Book Review: Divergent

Title: Divergent
Series: Divergent #1
Author: Veronica Roth
Release Date: April 25, 2011
Source: School Library
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Summary: 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.

Rating: 5

Review: I originally read this book two years ago and I thought it was amazing but a while after I read it I slowly started liking it less and less for no reason. I forgot how good it really was so rereading it now made me remember why I loved it originally.

This book is breathtaking. The characters are fresh and real. This book follows Tris Prior after she makes the choice to leave her family and go to Dauntless. The book lets us see how she reacts to her choice and the consequences of it.

Tris must go through the process of Dauntless initiation before she can be truly Dauntless. While there she befriends Christina and Will. The three of them go through initiation and must learn how to fight, how to overcome fears and cowardice and how to be brave. Abnegation is about selflessness and Dauntless is about bravery. As Tris goes through initiation she realizes that she is more selfless than she thought she was. Her instructor Four helps her to realize that she is most brave when she is trying to protect others and being selfless. He tells her that selflessness and bravery aren't that different.

I loved all the characters. The characters had to find out what was really happening at Erudite headquarters so they can prevent bigger problems. I loved Christina, she came from Candor where they always tell the truth so she has a habit of just saying whatever is in her head. Will is Erudite so he knows so much and is always acting to smart for the Dauntless. All the characters must learn to leave their old lives behind so that they might be able to except their new lives as Dauntless. Tris's brother Caleb chose Erudite and he must learn to deal with all the rumors Erudite was giving about Abnegation. It's a learning experience for everyone in multiple ways. The characters must learn to accept the choices they made.

The writing in the book was beautiful. Veronica Roth described everything so beautifully. She described the world so well that I was able to see it all in my head.

After rereading the book it makes me wonder why I ever stopped liking it in the first place it is brilliant. I am more excited than ever for the movie that comes out this Friday. I definitely recommend this book.

Favorite Quotes:

“We believe in ordinary acts of bravery, in the courage that drives one person to stand up for another.”

“Becoming fearless isn't the point. That's impossible. It's learning how to control your fear, and how to be free from it.”

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

“Sometimes crying or laughing are the only options left, and laughing feels better right now.”

“A brave man acknowledges the strength of others.”

DFTBA
-Janussa :)