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Review: Divergent by Veronica Roth

Posted by Giselle • 7 Comments

Divergent (Divergent, #1)

Veronica Roth

First published May 1st, 2011

Beatrice “Tris” Prior has reached the fateful age of sixteen, the stage at which teenagers in Veronica Roth’s dystopian Chicago must select which of five factions to join for life. Each faction represents a virtue: Candor, Abnegation, Dauntless, Amity, and Erudite. To the surprise of herself and her selfless Abnegation family, she chooses Dauntless, the path of courage. Her choice exposes her to the demanding, violent initiation rites of this group, but it also threatens to expose a personal secret that could place in mortal danger. Veronica Roth’s young adult Divergent trilogy launches with a captivating adventure about love and loyalty playing out under most extreme circumstances.

I don’t know where to begin with this review. It was too great in so many ways that there is too much to praise. I will start by saying that it was spectacular!! We all know why so many dystopian novels have been coming out lately, and I’ve read many of them, but this is the first and only to be able to stand with the likes of The Hunger Games. It’s one of those books that are really so gripping that you read and you get this rush of nervous energy the whole time. It’s a real crazy fun ride.

The plot is unique, even for a dystopian. I don’t really want to go into it because there is just too much to explain. The back of the book isn’t even enough. But it’s not complicated at all once you read the book. It’s post war; there is a lot of violence and no-mercy, heartbreaking situations that the author didn’t shy away from, which turns it into a very powerful novel.

The writing is spellbinding. The way the author explains situations, as an example (no spoilers) jumping off a roof, it really makes you feel what the reality of it is like. You feel that hole in your stomach that you get when you’re falling in your dreams, just before waking up. Or the rush I got when I went cliff diving. It makes it an experience as much as a story; You feel like you’re jumping off with her. Every situation is like that and you’re really in her shoes.

I loved the world that Veronica created, and I loved the characters even more. They are all particular. She didn’t just create fluff characters that add nothing to the story, they all have their own roles to play. Tris, the main character, is really the type you get to admire. She converts from this shy, timid girl to a strong and fearless leader and it’s just great and fantastically written.

It’s obvious that Veronica has some great talent and I was very happy to learn that this is going to be a series. There are a lot of unexpected twists and turns in this book and the ending, though not particularly a cliff hanger, really makes you crave some more.

Watch out Hunger Games, there’s a new kid in town!!