Insurgent

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.

Author: Veronica Roth
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books (Harper Collins)
Rating: 5 of 5 stars

I have so many thoughts and opinions running through my head that I don't really even know where to start. All I know is that I really love Insurgent! I honesty like 'Insurgent' better than 'Divergent'. 'Insurgent' has more meaning sending out to the readers. The book showed, demonstrated a whole lot of goodness through Tris' character as I read of what it really means to be brave and selfless. What struck me the most was what truly is bravery, courageous and boldness. I would really want to thank you the author for coming up such a strong character that has helped me so much this past week. I'll share my side of story. Here goes.

It was the day of PE that we have running of 3 rounds around the school. My friends and I obviously has no passion for running. Teacher doesn't even have to know whether we like it or not. I guess I had no choice but run. I ran and ran and ran. Along the process I started to realize that my feelings and views were changing. I knew I wanted to stop running because I could feel the pain through my lungs, legs - all the pain beating the breath out of me - wanting me to stop, just stop running. I did not.

"It doesn't matter if you believe you can or not. You will, because that's who you are." -Tobias

In my thoughts I said, "Come on, run! If Tris could do it, you can too!" But that wasn't enough of motivation. The side of my body was screaming in pain. I said to myself "Run! Pretend there is a bullet in you that has to be remove immediately! You'll survive if you run now!" I did, of course! I don't want to die just yet.

"I can pretend to be brave, but I'm not." -Tris

"Abnegation taught me: turning away from myself, projecting always outward, and hoping that in whatever is next, I will be better than I am now." -Tris

And for the last round and final motivation was from classmate who told me that I should run and something caught sparks to what he said, "Your brother is athletic! Come on, Q, run! *clap clap*" I ran, proving him wrong I'm nothing like brother and not I could be athletic when I want to.

It's all about choices. If you choose to do what you really want to do, you will do it and you CAN! The running of 3 rounds taught me that lesson. And thanks to 'Insurgent'! Such an amazing inspiring book!! I was thinking, if I read 'Insurgent' every day I will always be reminded to be brave. However, that's not it. I had researched quotes on bravery:

"When life gives you something that makes you feel afraid, that's when life gives you a chance to be brave."

"Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt"

"Necessity makes even the timid brave."

I got good ones and I also came across a war tactic who wrote "The Art of War", Sun Tzu. It connects someway or another to 'Insurgent' the uprising war that's coming in the society. The necessity quote reminds me of Tobias: "...the value of a sacrifice lies in its necessity, not throwing your life away!"


"We both have war inside of us. Sometimes it keeps us alive. Sometimes it threatens to destroy us." -Tris
Yes, there are times that it's not other people who are our enemies but within us.

Divergent

In Beatrice Prior’s dystopian Chicago world, 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.
….
I’m afraid of how am I going to elaborate and sort out my opinions on this book. Basically, I’m speechless of what I have to review on it. I have the mind of that I might actually mix things up. But really, I just love the book and the whole of dystopian in it. It’s amazing! There were some parts of the book, I admit, that I can’t reach within my imaginations haha!

What surprises me was Beatrice’s character and the rest of them!! Pretty realistic! I’m really amazed by Beatrice’s values too. The book itself, has demonstrated values that we should have in our life – successful or not, we should have the right attitude toward others. And that’s something.

So many good actions that gripped and absorbed me in while reading it. Totally enjoyed the ride as if I was in all of what was happening in the book!

I think I might actually have to look up on Beatrice’s bravery here. Her courageous self is simply what made the book such a reverting one. Without it, I wouldn’t think it’ll be what the book turned out to be. I have to say I’m not that brave like her but I’ve always wanted to be eccentric and brave and courageous like her. Dauntless. Fearless. Anything that touches the sense of bravery always brewing in you, that you have to be active all the time. Problem with me is, I’m pathetic. Low self-esteem. I wonder how can I change this. Is it because of this questions: Do I get to choose what I want or people have already chosen what’s best for me? With the choice they gave me, that resulted – I feel no confidence in me, no courage to fight for what I want… ??

Are those the reasons why I’m not eccentric and not brave enough to face head on? I’ve asked myself these questions before. It’s sad.

Anyways, I hope that didn’t turn out to be a drama queen there haha!!

I cannot be Beatrice.

Difficult to be her, in my case. I have just too MANY fears. Some of it are even ridiculous than hers..so yeah. And I’m aware that myself is a big coward. There. I said it. A coward. Btw, just a bit of spoiler: The real coward in the book, seriously, is Eric. Really. (IMO)

Just remember to check out Divergent! Because you have to. It’s truly awesomeage!! And there’s an ebook of the 1.5 – Free Four – in Four’s points of view!! Do check them all out!!

Another thing, in my opinion, Tris and all, are like living in a world with just a couple of options and that’s it for them. No freedom. And how I see “Visiting Day” is more of like prison visitation. Is it only annually? Bah! then in that case, Dauntless is probably worse than a prison cell, idk. (TOO MUCH SPOILER, sorry)

OMG the song, “Young Dumb And In Love” by Mat Kearney, imo, is a good song to be included in the Divergent movie!! EEEP! FOUR AND TRIS! <3
*****
Happy reading fellas!!