Book Review: Divergent by Veronica Roth

Divergent #1
Author: Veronica Roth
Released Date: May 3rd 2011
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books

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.
*Goodreads Blurb*

Traditionally, I tend to give my rating after my review, but I'll go against conventions on this one. Divergent is a 5-Star read.

Why 5-stars?

Okay...

Firstly, the book is awesome. Why? Because when I read a book and I picture myself inside the world the author created, then I think the book awesome. The author did a good job in the world creating process. ONE STAR *

Secondly, the characters are captivating. Yeah, when I read a book and I begin to imagine myself chilling or chatting with any of the characters, it means that I really like those characters too well, and they feel so real to me, like real people, instead of like characters in a book. I don’t know what to say yet about having a dream where I saw myself amongst the Dauntless initiates. TWO STARS **

Thirdly, when I read a book and I begin to marvel at the story concept, then I say it’s a good book. Divergent is similar to The Hunger Games. Yeah, it’s true. But I think the similarities only ends in the first-person present tense narrative, young, independent, resilient female protagonist, and genre too. Divergent is unique on its own. Instead of the people being divided into districts like in The Hunger Games, the people in the book are divided into five factions, based on five virtues that each faction possesses: Candor (honesty), Abnegation (selflessness), Dauntless (bravery), Amity (peacefulness), and Erudite (intelligence). And there's another faction called the FACTIONLESS. I just loved the concept. Far different from being put in an arena where you fight and kill each other until one person is remaining. THREE STARS ***

Overall I’d say the story is captivating, the action and pace fast. There are good action scenes in this one, and I think the author excels there. The book is too visual; I could picture the whole world inside my head, and I like the way the author describes things. The dialogue is interesting, and the author sure knows how to weave in suspense, dropping necessary information when you least expect it. FOUR STARS ****

Yeah, I loved the book. FIVE STARS *****

Four is my favorite character in this one. I like him because he’s unpredictable, strong, and he’s even more intriguing and humane than Beatrice. Sometimes I imagined him being the protagonist. I thought the author also did a good job in creating convincing villains.

I recommend this book to anybody who wants to read about strong-willed protagonists and doesn't want to read about weak, dependent protagonists. Beatrice is one of the strongest female protagonists I've read, and she’s the perfect book girlfriend, even though she’s short, skinny, and not as pretty as other female protagonists I've read. But you don’t want to mess with her; she’s a kick-ass.

Happy Reading!

Feature and Follow #2

Feature & Follow is a blog hop hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read. The purpose is to meet new people and gain more followers in the book blogging community. If this is your first time here, welcome! You are about to make some new friends and gain new followers. But you have to know, the point of this hop is to follow other bloggers also. I follow you, you follow me. This is my second Feature and Follow, and general the rules are:

·  Follow the Feature and Follow Hosts {Parajunkee & Alison Can Read}
·  Follow the Featured Bloggers
·  Put your Blog name & URL in the Linky thing. You can also grab the code if you would like to insert it into your posts.
·  Grab the button up there and place it in a post, this post is for people to find a place to say "hi" in your comments and that they are now following you.
·  Follow Follow Follow as many as you can. The whole point is to make new friends and find new blogs. Also, don't just follow, comment and say hi. Another blogger might not know you are a new follower if you don't say "HI"
·  If someone comments and says they are following you, be a dear and follow back. Spread the Love...and the followers. Thanks!!

Here’s this week’s question: We always talk about books that WE want. Let's turn it on its head. What books have you given other people lately?

Honestly, I haven’t bought anyone a book lately. I always buy hard copies (paperback or hardcover) from bookshops in my area but I’ve been out of buying books since my accident last year. Since then I’ve been reading the books I already bought.

Okay, the question says ‘What book have you given other people lately?’ Well… I’ve given out books from my collection to my friends lately. Last week I gave Pretend You Don’t See Her by Mary Higgins Clark to my friend, Becky. And I also gave James Rollins’ Deep Fathom and Jonathan Kellerman’s The Conspiracy Club to another friend, Felix.

What about you?

Leave a link to your #FF, so I can check it out. Please let me know if you are a new follower, so I can follow you back. Happy Friday to all!

Writing and Book Blogging, A New World

When I started using the internet, it was either for visiting websites where I can play online video games, or for visiting my favorite musician’s webpage and checking out new songs, pictures, videos, and other stuffs. I had nothing else to do in the internet. Besides, using the internet in those days was pretty expensive.

Then I got into school and then came the era of Googling and Wikipediaring, doing online researches for schoolwork. Years passed and I began to hear about Facebook; I decided to join after so many “Kaykay, let’s connect on Facebook” from my friends.

Last year I discovered Twitter and I joined March. Thanks to Twitter, I discovered another great site, Goodreads. Thanks to Goodreads, I have a bookshelf online. But I’m thankful for Twitter most for helping me to connect with other writers and for opening my eyes to a new world: The Writing and Book Blogging World.

Tim Greaton's and Lorijo Metz's sites were one of the earliest blogs I read. I began to read other writing and book blogs too. It was then I created The Creative Forum, a blog where I can share my thoughts about writing and books. Though I have to admit that somehow I created it then because everyone was doing it and I thought it’d be cool to say, ‘Hey, could you visit my website?’

It’s been a good experience so far, even though I went on a blogging hiatus, following an accident last year.

And now this is why I’m thankful for blogging:

I’m thankful for blogging because it’s been like a new online guide for me toward writing and reading. I’m thankful for blogging because I get to read other awesome writing and book blogs. I’m thankful for blogging because it has helped me connect with other creative folks. And I’m thankful to you, my followers, friends, and fellow book-lovers, for stopping by and joining The Creative Forum, for the comments, the support, and for the friendship. Because of your efforts, The Creative Forum has reached a milestone with over 200 awesome GFC followers and over 2,000 cool tweeps.

THANK YOU and I wish you all the best.

Happy Reading!

Feature and Follow Friday

Feature and Follow is a weekly meme hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read. This is to promote blogs, have new followers and to be friends with everyone!! This is my first Feature and Follow, and general the rules are:

·  Follow the Feature and Follow Hosts {Parajunkee & Alison Can Read}
·  Follow the Featured Bloggers
·  Put your Blog name & URL in the Linky thing. You can also grab the code if you would like to insert it into your posts.
·  Grab the button up there and place it in a post, this post is for people to find a place to say "hi" in your comments and that they are now following you.
·  Follow Follow Follow as many as you can. The whole point is to make new friends and find new blogs. Also, don't just follow, comment and say hi. Another blogger might not know you are a new follower if you don't say "HI"
·  If someone comments and says they are following you, be a dear and follow back. Spread the Love...and the followers. Thanks!!

This week’s question is: What is the first thing you would do if you woke up to find yourself in your favorite book?

What would I do if I woke up to find myself in The Maze Runner Trilogy, one of my favorite series? Well, if I woke up in that world Mr Dashner created, first thing I’d do is drag Gally out into the maze, then get back to glade and lock up the gates. Then I’d climb a tree from where I can watch the grievers torment him. And if Chuck asks why I’m being heartless, I’d reply, “That guy gets to do something terrible to you at the end.”





How about you? What would you do if you woke up in your favorite book?
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