Insurgent by Veronica Roth #EruditeUK

Insurgent by Veronica Roth
Divergent #2
Release Date: May 1, 2012
Publisher: Harper Collins Children's Books UK
Rating: Essential

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. Goodreads

I... am kind of speechless right now. I have no idea what to say, because I don't think I'm going to be able to express just how much I loved this book. Of course, this review isn't going to be helpful at all. I'm a failure of a reviewer, I know, I know.

If you've read Divergent (which I sincerely hope you have because, really, what are you waiting for otherwise?) then you'll remember that the majority of the book was set in the Dauntless compound with Tris training and undergoing her initiation into the faction. In Insurgent, the world has expanded and grown. We get to spend time either with or learning about all the other factions - Amity, Candor, Erudite and the factionless.

Insurgent is packed with action, it's literally non stop. You think there's going to be some down time, but then something blows up and the characters and story keep on going. This kept the book going at a fast, yet steady, pace.

Tris is quickly becoming one of my favourite heroines. She is a complete badass in this book! Even more so than in Divergent, and that's saying something. She was always trying to help others, and sort out this mess her world is in. She had struggles and I loved her for it. I was a little bit annoyed at how everyone always turned to her when things went wrong as if she was the most intelligent and as if she had the answers to everything. I think they forgot that she was just a teenager.

If you've been following me on Twitter or Goodreads, then you'll know that I did have a problem with one character. Four. I full on despised him in this book. He is so controlling that he borders on abusive. The way he treated Tris was disgusting, and he came across as a giant hypocrite. He did improve a little at the end, but he has A LOT of making up and apologising to do because I am so upset and disgusted by his behaviour. He even went as far as to give Tris an ultimatum at one point, and I wanted to smack him over the head. How DARE he?!

Other than Four, I loved every single thing about this book. Veronica Roth has gone all out in this sequel, and her efforts show. The ending was by far my favourite thing about this book. I can't say ANYTHING about it in case I give away spoilers, but it absolutely blew my mind and I've since reread the last few pages seven times. WHAT?! I'm DYING to read the third book now. I don't think I can go on for another year.

Divergent Trilogy:
1. Divergent
2. Insurgent
3. TBA

Cover Reveal: Insurgent by Veronica Roth (Divergent #2)

This is the UK cover for Insurgent! What do you guys think? Personally, I love the US cover, but this one is also really pretty. I love the purples, and the burning leaves! I also love that the girl - who I'm assuming is meant to be Tris - is standing over a seemingly barren wasteland with just a long road ahead of her. 

There is also going to be a new cover for the first book in the trilogy, Divergent, so that the covers match nicely. I also like this one, although Tris' face looks slightly demonic. Or is that just me? 

You can find both books here: 

I Love This Cover!

Yes, I know this cover is everywhere already, but I just wanted it on my blog because it's so damn pretty. I love this cover so much! What do you guys think? I think it's miles better than the cover for Divergent, and I especially like the slightly more unique colouring of it.

Do you like it? Or do you think it's awful? I'd be interested to know what you all think! Also, if you're interested and haven't done so already, go and check out the interview that came along with the reveal. You may find it interesting!

300 Follower Giveaway!

I'm almost at 300 followers! Thank you all so, so much - I really appreciate it. I never thought I would get this many when I started blogging. I was expecting fifty or so faithful followers, but instead I got all of you. I love it! Thank you, again. It means the world to me. 

As a gift to you all, I'm going to be holding another giveaway for my followers. I'm going to be giving away a finished copy of Divergent by Veronica Roth to one lucky winner. Are you excited yet? You should be, because this book is FRIKKIN' amazing - one of my favourite reads this year. It's been said that it rivals The Hunger Games, and I totally agree! 


So, to enter this giveaway, all you have to do is fill in THIS FORM, and then wait to see if you've won. I'm also thinking about adding in another book if I reach 350 followers before this ends, but I'm not sure yet, so don't hold me to that!

Rules

- You MUST be 13 years old or older to enter

- ONE entry per person

- International

- You MUST be a follower of Books of Amber

- Giveaway ends on May 14, 2011

Good luck everyone! 

Book Review: Divergent by Veronica Roth

Divergent by Veronica Roth

Release Date: May 3^rd, 2011

Publisher: HarperCollins

Recommended? Heck yes!

Buy the Book: Amazon US | Amazon UK

In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue—Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is—she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself. 

During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles to determine who her friends really are—and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes infuriating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers a growing conflict that threatens to unravel her seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her secret might help her save those she loves . . . or it might destroy her. – Goodreads Page

The society in which this book’s set is split into five different factions. Beatrice was born into Abnegation – the selfless. The book kicks off by introducing the reader to Beatrice and her life as one of the selfless. We learn that Beatrice doesn’t like living without mirrors. She doesn’t like always putting others before herself. And so, when the day of the big Test comes, she decides that she may want to choose a different faction at the Choosing ceremony. I won’t say which one she does choose (although it’s pretty obvious), however I will tell you that I think she is crazy for doing so. But I’d have done the same thing.

We follow Beatrice as she renames herself Tris, and goes through her training as part of her initiation. She has to do some pretty awful things. At first, she’s just a weak little girl who really can’t do much compared to others in her class. But as the novel progresses the reader sees an incredible change in Tris. She becomes a strong, courageous woman – at just sixteen.

Another of the recurring characters is Four, Tris’ mentor. He is honestly one of the most complicated characters I have ever come across. His character development was outstanding – and we weren’t even reading from his point of view! Plus, he is hot stuff. That always helps us to fall in love with characters, doesn’t it?

There were so many extra characters in this book, and normally it would have been easy to get confused. But Roth pulls it off fantastically. Each character has their own traits and personality, it’s so easy to tell them apart and learn their names. There were some characters I loved, some I hated, and a lot that I felt sorry for by the end of the book!

The ending is everything I could have ever wanted. Packed full of action - people dying, people fighting – and a couple of heartbreaking scenes. A few of those scenes, actually. The ending also leads nicely onto the sequel which, believe me, you will be highly anticipating and longing for after you’ve read this book!

As for the writing style, I cannot believe that this is a debut! Veronica Roth writes as if she’s been doing this forever, and she’s only 22 years old! The woman has some serious talent, and I can’t wait to see how she uses it in the next two books in the trilogy.

Veronica Roth also recently announced that the film rights for Divergent have been sold to Summit. Yes, the studio that is responsible for The Hurt Locker. And Twilight, but I’d rather forget about that. Let’s hope that all goes well so we can see this story on the big screen!