Showing posts with label Insurgent. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Insurgent. Show all posts

Thursday, May 10, 2012

Insurgent by Veronica Roth


Insurgent by Veronica Roth
Release Date –  May 1, 2012
Publisher Website –  Harper Collins
Publisher Social Media - Twitter/Facebook/SavvyReader
Pages -  544 pages
My Rating- 5/5
**purchased**

Here is the 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.

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.

Veronica Roth’s Divergent hooked me. Insurgent destroyed me. Veronica Roth has managed to create not only a realistic future, but realistic characters that are so well developed and flawed.

Veronica's writing keeps you on the edge of your seat, turning the pages waiting to see what will happen next. Her pacing is excellent and the book reads rather quickly considering it's 500+ page length.
Tris is different in this book. She’s shattered, changed and haunted. Taking someone’s life has deeply impacted her and we see immediately that it’s not something easily brushed off. It feels authentic to her character and provides a new side to Tris that is nice to see. She’s still strong, sacrificing and capable but so much has happened and she’s forever changed. I liked that she is changed so drastically because of what happened. It’s something that should have a huge impact on her and I am thankful Veronica didn’t sweep past it.

With alliances being formed, choices being made, and a war brewing Tris has to determine who she can trust and what that means going forward. Insurgent is filled with secrets being revealed, crosses, double crosses and intriguing faction relationships. You see how someone’s choice can define and change them forever. A faction can mean more than family, and sometimes choosing yourself can be the only choice left. Learning about the factions and how they operate was fascinating. We learned so much about Dauntless in Divergent and we learn a lot about Amity and Abnegation in this one. The inner workings and politics within each faction are fascinating. I am looking forward to learning even more about them.

The relationship between Four and Tris is so well developed and intense . Their relationship is not easy for either of them but the genuine feelings between these two jump off the page. They are both committed to making it work even in the bad times. The steamy scenes are off the charts hot and the fight scenes are laced with feeling and longing. Tris and he have a lot of issues that need to be worked though (most of them stemming from events in Divergent) but you can see how important it is to the two of them that they work on it.

The ending, quite simply, changes everything. Everything you thought you knew is seen anew thanks to a revelation. The final twist will leave you with your jaw dropped, questions spewing out of your mouth and you giddy with excitement to get your hands on the third and final book in this stunning trilogy.

Saturday, May 5, 2012

New To My Book Closet

It's that time of the week again. Time to show you what bookish goodies made their way into my home and book closet (to be saved from the evil book eating cat monster named Aria). This is inspired by the various "mailbox" posts out there (eg. In My Mailbox by The Story Siren, and Stacking the Shelves by Tynga's Reviews.)

This week I have a book that I am sure will be in PLENTY of mailboxes this week - INSURGENT. It's fantastic and amazing, and I am still freaking out about the ending.



For Review

The Golden Lily by Richelle Mead (goodreads)
Dark Companion by Martha Acosta (goodreads)

Purchased

Insurgent by Veronica Roth (goodreads)

Swapped 

Black Heart by Holly Black (goodreads)

A big thank you to Penguin Canada for The Golden Lily! I was super excited to find it waiting for me at my door. Also a huge thank you to Raincoast Books Canada for Dark Companion. It's one I have been wanting to read for awhile, so I am excited.

The Ottawa Blogger Ladies met up for Insurgent Day and also swapped books. I managed to snag a copy of Black Heart and I am hoping to read it soon. I can't wait to see how this series ends.

I hope everyone is enjoying Insurgent week and that you've loved reading it. I can't wait to share my review.


Happy Sunday and Happy Reading!

Friday, May 4, 2012

Insurgent Club - Fear and Fear Landscapes

If you've read Divergent you are already aware that fear plays a huge part in not only the story, but in becoming  part of the Dauntless faction. Initiates must pass what is referred to as a 'fear landscape' in order to become a full fledged member of Dauntless. A simulated exercise in overcoming your fear, the landcapes make you face your worst nightmares.

Fear itself is used a tool throughout the novel. Eric uses it to intimidate, other initiates use it to gain an edge and psyche out the competition. Fear has the power to impact different people in different ways. Some freeze up under it, other come alive and react going on the adrenaline rush that it can create.. Tris is a true Dauntless in that she excels when faced with these situations. She remains strong, brave and in control.

I thought it might be interesting to think about what would be in my fear landscape.

I have a very severe fear of frogs. It stems from my early childhood, and I've always been terrified of them. I would expect either huge oversized frogs, or a crowd of very tiny ones to assault me for sure.

Drowning is a huge fear of mine. Being stranded in the middle of an ocean or something equates to one of my biggest fears. Sharks, drowning, and the knowledge that you have nowhere to go is pretty crippling.

I am also pretty sure I would face being chased by someone down a dark alley. Basically any situation that has someone following me would be something that would cause fear.

Now I have two brave bloggers that have been kind enough to tell me what their fearlandscape would look like.

