Series: Divergent #1
Finished on: October 24, 2012
Released: April 28, 2011 by Katherine Tegen Books
Source: Public Library ebook
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Where you can buy: Amazon | B&N | Book Depository | IndieBound
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Summary from Goodreads:
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 threaten to unravel her seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her secret might help her save those she loves . . . or it might destroy her
Warning: Read this on a day off. You won't want to put it down.
Divergent had all the usual qualities of a dystopian while still giving us a unique and engaging story. Roth did a wonderful, wonderful job with the world-building and anyone who knows anything about Chicago will easily be able to picture this new society and how it has changed. The only thing I could have wished for is some more background on the factions: the hows and whys. The writing and the descriptions are beautiful. This one is definitely action-packed and suspenseful with very little lag time.
I like the main character, Tris. However, she just had something missing. I can't quite put my finger on it, but I couldn't fully connect with her. She didn't become one of my unforgettable book heroines.
Not only did I not connect with the main character, but I didn't connect with any of the other ones either. I cared what happened to Tris and Four but I didn't find myself caring about any of the others. Out of all the characters, Four turned out to be my favorite.
I give Divergent a four out of five. The writing was amazing and the actual events that take place are intense and intriguing. I was super absorbed in every taking place.The plot alone would earn a five, hands down. The only reason it loses a point is my lack of connection to the characters. (Then again, I just came off of reading the entire Vampire Academy series. Six books to develop a bond to the characters.That could be swaying my opinion.) If you are a fan of The Hunger Games or Delirium, I definitely recommend this one. Though, I don't think it's fair to compare any of them to each other too deeply. They all have their strong and unique elements.
I would have gone deeper, but I think anyone reading this for the first time should go in not knowing the plot points too well. It's a wonderful experience just letting the twists, turns, and little surprises happen.
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