Divergent by Veronica Roth

Published: May 3, 2011 by Katherine Tegen Books
Received: Jen from Makeshift Bookmark

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.

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.

Debut author Veronica Roth bursts onto the literary scene with the first book in the Divergent series—dystopian thrillers filled with electrifying decisions, heartbreaking betrayals, stunning consequences, and unexpected romance. {taken from goodreads.com}

YA dystopian is not the first genre I go to these days.  You'll usually find me picking up a contemporary piece or paranormal romance.  But every once in awhile I will find myself being drawn to something in the dystopian world.  Usually it's by word of mouth.  When bloggers confess their love for a book on their blogs & on twitter I think, hmm I may need to check this one out.  Divergent is one of those books.  And yes, YOU should check this one out too.  To say it's a fantastic read is an understatement.  Divergent sucked me in, held on so tight squeezing the life out of me, & then spat me back out leaving me breathless.

The story is based around a dystopian Chicago.  Now, I have never been to this city, but Veronica Roth did such a superb job of describing well-known landmarks that I had an easy time visualizing it.  From the crumbling buildings, to the harsh sky line.  The city is divided in to five factions & when each child turns 16 he/she has the choosing of which faction they want to belong to.  Sounds easy right?  Well, it's anything but easy!  The faction you choose will dictate who you are for the rest of your life.

Beatrice has a choice; remain in the Abnegation faction she has grown up in or listen to the pull within her to join another faction.  The choices she makes propels her in to a lifestyle of humanity that she never knew existed.  It is here that she learns how far she can push herself, what boundaries lie within her reach, and how willing she is to go beyond them.  The relationships she makes along the way are new to her.  Coming from a society that has taught her to be selfless, always putting others before herself, she never knew what it meant to build relationships with people -- to gain personal satisfaction from these relationships.  In a world she thought she knew, everything is being challenged.  The small, meek girl is rising above and standing tall.  She has a voice and she plans to use it.

Now you may be wondering, where's the boy?  Oh trust me.. there is a boy!  His name is Four.  Yes, Four :-)  His character stood out the most to me.  He comes across cold and aloof, only wanting to serve his faction and think clear headed thoughts.  But when he meets Tris (her new name she gives herself) his ideals falter and he begins to question everything he thought he knew.  Four may seem distant and hard, but it's the tender moments that seep out between him and Tris that really captured the story for me.  The two of them unearth secrets about themselves and have to learn to live in a world they thought they understood, but really is a mystery in the making.

The pace for Divergent is quick and never letting go.  I loved how the story continuously flowed, always presenting new challenges and never giving a final resolve.  With this being the first of three books I can not wait to see what happens next.  This story is gripping, compelling, and digs deep within your soul.  Veronica Roth has completely blown me away with her debut novel.  Go read this book. NOW.  You won't be disappointed, I promise.