My Thoughts on the Divergent Trilogy

Ok, so I am sure that by now you have all heard of a little series called "Divergent." It's soon to be a movie so I decided to read it. Well I've finally finished the series and now I am going tell you my thoughts on it!

Let's start with the first book Divergent. When I started this book, I really struggled with the beginning. I thought it was a rip-off of the Hunger Games (which I never read) and was not really into the plot line. Also, the writing seemed way to young for me. I do realize that this is a young adult book, but I feel like it was written for 13-15 year olds. I say that because the attention to detail wasn't very vivid and the writing seemed very stale. I got about 3 chapters in and stopped reading it. About a week and a half later, I picked it back up one day during nap time when I was babysitting. That day, I didn't put it down until I finished it. The plot picked up and I really wanted to know how it ended. I recant my precious complaint about it being too similar to The Hunger Games. They are not similar at all (well, from what I've seen in the HG movie.) I got past the writing style and actually really enjoyed the book. It was a great suspense towards the end and it was really entertaining. The ending left me wanting to start the next one immediately.

Which brings us to Insurgent (the second book in the trilogy).

I couldn't be more disappointed with this book. I expected a great follow up to Divergent, but all that I was left was a dull, boring sequel. It was confusing and seemed to repeat the same scene with different details over and over again. The characters were under-developed and I really struggled getting through it. I felt like a lot of the 'drama' in it was unnecessary and really just left me angry. I felt like a lot of the characters demises unneeded and not thought out thoroughly.
I finally finished it and decided that since I had already purchased the last book, I might as well finish the final novel to see where it ends.

So Allegiant. First and foremost, I initially liked the idea of hearing Tobias' point of view. But again, this was ill developed and just left me confused. I had to go back and re-read his POV chapters because I hardly understood what 'he' was trying to say or portray. I realize that first person is an extremely hard POV to write and despite everything, I think that it worked in the first two novels. But I feel like it was a mistake to add the chapters with Tobias' point of view in this book. Now, without giving any spoilers, I do understand the necessity for it later in the novel and I liked hearing his voice later. Which brings me to my next point... I got to 'that point' in the novel (if you've read it, you KNOW what I am talking about. Again, no spoilers) and just threw the book at the wall. I feel like 'that' was completely unnecessary and pointless, not mention it REALLY pissed me off. I didn't even finish the book because I was so mad. (Yes, I do get worked up with what I am reading... I can't help it.)

All in all, I would recommend this book but only to more of a middle school crowd. It's catchy and intriguing and no doubt will encourage our youth to enjoy reading.  I did connect with the characters and was intrigued to see where their story lines would lead to. But as an adult reader, I believe it failed in many ways. Like I said, I thought a lot of the plot was unnecessary, irrelevant and ill planned. The second and third books were a major disappointment for me.

With that being said, I will most definitely see the movie as I really did enjoy the first book. I just wish that the series was more of a continuation of the first novel rather than a focus on 'the revolution.' Honestly, I kinda wish I never read the other two and just let my imagination finish the series.

I know that this trilogy is very popular and I might get a lot of backlash over my opinion. But that's all this is, just my opinion. Anyway, have you read the series yet? What were your thoughts on it?