Book Review: Divergent by Veronica Roth

Firstly, I'm very sorry for my absence this last month, I was stuck in a place without a proper internet connection. However, I'm back now, and I'm going to make it up to you with a review of the most amazing book I read in 2011! I actually read it three times more since that first time, so it's about time I review it...

I can guarantee you, this book will get you hooked.

In a future Chicago, 16-year-old Beatrice Prior must choose among five predetermined factions to define her identity for the rest of her life, a decision made more difficult when she discovers that she is an anomaly who does not fit into any one group, and that the society she lives in is not perfect after all.

My thoughts
Divergent tells a story set in a dystopian world, post war. This sounds suspiciously similar to the Hunger Games, and yes, a lot of people do compare these books with each other. At first this made me weary, as I absolutely loved the Hunger Games and didn't feel the need to read a similar story. However, at one point there was no way of escaping: I had to read this book. And I loved it!
The inhabitants of Chicago have been divided into five factions: Abnegation (Selflessness), Erudite (Intelligence), Dauntless (Bravery), Amity (Peace), and Candor (Honesty)
Once a year children aged 16 must choose their faction, it's entirely up to them whether they decide to stay with their family in their old faction, or join another faction. Tris is stuck between two choices, her family or herself.

The book isn't that similar to the Hunger Games in my opinion. The heroines may be a tad identical, yet their worlds are completely different, as well as their stories. 

Veronica Roth's writing style is amazing. The way situations are described, I felt as if I was the one jumping from a roof, not Tris. Also, Roth managed to catch my attention right from the start, even though the first chapters are slow. As the story progresses it gets more and more thrilling. I simply couldn't put the book down.

I loved the world Roth created, and I loved the characters even more.
Tris, this short, shy girl somehow transforms into a strong and fearless leader. The kind of person you can't help but admire. The changes she goes through in just 487 pages, incredible. And believable, amazingly done by Roth.
Four is completely different. He doesn't really change, it's more that Tris him bit by bit unravels. The story is written from Tris's point of view, and as a reader you know as little about Four as Tris does. Where he is an intimidating, mysterious and a bit scary person to Tris at first, she learns about his past and gets to know him.

If you don't read this book now Tris and Four will come and hit you, you've been warned.

Cover

Personally I prefer the UK cover of this book, as I have a preference for pretty covers. I do feel the US cover shows the main setting and plot of the story better.

My rating of this book

Source

Bought at the local bookshop. 

Other links

Find this book on Goodreads

Visit Veronica Roth's website here

~ Sylke