Divergent

Reviewer: Kristen
Author: Veronica Roth
Pages: 487

Format: Paperback 

My Rating: 8 out of 10

Summary (thank you, 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.

My Thoughts: I figured it was about damn time I jumped into the whole point of the blog, which is reviewing, so why not start off with this popular little masterpiece? Everyone, and I mean everyone, is currently going crazy over this trilogy. Desperately awaiting the last to be released (speaking of which, when does that happen?) and I can completely and totally relate! I'll admit, I was hesitant to even read Divergent like I always am when about to read a popular novel, but I'm glad I did! It's a great story, and the way that Roth stitches things together is superb. I was skeptical of Four at first, but hot damn, I'd have never guessed that coming out of this novel, I'd be in love with a number for a name. The characters are so complex, and so compelling it just pushes you forward into reading this book. Pretty sure I finished it within the span of a few hours. 

It's by no means a hard read, and being the die hard Hunger Games fan I am, I did find some similarities. So, if you're a fan of THG series, pick this up, for sure. I loved Tris' strength, and I loved her motivation. She was so real as cheesy as that may sound. But I could relate to her in impossible ways, which is interesting as I've never been in any remotely similar situation... so I guess that's a tribute to Roth's writing. This was a really solid read, but something kept me from giving it a ten. Don't let that stop you though! 

Final Thoughts: This was great, seriously great! Give it a go, I promise you won't be disappointed. 

(Sorry if this seems, I don't know... rough? It's been a while since I've read it, but I really wanted to review something!)