Divergent [Hardcover]

 

 

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I really like reading dystopia books, so that was the first turn on for me about this book. I found the 100 page excerpt about a month before it came out and just powered through it. When I got to the end, I couldn't believe I had to wait a month to read the rest!

I really loved this book. There was a good amount of mystery with the plot and characters that kept me reading and I got excited when I figured something out, whether it was before Beatrice did, or with her. There was suspense and surprises to keep me on my toes, and there's also some romance, which i like, but not enough to overload the book and feel like it's taking over from the main plot. When I first found out that it's another trilogy, I was honestly a little let down, because there are so many trilogies coming out, but the ending was so exciting, and I loved the book so much, that I can't wait to see what happens next.

Everyone who read this book told me it was "the next Hunger Games," so it had a lot to live up to. The plot sounded like a great concept and I couldn't wait to read it. But throughout the entire novel, I kept thinking "when is this going to get good?" I'm not saying Veronica Roth is a bad writer. I'm just saying she could have executed this book sooo much better. It had so much potential, and it really fell flat.

The world & the government as we know it now is a faraway past for the characters of Divergent. They live in a futuristic community, divided in five factions, each believing one specific value is the best of all. Abnegation, the selfless. Amity, the peaceful. Candor, the honest. Dauntless, the fearless. Erudite, the knowledgeable. Each faction plays a role in society and every year, the 16 years old kid of each factions, after a simulation test, choose which faction they want to belong to. Beatrice, aka Tris, is a girl from abnegation and even though she believes in the principles of her faction, she feels like she doesn't belong. Her simulation test were also inconclusive, something she should keep a secret according to the Dauntless woman who ran her test. Her life depends on it. Trys will make a very hard choice on Choosing Day, but nothing could prepare her for what she will face in her new faction'

I finished reading Divergent a few weeks back and it took me a long time to write this review because I loved it so much I had a hard time finding the right words. Hopefully, my love of Veronica's debut novel will stand out!

I LOVED the world Veronica created and its uniqueness was refreshing. It's hard to create a world so different from ours while making sure the readers understand the dilemmas and convictions of the characters, but Roth succeeded hands down. Trys' situation is very tricky in her new faction, and her small physique makes the transition even harder on her and even though I've never faced anything remotely close to her situation, I could relate to her. Veronica's writing made it very easy to empathize with the lovable underdog girl.

All the characters are truly amazing actually and my favorite aspect was that every single one of them was in shades of gray. Nothing is easy as black & white and characters will make mistakes. Some terrible and unforgivable, other actions that seemed cruel from one character's perspective were merciful from another's. Trys & Four are definitely my favorite characters in this book and I rejoiced in their complicated relation. Zeke holds a small role, but definitely stood out for me. I also liked Al, Will & Christina even though some of their actions broke my heart.

The whole book is full of action and tension. It's a battle for survival and only the strongest will prevail. But strength isn't always obvious, and can take multiple forms. Veronica truly challenged her characters in multiple ways, and it was a delight to follow their struggles. And even if the world dark and harsh, there are some really funny moment to, here's an example:

The characters are talking about their fears:

" 'How were your moths?'
"You promised you would never tell!' cries Christina, smacking my arm.
'Moths,' repeats Will. 'You're afraid of moths?'
'Not just a cloud of moths,' she says, 'like' a swarm of them. Everywhere. All those wings and legs and'' She shudders and shakes her head.
'Terrifying,' Will says with mock seriousness. 'That's my girl. Though as cotton balls.' "

The end was a killer. The tension, the loss, the betrayal. A lot of strong emotions colliding to bring an epic ending to a fabulous book. The end isn't really a cliff-hanger, more like a chapter ending, and I CAN'T WAIT to get my hands on the second book. When I finished reading Divergent, all I wanted to do was start reading it all over again. That's just how good this book is.

Thrilling and fascinating, Divergent will grab you by the throat and drag you in a world where you must stand up for yourself or die trying. The characters will have to fight in this ruthless and cruel world, hoping to create a better future for themselves and you can't help but cheer for them.

Divergent is for me the best read of 2011. High five to Veronica Roth!

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5.0 out of 5 stars Ah-fricken-mazing
Honestly, best book I have read in a while. I love dystopian novels, and despite what people say....it is not like The Hunger Games!!!!! Read more

Published 3 days ago by Isla

4.0 out of 5 stars A real page turner
This was a really good novel, it was very similar to the hunger games, but I found it to be a better/smarter read. Read more

Published 9 days ago by Can1

5.0 out of 5 stars Divergent is brilliantly unique and stands strongly apart from the crowd on its own two feet.
You must be living under a rock, in a cave, in a land far far away if you haven't heard of Divergent yet. Read more

Published 24 days ago by Ashlee

5.0 out of 5 stars LOVED IT
Couldn't put this one down. A gripping story, always some new twist happening. I cannot wait for the next installment of this series!

Published 2 months ago by Laura Smart

5.0 out of 5 stars An amazing dystopian and great debut!
It seems, nowadays, that everyone is writing their own dystopian novel. Some of them work, and others might not, but once in a while, there's a dystopian book that really grabs... Read more

Published 2 months ago by Reading in Winter

5.0 out of 5 stars I love Divergent!
The best book I have read in a long time. The only regret I have is reading it before the sequel, Insurgent, is released as now I cannot wait for it.

Published 3 months ago by Cat

5.0 out of 5 stars This book blew me away.
This is a astounding book, it makes you think about the future, how the world is going to be once we blow it up. It has the perfect balance of action and romance and emotion. Read more

Published 3 months ago by snow

5.0 out of 5 stars all the craze and attention it's been getting is well deserved
I remembered a while back I kept seeing this book pop up all over blogs, and at the time I was thinking - What in the world is all the fuss about? Read more

Published 7 months ago by Fantasys Ink

4.0 out of 5 stars Closest to the Hunger Games for me so far
Filming has wrapped up on the movie version of Suzanne Collins' Hunger Games. This fan of YA Dystopia will be waiting to see how it compares to the book. Read more

Published 7 months ago by Luanne Ollivier

2.0 out of 5 stars It has its moments. Not the greatest, I think.
Don't get me wrong here. I loved the plot. It had a lot of potential to be something as interesting and intriguing as The Hunger Games. Read more

Published 8 months ago by Karoline

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