In mid-2011, I saw Veronica Roth's DIVERGENT blanketed across the blogosphere, which, as usual, caught my attention, but did not send me running to read the book. I know there are YA-dedicated book blogs out there, and they had it covered. Even when it started appearing on "Best Of 2011" lists I had my doubts. Still, curiosity got the better of me when I caught wind of the Faction leaders like The Story Siren (my go-to gal for all things YA), popping up as the ARCs of INSURGENT (the 2nd book in the series) were being delivered.
It was time I read DIVERGENT.
Holy. Cow. This is a great book!
Here is the premise: Imagine a dystopian Chicago where society is broken up into five factions. Each faction is known by its members' dominant traits - honesty, intelligence, peacefulness, courage, and selflessness. Regardless of the faction in which a child is born, when they turn 16, they are given an aptitude test to determine which faction they will live. Usually, through nature or nurture, children don't usually test out of their own factions, but it's ultimately up to them to decide where they want to go. It is up to them to choose to leave their families and everything they know for another faction to which they are more suited. Sometimes, in a rare case, there is a 16 year old that has traits in more than one faction - these people are considered DIVERGENT - and dangerous.
Even though Beatrice (Tris) was born in Abegnation (selfless), and she wants to be a Dauntless (courage), her aptitude test might tell her something very different.
Her relationships with her fellow initiates, her trainer, and her family are the heart of this book, but my favorite part was that for a skinny little girl who was raised to be meek and blend in, Tris finds her inner strength and turns into one of my favorite kick-ass girls in all of YA Lit!
If you're wondering what to read after The Hunger Games, pick up DIVERGENT. Seriously. Go now.
In the meantime, I'm going to try and get my hands on an early copy of INSURGENT (due May 1, 2012)
Book Extras:
Veronica Roth webpage, blog, Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, HarperTeen
Divergent Series on Facebook
About the Book:
(also available in paperback!)
Veronica Roth is a twenty-two-year-old debut author and a recent graduate of Northwestern University's creative writing program. While a student, she often chose to work on the story that would become Divergent instead of doing her homework. Now a full-time writer, she lives near Chicago
*Disclosure: I borrowed a copy of this book from my local library.
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8 comments:
I bought this book when all the hype was at it's most vocal, and I do need to read it before the second installment hits the shelves. I have heard that it's an amazing story, and one that is utterly entrancing and addictive. So glad that you loved it! I can't wait to see what I think!
I really, really liked this book. It made my top books of 2011 list!
I liked this book, just not as much as everyone else. I am looking forward to Insurgent, just not particularly dying for it. Maybe I'll re-read Divergent to see if I love it the second time around :)
I wasn't really interested in this one. I kind of read it on a whim and I am glad I did because I loved it as much as you did! I pre ordered book #2.
Boy is this book getting the buzz right now. Since I didn't love The Hunger Games, I'm a little wary.
As I'm just getting home from The Hunger Games movie and still on a fangirl high, I bought Divergent online after reading your review.
YAY! So glad you read this one! This was my first book of the year for 2012 and I loved it too!
So awesome that you had a chance to read this now! I was skeptical after seeing all the hype but I'm so glad I gave this book a chance and I can't wait to dive into Insurgent.
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