Divergent (Divergent, #1) in Baltimore County Public Library Summer Reading BCPL SRC

Aug 08, 2012 A Book Vacation rated it really liked it

To see my full review:

http://bookvacations.wordpress.com/20...

This is one of those books that’s been sitting on my shelf since it first came out, but I never got around to reading it. I heard glorious things about it, but it wasn’t until I learned it was being made into a movie that I actually picked it up. Shame on me. I know. Sometimes, that’s how things go, though…

Divergent is so much more than I expected it to be. Completely unique, I loved the separate factions. The entire time I was readi To see my full review:

http://bookvacations.wordpress.com/20...

This is one of those books that’s been sitting on my shelf since it first came out, but I never got around to reading it. I heard glorious things about it, but it wasn’t until I learned it was being made into a movie that I actually picked it up. Shame on me. I know. Sometimes, that’s how things go, though…

Divergent is so much more than I expected it to be. Completely unique, I loved the separate factions. The entire time I was reading, I kept trying to decide what group I’d choose. I’m not selfless, or brave, or very intelligent, so that leaves honesty or peacefulness. Well, I’m certainly not honest all the time, but I do think that I like to keep the peace, so I’d probably end up joining Amity. But that’s all besides the point. Tris joins Dauntless and it’s a crazy world that she’s chosen to join. She had no idea what it would really be like, and of course, neither did I. My eyes just kept bulging with each new task the Dauntless gave to Tris and her peers as they attempted to become a part of the faction. And I just loved the ups and downs and the feelings of the new entrants… it was very real to me, though a bit sickening at times, as well.

Basically, Dauntless seems very evil. The higher ups think pain equals bravery, and that’s not how I see it, personally, but for all intensive purposes, it worked for this novel. There’s the good, the bad, and the very ugly… a little bit of romance, a lot of fighting amongst themselves, and even attempted murder… and it made my heart beat double in my chest as this very long story unfolded. Personally, I think some of it could have been shaved off so the book wasn’t so long, but most of the events really helped shape the characters, which I loved, so while I thought it was a bit too long, I honestly don’t know what I’d cut.

Tris is tough, but I wasn’t sure she belonged in Dauntless until the very end of the book. Things get way out of hand, what with mind control and mass hatred towards other factions, and I was blown away by the events that transpired—Tris really is brave, in my eyes, and what she had to do in the end, to survive, made me love her all the more. Roth definitely scared me for a minute; I was sure she was going to do something drastic to one of my most favorite characters of all time, but luckily everything panned out in the end, though families and friendships have been destroyed forever.

I really thought all the characters in this novel were well developed. From the major to the minor, we get to know them all quite well, and I loved that Roth was able to create such vivid love/hate relationships while divulging more of the secret behind what it means to be “divergent.” Overall, I really, really enjoyed this book, and am eager to read the next installment, Insurgent, sooner, rather than later.
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Jan 31, 2011 Sarah Russo rated it it was amazing

Shelves: ya-sci-fi, ya-dystopian, romance

As Keanu would say... Woah.

I think this world is truly fascinating, and would love to read more. I felt more daring situations and pulse racing moments than any book in a long time. Buzz worthy? Definitely.
However, I think the bad guys/girls lack a bit of development, and maybe it's because I've read so much dystopian lately that I recognize so many of the arcs.
Following a young, strong protagonist who people overlook because of their origin, and they have skills that come out in the course of f ...more

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Feb 02, 2012 Katelyn rated it it was amazing

Shelves: all-time-favorites, cover-lover

"...Human beings as a whole cannot be good for long before the bad creeps back in and poisons us again."

The premise for the book is very interesting. The city Beatrice lives in has been split into 5 Factions, or groups of people. Each Faction has their own unique ideals. She currently lives in Abnegation - the Faction of the selfless. Along with Abnegation, there is Candor - the Faction where no one lies, Erudite - the Faction where knowledge is held in the highest regard, Amity - the Faction o ...more

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Nov 07, 2012 Devon rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2014, 2012, books-i-ve-read-multiple-times, adapted-into-movie-or-show, 2023

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. 2014- I liked it better the second time reading it. It made the ending a little better. I don't like how they changed things in the movie.

