A review by theliteratureladies
Divergent Series 3-Book Box Set: Divergent, Insurgent, Allegiant by Veronica Roth
3.0
When I first read Veronica Roth’s Divergent trilogy, it reminded me of a sci-fi version of The Hunger Games. We have a dangerous government, citizens with limited resources, a ceremony when kids become 16 (I know, in The Hunger Games, it’s for 12-18 year olds but close enough), a 16 year old heroine who defies the odds, and, ultimately, whose choices and actions propel the world she knows into turmoil and change. I remember coming away thinking, “This is just a different Hunger Games…” And I preferred Katniss’s story.
This second time around, however, I became more aware of the differences between Roth’s and Collins’ worlds. Divergent stood out and apart in more than one way.
In my interpretation at least, the questions the authors ask and the themes they focus their efforts on are actually not very similar at all. And, what I didn’t remember from my first read was how much Roth focused on science and genetics, especially in the last book Allegiant. Roth debates good and evil in individuals, science’s involvement in social issues and government, and government’s control and reach over those same social dilemmas. Through the factions she instates (Abnegation, Candor, Erudite, Amity, and Dauntless), she questions what it means to be selfless to a fault, honest until you’re unkind, smart but arrogant, peaceful but passive, and of course, brave but cruel. How does family or friendship play into our choices and beliefs? How do our circumstances influence us? She also tackles forgiveness, death, abuse, fear, phobias, and how all of those things make us who we are. I applaud Roth for tackling each of these weighty issues in the series.
Beyond that, however, I found myself rather disinterested in the story as a whole. I thought Tris, Tobias, and many other characters were unlikeable. Most of the characters I enjoyed were the supporting cast – Christina, Uriah, Fernando, Cara, et cetera. In some ways, Tris is relatable, but more often than not I felt she was simply unkind. While I do think that’s important to her character and story, I personally prefer kindness to seriously flawed heroics. The romance between Tris and Tobias is refreshing in the sense they don’t lose their heads around each other, in the way they build each other up, talk through their issues, and make each other stronger. However, I got tired of the constant lying and backstabbing it felt like they – and most everyone else – did throughout the series.
The first book was definitely the most interesting to me, with Insurgent and Allegiant falling behind. I had a hard time keeping up with all that was going on in the latter two books as we went new places, met a ton of new characters, and had a bunch of genetic talk. I ultimately skimmed a decent chunk.
Also, I know this is super picky of me, but it really bugs me when a story starts out from one character’s perspective but changes by the end. Tris is our first-person narrator for Divergent and Insurgent; but in Allegiant, it alternates between Tris and Tobias. It feels like the author didn’t think ahead well enough to realize she would need two narrators to tell certain parts of the plot. I wish Roth had kept it just Tris or had used the alternating perspectives throughout the trilogy. Picky, I know.
Also, the third book had a lot of language, while the first two had none. I don’t appreciate adding in a bunch of foul language after your teenage readership is secured…
So I am left with mixed feelings about this young adult series. As I read, I was skimming. But, there were still moments where I had to applaud Roth and could appreciate the effort she took to tell her story. I think Divergent just isn’t my cup of tea.
www.theliteratureladies.com
This second time around, however, I became more aware of the differences between Roth’s and Collins’ worlds. Divergent stood out and apart in more than one way.
In my interpretation at least, the questions the authors ask and the themes they focus their efforts on are actually not very similar at all. And, what I didn’t remember from my first read was how much Roth focused on science and genetics, especially in the last book Allegiant. Roth debates good and evil in individuals, science’s involvement in social issues and government, and government’s control and reach over those same social dilemmas. Through the factions she instates (Abnegation, Candor, Erudite, Amity, and Dauntless), she questions what it means to be selfless to a fault, honest until you’re unkind, smart but arrogant, peaceful but passive, and of course, brave but cruel. How does family or friendship play into our choices and beliefs? How do our circumstances influence us? She also tackles forgiveness, death, abuse, fear, phobias, and how all of those things make us who we are. I applaud Roth for tackling each of these weighty issues in the series.
Beyond that, however, I found myself rather disinterested in the story as a whole. I thought Tris, Tobias, and many other characters were unlikeable. Most of the characters I enjoyed were the supporting cast – Christina, Uriah, Fernando, Cara, et cetera. In some ways, Tris is relatable, but more often than not I felt she was simply unkind. While I do think that’s important to her character and story, I personally prefer kindness to seriously flawed heroics. The romance between Tris and Tobias is refreshing in the sense they don’t lose their heads around each other, in the way they build each other up, talk through their issues, and make each other stronger. However, I got tired of the constant lying and backstabbing it felt like they – and most everyone else – did throughout the series.
The first book was definitely the most interesting to me, with Insurgent and Allegiant falling behind. I had a hard time keeping up with all that was going on in the latter two books as we went new places, met a ton of new characters, and had a bunch of genetic talk. I ultimately skimmed a decent chunk.
Also, I know this is super picky of me, but it really bugs me when a story starts out from one character’s perspective but changes by the end. Tris is our first-person narrator for Divergent and Insurgent; but in Allegiant, it alternates between Tris and Tobias. It feels like the author didn’t think ahead well enough to realize she would need two narrators to tell certain parts of the plot. I wish Roth had kept it just Tris or had used the alternating perspectives throughout the trilogy. Picky, I know.
Also, the third book had a lot of language, while the first two had none. I don’t appreciate adding in a bunch of foul language after your teenage readership is secured…
So I am left with mixed feelings about this young adult series. As I read, I was skimming. But, there were still moments where I had to applaud Roth and could appreciate the effort she took to tell her story. I think Divergent just isn’t my cup of tea.
www.theliteratureladies.com