Divergent by Veronica Roth
9:00 AM
Author: Veronica Roth
Release Date: May 3, 2011 (hardcover)
Publisher: HarperCollins / Katherine Tegen Books
Pages: 496
Source: ARC provided by publisher
Overall: 5 Stars
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.
Debut author Veronica Roth bursts onto the literary scene with the first book in the Divergent series—dystopian thrillers filled with electrifying decisions, heartbreaking betrayals, stunning consequences, and unexpected romance.
My Thoughts:
You don't know how badly I want to write this review in all capital letters because everything related to Divergent will forever be ended with exclamations marks. Veronica Roth's debut novel is simply amazing! It has been a long while since I've found a new series to fan-girl over but within pages, Divergent had this immediate, instantaneous effect that left me hyped up and breathless.
You know all the attention and buzz Divergent has been receiving? If you're somehow still skeptical, trust me when I say its high praise is well-deserved in every single possible way. Believe the hype, my friends... believe the hype. You will not be disappointed in any regards and if anything, Divergent will somehow surpass those high expectations you'll certainly be setting. This was certainly the case for me!
Incredibly compelling and even thrilling at times, there wasn't a single aspect of Divergent that didn't leave me utterly fascinated and on edge. It's a novel about making choices, and how you have to live and adapt to the consequences of those decisions... but it's also a story about facing your fears. Veronica Roth's writing is so easy to find yourself falling into and the details she offered are always just enough that you are not left confused. There's world-building to be done as we're introduced to a dystopian Chicago and the idea of a society divided into five different factions... but it never slowed the plot. It's a fast-paced tale that never takes a breather, one which will keep your eyes glued to the page and awake in the middle of the night because you won't want to put the book down even for a second!
Tris is a respectable heroine who you'll find yourself rooting for from the very beginning while simultaneously admiring her intelligence, courage, and inner mentality. She's not above taking action against others when the situation calls for it but neither is she cold-hearted. As for the love interest... I'll leave that to you to uncover his identity on your own because it's not quite obvious at first. Tris is more focused on securing her future than taking notice of other young men, but you'll find yourself falling for him just as hard as Tris eventually does. He's absolutely swoon-worthy, and the attraction that develops between himself and Tris will leave you sighing in content! I could go into further detail oh so easily but I won't because I seriously believe it's a novel that you need to experience in wonder for yourself!
Divergent has quickly achieved a status all on its own and will easily be one of the best books of the year. In the recent slew of YA dystopian novels, it's the kind novel of that will set the new standard! Without a doubt, all eyes will now be on Veronica Roth to see how she can possibly write a second novel in the series which will measure up to the brilliance of Divergent. No pressure.
Thanks so much to HarperCollins Canada for sending me this review copy!
P.S. If you can't resist the temptation of beginning Divergent, you can read the first 100 pages of the novels with HarperCollins Canada's Browse Inside feature of the novel! And you'll definitely want to check out the Divergent Facebook page for giveaways and everything Divergent-related! You can even take the Divergent Aptitude Test while you're there to discover which faction you would be in!
9 comments
Great review! This book is taking the blogging world by storm! I reviewed this today, too. Well I shouldn't really say review, it was more of just a rant at how awesome it was! I lost all vocabulary skills while writing that review lol. I just wanted to say "It's Awesome! Go buy...Now!!" :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Cathy! I felt the EXACT same way while reading the review.... only gushing thoughts!! And you took those last words right from me; I was seriously tempted as well to just say that! ^.~
ReplyDeleteSO EXCITED! I can't wait to read this, I haven't read anything short of a glowing review for it and I'm dying to get my hands on it finally! And now I'm very curious about the love interest, I love that it's not obvious initially:)
ReplyDeleteGosh, wantsss. I've been lusting for this for so many months, I still can't believe it's actually HERE. I've only heard raves about this one too, so definitely getting it. Glad to hear you loved it so much, especially since it's hard to get that perfect balance between cold-hearted vs. pragmatic. Great review!
ReplyDeleteSO GOOD!! I finished reading it today, and I'm so excited over it. The weird thing is, I can't exactly put my finger on what exactly I loved so much about it, but I definitely did. I'm so intrigued by the whole faction idea, and I can't WAIT to find out what happens next.
ReplyDeleteIt does sound amazing :P though I already read my dystopian of the year :P but I keep it in mind of next one! :D
ReplyDeleteI agree with you entirely, this book was amazing and I can't wait for more. In fact I might have to go read it again...
ReplyDeleteYou already know how much I loved Divergent! Honestly, I was a bit wary of it because everyone was giving it such high praise and I didn't want it to fall short but I had nothing to worry about! It was mind blowing on all accounts and I can't wait for the next one!
ReplyDeleteI'm really looking forward to this book! I hear so much about it and I'm jealous you read it. But alas, I'm happy that you did so I can read such a wonderful review!
ReplyDeleteZombies are for May! Morbid Romantica Challenge links are up for Zombies along with a few book ideas. Some I myself will be trying out! Stop by and let me know which Zombie book I should be reading!
Hugs,
Mad Scientist
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