Upon Re-reading Insurgent
Well, that was interesting. Glad I re-read -- I barely remembered most of this had happened (and the stuff that I did remember was mostly mired in my remembrance of how frustrating it was to read). On a second read, I lost some of the good will I had the first time through. It's just such a mess. I've seen second books go down the crapper, but the difference between Divergent and this one boggles my mind. I still think lack of structure is to blame. Anyway, off to read Allegiant, and my final verdict on this book will hinge on what I think of the ending to the series.
Subtracting my half star, though. This is just a solid three star read now (with the possibility of being lowered in the future).
Goodreads Status updates posted below in lieu of full review:
| 10/29 | 1.0% | "Re-reading this in prep for Allegiant. Taking extensive notes. This is happening." 2 comments | ||
| 10/29 | 9.0% | "This is playing better for me on re-read since I know where it's going, but only slightly. It still feels aimless and kind of self-indulgent. And I still do not like being in Tris's head." | ||
| 11/01 | 30.0% | "I think I've figured out what my problem with this book is. Roth is really good at getting Tris to reflect on motives and dwell on interesting ideas, and her characters are believable as well. The problem is, unlike in the first one, that's *all* that's happening. Where is the plot, the action? The overarching structure? The first one had all three in spades, so this one *not* having it is very jarring." | ||
| 11/01 | 45.0% | "Ugh, I hate when characters start yammering about not trusting one another." 2 comments | ||
| 11/01 | 52.0% | "I changed my mind. This is definitely worse the second time through. Dammit." | ||
| 11/02 | 61.0% | "This time around I'm also becoming increasingly skeptical of the worldbuilding. Are the factions genetic? What actually *is* a Divergent? And other stuff that is spoilers. Guess I'll have to find out tomorrow when I start Allegiant. And it better be really good. (Low ratings from everyone I know does not make this a likely possibility, but I'm going to try and keep an open mind.)" | ||
| 11/02 | 67.0% | "One thing that I'm really glad about, which is one of the reasons I wanted to re-read, is that I don't see any evidence of anti-intellectualism in this book. I'd heard it from multiple sources and had become concerned I'd missed it. But saying intelligence and curiosity aren't the only important things isn't saying they're not important. And having characters who think it is isn't the same as Roth saying it is." | ||
| 11/02 | 74.0% | "There's no rhythm to this. Even when big important things are happening, they're still unsatisfying." | ||
| 11/02 | 88.0% | "I'd forgotten. This does pick up at the end. But too little, too late." | ||
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