Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Divergent by Veronica Roth

Source: Purchased audio book

My Summary:

Beatrice Prior has a choice to make, a choice that every sixteen year old makes in her society but a choice that she doesn't want to make.  The city is divided into 5 factions, each one valuing at different virtue.  Candor values honest, Abnegation values selflessness, Dauntless values bravery, Amity value peace and Erudite values intelligence.  Raised in Abnegation, Beatrice has never felt it.  Her parents and brother make it look easy but it's time to choose between staying with them or being who she really is.  And who is she really?  The aptitude tests will tell her that or will they?   When Beatrice makes her choice, she becomes Tris but that is only the beginning of the change.  Can she survive the changes and keep her secrets or will she end up losing everyone she loves?

My Thoughts:




5 stars - A must read

Let me start with the narrator for this book, since I did listen to it.  The book was narrated by Emma Galvin.  This is the first book that I have listened to by her.   One of the best compliment that I can give a narrator is that their voice made the story better and didn't distract from it.  That's how I feel about Emma.

Now to the book. Let me say that dystopica is not my favorite genre but this series may be changing that.  The world building in this story was brilliant.  We learn about the 5 factions that make up society as Beatrice (I have a hard time thinking her as that - her name is Tris) tries to choose between them.  It's different to think of dividing a group of people by personality and believe instead of family ties or even religion.  But like any well meaning idea, people can find a way to mess it up, which is exactly what happens.  I watched as Tris tries to figure out a way to be who she is and survive in a group that has strayed from it's original goals.  It mirrors the same type of issues that teens feel as they try to become an adult in an imperfect society.  I liked that.

As for the characters, I was blown away but Tris.  Her inner strength is incredible.  She struggles to do what has to be done, to figure out who she is while trying to survive the corrupt society.  We see her weakness but she turns that to strength.  She has no supernatural powers to fall back on.  She doesn't know who she can trust.  She's required and forced to go through difficult trials.  But she grows.  Her natural physical strength develops.  She learns to survive.  She learns to love and trust a certain hotty.  She overcomes her fear.  She uses her talents to the best of her ability to become formidable.  Very impressive from a short under weight girl from Abnegation.  I was very impressed with her.

Another character that I loved was Four (again with a name that isn't his).  I'll leave that one for you to find out yourself.  He surprised me over and over again.  He didn't protect and coddle Tris.  No, he did something far more impressive, he believed in her.  That led him to push her and aid her but never treat her like she was weak.  It's a very different kind of relationship than what is so common between love interests.  And while I understand why guys feel the need to protect the girl they love, it was nice to see a guy believe in a girl.

The story was fast pasted and shocking at times.  This isn't a feel good kinda of book at all.  NO the story is brutal at times and death is common.  Even when death is not the result, the action is still full of pain and injury.  I will also so that the author writes the characters into impossible situations that I saw no way for them to escape alive.  Needless to say, this isn't a book that is easily predicted.  The hints are there but I was so caught up in the excitement of the book that I forgot to even try and guess.  That alone should tell you something about this book.    


Can't wait to see what happens next for Tris and um... Four.

This is a must read for anyone who loves YA even if dystopica isn't your thing, this one is a keeper.


I am not compensated for any of the links in this post.

5 comments:

  1. Yayayayay! I'm so happy you read this, Valerie! It's probably my favorite book, like, EVER. I loved all the characters, too. And who can ever get enough of Four? Haha, great review and I'm thrilled to hear you loved it! :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. I'm in love with four!~
    That reminds me I really should write a review on this one! Read it ages ago! Great review!
    :)


    Krazyyme @ Young Readers

    ReplyDelete
  3. Great review!! This was the first Dystopian I read. I got it the day it came out, and I fell in love. (Unfortunately the next I read was Matched and it did nothing for me) I am really looking forward to Insurgent.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I love to listen to books- so I have markes this down as audio-worthy (I don't like to listen to books that aren't read well). The plot sounds fascinating and Tris and Four both seem like great characters. I really enjoyed this review!

    ~Jess
    http://thesecretdmsfilesoffairdaymorrow.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete