do? The romance was also annoying sometimes, and it led to a strange ending. I felt like there should be another book, and there isn't. Which begs the question, why there are so many loose ends to this book?

In any case, this book was well written, thought provoking and different.

I enjoyed it very much, and I give it 4 out of 5.

If you have read this book and want to discuss it with me, then watch the video below and head to my YouTube page: bookswithdylan