So let me just get this out of the way... I loved Divergent. More than the Hunger Games trilogy. There, I said it. Yes, I craved more when I finished reading the Hunger Games book. I couldn't wait to download Catching Fire. And I was curious how the trilogy would end in Mockingjay. Looking back, I realize that I enjoyed reading those books because they were so different than anything I'd read before. Much like the Twilight series, I questioned whether or not I would like them. And I did love Twilight and Hunger Games.
When I read Divergent last Wednesday, I literally couldn't put it down. It only took me a few hours to devour the book. The whole idea of a society based in the Chicago area, which is no longer the Chicago I know, was hard to imagine. What would it be like if the familiar landmarks were no longer recognizable? Or maybe they are recognizable, but they no longer serve the same purpose as they do now. Places like the Ferris Wheel at Navy Pier and the
Then there is the whole concept of belonging to a faction. And there are only five of them. If you don't belong, you are then deemed Divergent. I couldn't help but think that I'd be divergent... although I loved the adventure of the Dauntless faction. How could one choose to leave behind the family they know and love?
After I finished, I realized just how much I struggled with the whole premis of the Hunger Games, which I think most readers would struggle with. It was very dark... and definitely sad. While I also struggled with the premis of the factions and a dystopian society in Divergent, it carried all of the action without so much of the sadness of the Hunger Games.
I'm so curious to get ahold of Insurgent to see if my initial reactions hold true. I can't believe I have to wait until May!
~Komos :)
Thanks for sharing your thoughts about this reading Laura. Although I'm teaching 3rd grade at the moment, I also love reading YA, especially on my long train trip to and from work. I'll definitely be kindling Divergent on your recommendation. I also loved Hunger Games in spite of my general aversion to violence. I know that lots of people found it dark and sad but I was inspired by the loving and rebellious humanity expressed through Peter and Katniss in particular.
ReplyDeleteI had to laugh with you at your self-identification as "divergent". We did some learning styles profiling when studying teaching and I came out as the only "divergent" in the class of 40. Obviously, as I haven't read the book I can't relate it to that specific meaning of the word. I guess what I loved about the Mockingjay is that I know that I probably wouldn't be a rebel against the Capitol. I completely love and admire that rebel energy though...
You've really got me thinking (and hankering for that book)...Thanks!
I'm so excited - I got Divergent from the library today! I loved the Hunger Games trilogy, and being a Chicagoan, I'm looking forward to this book.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to read this!! I saw it on the nerdy book club list too. I just read The Adoration of Jenna Fox...could not put it down. Thanks for the next book on my list.
ReplyDeleteI am totally going to look at Divergent. Thanks!
ReplyDeletei'm also awarding you the Liebster award.
Kimberly
1st in Maine
Has anyone else finished Divergent? Curious to hear your thoughts! :)
ReplyDeleteI loved Divergent, too. It kept coming up in pop media this summer (Entertainment Weekly, etc) and then I saw a blog review on it by someone who never blogs about books. So I tried it. And I may have liked it more than Hunger Games...well, better than Catching Fire & Mockingjay, for sure. =)
ReplyDeleteAlong with the whole concept of this particular dystopia, there was def good relationship tension with Tris and Tobias...I appreciate when an author can do that in a manner that's not cheesy.
I loved it more than Hunger Games to! It was SO good....and now I have a wait SOOOO long to read #2.
ReplyDeleteLaurie
http://chickadeejubilee.blogspot.com/2012/01/reading-round-up.html
Laura,
ReplyDeleteI, too, loved Divergent more than the Hunger games trilogy. I think one of the things that made the series appeal to me is that I sometimes really worry that we are currently creating factions in our world today. That made the premise of the books seem pretty real (and fascinating) to me.