Saturday, February 23, 2013

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!

20 comments:

  1. Oh man...I am so confused with this book!!!
    I hear the worst and the best and I don't know if I want to read it or not!!
    I am in dilemma!!

    I think I have to give it a try and then I will know!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I was in that dilemma before. I saw bad reviews about the book, yet I decided to read it. I enjoyed the book, and I think you might enjoy it too if you read it without trying to compare it with The Almighty Hunger Games. I'm reading the second book straightaway. I hope it'll better than the first!

      Thanks for stopping by!

      Delete
    2. I personally thought the first was better than the second in the Trilogy... but that's my humble opinion, lol. Poor Athina has more confusion now! Dx

      ~Sophia @ Bookwyrming Thoughts

      Delete
    3. I'm starting the second book on Monday. Don't be confused, Athina. Book one is awesome! I'll post my review when I'm done with Book Two. :)

      Thanks for stopping by, Sophia!

      Delete
  2. Great review! This book has been to my TBR for too long now... I just haven't gotten around to buying it yet. I'll make sure I read it as soon as possible.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Somi. It's a good book and I hope that you enjoy it like I did. Thanks for sharing the link on Twitter!

      Happy Reading! :)

      Delete
  3. great review, this is one of my favorite books of all time <3. Everytime i read i picture myself as the main character and picture everything around, i love doing that haha ( unless the main character is a guy, then i just picture the surroundings)

    nenaath.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Nena. Yeah, the book is too visual. It's easy to picture the world the author created. I'm glad you enjoyed the book like I did.

      Thanks for stopping by! :)

      Delete
  4. Replies
    1. Yeah! :) It's a nice book. I'm sure you'd enjoy it!

      Thanks for stopping by!

      Delete
  5. I wanted to come by and let you know that I have nominated you for the Versatile Blogger Award. I know these awards can be a bit time consuming, so if you choose not to accept the award I understand. I will have the info up on my blog shortly. Either way, I enjoy your thoughts! www.teripolen.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for the nomination, Teri. I'll get to it soon. I'd have to do some pending award nominations first, though.

      Delete
  6. I love your review. Very spot on! I agree with you on every level especially about messing with Tris. She can definitely kick some serious butt. LOL.

    BTW, thanks for following my blog!
    Your new follower,
    Erleen @ Books For YA!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Erleen. I loved the book very much! :)

      Thanks for stopping by, and for following too.

      Delete
  7. I just finished this one not too long ago and I couldn't believe that I put off reading it for so long because it was awesome! I read a lot of dystopian books and it is by far my favorite! Awesome review!

    Kristin @ Young Adult Book Haven

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Kristin. I'm glad you loved the book and enjoyed the review! :)

      Happy Reading! :)

      Delete
  8. I JUST finished reading this and I agree that it's totally a five star book. I really like how the romance in this book developed despite the plot rather than was the plot. Thanks for the review. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Lizzy. I'm glad you enjoyed the book like I did. Yeah, I love the romance in the book. Didn't overshadow the plot a bit. Cut out the romance and the book would still be a 5-Star! :)

      Thanks for stopping by! :)

      Delete
  9. I also truly loved this book and like you said the way the author describes certain scenes and emotions and the characters she created are just so intriguing and makes the book so great! Have you read Insurgent yet? I'm curious to know what you think of it ;)

    See you around blog buddy ;)

    Florentine @ Readiculously Peachy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm glad you truly loved the book. Yeah, the author is good with descriptions. I'm yet to read Insurgent, but I'll most def read it this week.

      Thanks for stopping by! :)

      Delete