Author: Summary: In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue—Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is—she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.My thoughts: Ah, Divergent. Ok, guys, I haven't enjoyed a book this much in a long time. I turned the last page, took a deep breath, and started reading it at the beginning again. It's that good. I want to rate it six stars out of five. You get me?
During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles to determine who her friends really are—and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes infuriating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers a growing conflict that threatens to unravel her seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her secret might help her save those she loves . . . or it might destroy her.
First off, Tris is such a refreshing protagonist. Call me weird if you want, but I liked that she wasn't particularly nice. She thinks mean things about people (or you could call them honest things, if you prefer). I can't be the only person who gets tired of main characters who are so darn sympathetic to other people's viewpoints that they should probably take up counselling. I'd say Tris is a good person, and she struggles with her judgements, so she ends up being likeable, but you would never call her overly sympathetic. She's a great choice for a first-person narrator, because her viewpoint truly changes the story and gives it a unique slant.
Another thing I loved about this book was how much it gave me to think about. Could a highly divided society like this one actually work? Am I kidding myself by believing that my world isn't just as divided in its own way? What does a real friend look like in this situation? And perhaps most of all... If I had to make one choice that determined my entire life, and I had to make that choice at the age of sixteen, would I make a good one? I love a good story with lots of interesting questions wrapped up in it, and this book certainly delivered that.
The majority of the story takes place during Tris's initiation to her new faction, which meant it was less action-oriented than I expected it to be. There are a few fights, chase scenes and the like, but when I summarize in my head what the story is about, I end up focusing on Tris's choices. First her choice of faction and then her decisions about how she's going to live and thrive in that faction. Definitely a more internal focus. I still loved it, it was just different than what I expected, which I guess was more revolution/battle type stuff.
Final word: LOVED IT. A must read for dystopian fans and anyone who loves an exciting, high-stakes story.
PS. You can take a quiz to determine your faction at the Divergent Facebook page. I'm DAUNTLESS. Guess I better go get some black leather, tattoos and facial piercings.
