{Book Review} Divergent (Divergent #1)

Author: Veronica Roth

Genre: YA science-fiction, fantasy
Published: May 3rd 2011
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Pages: 487
Source: Purchased Hardcover
Available at: Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Goodreads Summary:

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.

Debut author Veronica Roth bursts onto the literary scene with the first book in the Divergent series—dystopian thrillers filled with electrifying decisions, heartbreaking betrayals, stunning consequences, and unexpected romance.

My Rating of this Book – 5 out of 5 Stars!

What I Didn’t Like:

• N/A

What I Did Like:

• The General Plot Line – This book is fast paced and full of action. The rising action continued to grow even into the last few chapters before finally coming to a climax, keeping me on the edge of my seat until the very end. It was hard to put down at any point; I craved to know what would happen next.
• The Characters – Four and Tris are my two favorite characters. Four was kind of a mystery through the book – I loved trying to figure him out. He’s definitely tough on the outside, but something gentle lies underneath that shield he has erected around himself. As for Tris, she is one of the strongest heroines I’ve read in a long time. She is just amazing.  But, it was not just Four and Tris I loved. I truly liked all the characters because they were so varied in their personalities. It was easy to relate to one or another at any point or time. Even the villains and bullies were amazingly written, adding extra tension to the plot.
• The Style of Writing – The author really stayed in the ‘here and now’ as she wrote the novel, which I really liked. It was immediate action and reaction and on the moment’s thoughts and emotions. Not much dwelling or repetition. This is what gave the book it’s quick pace.
• The Challenges – I loved the challenges Tris had to face, both the personal challenges and the situations that were occurring around her. My favorite challenges though were part of her initiation. They were amazing!