Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Review: Divergent

Title Divergent
By Veronica Roth
For fun
Source I own it

First sentance
There is one mirror in my house.



Synopsis
Argh, I can't even be bothered. This book had 80 pages of story and 400 pages of mindless, flashy violence with no purpose other than to sell books. Or something like that.

General thoughts
As you can probably guess, I did NOT like this one. I don't want to influence your opinion or spoil anything for you so you might not want to read on. I can't complain properly without giving away some things. First off, nothing, and I mean nothing, happens for 400 pages. The whole thing felt like filler; mind numbing violent filler. I mean, obviously we know the books supposed to be about Divergent and what that means, but it doesn't really even come into play till the last part of the book. So as I dragged my way through pages and pages of crying, (oh, but Tris never cries. Whatever) throwing up and "oh, boo hoo. Am I a self depracating loser or a adrenalin junkie?" and then Finally things started to happen. Started happening so fast that it became incredibly sloppy, rushed writing.  For example:  page 268, Tris "luckily" hits the guard in the shooting arm. Really? That lucky, huh? And then people start ducking bullets. You can't duck bullets! Furthermore, Tris got shot in the freaking shoulder and she's running around like she's perfectly fine even after she breaks her stitches. Whatever! And the "important" deaths? I felt like the author just threw them in to pull at our heartstrings but they were so rushed and Tris didn't seem to care so why the hell should I? And one last thing, I was bothered that at the family visiting day Tris figures out that her mother used to be Dauntless and her mother knew she was Divergent and yet, at the end of the book it's like that conversation had never happened. Did the author forget about it, did the editor miss it, or was I just supposed to be so caught up in the action at the end that I overlooked that little tid bit? Sorry, this one just wasn't for me. Just because it's dystopian and "action" packed doesn't mean I should just accept all the unbelievable crap thrown at me.

Characters
Nope, not going to waste my time talking about characters I didn't like or care about. I can't like people that duck bullets. Well, that drunk factionless guy at the beginning had some mystery and depth to him. I'd like to get to know him better. ;)

Would I recommend it?
I know everyone else likes it so far and you're probably going to read it anyway, but just remember, I warned you.

20 comments:

  1. Jeny! How could you not love this one?!! But I enjoyed your review and yeah I think your definitely right on those points. Funny as always! I just went for the ride and enjoyed it without overcomplicating myself with those details.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hey, I'm grateful for an opposite point of view. Everyone else has raved about this book and I felt so left out not reading it yet. Now I feel a little calmer. Likely I will still read it but with a more measured expectation in mind.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Jenny, can we be friends in real life? :) This had me cracking up. I liked Divergent, but I agree with everything you said. All the beating people made me nauseous. And I thought the pacing was kind of wonky and too fast at the end. I'll still read the next one, but this definitely wasn't the best book of the year for me.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I can't help it, I still want to read it. I loved your review though! It cracked me up, love your sense of humor!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Selina, I want you to know, I knew you were going to be the most disappointed. Sorry. At least I still made you laugh.

    Anne, Thanks for stopping by. I always appreciate an opposing idea too.

    Kathy, Yes, let's. ;) The pacing in the whole book was just weird. I didn't get it.

    Samantha, I'm glad you'll still read it I wouldn't want to scare people away. Some books I would never recommend but this one isn't one of them. I just didn't like it.

    ReplyDelete
  6. This is the one everyone's been raving about? So, since you didn't like it, do you think I will? :) Anyway, like Anne above says, I will probably still read it, but not stress about being left out of the buzz for now!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Sometimes I wonder if I'm not a very discerning reader! I really loved this one and don't remember feeling any of the things you mentioned. Ah, well, ignorance is bliss. :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. Suey, Ah, suey, you like everything so, yeah, you'll like it. ;) I tease, I tease.

    Melissa, You couldn't have said it better. Ignorange IS bliss. I've read many a "badly written" book and loved them anyway. Just not this one.

    ReplyDelete
  9. It's so fun to read your reviews, Jenny. So passionate. I'm not going to read it.

    ReplyDelete
  10. +JMJ+

    This is the second review I've read that found the violence gratuitous and the characters totally unlikeable. =S This does not sound good . . .

    ReplyDelete
  11. You are one of the first people I've met who did not like this book...and I totally respect you for that! I personally really enjoyed it, but it just goes to show how different people's reading tastes can be!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Totally disagree. I loved this book. I thought the plot was very well-formed. Yes, Tris had some whiny moments, but overall, I thought she handled what was going on very well.

    The writing wasn't at a Hunger Games caliber for me, but I really enjoyed this book while I read it, and can't wait for the sequel.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Dana, Thanks! I'm glad you like my reviews. :)

    Enbrethiliel, Most people have liked it. I must be weird. ;)

    Natalie, Thanks for still liking me. ;) Everybody's different, and I just didn't like this one.

    Emily, That's OK, we're all different. I hope you still like me. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  14. I still want to read it. Heard too much about it (it's been EVERYWHERE) and I need to know what it's about! Love the review though, I haven't seen many negative reviews for this one, but glad to hear different opinions on it!

    ReplyDelete
  15. +JMJ+

    Yeah, but the two people who share that allegedly "weird" opinion are among the few reviewers I actually read. =P

    ReplyDelete
  16. Hahahahahaha holy shit Jenny, I love this review. I will still read it but I'm wary. Although it's cool that the character is a girl with my name, that doesn't happen... Ever.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Tristan, Well, I'm glad you enjoyed the review. I figured it wouldn't deter anyone. My name's so common it's always used.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Wow this is genuinely the first negative review of this book I've seen, its really nice to get a different opinion on it!! I ADORED it, but I can totally see how you didn't.

    The Cait Files

    ReplyDelete
  19. Cait, I don't know if I subconsciously have some desire to be different or what, but I always seem to hate books that everybody LOVES. Except The Hunger Games. I loved those too.

    ReplyDelete
  20. "Filler" is the perfect word to describe this entire book. It was basically a tediously long-winded prologue--a blatant setup for the sequel. Also, I'm sorry but I can only suspend my disbelief so much before my brain starts to protest...and Divergent definitely surpassed that point. There was sooo much that made no sense, including the idea of the factions and the concept of being divergent. And don't even get me started on the ridiculousness of the ending with all the silly mind control, unbelievable shooting, Tris' sudden Rambo transformation, and the cheesy inappropriately-timed love confession. Bleh!

    ReplyDelete