Review ~ Divergent by Veronica Roth

Divergent by Veronica Roth

Summary:

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, Tris also learns that her secret might help her save the ones she loves . . . or it might destroy her.

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

So, I read this book as part of Fic Fare & Swoonyboys Readalongs for October and like all the others they’ve recommended, I couldn’t put it down. This readalong is supposed to last several days and I couldn’t resist and read it in one day.

Well, to me it felt like a cross between Harry Potter and Hunger Games but much better. Much Better!! I enjoyed Hunger Games very much and I’ve only read the first few of Harry Potter. But I have to say, the difference is this book caught me up within the first few words of the first chapter and wouldn’t let go until I was done. The characters were so real and vivid and the author made them relatable. Which I think is a job well done considering none of us in real life would ever have a reason to relate to the characters in that story. They live in a world we do not and would never truly understand. However, I did. I related and I felt as if I was in the story. That is a huge feat for an author writing about another world.

The heroine, Tris, although plain, small, and weak, grew strong and confident in her own insecurities. But she was selfless and brave and that was what took her above everyone else. It gave her the courage to do things others had trouble doing. I liked her because she was plain and small. I enjoyed watching her muscles grow and watch her learn how to have fun. So many of the little things she was deprived of growing up. She didn’t take them for granted either.
Tobias, or Four as he’s called in Dauntless, is perfect for Tris. He’s not a perfect man just like Tris is not a perfect woman. They are perfectly imperfect and fit together. I loved his toughness and his vulnerability. When he did things to protect Tris and her innocence made her think he was being hard on her, it was realistic to the characters.

This truly is a story everyone should read … it had so much action and excitement and nail biting moments that once you pick it up, you won’t put it down.

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