Divergent
Veronica Roth
Publisher: HarperCollins
Release Date: May 3, 2011
Pages: 496
Ratings: 5 Stars
Summary (from Goodreads):
In
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.
Where to start with this book? Seriously. This is
probably one of the best books I have read this year. If it was possible for me
to marry a book, I would marry this one.
I was extremely hesitant to start this book
because there was so much hype surrounding this book. Usually when there is all
this hype surrounding a book saying how awesome the book is I’m extremely wary
and often times the book does not live up to the hype. That was not the case
with Divergent. If anything, Divergent was even better then all the
hype makes it out to be. This book is just awesome in a physical form.
So why is this book awesome? Let’s first start
with the plot. I loved this plot. This book is dystopian done right. From the
first moment you pick up the book until the very last page you will be actively
engaged in the plot. I literally was swept up into the plot of this book, not
sure were Veronica Roth would take Tris and Four and the other characters next.
I was constantly turning the pages, engrossed in the story. I got so swept up
in the action of Divergent that I
lost track of time reading this book and was actually shocked when I finished
because I did not realize I had just spent hours reading the book. I have to
say the climax of this book is amazing. This book had one of the best climaxes
in a book with a great twist and great action. The last couple chapters had me
literally gasping out loud and even yelling at the book. I was very emotional
invested in the plot and was just amazed at everything that happened in the
book. I don’t want to spoil the plot for anyone but be expected to be blown
away.
Another amazing thing about this book was that
Veronica Roth was able to create a realistic future dystopian society. A thing
that can make or break a book, specifically a dystopian, is the world building.
Veronica Roth is able to successfully create a world where people are separated
into five different factions based on different personality characteristics to
create a perfect society. Veronica Roth immediately immerses you into Tris’s
future Chicago world. The differences between each faction in the society was
clearly defined, and the five factions made sense in trying to establish a
perfect society. I was really fascinated by the differences between each
faction and the decision each person must face when they come of age: stay with
your family in the same faction or chose a different faction in which you are
better suited for. I loved the whole world of the Dauntless faction and how
different it was from the Abnegation faction and the other factions. I just
loved the contrast between all the factions.
I really loved the main character of Divergent Tris. She is such a strong,
fierce character. I loved that Tris was not afraid to stand up for what she believes
in and was willing to make choices based on her heart and decisions even if
they were unpopular decisions. Tris was everything you want in a strong female
character. Not only was she willing to make difficult decisions she could also
kick ass, physically. I loved that she was such a strong female character,
making decisions based on what she thought was right, not what society deemed
right. And then there is Four. I loved Four. He was awesome and just as strong
as Tris. I have a lot to say about him but it’s spoilery and I do not like
spoilers.
There is so much more I want to say about this
book, but I am worried about spoiling the book and this is not a book you want
spoiled. You need to experience everything first hand to get the full effect of
how awesome this book is. I am amazed at how amazing this book is. One of the
amazing things about this book is that it is from a debut author who is still
in her 20s. I’m amazed. This is definitely a stunning debut and I cannot wait
for the sequel and to see what else this amazingly talented writer will turn
out next.
Everyone needs to go out and buy this book since
it is on sale today. I would marry this book if possible, because it is that
awesome. I realized I have used awesome a lot in this review, but really there
are no adjectives to describe my love for this book. Awesome is the only one
that comes close. I am willing to force this book upon random people on the
streets and bookstores. That is how much I love this book. I have already
forced upon one of my college professors because I love it so much. Everyone go
buy this book because it is one of the best debuts of the year, and even
possibly, one of the best books in general of the year.
And check out my Fragment Friday where I read an excerpt from the beginning of Divergent.
Also check out the trailer for
Divergent here.
Divergent by Veronica Roth is on sale now.
