Divergent (Divergent, #1) in YA and Beyond

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 However, Four seemed a little too withdrawn at times.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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Aug 09, 2012 Cinnamon rated it it was amazing

Shelves: audio, favorites

My to-read pile is astronomically high. In fact, it takes up a whole bookshelf at home. Funny thing about accepting books for review, oftentimes your own books tend to get less priority. Now that I've taken to listen to audiobooks in my driving and walking time, however, I find that I'm actually able to get to some of the books I've heard so much about and experience them for myself. DIVERGENT by Veronica Roth was such a book.

DIVERGENT popped to the top of my list after a friend finished reading My to-read pile is astronomically high. In fact, it takes up a whole bookshelf at home. Funny thing about accepting books for review, oftentimes your own books tend to get less priority. Now that I've taken to listen to audiobooks in my driving and walking time, however, I find that I'm actually able to get to some of the books I've heard so much about and experience them for myself. DIVERGENT by Veronica Roth was such a book.

DIVERGENT popped to the top of my list after a friend finished reading The Host by Stephenie Meyer and was looking for another post-apocalyptic type dystopian. Everything we could find suggested trying DIVERGENT next. I thought the cover looked pretty (you know me) so I suggested it to my friend. A few days later she had finished DIVERGENT and the second in the trilogy Insurgent and just wouldn't stop raving about it. I sighed and traded an Audible credit in for the book mainly to get my friend off my case.

Holy buckets! DIVERGENT is an excellent read/listen!

Beatrice Prior has just turned 16 and as such will get to take part in the Choosing Day - the day that she chooses a faction to spend the rest of her life in. There are five factions (learning about them is half the fun of the first part of the book), each with their own guiding principles. Beatrice starts as Abnegation - a selfless faction who believe in viewing and doing for others before themselves. But, is Beatrice really Abnegation? Can she spend the rest of her life living selflessly, never thinking about herself, and always putting the needs of others first?

DIVERGENT follows Beatrice as she struggles to make a decision, makes that decision, and then struggles through the consequences that her decision entails. While this is all happening, Beatrice learns that her perfect society may not be as perfect as it claims. Something dangerous is approaching and it seems to be tied to the Divergent.

I'll have to admit, I came into DIVERGENT expecting a light read with some neat dystopian elements. I was surprised by how real Roth made the story. Beatrice's emotions are the real emotions I would expect from a girl in her situation, with her actions staying fairly true to the actions I would expect her to take. Just because this is a young adult novel doesn't mean that Roth spares us the pain and difficulties that come from living in parts of this society. She doesn't glaze over the terrors that some of the characters have to live through, instead putting them out in the open and letting us experience the world right along side Beatrice. This is probably the one thing I loved most about DIVERGENT.

With some great action sequences, a fantastic storyline, and really good drama and tension, DIVERGENT is an excellent read for anyone looking to escape for a while. This won't be a walk in the park, but I can pretty much guarantee that once you've finished it, you'll be clamoring for the next book in the series. ...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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