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review: Divergent by Veronica Roth

Divergent by Veronica Roth
Published by HarperCollins
Challenge: DAC
Series: Divergent #1
Source: Review Copy (UK proof)


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.


***
I'd been told this book was good but I didn't realise it'd be sooo good. It is intelligently written and fast paced with an awesomely brilliant main character. This book is a prime example of why I love dystopian fiction.

For me the best thing about this book is how brilliantly intelligent it is. The ideas about the different factions is really clever and the way the story uses those divisions in the final chapters (I'm not even going to begin to explain or tell you about it because I will spoil it for you. I can't wait to see how all the things that have been set up play out because they have the potential to be brilliantly awesome.

I loved the main character Tris. I loved following her tale and seeing the world through her eyes, having lived all her life in a simple and selfless way, and seeing how she adapts and copes in this new harsh world that she has found herself living in. I also loved the gorgeous yummy love interest in this book.

The action in this book is awesome. While nothing like it the brutality of some of the scenes were reminiscent of something from Suzanne Collins's The Hunger Games. It is done really well throughout and picks up the pace as the book continues to the point where the last 200 pages were unputdownable. The book also had some cracking twists and turns that I never saw coming.

I'm going to keep this short. I don't want to risk spoiling any part of this amazing book for anyone. I'll finish by saying it is certainly as amazing as everyone is making it out to be!

Thank you HarperCollins for the review copy

Comments

KelliumSims said…
Awesome review (:

I can't wait to get my hands on a copy of Divergent come pay day
Fantastic review - I'm really eager to read this one!
Claire Merle said…
Excellent review. I've heard good things about this one, but now I feel totally desperate to get my hands on a copy!
Lynsey Newton said…
Another Divergent fan! YAY!
Unknown said…
I've been really anxious to read this one! Great review. I found your site via Pure Imagination.
Daisy said…
I WANT to read this book so badly! I'm so jealous you already have ;) Thanks for the review!
Unknown said…
Good review. I was looking for the next debut author to read and I think I found it!
Lesley said…
Divergent's on my wishlist. I can't wait for it to be delivered. I enjoyed your review.

My keeper shelf