Book Review: Divergent by Veronica Roth

Title: Divergent

Author: Veronica Roth

Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books

Publication date: May, 2011

Hardcover: 496 pages

Stand Alone or Series: Series–this is the first in a series

How I got this book: bought

Why I chose this book: I can’t help it.  I’ve been drawn into the dystopian craze, and I’m proud of it!

Synopsis:

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.

Review:

Divergent is one of those books that inspires people to write a book of their own.  It has the gore and grit that fans of the dystopian genre will enjoy.  There are parts in there that are sure to make the weak-of-stomachs queasy. Veronica Roth’s world is creative, original, full of detail, addicting, and so much more.  I found the main character, Tris, badass in her own way.  The best aspect about her being that she knows when to be afriad, and that fear is described so potently that everyone can relate to her (even though most of us have never been shot at).  Tris’s love interest–and instructor–Four, is frustrating, lovely, and sometimes downright mean.  I have to admit, he’s not my ideal guy, but he is perfect for Tris. 

With dystopian being so popular lately, I was a little unsure of how I would feel about divergent.  Would it be your typical, run of the mill, different day New York dystopian.  Well, it takes place in New York, but that’s where the similarities end.  Roth knows how to keep the reader turning pages and begging for more.  I can’t wait ’till the next installment.