First up the fantastic Brodie from Eleusinian Mysteries talks what scares her -
In theory, I find I'm as badass as Four with only four fears, but in reality I'm willing to bet the simulation presents me with a dozen more nightmares. I'm hardly dauntless material! First, I'd find myself laying in a tub. Full. Of. Cockroaches. Scuttling all over my body, my face, in my mouth and no matter how much I try, there's no way to bat them all away or get rid of that dirty feeling on my skin *SHUDDER* Second, I'd be faced with both a form of public humiliation (everyone's probing eyes locked on ME in a most crushing moment) and then something that involves loss of control. Even things like alcohol are a big no-no for me because the idea of not being 100% aware and in control of myself, scares the crap out of me. Lastly, would come the big one. Drowning. The whole NOT BREATHING PART is what terrifies me. I failed all my swimming lessons as a child because I couldn't handle having my head underwater for even a second. The past recent years, there's been some terrible floods sweep across Australia (in summer!), with water rising above the roofs of houses. I think my fear landscape would find me in the midst of one of those, without a damn boat to escape.
The awesome Christy from The Reader Bee is up next with her fearlandscape details
Well, my biggest fear would have to be running out of books. haha! Seriously though, I have a lot of phobias, one of my worst being claustrophobia. The thought of being stuck in a confined space, or even a semi-confined space, makes my heart race and makes me nauseous. There are also, of course, my fear of spiders and snakes. But the claustrophobia is definitely the worst.
This all got me thinking about some of our beloved fictional characters and what might be in their fear landscapes.

Katniss Everdeen

I think Katniss would face someone she loved having to take part in the Hunger Games. I don't think Katniss would fear harm coming to herself, but others would be a concern for her. I also think she might be slightly afraid of failure.

Harry Potter

Harry is brave, I doubt there is much that would cause him fear. His friends dying and him not being able to do anything would be up there. I also would like to think that he would have some silly fear equal to Ron's spider fear that would sneak in there. We also know that Harry really only fears fear itself so that would most likely come into play as well.

Ron Weasley

SPIDERS! They would be huge gigantic spiders. I also think Hermoine loving someone else would be in there. I think Harry dying (or another member of his family) would be in there as well.

Veronica successfully used fear as a means to drive plot, enhance characters, and provide motivation. It shows was a powerful emotion it can be - for anyone.

Let me know in the comments what might be in your fear landscape!

*******************************************************************************
Giveaway

Harper Canada is sponsoring a CANADIAN ONLY giveaway. Win a copy of Divergent AND Insurgent simply by commenting on any of the Insurgent Club posts. Each post you comment on will get you one entry (up to 4 total by commenting on each post). Good luck and a winner will be drawn on May 14th. *be sure to leave a way to contact you if you win in the comments*

To visit the other posts visit these links


Friday, March 30, 2012

My Weekly Obsessions!

The awesome Kelly at KellyVision started posting a weekly post highlighting whatever she happened to be obsessed with that week. I LOVE this idea, so much in fact that I will be doing it myself every Saturday.

Here are my obsessions this week:

BOOK

trailer for Insurgent by Veronica Roth



This looks amazing. I am so pining for this book, I can't wait until May 1! The trailer gives the perfect vibe and I am looking forward to the next chapter in Tris and Four's story.

Book Expo America YA Buzz Panel

The panel for this year's YA Buzz panel was announced. I am super excited for this part of BEA because last year one of the books selected was The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer which I ended up LOVING. I am looking forward to hearing what the publishers have to say about the selections this year.

The books selected are

What's Left of Me by Kat Zhang
Crewel by Gennifer Albin
Colin Fischer by Ashley Edward Miller and Zack Stentz
Skylark by Meagan Spooner
Skinny by Donna Cooner


I am already very excited about What's Left of Me. Looking forward to learning more about each of these books.

MOVIE

Titanic 3D release

I already have tickets to go see this. I, like every other girl in the world, adored Leonardo DiCaprio when Titanic and Romeo and Juliet came out. He was crazy beautiful in both of these movies. I am thrilled to be able to go see it again. With the 100 year anniversary of this tragic event upon us, it's nice to be able to experience it again. Also, Kate Winslet is stunning in this movie!

TV

Once Upon A Time - Sebastian Stan returns

If you watched Once Upon A Time last Sunday you would have seen the fantastic Sebastian Stan portray the Mad Hatter wonderfully. I was thrilled to find out that we will see him again in Storybrooke and SOON!

OTHER

My birthday party

I have a birthday coming up soon. April 3 to be exact. However, I will be having a small party tonight to celebrate. I am having cake that will be decorated with the cover for Bethany Griffin's MASQUE OF THE RED DEATH. I am super excited to see how it turns out! Pictures to come in a blog post soon!

Weekly Obsessions will be going away for the next 2 weeks. Mainly because I am hosting an awesome Angel event that will be kicking off Monday, so expect my obsessions to be back towards the end of April.

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Waiting on Wednesday...Insurgent

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

My pick this week is Insurgent by Veronica Roth


Here is the 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. 
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 was amazing. I have seriously high hopes for Insurgent and can't wait to get my hands on it. Tris and Four's story is one I am dying to jump back into.

Expected release date - May 1, 2012

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