Divergent by Veronica Roth

“I have a theory that selflessness and bravery aren't all that different.” 

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.

The buzz for this book was huge. Like, enormous. As in, the buzz for Divergent could be relatable to a gigantic mass of starved locusts that devour everything in sight. So, obviously, I had to see what it was about.

I am always insanely cautious about books that have so much buzz, because I'm always afraid it's an illusion; just a lot of pushing from publishers on a story that's not really worth it. And I am even more cautious when the publisher makes the dreaded mistake: comparing said book to The Hunger Games.

For the record, I adore The Hunger Games. What I don't adore is that every book that has been published since it became widely popular has been compared to it. (I could go on forever about books that try to ride on the same wave that another popular book has created, but I'll be good today.)

Divergent was completely deserving of the buzz. Tris, the main character, was exactly what she was made out to be. She didn't just play the part of the heroine; that's who she was. She was actually a very strong character, and you can see how her past life influenced her personality and her standards, and you also see how her experiences in the book change her. I fell in love with her and Four and Will and Christina.

Divergent is definitely one of those books you can't put down; I read it in one sitting because I couldn't bear having to spend a single minute not knowing what was happening in Tris' world. I had to keep reading. I had to know what happened.

I do see some of the comparisons to The Hunger Games, because it has the same dystopia/futuristic feeling, but I see more than that; I see the utopia-aimed society from Matched and the underground-type ambiance of Ann Aguirre's Enclave, but most of all, I see tons of similarities to Ender's Game. If you enjoyed Ender's Game, then I definitely suggest Divergent, and vise-versa. They're both books that have won spots on my favorites list.

I know some people complain about the length, but I never found any place where the story was dragging or that I was bored. Really, I have don't have any complaints about the book.

Divergent deserves the awards its won, and if you're looking for something that's action-packed, something that'll have you holding your breath, you should definitely check it out.

Read more reviews for Divergent at:

Ripley Patton and Narratively Speaking