Divergent by Veronca Roth : Reviewed by Sandee

Title: Divergent (Divergent, #1)
Author: Veronica Roth
Release Date: May 3rd 2011 by Katherine Tegen Books

Synopsis:

n Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue--Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is--she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.

During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles to determine who her friends really are--and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes infuriating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers a growing conflict that threatens to unravel her seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her secret might help her save those she loves . . . or it might destroy her.

Debut author Veronica Roth bursts onto the literary scene with the first book in the Divergent series--dystopian thrillers filled with electrifying decisions, heartbreaking betrayals, stunning consequences, and unexpected romance.

Sandee's Review:

Divergent, adjective
- following paths or courses that become increasingly different or separate

A lot of people loved Divergent. It would get a rating this high if it wasn’t that good right? People keep on telling me to read it but as I've mentioned when I reviewed Hunger Games, dystopian is not really my thing so even though I loved HG, I was still a little hesitant to try another dystopian book. Our group actually has a book theme challenge for the month and for February you have to challenge yourself how many dystopian books you could read for the month and I challenged myself 4 books but I doubt I could finish that because of my stupid work schedule. Anyways, Divergent didn’t disappoint. I was so happy that I tried to read this first. I don't read books just because other people read it, I prefer to find out what makes a book popular on my own and with that you either love it or you hate it. In this case, I ABSOLUTELY LOVED DIVERGENT!

The world that Ms. Roth created reminded me a little of the Hunger Games. Instead of being divided into districts like in the Hunger Games, in Divergent the people were divided into factions. Dystopian Chicago here has five factions based on five virtues that each faction possessed: Candor (honesty), Abnegation (selflessness), Dauntlessness (bravery), Amity (peacefulness) and Erudite (wisdom or intelligence). The factions reminded me of the houses in Hogwarts: Griffindor, Slytherin, Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw. They all had their own House virtue like for example Griffindors were brave while the Ravenclaws were smart and ect.

 Okay, enough of that. Going back.

One day every year, a sixteen year old must select a faction in which they would be belong to for the rest of their lives. They can choose but still they have to take a test to see what faction that would be compatible with (Sorting Hat Ceremony?).


Beatrice "Tris" Prior must choose her faction.

Was she going to choose her own faction and stay with her parents or was she going to choose her own way?

Divergent was well divergent. It was not your ordinary YA dystopian book. It was much more than that. It was also indulging.

CHARACTERS:
I just love the characters. I mentioned in one of my reviews that for a book to be really good it does not only have to have a great plot it also should have great characters. Luckily for Divergent, it has two of those.

Beatrice or Tris was a kickass heroine like Katniss (HG). I just love girls who could stand on their own and who has that don’t-take-crap-from-anybody attitude. She was not physically strong like the other characters in this book but her will made her stronger than all of them. What I liked most about her is how she overcame her fears. She was not dauntless when she transferred factions; she learned how to be because of her will. It is not always easy to stand by on a choice that you made but Tris did that. She tried everything within her power to remain a Dauntless and for me that is very admirable.

I liked Four. The first time he came to the story I already liked him. He was sexy in a mysterious kind of way. Though he seemed dauntless through and through he also has his own fear. Fear of heights?! :D His relationship with Tris just need a little more push because though it was sweet it was still a little lacking for me. But one thing I did like about their relationship was that it wasn’t INSTALOVE. :D At least I think it wasn’t.

The other supporting characters were there for a reason. There are books that have loads of unnecessary characters but not here. Christina, Will, Peter and everyone else has their own parts to play even Tris' family.

Divergent may not one of my favorite books but I would lie if I say I didn’t enjoy it. It was an entertaining read. It has all the quality of a good book so if someone asks me if I would recommend it, I definitely will.

I give this book a 4!

 

Sandee's Blog: http://sandeelovesbooks.blogspot.com/