From the Bookshelf of Erudite Readers…

Divergent (Divergent, #1)

Veronica Roth

Start date: December 7, 2011

Finish date: December 31, 2011

Discussion: Monthly Reads!

Discussion leader: Jon

Why we're reading this: Chosen by you in our Monthly Poll :)
Overall winner of The Goodreads Choice Awards.
[close] Chosen by you in our Monthly Poll :)
Overall winner of The Goodreads Choice Awards.

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Monthly Reads!

March 2013 Nomination Thread
By Jon , The Paperback Prince · 14 posts · 50 views

last updated Feb 18, 2014 11:32AM

World War Z by Max Brooks
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last updated May 08, 2013 03:55PM

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What Members Thought

Jun 16, 2011 Parvathy rated it liked it

Shelves: living-vicariously, young-adult, strong-females, glued-till-the-last-page, movie-material, conspiracy-theories, disturbing-dystopia, chick-lit, sci-fi

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Dystopian books are not usually my cup of coffee but I decide to give this book a try anyway because it was compared to the likes of "Hunger Games". Let me be clear here I was very impressed by Suzanne Collin's Hunger Games and I take comparison with that book very seriously. Divergent has all the elements you look for in a dystopian novel series but the thing about this novel is it is a lot less believable. The future painted in this book depicts a world were everything revolves around a group ...more

5 likes · Like · see review

Sep 06, 2011 Heather rated it it was amazing

Shelves: dark-romance, favorites, all-time-favourites, books-so-amazing-i-re-read

Divergent is.........FABULOUS!

Divergent is the debut novel of Veronica Roth and she has a great
style of writing that flows through the pages brilliantly.

It follows the story of Beatrice 'Tris' as she begins her journey
of choice over which faction to chose out of the five factions that
rule the future's society. They are Dauntless, the brave, Eurdite, the
intellegent, Candor, the honest, Abnegation, the selfless and Amity, the
peaceful and harmony.

Good Points:

Tris is a very likeable and realistic ch ...more

3 likes · Like · see review

Dec 20, 2011 Keren Hughes rated it it was amazing

Shelves: most-favourite, to-review

Original Review Can Be Found At www.gothicangelbookreviews.blogspot.com

First of all, let me just wipe my eyes and blow my nose. Goodness knows I need a whole box of Kleenex at this point in time. I have just put down DIVERGENT about 5 minutes ago and I am still sitting here with a tear stained face.

*Takes a couple of deep breaths, pulls self together to get on with my review*

I usually start with my appreciation of the cover, so that seems as good a place to start as any.

It's not pretty in your ...more

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Jan 10, 2012 Jilleen rated it it was amazing

Shelves: dystopian

Wow, this was a completely original book. I love the dystopian world that the author created. On the surface you have 5 groups of seemingly happy people because they live in their element. At the age of sixteen, they choose where they go, seemingly to be happy evermore.

What is great about the world created is how the author introduces the worm into the apple. Is everything perfect? The disillusionment is subtle. First its hinted at. What is it meant to be divergent? Why is it dangerous to let a ...more

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Jun 28, 2011 Book Addictions by Christina rated it it was amazing

I can't say enough about this book. I was so excited to read it. I read some early reviews and there was really a lot of hype about it...... I was in NO WAY let down! I loved everything about this book!
Beatrice is a BAD ASS! She is my all time favorite heroine now.

When she chooses her faction she also chooses her new name, Tris. And Tris has to take some chances and do some really dangerous things. But this comes more natural to her that she thought it would. This distopian world is so awesome. ...more

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Aug 04, 2011 Preeti Joan rated it really liked it

Now I know why mostly everyone was fussing about this book. This was a great read! I hate myself for not reading this book sooner! I made a HUGE mistake, and I regret that. If I knew that this book was epic, I would've read this and known Four for more than a year! I would've swooned over him for a long time.

I've heard some people telling that this book was a lot like the Hunger Games trilogy. I doubt that. It has a different plot, different story and different concept. I think the only thing t Now I know why mostly everyone was fussing about this book. This was a great read! I hate myself for not reading this book sooner! I made a HUGE mistake, and I regret that. If I knew that this book was epic, I would've read this and known Four for more than a year! I would've swooned over him for a long time.

I've heard some people telling that this book was a lot like the Hunger Games trilogy. I doubt that. It has a different plot, different story and different concept. I think the only thing that's kind of similar to the Hunger Games was the fact that it's about rebellion and revolution. In this book, people were grouped into factions. Dauntless, Abnegation, Amity, Candor and Erudite. Each faction must follow their own core value to fit into their new family. Tris, or former Beatrice, was a 16-year old young lady set to decide between staying with her family or choosing who she really is. When she was able to make her decision, she must surmount the initiation given by hew chosen faction. If she fails, she'll become factionless, and she doesn't want that to happen. In that span of time, she started a romance with a boy that has his own secrets.

