BOOK REVIEW: Divergent

Divergent

by Veronica Roth

Series: Divergent (#1)

"One Choice Can Transform You."

In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago world, 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 alongside her fellow initiates to live out the choice they have made. Together they must undergo extreme physical tests of endurance and intense psychological simulations, some with devastating consequences. As initiation transforms them all, Tris must determine who her friends really are--and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes exasperating 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 unrest and growing conflict that threaten to unravel her seemingly perfect society, Tris also learns that her secret might help her save the ones she loves . . . or it might destroy her.
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Excerpt:

"I'm not trying to be self-deprecating," I say, "I just don't get it.  I'm younger.  I'm not pretty.  I -"

He laughs, a deep laugh that sounds like it came from deep inside him, and touches his lips to my temple.

"Don't pretend," I say breathily.  "You know I'm not.  I'm not ugly, but I am certainly not pretty."

"Fine.  You're not pretty.  So?"  He kisses my cheek.  "I like how you look.  You're deadly smart. You're brave.  And even though you found out about Marcus..." His voice softens.  "You aren't giving me that look.  Like I'm a kicked puppy or something."

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My Review:

I absolutely loved this book.  I found that it was well-written, well-planned, and it absolutely sucked me into the story.  I felt like I was living alongside Tris in the crazy journey that she began.  There were many twists and turns, some of which I could kind of see coming, and others that just blew me out of the water, especially toward the end.

I loved the development of Tris and Four's relationship as well.  I know, I know, I'm a romantic, so of course I would go for the sappy love story... but this love story wasn't sappy at all.  It was quite true to the situation and the circumstances that were going on around them.  They were realistic about things, and their relationship developed naturally, which was a breath of fresh air compared to some of the other books I've read lately.  

Ultimately, this obviously isn't just a love story, and the themes of  dystopian society throughout are interesting.  The characters are engaging.  The plot is well thought out and written.  I would go as far as to say that this is one of the best books I have read in a long time.  I literally could not put it down, so if you haven't read it yet....go start now!  

Oh, and by the way, I haven't seen the movie yet...but I'm definitely going to before it leaves theaters!  After reading the story, I feel like I can't not see it.

I rate this book: 

Five stars