(13) Divergent

Title: Divergent (Divergent Series) by Veronica Roth
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
501 Pages
Genre: YA

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: I feel so behind the times, but I'm just getting around to reading this series.  I wanted to get to it before the movie comes out.

I'm not sure I fully understand the world that they live in or even exactly why the world is the way it is but having to choose which faction to live in at the age of 16 seems like a daunting task.  The brutal way of life in dauntless often made me forget how young these initiates were.  My emotions went up and down, routing for one character and then being confused by some of their actions.  It was an emotional roller coaster.

I don't know how anyone could live with only virtue.  To be either brave, or selfless, or peaceful or intelligent.  Its tough to have one of those without needing the others for balance...but maybe thats how Divergent's came to be.  Something to ponder before I dive into the next 2 books.

I'm very happy they finally explained why Divergent's were so dangerous but it is curious why so many come from one specific faction.  I'm not sure it will be explained but it is something to puzzle. The story between Four and Tris was very well done.  Once you remember how old they are, how short a time this story actually takes place in and what initiates have to go through during their stages its amazing they even got a chance to speak.

This book definitely set things up for more.  I guess it could be a stand alone but you would be left trying to figure out what would happen next.

I'm excited for book 2.


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