Post #9: Most Important Line from Chapter 15 of Allegiant

On page 124 of Allegiant, there was one paragraph that really affected the chapter:

"They called for genetically damaged individuals to come forward so that the Bureau could alter their genes. The Bureau then placed them in secure environments to settle in for the long haul, equipped with basic version of the serums to help them control their society. They would wait for the passage of time- for the generations to pass, for each one to produce more genetically healed humans. Or, as you currently know them... the Divergent."

This information is really important because it is the first time the characters find out what it means to be Divergent. They find out that they're not bad, evil, or dangerous, as the Divergent were previously thought to be. In fact, they find out that they are healed from a genetic defect. This means that the Divergent are actually more harmless than most of the people around them because they don't have behavioral issues.

Secondly, after the characters find out that they were all just part of an experiment, they begin to question everything about their lives. One example of this was on page 136 when Tris said, "What if my parents' God, their whole belief system, is just something concocted by a bunch of scientists to keep us under control? And not just their beliefs about God and whatever else is out there, but about right and wrong, about selflessness?" Tris is very confused about her identity, and she doesn't know what to believe anymore.

Can you imagine if one day, you found out that everything that ever happened in your life was just part of an experiment? How would you react?

Post #8: Insurgent Book Review

Insurgent is the second book in the Divergent series by Veronica Roth. I would give it 5 out of 5 stars. Although many sequels never measure up to the first book, this is not the case with Insurgent. It keeps you on the edge of your seat with every chapter.

Although I'm not a huge fan of dystopian books because I find them to be depressing at times, I think Veronica Roth did a great job crafting Insurgent. While there were sad parts (i.e. fighting between factions, beloved characters getting hurt, etc.), Roth also managed to work in lighthearted parts with Tris and Fours' relationship and experiences in the orchards of the Amity compound. Insurgent is an all-around great read that many readers will enjoy.

Insurgent picks up right when the factions are left in a state of chaos at the end of Divergent. From there, the surviving members of Abnegation join up with Four, Tris, and some of the members of Dauntless. I will refer to them as the "good people". The "good people" travel to the Amity compound to take refuge from the ruthless Erudite. At the same time, other members of Dauntless become traitors and side with the Erudite.  Throughout the book, the "good people" move through the war-torn city and even meet the Factionless. They fight the Erudite and try to stay alive. In the end, a rebellion breaks out against the Erudite, but I can't tell you any more because it will give to much away.

Veronica Roth writes from Tris' perspective in the book. Tris is a teenage girl who has been through a lot and has had to kill many enemies. The book is very fast-paced, and it has lots of action.

I would recommend Insurgent to anyone who enjoys dystopian novels such as The Hunger Games, and to people who like books with lots of action. Also, the book is not gender-specific, even though it's told from a girl's perspective. Boys and girls alike would enjoy Insurgent.

Remember, Divergent comes out in theaters this year, so you might want to read the books before then!

Post #7: A Conversation with Tris

The following conversation is composed of questions I would ask Tris in Insurgent, and the responses I imagine she would give me.

Me: Do you regret your choice to become a member of the Dauntless faction?

Tris: While I do regret abandoning my family in Abnegation, I don't regret joining Dauntless. It has taught me how to defend myself and those around me, and it has helped me to combine the selfless actions of Abnegation with the courageous actions of Dauntless.

Me: Do you think the factions will go back to normal if the conflict ever settles?

Tris: Honestly, I don't know. I don't think life will ever be normal again. I have no idea how we would function without factions, though. I can't imagine how that would work.

Me: Do you think Jeanine has a motive for wanting to kill so many people, or is she just doing it because she can?

Tris: Jeanine wants power. She's evil and we can't let her take over.

Me: Do you think Jeanine's going to kill all the Divergent?

Tris: I don't know. I think she wants to keep us alive for awhile so she can figure out how to create better simulation serums that we won't be able to overcome. But, she'll probably kill us once she figures that out. We're the most dangerous to her because we have the capability to overpower her, and that scares her.

Me: I know things between you and Four have been a little bit rocky lately. Do you think it's just because of everything that's going on right now, or do you think you might break up?

Tris: I think it's mainly because of everything that's going on right now. We really wouldn't be having any problems if it weren't for the situation we're in. But, I don't know. We'll see what happens.

Me: I'm really sorry about that. I'm sorry for the loss of your parents, too. Are you seeking revenge on Jeanine for all of this?

Tris: I'm not really seeking revenge on her as much as I'm trying to stop her from hurting more people. Sure, I'm mad at her, but I won't be able to stop anything by fueling this fire with more fire.

Me:  It's good that you realize that. I know people are in good hands with you. Well, Tris, thank you for giving me some of your precious time. I hope things get better for you.

Tris: Thanks. I better get going before anyone else gets killed.