Divergent by Veronica Roth
Hardcover, 496 Pages
2011, Katherine Tegen Books
ISBN: 0062024027
Series: Book 1 of Divergent
Synopsis
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
Divergent is an astounding debut novel. I was immediately sucked in, read the almost 500 page book in one sitting and was left desperate for more. I could not put this book down. The characters, the world-building, the plot, everything was absolutely perfect. Divergent is right on par with The Hunger Games and will likely become a classic dystopian novel in the future.
I was initially drawn to Divergent by the concept: a future world in which people are segregated by their primary virtue. Teens choose whether to stay in the faction they were were raised in or change factions, leaving their family, friends and lives behind. The basic premise held much promise and Veronica Roth makes the absolute most of it.
Tris isn't like the others. She doesn't feel a strong calling to any faction. She's the heart of the novel and the most relatable character, because she's like us. Those who are perfectly fit for their factions are, by necessity, one-dimensional. Focusing on one virtue, one dominant personality trait, while disregarding any other is a scary thought in itself. Seeing the other characters, those whose personalities have been boiled down to the essence of just one specific virtue is uneasy, and that's while everyone is still happy with their lots in life. What's coming in the future - that's worse.
Divergent is a very fresh, unique novel that will captivate dystopia fans young and old. Action packed and thought-provoking, Divergent will get under your skin and stick with you for a long time to come.
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