Divergent Review

Author: Veronica Roth
Release Date: May 3, 2011
Pages: 487 (ARC)
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Most Appropriate For Ages: 12+
Where I Got It: Borrowed
Challenges: 2011 Debut Author

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.

Divergent was soooo hyped. Every review I'd read of it gave it five stars, rave reviews, and insisted that it MUST be read. Naturally, this brought up two reactions from me:

1. I NEED IT.

2. The sad thing is it's probably not even that good... I better put on my snob-reading-glasses.

And I did. Put on the snob-glasses, I mean. Please keep that in mind when I say:

2011 is The Year of Dystopia. And Divergent is the best ones I've read this year so far.

From the first page--no, paragraph--I was hooked. Roth has created a gripping and fast paced story that keeps you glued to the pages throughout the book. And it helps that her world-building is rock solid and terrifying and brilliant.

Tris is a unique, smart, and compelling character, I loved being inside her head. And she wasn't the only character I loved. Cause, um, FOUR. I loved that character to pieces! I also took on an odd fondness towards Will, more so than the other side characters.

May we please take a moment to point out the romance? It was so great. And I don't mean in the overly-mushy type way, I mean in the enjoyable-without-being-so-over-the-top-it-takes-away-from-the-rest-of-the-plot way. It was realistic while still being smile inducing.

...But that's where the smiles from me end regarding Divergent, really. This is a rough, intense future to bear witness to, but I honestly loved every second of it and would relive it all again in a heartbeat.

Divergent was wonderful. This is a journey that I'm super excited to continue, and super excited to push copies into people hands and force them to read it like a lunatic, and super excited to add it to my Favorites Shelf. Trust me, you cannot afford to miss out on Divergent.

Plot: Spectacular.

Characters: Lovable and smart and just...yes.

Writing: Flows really well.

Ending: O.M.G.

Kid friendly?I'd say so. There are very brief mentions of sex, as well as violence, but that's it.

Overall: