Book Review : Divergent

Book: Divergent (Book #1)
Author: Veronica Roth

Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Date Published: May 3, 2011
Pages: 487
Source: Kindle and Bookshelf (yes so good I bought two copies)
Date Read: May 3, 2011

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.

Debut author Veronica Roth bursts onto the literary scene with the first book in the Divergent series—dystopian thrillers filled with electrifying decisions, heartbreaking betrayals, stunning consequences, and unexpected romance.

Summary Taken from Goodreads

Yani's Review:

Wow. I am pretty sure every blogger starts their review of Divergent with those words (well not every blogger but at least 90% of them do), because even if people had little complaints about the world building -which I didn’t- or the reason they where split into factions -I didn’t care why- this book packs a hell of a punch. I am not going to go into too much detail about what Divergent is about because I am sure by now you know, and if you don’t read the blurb above.

So I am not going to write a long review, just something short about why I loved this book and why I think you should read it....

First off, the world... now is it realistic that everyone would split into factions - Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent) - no not really, because how can someone be just one of these. And I think that is the main point of this book. These people are trained to believe it is better to be the best in one, than well-rounded in all. And it makes for a extremely intriguing story. Some of my favorite highlighted quotes comes from the different sayings of the faction, because in spite of it all there is some truth in their beliefs. One thing I wasn’t prepared for was how extremely they follow their faction and their beliefs...

“Faction before blood.”

I would have liked to learn more about how the factions came to be and how other cities work, but I guess time (and the other books) will reveal more.

Second, which I probably should have listed first, I love Four! Like I am absolutely entranced by him. I love the way the romance was built, I love how vulnerable they are only with each other, and I love that there wasn’t a love triangle - if one comes in later I don’t know what I will do because no one can take Four’s place in my heart, NO ONE.

Third, I love how things aren’t easy for Tris. I don’t know how better to explain this other than she had to struggle and fight for what she wanted and make tough decisions. I won’t say more, because if I keep writing I know I will give something away. But let me just say I can totally see how this will be an awesome movie as there are amazing stunts and nail-biting action sequences, along with hot and sweet loving moments.

I can’t stress how much I loved this book and I am DYING to read more! I know I said I would keep this short but I couldn't help it =D

Ratings:

Plot: 5/5
Writing Style: 5/5
Uniqueness: 5/5
Characters: 5/5

Similar Titles:

Memorable Quotes:

It must require bravery to be honest all the time. I wouldn't know. - Tris

and another one...

Human reason can excuse any evil; this is why it's so important we don't rely on it. -Tri's father