Review: Divergent

Divergent by Veronica Roth (#1 in Divergent)

Synopsis from: Shelfari.com

Published by: Katherine Tegen Books

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 threatens to unravel her seemingly-perfect society, she also learns that her secret might be what helps her save those she loves . . . or it might be what destroys her.

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This book was a must read from the moment I saw it. The cover is amazing, and I applaud the jacket artists for such wonderful work. I absolutely love dystopian books, and this one was perfect. The tests make me feel like I'm in a different world, and I like how real it felt when I was reading it. There was no mistaking the fact that the author put countless hours into this book.

Beatrice (or Tris), is portrayed as a character who doesn't think she is enough. She doesn't find herself pretty, or selfless enough. When she chooses dauntless, she has to cover up all her feelings by being brave and not really caring that much about herself that is. I love how she isn't afraid to stand up for herself or others, and how she protects Al from Eric.

Now onto the boys. Or boy for that fact. Four is shown as someone who doesn't believe in the beliefs of the dauntless. He seems strong, but vulnerable at the same time. I loved how he took interest in Tris and tried to make her stronger by punishing her. I couldn't get enough of him and longed for the scenes that he was in. I felt myself melt whenever he said something that was sweet. By the end of the book, I was a puddle of nothingness.

The plot of the book was very simple, but it felt complicated because of how long it look Tris to figure out what was going on. But that's what I liked about it. It wasn't one of those books where it took forever, but it was quick. Sure, the book is around 500 pages, but it didn't feel like that. It was probably because it was just so damn good!

I recommend this book to people who like to read stories about strong girls. And, for people who enjoy dystopian as much as I do. The second I finished, I felt myself wanting the second book in my grasps.