2023- I liked it again the third time. Still not my favorite YA dystopian, but I love Four!

My new thing is keeping a running commentary as I read. I am going to copy mine from this latest reread below…

⚠️ SPOILER ALERT FOR LATER BOOKS ⚠️
Read ahead at your own risk

- for some reason reading 1984 made me crave this book. I’ve only read Divergent once before (actua 2014- I liked it better the second time reading it. It made the ending a little better. I don't like how they changed things in the movie.

2023- I liked it again the third time. Still not my favorite YA dystopian, but I love Four!

My new thing is keeping a running commentary as I read. I am going to copy mine from this latest reread below…

⚠️ SPOILER ALERT FOR LATER BOOKS ⚠️
Read ahead at your own risk

- for some reason reading 1984 made me crave this book. I’ve only read Divergent once before (actually I later realized that I’ve read it twice…) and while I liked the first book, I was not a huge fan of the second and I actively disliked the third. But now I’m going to need to reread it.
- 12% I’m not sure if this shows my age, but I have some problems with them jumping blindly off this roof without knowing what’s at the bottom. Obviously they are not going to let them die, so there has to be something at the bottom to break their fall. But depending on what that is will alter how they should try to land. Is it water? Then they should be straight legged with their arms tucked in. Is it a net or foam blocks or something? Then they probably want to land in a seated or better yet laying down position.
- 25% I feel like beating up someone significantly smaller than you with absolutely no experience fighting is not a sign of strength or bravery. It’s one thing to do it because you have to, but to revel in it? How pathetic can you get
- 51% okay, let’s be honest now… I’m probably rereading this because of Four. And Theo James who plays him in the movies. Because of his recent role in The White Lotus. And The Time Traveler’s Wife. Even though I’m not going to watch the movies again (although maybe I should since I never did see the second 2?)
- 55% they need to kick Peter and these other assholes out
- 68% if this was NA rather than YA that claustrophobic box scene would have gone so much different 😏
- I wonder what my fears would be in the simulator…
-??% I totally forgot that intimacy was one of her fears 😂
- 91% now in book 1 she is willing to sacrifice herself and die to stop the simulation. How did I not anticipate the ending of the final book ...more

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May 17, 2011 Paula added it

Shelves: young-adult, great-books-for-teens, milo-s-shelf

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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May 09, 2011 Paula Gallagher rated it it was amazing

Finally, a book I can hand to the person who loved The Hunger Games and wants to know what to read next. Divergent is an adrenaline-pumping thrill ride of a book featuring a gutsy, smart, tough heroine. Intrigue, corruption, deception, betrayal--all the hallmarks of a compelling dystopian read--are all here. Roth's lean, spare prose style propels the story, making this a real page turner. I challenge you to put it down. And in case you're wondering, there is a dose of believable romance. Diverge ...more

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Nov 05, 2010 Joy rated it really liked it

Shelves: young-adult, 2012-reads

When there is a lot of hype surrounding a book I usually think I'll be in the group that won't be at all impressed. It took me a while to get around to reading this one (book 2 is already out!) and the reviews are pretty impressive. Well, I have to agree. Divergent is an action-packed, exciting novel. I'm hooked. ...more

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Aug 24, 2011 Noël Swain rated it it was amazing

I read this book in two sittings. I haven't been so absorbed with a book in awhile. Excellent attention to detail, and it thankfully lacked the typical YA lovesick teenaged girl. I am anxiously awaiting the next installment!! ...more

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May 18, 2012 Tlovesbooks rated it it was amazing

Shelves: ya-read

Great book! One of the few books that lives up to the hype. A strong female character, exciting storyline, vivid characters, some romance and some action. Great for anyone who enjoys Dystopian novels. Ready to read Insurgent.

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