Divergent, by Veronica Roth

Format: Kindle Edition, 487 pages

Published: May 3, 2011

Publisher: Harper Collins, Inc.

Back cover blurb:

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.

My review:

This book is going to stay with me for a while. I dreamed about it while I was reading it, and now I am finished I can’t stop thinking about it. It’s THAT good. The plot grips you right from the get-go, and there isn’t a dull moment. I griped when family life intruded and I had to put it down. It’s easy to see why it was voted the best book of last year – if only I had read it earlier so I could have voted for it.

The plot, as I said, was gripping and fast-paced, but what I truly loved about it was Four. Oh, yes, add another blue-eyed hunk to Mrs A’s list of fictional boyfriends. He has a way with guns and with words. *sigh* I’d love to be trapped in tight confinement with him… ahem. Lucky, lucky Tris. Anyway, I seriously hope that in the next book he ensures Marcus gets what’s coming to him. Likewise to Peter.

Another thing I loved was the way Roth touched on so many typical teenage concerns in her writing, without coming off as preachy. In particular, she tacked the feelings of being an outsider, of covering up your insecurities with bravado, peer pressure and groupthink, first love and fickle friendships, and the glorification (often these days via Facebook) of teens who commit suicide. I also loved the ways Tris came to realise her mother had hidden kickass depths, and even her father was not as grey as he was painted. Maybe these concepts don’t dawn on us until later in life than 16, but they are important things to consider. I hope they teach this book in schools in a few years – it would be a great mind-broadener.

A fantastic book which I plan to recommend to everyone I know. Can’t wait until the sequel comes out.

My rating: 5/5