
Release Date: Originally released May 1, 2012
Format: Hardcover, Collectors Edition
Pages: 592
Source: Purchased
Genre: YA Dystopian
Review Date: November 26, 2012
Rating: 5 bookmarks
Book 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.
There was a darkness to this story that was not int he last. Like another YA dystopian trilogy I read, I'm not naming names, but if you've read it, you'll know what I'm talking about. I can see that this series is also getting more intense and heavy and almost more adult like as the books go on. Between what Tris goes through with Caleb, what Four has to overcome with Marcus and his mother, the change in the relationship between Tris and Four, the society crumbling , it's a lot for these young people to take in and adapt to. They are forced to grow up fast to keep up with their circumstances.
The Dauntless have been split, some are traditionalist and others have sided with the Erudites and have been labeled as traitors. The Abnegation faction has been displaced and the Factionless rise to the occasion. The Amity faction has decided to remain neutral and the Candor seem to be on the Dauntless's side until they are threatened.
There was a lot of information and details to process in this book. Lot's of theories regarding the motivation of the characters to be mulled over. I feel that the reasons and motivations of the leaders of the factions will become crystal clear in the last book.
That ending...wow, I didn't like how it so abruptly ended. Seriously, I turned the page thinking that there had to be more. Ms. Roth did her job well. That was a serious cliff hanger. Is this the light at the end of the tunnel or just more disaster? We shall see.
I'm severely disappointed that the third and final book doesn't have a release date, nor is it even titled yet! I thought it was supposed to have a 2013 release, but I'm not so sure. I'm sad that I may have to wait a long time to read it. With that said. I still loved this book. It was a fast read and well written. It's a logical follow up to Divergent and I'm excited to see what's next for the people of Chicago.
A few of my favorite quotes from the book:
“Cruelty does not make a person dishonest, the same way bravery does not make a person kind.”
“It reminds me why I chose Dauntless in the first place: not because they are perfect, but because they are alive. Because they are free.”
“No matter how long you train someone to be brave, you never know if they are or not until something real happens.”
“The Candor sing the praises of the truth, but they never tell you how much it costs.”
“You die, I die too…I asked you not to do this. You made your decision. These are the repercussions.”
Happy Reading,
~Tamara~