Divergent (Divergent, #1) in Pretty in Fiction

Dec 06, 2011 J.R. Wagner rated it really liked it

Oh boy...that time again. I've finished another book.

Divergent by Veronica Roth

I'll save the cover for the end...mix it up a bit.

Author Profile: (borrowed from Goodreads)

Web:

http://veronicarothbooks.blogspot.com/

genre

Young Adult

Veronica Roth is only 23, so her bio will be short. She’s from a Chicago suburb. She studied creative writing at Northwestern University, and wrote DIVERGENT (Katherine Tegen Books, May 2011). The second book in The Divergent Trilogy, INSURGENT, will come out in May 201 ...more

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Jan 04, 2012 Isra Starr rated it really liked it

Shelves: read-2012, reviewed, favourites, recommended

I’m always hesitant of novels that have ended up on bestseller lists, especially since the whole Twilight fiasco all those years ago. Reading Divergent was something that I had wanted to do since it had come out, but I kept having to put it off because of one thing or another, and by the time I got back to it, I was hesitant to read it. It was recommended to me as a read for this month and so I took on the challenge and actually sat down to read Divergent, allowing myself to get into the book an I’m always hesitant of novels that have ended up on bestseller lists, especially since the whole Twilight fiasco all those years ago. Reading Divergent was something that I had wanted to do since it had come out, but I kept having to put it off because of one thing or another, and by the time I got back to it, I was hesitant to read it. It was recommended to me as a read for this month and so I took on the challenge and actually sat down to read Divergent, allowing myself to get into the book and read it, and I have to say that I was very surprised with how much I liked it.

Set in futuristic, dystopian Chicago, Divergent is about a girl named Beatrice who has to pick which of the five factions (groups of people) she belongs in. She finds out during the test that she’s a Divergent (destined for multiple factions) and is told to keep the whole thing secret while she considers which faction to choose.

The five factions: Candor, Erudite, Abnegation, Amity and Dauntless, each have a key defining point that make them a faction. The faction that Beatrice chooses, Dauntless, is known for bravery. She then changes her name to Tris and meets Four, her new coach who is to lead her and the other new transfers through the screening process to stay in Dauntless. If not, then end up factionless, the equivalent of a homeless person and they have no one or nothing to look forward to ever.

I really liked reading Divergent because the plotline was intriguing and the relationship between Tris and Four builds beautifully, in a sort of slow and continuous way rather than choppily or sudden like most YA novels these days. I just had a problem with the way that the Dauntless worked. I mean, the fact that they all wore black and had tattoos and piercings was cool and all, but the concept of jumping on and off of trains, throwing yourself off of buildings and basically letting yourself get killed or almost killed just in order to be accepted into the faction is ridiculous and disturbing. Well, not disturbing, but quite improbable.

The thing that I understood the least was that Tris and all of these recruits just went along with it like there was nothing wrong whatsoever. I understand that had they not, they would have ended up factionless and that is a disturbing thought within itself, but it just seems like people wouldn’t blindly go through all of these tests without even knowing if they’re going to come out of it alive or not. (view spoiler)

Aside from that, I really liked the plotline and I really liked that the author didn’t leave us with a cliffhanger that made us desperately crave the next one the second it was done. I have to say that I desperately craved it anyway, but the point of that is that cliffhangers seem to be the next big thing in YA fiction and it’s really frustrating because I’m sick of being stuck in these , ‘Will this happen will that happen oh my god what’s next!?’ ending to books. I like that Veronica Roth didn’t leave us with a cliffhanger and yet still left us desiring more. I’m craving the next book so badly that it makes me want to cry.

I can’t wait to see what happens in Insurgent, and if you haven’t read Divergent yet, you really need to. Despite some plot holes that I really can’t get past, it’s a really amazing novel, and it deserves to be read.
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Dec 14, 2011 Kara rated it it was amazing

This book was incredible! I had to keep on reading it until I finished it in one day it was that amazing. It reminded me something like the Hunger Games meets the Matched yet it had so many unique features I almost feel l ike it's appalling to compare it to anything. Well written, and extremely compelling, I'd highly suggest it! ...more

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Jan 13, 2012 Manda rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, dystopia

I loved loved this book. I can't wait for the squel "Insurgent" to come out. Tris and Four are great charactors. I loved reading through Tris's inner struggles as she chooses between which factor to belong too and how she deals with her choices once made. This book is placed sometime in the future after something bad has happened to Earth. In this new city, they have created five factors that you can belong too, and on your sixteenth bithday you can choose to stay in the factor you were born int ...more

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Mar 02, 2012 Angela rated it it was amazing

Shelves: physical-books-read, 5-stars, ya

Where do I even begin? There has been so much praise about this book, I fear this review will probably mean dejavu for many of you that have read other reviews on it. Nonetheless, I feel I have to get my thoughts and feelings across, so let us begin.