Veronica Roth really did a great job on writing Divergent! I would've given this 5 stars if not for the fact that some events were predictable and were expected to happen. Also, I was really hoping that something big was going to happen (like a war or just some kick-ass action), but nothing. Those were the only disappointments I have regarding Divergent. All in all, this was epic! It really was a page-turner! Every character was unique and intriguing. The factions were a great touch to a dystopian-themed book. I also liked how they were able to live harmoniously with each other despite their differences, and each faction was able to contribute for the betterment of their country.

This book has action, politics, drama, adventure and love story infused in it. There's also humor which makes the book more ideal. 4 stars for Divergent! I'm nervous for Insurgent, though, because I've read reviews stating that Insurgent wasn't as good as the first book. Hmmmm I might not read the second book yet. Maybe I'll wait for the third book to come out (which is next year, bummer). Divergent really deserved to win the Goodreads Choice Award for Favorite Book of 2011. :)
...more

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Dec 21, 2011 Kristine Leigh Marbella rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: books-i-own

Also posted on: http://sybillinebooks.tumblr.com and http://hypnosmnus-leighmarbella.blogs...

Finally! I was able to finish Divergent by Veronica Roth after a week of "interrupted" reading. I had work. I was always I asleep. I just could not squeeze it in. I even had this strange thought that maybe it's not actually as good as everyone says it is. But! But! But! I beg to defer! I think it's one of the best dystopians out there. Haha. I simply could not find the time to read it. Anyhoo, the main c Also posted on: http://sybillinebooks.tumblr.com and http://hypnosmnus-leighmarbella.blogs...

Finally! I was able to finish Divergent by Veronica Roth after a week of "interrupted" reading. I had work. I was always I asleep. I just could not squeeze it in. I even had this strange thought that maybe it's not actually as good as everyone says it is. But! But! But! I beg to defer! I think it's one of the best dystopians out there. Haha. I simply could not find the time to read it. Anyhoo, the main characters of the story are Beatrice "Tris" Prior and "Four". Hahahaha. Read the book so you'd know what "Four's" real name is!

I honestly loved this book from page 1. I just had to work and train this newbie at work since I'll be changing patients in a few days. And thus, the lack of time to actually read while on duty. haha. The concept of the story is just like any other dystopian novels where tyrant leaders are involved. But somehow, the author made it into something unique. The faction concepts somehow confused me in the beginning. Seriously, I had to look up the meanings of each name. haha. But still, I liked that. It helped broaden my vocabulary.

I liked Beatrice "Tris" Prior as a character. She's different and she knows it. And again, since I don't want to spoil anyone I won't mention the reason why she's different. haha. Just read it. Somehow, deep inside of her she always knew that she was different from everyone from her faction which is Abnegation. And when the time came for her to decide whether to stay or leave I think she was at least able to choose the right faction for her. I am no longer biased when it comes to judging female characters. I seriously liked Tris. She's not annoying. Not the typical damsel in distress. I actually liked the brute side of her. Not a weakling per se. I liked the fact that she's not your average girl-in-love or stupid-whiny-girl character. I seriously loved the tough chic there.

Then of course, there's Mr. Hottie himself, Four. I am seriously, in love with Four right now. Haha. I love his I-am-so-tough-and-yet-I-am-sensitive persona. I just can't help but love him. I seriously understand why Tris likes him. I seriously have no idea why I like men who can treat a woman with brute force and gentleness at the same time. I just don't know. I think Four is one of those characters that I just can't help but fall in love with.

Overall, I enjoyed reading Divergent as I got deeper into the story. The fact that there are no lame characters in the book makes it oh so awesome for me. Plus, the fact that Tris can actually hit Four without being such a girly girl. haha. Love that part. Overall, I enjoyed reading this book. I'd give this a 5/5 star rating. And I can't wait to get my hands on the next one. ...more

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Aug 21, 2011 Eoin rated it it was amazing

Shelves: series, fiction, favorites, young-adult

I can not do this book justice no matter how hard I try. I loved it though. It shows that when humans try to create perfection in an imperfect world things will collapse and chaos will arise. If you loved the Hunger Games you'll love this book. as I read the book I thought this is scary but I wasn't scared. Things are scary but there is difference between saying something is scary and something is scaring you. Frightening would probably be a better word. You have to overcome fear. There is no su ...more

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