Divergent by Veronica Roth

Divergent 
Veronica Roth

May 3rd, 2011

496 pages (hardcover)

Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books

Source: Amazon Vine; Purchased

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.

DIVERGENT is without a doubt the next best thing in the YA dystopian genre, and perhaps even the best YA novel of 2011. Tris, our narrator, may appear to be a weak tiny girl, but she is one fierce, intelligent, and driven young woman who will inspire. The world Tris lives in is unique and described in the right amount of detail. I loved everything about the world in DIVERGENT, especially the separate factions present in Chicago and the fascinating technology. Roth's portrayal of this different world is compelling and makes you eager to know more. There were so many "wow" moments in this book that I was constantly being surprised. 

The edge-of-your-seat moments may be gripping and exciting, but it's the character relationships drew me in the most. Moments of romance, friendship, tests of loyalty and betrayal fill the pages. The overall storyline is thrilling, and the ending blew me away. This book is easily one of my top favorites now. DIVERGENT is electrifying and bursts to life with every word. Veronica Roth's writing will easily enchant you. 

Highlights: Tris’s voice was realistic. Not many stories capture my attention so completely, and Roth's words spoke to me like so few stories do. It has everything you can ask for, and so much more to surprise you. I look forward to more of Roth's work! Even Roth's villains never come across clichéd - they are normal people who think they're doing the right thing, which makes them more intimidating. The ending is shocking, emotional, and I wish I had book two because I need to know what happens next! 

Lowlights: I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and the only "low" points I found are so minuscule that they aren't worth noting.  

Notes: If you like THE HUNGER GAMES, you'll love this book. I loved THG (despite having a few issues with it), but I love Divergent a bit more. Fighting and violence are largely featured parts of the story, but it's well-suited for the targeted audience (anyone 14+ is mature enough for this book and the content inside).

Update-Audiobook Notes: Emma Galvin is the perfect Tris. She has a nice tone and conveys the strength of Tris and excitement of the story wonderfully. Her "male" voices took a bit of getting used to, but I never had any trouble distinguishing between who was speaking in the story. All in all, this is an excellent audiobook that I would highly recommend. 

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