Divergent by Veronica Roth (review)

 

Divergent (1)

by Veronica Roth

Genre(s): Dystopian, Young Adult

Pages: 487

Published: April 2011

Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books

Summary:  "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: A very active, captivating story of young Tris. While lacking on some of the world building and original creativity, this character's narration keeps you reading through the good and the bad.

Beatrice was suppose to grow up selfless but she never quite fit in with her family. Instead was wants to live her own live, to be brave...Dauntless. When her faction test results are given it sends her spiraling into the world of the unknown, and she gets the change to change her future. But her choice leads to her to some truths that will change everyone's lives.

I really liked Tris's (Beatrice) character. In fact I like almost all the characters. The only character that bothered me was Al. He starts off as the big brother type character but it is evident he is in the wrong faction and some choices he makes didn't fit. I have to would if the author knew someone by the name of Al or Albert and hated them. I have rarely read a book where a character is so heavily bashed on. but otherwise I really liked each character. Four is very well written even though many mysteries surround him throughout the book. I am so glad the author also wrote a book from his perspective and I am eager to read it one I finish the original trilogy.

The factions are interesting in a way yet frustrating. Nobody is any one thing and each faction is expected to be it to such an extreme. 

Abnegation (selfless) cannot even look in a mirror for long and MUST always put others first.
Dauntless (Brave) are more daredevils than anything and have to risk their lives to proof things.
Erudite (intelligent) where glasses just to fit in and look smart even if they don't need them.
Candor (honest) are just plain frank and speak their mind about anything.
Amity (Peace) Are always happy.

If you do not fit into one group then you are either Factionless or Divergent. And Divergent is not what you want to claim to be in this book.

The world is broken and I kept wondering how it got this way. Why the factions? Why don't they work together more? When did being different become bad? So many questions and no good answers are given. It is very focused on the here and now and when I read a dystopian setting I want more. I need the backstory for the world building to feel complete.

Some things that happen here just didn't seem real and others where over the top but still it is all so engaging I ended up just going along for the ride. And found it well worth the time to read. The style in which to story is told is very well done. I really felt as though someone was sharing a part of their life with me. I also keep wondering what would happen next. What deadly stunt must be preformed or who and when is someone going to figure her out? At times it made me antsy simply to turn the page, always wanting more.

This book is filled with tension, action, adventure, camaraderie, some romance and lots of self-discovery. Tris's character grows quite a bit in this book and it was a pleasure to see how in all unfolds.