Title: Divergent by Veronica Roth
Genre: Young Adult – Dystopian
Rating: 5 stars
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
If you read my Dissertation discussion post then you will know i’m going to be using Divergent for my Dissertation and I finally read it this week. Baring that in mind I’ve had to make sure not to go too in-depth in my review as if I repeat myself in my dissertation it will pop up on the online university system. I have had the Divergent trilogy for years but sadly my friend ruined the ending of the third book before I even started the series, safe to say I don’t talk to her about books anymore.
I wish she never ruined it for me so I could have picked it up sooner because I have fallen in love with this book, of course I saw the film first and loved it and whilst reading the book I pictured Four and Tris as the actors who play them in the film – Shailene Woodley and Theo James.
For me however seeing the film first didn’t ruin my reading experience, the actors fit perfectly with the descriptions the book held of Tris and Four and the book also features a lot more than the films do. They are more violent in a sense, you see the real viciousness of some characters in certain scenes but don’t worry I won’t be a spoiler sue like my friend and ruin it for you but these moments shocked me having seen the movie first.
‘FACTION BEFORE BLOOD’
The setting of Divergent is Dystopian Chicago, Veronica Roth will keep you engaged throughout with her writing and because of that I had no trouble imagining the city broken up into factions. The description perfectly describes the new city down to the clothes the members of each faction wear to the food they eat.
The Factions themselves were really interesting and an unique look at the breakdown of society based on characteristics people hold. I found Dauntless to be the most exciting however the book shows that their seems to be secrets hidden within each Faction.
One thing I loved about this book was Tris, of course because she is a kick ass heroine. But also her character is on a journey to truly find herself and it’s great to see her establish herself as brave, a fighter and also as a beautiful woman. Her beauty is something she struggles to comprehend throughout. If you are a fan of The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins then I would definitely give this trilogy a read as Tris is somewhat similar to Katniss and they are both rebellious heroines.
In relation to the other characters I didn’t have any I didn’t like other than the ones I hated due to the plot for example Peter. That boy is so evil in his fight to be number 1 however you can’t really hold it against him too much because Dauntless has become a ruthless faction.
‘WE BELIEVE IN ORDINARY ACTS OF BRAVERY, IN THE COURAGE THAT DRIVES ONE PERSON TO STAND UP FOR ANOTHER’
Another thing I loved about Divergent is the fact that there is so much packed into one book and it doesn’t drag. The pace is perfect so we go from the factions to training to a somewhat ‘war’ (I’m not sure if that’s what you would actually call the events which happen) but there is also romance within the violence and sad moments. There is definitely a lot in this book to draw emotions from you, most notably for me was the feelings associated with the ‘will they – wont they’ relationship of Four and Tris.
What stood out the most for me in relation to the romantic element of this book was how Tris isn’t presented as a Damsel in Distress needing to be rescued by the male hero Four. Which is the case with some stories for example Twilight, whereas in Divergent Tris is on an equal playing field with Four they are both strong individuals the only difference is Tris needs to find that within herself.
Overall I would give Divergent 5 stars, I absolutely adored my reading experience and flew through it and at the end it’s hard not to feel the spirit of Tris. The writing style is easy to get through and it holds a steady pace, the descriptive nature also perfectly enables you to imagine yourself in the dystopian Chicago and each faction. The book does end on a cliffhanger of sorts therefore you will definitely want the other two next to you so you can move on fast and keep reading.
Have you read Divergent yourself? Let me know what you thought of the book or even the movie in the comments below!
Useful Links
Goodreads- Book Page| Goodreads – Veronica Roth Author Page | www.veronicarothbooks.com
mortalreader.wordpress.com 
I loved Divergent! Veronica Roth created such a fascinating world and I love Tris and Four with all my heart. I’m sorry that you had the ending spoiled for you — that happened to me as well, but that was on Facebook and I could have instantly unfriended that person haha. I’m glad that you enjoyed the book though 😀
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It sucks that we were both spoiled for this series! I just finished Allegiant and need to write a review for that and Insurgent but it was so good! Glad you loved Tris and Four as much as me!
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