Divergent (Divergent, #1) in YA and Beyond

Feb 06, 2012 Lindsay rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 5stars, ya, lmaiangowi-s-150-for-2012, read-in-2012, reread, read-in-2016

First read Feb14/12 to Feb18/12. Library edition.

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May 03, 2011 Jen Halligan rated it it was amazing

Shelves: signed-by-author, favorites

Originally posted on my blog, A Book and a Latte :

Just... WOW. This is a brilliant debut by Veronica Roth. Intense.

I've been working on this review for days. Days trying to come up with something coherent to say about this book. When I write reviews right away about books I LOVE, I tend to get a bit gushy. Ah, I simply loved this book - from the plot to characters to the setting.

Divergent takes place in post apocalypse Chicago, where the government has split society into five factions divid Originally posted on my blog, A Book and a Latte :

Just... WOW. This is a brilliant debut by Veronica Roth. Intense.

I've been working on this review for days. Days trying to come up with something coherent to say about this book. When I write reviews right away about books I LOVE, I tend to get a bit gushy. Ah, I simply loved this book - from the plot to characters to the setting.

Divergent takes place in post apocalypse Chicago, where the government has split society into five factions dividing citizens by personality traits. The factions are Abnegation ( the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), Candor (the honest), and Erudite (the intelligent). The traits are taken to the extreme in each faction and there is rivalry and tension between some of them. Divergent follows the story of Beatrice (a 16 year old girl) as she decides which faction to join and goes through the initiation process. I won't go into too much detail because I think the synopses give too much away already.

I have to say, I have mixed feelings about Beatrice, the protagonist. Though I was constantly rooting for her, at times I despised her. I could understand why she did what she did though, and in the end I think I can say I liked her. I fell in love with Four, he basically "stole the show" for me. From the time Four walks onto the page I was fascinated and wanted to learn more about him. About 2/3 of the way through this book I wished that I could read from his POV. Funny enough, I read somewhere (sorry can't remember where) that Roth had initially wrote the story from his perspective, but got stuck early on and changed to Beatrice. I really hope that she will release some Four POV goodies, or ideally release a book in the series told from his POV. What I also loved about the characterization is the diversity - thank you Roth! Seriously, fantastic. There are characters of all shapes, colors, sizes, fashion, demeanors, and forms of self expression.

I'm trying, but I just can't think of any criticism for this book! The action was intense, there were times that I caught myself with my jaw hanging open, clutching my book. I would love to get inside Roth's head and learn where these some of these scenes came from!
I can't say enough good things about this book. It is EXCELLENT. If you haven't picked this up already, do so now! ...more

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Dec 11, 2011 Falling for Books (Tia) rated it it was amazing

Favorite Quotes: “It must require bravery to be honest all the time. I wouldn’t know.”
“I am pure adrenaline.”

My thoughts:
This book has been on everyone’s To Be Read List including mine. So, I decided to go for it and read it. I really loved this book from beginning to end. This book had me hooked all the way to the last page. This book has definitely deserved the praise it has received!

I really liked Tris as a character. I thought she was strong when she needed to be and vulnerable at times ...more

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Jul 19, 2011 Haley rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, action-romance, the-sky-is-falling

*Spioler Alert**
First, just let me get this out....

HOLYFREAKINGSONOFALOWLIFEHOUND!!!!!DOGFREAKINGDAGNABBITONASTICK...

Ok...alright. I feel better. These dystopian novels have all be good and even the books I have read latly have been good. But this book, while not better then the others, was to fantastic to tell. I adored everything about this story. Tris's transformation, Four's-well everything about Four, the sly humor and bitter sarcasm. This is a whole new world! DIVERGENT is spectacular in ...more

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Mar 19, 2011 Seth rated it it was amazing

Shelves: read-on-nook-epub, 5-star-books

Ohmyohmy. This book was SO good.

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Jun 26, 2012 Chris Sorensen rated it really liked it

I finally read this book. Everyone said I needed to; people in my critique group, everyone on Goodreads, and even my wife (who loved it).

What I enjoyed most...

The story certainly kept me turning the pages. It was fast paced action and the plot kept moving forward. I also enjoyed Tris (for the most part) and thought her actions and motivations were realistic. I felt for her and wanted her to succeed.

I also enjoyed the writing style and it pulled me in. I usually don't enjoy 1st person - at least I finally read this book. Everyone said I needed to; people in my critique group, everyone on Goodreads, and even my wife (who loved it).

What I enjoyed most...

The story certainly kept me turning the pages. It was fast paced action and the plot kept moving forward. I also enjoyed Tris (for the most part) and thought her actions and motivations were realistic. I felt for her and wanted her to succeed.

I also enjoyed the writing style and it pulled me in. I usually don't enjoy 1st person - at least not 1st person in the last 10 years or so. There is something about the constant inner focus that I have a hard time with. It's supposed to help me become more connected to the character, but usually it just pushes me away. However, I enjoyed the flow and style that Roth employed...it did not turn me away. She was able to focus on Tris, without being completely overwhelming.

What I thought was okay...

I thought the author did a good job with the love interest - Four - and the relationship built with Tris. It was semi-believable for me and I thought it progressed naturally. However, Four seemed a little too withdrawn at times.

Also with the book, especially after the reviews I had read/heard, I was expecting more substance. It's certainly more plot driven than character driven (at least for me). I didn't get connected to the characters as much as I would have liked to.

There is a twist with Tris' mom that plays a very key role and it was okay, but I wanted more. There wasn't a lot of relationship building or emotional moments with Tris and her parents.

What I thoroughly disliked about the book...

I cannot say enough about the world building...which was almost non-existent. I wanted to get so lost in this world, but I couldn't, because it wasn't there. I don't remember enjoying a book so much where I didn't have a clue what anything looked like.

I also had a hard time with Eric, the main baddy in the book. He is a great character and a pretty mean guy in the first half of the book, but by the second half he has calmed down slightly and is more reserved...almost like a different person. The only problem is there was no explanation for the shift.

Do I agree with everyone who heaps praise saying 'this is the best book/series since Hunger Games'? Well, I don't know, since I still haven't read hunger games;-) So while it was good, I don't think I can put it into the 'awesome' category...not yet anyway. In my heart I wanted to give the book a 3.5, but because it kept me involved and entertained, I bumped it up to a 4.

Have you read 'Divergent'? What did you think? ...more

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Jan 11, 2012 Renuka rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, young-adult, science-fiction, dystopia, romance, action, e-book, cliff-hangers, owned, my-fictional-boyfriends

It's official. My faith in dystopian novels has been restored. It took me forever to get my hands on this book and I was wondering whether it would be worth it. It totally was. It wasn't the usual boring hello the world is over, everyone is dead, run for your lives book. This had something totally different with the factions and the choice everyone has to make when they're sixteen. I have to say though, I know this book takes place in Chicago but...what about the rest of the world? There was no ...more

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Jun 08, 2011 Ally C. rated it it was amazing

Shelves: dystopia

A very exciting read!!! It won't disappoint! :D ...more

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Jun 07, 2012 Jennifer Rodgers- Cabrera rated it really liked it

I am starting Insurgent now and I can not wait. I really didn't like the ending to Divergent. I was just reading along and then it was over. I didn't even realize it was the end so I don't feel like it had a complete ending.

read originally august 22,2012. re-read for the release of alliegent. ...more

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Aug 04, 2011 Erinp Plumley rated it it was amazing

I truly enjoyed this book--thank you Heather! It was captivating and thought provoking. It made me take a better look inside myself. It is a futuristic story that is primitive in so many ways. REad it and enjoy it!

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