Review: Divergent by Veronica Roth

by Carmen Shaw 4:11 PM 2 comments

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.

Overall Thoughts:
This was an absolutely phenomenal, exhilarating, passion-driven read! The action was so expansive and consuming! The characters were complex and multidimensional! The plot was utterly unparalleled and unrivaled!

Divergent is a dystopian novel that centers around a sixteen year old girl named Beatrice "Tris" Prior. In her world, the society is divided into five distinct types of factions or specific communities, each with a particular virtue that is championed the most over the others. Abnegation (the group Beatrice belongs to) advocates selflessness - believing that greed causes nothing but grievances; Candor supports honesty - knowing that lies and deceit will only bring heartache; Amity upholds harmonious virtues - sustaining the fact that aggression is superfluous; Erudite found righteousness in reason - favoring the thought that ignorance caused unnecessary jeopardy; and the Dauntless encourages courageousness - envisioning a world in which fearlessness ceased most problems.

All of Beatrice's life, she has had to maintain a sort-of mundane existence that didn't involve indulgences, self-related thoughts and action, or even mirrors to look at her own reflection. Due to rules in her own Abnegation faction, she was forced to adorn only gray-colored clothing and was reprimanded whenever she outwardly spoke her mind.

Each year, all sixteen-year-olds are required to partake in an aptitude test that will selectively choose which faction they belong in based on a series of situations. When Beatrice undergoes it, she discovers that her results are inconclusive, and that she is apart of a special breed of people called "Divergent". Though she isn't completely aware of what that entails, she does know that she is given the heart-wrenching choice of choosing to stay with her family and faction in Abnegation or branching out to a faction where her real heart and emotions are pulling her... especially with a war brewing.

What I liked about this book:
This book leaves an infinite impression on you well after you have finished it. Beatrice was a main character that didn't annoy you or cause you to become enraged; instead, you wanted to totally cheer her on!

What I found so enticing about her is the fact that she goes through a metamorphosis throughout the duration of the novel. In the beginning, Beatrice is seen as an obedient, docile, little girl who obviously has an opinion, as well as the urge to voice it, but refrains from doing so. By the end of the novel, she is the most opinionated, strong, tenacious girl ever! Readers are able to appreciate, respect, and understand the shift in her persona because it was so absolutely realistic and almost natural in a way.

Also, the action... astounding. Exceptional. Brilliant! There was a bit of romance in this book, which I thoroughly enjoyed, and I am elated to say that I felt it to be a happy and convincing addition to the plot as oppose to some unnecessary attachment.

What I disliked about this book:
Absolutely nothing at all.

Verdict:
One of my favorite books for this year so far!

Insurgent (Divergent, #2) is the next book in this series and I need it asap!

5 TARGETS!