Divergent

Divergent by Veronica Roth

I have been on the waiting list (from my library) for this book for months! Last week I finally got the exciting email saying it was available for me!

To be honest, I hadn't heard about this book until talk of the movie with Shailene Woodley. But once I read the description, I was hooked. It definitively reminded me of Hunger Games, which I loved, so I knew it was a must read.

Beatrice lives in a society that is divided in to 5 factions that are based on a particular virtue - Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent).

When children reach the age of 16 they take an apptitude test to decide which faction to join and dedicate the rest of their lives to. Beatrice has grown up Abnegation, but she is very conflicted when forced to chose her faction; does she choose her family or who she is inside? Of course Beatrice doesn't fit into one faction and she learns this is because she is Divergent - something she must never tell anyone.

I was fascinated by this idea of dividing people based on these traits, and how each of the factions behaved. The internal struggle Beatrice has between holding back her instincts and acting according to her faction was very believable. It was interesting all the ways her Abnegation upbringing affected her daily activities in her new faction. She was so innocent and oblivious in her feelings for Four. I really loved reading as their relationship developed.

Roth is amazing with her details. I can really picture the Dauntless Headquarters, and I am excited to see how it looks on the big screen. I could not put the book down and I finished it in 2 days.

I am currently #4 on the list for Insurgent, but I doubt I can wait that long to read it! I'm sure I will be 'one-clicking' any minute now. The 3rd book in the series, Allegiant, is due out October 22, 2013.

I can't wait to see the Divergent movie in March 2014! I think Shailene will make a great Tris! If you need more convincing check out the trailer -



Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars. If you loved Hunger Games, you will enjoy Divergent. Even if you think you don't like "Sci-Fi" (which I thought I hated until I realized that both HG and Divergent are Sci-Fi) you will enjoy this book. It has action, romance, drama - it's a story so many of us can relate to - coming in to adulthood and finding where you belong.

Buy Divergent on Amazon.