Divergent by Veronica Roth
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
In dystopian Chicago, lives Beatrice and her family in the Abnegation faction. The city is divided into five factions each valuing a different virtue. The Abnegation value selflessness, helping others before yourself. The Erudite value intelligence, the Candor honesty, the Amity peace and the Dauntless bravery. At 16 years old, children can choose to stay with the faction they grew up in or leave and attempt initiation into a new faction. They compete with the others who transfer in and those born into that faction to gain one of the coveted initiate spots. If they fail, they become “factionless” and homeless for the rest of their lives.
At Beatrice’s assessment before she makes her fateful choice, the test reveals she is Divergent, she does not understand the full scope of what this means. However, the administrator informs her it is extremely dangerous to be Divergent and Beatrice must never reveal that she is Divergent or she will be killed.
Beatrice makes her faction choice, much to the surprise of those who know and meet her. She isn’t the typical faction member and she stands out just from her meek appearance. The initiation competition is fierce to say the least. Beatrice, who changes her name to Tris, is pushed to her limits physically, emotionally and mentally.
What faction will Beatrcie choose? Will she leave the family she adores? What does being Divergent mean and why does that pose the threat of death if the wrong people find out? How can she hide being Divergent when she doesn’t even know what makes her so? Will she survive invitation or will she end up factionless?
This is the first YA novel I have finished and I was so hooked by the action, the interesting challenges that Tris faces and the little bit of romance. The author skillfully creates a dystopian society and what could happen when even the seemingly virtuous take their virtue to an extreme and inflict their judgments on others of different factions. I highly recommend Divergent, I got lost in another world, where I was challenged to think what I virtue I value most and how I would face the challenges if in the same situation. I can’t wait to read the next one!
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Stopping by from the SITS Saturday Sharefest. This sounds like a great book. I tend not to pay attention to some classifications (like YA, Romance, etc). I just like what I like, and wish I had more time to read everything I like!
Ann recently posted..Biannual Blogathon Bash — It’s a Wrap!
Hi Ann, I wish I had more time to read too. I know what you mean, I read what interests me and really just figure out genre when trying to find it in the library/bookstore or to blog about it and assign it a tag. I appreciate you stopping by and hope you will visit again soon. The Biannual Bligathon bash looks like fun, hopefully I will join up for the next one!
I’ve been meaning to read Divergent for aaaages! And your review just makes me want to read it even more.I’ll have to make a plan. I’m glad you found some YA that you liked.
Visiting via SITS
BarefootMedStudent recently posted..PB Cookies!
Thanks, it was really good. I was surprised at how much I enjoyed it! I hope you make time for it, it’s a great escape from reality. Hope you pay me a visit again soon!
I loved this book. It was so refreshing to see a young female heroine that kicks butt and really doesn’t need a man to be happy.
Michelle recently posted..Audiobook Review – I Suck at Girls by Justin Halpern
Yes, she is quite a young strong, intelligent female lead, that is refreshing. My other attempt at YA was Twilight and I was very disappointed in that one, couldn’t get through reading the book. Tris is a good role model, I can’t wait to read the next two books.
I absolutely loved this book and have Insurgent on the Nook. Just have to find time to read it.
Erin Lane recently posted..The adventures of little boys
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