review: Divergent by Veronica Roth

pub date: May 3, 2011
publisher: HarperCollins
pages: 496
source: ALA Midwinter
appeals: dystopian,
challenges: Debut, 350 pages

thoughts:
This book was phenomenal. Every good thing you've heard about it is very true. When I read it in January, there weren't any blurbs about the plot, just something vague about a choice transforming you. So I went in blind. Knowing nothing. Which made it that much better. Everything was a surprise.

Certain aspects of it reminded me of other books. It reminded me of The Hunger Games, mostly because of the main character, Tris. She has the same determination and inner strength and brilliance that Katnis does. It reminded me of Ender's Game because of the idea of a battle school. As well as bullying and the bond that forms in a harsh environment. It reminded me of The Giver because of the idea of sorting, of one moment determining the path of the rest of their lives. It reminded me of Matched because of the gated city--what's on the other side?

Even though it reminded me of all of these different books, it stands on its own. It is original and exciting and suspenseful. The dynamics of the different city groups, as well as the different groups within Dauntless, was cool to read. Especially how Tris interacts with them all. How they see her and how she them. How she responds to what happens, internally and externally. It's neat to see a character act one way but feel another.

Tris is an amazing character. She has all these emotions warring inside of her--fear, anger, bravery, hate. But she's very self aware. And she is very motivated to succeed.

Theres a little love story going on, too. Good stuff. The development of the relationship--awesome! The feelings were so gradual...so much romantic tension. I must say that the kissing scenes in the book were great. I'm just being honest...

Though it's frustrating to be in the middle (or beginning) of so many series right now, I am still glad Divergent is a series. I want to know more...about Tris and her boy, about her family, about the factions, about her friends. Sigh...the waiting begins...

blurb:
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.