Divergent (Divergent, #1) in Pretty in Fiction

Aug 23, 2013 Annie Brewer rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: books-on-my-shelf, book-boyfriend, dystopian, 2013, ya, bad-ass-heroine

Damn, that was some crazy shit!!! The last bunch of chapters had my head spinning. I had no idea what was going on, but I know it wasn't good. Lordy, my heart was racing. But it was good!

I'm very eager, yet keeping my expectations low, for the movie. It looks awesome, so I hope they stick to the book.

I'll post full review tomorrow. But I gotta say, Four is pretty amazeballs!! I can see the hype around him and find it accurate. He's so sweet and protective and flawed and just all around awesome Damn, that was some crazy shit!!! The last bunch of chapters had my head spinning. I had no idea what was going on, but I know it wasn't good. Lordy, my heart was racing. But it was good!

I'm very eager, yet keeping my expectations low, for the movie. It looks awesome, so I hope they stick to the book.

I'll post full review tomorrow. But I gotta say, Four is pretty amazeballs!! I can see the hype around him and find it accurate. He's so sweet and protective and flawed and just all around awesome!

I'd hate to admit it, but it took me awhile to get into this book. God, I wanted to love it. After being recommended by several people, I just feel bad that I didn't love it the way they did. But, you can't love 'em all right? That doesn't mean I didn't like it. I just have a hard time getting into Dystopian. It's not my first genre to read. I've always been more of a Paranormal romance genre reader. It's where I started, and it's where I'll end.

However, after getting to the middle, it started to pick up for me. I always enjoyed Four. When he came into the scene, I was connected to him. I enjoyed Tris. Her character was engaging, bringing me into her world, and the life of the Factions.

So why didn't I enjoy this more then? Because the whole world building was very confusing for me. In the beginning that is. Maybe I just had too much on my mind at once to pay attention to how everything worked. But I found myself lost on several occasions. I re-read a bunch to try to get a grasp on what was happening. Things finally clicked though. And then shit was going down and I again, was lost. Too much happening at once. First of all, what the fuck are they doing jumping off moving trains? I. Don't. Get. That. I'd be dead in a frickin' heartbeat...like KER SPLAT! Dead. I don't know, that was just weird to me. I guess it's because I had a near-death accident with a train and I don't like the sight of them. I hate them in fact, they scare me. So, no fucking thanks. I'll pass on committing suicide. Ha!

I did like the Factions and what they represented. I found the whole simulations kinda crazy too. Holy hell, seeing your fears right in front of you. I got about a handful of those, and they're pretty crazy. To have to go head-on with them would seriously drive me to a mental hospital. Maybe that's a bit extreme, but it's the truth. I did like Tris' bravery. How she handled the initiations and her choice of what Faction she chose. Even if it stirred the pot between her parents.

We learned a lot about sacrifice, loyalty, bravery, facing your fears, trust, self-discovery, what to do in a dire situation and what lengths you'd go to protect those you love. It was really fascinating.

There's so much that I enjoyed, and some I was confused and lost on. But overall, it was better than I expected it to be when I first heard of this series a year ago. I never planned on reading it. Ever. It just didn't interest me. But then I watched the trailer, yes I watched the trailer before I read the book. I watched it over and over. And started to become more curious about the hype, so I did go out and buy it. I just let it sit on my shelf for a while before I finally opened the book.

I enjoyed the characters. Christina, Will, Al, Caleb, Tori (my daughter's name, not that that matters, just tossing that tidbit out there), Tris, and of course Four. I even liked, hated, the bad guys...the ones that made me want to hurl them off the edge of the roof of the building eighteen stories up. Yeah, those too. Gotta have villains to keep it interesting. But I still hated them and what they did. Not cool.

The ending had a lot of action, probably the most, and I was sad and jumping in suspense and cringing, and hoping against odds that certain things didn't happen. I was able to breathe eventually, but it was still intense. But it kept me turning the pages to see what was going on and how it would transpire.

I loved the bit of romance that was happening. Four was such a sweet, protective guy. Really. The conversations he and Tris had, the way he was gentle yet firm and attentive, yet he let his emotions slip a little, the subtle gestures he made like holding her hand, the look in his eyes when he saw into her. It was all endearing. I swooned quite a bit with that guy. I kept forgetting he was not too much older than Tris but he acted a lot older. He was mature for his 18 years, I think. And the fact that he wasn't any more experienced than she was. HELLO HOT STUFF! The end was so swoony, and I could feel my face flush a bunch. Especially their last interaction. Loved it!

I'm interested to see how they're going to bring this book to the screen. I won't get my hopes up or expectations high, not doing that EVER again. But I'm still very curious and will be anticipating the movie next year. I do need to read Insurgent at some point too, just not sure when yet. ...more

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Feb 14, 2014 Carrie Ardoin rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: i-own-this, dystopia

So yeah it took me a really long time to read this book, considering I own it and it's so hyped and stuff. I just like to tell myself that I waited to read it until right before the movie so everything could be fresh in my head.

It took me so much longer to get into Divergent than I thought it would. Tris is not the most interesting MC, IMO. She starts to really hit her stride in the second half of the book, once it's clear that being a part of Dauntless has truly changed her. Still, I had my iss ...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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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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