This book was amazing. Such an incredibly vague and over used word, but it seriously was. From page 1 up to page 487, Miss. Roth had my full attention. There was always something going on, whether it be big or small, it made it virtually impossible t Where do I even begin? There has been so much praise about this book, I fear this review will probably mean dejavu for many of you that have read other reviews on it. Nonetheless, I feel I have to get my thoughts and feelings across, so let us begin.

This book was amazing. Such an incredibly vague and over used word, but it seriously was. From page 1 up to page 487, Miss. Roth had my full attention. There was always something going on, whether it be big or small, it made it virtually impossible to ever want to put this book down. I must admit, the timing was not right for the reading of this book as all during March I was considerably busy.

Word of advise? Make sure you read this book when you have the time! It will save you a lot of book torture. This is one big book, chalk-full of events that will make you want to read until the very end, so it would be wise to consider your time.

Aside from that, the characters I promise you, will not disappoint. Divergent is the perfect example of book with well crafted characters. Our main character, Tris, was probably the best character I've ever read about. You see her grow as a human being throughout the book, and you see her weaknesses and strengths and how they effect her. You see her become the person she ought to be, not the person society wants her to be. You see that in today's society, of people being what society tells them to be. Props to Tris for going against this. I must say actually, props to all the people in this dystopian world that did what they thought was best. I think it's what makes the characters so likable. And Four, you ask, yeah he was pretty darn amazing and will be the male protagonist you'll fall head over heels for. He won't disappoint either.

Overall, the story line was well laid out with no plot holes, and it was actually interesting. I can't say there was ever a time I was bored while reading this. There is so much described and created in this dystopian world, that the writing was there, but you don't see it. All you see is this world Roth has imagined and created using her imagination. It was quite incredible. This book will never bore you!

One last thing I just have to note: That ending was incredible! It was the best, most satisfying ending ever! Its not really a major cliff hanger, it was actually a good conclusion. Really, a lot of authors suck at conclusions. Don't deny it. But Veronica Roth created the most amazing ending that didn't leave me tormented, or not wanting me to read the next book, but it left me satisfied, still making me want the sequel, but deal- able. I can actually live my life without the ending replaying in my mind. So thank you Roth for such a great ending.

Ultimately, this is the best book I have ever read. All year, and every year. It has made its mark in spot number one. I will be feverishly awaiting the sequel, Insurgent!

Questions: What Faction do you think you'd choose?
My Answer: Probably Abnegation, because I'm the type of person that always thinks of the other. Always.
How about you?
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Jun 24, 2012 Juliann Whicker rated it it was amazing

Shelves: kept-me-up-all-night

First I was like, "Another book in first person present tense? AIEEE!" then I was like, "I have to stop reading this so I can sleep!" Then I was like, "What are the birds doing awake in the middle of the night?" And then I was like, "That's all? I have to read the second book, like now!" But happily I went to sleep instead.

These addictive books are so dangerous for my overall sleep health. They're going to lead to all kinds of narcolepsy and saggy eye syndrome.

What I loved: The description. Th ...more

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Jan 08, 2012 Rose rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, own-read, 5-star, dystopian, finished-reviews, hardcover

When I first read the description of this book, I wasn’t sure what I was getting into. I started reading Divergent on a Saturday evening, and finished it a week later. My mind has been blown away by this futuristic world that Veronica Roth has created for us Readers. I instantly fell in love with the 2 main characters Tris and Four. As well as the lifestyle of the Dauntless Faction (At first). It’s definitely something I could never do and I found it absolutely fascinating.

There was a lot of fas ...more

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Apr 07, 2012 Alanoud rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I could not put this book down! It is amazingly written;it grapes your attention from the first page and doesn't let go until the end, and leaves you eager for more. For me it was better than The Hunger Games. ...more

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Sep 10, 2012 Susy rated it it was amazing

Shelves: ohmy-ya, favorites, dystopia

LOVE IT!
Divergent made me really curious while reading the sinopsis. A city divided in factions? Factions that respresented virtues? I was soo engaged with the book that I didn't stop reading until I finished :) And I don't regret it.
I highly recommend this book to everyone. Better read it now, before the movie comed out.
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