Divergent, Insurgent & Allegiant

“Becoming fearless isn’t the point. That’s impossible. It’s learning how to control your fear, and how to be free from it.”
― Veronica Roth, Divergent

One choice can transform you.

In Beatrice Prior’s Chicago, society is divided into five factions: Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all 16-year-olds must select a faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice (Tris) the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is so she makes a choice that surprises everyone…

The Divergent trilogy  is a set of young adult dystopian novels by Veronica Roth set in a post-apocalyptic  Chicago. The trilogy consists of Divergent (2011), Insurgent (2012) and Allegiant (2013).

I first picked up Divergent at the end of 2013 (whaat was that really three years ago 🙈) and I was immediately hooked by the story. The concept was very fascinating and unusual. In this trilogy, people are split into different segments based on their personalities or virtues. For example, faction of Abnegation believes in selfless action and raw as less attention to themselves as possible. And it wasn’t all perfect, there are both political and social problems in Chicago and there are outcasts called “Factionless” and also people who are called Divergents. I found the world building in Divergent very captivating. Among other, it got me thinking about what faction would I have chosen.

“Sometimes crying or laughing are the only options left, and laughing feels better right now.”
― Veronica Roth, Divergent

One choice can destroy you.

I picked up Insurgent almost immediately after finishing Divergent. It was not as good as Divergent (sequel syndrome?), I also felt like the plot was dragging on a bit at few points.  And the reader was hinted about what had happened to cause this apocalyptic world yet as the ending of the book was closing up, there were barely any answers.

“Like a wild animal, the truth is too powerful to remain caged.”
― Veronica Roth, Insurgent

In general, I liked the characters in Divergent Trilogy. I liked Tris the most, of course I guess it’s because it’s her first-person narrative that carries us through the trilogy. Tris keeps learning new things about herself and even though she has a strong character, she’s not perfect. For example, she has to learn how to fire a gun or punch someone. And she has insecurities. I liked the relationship between Tris’ mentor and later her boyfriend, Four. It’s maybe a bit over-romantic, however I think that tells us and shows us that it’s Tris who is telling the story. Tris’ friends were awesome and I liked how “the bad guy” was sort of there but not in a important role.

One choice will define you.

All in all, 4/5 stars for the whole trilogy.

How To read The Divergent Trilogy:

1. Divergent trilogy is a must read if you’re a fan of this genre, it’s fast paced, plot-driven & suspenseful. And I just love action packed books. However, I suppose if you haven’t liked Hunger Games, Legend series, Shatter Me, Selection series, Uglies…this probably isn’t your thing. I suppose I would recommend this more for young readers.
2. You’ll like this if you like character development and if you like strong main characters. Tris was wonderful female character. She’s strong but she has her weaker moments, insecurities and she allows herself to have feelings.
3. Lots and lots of quotable lines and writing suits the type of this book. Also, the use of stream of consciousness was nice and first-person narrative was fitting as well.
4. If you dislike and have gotten tired of love triangles in YA dystopians, you should read this. Relationship between Tris and Fours is so sweet. And I don’t know, it was refreshing after all those triangles.
5.  There’s a related book called Four!! Need I tell you more? <4
6. Prepare to sob over the ending.

“I suppose a fire that burns that bright is not meant to last.”
― Veronica Roth, Allegiant

Have you read The Divergent Trilogy? Thoughts? If you have read it few years back, what do you think of it now?

Buy Divergent Series Complete Box Set on Amazon