Divergent (Divergent, #1) in DC Public Library

Feb 10, 2013 Rebecca rated it did not like it

Shelves: series, young-adult, popular-fiction, kind-of-boring, popular, fiction, not-recommended, dystopian

I'm annoyed I spent time reading this. Many other people have articulated its faults quite well, so I'm not going to bother with much. My number one beef is the obnoxiously repetitive inner monologue. She wishes she was more selfless. I GET it. Geez. Move on.

There are zero surprises. Teenage heroine is super awkward and puny and self conscious but nonetheless becomes the most bravestest girl ever..in oh..two weeks? Oh and she falls in super awkward teenage love. How compelling?? I can see what ...more

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Apr 30, 2014 Elizabeth rated it did not like it

I'm going to be one of those few people who did not like this book, and I'm ok with that. I couldn't even finish it. I was listening to the audio book and got to disc 7 and I just couldn't bring myself to start it back up.

I found Tris very annoying, pretty shallow, and I'm sorry to say, pretty darn dumb. How many times was she warned to not stick out, that she was being watched, and yet she didn't take them seriously and kept gaining attention. I know that the whole point of the factions was to ...more

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Nov 17, 2013 FIND ME ON STORYGRAPH rated it liked it

Not as good as the hype. The story is good (but pretty much the same as every other dystopian YA with a female protagonist), but the lackluster language takes away from it. How many times can Roth describe someone's "breaths" or say, "It's been years since blah blah happened; it's been decades," before my eyes have rolled so far back into my head that I can't read anymore? Also WHY is it necessary to talk about physically unappealing characteristics of the villain? Who cares that she has stretch ...more

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Jul 23, 2013 Susan Schuler rated it really liked it

I felt a little bit out of my element at first, as this is not a genre I typically care for. Divergent was recommended to me by another reader that I trust a great deal, so I gave it a go and I am truly glad I did. Great, well-drawn characters. Original and fast-paced plot. This would be a great book for a teen or adult book discussion- there is so much to talk about it. I am looking forward to reading the sequel, seeing the movie and hope to see Veronica Roth speak this fall at the 92nd Street ...more

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Feb 16, 2014 Lorraine rated it it was amazing

What an INCREDIBLE read! Roth creates a universe that is captivating and intriguing. Roth has many strengths as a writer, and I can see why this series is so acclaimed.

The character development in Divergent is incredibly strong. Roth does an amazing job of blurring the lines between good and evil in each and every one of her characters, including the narrator. Tris is attempting to come to terms with the idea that we can't completely wipe out evil, as bad decisions are a part of human nature. Ro ...more

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Aug 07, 2011 Maria rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: ya

So the first half was really boring and took me forever to get through, but then the story came to life! And I am a sucker for a love interest like Four/Tobias. So the second half of the book would potentially get 5 stars, except that it at times reminded me a bit too much of the trilogy-that-shall-not-be-named.

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